16 hours of crying. If u have any tough life experiences this series will touch you so so hard. Napkins needed. After all it’s a beautiful series about life. You will recognize what is in life the most important thing. Good choice of actors, nice soundtrack and I appreciate the plot line which is making this series interesting and you need more and more and then you can’t stop watching and crying. I just finished this masterpiece and I will process my emotions what it gave me. Truly recommend 🥹
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time and love
I cried so much while watching When Life Gives You Tangerines. It really touched my heart and made me realize how life can be both beautiful and painful at the same time. The story was so deep and emotional, and I could feel every character’s pain and joy. The actors and actresses performed so incredibly well that I forgot I was watching a drama—it felt real. This drama reminded me how people can grow through hard times. It’s truly a masterpiece that I’ll never forget. Heartbreaking yet healing.Was this review helpful to you?
Life.
while watching this series i completely forgot that they are fictional characters. this is the first time im crying while watching a drama after reply 1988. this show is the essence of what it is to love, what it is to stay.ae sun and gwan sik, you lived a life, you did well~
i hold these characters so close to my heart
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must Watch drama
I rate this drama 10 out of 10. Anyone can say how it possible, but If, I rate this drama 10000. It's also not be completed ratting, must watch, must must must.Lee Ji Eun (Iu) and Park Bo Yoing also middle age aae sun and gwansik acting just wow.In ep 3 Gwam sik jump into ocane for aae sun, i love this scane more and more.........................❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
you need to watch it, hopefully you love this series.. sorry, I am from Bangladesh so little weak in English 😪
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This review may contain spoilers
MUST WATCH
This was such a well done k-drama. Each episode touches on different topics - be it character and their circumstance or societal issues I truly believe the actors did an amazing job when it comes to the portrayal of their characters. It was so well done. I went in with zero expectation and i ended up crying. The last episode and the closing poem was so well done. It feels like nothing will top this for the year 2025.Was this review helpful to you?
Excruciatingly painful and breathtakingly beautiful
This is the first and quite possibly the last time I’m writing a review, since it isn’t exactly my comfort zone. But having just finished the show, with all my friends sound asleep and no one to share my emotions with, I felt compelled to try—despite my belief that words can hardly do justice to this masterpieceThis story is about everything and everyone and yet, no one specific. The story transcends individual narratives, portraying universal emotions through characters that feel like reflections of the people around us. It's the epitome of past lived by our grandparents and parents, the present we were able to live with them and future we have ahead to walk through without them, well in most of the cases.
Show is a depiction of love, loyalty, friendship, passion, sadness, sorrow, angst and unspoken and undisclosed feelings we all feel towards our parents who mostly lose themselves and are becoming our parents for the rest of their life...
There are some proverbs in my language (Georgian), I kept thinking about them while watching: one goes like whatever you give out to the world, is yours, other than that is lost (what goes around comes around), Good deed will always find its way to you and you will never be able to repay your parent's kindness and debt even if you "fry an egg on your palm" (do impossible)... These life lessons are strongly imprinted there.
And the acting? The performances are so immersive that you don't watch them; you live them. Every glance and gesture pulls you deeper into their world. You'll find yourself mourning their sorrows and sharing their happiness.
Details, connections, storyline, hidden meanings and cinematography, it's a powerful mix to give you a lifelong lesson and longing.
Prepare tissues, clear your schedule, mute distractions, and immerse yourself completely.
And if you already finished, did you survive, or barely holding on just like me?
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Crying from episode 1 to episode 16
This drama is not just about romance. Throw South Korean history you follow people lives.From sadness to happiness.... I just cried
UI and Park Bo Gum are especially good at acting; I'm always shocked.
The story is good and well-balanced, not too long to watch, and easy to understand.
The OST is perfectly adapted to the mood.
Everyone can get touched by anything about this drama: parenthood, being a child, loving, friendship,...
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A Masterpiece that should not be missed.
I've been a huge fan of dramas having slice-of-life and coming-of-age as their genres, all my life. So, I knew the moment they announced this drama that this is gonna be the best kdrama of 2025. Well, it is! IT IS! A drama that will pull at your heartstrings, make you feel loved, make you cry in each and every episode. I don't think there has been a drama this perfect in a really long time. And talk about PERFECT CASTING! Nobody could've done the roles better than the ones chosen. Not only IU and Bogum, but everyone else too. Of course, Kim Wonseok and Lim Sangchoon can never go wrong. Two things that need special mention are the mind-blowing cinematography and heartbreakingly beautiful OSTs. If you're not watching WLGYT, it's your loss.Was this review helpful to you?
