When Life Gives You Tangerines

show of the century

i started watching this show after it had taken over all social media platforms. i was scared that the high expectations set would leave me disappointed after watching it myself, but it met the expectations and surpassed them by far. the amazing combination of romance, comedy, and melodrama. it portrayed so many emotions from happiness to love, grief, struggle, guilt, overwhelm, saddness, desire, and so much more. through out the 4 different volumes i felt like im being taken on a journey of life, as they were portraying the sad reality of old times and how unfair it is. its crazy how this show takes you from one emotion to another one second youre crying your eyes out and the other youre smiling ear to ear. iu’s performance was so touching and amazing executing 2 different characters so well! im still not over the scene when shes holding her youngest :c
Really just the show of the century i loved every single bit of it!!

Read More

A masterpiece that tugs at your heartstrings and never lets go

This is the best drama of 2025 and top 5 kdramas for me. I was laughing one second, swooning the next, and crying the rest of the time. Maybe it's cuz I'm an immigrant's daughter that I related so much to the parents sacrifice for their children and their kids feeling the need to pay them back tenfold for all their sacrifices but these characters where just so well-written there is no possible way you can't feel for them. Every relationship in this show is executed perfectly and the character arcs r so satisfying(even captain a**hole got a good arc). Another great thing about this show is how smoothly it traverses through timelines. The past is just as relevant as the present; the parallels drawn leave me speechless at times.

Ae sun and gwang sik's love affair alone had me wanting to give this show an Emmy. like wdym this man swam through an ocean for her. Park bogum plays this role excellently expressing how desperately and pathetically in love he is with ae sun. Selling her cabbages for her(cuz she's too shy and prideful to do it herself), reciting nostalgia because even though he can't give her everything he will memorize her favorite poem. Everything makes me just wanna cry cuz no man could ever love me this much.

The best character award has to go to Ae sun. The life she has LIVED. Living in a house she wasn't wanted, becoming so ambitious and prideful in respect for how her mother raised her, choosing love, experiencing loss, trading an old dream for her new one, loving her family so fiercely. If I continue I fear I will never stop.

The writers were in the room cooking with geum myong. What a complex yet transparent character. She is who she is because of how much her parents loved her. Her entire relationship with lee jun yeong's character(yeong beom) was executed so perfectly it gave me goosebumps. They were giving her parents love story a run for their money. Also bug props to IU for her representation of both characters in this one. She was the anchor in this show, a physical representation of the past and present. The way IU expresses her emotions is is satisfying. If she deserves to win all the awards for this.

Anyway watch the show. no actually watch the show cuz this changed my brain chemistry in irreversible ways and you need to experience the magic I witnessed. This is a straight MASTERPIECE

Read More

WLGYT shows you what true love is when loving your partner, parents or children

In the era when people leave each other due to minor setbacks this series shows us how two people who even gave up on their dreams to be with each other, realised that something as precious as finding true love is worth sacrificing anything in the world for, as in your final moments that support you got from each other makes you live a very fulfilling life.

But this series was not only about showing us how you can love each other as couples but also how to love your kids and parents, how difficult raising kids can be and how kids learn and shape their character from looking at their parents.

Gwan shik: I have seen many dramas and usually when watching I used to criticise the ML for not showing better care or affection or think that I could have done better. But looking at gwan shik, it truly made me doubt myself if I can love my gf and children as much as he did, the care and hardwork he does to keep his family afloat and happy together, the way he supports and cares for aesun, not a single moment in his life has he stopped loving her. Even if you have to nitpick a bad trait of him, there is none. He is truly a walking green forest and we all guys should look upto him on how to love your family and support them.

Ae sun: While everyone keep praising gwan shik for loving her unconditionally, you can't just love anyone, to continue loving someone they need to be deserving and act that way and aesun is the most deserving of that love of all. She is smart, ambitious, pretty, kind, and caring, the main traits guys look for in a girl, and as much as we commend gwan shik for showing care and affection, aesun had her own way of showing affection, her subtle care and affection for her family, the way she endures all hardships and not one time did she blame gwan shik for her setbacks in her life. She truly appreciated how much gwan shik supported her and even if she had to endure all or even more hardships she would gladly do it if only she has gwan shik by her side.

