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 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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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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More Than Just a Drama—A Heartfelt Lesson on Love and Family
I have watched many K-dramas before, but I never felt the need to write a review—until now. I’ve always watched for entertainment, but this drama moved me so deeply that I had to share my thoughts.If you love your parents or have ever hurt them—intentionally or unintentionally—this drama is a must-watch. It will change the way you see them and make you realize the struggles they’ve endured just to give their children a comfortable life, without expecting anything in return.
Beyond family, the love story between the two leads is incredibly touching. It beautifully portrays that love isn't just about saying "I love you" every day—it’s about showing it through actions. In fact, I think this is the first drama I’ve watched where the leads never even say those three words to each other because their efforts and devotion speak for themselves. Their love is pure, selfless, and deeply moving.
I guarantee that if you relate to this drama from the first episode, you will find yourself in tears throughout all 16 episodes. As an elder daughter, I connected with it on a personal level—it made me realize how much my parents have sacrificed and that I haven’t done enough for them yet. It has inspired me to work harder so I can give them the comfortable life they deserve.
Lastly, kudos to the writers, director, actors, and every person involved in bringing this masterpiece to life. They have done a phenomenal job, and this drama will always hold a place in my top five.
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Like A Tangerine: Sweet With A Touch Of Tartness
This drama gently breaks your heart, then wraps it in warmth. It’s poetic without trying too hard — just simple, real, and deeply human.The story captures life’s quiet moments: grief that lingers, love that heals, and how even the smallest things — like the smell of citrus — can carry the weight of memory.
It’s not loud or flashy, but it hits you where it matters. An emotional journey that lingers long after the final scene.
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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?
it's a love letter
there's only a few productions around the world that can tell about mother's-daughter's love in such a significant and deep and real way. you can tell that everyone involved in the creation of this drama has such great love and understanding of life in such a poetic way, showing the love of generations of family. every character is it's own world of flaws and complexity but you can see it's just the effect of so much love and dreams happening inside of them.after warching this you'll see life in a different way. and also probably call your mom/dad
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if could give it more than 10 i would!
I went in not having a clue what this kdrama was about. God damn it wrecked my heart. made me think of life and my parents and their sacrifices, but also my own husband and how much he does for me. the cast was fabulous, their acting was so heartfelt i just cried a lot lol, but i also laughed and could relate to so much of this drama, i never thought it could happen! this is an amazing drama definitely worth the watch and if you ever need a good cry this would definitely be the drama for it but not in a depressive way but just bitter sweetWas this review helpful to you?
one of the best kdramas of 2025
a love that spans throughout generations and a story of a family that endures all seasons 🍊any drama about family will make me cry, I remember crying my heart out while watching this series. even one of the scenes had me crying with sounds (hagulgol in tagalog lol). it’s really a heavy heartfelt drama. IU did an amazing job portraying her characters. i finished this for only five days since it was honestly good and highly recommend this kdrama (for both watchers and non watchers of korean drama). it’s been awhile since i watched something that resonated with me (as a first born son). this kdrama also reminded me that it is everyone’s first time in this life, so be kind.
the kdrama also made us of events that were aligned to the year it was set in, somehow it became a backdrop to it (e.g. IMF etc)
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Created an account on here just to leave a review.
Oh my God. This is literally a masterpiece that closes the gap between the uncommunicated generational trauma that our parents carry. I started treating my family much better after I watched this.I cried EVERY. SINGLE. EPISODE, from start to finish. That has never happened before. Im not a crier. Its the most beautiful, healing, artistic, poetic, symbolic, piece of literature that I have ever consumed. The way the story is told makes rewatching it so much more enjoyable, but Im not going to hurt myself like that.
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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?
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?
