When Life Gives You Tangerines

When Drama Gives You Depression

Unlike most people, I couldn't enjoy this drama at all. I felt miserable throughout barring a couple of episodes. I laughed maybe once or twice. It took me 4 months to complete because it was my personal hell. Perhaps a bit too real for me. I was desperately hoping things work out for them but some misfortune or the other kept coming into their lives. They struggled so much and I just felt sick to my stomach watching helplessly.

The actors were all great since I could feel their emotions and connect with them. Perhaps connected too deeply that it triggered a lot of negative emotions in me. I was reminded of some of my personal struggles as well as my mother's. Because of how sad it got, I had to watch at double the speed and it still didn't prevent me from crying buckets. One beautiful thing that I did love was Park Bo Gum's character's love for IU's character and standing up for her and being there for her always.

This is not a direct critique at the show. It is just not something I could enjoy. I'm glad I made it to the end despite how awful it made me feel. Not something I would recommend personally but I probably won't need to seeing it's popularity.

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What gift to the world in spring of 2025! Thank you Thank youuu!

What a precious gift to give to the world in the spring of 2025! WLGYT✨🌸!
This is arguably one of the best dramas of all time and I recommend EVERYONE to watch it. Wow what a raw, relatable, heartfelt piece of art!!! I am a better person after watching this masterpiece! Thank you to the genius screenwriters, director, cast, and crew for this gift in 2025 and for showing our generation what true love should look like and what "women's empowerment" truly means. At a time like this, when all media does is promote "be in your feminine energy" and sexualizes everyone and everything, even little girls, we truly needed this gem! Hope the world learns from WLGYT and makes more meaningful quality content :,)
And don't even get me started on the perfect casting. The actors did a marvelous job. Bogum and IU..... such acting gods <33 One scene that will forever haunt me is the ocean scene where Bogum and IU found their son.. it's the definition of "Oscar-winning tears". Bravo🧡 This drama will always have a place in my heart🧡

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A Solid 10 Out of 10

I have no words for this one. It’s amazingly written and beautifully produced. The people behind this masterpiece deserve all the awards out there. It’s so rare for a show to make you feel this much and portray the reality of life: poverty, losing a parent, working hard for your children, being someone’s parent, and being someone’s child.

Ae-sun is the bravest character I’ve ever seen in a K-drama. It’s not easy to live a life like hers. At an early age, she lost the most important person in her life, her mother. Later, as a mother herself, she lost another precious person, her youngest son. Becoming a great mother after losing a child is not easy. The trauma she had to overcome just to take care of her two children is unimaginable. Yet, I envy her for having someone she could truly call her own person, someone unafraid to stand up for her and protect her. A real man. A great husband and father. Even though I didn’t have a father like Gwansik, I hope to marry someone like him in the future. This drama has raised my standards even higher. Why settle for less when there’s someone out there willing to give you the world?

I saw a lot of hate toward Geum-myeong. I can’t entirely blame people since she can be quite harsh toward her parents sometimes, but she’s one of the most realistic characters out there. It’s not that she’s ungrateful or doesn’t love her parents; she just matured too quickly after witnessing their struggles with poverty. And as we grow older, we sometimes forget all the good things our parents did and start focusing only on our own lives and problems. Although her actions frustrated me at times, I couldn’t bring myself to hate her. She doesn’t deserve the hate.

I also love the characters who helped Gwansik and Ae-sun live a better life. It reminds me that we should help those who truly deserve it, because sometimes, those small acts of kindness are what keep people going for another day. This drama is the perfect depiction of life. Some people live comfortably, while others wake up early every day just to work and survive. It’s amazing how this show captures so many layers of life and change through the years. I loved every bit of it. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to move on from this one. It’s been a while since I rated something a perfect 10, but this one deserves an 11, even a 100. That’s how special this drama is. Sometimes you’ll laugh, but most of the time, you’ll cry. You’ll learn a lot, especially how important it is to value our parents while we still can.

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Reminds you of Reply 1988.

Lovely drama that kind of reminded me of Reply 1988. I love Reply 1988, so this drama giving me that vibes was actually the best part of the show for me. Same childhood friendships (albeit a bit different, don't wanna spoil! Lol), same camaraderie between small town neighbours and friends and almost the same vintage vibes.

