Yeah !Queen is back.
A masterpiece in 2025. IU and Park Bogum's performance deserves a praise! ✨💯IU showing why she’s a master in acting and comes back on fire. This drama is great.If the first episode is so emotional, what will the rest of the episodes be like? I couldn't hold back my tears after watching the first episode.
I can say one thing with 100% certainty: After watching this drama, the definition of love will change.
At first I thought this drama was like a normal Korean drama but now this drama has completely changed my opinion.
In this drama, we will see how much one can do and how much one can endure for the person one loves.I have noticed one thing that is the two generations of love.
I'm really excited to see a new drama with IU after a long time.But I don't know why I don't like IU's short hair.I like IU's long hair.But let's not pay attention to these things, let's talk about the play a little.
There is no doubt that IU is a talented artist.
His acting skills will make everyone's heart flutter.He can adapt himself to all types of acting with ease.Because of this quality of adapting to all of IU's performances, all of us acting lovers are fascinated by her.
I was crying the whole 4 episodes.Bro I’ve never cried so much in any drama before, I really love the storyline!
In episode six, the scene where the child dies, even if it wasn't so brutal at the beginning, brought tears to my eyes.
But one thing is true here, Park Bo gum acted like a supportive husband here. Despite the death of the child, he fulfilled his duties as a caring husband.
The whole theme is breaking the generational trauma and I am here for it. The need to protect this couple is so strong 😭This drama really a epitome of the kdrama like how did you write a script like this and the actors that delivers the script are seriously masterpiece ✨💅 each and every actors are done their character well❤and importantly our Aesun and gwanshik doing their best in this drama 🤌❣️💜💖
This is one the deepest and most meaningful kdrama I have ever seen...I was crying through the 4 episodes,the purity of love shown by the mother was tremendously heart wrenching.This will be one the most memorable kdramas of my life.
This two cast are mind blowing their facial expressions are out of word it’s toooo great.
But one thing that will remain in my mind is why the drama will be released only one day a week.
I am very upset for that.I would like to humbly request you to release the drama twice a week.
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This review may contain spoilers
Power of Family
There are many people who believe that you don’t choose your family. There is nothing that happens in anyone’s life where choice isn’t a factor. You are continuously choosing and creating. The greatest gift we’re given is choice, and nothing occurs in your life without it. Nothing.When Life Gives You Tangerines is an especially powerful and exceptional epic tribute to family. There isn’t a single family that has ever been that hasn’t experienced laughter and tears, joy and tragedy, and ease and hardships. Oh, it may appear sometimes that some of the elements do not exist, but they do.
Perseverance and steadfastness can be counted among the most powerful traits a person can have. Life will knock you down. Life will throw your curveballs, but it’s how you respond that matters. Do you get back up and keep going? Or do you give in to your situation and begin blaming others for what’s happened? While all of these things involve choices of the individual, having family gives you the ability to lean on someone when needed. Of course, the true purpose of any family is to help empower each member to love and be with themselves. Only then can true love and happiness be shared.
The story follows a multigenerational family from the early 60s up to the present. The series opens with a young O Ae-Sun, the daughter of a poor haenyeo mother who works herself into an early grave. Ae-Sun is sent to live with her indifferent uncle and his family who treat Ae-Sun like a stray dog. We quickly find that despite her situation, Ae-Sun is a strong girl who knows her mind and what she wants, and no matter how often life knocks her down, she gets back up again and keeps going. Sometimes, we quickly forget that hardship is often a blessing in disguise.
In Ae-Sun’s corner is a Yang Gwang Sik, a young boy who loves Ae-Sun the moment he meets her. Even at an early age, Gwang Sik confesses his love for Ae-Sun and vows to do all he can to protect her from any harm. Gwang Sik embodies all it means to be a true, loving husband and father. If there is such a person as “Prince Charming” Gwang Sik more than fits. Seeing how these two navigate trials and tribulations of early love, struggling to make ends meet, to dealing with the loss of a son, is nothing short of pure inspiration.
