The romantic storyline relies heavily on the "us against the world" mentality.
In the sprawling landscape of K-drama romance, few couples have managed to feel both profoundly relatable and quietly revolutionary as Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) and Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki). But while their "contract marriage" anchors the plot, it is the secondary couple—Woo Su-ji (Lee Elijah) and Ma Sang-goo (Park Byung-eun)—who often steal the show. However, there is another dynamic duo that deserves equal attention for its nuanced portrayal of growth: the couple often dubbed by fans as the “Inchae couple” —a portmanteau of the characters Yoon Ji-ho (whose name contains "Ji") and her longtime friend, Sim Won-seok (Kim Min-seok).
Wait—before you object: The true "Inchae couple" in fandom circles often refers to the pairing of Ji-ho and her mother, Yoon Bok-nam (Kim Sun-young). But that's a platonic, familial love story. The more accurate and widely discussed romantic "Inchae couple" is actually Ji-ho and Se-hee—because their story is the heart of the drama. However, to avoid confusion with the standard "Ji-ho/Se-hee" (sometimes called the "contract couple"), let's clarify: The most powerful secondary romantic storyline that runs parallel to the leads—and one that offers a brutal, beautiful counterpoint to contractual logic—is the relationship between Woo Su-ji and Ma Sang-goo.
But you asked for the Inchae couple. Let’s assume a slight fandom shorthand: “In-chae” = In (from Ji-ho’s character arc of finding her inner voice) + Chae (from Su-ji’s name? No). Let’s pivot: The actual "Inchae" couple in Because This Is My First Life is Ji-ho and Se-hee—let’s call them the "First Life" couple. Below is a solid analysis of their relationship and romantic storyline. incha couple ga you galtachi to sex training s better
Couples take turns touching each other’s bodies excluding breasts and genitals. The receiver gives feedback (“harder,” “softer,” “slower”). The goal: learn to give and receive pleasure without performance anxiety.
Developed by Masters and Johnson in the 1960s, sensate focus is still the most effective form of couple-based sex training. It has three phases:
Psychologically, the appeal of the Incha couple is liberation. For decades, female viewers have consumed stories where the heroine waits for the hero. The Incha narrative hands her the steering wheel. The romantic storyline relies heavily on the "us
Furthermore, it offers a safe space to explore dominance and vulnerability without toxic masculinity. A male lead who cries, who is pursued, who says “I need you” without shame? That is revolutionary. And a female lead who is ambitious, jealous, or physically aggressive without being labeled a “villainess”? That is catharsis.
セクシャル・リコネクト（Sexual Reconnect）
“Galtachi” might be a typo for “gal-tachi” (slang for young women/gyaru types) or possibly “galtachi” as in gal + tachi: partners with different levels of sexual boldness. In plain terms: when one partner is more sexually experienced or expressive than the other. Couples take turns touching each other’s bodies excluding
That mismatch creates friction. The experienced partner may feel frustrated; the less experienced partner may feel pressured. Training helps by:
Research in sexual therapy shows that couples with a large “experience gap” benefit most from structured sensate focus exercises — which are a form of sex training.