A Love Story That Stands the Test of Time
Some stories don’t just entertain; they touch something deep within you, leaving behind a feeling you can’t quite put into words. When Life Gives You Tangerines is one of those rare dramas—a beautifully tender and bittersweet journey that unfolds like poetry on screen.Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Jeju Island, the drama follows Ae-sun and Gwan-sik as they navigate love, longing, and the weight of time. From their youthful days in the 1960s to the present, their story isn’t just about romance, it’s about endurance, sacrifice, and the quiet strength of the heart. IU and Park Bo-gum deliver performances that feel achingly real, making you believe in their love, in their struggles, and in the unspoken words that linger between them.
Every moment in this drama is drenched in emotion, not through grand declarations but through the subtle glances, the lingering silences, the way time passes and yet some feelings remain unchanged. It’s a story that understands that love isn’t always loud,it’s sometimes found in waiting, in yearning, in simply existing side by side despite the years that slip away.
Beyond its moving narrative, When Life Gives You Tangerines is a visual masterpiece. The golden glow of the tangerine orchards, the vastness of the sea, the warmth of a fading sunset, every frame is a work of art, capturing not just the beauty of Jeju, but the emotions woven into its landscapes. The cinematography doesn’t just set the scene; it breathes life into it, making the past and present feel like memories unfolding before your eyes.
This isn’t just a drama, it’s an experience. It’s the kind of story that lingers in your heart long after it ends, like the taste of something sweet and nostalgic. When Life Gives You Tangerines reminds us that love, in all its forms, is timeless. And sometimes, even when life takes us in different directions, the heart remembers where it belongs.
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Once in a Lifetime Drama
A true masterpiece, it's one of those dramas that will stay with you forever. I never felt so many emotions watching a drama. So thankful to the cast and crew who contributed towards this masterpiece. Everyone did such a fantastic job in this show; I am truly speechless. It has taken the position of No. 1 drama in my heart. I recommend this show to everyone; please watch it.Was this review helpful to you?
Drama of 2025.
When Life Gives You Tangerines is one of those rare dramas that quietly stays with you long after it ends. I finished this a long time ago, but it left such a strong impression that I finally felt like writing about it now. As a Netflix original, the production quality is solid, but what truly stands out is IU’s exceptional acting. She delivers a deeply nuanced and heartfelt performance, making every emotion feel real and earned. The drama is warm, reflective, and beautifully written, capturing life’s small joys and quiet sorrows with sincerity. Easily one of the best dramas I’ve watched in recent times, and definitely worth revisiting in memory.Was this review helpful to you?
painful to watch paused in episode 5
Not enjoying the series. I paused watching it half way through episode 5. I constantly feel negative emotions and I don’t like the characters.I watched it this far because of glowing reviews.
episode 5
show is boring, long, frustrating.
jumping forward and back in time makes the story drawn out.
the low iq husband always suffering all while being faithful and hard working seems gratuitous.
the intellectual girl is oddly stupid, always making poor decisions and not making progress in life, it doesn’t make sense.
majority of people around her are dysfunctional peasants, never helping each other. painful to watch. seems like poor writing.
why they have not left the island and escape the ugly, wretched old hags, failed old men, brutal fishing boat owners.
getting tired reading the subtitles
paused half way through season 5
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a work of art
genuinely beautiful. the cinematography, the pacing, the writing are works of art. so inspiring too.episode 1 is a tragedy and episode 2 is a romance comedy and the show takes a few more turns as ae sun grows up. it has everything. the latter half is a bit slower and details the struggles of growing up with parents that grew up in poverty but its such a heartwarming slice of life. i loved park bo gum in this too. i want the poem she writes for him somewhere in my life. my heart genuinely Hurted after finishing this.
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What stands out most is the message — that kindness, courage, and love still matter even in a complicated world. The cast brings warmth and depth to every moment. The chemistry between characters feels effortless, and their interactions often made me smile without realizing it.
The cinematography and background music create a soft, immersive atmosphere that calms you down while keeping you emotionally engaged. It’s one of those shows you can watch after a long day and instantly feel better.
By the end, I didn’t just enjoy the story — I felt comforted, inspired, and strangely peaceful. It’s rare to find something that feels this genuine. This drama is a gentle reminder that sometimes, simple stories can touch us the deepest.
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When Life Gives You Tangerines invites the viewer to slow down and reflect on life, change and love across time. Some questions to keep in mind while watching:
How do Ae-sun and Gwan-sik change not just because of each other, but because of the world around them?
How does the Jeju setting influence their identity, dreams and decisions?
Does the series successfully balance romantic narrative with the broader socio-historical backdrop?