Gwanshik and Aesun relationship is something that should be the norm for how you should treat your significant other,
1. Support each other and never blame them for your inefficiencies, stand by each other sides and never fret over bad times and infact smile together at your bad times. It's better to share your pain, that's what a family is all about. Always stand and support each other, no matter what.
2. To have dreams and career ambitions are good, but when it's hindering your relationship, question yourself on what you truly want. Good relationships support you through time, and makes you love a truly fulfilling life without regrets, and in my opinion if your dreams and goals are in that way of it, I would rather choose to be with someone I truly love.

Guem myeong: This is such a well written character and depicts what young adults are like in this generation, when they say mean things they don't truly believe in and when they don't show their love to their parents but love them dearly and appreciate what they do in their hearts. And it also shows how the hopes of the parents can sometimes burden their children, but what her parents wanted for her is to only to be happy, but her boyfriends mother also had hopes but she shaped her son's life entirely, she didn't give him the freedom of letting him chose his own path. That's the subtle difference between the two families of how you can shape your children's life with hopes and dreams vs how you shouldn't force your children to live the life you want. It's okay to be a loser rather than being a robot that does only what your parents want you to.

And while the strongest point of the series it's the lessons it teaches us, but to make a good series it should do everything well, and WLGYT did not slack in any department.

The Soundtrack and especially the bgm was truly mesmerizing and fit the scenarios so well. Just listening to aesun theme makes me feel all the emotions again.

The Set was insane, it truly felt like they shot it in the 1950s, and the editing team deserves a praise. Usually movies or series shot in 1950s, just put a dark sepia and calls it a day. WLGYT made the scenes so much powerful with really smart color grading themes while also staying true to the respective timelines.

The casting choices was very good, everyone acted so well. IU did an excellent job in separating each roles, it truly felt like two different persons. Ae sun who has a warm and fun side to her, but geum myeong who acts very cold but has a very warm side in her heart. And the transition and the consistencies between young ae sun and adult aesun played by moon sori, was truly outstanding. Parkbo gum and iu chemistry was truly one of a kind and so was parkhe jun and moonseri, they really made me think that were are a married couple acting.

This series taught me a lot of things, I can't even begin to write them all, I mentioned only what i think are the most important but please do watch the series. It's truly deserving of all the praise it gets, and we should all look upto this family and try to love each other like they did. This series and the characters will forever remain etched in my heart and i will always look up to gwan shik on how to live my life.

Read More

YOU'LL CRY!

I’d like to start by saying how late I am in watching this drama, especially looking at the massive hype this got, now only now in August 2025 im watching, when it had already been released back in March this year 😔👍🏻. First of all, HOW MUCH THIS MADE ME CRY IS BEYOND WORDS 😭😭. Following Ae-Sun in Volume 1 was so… special, I could say. Her mother passed away young, at 29 years old, but her face already looked so aged… I ended up researching more about the women divers of Jeju and found out that prolonged exposure to the sun caused their skin to age prematurely. I saw this as a beautiful homage to these women in the drama.

Ae-Sun is lucky,SO LUCKY, to have such an incredible husband like Gwan-Sik 😭😭. Their grief over losing their youngest son was another deeply heartbreaking moment that MADE ME SHED SO MANY TEARS 😭. Actually, even Ae-Sun’s daughter has an amazing husband too 👀. Speaking of which, Episode 11, which addressed the topic “Your child is not an extension of you,” hit me really hard, as I’ve experienced something similar before (though I won’t go into details here).

The worst moment was definitely the ending, with Gwan-Sik’s death 😔, as he was a character I grew deeply attached to throughout the series. I came to one conclusion: If life gives you tangerines, make roasted tangerines, they’re delicious 🫢.

Read More

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU TANGERINES: A MIRROR AND A REFLECTION OF LIFE!

A mirror of life is how I would describe "When Life Gives You Tangerines." This poignant and emotionally charged drama tells the generational story of Aesun, a bright and intelligent girl whose life takes a drastic turn following the loss of her mother, the only pillar of support she had. Alongside her is Gwansik, a steadfast and devoted boy who stands by her side, showcasing unwavering loyalty and love.

