첫 번째 남자 (The First Man) is one of the most talked-about Korean daily dramas of 2025–2026. If you’re searching for 첫 번째 남자 meaning, The First Man cast, story, episode guide, release schedule, or where to watch with English subtitles, you’ve come to the right place.
Premiering on December 15, 2025, this gripping MBC daily drama has captured audiences across South Korea with its emotional story of revenge, betrayal, stolen identities, family conflict, and twisted fate. Combining romance, melodrama, and suspense, the series has become a favorite among fans who enjoy long-running Korean revenge dramas.
Running until July 2, 2026 (with some listings showing June 5, 2026 or July 3, 2026 for the final episode), 첫 번째 남자 continues to attract strong television ratings and online discussion.
If you’re planning to start watching or simply want to know more about the drama, this complete 2026 guide covers everything you need to know.
What Does 첫 번째 남자 Mean? Title Explained
The Korean title 첫 번째 남자 literally translates into English as “The First Man.”
However, the title carries a much deeper emotional meaning than its direct translation.
According to director Kang Tae-heum, 첫 번째 남자 can also symbolize “First Love.”
The drama explores the idea that:
- The first man someone truly loves can shape their entire future.
- First love often leaves lifelong emotional scars.
- Love has the power to heal—but it can also become the beginning of revenge.
This double meaning forms the emotional foundation of the series.
International viewers may find the drama under several titles:
- The First Man
- First Man
- Cheot Beonjjae Namja
- 첫 번째 남자
All of these titles refer to the same MBC television drama.
Rather than focusing only on romance, the story asks an important question:
How much can one person change the lives of two women forever?
첫 번째 남자 Story and Plot – Full Synopsis
At its heart, 첫 번째 남자 is an intense revenge melodrama built around identity theft, betrayal, ambition, and fate.
The official synopsis describes the series as:
A drama depicting a life-threatening confrontation between a woman who takes another person’s life for revenge and another woman who steals someone else’s life for her own desires.
A Story of Two Women
The drama centers around two completely different women whose destinies become dangerously connected.
The Woman Seeking Revenge
After losing everything through betrayal, one woman decides that ordinary justice is no longer enough.
To punish those responsible, she abandons her own identity and begins living another person’s life.
Behind her calm appearance hides years of pain, determination, and carefully planned revenge.
The Woman Driven by Desire
The second female lead is ambitious and willing to do anything to achieve wealth, status, and power.
She steals another person’s identity, believing that money, love, and success can erase her past.
Her greed eventually leads to devastating consequences.
The First Man
Standing between both women is “The First Man.”
He is:
- The first man both women truly loved.
- The emotional connection between their past and present.
- The person whose decisions trigger the entire revenge story.
His love, betrayal, guilt, and hidden secrets become the driving force behind the drama.
Across more than 120 episodes, viewers witness:
- Hidden identities
- Family conflicts
- Romantic betrayals
- Dangerous confrontations
- Long-buried secrets
- Unexpected plot twists
Like many classic MBC daily dramas, 첫 번째 남자 blends:
- Romance
- Crime
- Family drama
- Melodrama
- Mystery
- Psychological revenge
Every weekday introduces another revelation, making it difficult to stop watching.
첫 번째 남자 Cast – Main Actors and Characters
One of the biggest strengths of The First Man is its experienced cast, featuring both veteran actors and rising stars.
Hahm Eun-jung
The former T-ARA member plays the drama’s main heroine.
She portrays a woman forced to live a double life while secretly planning revenge against those who destroyed everything she loved.
Many viewers consider this one of the strongest performances of her acting career.
Oh Hyun-kyung
Veteran actress Oh Hyun-kyung plays the primary antagonist.
Elegant on the surface but manipulative underneath, her character becomes one of the drama’s most feared and unforgettable villains.
Critics have praised her ability to portray both sophistication and cruelty.
Yoon Sun-woo
Yoon Sun-woo plays The First Man, the central male lead whose complicated history connects both female protagonists.
His character is:
- Charming
- Successful
- Emotionally conflicted
- Burdened by past mistakes
His choices ultimately shape everyone’s destiny.
Park Geon-il
Park Geon-il appears in an important supporting role.
He frequently serves as:
- A protector
- An ally
- A key figure in uncovering hidden truths
His presence adds emotional balance to the revenge-focused storyline.
Kim Min-seol
Following her appearance on the popular dating program Single’s Inferno, Kim Min-seol makes a significant career milestone with her first major K-drama role.
Her performance has received considerable attention from viewers throughout the series.
Together, this talented ensemble helps make 첫 번째 남자 one of the standout Korean daily dramas of 2026.
Broadcast Details, Episodes, and Ratings
If you’re planning to watch 첫 번째 남자, here are the official broadcast details.
