This review may contain spoilers
A MUST WATCH!!!
I am watching asian dramas for more than 6 years now but i never wrote a single reivew or even rated a drama but WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU TANGERINES changed my entire viewoint on life watching this felt like i am watching my parents and everything they did for me in my 22 years of life it was like my entire childhood and all the struggles of my parents that i ignored or never understood flashing in front of my eyes i have seen my father rise from from nothing on his name to giving his children the best life he could, i have never saw him doing a single thing for him even once i cried so much watching gwan sik as he reminded me of all the scarifices my father made for me and the family. As we grow up we tend to forget all the things that our parents did for us just like gweng myeong and eun myeong but when they reliased that their father won't be here anymore they remembered all the things they once forgot. This is a reminder that we should always remeber that our parents scarificed their dreams to gives us a clear sky so that we can dream and achieve our dreams.My heart just broke when gwan sik died i can never imagine my father leaving me behind so early i want him to live all his dreams and be happy even if won't be able to compensate the things that he scarificed for us, now i can never be the same again this drama changed me somehow seeing ae sun and gwan sik taggle all the problems in life just so they can give thier children everything was so hearbreaking they scarificed so much for their children and then also they blamed them fot not having enough money i get it that it is tough to not able to celebrate a grand birthday or have fancy things but we should understand that our parents have given more than they could provide for us scarificing thier needs and keeping ours first just like ae sun dropped her college dream for her child and gwan sik drowned himself in work to provide for them without even thinking about himself no matter how much pain he was in he never took a leave even when his youngest son died because he can't take more than 3 days. I cried so much thinking that, it reminded me that even when my father was sick even when her mother died or even when he got into accident and his hand broke he still went for his work. I bawled my eyes after finishing the last episode even writting this review is making me cry again but i still choose to do that, I don't care what other people think but in my opinion everyone should watch this drama once it made me respect my parents and makes me proud way more than i already did.
Gwan sik was a great husband and a kind person everyone respected him and ae sun as they were always kind to people that is the reason why even if eun myeong went to jail everyone was helping him beacuse his dad has always been their for people, when dong myeong died everyone in the village helped them by sending food to their house, when they were struggling their landlord put rice in her jar without them asking, our parents good deeds always comes to us as well this drama taught to always do good deeds even if it is not benefitting you in any way so that we can have a peaceful life without regrets.
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Perfection
Came in blindly, didn't know what to expect. Good is an understatement. This is perfection. From the story, acting, cast, music, and visuals, this has it all. You start to really start to connect with the characters as if you are also in the show. It's an emotional rollercoaster showing you the bad, but also teaching you that good things still happen. This is a modern masterpiece. Hats off to the team that made this happen.Was this review helpful to you?
AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE.
Truly goosebumps and brilliantly well-written!Each and every single character was absolutely perfectly fitted... every emotion, expression, and tone... Cannot expression how I enjoyed every moment of this series.
Truly profound and deep... Hit every portion related to family and love... what it mean to really grow up through hardships, face discrimination based on your gender... finance... Also the resilience and survival of just LIFE. Not just because they are poor - but each decision made to move forward, to LIVE ON. T
Really did a great job of portraying the livelihoods and history of the haenyos as well! Was really interesting to learn more about that sector.
I definitely bawled my eyes out in every episode if not, just fell to the floor with so much pain, gratitude, and just epiphany within my own life LOL. I think the Yangbeom and Geum Myung scenes hit me the hardest... What an excruciating scene. YET, as sad as so many scenes were, there were so many encouraging scenes - really pushing people to LIVE, to KEEP GOING. That the hardships will continue to come but as time passes, so will GOOD days, GOOD people, etc.
Really also made me question, whether I can get married and choose this sort of love? Will I be able to overcome these circumstances (I understand it's a drama but a lot of it can be related/realistic in terms of losing a child, financial insufficiencies, education, sacrifice... the list goes on) and how I would be able to handle certain scenarios. Such an endless list of great life lessons.
But overall, would HIGHLY recommend. It's a show that's just way more about love and just the amazing sacrifices each person made, decisions per situations, and the narrative concept was a nice touch as well.
May a beautiful and unwavering love such as Gwansik + Aesun find me T_____T !!!!!
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Masterpiece
I usually don't write drama reviews, but I felt like I have to with ,,When Life Gives You Tangerines". I really lack words to describe this drama as any description wouldn't do it justice.I feel like the writters just took LIFE itself and packed into one tv show. I cried so much watching the last episode...
This drama speaks to us about resilience, love and hope. It speaks about family and how life isn't always perfect in all regards but we can find hope an beauty between everything that life throws at us. Maybe not immediatelly, but eventually - for sure.
There's light even in the darkest of tunnels and that light is love. Not only as partners love, but love for your parents, grandparents, your children, friends, community. Love is all around us if we just want to see it and if we not only receive it but give it to others. That's what this drama reminded me. And it also reminded me to appreciate the time given to us by God to spend with the most important people in our lives and to really give time to the ones we love.