Acting wise everyone was fabulous, all are veterans, so I have only praises for everybody! And I love Fl's and Ml's acting already from their previous dramas, so no surprises that here too they aced it!

Now coming to why it is not a 10/10 for me is because after the initial 6-7 episodes that I binged watched, the story felt like a never ending soap opera to me. Too many side characters with too many filler scenes and episodes. They could have made this more crisp by making it 12 eps instead of 16. The episodes wasted on their grown up son's tantrums could have been easily cut short and I skipped almost whole eps because of those boring things!

Also the repeated flashbacks was so irritating, especially since I binged it, I felt that if they removed the Flashbacks they could have easily reduced the number of eps!

Another tiny issue that the Director should have taken care of was the FL's flawless makeup in certain scenes especially where they are supposed to be dirt poor with no food but her face was so fresh with perfect makeup! It looked so odd to me...

Anyway, I guess I should have watched it while it was airing because of all the content that is packed into each episode was a little too much to take in while binging it!

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Great drama, but….

This drama started out SO well that I thought it was shaping up to be the best drama I’d ever seen. Then they gave us IU as the actress portraying the daughter as well as the younger mom/main character. Don’t get me wrong, IU’s acting abilities are top notch, and she played both rolls incredibly well, but it made it hard to suspend my belief in the characters and took me out of the moments. I was so invested in IU’s character in the beginning but when they time skip to show her as the daughter it just breaks the wall and all I could see was - “IU the great actress” and not her character.
The story dragged a bit as we see parents continual hardships and was just less charming and more sad- kinda like real life I know, but not as fun to watch. IU’s character as the daughter was distracting, and I was just missing the younger versions with Park Bo gum- who was absolutely stunning! Whole dual role/character came off like IU didn’t want to be aged with makeup etc and have someone else play a main role so they gave her both because she is such a mega superstar. I couldn’t get emotionally attached to the leads as they grew older. Even in the final 2 episodes, I wasn’t too moved until they flashed back to them as young kids falling in love.
Bottom line- great story, great acting, but IU playing both main roles ruined what could have been a near perfect drama.

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Magnificent family epic set against the stirring backdrop of the last 6 decades of SK history

(Updated)
Exceptional. I'm completely thrilled …and after 16 episodes it is hard to say goodbye.

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" is…
...an outstanding enrichment in the KDrama orbit.
...a magnificent family epic set against the stirring backdrop of the last six decades of South Korean history.
...an impressive monument to the almost hopeless, desperate struggle of Korean women for a dignified, joyful, and somewhat self-confident life aside from their gender role - exemplified by fictional Oh Ae-sun from Jeju Island.
...a touching love story that - despite the adverse winds of nasty social, economical and family structures – somehow succeeds to keep love alive.
...a grand masterpiece, brilliantly cast in all instances.
(In my eyes anyway.)

What a wonderful story.
What a fantastically lyric look at life (especially the past six decades on Jeju Island).
What outstanding relationship and gender role models (female and male model alike).
What a remarkable love story.
What a sensitive family herstory/history with all its ups and downs.
What a heartfelt tribute to the past 2-3 SK generations and their tenacious perseverance in defying life's challenges.

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" offers visually powerful, and amidst bitter winds of fate, yet also heartwarming and at the same time realistic, lifelike high-end KDrama. Aesthetically finely composed from A to Z. Complex narrative. Great fitting music. With a generous budget, that obviously was not only used for the illustrious cast.







---------------------------------------- SIDE NOTE -------------------------------------------
The story spans three generations on Jeju island. One might think that the very traditional gender role of women in South Korea should have changed during the last 60 years. However, the extent of this change, socially speaking, is shockingly minimal. Especially concerning the widespread disregard and exploitation of women (even among women themselves), who are condemned to function unconditionally as diligent daughters, even more diligent daughters-in-law, (ideally sons) birthing wives, and self-sacrificing mothers. Above all, the eldest daughter traditionally has the hardest fate.