Drama Information
- Korean Title: 첫 번째 남자
- English Title: The First Man / First Man
- Genre: Revenge, Crime, Drama, Family, Romance, Melodrama
- Writers: Seo Hyun-joo and Ahn Jin-young
- Director: Kang Tae-heum
- Broadcast Network: MBC TV
- Premiere Date: December 15, 2025
- Final Broadcast: July 2, 2026 (some listings mention June 5 or July 3, 2026)
- Broadcast Schedule: Monday–Friday
- Time: 19:05 KST (7:05 PM Korean Standard Time)
- Language: Korean
- Episode Length: Approximately 30–35 minutes
- Total Episodes: Around 120–141 episodes depending on the final broadcast schedule.
Unlike weekend dramas, MBC daily dramas air five days every week, allowing the story to develop slowly while maintaining constant suspense.
Despite strong competition in the evening television slot, 첫 번째 남자 has consistently maintained impressive ratings and loyal viewership.
Why 첫 번째 남자 Is So Popular in 2026
The drama’s popularity comes from several important strengths.
1. A Highly Addictive Revenge Story
Fans of Korean revenge dramas such as The Glory or The Penthouse will immediately recognize many of the elements that make 첫 번째 남자 so compelling.
The series combines:
- Betrayal
- Identity theft
- Hidden secrets
- Slow-burning revenge
- Emotional cliffhangers
Every episode encourages viewers to immediately start the next one.
2. Emotional First Love Theme
Almost everyone remembers their first love.
The drama explores how “The First Man” can become either:
- A source of lifelong happiness
- The beginning of lifelong suffering
This emotional theme resonates strongly with viewers across multiple generations.
3. Perfect Daily Drama Format
Unlike shorter 16-episode Korean dramas, 첫 번째 남자 gives audiences time to become emotionally invested in its characters.
With new episodes every weekday, viewers experience:
- Gradual character development
- Complex family relationships
- Continuous mystery
- Frequent plot twists
4. Powerful Female Leads
One woman fights for justice.
The other fights for greed.
Their emotional confrontations have become some of the drama’s most memorable scenes, attracting significant attention across YouTube, TikTok, and Korean social media.
Where to Watch 첫 번째 남자 With English Subtitles
International fans have several options for watching the drama.
Viki
Search using:
- The First Man
- First Man
- Cheot Beonjjae Namja
Viki often provides English subtitles shortly after Korean broadcasts.
Kocowa
Kocowa offers the series for viewers in North and South America, depending on regional availability.
MBC Official YouTube
The official MBC YouTube channel regularly uploads:
- Episode previews
- Promotional clips
- Drama highlights
Searching “첫 번째 남자 126회 예고” is one way to find the latest preview videos.
Other Streaming Platforms
Many international fans also search for English-subtitled episodes on various third-party streaming websites.
To find more results, try searching using both:
- 첫 번째 남자
- First Man K-drama
Final Verdict
첫 번째 남자 (The First Man) is far more than a typical Korean daily drama. It tells the emotionally charged story of two women whose lives become intertwined through revenge, ambition, stolen identities, and one unforgettable man. With more than 120 episodes, shocking plot twists, emotional confrontations, and standout performances from Hahm Eun-jung, Oh Hyun-kyung, and Yoon Sun-woo, the series has firmly established itself as one of MBC’s biggest dramas of 2025–2026.
Its blend of romance, family conflict, crime, melodrama, and psychological suspense keeps viewers invested from beginning to end. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Korean revenge dramas or simply looking for a compelling daily series, 첫 번째 남자 offers an emotional journey filled with unforgettable characters and dramatic storytelling.
If you haven’t started watching The First Man yet, 2026 is the perfect time to binge-watch the series before its highly anticipated finale.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does 첫 번째 남자 mean?
첫 번째 남자 literally translates to “The First Man,” although it also symbolizes “First Love,” reflecting the emotional themes at the heart of the drama.
When did 첫 번째 남자 premiere?
The drama premiered on December 15, 2025, on MBC TV.
How many episodes does The First Man have?
The series follows the traditional Korean daily drama format with approximately 120–141 episodes, each lasting around 30–35 minutes.
Who stars in 첫 번째 남자?
The main cast includes Hahm Eun-jung, Oh Hyun-kyung, Yoon Sun-woo, Park Geon-il, and Kim Min-seol.
Where can I watch 첫 번째 남자 with English subtitles?
The drama may be available through Viki, Kocowa, the official MBC YouTube channel for previews, and other streaming services that provide English-subtitled Korean dramas.
Why is 첫 번째 남자 so popular?
Its gripping revenge storyline, emotional exploration of first love, powerful female leads, long-running daily format, and constant plot twists have made it one of the most talked-about Korean dramas of 2025–2026.
