What Was I thinking?
9.5/10? What was I thinking? Now that I’ve finished the last episode, it’s a 10/10.I also rated the rewatch value 10/10, but personally, I don’t have the heart to rewatch it, not right now at least. All I can say is this: Hollywood should take note and stop philosophizing about the ‘modern audience.’ Write like a human, act like a human, and your audience will accept you as one. That’s how you tell a great love story. ❤
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Thank You For Your Hard Work... Indeed
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. This show was so romantic but it is not only about romance. It is a slice of life that shows love, marriage, and also what happens after marriage. How children have dreams close to their hearts, how adults are also living life for the first time, and how at the end of the day, we still miss our parents, whether they are near or far.Was this review helpful to you?
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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best show about life
I expected this show to be wholesome — but it went far beyond my expectations. When Life Gives You Tangerine is an absolute gem. Beautifully written and masterfully acted, it’s easily one of the best portrayals of life and adulthood I’ve ever seen on screen.This series captures it all — the ups and downs, the sweet and the sour — much like a tangerine itself. It reminds you that the life you dreamed of may not unfold exactly as planned, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be beautiful in its own way.
The characters didn’t have much in terms of money or luxury, but wow — they had love, friendship, and a strong sense of community. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.
When Life Gives You Tangerine is tender, real, and full of quiet wisdom. If you’re looking for something that will make you reflect, smile, and maybe even cry and cry — this is the one.
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This review may contain spoilers
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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The Best TV show of the Decade! ?
Netflix's K-Drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is a masterful TV drama that depicts the realistic struggles of a family and serves as a reminder that although life is difficult, happiness can be found even on the worst of days when you have the perfect life partner! 🫶🏻🍊I haven't watched a lot of K-Dramas, but I recently got hooked on them when a friend of mine recommended a few shows to me. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" was one of the shows recommended to me by my friend and two of my older sisters, who were completely blown away by this show. I didn't know much about it before watching and I didn't know what to expect. However, after finishing this show, I must say that this is probably the best TV show I have ever watched in my entire life! 💕
This show is one of those shows that you must watch at least once in your life, or else you will be missing out on something big. It is one of the most heartfelt, beautifully written, and emotionally powerful dramas I have watched in a very long time. The show follows the journey of a young couple, Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik, in 1950s Korea as they navigate through life's many challenges and sacrifices while creating a family of their own and raising their children, trying to give them a better life than what they themselves experienced, all while staying by each other's side. The show starts when they are around 10 years old, and by the end of the show they are around 70. Which is why, by the time I finished it, I felt like I had lived alongside these characters for years! ✨
The storytelling of this show is done in a nonlinear manner, often switching from one timeline to another. There are episodes where we see Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik's younger years alongside their older years, as well as many events happening in the life of their oldest daughter, Geum-myeong. It does get a little hard to keep track of the events, so in order to properly grasp and enjoy the show, you have to keep an eye on the changing dates and time stamps given in the left corner of the screen while watching. The story itself is very much grounded in reality, and the writers understood that the best way to emotionally connect with viewers is by showing realistic slice of life moments and how this couple thrives in those situations instead of using flashy romance, overly dramatic scenes, or shocking plot twists. From the very first episode, this show creates a warm atmosphere that feels deeply human and incredibly sincere. It tells a meaningful story about love, sacrifice, family, marriage, and the quiet strength people show in everyday life. The writing is layered with so much heart and wisdom that even the simplest scenes carry emotional weight. Even though the story is about family struggles and sacrifices, there are plenty of lighthearted moments where you will be able to laugh alongside the characters. The pacing is also wonderfully handled. It allows us to live the moments with the characters, understand their decisions, and truly feel the passing of time in their lives. There were episodes that made me smile warmly, episodes that made me tear up, and episodes that completely shattered me emotionally. This is why every joyful moment feels rewarding and every painful moment hits so deeply!
For me, the highlight of this K-Drama is the way it chose to portray the beautiful companionship between Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik. Watching them do "marriage" will make you believe that with the right life partner, it is possible to conquer anything that life throws at you. Even when financial situations and family life were both going dangerously bad, they were each other's rock and were able to find tiny bits of happiness during every difficult situation. Younger Gwan-Sik reminded me a lot of my own husband, while older Gwan-Sik was an exact copy of my father, which is why I loved this character so much! This man is truly the poster boy for green flag husbands and fathers! 💚 While Gwan-Sik tried his very best to be the best husband and father, I absolutely cannot deny the contribution Ae-Sun had in his life as a genuinely supportive wife. Ae-Sun also deserves praise because she sacrificed a lot to be by Gwan-Sik's side even when they were financially struggling. But above all, when the time came to give up even the little source of finance that was supporting them, she did not back out because she saw how badly her husband was being treated by his employer. The portrayal of how a healthy and loving marriage works is shown so excellently in this show that I was heavily invested in their relationship from beginning to end. 🫶🏻
Love was shown in two different ways in this show. On one hand, we get Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik's love story, where they were together from age 10 and ultimately got married, had children, and went through life together. On the other hand, we see their daughter Geum-myeong experiencing love in a different way. This contrast in both love stories helped me realize that not all love stories get a fairytale ending and not all first loves reach their ultimate destination. Sometimes, two people can be good people at heart and share pure love, but still cannot fulfil it by getting married and settling down together due to various sad yet real circumstances.
