It is currently the second highest-rated Korean drama of all time, based on single episode viewership ratings, reaching 65.8% on its final broadcast on April 20, 1997.

In 1997, the series aired on China Central Television to commercial success and is widely considered the beginning of the Korean Wave.

Lee Jae-ha (Jo Kyung Hwan), Hyo Kyeong's gangster father, is against her dating a poor artist.

As the paralyzed Chan-hyuk grows distant to Hyo-kyung, she became drawn to Chan-woo.

Due to Bae Yong-joon's popularity post-Winter Sonata, First Love was aired in Japan on NHK in 2005.