Among South Korean women, seemingly the women on Jeju Island are the most likely to experience female role models who live with respect as human beings and self-confidence as individuals - as Jejudo´s see diving Haenyeos have always earned a comparatively respectable income through their tireless diving for abalone and other valuable seafood. They substantially contribute to the family's prosperity and can thus experience themselves outside their traditional female gender role among colleagues and even as reliable heads of the family. This may contribute to some slight aura of emancipated self-confidence among women, so they might eventually also muster the courage to rebel. Thus, some women on Jeju island may live a somewhat appreciated, valued variation of the female gender role and function as significant, socially influential role models in their social environment. But even in such a potentially rather 'positive' environment, the trap of patriarchy snaps shut and binds women in tight hierarchical structures. Nevertheless, at least Jeju Island offers a cradle for women (as our FL) who might even come up with the idea of daring to break free... And also for exceptional men (as our ML) who grow up in a social environment where they can experience women as valued human beings, too, who are appreciated for more than just their self-sacrifice for home and hearth.

Post-war South Korea was one of the poorest countries of that time. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" with its international title refers to the fact that life may sometimes seem cold and bitter. But like the tangerine from Jeju, the sweetness can be extracted from it and even a warm tea can be conjured up. Strictly speaking, people at that time had no choice but to make the best of it.

The Netflix KDrama takes us through the last 6 decades of South Korean history, with legends eventually providing orientation about historically significant moments. The first four episodes focus on the lives of the protagonists in their youth on Jejudo – at a time when the young republic was initially ruled by the military dictatorship led by Park Chung-hee, who then officially elected himself president in 1963 and subsequently installed a one-man dictatorship until 1979. In the following episodes, we will continue to accompany the two through the dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan, who i.e. with the Olympic Games wanted to present a great South Korea to the rest of the world – no matter what the cost. We will stumble with them into the beginnings of true democracy, which, however, was thwarted by the harsh years of the Asian financial crisis and another wave of poverty. Through the eyes of Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong (who is also portrayed by wonderful IU in a double-role) we will also experience the era of tubo-capitalism and digitalization, which ultimately brought prosperity to Jeju Island, too...

Amid these swaying decades, Ae-sun and her reliable partner Gwang-sik are creating a unique, authentic, remarkably heartwarming and encouraging constant.

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In The Time of Tangerines

Volumes 1-3 Review:

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a poignant tale of love, loss, resilience, and fleeting joy, much like the sea that both nurtures and torments its people. At its heart is AeSun (IU), a young woman who seems to be caught in a cruel push-and-pull with fate. Life strips her of so much, yet it never fully lets her go, forcing her to endure. IU embodies AeSun’s quiet strength and unspoken grief with such raw vulnerability that every moment feels painfully real.

Opposite her, GwangSik (Park BoGum) is the steady presence in her storm, a man whose quiet devotion speaks louder than words. BoGum’s performance is subtle yet deeply moving, his gaze alone carrying the weight of unsaid emotions. Their chemistry is heartbreaking in its tenderness, making every stolen moment between them feel like a fleeting miracle.

Turning our attention away from our A++ couple, we now focus on their children, Yang Eun Myeong and Yang Geum Myeong.

Yang Eun Myeong is very much his father’s son. Just as his father was drawn to the fierce and passionate AeSun, Eun Myeong, too, seems destined to be with a fiery woman. The Yang men, it appears, have an unshakable connection to strong-willed partners, as if fate continually binds them to women who challenge, inspire, support and complete them.

His love story brings a sense of poetic symmetry to the narrative, a full-circle moment that ties the past and present together in an almost fated way. Falling for the daughter of the man who nearly married his mother adds an intriguing layer of irony and destiny to his journey. In a way, it feels as though the past is offering a new chance, rewriting an old story through the next generation. Park Yeong Ran’s words to her daughter prove to be prophetic, reinforcing the idea that history has a way of repeating itself—this time, with a different ending.


Yang Geum Myeong embodies strength, resilience, and determination—qualities she inherited from both her parents. Unlike her mother, AeSun, who was shaped by struggle and limitation, Geum Myeong was able to “flip the table,” seizing opportunities that AeSun could not. In many ways, her journey mirrors her mother’s, but with the agency to make different choices, making her story feel like an alternate path AeSun never got to take.

Her love story further reflects this parallel. Falling for a man who shared qualities with her father suggests she sought a love built on strength and loyalty, much like the one she grew up witnessing. However, despite the deep emotions involved, the relationship ultimately didn’t work out. This heartbreak added another layer to her growth, proving that even with resilience, life doesn’t always unfold as expected.