The parental relationships in this drama were another major strength. The love between parents and children is portrayed with so much warmth and honesty that many scenes brought me to tears. Parents are shown sacrificing endlessly while still carrying their own pain. Children are shown misunderstanding their parents at times, then gradually realizing how much love was always there. I specifically loved the mother-daughter dynamics shown through Ae-Sun's relationship with her mother and later through Ae-Sun's relationship with her own daughter, Geum-myeong. I really loved Ae-Sun's mother's character. She was a very strong woman who did everything she could for Ae-Sun. We also saw Gwan-Sik as a doting father to Geum-myeong, and I was very emotionally connected to their relationship as well. Their sweet father-daughter relationship had some of the best moments in the show.
All of the characters in this show are written so well that they feel like real people I am watching in front of my eyes. None of them are perfectly good or bad, which is why you can't hate any of them. A lot of times, characters say and do things that are wrong, and that contributes to making us as the audience feel like they are real people. As a result, everyone is lovable and memorable in their own way. The arguments feel real, the sadness feels real, and even the moments where the characters are overwhelmed with joy also feel so real that I was forced to rejoice with them!
I absolutely have to praise the phenomenal acting performances from the cast. Everyone in this drama delivers performances that feel raw and honest. No one feels like they are acting for the camera. Instead, they completely become their characters. We see IU and Park Bo-gum as the younger versions of Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik, while the older versions were played by Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon. Both pairs had brilliant chemistry, which is why this story worked so well on screen. IU is a phenomenal actress, and here she also plays the role of Ae-Sun's daughter Geum-myeong. She was able to portray both characters perfectly, capturing their unique personality traits and setting them apart from each other. But the one who shines even more than IU in this show is definitely Park Bo-gum. This man is something else! The supporting cast was also excellent, and I especially loved Kim Seon-ho as Park Chung-seop, the struggling artist who makes a fateful connection with Geum-myeong.
The excellent cinematography and visuals of this show make you feel like you are in 1950's Jeju Island, and as the story progresses, the changes in visual effects and color grading help you realize the passing of time. The cinematography captures both the warmth of home life and the loneliness of difficult moments so well. There are also scenes that leave an impact because of the cinematography and camera work, especially when Gwan-Sik swims across the ocean and hugs Ae-Sun, or the very last scene of the show where we see Gwan-Sik and Ae-Sun walking in a field of yellow flowers and sharing their dreams about the future.
In the end, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is a TV show that will forever stay in my heart as one of the best things I have ever watched in my entire life! 🫶🏻 If you are looking for a drama with excellent writing, unforgettable characters, and meaningful life lessons that stay with you long after the final episode, this is absolutely the one to watch. By the end of the show, I was left in tears because of how heart touching my experience was with this. This drama won't only entertain you, instead it will touch your soul! 🍊✨
📌Personal Rating: 10
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This review may contain spoilers
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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Daquelas obras de mudar o curso da história
"Se a vida te der tangerinas" é um tributo a todas as Ae Suns e Gwan Sik do mundo. A todos que sonharam tão grande, que viveram lindas histórias de amor, que experimentaram as dores mais profundas e os dias mais épicos da história, mas que ninguém percebeu, ninguém conheceu. É um tributo às nossas mães que escolheram se apequenar, diminuir seus ossos para que os filhos pudessem sonhar. É um tributo aos pais que amaram em silêncio matando aos poucos o próprio corpo para que os filhos pudessem não sofrer.É um tributo aos filhos que carregaram o peso de serem os primeiros a conquistar e pisar na terra dos sonhos, com suas dores e sorrisos.
"Se a vida te der tangerinas" é a vida escancarada, sem vilões, sem mocinhos... E por isso tão bela, tão profunda, tão triste.
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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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This review may contain spoilers
O BAND-AID ARRANCADO EM FORMA DE DRAMA
Assistir esse k-drama é como arrancar um bandaid de uma ferida;cada momento, desde o primeiro capitulo até o último você sente aquele bandaid sendo arrancado sem delicadeza. Cada momento, cada passagem de tempo, cada suspiro dos personagens é como se fosse o nosso. Se a Vida Te Der Tangerinas é sobre vida, sobre perdas, sobre amor, familia, amizade. Você chora e aprende com eles, você vê neles a sua própria vida passar. Um sentimento próximo foi quando eu ouvi o albúm DTMF do Bad Bunny, eu chorei porque lembrei da minha vó, da minha infância e me senti profundamente conectada com cada letra cantada. A vida deles não era perfeita, mas era cotidiana, era familiar e emocionante em cada segundo.Parte disso também se deve as atuações. Um elenco de ouro, com atores veteranos e também atores mirins, todos brilhantes em captar o que é o realismo profundo, cru e atravessador de gerações que é este drama!
Ninguém é perfeito, ninguém é completo, mas eu diria que um drama que nos faz chorar, refletir e querer abraçar nossos pais é sim perfeito.
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1
3This 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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Drama of 2025.
When Life Gives You Tangerines is one of those rare dramas that quietly stays with you long after it ends. I finished this a long time ago, but it left such a strong impression that I finally felt like writing about it now. As a Netflix original, the production quality is solid, but what truly stands out is IU’s exceptional acting. She delivers a deeply nuanced and heartfelt performance, making every emotion feel real and earned. The drama is warm, reflective, and beautifully written, capturing life’s small joys and quiet sorrows with sincerity. Easily one of the best dramas I’ve watched in recent times, and definitely worth revisiting in memory.Was this review helpful to you?
