
This review may contain spoilers
Parental Love is the Greatest Love
Just when you thought your life has been hard, always remember that your parents had face much more worst than what you can imagine. That was one lesson I've picked up from When Life Gives You Tangerine.This drama highlights unconditional love that parents have towards their children. It depicts what a mother and a father can give in order to provide the best kind of life for them.
Moreover, this also proves that marriage is not scary if you marry someone like Gwansik. Someone who is ever willing to give up everything, his life, enjoyment, what he wants just to help Aesun out.
Overall this drama is such a great tribute to the greatest persons of our lives, our loving parents. A way to remind us of their sacrifices and what they have went through. Love your parents always.
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Simply horrible FL
I am dropping this after the first segment because I have never EVER seen a fl who is more abhorrent in literally any drama I’ve watched. She is completely self obsessed and so utterly cruel constantly to the ml, who bows his head, dutifully taking her abusive tirades and then quietly goes about trying harder to make her happy. She actually makes him sell her food at the market (as well as his own) while she sits reading a book ignoring him, and there’s never a “thank you” or any appreciation shown, just a shoulder shrug.So, just wanting to give you fair warning, if this kind of thing bugs you like it does me, maybe skip this one lol. Maybe I should press on and she will be better, but honestly she’s SO bad I don’t even WANT a happy ending for her. I want the sweet boy to run away fast and find someone who will cherish him, not abuse him. Anyway, rant over. Lol, I hope this helped a little.
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peak
if anyone was going to watch this bring a Pilipane 4 Layers Ultra Soft Facial Tissue, 200 Sheets, 4-Ply, Sensitive Skin, Travel Size, Wood Pulp, 1 Pack, Individual box and just watch it is so beautiful it's so amazing Peak one of the greatest show I ever watched in my life is definitely in the top five I would recommend anyone to watch it is very touching I cried so many time probably every episode this wonderful is beautiful and I recommend anyone to watch it I am crying right now PeakWas this review helpful to you?

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beautiful drama
it is simply a beautiful Drama.It was so beautiful to see how the lives developed. How the characters grew, mastered situations, but were always there for each other.
What struck me personally and stuck in my mind was that the mother married her first love, but the daughter didn't. That's life, you never know what will happen.
I enjoyed every second. There have been few series, films or books that have captivated me so much.
Sometimes it takes not much, just the right thing at that moment.
I sometimes had a real rollercoaster of emotions.
But I laughed, cheered and cried.
I will definitely watch it again.
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A Drama With a Strong Pulse on Life
This drama encapsulates life in a way that is so attentive and personal that it almost fills you with dread from the introspection you're forced to engage in. It is a beautiful and very necessary ode to women at all levels of society. This drama embodies and even breathes new energy into the slice-of-life genre by intricately weaving through the life of a small-town couple in a way that seems straightforward, almost aimless, but is, in fact, very precise.The acting is phenomenal, as expected from such a cast. I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm not jarred by the use of IU for both mother and daughter; her clear distinction makes for an enjoyable and even technically impressive viewing experience. Park Bo Gum excels as usual, showing a side I've not seen before. The acting is really the driving force for the tsunami of emotions this project explodes with.
The writing is so worthy of praise and mention, especially contrasted with the current drama landscape. I can only describe it as beautiful and incredibly penetrating. To be so true to life's nuances without convolution or rudimentary language is a feat. There are so many aspects of life so accurately depicted and given life through words that it's almost unsettling, yet ultimately moving. A standout drama through and through.
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A Kdrama that leaves a mark
When Life Gives You Tangerines” is hands down the best K-drama I’ve ever watched, and trust me, I’ve seen over 200. It’s an emotional masterpiece that perfectly blends heart wrenching moments, deep character growth, and breathtaking storytelling. Every scene lingers, every tear feels earned, and every performance is unforgettable. The way it explores love, loss, and healing is nothing short of brilliant. It’s the kind of drama that stays with you long after the final episode, leaving you both devastated and grateful to have experienced it.Was this review helpful to you?
A beautiful portrait of life
Beautifully melancholic. The sweet, sour, bitter all the flavours that make up life. cartharhic and emotionally draining yet it leaves you with this sweet pain in the heart; painful yet warm.Brilliant performance by the entire cast. Full of heart and a very relatable human story. A very realistic love story which is reminiscent of our parent's stories. Loved this drama which deeply touched me through its deeply poetic and nostalgic narrative.