So many life lessons from Ae Sun, Hwang Sik and their family... I'll keep this drama forever in my heart.
Also - the actors, cinematography, writting, soundtrack - everything was perfect, top notch quality each second of screentime.
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This review may contain spoilers
믐, 좋아......,난 너무 좋아
I waited almost a year for this drama. From the moment the first stills were released, I knew I had to watch it, no matter what. I’ve always loved dramas that bring the past to life, and as someone who holds Reply 1988 close to my heart, I never thought another drama could capture life so intimately. And yet, When Life Gives You Tangerines did just that.Watching this drama felt like reading a book where every line is a favorite quote. Every conversation, every narration—each moment was something I wanted to highlight and keep forever. It was beautiful and refreshing, yet deeply nostalgic, like a memory I had never lived but somehow understood. More than anything, this drama showed love—not just romantic love, but the love woven into everyday life, in the smallest gestures and unspoken words.
The direction, writing, cinematography, and screenplay of When Life Gives You Tangerines were exceptional, coming together to create a deeply immersive and emotionally rich experience. The storytelling was raw and heartfelt, with a script that brought complex, lovable characters to life. The cinematography beautifully captured Jeju Island’s charm, enhancing the nostalgic and emotional depth of the drama. Every element worked in perfect harmony, making it not just visually stunning but also a story that lingers long after it ends.The characters were portrayed so beautifully that you couldn’t hate anyone. Everyone had their own struggles, their own reasons, and their own stories to tell. And that’s what made them feel so real. The character developments was just lit. Among all Bu Sang Girl's was the best.He was never a bad person from the start. His character development was something I really waited for.
The relationships were the heart of this story. They felt so real that they ached. Up until episode three, I was simply happy watching them. Then episode four came, and for the first time, I cried. The scene from Ae Sun’s perspective—waving to Gwan Sik from the kitchen, with Geum Myeong in between—stirred something indescribable in me. I didn’t know if I was crying from happiness or sadness. And then, episode six… Dong Myeong’s loss was the most heartbreaking moment. Even the steelheart couldn’t hold back, how could mine?
By Volume 3, I thought the story would shift more toward Geum Myeong, but Volume 4 there would less scenes of Ae Sun and Gwan Sik. But no other story could fill me up. All I craved was Oh Ae Sun and Yang Gwan Sik.
This was the ending I expected. The drama was about life. And life gives you only what it can. The ending wasn’t wrapped in fantasy, but in truth. And somehow, despite all the heartache, I was at peace.
“I had a loving dad. But my dad didn't have a loving daughter. His loving request for me to be sweet to my mom still stings in my heart. We took dad for granted as though we owned him forever............ Dad's unrequited love was now over but mine had just begun.” - Yang Geum Myeong
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Masterpiece / Magnificent tribute from the author to their own parents
A superb slice of life: 60 years of Korean history seen through the lives of a couple and their family.PLOT: Living conditions are difficult in Jeju for orphan Ae Sun. She is helped by Gwan Sik (son of a fishmonger, and later, fisherman), whom she eventually marries after running away to Busan, despite the opposition of her in-laws.
+++ A young, simply magical CL (IU and Park Bo Gum) (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
+++ Excellent older couple (Park Hae Joon & Moon So Ri)
+++ The drama shows (for once) the real living conditions of poor Koreans, in the 1960s in Jeju, then in Seoul in the 1970s and 1980s, with great realism. The reference points are provided by historical events (Olympics, elections, etc.) through the feelings of ordinary people.
+++ Superb cinematography: reconstruction of eras, costumes, hairstyles, landscapes, etc.
+++ Vintage OSTs, which perfectly complement the atmosphere of the series.
+++ Solid storyline, with well-developed, endearing (and fabulously brought to life) characters.
### Not really addictive (except for the first few episodes), and the non-linear narrative (with many flashbacks to different eras) sometimes leaves the viewer a little confused.
=> I've the feeling that the author wanted to pay a (very successful) tribute to his parents through this magnificent and moving series. The actors' performances are phenomenal and the drama well deserves its numerous Award nominations.
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Superbe tranche de vie : 60 ans d'histoire de la Corée vue à travers la vie d'un couple et de sa famille.
PLOT: Les conditions de vie sont difficiles à Jeju pr Ae Sun, orpheline. Elle est aidée par Gwan Sik (fils de poissonnier, puis pêcheur), qu'elle finit pr épouser après une fugue à Busan, malgré l'opposition de la belle-famille.
+++ Un CL jeune , juste magique (IU et Park Bo Gum) (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
+++ Excellent couple plus âgé (Park Hae Joon & Moon So Ri)
+++ Le drama montre (pr une fois) les vraies conditions de vie des coréens pauvres, les années 60 à Jeju, puis à Séoul dans la décennie 70-80, avec bcp de réalisme. Les repères sont donnés par les évènements historiques (JO, élections, etc) avec le ressenti des gens ordinaires.
