When Life Gives You Tangerines Review - ZyKuu
"A young couple from an island experience the fruits of life side by side" - The story was very realistic as we witness the main couple experience life across many decades. I found the plot to be very lengthy and the only issue with me was the pacing, but all together it was a beautiful story of life that was told. This show does a amazing job at portraying the inconsistencies of life. Oh Ae-sun (Young) / Yang Geum-myeong is an incredibly talented actress. She was able to perform both roles excellently.Yang Gwan-sik (Young) was an amazing actor himself, he demonstrated what it truly meant to be a father and husband. Hopefully many people look up to his character and draw inspiration from him. Oh Ae-sun (Old) and Yang Gwan-sik (Old) were also terrific in portraying their roles. Both Park Chung-seop & Park Yeong-beom did well in their reduced roles during the screen time they had as well. The OST was decent, it fit in with the theme of the show but nothing in particular stood out for me. I would say that this show is more catered towards an older audience as I feel it would be more relatable to those who have been battle tested through life already. All in all, this show was very impactful and does a tremendous job at telling the story of life!
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Do yourself a favor and watch this drama.
There is nothing more I can say that hasn't been said. This drama is a masterpiece. Everything was perfect. I loved IU's performance and how she differentiated herself from the mother and daughter characters. Also, the men in this drama are pure chef's kiss. This is what a green forest looks like. Also, the costumes and the set design transport you to the era where this story was set.Anyway, I'm not going to give any spoilers or rant. Just please watch this drama. You will not regret it.
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A poignant story following the love story of a couple that is always rooting for each other!
I had zero expectations coming into this drama. It was getting popular and my friends asked if I was watching, naturally I gave it a try.'When Life Gives You Tangerines' gave me the vibes of daily Japanese dramas called asadora(s). They typically follow a female protagonist throughout their life including building a family for themselves or making a name for themselves. That's exactly what we see in this drama but obviously condensed into 16 episodes. Usually I would think 16 episodes feels too short and fast paced to connect and understand each character but WLGYT was well paced and thought out. Every episode just felt perfect, not too fast and not too slow. Just the right pacing for me.
There were many life lessons that everyone can take from this drama.
I think my top three were: 1. Never settle for less and don't put yourself down just to please others. 2. Even if you grew up with nothing, know that your parents tried their very best to keep you fed and happy. 3. Cherish every moment, who knows what could happen. Take care of your family especially your parents. 😭
The acting of each and every actor and actress were amazing and natural. No complaints, just applause especially to IU.
Highly recommend! :)
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definitely the best Korean drama of 2025
if you do not want to cry you shouldn't watch this while this is definitely the best Korean drama I've ever watched I was definitely sobbing I mean it had the right amount of comedy to it as well so I was laughing too but overall you should just watch it because it's really good and it's based on a true story which helps tie all the things together but it's really good .Was this review helpful to you?
I say this as someone who isn’t a parent. I wonder, though—do those who have held their child for the first time, who’ve learned to love in ways I can only begin to imagine, see this differently? Does the instinct to protect, nurture, and shape something so precious change how one receives life’s unexpected gifts?
To me, this series was a reminder that not every twist is a tragedy in disguise. Some are tangerines.
The actors—what they delivered was nothing short of immaculate. Their performances didn’t just serve the story; they became the story. I’ll carry this series with me for a long time, and I can’t help but wonder if they will too.
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Memories, Choices, Passage of time
The cycle of life, wrapped in warmth and silence. It will find the part of you that remembers — being a child, a parent, or simply human, and quietly break you open.When life gives you tangerines, it’s not just about fruit — it’s about time.
This drama doesn’t shout. It doesn’t race. It unfolds gently, like seasons turning, like the slow ripening of fruit on a tree. When Life Gives You Tangerines is a meditation — on family, memory, and the subtle, painful, beautiful transitions that define being alive.
Set against the soft, rural backdrop of Jeju Island, the story weaves through the lives of an ordinary family, made extraordinary by its honesty. It doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or flashy plotlines. Instead, it leans into the everyday — peeling tangerines, setting the table, walking home and from these small acts, it builds something quietly profound.
If you’ve ever been the eldest child, carrying the weight of unspoken expectations… if you’ve been the youngest, aching to be seen… if you’ve been a mother trying to hold a family together, or a father lost in silence, this story will speak to you.
There is no rush here. Just a steady unfolding. Grief, love, forgiveness — not in grand declarations, but in glances, pauses, and the things left unsaid.