Gwang Sik is a hardworking, loving man who never complains about anything, even when most other people would. He absolutely adores his wife and family, and as far as he’s concerned, he will do whatever he can to try and make their lives a little better. Ae-Sun is no less strong. She is equally hardworking, and she’s a woman full of love and passion. These two make such a beautiful couple that I’m hard-pressed to think of another that matches them. True love and true friendship are what make this couple so inspirational, and each does their absolute best to always try and be there for the other.
The family reminds me much of the Thachers from the American family show, “Life Goes On” which is about a low/middle-class family constantly trying to get by. Gwang-Sik works tirelessly on his fishing boat, trying to provide for his family. Ae-Sun does her absolute best to raise their children and create a warm and loving home. Both succeed.
Life would be pretty dull without challenges. We can only imagine what it must be like to deal with the loss of a child. Many people carry the guilt around for years, allowing it to wreak havoc on their minds and hearts. I know because I carried the same guilt for ten years after my father passed, and yet, each person must grieve and be given the space and time to process that in their own way.
The story also follows Ae-Sun and Gwang-Sik’s children, Yang Geum Myeong and Yang Eun Myeong. Geum Myeong is clearly the favorite, despite being a bit headstrong. She’s a strong woman who simply won’t allow herself to be anyone’s doormat, and when she finally breaks up with her wallflower of a fiancé, I was relieved! Eun Myeong is the son, who appears to be neglected. From an early age, he demands attention. In short, he feels he needs to act out in order to get some kind of attention from his parents. People sometimes forget that we never love the same way twice. The love we have for each person is unique and different. That doesn’t mean that we love a person less. Of course, Ae-Sun and Gwang Sik struggle to demonstrate this with their son, who ends up being a troublemaker
As children, we often don’t fully appreciate our parents for what they do for us, but at the same time, we also have a tendency not to be very forgiving of them when we discover that they are just people; people doing the very best that they can. As parents, we often struggle to give our children the time and attention that they need. I still remember my father, despite being exhausted from work, always found time to come into our bedrooms and talk to us. Little did he realize that that meant more to me than anything he could have bought for me. It’s interesting to note that in ancient Native American cultures, the elders raised the children because it was thought that the biological parents hadn’t yet acquired enough life wisdom. However, given some of the grandparents in this series, I’m not sure that would have proved to be a good choice.
The series is about family and how this family navigates the pitfalls of life. Of course, as with most families, they lash out at each other, blame each other, and do all of those petty things that every family does. But, in the end, when all of that is stripped away, there is nothing but love, admiration, and gratitude, as it should be. The last two episodes are tough to watch as Gwang Sik finds out that he’s terminally ill. The love between him and Ae-Sun is nothing short of magical and precious. And we also find that dreams do come true. They just might take a little longer to manifest as we see how the “ring” ties in all the way back to the early episodes, and Ae-Sun is finally a published poet.
Performances in this series are all top-notch. It’s actually very difficult to pick out a favorite because they are all so good! However, IU tackling the dual role was beyond impressive, and if this young lady doesn’t win every acting award for the year, then something is terribly wrong. It’s easily her best performance.
Family is about love, forgiveness, support, gratitude, and doing our best to be there for each other. If this series doesn’t serve as a blatant reminder of these things, then perhaps nothing will.
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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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A Masterpiece I'll Carry Forever
This is truly the best things I’ve ever watched — especially as someone who cherishes feel-good, family-centered stories.No glitter no glams. No over-the-top drama. Just pure, heartfelt slices of life… portrayed with honesty and grace.
Out of the 1000+ movies and series I’ve seen, this one rises to the top and will stay there for years to come.
What hit me the hardest was Ae-sun’s character — a quiet, resilient mother who sacrifices everything for her children.
I could see so many real-life moms in her… including my own.
