This review may contain spoilers
A heartfelt tale at the struggles of poverty with some continuity and casting issues
The drama is first and foremost a slice of life drama so it does not have the usual protagonist and antagonist, conflict and resolution arc so it is not for everyone. It is a little slow as it covers the stories of some of the support cast, which adds substance to the drama but may feel draggy.The production quality is of very high standard. The set, lightning, costume really show how village life in Jeju in the past is like. The script is intricate as the lines between the cast felt natural. The direction of the drama is great as well. Most of the cast were superb in their acting, especially the support cast of aunties who were Ae Sun's mother's friends. Yeom Hye Ran who played Ae Sun's mother was exceptional. Kim Tae Yeon who played the main young Ae Sun was great as well. They both were convincing as the protective mother and confident child. This part of the story, although short, tugged at my heartstrings the most. This background story added intricacy to the drama. IU and Park Bo Gum have good chemistry and are relatable as a couple as well.
IU, having dual roles of playing both the young Ae Sun as well as her daughter, Yang Geum Myeong, cemented her role as an actress, although she came from a singing background. She was competent in playing her younger role with Park Bo Gum as a poor but proud mother, and later on even better as Yang Geum Myeong. It possible that IU is still better when depicting modern characters . The scene where Yang Geum Myeong father's shouted her name when she was griping to her mother about not wanting to play the "pillar of the family" role was exceptionally good - one can feel that Geum Myeong's motions totally sank when she knew she was in the wrong.
The main and later part of the drama is where I have minor grips with casting, and major continuity issues. Firstly, Park Bo Gum as the younger Yang Gwan Sik is incredibly handsome. His character setup was that he was physically fit enough to be a national athlete, handsome, who gave them up in order to marry Ae Sun and provide for the family. He is also down-to-earth and a man of a few words. Park Hae Joon was cast as the older Yang Gwan Sik despite looking nothing like Park Bo Gum and being way too old. Yang Gwan Sik is 37-39 when her daughter entered university.
His character also had continuity issues. The idea of him being "handsome and athletic but gave it up" character script was not explored. His identity switched a 180 degree to an ailing father and sea-worn fisherman with a haggard look, even though his age is only around 37-38. When he developed cancer, he is only 55-57, but was portrayed as likely 60 over years old.
Similarly, Moon So Ri was cast as the older Ae Sun when her character is supposed to be much younger. When she first appeared, she was supposed to be 37-38, but was presented as something in her late forties to early fifties. Her character was displayed as someone who is meek - the only time she spoke up was when her daughter was mistreated by her potential in-laws and when she pulled her frenemy's hair. Her personality felt a little too different from who she was like in her teenage and motherhood years.
Despite these character continuity issues, Yang Gwan Sik and Moon So Ri made up for that lack in their acting.
IU's acting as a mother (both as younger Ae Sun and later asGeum Myeong) was slighter less impressive and she lacked a little maternal instinct and her chemistry with her children. These scenes were far and few in-between though.
Overall. this is a good drama for the start of 2025. It is just impossible to binge through so few episodes a time is still recommended.
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A simply beautiful story about family and life successfully told.
This will be the first review I have written on MDL.When Life Gives You Tangerines 🍊 (2025)
I knew this drama would end up being similar to my expectations, but the storytelling elevated the experience further. For such a simple story, the storytelling was stellar, along with the cinematography, to keep the audience on their toes and their hearts softened. The history of Jeju was richly presented by aligning the struggles of villagers and Aesun and Gwansik, whose lives were filled with emotional, grand and simple moments. I was reminded of my parents whenever Aesun and Gwansik, as grandparents, stood by each other, and so I resonated with the sad, happy, and funny moments in the story, especially through the eyes of Geum-myeong and how she ended up being their treasure and so-called princess.
Besides the main story, side characters were tied to the storyline and were important to the lives of the main characters, which I enjoyed a lot for a slice-of-life drama. The direction and visuals, helmed by the director of critically acclaimed dramas like My Mister, Signal, and Arthdal Chronicles, left me breathless. The budget was intentionally spent, and I appreciated that a lot. The actors and actresses did their job, especially IU, who played Ae-sun and Geum-young and showed her versatility as an actress in between the relationship of a mother and her daughter. So did Park Bogum, who I didn't see in a project elsewhere except Reply 1988 in 2015, he crafted the image of a young father to his grown-up self, played by Park Hae-Joon. Moon So-ri was as great as Ae-sun, she felt like a real person to me with all of her emotions as a mother who once had dreams of her own. I never felt a disconnection between the same characters played by two different actors and actresses.