A Warmth Story Of Life
This series is a tribute to our fathers and mothers, who sacrifice their lives for their kids and love one. Ae Sun and Gwan Sik are pure soul. Their love for each other , the way support each each other even in their hardships of life. The sacrifices they made for their children. They are just example for us . Supporting each other in all happy and sad moments of us, battling struggles of life cycle and unrequistic love are the beautiful things this couple taught me. The story is just excellent, beautifully depict gaprshes and reality of life. How life gives you happiness as well as sadness. You needto accept both things. Just after end of night , day came; after Autumn ,Spring come in our life. That is the reality. Being humble , gentle, loving is very important like Gwan suk and Ae sun.Hope the story will teach importance of life , loving parents and their sacrifices and importance to this new generation. And lastly "Ae Sun ~ Gwan Sik ," they are truly bestest couple I have ever seen , known or read. Far far better than Jack - Rose, Romeo -Juliet , Laila - Majnu etc etc.
I have lots lots to say , I have no words for this drama. Just can say one of best finest excellent life drama after Thank u , Reply 1988 which I have seen.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Most Beautiful Family Saga
It’s rare that I actually submit a text review for anything these days, but this is a drama worth a few extra moments of time. It hits all the right notes. From immature youths with wide eyed innocence to a rock solid couple of over 50 years, When Life Gives You Tangerines comes full circle by the end. The amazing acting by this cast of rookie actors all the way through to the K drama veterans is something to be studied. Everyone was so spot on! If you cry at all through episodes 1-15, you will definitely need to make sure you grab a full box of tissues for the finale. 16 was incredible. Never has a family saga tugged at my heartstrings like this one. It is truly a masterpiece deserving of the #1 rated MDL drama.Was this review helpful to you?
The best kdrama out there.....
Calling this drama a masterpiece would be an understatement this drama is just wonderfulit made me cry, laugh and what not. This drama for sure is my most favorite one. Its been soo long since a very good heart warming kdrama. I am happy i am sooo happy
A masterclass script!!!I have said it in my other reviews that no matter what rocket budget and star castline you have if the script isn't good it is a lost cause, my dear kdrama enthusiasts this drama is a gem a pure gem, it ain't no mega story with a unrealistic plotline it is a heart warming slice of life romance story...Gwani and Aesun has all my heart🥹 when I say bring me a good romantic drama this is what I am asking for. Sooo gooood.
IU and Park Bogum is the best casting for this drama. If they can make a cold hearted person like me cry by their acting it means that they are phenomenal. The supporting cast has also done a wonderful job. The cinematography is just beautiful. After welcome to samdalri this drama has captured the beauty of jeju so wonderfuly. The OST is like Cherry on the cake.
My dear people who are reading this review do not doubt give this drama a chance as person who has watched 100s of kdramas I vouch for this drama.
When life gives you tangerines is a true masterpiece.
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A Healing Slice-of-Life A Masterpiece of Quiet Love and Generational Healing
🍊 WHY IT'S UNFORGETTABLE:IU & Park Bo-gum’s lifespan chemistry – From childhood friends to weathered soulmates, their love story feels lived-in and real.
Jeju Island as a character – Golden tangerine fields, crashing waves, and haenyeo divers create a visually poetic backdrop.
The non-linear storytelling – Jumps between timelines like a heartbreaking memory montage (but in a good way).
😭 THE "WHY AM I SOBBING OVER FRUIT?" MOMENTS:
That rain-soaked ferry chase – IU running in slow-motion while Park Bo-gum screams her name? Oscar-worthy devastation.
The gender-role rebellion – Gwan-sik eating with the women? More radical than any K-drama kiss.
The haenyeo mother’s sacrifice – Yeom Hye-ran’s performance will wreck you.
⚠️ THE "ALMOST TOO PERFECT" FLAWS:
Pacing whiplash – Some 1950s flashbacks drag, while 2000s scenes feel rushed.
The evil landlord trope – Could’ve used more nuance (we get it, capitalism sucks).
That ambiguous ending – Beautiful but frustrating for closure-seekers.
🎯 VERDICT:
"Like My Mister and When the Camellia Blooms had a historical drama baby—achingly human, visually stunning, and full of tangerine metaphors." Watch if: You love slow burns, generational trauma, or IU’s everything. Skip if: You need fast plots or happy endings neatly tied with a bow.
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