To every mother out there: you are seen, valued, and loved more than words can say.
This show made my respect for moms skyrocket.
It also reminded me of something we often forget in today’s fast-paced world —
Family is the most precious thing we have.
In this era where we sometimes take our parents for granted, where appreciation and respect are fading...
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” is a beautiful wake-up call.
A reminder to hug our moms a little tighter, thank our dads a little more, and cherish the love we often overlook.
Everyone should watch this.
It’s not just a show — it’s a soft, warm reminder of what truly matters.
This show didn’t just entertain me.
It made me cry & reflect.
This will stay at the top of my heart for ages.
10/10. A must-watch. Life-changing.
"When Life Gives You Tangerines"
“Sometimes, a drama doesn’t need to shout to be unforgettable — it just needs to feel like home. And this one does.”
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The most perfect show that I have ever seen
I know this drama is getting such high praise and it may cause people to be skeptical but truly, it deserves the highest praise. It is the most well written kdrama out of all the kdramad I have seen.I feel like I’m pretty generous with my ratings for shows because even though there may be multiple things they could have done better, it’s usually a no overall enjoyable.
However when I give this drama a 10/10 I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart.
Everything is perfect. I have no notes. It’s DEVASTATING and heartbreaking at times but it brought forth so many emotions it was such a pleasure to watch and a very valuable experience.
If you’re hesitating, don’t. Just keep a box of tissues nearby, you’ll need it.
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A Staggering Masterpiece
You know when you watch something and know you're just watching art? Watching something that speaks to so many different things simultaneously while also being gorgeous to look at? To witness some incredible acting performances that should be awarded awards from ACROSS the world? That's what When Life Gives You Tangerines is.Kim Wonsuk, the director and Im Sangchoon the writer, just came together for a masterpiece that I don't know can ever be duplicated. Not only the skill of going between timelines, forward and back and with a dozen characters, is masterful. It all felt smooth.
IU, Moon Sori, Park Bogum, and Park Haejoon just brought themselves to levels above. About life, about family, about love, about generational pain. It's all here.
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A Quietly Powerful Masterpiece – A Must-Watch
It’s one of those rare stories that feels real. It dives into life’s struggles with so much honesty: maturing, dealing with heartache, family bonds, financial hardship, and learning how to keep moving forward even when life feels overwhelming. The emotions hit hard because they’re so relatable — not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet, soul-deep kind of way.What I love is how it shows the importance of appreciating the small things: the comfort of a simple meal, the warmth of family, and the light that comes after long stretches of darkness. It makes you reflect on your own relationships — especially with your parents and realize how precious those connections really are, even when unspoken.
You don’t need to be a parent to feel the weight of these sacrifices or the depth of love portrayed. It’s a story about humanity, resilience, and finding peace in the chaos.
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When Life Gives You Tangerines – A Heartfelt Slice of Life That Had Me in a Flood of Tears
I’m still emotionally recovering from this one. The ugly crying I did… THE SOBBING I DID… I can’t even. There was a flood in here.When Life Gives You Tangerines is not just a drama; it’s a deeply moving, painfully raw, and heartbreakingly real portrayal of life, love, and family.
This is NOT a fairy tale romance drama. There’s no sugarcoating, no magical happy endings that suddenly fix everything. Instead, it walks you through the highs and lows of life, the messy emotions, the regrets, and the love that exists even when it's unspoken. It shows how we hurt the people we love without meaning to and how we find our way back to them, often too late or in ways we never expected.
Yang Gwan Sik – The Man, The Myth, The Father We All Wish We Had
If there’s one character that completely took over my heart, it’s Yang Gwan Sik. A father, a husband, a man who carried his family with unwavering strength and quiet tenderness. EVERYONE would want a father like him. The way he loved, the way he silently endured, the way he put his family above all else—I just… I’m a mess. The way he would show his love in the smallest gestures, the way he was always there even when words failed—it broke me.