THE FINALE: Volume 4 Review

The finale of When Life Gives You Tangerines beautifully highlighted the importance of family, shedding light on the ever-evolving yet unbreakable bond between parents and children. No matter how much time passes, parents will always see their children through the lens of love and care they held from the very beginning. And for children, no matter how grown they become, in their parents’ eyes, they will always carry traces of who they once were.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a story of family, love, loss, and the unpredictable nature of life itself. An intricately woven narrative that embraces its audience, wrapping them in waves of joy, sorrow, laughter, and heartache. It is the kind of drama where you start off laughing, only to find yourself in tears by the end. Despite its fictional nature, the characters’ stories felt as real as the bittersweet moments of life itself, resonating deeply with every viewer.

Personal Review:

Watching WLGYT was a reminder that life always comes full circle. The past has a way of echoing into the present, whether through the choices we make, the relationships we build, or the lessons we carry forward. It’s in these moments of reflection that we see how interconnected our experiences truly are.

The cinematography of When Life Gives You Tangerines is nothing short of breathtaking, seamlessly transporting viewers through time with its rich visual storytelling. Each frame is carefully composed, capturing the essence of every era with meticulous attention to detail—from the warm, nostalgic glow of the past to the crisp, modern tones of the present. The use of natural lighting, soft color palettes, and sweeping landscapes adds a dreamlike quality, making the passage of time feel both fluid and immersive. Paired with a deeply evocative soundtrack, the show masterfully blends visuals and music to create an atmosphere that pulls the audience into each moment. Whether it’s the wistful melody of a bygone love or the vibrant hum of a bustling marketplace, the audiovisual harmony of WLGYT ensures that every scene lingers in the heart long after it fades from the screen.

Hats off to the incredible actors who breathed life into each character, allowing us to experience their joys and struggles as if they were our own. And to the writer—thank you for crafting such a masterpiece, one that lingers in the heart long after the final scene.

The title When Life Gives You Tangerines is a thoughtful twist on the familiar saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” but with a deeper, more nuanced meaning. Unlike lemons, tangerines are naturally sweet, yet they still carry a hint of tartness—just like life itself. The story beautifully captures this balance, showing how joy and hardship often intertwine, and how even the sweetest moments can hold traces of sorrow. Through this, the writer reminds us that life isn’t just about enduring the bitter but learning to savor the bittersweet, embracing both the joys and the struggles that shape our journey.

“Life goes on for the living.” – Yang Geum Myeong. A simple yet profound truth that When Life Gives You Tangerines embodies so well. No matter the losses, the heartbreak, or the paths not taken, life continues, urging us to move forward, cherish what remains, and embrace the journey ahead.

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Too Raw, Too Deep, Too Emotional

This drama took me on a complete roller coaster of emotions. One moment I was laughing, the next I was crying. It felt so real, like I was watching what life truly looks like for some people.

I saw the characters fight for love, for stability, and for each other. They were so young, yet faced struggles that tested their strength and commitment in ways that felt painfully realistic.

As their story unfolded, I found myself reflecting on family, sacrifice, and how easily people can misunderstand each other. Every scene carried such raw emotion that it stayed with me long after each episode ended.

One particular moment about family dynamics really broke me , the emotions were so genuine that I could feel the character’s pain through the screen.

The ending left me completely shattered, yet it felt honest and true to the story’s tone from beginning to end.

I’ve honestly never seen a drama like this before. Huge kudos to the actors, directors, and everyone involved. Every performance felt authentic, every moment heartfelt. They truly brought this story to life.

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So good!!!! Sooo goood!!

A must watch for anyone who enjoys beautiful storytelling !!!

I was completely captivated from start to finish. On the one hand , the story of love in the relationship between Ae Sun and Gwan Sik humbles me. They’re so pure and consistent in their love for each other , even when hell shows up - you’ll find them right in the midst of it holding hands and relying on each other. The way they keep choosing despite any opposition, struggle, pain, loss, accidents and pretty much anything is something that will stay with me long after the end of the story.

On the other hand , the story of the love and sacrifice of a parent for their child is something I was not expecting to hit so close to home ! It made me reflect on all the ways my parents have shown up for me quietly and consistently and honestly just made me realize what an incredible love that is.

What a show !

Just. All the feels!

Don’t hesitate. Just watch it!

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