This drama is raw, relatable, and deeply resonant, prompting reflection on the complexities of life. It's more than just a sad tale; it's a representation of life itself. It portrays two individuals navigating a myriad of challenges, yet their love and commitment to each other serve as their anchor. We witness Aesun as she sacrifices her own dreams, embracing new aspirations when life doesn't unfold as planned. Conversely, Gwansik emerges as a hardworking father and loyal husband, embodying the essence of kindness and dedication.

Throughout the series, we observe how these two characters heal one another and face life's adversities together, regardless of the hardships they encounter. The narrative beautifully encapsulates themes of pain, growth, love, and the importance of family and friendship. It's a roller coaster of emotions that leaves viewers with a profound sense of connection and understanding, making it a truly impactful drama that mirrors the intricacies of our own lives.

The story beautifully expands to showcase life through the eyes of their eldest daughter, Yang Geum Myeong. We witness her struggles and worries as she navigates the challenges of being the eldest daughter. This perspective allows us to see her grow and learn to appreciate her parents more, gaining insight into the decisions they made throughout their lives. As she grapples with relationships, experiencing both love and loss, we truly see life unfold through her eyes, intertwined with the experiences of her parents.

One of the standout elements of this drama is its immensely relatable and beautifully crafted dialogue. It resonates deeply, capturing the essence of the characters' emotions and experiences. I can't wait to share some of my favorite quotes for everyone to appreciate! The acting is another remarkable strength of the series; the entire cast delivers performances that feel genuine, raw, and captivating. IU deserves special mention for her dual portrayal of young Aesun and her daughter, Yang Geum Myeong. The distinct differences between these two characters are evident, showcasing her incredible talent. Park Bo-gum also shines with his simple yet impactful acting, conveying a wealth of emotion through his expressive eyes and so does the entire cast.

The seamless transition between the younger and older versions of Aesun and Gwansik is another highlight, as it reflects the continuity of their characters beautifully. This drama excels in various aspects, including acting, dialogue, cinematography, and its stunning original soundtrack, all contributing to its overall brilliance. It is a beautiful, raw, relatable, and emotional portrayal of life that I wholeheartedly recommend to everyone.

In conclusion, When life gives you tangerines, it transcends mere entertainment, offering an emotional depth that resonates with viewers on a profound level. The storytelling is not only raw and relatable but also intricately woven, capturing the essence of human experiences. The performances are nothing short of remarkable, showcasing a cast that embodies their characters with authenticity and nuance.

What truly sets this drama apart is its ability to reflect the complexities of life—love, family, friendship, and the myriad challenges we encounter. Each character feels like a genuine representation of the people we meet in our own lives, making the narrative all the more impactful. The writing serves as a delicate tribute, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys and the relationships that shape us.

In essence, this drama shines because it feels real; it acts as a mirror to our lives, reminding us of the beauty and struggles we all face. I extend my gratitude to the writer for crafting such a poignant piece that not only entertains but also inspires contemplation about life and love.

Read More

When dramaland gives you a gem but not all gems are diamonds

In life you won’t always get the lemon, you won’t always get what you wish for
But you can still appreciate and enjoy the tangerine

Be happy with what you gain, love, family, health, money
Every step builds the happiness you live in
It can also be metaphorical in the sense of tangerines being a “jeju” trademark, a “country side” when people craved the shiny city lemons
and since tangerines are sweet, you worry about having them right after a sour moment, or having too much of it

spoiling your kids can have as much negatives as neglecting them would
Ae Sun couldn't study and persuade her dreams, that's why she overcompensated with her daughter, and even though it's a blessing, it was also a burden for Geum Myeong, as an eldest daughter, as the first woman in her family to study and work in an office
Gwan Sik had to do extreme jobs and compromise his health to care for his family, even though Ae Sun did help him and support him too, but they didn't want their son to suffer so Eun Myeong felt too sheltered and he thought he was incompetent



I don’t want extraordinary or extravagant dramas, I’m picky and hate halfhearted attempts

The first ep alone felt like a movie, full of emotions, happiness and heartache
The 2nd ep felt familiar; have I seen that exact plot move before? Running away and getting robbed
The 3ep was a rollercoaster, will they achieve their dreams? Are their dreams really what they seem? Is getting married a sacrifice?
and it continues on, but the second half and some of the events around Geum Myeong's love life felt draggy

I feel like I could write a longer review to talk about all the elements but I'll keep it breif



