Why should we watch When Life Gives You Tangerines?
When Life Gives You Tangerines... It shows life in a way that makes you love life and living even though you should hate it. Honestly, I left a part of my heart in When Life Gives You Tangerines. I watched this series during the episode and while I was waiting for the four new episodes on Friday, it was the best month of my life. I can never forget this series. 😭The acting... the soundtrack was so good, I could probably never fall in love with anyone other than Gwang Shik. When Go Myung and his first love didn't get along at the end, it showed how much Gwang Shik and Ae Sot loved each other, especially Gwang Shik, who was such a role model for their children. This series is amazing.
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This is not just a drama, this is emotion
This is my first time posting a review on MDL, so my perspective is that of a regular viewer rather than a critic. This drama is not just a show; it’s a bag of emotions. I usually don’t cry while watching dramas, but this series brought tears to my eyes. It truly succeeds in tugging at your heartstrings.
The story revolves around a young, naive couple who are suddenly thrust into a new world with their newborn baby. Through their love for each other, the husband and wife strive to improve their lives and do everything possible for their children. You’ll witness their transition from youth to old age, and it will feel like you’re experiencing that life yourself.
The drama beautifully explores different facets of parental love—showing how parents will do anything for their children, while also highlighting how excessive care and love can sometimes negatively impact a child’s life. Park Bo Gum as Yang Gwan Sik and IU as O Ae Sun both gave strong performances, but it was the portrayals of middle-aged Yang Gwan Sik by Park Hae Joon and middle-aged O Ae Sun by Moon So Ri that truly stole my heart. The emotions they brought to those roles made their characters feel incredibly alive.
Overall, this drama deserves a 10/10 from me, and I highly recommend it. Don't miss it!
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The Beauty of When life gives you tangerine
"When Life Gives You Tangerines" is a poignant Korean drama that explores life's complexities through the lens of love, family, and friendship. The story revolves around Ae-sun, a bright girl who faces life-altering challenges after her mother's passing, and Gwansik, her steadfast companion who embodies loyalty and love.*What Makes This Drama Special*
- *Authentic Portrayal*: The drama shines with its raw and honest depiction of everyday life, making characters relatable and authentic.
- *Emotional Depth*: With outstanding performances from IU and Park Bo-gum, the drama captures the emotional struggles and triumphs of its characters.
- *Historical Significance*: Set in 1960s Jeju Island, South Korea, the drama offers a glimpse into the country's past, highlighting the struggles of survival and love during a tumultuous era.
*Key Themes*
- *Love and Sacrifices*: The drama explores the complexities of love, showcasing the sacrifices and choices people make for those they care about.
- *Family Dynamics*: It delves into the intricacies of family relationships, including the challenges of understanding and empathy.
- *Personal Growth*: Through its characters, the drama illustrates the importance of perseverance and self-discovery.
*Overall Impression*
"When Life Gives You Tangerines" is a heartfelt drama that will resonate with viewers. With its beautiful cinematography, authentic storytelling, and outstanding performances, it's a must-watch for those who appreciate subtle, reflective storytelling.
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This review may contain spoilers
A beautiful generational story that will touch your heart
LIKES:1) THE SCRIPT - I don't know how to put into words how good this script is. I grew up very differently than the characters in this drama, but I related to the feelings and emotions of frustration, regret, worry, and love. I saw snippets of my parents in the feelings unsaid and in the sacrifices they made. And I related to the frustrations of the kids with the heavy weight of their parents dreams, hopes, and sacrifices upon them. The guilt, OH the guilt - I could definitely relate to that. I really don't know how writer Im Sang Choon was able to capture so much of the relatable complex emotions of this family, but somehow make it so universal that so many viewers can relate. It was done with such finesse. This could have easily have become a sappy corny drama, but it wasn't. It was poignant, relatable and reflective and we have both the director and writer to thank for that. Loved it and now love this writer esp since I found out she also wrote Fight My Way which is another drama I loved.