Volumes 1-4 each had a central theme that resembled a tribute to the younger generation and a great thank you to the elder generations. From the dreams of youth to the hardships and regrets of adulthood and parenthood, to the uncertain events in history that struck the country were covered in the seasons of time, fall, summer, winter, and spring.
The ahjummas and other roles, such as Bu Sang-gil and Yeom Hyeran, convinced me that their characters were, in fact, just as important in bringing the scenes of family and community that stood out to me in symbolism out of all the dramas I've seen. Kim Seon-ho was wonderful too. Two mother-daughter relationships were excellently written, and the messages of the story were strongly supported through their scenes and how they contributed to the growth of the female characters throughout. I would like to write about the scenes that impacted me the most, but I will mention that the death of Dong-myeong truly broke me. Bogum as Gwan-sik's cries were haunting, and IU as Ae-sun in complete denial hurt me badly. In a way, I will never forget, and how they have not forgotten what happened to him from the guilt and regret that arose in their hearts and minds.
The music wasn't that spectacular for me, but I still was able to cry at quite a few scenes because of the powerful writing and acting. The rewatch value remains low since I never rewatch dramas fully, but for anyone who would rewatch, I would suggest they skip many moments in the middle of the drama instead. The timelines involving the lives of Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong were not captivating or interesting for the most part, but there are still many moments to look forward to. I will be thinking about this show briefly whenever I think of my family, especially my mother. A lot of lines were special to me.
I loved that Ae-sun was able to write poetry, including her long-lasting marriage in the warm spring and that Gwan-sik's last moments had him thinking about the love of his life. This show was able to focus on the romance of the parents in the last episode and how their love had them walking hand-in-hand and overcoming each hardship together. The last line is deeply emotional and summarizes the message of the story,
"To their seasons,
once so young and still so tender.
With remorse, gratitude, and the deepest respect.
Here's to all you have been through."
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A Soft, Healing Drama That Stays With You
When Life Gives You Tangerines is honestly one of the most touching K-dramas I’ve ever seen. It’s not loud or flashy—no huge twists or wild cliffhangers—but that’s exactly what makes it so special. The story feels real. It’s slow and quiet in the best way, like sitting under the sun with your eyes closed, feeling every little breeze.The setting alone had me hooked. The drama takes place on Jeju Island, and the way it’s filmed is just breathtaking. The sea, the wind, the endless rows of tangerine trees—it creates such a calm, nostalgic feeling. It really felt like I was living there with the characters. The cinematography makes every small moment feel meaningful and poetic.
IU plays Ae-sun with so much honesty and heart. She’s such a strong, curious, and stubborn character, and I admired how she kept dreaming even when the world around her tried to hold her back. And Park Bo-gum as Gwan-sik… oh my god. He’s the type of male lead that just makes your heart ache—in a soft, quiet way. He’s not the typical romantic hero, but that’s what makes him feel so real. Their connection is full of tension and unspoken emotion. It’s not a romance filled with big declarations—it’s slow, complicated, and so deeply human.
Now, I have to mention Yang Geum-yeon, Ae-sun’s daughter. I’m going to be honest—she was annoying sometimes. There were moments when I just wanted to shake her and ask, “Why are you like this?!” She acted selfish or distant at times, and it made it hard to connect with her. But I also understand that she’s a product of her own time and pain, and her character still adds a lot of weight to the story. Not everyone is meant to be likeable all the time—and that’s real life too. By the end, I appreciated her more.
What really stuck with me about this drama was how deeply it explores the quiet pain and strength of everyday life. It shows how people love, wait, lose, grow, and keep going. It’s about ordinary moments and how those small things build the story of a lifetime. I cried more than once—not just because it was sad, but because it felt so true. Sometimes it hit a little too close to home.
If you’ve ever felt like you were waiting for something or someone, if you’ve ever had dreams that felt too far away, or if you just want to feel seen and comforted, watch this drama. It’s gentle, thoughtful, and full of heart. When Life Gives You Tangerines gave me so much. It made me reflect, feel, and just breathe. I’m really grateful I watched it.