IU is so cute and such an amazing actor, PBG reflects the adorkable nature very well and the young actors did an amazing job representing them too

aesun is just a kid but because of her moms love and her love for her daughter and the support of gwansik, she stands up for the people she loves harder than she’d stand up for herself
she looked selfish cuz she questions the adults, but she never acted unless her family was targeted

Gwansik was raised in a loud controlling house that he’s always quiet but aesun sparkles his drive to act and in the small moments, he’d take up pain for his family, change the “norms” for his family, remember what they love and he was also never afraid to point out the wrongs of the adults

She was going to leave her stepfather but she stayed for her siblings, she wanted to leave the country side but she stayed for gwansik, she wanted to let him go but she knew he loved her as much as she loved him, she stayed in the kitchen she hated but she left once her baby was targeted
She gave up her dreams because she found bigger happiness in her family, honestly that’s beautiful

And gwansik never defied his gramma and mom, but they were just crazy. It takes two in a marriage, the rest are just support
The gramma keeps saying the mom is a bad “daughter in law” so if she can’t do her “duties” she sure shouldn’t force more on her own DIL and expect her own son to stay quiet when she’d wanted his support



In who is she, the fl spends her life regretting her lost dream, regretting her failed marriage eventho she couldn’t have controlled it, she hated living life just for her daughter and always craved what she lost
Here, aesun never blames her daughter, she doesn’t regret her choices, sure having support makes a big difference, support of her husband, but still life is hard you should always appreciate what you gain and not what you lost




I kept dragging the last ep cuz I didn’t want it to finish but I also didn’t wanna be disappointed

Overall I do feel like there was something missing in the writing, the pace and development didn’t feel smooth enough
The time skips did increase too much in the middle, they’d show the past, present, future, past past and so one

Actingwise everyone did a beautiful job
but the writing could've been better, it was too "tearjerker", her mom died at 29, her youngest kid died just when she walked away for a minute, her husband died at 55..




I think of aesun as more of my grandma rather than mom and Geum Myeong as my mom, so it makes me understand them more
though it is also effected by cultural differences, but it also made me wish they added a bit more of the current generation and the "grandkids" cuz i think aesun would've dotted on her grandkids and they'd have loved and adored her more too
I also don't understand her being around 70 and living alone, not with her daughter or even son...
in the last ep i thought Geum Myeong turned into aesun's mom and short haired iu was the granddaughter xD

Read More

Just watch it

You have to watch this show—it's a masterpiece. Easily the most important piece of media I've ever seen, and it will go down as the greatest K-drama ever made. Like, damn. Everyone, of all ages, should experience it.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a breathtaking masterpiece that transcends typical entertainment, earning a well-deserved 5/5. This poignant series, set against the vibrant backdrop of Jeju Island, follows the lifelong journey of Ae-sun (IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) with a raw, emotional depth that resonates profoundly. For me, it’s the most significant piece of entertainment I’ve ever watched, weaving a tapestry of love, resilience.

Read More

truly a must watch masterpiece

showing every step, every stage, every process, every moment of grief, every iconic and flop era of a woman’s life is not easy to do but this series created such cohesive and beautiful stories following many women over the course of a few generations and it’s astounding to see the value of a woman’s love and the choices she can, will, won’t, should, and doesn’t make. it showed so many sides of women through adolescence, young adulthood, and beyond. it celebrated the character behind the man and what it takes to be the backbone of your family as well as the sacrifices you make and the ways in which you need to step up. i can’t rave enough about this story and its characters and the twists and turns and the grief OH THE GRIEF!!!!! it’s so beautiful and haunting and so full of life in every turn. just a wonderful story overall. i can’t wait to rewatch it again.

Read More

The road of life seasons and lessons

When Life Gives You Tangerines is truly special and will be very hard to surpass. It carries the same warmth as Reply 1988, but tells its story in a completely different way. Depending on your age, it reminds you what you lived through as a kid, makes you concious about where you are now and how your life might develop in the future. True hardships of life over SEVEN decades shown here are not only telling a story - it makes you reflect not only on yourself, but people around you and how people and the culture have grown through the years.