2) IU - She blew me away. She just has this way of drawing you in. And she did such a great job playing 2 characters. There was not one instance where I didn't believe that she was her character which is impressive in itself since she is so famous. She just kind of brings life to a scene. I loved watching her and Bogum. All their scenes were so cute and lovable( except obviously the storm scene with their tragic loss).
3) THE CHARACTER OF GWAN SIK - The amount of love, support, and sacrifice he gives to Ae Sun and his family. How can you not love someone like that. The epitome of unselfish. And in another relatable way, so easy to take for granted,
4) JEJU BACKDROP & COMMUNITY LIFE - the scenery is just stunning and the harsh community life makes the story so much richer
5) JANG HYE JIN - There's something about JHJ that makes me tune in. She's a versatile wonderful actress that always amuses me somehow. I liked how she portrayed the middle aged Yeong Ran as a nonchalant dead pan mother. At times, there was something amusing and funny about it. She's a mother that's given up on her marriage, but there's still this underlying spark in her.
MINOR DISLIKES:
1) THE PORTRAYALS OF THE OLDER AE SUN & GWAN SIK - So I really really wanted to believe that Moon So RI was the older version of Ae Sun and that Park Hae Joon was the older version of Gwan Sik, but it was very hard for me to associate that they were the same character. In Moon So Ri's case, I think it was mainly the voice. IU has this husky low whispery kind of voice, but Moon So Ri kept using a high toned baby voice that really created a disconnect for me. I felt like she should have tried to imitate IU's tone and the way she speaks more. Also her portrayal seemed too different to me. I couldn't really find any similarities to the younger version so it just seemed like two different characters. Just having a pin in the hair to connect the two was not enough for me.
For Gwan Sik, while I loved the older version of the character, it just didn't seem like the same character. Visually, they looked too different and i don't know, the portrayal just didn't connect for me. So while I didn't mind the acting in terms of relaying emotions, I just didn't buy into that these were the same characters. This actually made me appreciate how good Lee Do Hyun's acting in the drama 18 AGAIN was as he was able to make me believe that he was a younger version of the older character by capturing the older actor's mannerisms and way of speaking. I feel like more effort and maybe direction should have been made in regards to this, but again it was a minor dislike. The story and strength of characters and writing was more apparent.
Overall, a highly recommended watch especially for those viewers who need a heartfelt cry.
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It's not just a drama rather life itself
Got it! Here's a 200-word positive review tailored for the K-drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines":---
K-Drama Review: When Life Gives You Tangerines
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a heartfelt and refreshing K-drama that effortlessly blends emotional depth with moments of gentle humor and warmth. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Jeju Island, the story follows the journey of a young woman returning to her roots after life throws her off course. What unfolds is a tender tale of healing, self-discovery, and the quiet strength found in everyday life.
The performances are stellar, especially from the lead actress who brings a perfect balance of vulnerability and resilience to her role. The supporting cast also shines, adding layers of charm, laughter, and genuine emotion to the storyline. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the scenic beauty of the tangerine orchards and the slow-paced, comforting rhythm of rural life.
What truly makes this drama stand out is its message: even when life doesn’t go as planned, there’s sweetness to be found in unexpected places. When Life Gives You Tangerines is not flashy or overly dramatic—it’s honest, warm, and deeply relatable.
If you're looking for a drama that soothes the soul and reminds you of the beauty in simplicity, this one is an absolute gem. Highly recommended for fans of slow-burn healing story.
Just watch it you Won't regret it.
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Not Just a Story — It Changed My Bucket List
Honestly, I just want to meet Hong Kyung Ja (it's said this drama is inspired by her). I want to ask her how she stood tall when it felt like her dreams were falling apart one by one. I want to know how it feels when someone loves you more than anything else in this world — and more importantly, how to accept that kind of love (I still believe love always comes with an expiry date). This drama didn't just tell a story; it made me question a lot about life, love, and what it means to truly hold on.I’ve given it a low rewatch value not because it’s lacking, but because I don’t want to cry again… or envy her strength again. If you're someone who doesn’t usually watch love stories (like me), I’d still say: watch this. Trust me, it’s more than just a love story.