Parent-Child Relationships – Raw, Heartfelt, and Painfully Real
This drama understands something that most of us struggle with—our relationships with our parents. It’s not easy to argue with them and not feel regretful afterward. We don’t intentionally want to hurt them, but sometimes frustration builds up—frustration with ourselves, with our surroundings—and we say things we don’t mean. It doesn’t have to be something big, just a small slip of the tongue… sometimes we realize and feel sorry for it in that very moment, and other times, we realize it as we grow. This drama captures that feeling perfectly.
The way they showed their love for Geum Myeong melted my heart. They cherished her, cared for her in the tiniest ways, made sure she never lacked anything. But when it came to Eun Myeong… the contrast was clear. His mother, Ae Sun, saw herself in her daughter and wanted to shield her from the same struggles she faced. I understand her perspective—what parent wouldn’t want to ensure their child has a better life? But in doing so, it felt like Eun Myeong received less attention, often standing on the sidelines while Geum Myeong was at the center. It wasn’t outright neglect, but he still felt a little neglected, and it made me feel for him.
The Acting, The Cast, The Cinematography – PURE PERFECTION
The performances? Absolutely top-tier. Not a single weak link in this cast. The emotions felt so natural that I forgot I was watching a drama—I felt like I was peeking into real lives. The way the actors conveyed love, grief, regret, and unspoken emotions was just chef’s kiss perfection.
And let’s talk about the cinematography—STUNNING. The village, the sea —everything felt so alive, like a character of its own. The way the visuals complemented the emotions? Breathtaking. Every frame was soaked in nostalgia and warmth, yet tinged with an underlying melancholy.
Final Thoughts –
When Life Gives You Tangerines is not a light watch. It’s the kind of drama that lingers, the kind that makes you reflect on your own relationships, the kind that makes you want to call your parents just to say thank you or I’m sorry—or both.
It’s raw. It’s painful. It’s beautiful
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the most heartbreaking shit i have ever watched
guys like i can not be the only one 😭💔i had mixed feelings i cried and i laughed i really thought that i was crazy like the storyline😭💔😭💔😭💔the acting😭💔😭💔😭💔 i would consider this officially the best kdrama of 2025 like guysssss i cried so hard my eyes are still hurting
anyways i really really really recommend this drama i love this genre like i jqbabjakk1kk1k2jznbzbdbdvve
i mean it's youth of may + hometown cha cha cha mixed with jeong neon like the mix is really perfect
the cinematography eats too like guys is this even real😭💔
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This review may contain spoilers
Angst Ridden & Painful to Watch
I honestly do not get why anyone is enthralled with this show.The female lead is self-centered, abusive to the male lead who is stalwart, supportive, and steady. Their daughter is a repeat of the mother, and the entire show is angst ridden with hardship upon hardship and painful situation after painful situation.
I truly do not understand why anyone wants to immerse themselves in such unending drudgery, angst, abuse, and pain, much less call it a masterpiece and give it high ratings, even 10s. 🤯
I started watching for Park Bo Gum, and will tough it out to the end to say I’ve seen it, but I do not believe this deserves any rating above one or two, and dang sure does not deserve Baeksang nominations.
You might as well just shoot yourself instead of start watching this, unless you just revel in depressing content.
Rewatch value, zero. I had to give it 1 for the review to post.
PS:
KDramas are generally known for fabulous OST‘s, but in this show the music doesn’t even register. I’m a professional singer, so believe me I pay attention when there’s a good song, yet not one has made a dent from the show. If a zero were possible for music I would give it one, but it won’t let me post this review unless I give it some number for a rating.
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This drama is literally changed the trajectory of my life
Finally, after a long decade of waiting, this drama has been released—and I’ve started watching it!And the best thing? I finally get to see IU again after Hotel Del Luna... my heart 🥺
For me (and not just me, but many others), this drama is already becoming the drama of the year.
Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s love story might just be the greatest love story of the year.
Right now, I’m watching When Life Gives You Tangerines, and I just want to give a huge round of applause to Park Bo-gum and IU. They are both such phenomenal actors, and their performances are simply brilliant.
While watching this drama—I laughed, then I cried… a lot.
And finally, I found my kind of drama.
This show is a beautiful depiction of real life.
Slice of life? No.
It’s more than a slice—IT’S THE WHOLE CAKE!
It makes us laugh, it makes us cry—and that is life.
Everything in this drama is perfect—cinematography, directing, the lines, acting—absolutely everything.
If anyone is hesitating to watch it, please don’t wait.
Don’t be scared of a sad ending—because there isn’t one.
But prepare yourself for dehydration, because you’re going to cry a lot while watching this drama.
I can’t wait to see more episodes, because this is genuinely the slice-of-life drama I’ve been searching for.
It’s healing, emotional, nostalgic—it's a masterpiece.
And it feels like home.
☺️🍊
Why this drama touched my heart:
This wasn’t just a love story. It was a journey—quiet, slow, tender.
It felt like reading an old diary, full of laughter, longing, unspoken words, and the scent of Jeju tangerines.
It’s about Ae-sun, a girl with poems in her heart and dreams in her eyes. And Gwan-sik, a boy who loved quietly, patiently, with his whole soul.
Their love didn’t come with sparks. It came with faith. It grew like roots—deep, strong, and invisible at times, but always there.
Magic of the drama:
The scenery… Jeju Island looks like a painting.
The timeless love… the kind that survives seasons, silence, and sorrow.
The nostalgic storytelling… told like a memory, wrapped in soft light.
The little moments… folding laundry, sharing food, walking home together. Ordinary things made magical and let's talk about the IU and Park Bo-gum chemistry Just wow.
They don’t just act—they become Ae-sun and Gwan-sik.
Their eyes spoke more than words ever could. Their love was so soft… it didn’t demand attention—it earned it.
OST Vibes:
The music feels like sunlight peeking through clouds. It’s soft, emotional, hauntingly beautiful. Every note fits like a memory.
You’ll find yourself replaying it late at night when your heart feels full and quiet.
This is a drama you don’t binge—you breathe it.
Best watched slowly, with a warm drink and an open heart.
It gives peace. It brings tears—but not the heavy kind. The healing kind.
Inspiring Life Messages:
Love isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet loyalty.
Your dreams are still worth chasing, even if no one claps for you.
Not all goodbyes are endings. Some are promises.
Life is made of little kindnesses and long-lasting faith.
Just finished watching When Life Gives You Tangerines… and I can’t stop crying.
It feels like I’ve lost something precious—something irreplaceable.
Lord… forgive me, because I recommended this drama to so many people, and now we’re all crying together.
I cried in full volume, with my heart wide open.
I always had a feeling something would go wrong… but this?
Still, what a beautiful, unforgettable journey it was.
Thank you, IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon, for this masterpiece.
The script didn’t focus on glamour—it focused on truth. They didn’t just act pretty—they lived their roles. They made us fall in love with the characters… with their flaws, their hearts, and their stories. This drama showed us true love. True relationships. Real life. It gave us not just a love story—but a life story.
The direction, the script, the performances—everything was raw, natural, and soul-stirring.
This drama will forever hold a special place in my heart.
The strength of women.
The warmth of family.
The purity of love.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget this feeling.
Thank you for touching our hearts so deeply.
🍊🤍🪄
This drama isn’t just something you watch once and forget—it’s something you carry with you.
It’s the kind of story you come back to when your heart feels tired… when life gets noisy and you just want quiet magic again.
Re-watching it feels like revisiting an old memory—familiar, but still full of warmth and wonder.
Every time, you’ll notice a little something new… a softer look, a hidden tear, a silent promise.
It’s not just a drama—it becomes a place your heart returns to.
Again and again🪄🍊
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