This drama isn’t for everyone. But if you’re someone who finds beauty in simplicity, who cherishes the still moments and the space between words — When Life Gives You Tangerines will stay with you, long after it ends.
Because sometimes, tangerines are more than just fruit. They’re time, memory, and everything we never say out loud.
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Just watch this
The drama is truly a 10 out of 10. The performances were astonishingly good and IU continues to impress me with every role she does. So does Park Bo Gum. Personally I think this drama is one of the most perfect dramas South Korea has ever made. It deserves this rating. I won't spoil anything. Just watch. The creators and actors have understood that once published, art is forever. And when you are watching a show made by those who clearly understand the purpose of art, nothing can go wrong.Was this review helpful to you?
words are not enough to describe this
the writing is absolutely masterful. it’s almost like you are living alongside ae sun and gwan sik. I wanted to give myself some time before I wrote this review but I still don’t have the words to describe this. it leaves an ache in you. one that reality brings as you love and lose. as life comes at you with difficulties after difficulties and not until you are far from them can you appreciate those moments. it’s a promise that if you have that same retrospect now than you will LIVE. you will BREATHEWas this review helpful to you?
Had no right to be this good
The fact that I went in watching this with high expiations from the get go. I had no idea it was gonna be as good as it was. I really couldn't think that I cry, laugh, relate to all in one drama. The movement of the story was confusing at times but it all made sense to way it was like that. I applaud the writers and production crew because you could see the effort that was brought to every episode. The actors also did amazing in portraying their roles. Like the fact that IU played two characters but was able to make it feel like both characters were different even though one was the daughter and the other the mother, you could feel the distinction in both. I am so happy that I watched this and will probably rewatch it.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
One for the ages: Unforgettable slice of life drama
Not sure how I could possibly articulate how I felt about this drama, but I truly felt like WLGYT will go down in history as a must-watch drama. Not often does a drama like this come along - one that makes your heart feel like it's ripping apart in pain, but also being mended together at the same time. I cried, I laughed, I hurt, I empathized, and at the end of it all, I sat back and reflected on how much their journey resonated with parts of my own life.I cried almost every single episode, which I wasn't expecting. The drama is relentless in tugging at your heartstrings. For this reason alone, I don't know that I could rewatch this often. It required my full attention and focus in order for me to fully appreciate all that it had to offer.
IU and PBG were phenomenal in this. I felt like this was possibly one of IU's best performances yet. The acting all around was top notch, and I think played a huge factor in making this drama what it was.
Storyline - 10/10. The only thing I wished for more of, was exploring more about the favoritism on Geum-myeong and how that impacted the relationship with Eun-myeong. I know there was a lot of detail that they portrayed that didn't have to be said, but I think it would have been nice to focus on that just a touch more. The episode where they visited him in jail I felt was an incredible scene. Otherwise, no notes. They explored so many different dynamics between families, communities, siblings, relationships and across so many different years and eras. It was so beautifully done.
I think what made this drama special, was that if you could relate to all the dynamics, or you didn't relate, it still elicited either some form of gratefulness / understanding, or a sense of longing / wishfulness. I for example felt so much gratitude for all the mother-daughter dynamics as that is something I have felt my whole life with my mom. However, my relationship with my father was more complex, and so all father-daughter/son scenes tugged on a different heart string.
Slice of life drama's aren't for everyone, especially an incredibly emotional one like this one. That said, I think for those who enjoy these kinds of drama's will find that it is an exceptional drama.
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I never had cried this much on a drama
This drama is a total masterpiece. this is so relatable for me as someone who has shared the same struggles. this show just involves all the emotions in the most beautiful way. the acting was superb and everyone did an amazing job portraying their character. I have nothing to say about the plot writing. the writer is one of my favs and the way this drama progressed was totally stunning. this is for me a lit 10/10. I would give it even more if It was possible. thank you for such a masterpiece. I learned so much from this drama and it broke yet healed me in so many ways :)Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece, THE Best Drama I've Ever Watched
Masterpiece. One of the best—no, actually, I think this is THE best drama I've ever watched.It's so emotional, so raw, with compelling characters. It's really wholesome, but not in a cheap way like some dramas that just throw in a "family" to make it feel heartwarming. The acting is great, IU 100% truly deserves to be recognized as one of the best korean actresses. No doubt about it, this is a true masterpiece.
I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. It’s perfect from beginning to end.
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