+++ Superbe cinématographie : reconstitution des époques, costumes, coiffures, paysages, etc.
+++ OSTs vintage, qui accompagnent bien l'atmosphère de la série.
+++ Solide storyline, avec des personnages bien développés, attachants (et fabuleusement mis en vie).
### Pas vraiment addictif (sauf les 1ers épisodes) et la narration non linéaire (avec bcp de flashbacks de différentes époques) rend parfois le spectateur un peu confus.
=> Sentiment que l'auteur a voulu rendre un hommage (très réussi) à ses parents au travers de cette magnifique et émouvante série. La performance des acteurs est phénoménale et le drama mérite bien ses nombreuses nominations aux Awards.
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Sweet and sour at the same time.
This drama evokes a catalog of emotions, from laughter to the deepest tears. They say love is a bed of roses, but in this case, it's full of thorns.All the actors, including IU and Park Bo-gum, deliver masterful performances.
The series is bittersweet, taking you through ups and downs. Moments of joy and triumph eventually turn into hardship and loss, creating a sea of emotions.
The series goes beyond the typical K-drama clichés; it reflects how hard and difficult life can sometimes be.
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This review may contain spoilers
I BEG U TO WATCH THIS
this is a MASTERPIECE!!!! what a drama I came across!! I've never cried so hard in a long time about stories that are not mine. the fact that everyone felt so close! at one point I felt like part of ae-sun's family itself! the grief of losing a mother, a child and worst of all of her husband whom she was with all her life I felt everything like it was mine!such a nice drama with details of every character! not a single flaw there is in the show! such an amazing character development of the main leads.
tho I wanted more screen time for geum-myeong's husband:(
loved the show<<3 totally the best thing I've ever watched
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MASTERPIECE
This moved me to the core of my heart, truly. Makes you think about your family and truly feel everything the story characters are going through. And last episode, cried so much, my heart still hurts. Would definitely, 100% recommend this to everyone! ♥️I have seen a lot of korean dramas in my life but this one really hit differently and even though the character lives were very different, i could still relate to so many things, it's truly refreshing! If you're still in doubt, please give it a try, you won't regret it.
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BEST DRAMA OF OUR GENERATION, IF YOU DISAGREE YOU DON'T HAVE TASTE.
I am only 21,fxxking 21, JUST 21.I am gonna recommend this drama to everyone around me even tho ik not all of them gonna watch it but I wish they give it a try.
I am still in my springs but sometimes it truly feels like it's autumn. But I got to learn so many things, I am happy that I gave it a try. I was reluctant to start this drama and the only thing I knew was IU and Bogum were the leads. Started this drama without knowing anything else, thought might be a comfy romcom but dude they made cry rivers. So many known faces it truly suprised me.
Being an eldest daughter this was a harsh watch for me. All the feelings from the show I could feel it too. Sometimes it was like I am watching my family on screen even tho my father is nothing like Gwan-sik, but whenever my mother finds new hobby all my father does is research abt my mother's new hobby and keeps talking abt it, he makes sure that she has somebody who's willing to listen to her rant abt her hobby.
I have no interest in romance for myself but If I ever find Yang Gwan-sik, I am stealing him and running away. I'll never pass an opportunity If I ever come across Yang Gwan-sik, I truly hope he exists.
There's a webtoon called "After school lesseons for an unripe apple " I truly love that webtoon, I've been reading it since it released. I think love like that and love this is truly once in a millennium and not everybody can have it.
It truly scares me to trust anybody else apart from my family, marry somebody I don't know about even the whole concept of marriage is scary for me but If a man like Gwan-sik is there, I think I might ace it.
If you're reluctant to watch this please give it a try, you'll love it. Hope everyone finds their Gwan-sik in this lifetime.💗🎀
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No villains, just life
Honestly, this is the drama of the year for me! What a heartbreaking yet beautiful story from start to finish. I am a daughter, a wife, and now also a mother--this drama really resonated with me. This whole drama illustrated the of each of these roles so well; life as a child looking at our parents, life as a parents with our children, and then life with our spouse. This drama has no villains--just life. Life happens. This drama did a great job depicting the story of life through two generations. I feel like words alone cannot do this drama justice. Such a masterpiece. Each episodes tugs at your heart and really makes you reflect on your own life. The pace is slow at first but if you can give a bit of patience, this drama will be worth your time.Was this review helpful to you?
casting suits to this drama
Honestly I would say that I've never seen a drama like this before sometimes this make me happy and sometimes it made me sad there was not a single moment I would like Skip from this drama how they make this drama so real by making the stories of every person and the nostalgia it was so much good and also it made me sad at end it was not only a drama it was a life lesson that “Be good to your parents" time will come to you also if same words you listen from your kids it will break your heart. the wait for new episodes made me rewatch the previous ones I really liked IU and Park Bo gum together I hoped they do more projects together IU played two roles but doesn't feels like. the last two episodes 😭😭 I even forgot that it's a drama.Was this review helpful to you?
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