For a drama in which very little happens, A Little Thing Called First Love is surprisingly refreshing in its simplicity. While this drama follows the overused story of an awkward girl whose love for the popular boy spans high school and college, it breaks the mold by keeping the plot and conflicts uncomplicated, deviating from the traditional cliches.

Instead of having an overnight transformation that sends the message that confidence is tied to outer appearances, the leading female goes from awkward, fashion-challenged high school junior to confident, attractive fashion student gradually, each step of her transformation having an explanation (e.g. gets braces after being made fun of for her teeth) and resulting in a slight increase in her confidence.

The leading male is stereotypically perfect at everything, but he has not been placed on a pedestal. He still has his many admirers, but gone are the ridiculous slow-motion entrances and swarms of fan girls who squee whenever he enters a room. He's also friendly, engaging, and down-to-earth, so the friendship he forms with the leading female, even in her awkward years, feels natural and believable, unlike the dramas where the leading male is aloof and seemingly out of reach.

Also absent from this drama is the b****y female rival whose sole purpose is to act excessively jealous and cause conflict between the leading couple. While there are a few fangirls who act poorly out of jealousy, their actions are not a major source of conflict, and their roles are so minor in the drama that it is not excessively annoying. Additionally, this drama challenges our expectations by introducing a woman who seems like the perfect rival to the leading female, but rather than scheming and chasing after the leading male, she admits defeat with grace and maintains her friendship with the leading lady.

The friendships in this drama are to be commended, too. The main group of woman are loyal to one another, and even when a boy comes between them, they maturely communicate that they do not place blame on their friends and request for time to themselves to think and process their emotions before returning to the friendship. The relationship among the men is a bit more complicated, but like the women, they remain loyal and supportive to each other, even when they are at odds.

Many are likely to find this drama boring, which is understandable given the lack of drama and conflict, but the absence of those elements also make it the perfect drama for someone looking for a a light and fluffy romance.