why I love k-drama
series like these make me fall in love with Korean dramas again and again.what a beautiful story, exceptional acting and direction.
a feminist , heart warming story. it has so much to offer besides the female protagonist story. the love and devotion of a husband, the struggles of young love & poverty, living through the changing economic crisis of Korean history, mother -daughter relationship, parenting, losing a loved one, life and it's ups and downs .........
what a brilliant drama, it will stay will me forever.
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A TRUE MASTERPIECE ?
From start to finish, "When Life Gave You Tangerines" stands out as one of the most unique series I've ever experienced. It's not just another well-crafted show; it’s a journey. The k-drama offers a glimpse into the lives of multiple generations, prompting us to reflect on what truly matters and the importance of respecting ourselves above all else. I am thoroughly impressed by the performances of the entire cast, and I have no doubt they will receive numerous awards!I will keep on thinking about this drama for a very long time and I will definitely rewatch it!
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Would definitely recommend this drama that beautifully captures life
I loved it ! From the storyline, to the characters, to their relationships, everything is so beautiful, heart-warming and heart-wrenching, at the same time !The characters are very well written and feel real. The actors also did a great job portraying them !
The story is hits you in all the best ways. It is extremely well written and never feels poorly paced.
This drama is definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but that's what's so great about it ! Without harsh moments, you can't truly appreciate the moments of happiness in the characters lives.
I loved following these characters throughout their lives and throughout the generation in this wonderful story of love, pain, family, hope, dreams, grief, joy and life. This is a truly lovely drama that has a special place in my heart. ❤️🥰
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The Drama That Found Me When I Didn’t Know I Needed It
I didn’t know it was possible to cry so many times watching a single drama, but this one proved me wrong in the most unforgettable way.I started 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' while going through a lot of inner turmoil. I was slowly giving up—on life, on myself. But this story helped me see things from a new perspective. It reminded me that even the smallest things in life can bring happiness... if the person who truly loves you stays by your side.
I already had high expectations after hearing great reviews from friends, but this drama went beyond anything I could have imagined. It didn’t just tell a story—it lived it. And it made me live it too.
This isn’t just a tale of love. It’s a reflection on family, on sacrifice, and the quiet pain that so many of us carry. It shows the love of parents who give everything for their children’s happiness, even if it goes unnoticed. And it also reflects the sadness and confusion children often feel—when life feels unfulfilled, when we feel like we aren’t enough. But through it all, this drama reminds us: everything our parents do, even when it feels overwhelming, comes from a place of indescribable love.
No matter your age, this story will touch you. It paints the struggles of every generation, and somehow finds a way to bring them all together in one beautifully woven narrative.
And the characters… oh, the characters. Gwan Sik and Ae Sun’s love is something that can’t be described with words. It warmed my heart and shattered it all at once. The men in this drama showed a kind of gentleness and strength that I can only hope to find in a partner one day.
This drama was nothing short of perfection. It made me reflect on my own life, the people I’ve loved and lost, and the parts of myself I’m still learning to forgive. It reminded me that the people who truly love us—our parents, our chosen family—are often right there, just quietly waiting for us to see them.
It’s not just a drama. It’s a piece of art. One I want to keep fresh in my memory, always.
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Daebak
I am a big fan of Director Kim Won-Suk. From the drama Misaeng(2014),Signal(2016),My Mister(2018), Arthdal Chronicles(2019) and this drama.The directing style is magnificent. Kudos to writer for this drama. The plot and storylines is superb. The casting line is very good. Actor’s and actress’s is delivered the emotions to audience. The OST also stunning. Retro/classical OST sounds like is very suitable. Overalls this Drama is masterpiece. Looking forward to achieve many awards this year for this Drama “ Thank You for Your Hard Work/ When Life gives You Tangerines”.Was this review helpful to you?
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A Poetic Masterpiece of Healing and Transformation
This screenplay is not written; it is composed like poetry.This film is a story of acceptance and forgiveness,
of giving love and bringing light to life,
of transcending pain and suffering,
of transitioning from girlhood to womanhood.
This series is not just a film; it is a collection of unpretentious therapy sessions.
I would gladly kiss the hands of the writer who poetically gifted us this masterpiece a thousand times.
In honor of the production and editing team of this healing creation.
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This review may contain spoilers
Heartbreaking, yet Heartwarming.
This show didn't have a single episode where I didn't cry. They went through so much, yet they were so happy together. They broke my heart yet they made me believe in love and life, so it seems fitting. Every story had a purpose, every character had meaning, everything was deeply connected. I wish to someday have someone who loves me that deeply and to love someone that much.In some points, I just kept wondering how they managed to get up with every obstacle that life gave them, their third child's death got me ugly crying at 2 am, and it made me so sad for the parents that have to bury their children. She lost so much to the sea and didn't wanna be there anymore yet she moved back to that house because that was the place she felt more at home. The ending was realistic and hurtful, but in my mind, she passes away gently in her sleep and reunites with everyone she lost, that is my ending.
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A Sweet Slice of Healing
When Life Gives You Tangerines completely surprised me in the best way. The story feels so genuine and the characters are really easy to connect with. They don’t come across as typical drama roles but as real people going through real experiences. The chemistry between the leads is natural and makes you genuinely root for them.What I really enjoyed is how the show balances everything. It’s emotional and heartfelt without becoming too dramatic, and there’s just enough humor to keep things light. The side characters have their own stories that add depth without distracting from the main plot.
Visually, the show is gorgeous. The warm colors and cozy settings make it feel inviting, and the music fits the mood perfectly without being overwhelming.
Overall, it’s one of those dramas that stays with you after you finish it. It’s about growth, healing, and finding small moments of happiness even when life gets tough. Definitely worth watching if you want something sweet, real, and comforting.
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selflessness, dedication, and unconditional love
These 2 crying love birds got me crying too. There are many positive things to say about this drama. Both families went through hardships, especially Oh Ae-sun, But that didn’t matter to Yang Gwan Sik. He wanted to provide for her and he cared for her. It was obvious that she liked him too. They were so in love. This man would have given the world to her if he could.They were honest with each other and communication was not an issue. Their children are such cry babies too. When Geum - myeong was getting married and the father daughter flash backs had me crying 😭
The other flashbacks to when they were younger and older, makes me so emotional to know how far they are coming from and how old they got.
As parents, they did their best to give their children the life they didn't have. Gwan Sik showed, selflessness, dedication, and unconditional love while Ae-sun supported her husband through all the hardships so he never felt alone or burdened.
They were the perfect pair.
This drama was just about life and family.
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here's to all we are
This will break your heart - and then put you back together. The story is the star of this drama. It shines so bright. The actors are mere vehicles that carry this story forward. But what great actors they all are!!Life can be so miserable. And then a piece of art comes along and makes you feel glad to be alive, glad to have experienced something wonderful.
This story is about all of us. It puts a spotlight on the life of a woman and her family, but really it is about womanhood and motherhood. I don't know which character I loved more. I just know I am deeply grateful to everyone who created this - both behind and in front of the camera.
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perfection
This show is perfection…I laughed, cried, and felt all the emotions with them. The message and the story is beautiful and the acting was incredible. I loved how we got to see them as they grew up and how realistic the show was. The pacing and arcs were great. The ending although sad was perfect. This show made me appreciate the things I have and look at life from a different perspective. Only criticism I have is I wish it was longer! I wanted to have so much more of Aesun and Gwansik when they were younger as they were my favorite part of the show (though I did love seeing the older versions of them). The casting was perfect as well.10/10 recommend.
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