And honestly… I hope I get to meet this woman one day. It’s the one and only thing going on my bucket list :)
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Most substantial watches of my life
My headline is quite dramatic but it clearly states how I felt after completing this drama. It took me a week of putting it out of my mind, so that I didn’t cry when remembering the various scenes of Aesun’s life that brought me to tears.If you want to watch the most captivating love story, one grounded so far in reality that you feel you could almost obtain it yourself, then look no further.
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This will forever be the best kdrama in the world
30 year old black man here. I remember back when I first watched this K-drama I got up to around episode 5 or 6. it tore me I had to take a break from it. I came back and I just finished it today and I have to say with the utmost certainty as someone who has watched a few hundred k dramas over the course of the past 6 years that this is by far the best . it grips your heart in every way possible and doesn't let go. I'm crying as I type this. it's a crime for this not to be 10/10 I don't think I'll ever forget the experience that these 16 episodes have given meWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A masterpiece in every sense of the word (spoilers ahead)
I never posted a review but I felt that this drama deserved every bit of praise. This is the first time that I gave a K-drama a perfect 10. When Life Gives You Tangerines is truly a masterpiece. The attention to detail was so beautifully done and the music, while it wasn't to my taste, enhanced the watching experience. I cried watching every episode as I could see bits of myself in Geum-myeong and her family. Some moments were extremely hard to watch because the actors did a phenomenal job at conveying the job, especially IU. I wept during Dong-Myeong's death as I could feel Ae-sun's pain through the screen. Her potrayal as Oh Ae-Sun and Yang Guem-Myeong is so beautifully raw and realistic. I also love how the characters and their dynamics feel real to the point where it sometimes feels like I'm intruding a family moment. Yang Gwan Sik is literally one of the best male leads ever written because of the way he protects his wife, loves his son, and sets the standard for his daughter. Eun-Myeong's storyline also broke my heart a little bit because he was just a child who wanted to feel special on his birthdays like his sister (which made sense why he was always so salty) but instead, he walked around the topic of his birthday like it was a sensitive issue. I broke down when Oh Aesun's mother saw her poems because she still came to see her daughter. This K-drama not only feels like a love letter to all mothers and daughters who broke the generational cycle but husbands and fathers who fight against the patriachial norms to let their wives and daughters "flip the table".In the end, When Life Gives You Tangerines not only feels like a poem written by Oh Ae-Sun through her support system but a poem written by life to give us hope to go on and hug the people around us.
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1an unforgettable experience
after a long drama slump, my best friend suggested watching this and the moment we hit play, we were absolutely in awe. 'when life gives you tangerines' is one of those dramas that pulls you in and sways your heart with its beautiful storytelling.there is not one episode that failed to captivate me. from the brutal reality of women's experiences to the bittersweet and sweet moments of each character, there was a lot to unpack here. despite there being the main characters, the tone of this drama gives you the full picture wherein the stories of side characters are also showed as well.
while some moments where gwan sik, the ml might be seen as too much of a 'dream man' to the point that it leads you to have delulu thoughts, i think that's the point in dramas. there's a good balance of reality and fantasy but it gives you that sort of serotonin boost when you watch those romantic moments.
overall, even though there are cute moments, this drama is not your typical feel-good drama but it does a good job at being meaningful, packed with lessons to learn and resonates with many people.
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A rare, heartfelt masterpiece that lingers long after the final episode.
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a breathtaking K-drama that blends romance, resilience, and the passage of time. IU and Park Bo-gum shine as Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, delivering performances full of quiet strength and deep emotion. The cinematography of Jeju Island is stunning, turning landscapes into poetry. More than a love story, it’s about endurance, family, and finding beauty in life’s hardships.Was this review helpful to you?