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love this drama >____<
YOU MUST WATCH THIS because of park bogum and iu very suitable IN MY OPINION ♡_____♡ I really like gwansik's character like GREEN FLAG REALLY GUYS.. and I also want to have a husband like Park Toto AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA >< actually, I really empathy for Geumyoung's boyfriend, he's a good kid but his mom is NOT GOOD, GUYS, BELIEVE ME 🤬 her mother is really looking very social status LIKE? HUH? THE HELL.. 🙄🙄OKAY, from this drama I learned a lot of life lessons, they are really related to my life and we can take moral messages from this drama AND THIS WILL BE MY TOP BEST DRAMA IN 2025 LIST :D
MUST MEET GWANSIK AND AESUN ALL OF YOU EHEHHEHEHEHE RECOMMENDED
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i will never look at tangerines the same ever again
i've been trying to think about how i should start this review, what to say to convince any readers that need that extra push to pick this one up and how to do this drama justice through my words but i honestly think i won't ever be able to.i was watching while it was airing then watched the last volume over the course of a month and a half because i just simply did not want it to end. i honestly can't recall a single form of media that has been able to evoke this much emotion from me. sure, i'm an empath, but crying every episode? multiple times? they laced the plot with something, i'm telling you...
it's jam packed with true, raw emotion that sometimes hits a bit too close to home. a story of love and sacrifice across three generations of a family, an absolute must watch if you're an eldest daughter or the 'pillar' of your family.
it will make you want to pick up the phone and call your loved ones asap. life is short, tell them you love them <3
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1Life gives tangerines, love turns them sweet, a journey through struggles and growth with realism!
8.7/10This drama wasn’t about a passionate love story that swept you off your feet, rather it was about the journey of two people who loved each other through thick and thin, in every phase of their lives. It was realistic, capturing the hardships and complexities of their relationship as they navigated various challenges. We have seen this several times in dramaland, but the portrayal here felt sincere and deep. Each time they faced hardship or joy, I felt like I was right there with them, crying when they cried, laughing when they laughed.
Yang Gwan Sik and O Ae Sun’s romance wasn’t the usual typical fairy tale, but it was so comforting in its own way. While there were moments when I didn’t get why they made certain choices, but their loyalty to each other was unmatched. The way Gwan Sik literally crossed oceans for Ae Sun spoke volumes about the depth of his love and commitment. Gwan Sik’s as a husband and his daughter's father is something I could write essays about.
O Ae Sun had a tough childhood and the only person who ever really had her back was Gwan Sik. And he didn’t just have her back, he protected her with everything he had. But Ae Sun herself was a strong, fiery woman and an even fiercer mom. She was determined that her daughter wouldn’t go through the same struggles she did. The way she showed her protective love was so bittersweet, it honestly made me cry a few times.
Watching her journey with Gwan Sik, I realised, it was never about love but survival in the most romantic way possible. To me, this is what real love is, not star-crossed lovers, but two people who fight against all odds and still manage to be soft and gentle with each other.
The drama also touched on the subject of the parent-child relationship with such raw honesty, reminding me of a universal truth that as a child, it was easy to argue with my parents and feel frustrated by their decisions. But as I grew older, I began to see things from two perspectives - mine, which often felt difficult with my own struggles and expectations from life and the perspective of my parents, where I realized they were facing their own challenges. The drama gave me a humbling experience here and there. It was a reminder that sometimes, you can't truly understand someone’s choices until you walk in their shoes or at least try to. It beautifully captured that emotional journey, showing how perspective can change as we grow and mature.
With realistic portrayals come realistic disappointments from our projections. (Lol xD ) I feel a certain way about when a mother chooses to favour one child over the other. One child is left to fade into the shadows, while the other is bathed in her undivided attention, somehow because they are the living embodiment of her own unfulfilled dreams.
While I do appreciate how the drama portrays both men and women with depth, this issue of favouritism really bothered me a bit. The mother’s desire to ensure her daughter doesn’t face the same hardships she did is understandable and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. However, I felt the boy was somewhat neglected in the story.
Gwan Sik and Ae Sun as Geum Myeong parents should and would win Oscars for being the best parents , a woman could ask for but sadly in the case of Eun Myeong , they missed the mark. They did try to come around in Vol 4 but for me, it was a little too late.
Also, compared to vol 1 and 2,vol 3 and 4 felt a bit off in terms of pacing where few arcs felt streched out and also the transitions between the past and present seemed somewhat random, something I didn’t notice in the first two volumes.
The acting was excellent across the board and I have no complaints. The main cast, IU and Park Bogum, were at their absolute best. The supporting cast also had some incredibly seasoned actors and their performances only elevated the drama whenever they were on screen.
The cinematography and the opening credits were also remarkable. The struggles of village life, the beauty of the sea, the vast open fields and the stunning sunsets were captured beautifully. In fact, I never skipped the credits once. You can sense throughout, that the budget wasn't the problem.
Overall , it was raw and messy but in all the right ways. For anyone who has been through tough times, whether it's financial struggles in childhood or personal battles against societal pressures and expectations, this would get to you. It somehow also teaches you that life goes no matter what.