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A Beautiful Masterpiece
Oh my heart hurts, my heart hurts so much. What a beautiful story, with such beautiful cinematography, storytelling, and music. A literal masterpiece. Everything about it was just so perfect but heartbreaking. Such a realistic, but beautiful, portrayal of life. The entire cast did such an amazing job bringing this drama to life. Just an amazing, amazing job.Was this review helpful to you?
Simple yet Epic
Other (awesome) reviews on this site have gone into great detail. I’ll be brief:This show depicts the extraordinariness of the ordinary.
Across multiple generations, these characters live normal, simple lives, that are (of course) anything but simple, or ordinary.
So beautiful. So real. So painful. So full of joy.
I love everything about this.
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That is where I wanted my review to end, so you can stop reading now. However, I have to hit 500 characters, so let me just praise IU by saying I’ve loved her in everything I’ve seen her in.
My Mister and now When Life Gives You Tangerines are both on my list of most loved, most moving, most thought-provoking K-dramas of ALL TIME.
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Brilliant! Nothing but brilliant.
From the production to the acting, the storytelling, and the soundtrack—every aspect of When Life Gives You Tangerines is breathtaking. The cinematography is visually stunning, capturing every emotion with precision, while the music weaves seamlessly into the narrative, elevating every moment.The casting is nothing short of perfect. Each actor embodies their character so naturally that it’s impossible to imagine anyone else in their roles. Their chemistry is undeniable, making every interaction feel raw and authentic. Whether it's the heart-wrenching emotional moments or the lighthearted, charming scenes, the cast delivers with absolute brilliance.
The story itself is a beautifully crafted rollercoaster of emotions—one that made me laugh, cry, and reflect long after the credits rolled. It’s rare for a show to strike such a perfect balance between emotional depth and entertainment, but this one does it effortlessly.
A must-watch, without a doubt. If you're looking for something that will move you, challenge you, and stay with you long after it's over, this is it.
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When Life Gives You TEARS
This drama is a MASTERPIECE! The actors, the plot, storyline, everything! This drama didn't just make me cry- it absolutely WRECKED me. But this drama is just so beautiful, the love they had for each other, the hardships they went through.IU and Park Bo-gum didn't act their roles; they became them. Their acting was amazing, the fact that you could feel and see how genuine their emotions were. It felt too real.
This drama was soul crushing in the most beautiful way.
DEFINITELY WATCH THIS RN!
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Truly a love letter to the older generation
When Life Gives You Tangerine surprised me with its powerful depiction of 1960s in South Korea, a reality that mirrors what many Asian cultures have experienced. The struggles of women of that time, the weight of traditions favoring men, the hardships of balancing dreams with harsh realities, and the importance of community.Ae-sun’s story echoes the lives of many women in her generation, my grandmother’s generation, maybe even yours. The drama powerfully explores how generational trauma and inherited dreams shape families, particularly mother-daughter relationships. Gwang-rye, pushed Ae-sun to escape her own fate. Ae-sun, in turn, worked tirelessly to give Geum-myeong a different life. Yet Geum-myeong’s resentment reveals how well-meaning sacrifices can sometimes create unintended consequences. Poverty and unfulfilled dreams hardened her, making her sharp-tongued, cynical, and distant. Even when her heart longed to show affection, her attempts to express gratitude often emerged as frustration and barbs. Meanwhile, Ae-sun’s focus on her daughter’s future left her brother feeling overlooked, as if he were an afterthought.
But what struck me most was how Ae-sun’s and Geum-myeong’s love lives mirrored each other, like a parallel, both faced difficult choices between love and self-preservation. Yet Geum-myeong, after witnessing her mother’s struggles firsthand, ultimately rejected her mother’s path. Just like how Ae-sun rejected her own mother’s path. Because that's how they were raised, to not walk the same path as their mother.
"I love my mom, but I don't want to live like her." "She gave everything for me, but at what cost?" "I don't want to tolerate what she did."
These are thoughts many daughters quietly wrestle with, loving their mothers yet fearing they may repeat their struggles. But to Gwang-rye and Ae-sun, their sacrifices were worth it. Some women surrender to fate and quietly plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit under, yet their efforts pave the way for their future generations to thrive. Ae-sun may have accepted her fate, but her determination ensured Geum-myeong could choose her own path. For that parallel, I commend the production team and writer for making IU play both Ae-sun and Geum-myeong. I must give it to the writer, every single character is so well crafted. Everyone played their role well, but IU's performance as Ae-sun truly defined the show. IU goes above and beyond, bringing such depth to Ae-sun’s character that her burdens, loneliness, poverty, and determination felt palpable through the screen. Special mention goes to Yeom Hye-ran for her short yet scene-stealing performances.
This is a powerful and deeply emotional story about love, loss, and RESILIENCE. And that’s what stayed with me most: even when life feels unbearable, and though you don't know how, somehow... life goes on.
And to anyone reading this...whoever, whenever, and wherever you are...you have done well.
Highly recommended.
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