""None of us have fully grown up.
But every time our hearts felt growing pains,
We all grew a little"
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a beautiful display of love and life throughout generations
I want to keep this short because I fear I might go on too long about this masterpiece of a drama...This is about the purest forms of love and resilience throughout generations of a family. This is a character-driven drama, and it works because I fell in love with the characters from ep 1. I laughed, cried, and got angry with them, as it goes with life and its many ups and downs. Sometimes I related with them, but other times, I didn't, and that made me fall in love with them even more. The drama is about all the different forms of love that one can have, whether it's family love, romantic, or even self-love. This felt like a memoir brought to life, and it was a breathtaking journey to join.
What I'll take from this the most is the love between a child and its parents. This tugged at my heartstrings, and I don't think I'll have to rewatch this any time soon, but that's only because I'll remember several scenes and I'll take its lessons with me.
MUCH LOVE to the amazing cast, staff, and production to making this gem. no notes, prepare many boxes of tissues as you board this amazing ship that is When Life Gives You Tangerines.
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When Life Gives You Tangerines : Story So Raw, It Feels Like Memories Instead of Fiction
This is a story of love, life, joy, sorrow, struggle, healing and everything in between. It follows Ae Sun’s journey from the turbulent 1960s through more than 7 decades, capturing every stage of her life. We see her as a bright eyed child with dreams as vast as the mountains, a determined teenager whose eyes still sparkle with ambition, passionate lover who pours her heart into her soulmate Yang Gwansik, a young mother finding her way and finally a grandmother who has embraced every role life has given her. In her, you see a daughter, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, she is everything. IU and Moon Sori deserve a standing ovation, they didnt just play their roles, they lived them.Yang Gwansik, her unwavering companion, is the definition of a true soulmate. He is the green flag every girl dreams of, standing by her side from childhood to his last breath, fulfilling every duty with quiet devotion and deep love. While his romantic and husband phases were beautiful, what resonated most was his portrayal of fatherhood. He embodied the kind of silent dad who loves his children fiercely but struggles to put it into words. Both Park Bogum and Park Hae Joon who played him delivered phenomenal performances.
Beyond the leads, every character, from free spirited Geum Myeong to the elderly couple who sheltered the main characters during darkest times, offers a lesson in life’s complexities. Growth is a recurring theme, and even morally gray characters get their moments of depth and redemption.
The cinematography and production design are flawless, recreating each era from the 1960s to 2007 with stunning accuracy. Every frame feels immersive, transporting you to the past in a way that makes the story even more poignant.
So far, this is hands down the best drama of 2025. Its also the first slice of life series since Our Blues that truly tugs at the heart. A drama to cherish for a long time.
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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?

This Drama Was So Good, I Can't Watch It Again.
I didn’t expect much when I started this drama. This one completely caught me off guard in the most beautiful way. It slowly pulled me in, and before I knew it, I was deeply attached to the story, the characters, and every quiet, emotional moment it delivered. This is just pure life drama. It doesn't rely on dramatic plot twists or big reveals. It just reflects real life in the most tender and painful way. Never cried this hard over just a drama.I have no negative comment or opinion about this drama. It’s very well written, the cast delivered heartfelt performances, and the score (music) tied everything together beautifully. Every scene felt purposeful, and nothing was overdone.
It’s warm, heartbreaking, and relatable!! And honestly, I wouldn't rewatch it. Not because it's lacking, but because the first watch was too good. It's the kind of story that hits the hardest when it's fresh, when you don't see it coming. Rewatching might dull the emotional blow, and I'd rather keep that perfect first experience intact.
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Not for me...
Just my opinion, move on if it bothers you.All of the actors were excellent.
Kind of a slow, slice of life story, but it didn't work for me.
I must say I did love the last episode.
-I didn't like the FL at all. She was so self-absorbed.
-ML was a doormat.
-The haenyeo were constantly bickering and fighting, I could have done without them.
-the makeup on the leads was too brown. So show that they were tanned because it was Jeju?
-too much going back and forth in time.
-there seemed to be many characters that I didn't like, which made it difficult to stick with it.
Almost everyone else in the world loved this, so I'd say give it a try. Don't go by me!
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