Tangerines here were like problems in life - unexpected, sometimes sour and hard to handle at first. But when life hands a tangerine, it may not be clear what to do with it right away. Over time, though ,the bitterness can be peeled back, revealing the sweetness inside, turning something challenging into something worthwhile. It’s about making the best of what life gives, even if it’s not what was wanted or expected. The drama did a good job at that. (At least what I inferred)
I would definitely recommend this drama and would also recommend a tissue box on the side for the ugly crying that will follow. xD
Thank you for reading my review! It was difficult to write this one without spoilers. I hope you enjoy the drama if you give it a try! <3
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cried a river T.T
It’s a family drama but a really really “depressing” one. This drama focuses on the reality of surviving when you are not from a wealthy family and also highlights the different stages in the life. How the choices they make affect their lives is also clearly shown. How parents can sacrifice so much for their kids and how the kids learn to appreciate their parents.I cried alot watching this show…somehow IU always picks really sad dramas but she is able to really portray her characters well. I was amazed because she had to cry almost every episode. As an actor I feel like that must have been so hard and tiring. IU has the main role in the drama, most of the scenes are of her.
Park bogum, unexpectedly doesn’t have much screen time but he did really well as well. He was loyal supportive and hard working. He was the perfect husband for Aesun so she never regretted marrying him.
The drama was directed very well with clips from the past and present blended nicely and presented in a clear timeline. It was not confusing to understand and the story was very heartwarming.
Overall a very good drama which shows the difficulties of the past and how a family managed to live on together.
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I liked this story very much
I liked this story very much and was a little emotional too.This story also teaches us that if a boy and a girl are in love, then they do whatever it takes to find their way to live.
Sometimes there are some fights in love but when both of them cheat each other then they both can fix that problem by taking a bath together and can live their life well.
It is also mentioned in the story that money is not everything, if you talk to someone with a true heart then you will find your own way as to how your life will be
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A Tender Story That Touched My Heart
This drama leaves its mark on the soul; it will be difficult to overcome.When Life Gives You Tangerines quietly broke me in the best way. I didn’t expect to cry as much as I did, but so many scenes hit deep—sometimes because of what was said, and sometimes because of the silence between the characters. It’s a simple story, but full of emotion, nostalgia, and healing.
The slow pace lets you truly connect with the characters, and their journey felt so real it hurt—in a beautiful, cathartic way. The bond between the leads, the beautiful Jeju setting, and the quiet strength of the writing stayed with me long after I finished.
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A Raw and Heartfelt Journey
This drama made me cry a lot, ngl. Its story is both beautiful and deeply touching. However, I have to say, when a certain actor started showing up in later episodes, I just wanted to fast-forward through his scenes. I also wish they had focused more on Eun Myeong, and there were moments when Geum Myeong’s behavior frustrated me. That said, it’s understandable — her parents spoiled her a lot, and it showed.The first two arcs were absolutely incredible, but towards the end, the story felt a bit stuck in time, lacking the same creativity and depth. It was pretty obvious that they just recreated the same romance for Geum Myeong based on her parents' love story, which I found a little disappointing.
This kdrama isn’t a fairy tale: it’s raw, real, and human. That’s why, despite my reservations, I still gave it a high score. The main and supporting actors (let me ignore that one actor for now) were phenomenal, and I loved how every single character served a real purpose in the story, even if we didn’t realize it until 10 episodes later.
I highly recommend this kdrama to anyone ready to cry and experience life in its most unfiltered form through art.
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1"It takes a village to keep a person alive"
When Life Gives You Tangerines was a lovely bittersweet story of three generations of women, each desiring to do better than the previous generation. While the male characters were important, it was Ae Sun, her mother and her daughter that were the core of the story.Much of the drama took place on Jeju Island centered around the haenyeo and fishermen. Most of the people struggled to live day to day, relying on each other when things became dire. The sea is a harsh mistress and not only sustained life but took it as well. Yet there was laughter amongst the tears. And most importantly, there was the great love story between Ae Sun and Gwan Sik.
The different generations demonstrated the sacrifices that parents make for their children as well as their mistakes. Children learned that regret was a bitter pill to swallow once a parent was gone. The village relied on each other giving with compassion often accompanied by biting humor. Sometimes love was enough to sustain a relationship and sometimes it wasn’t. Life wasn’t easy about handing out answers regardless of the season people were in.
“It takes a village to keep a person alive.” The people of Jeju Island were generous, reconciliation often came after many tears, and the people showed great resiliency in the face of a collapsing economy. “Go together with others. If you do, 100 miles will feel like 10.” When Life Gives You Tangerines also reminded us that growing up is a lifelong process.
3 April 2025
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