Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, which has absolutely captured hearts worldwide with its beautiful storytelling and incredible performances.
Released on Netflix between March 7 to 28, 2025, this masterpiece consists of 16 episodes that take us on an emotional rollercoaster through decades of life on Jeju Island. Written by Lim Sang-choon and directed by Kim Won-seok, starring IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon, this slice-of-life romance drama proves that some stories are worth waiting a lifetime to tell.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Jeju Island, this series beautifully captures the essence of human resilience and the enduring power of love. The story follows a spirited girl and a steadfast boy’s island story that blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs, proving love endures across time. What makes this drama truly special is its ability to transform ordinary moments into poetry, making viewers feel like they’re reading a beautifully crafted novel come to life.
Ae-Sun is a rebellious girl and a lover of books
Ae-Sun (IU) and Gwan-Sik (Park Bo-Gum) were born in Jeju, South Korea in the 1950’s. Ae-Sun is a rebellious girl and a lover of books, but she is unable to attend school due to her poor family background. Under this circumstance, she never gives up on her dream of becoming a poet. Now in her 70s, Ae-sun looks back on her life growing up on South Korea’s Jeju Island. As a kid in the ’60s, she watches her mother, Gwang-rye, struggle to make ends meet.
The narrative spans decades, weaving together moments of pure joy with heartbreaking losses. Through flashbacks and present-day reflections, we witness how two childhood friends navigate the complexities of life, love, and dreams deferred. The series doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of poverty and social limitations, yet it maintains a sense of hope that’s both authentic and deeply moving.
Main Character Development: Ae-Sun’s Journey
IU delivers a career-defining performance as Ae-Sun, a character who embodies both vulnerability and strength. Her portrayal of a woman who refuses to let circumstances dim her inner light is nothing short of extraordinary. From her rebellious teenage years to her reflective elder years, IU captures every nuance of a life lived with passion and purpose.
What’s remarkable about Ae-Sun is her unwavering dedication to her dreams despite facing countless obstacles. Her love for literature and poetry becomes not just a hobby, but a lifeline that sustains her through life’s most challenging moments. IU’s ability to convey this character’s evolution across different time periods showcases her incredible range as an actress.
The Steadfast Gwan-Sik: Park Bo-gum’s Touching Performance
Park Bo-gum plays Yang Gwan-sik, who’s been in love with Ae-sun since he was 10 years old. The 31-year-old actor plays the younger version of Yang Gwan-sik, a steadfast husband and father who remains devoted to his wife, Ae-sun, and their children through hardship and loss. Though his character is soft-spoken, Park gives him deep emotional resonance through subtle acting.
Gwan-sik represents the kind of love that’s rare and precious, a love that remains constant through all seasons of life. In Episode 3, “Yesterday Was Your Spring,” Ae-sun and Gwan-sik faced separation for the first time in their lives. And Gwan-sik swam across the literal ocean to reunite with his first and only love. This moment perfectly encapsulates the depth of his devotion and the lengths he’s willing to go for love.
Life’s Bittersweet Moments
The series doesn’t pull punches when it comes to life’s most difficult moments. The emotional climax centers around profound loss and the way families cope with unimaginable grief. Without spoiling the experience, the series handles these heavy themes with such grace and authenticity that viewers find themselves deeply moved by the characters’ resilience.
The beauty of the storytelling lies in how it shows that even in our darkest moments, life continues to offer moments of unexpected joy and connection. The series teaches us that healing doesn’t mean forgetting, but rather learning to carry our experiences as part of our story.
Success on Netflix
The series received widespread praise for its performances, screenplay, and direction. Among its numerous accolades, the series received a total of eight nominations at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, winning four, including Best Drama. The show’s success on Netflix has been remarkable, with viewers from around the world connecting with its universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. With a 9.1 rating, When Life Gives You Tangerines has proven that authentic storytelling transcends cultural boundaries and speaks to the human experience in profound ways.
Final Call
If you love heartfelt dramas that explore the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of the human spirit, When Life Gives You Tangerines is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This isn’t just entertainment, it’s an emotional journey that will stay with you long after the final episode.
A masterpiece of storytelling that reminds us why love, in all its forms, remains the most powerful force in shaping our lives and defining our humanity.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 16
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 9.1/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Romance, Drama, Slice-of-Life, Historical
Main Characters: IU (Lee Ji-eun) as Ae-Sun, Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik
Antagonist: Life’s circumstances and societal limitations rather than a traditional antagonist