This show doesn’t simply entertain; it teaches, provokes, comforts, and challenges. It will make you smile, laugh, cry, and above all, feel. Each episode unfolds with the care and depth of a short film, with not a minute wasted. Each decade detail is very authentic, the acting is breathtaking, and together they create a piece of art.

I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Read More

Whatever happens, family stick together as a glue.

This did not feel like a show. It was a biopic for the ups and downs of life and how parents are parents for the first time. For people my age, it was an eye-opener to see how much the seemingly mundane things our parents do could be the same things that they look forward to doing and what makes their day.
I think I’ll keep this drama close to my heart for a long time. Like the four seasons it portrays, it hits me with so many emotions at once, the lightheartedness of spring, the intensity of summer, the melancholia of autumn and the bitterness of winter. Absolutely loved the director's decision to split the drama into 4 episodes per week.
Also, I finally get what people mean when they call a drama "healing." Even with all the loss and tragedy the characters go through, all i remember is the warmth and comfort of this drama. I already know that this will be one of the dramas i'll always recommend, easy.
IU is definitely going to get all the awards buzz, but I think Moon So Ri and Park Hae Joon also deserve their flowers. Loved seeing more of PBG as the young, steadfast and sweet Steelheart. That ocean swim will go down as the stuff of kdrama legends. But I truly think everyone- mains, supporting, cameos, did fantastic in their roles.

-It's a tough (nigh basically impossible) demand to live up to Yang Gwang Sik as a love interest, but Park Chung Seob held his own! Loved seeing him care for Geum Myeong even when his physical state is compromised through seasickness and alcohol. He chose her over and over again. That scene in the hospital where Geum Myeong is struggling through labor and he says without hesitating "I choose my wife"! The scene when Geum Myeong asks if they can use money they're saving for Sae Bom's piano for her parents instead and he tells her she doesn't have to ask him! We all may think of different things when we think about love, but maybe boiled down to the basics, love is about choosing someone over and over again and respecting/honoring their choices even when times are tough.
-I don't think I've ever cried so much at a kdrama wedding scene?? The use of the younger Yang Geum Myeong actresses to show us Yang Geum Myeong through Gwan Sik's eyes is so effective.
-Seeing Ae Sun and Gwan Sik work so hard during the IMF crisis and struggle with the restaurant broke my heart. Gwan Sik lived and worked for his family, and never complained, and the kids only saw what they didn't have and lamented that they weren't rich! The man never even had a hobby. I've spent a couple of days complaining about my commute to work to my parents and I feel humbled. I think in a world where we see so much online/on Instagram, it's so easy to feel resentful about people living "better" lives than you, with more money and vacation travels to exotic places. But Gwan Sik wasn't bitter at all about giving his whole life to take care of his children. So sincere, so diligent, so much heart for his family.
-I don't know anything about poetry, but I love how Gwan Sik encouraged Ae Sun to work on her poems and fulfill one of his promises to her. Ae Sun acts tough, but she poured her heart into her writing and we can see the depth of her feelings for Gwan Sik in what she writes about him.
-That scene in the hospital with a young PBG and IU looking at each other when Gwan Sik passed absolutely destroyed me.
I've spent A LOT of time thinking about this drama and why it's so gut-wrenching for me, and I think it may be because I'm now at an age where I think more about whether I'm ready to become a parent, and I'm more appreciative of everything my parents have done for me. This drama reminds us of what parents sacrifice to give their children a better life/more than what they had, and it also reminds us about appreciating our parents before it's too late (vol 4 especially). Geum Myeong and Eun Myeong kept telling their parents, "You're not done raising me!" throughout these episodes and boy do I still feel that, even though I'm a fully-grown adult too.
These later episodes reminded me that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik are not much older than my parents (!!!). I've noticed that they walk more slowly these days, and there are more doctors appointments, more vitamins/supplements on the kitchen counter. My mom and I have watched countless kdramas together and we always make time to watch something together whenever I'm home. I've been telling her for probably at least 5 years now that I'm going to take her and Dad to Jeju Island, and I called her after I finished watching this drama to tell her that we're going to go to Jeju Island, and this time, I really mean it.
My chest is heavy. My head is pounding. My throat is dry. My eyes are burning. This drama did not need to do all that. I will never heal 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 Drama of the year IMMEDIATELY. Goodbye I’m off to grieve. I need to find my Gwanshik and ParkToto

Read More