rkive

“when life gives you tangerines” starts from the journey of a mother, who once was a daughter, sure of her space in the world. the young and bold ae-sun, who was ready to have it all for herself and her mother saw her entire life taking a shift before her very eyes after she lost her mother.

the story starting from highlighting the struggle of women in patriarchal society that exists to snatch their every dream away from them takes a turn when ae-sun, in her own ways, decides to challenge those norms. her world, even though shattered after losing her mother shapes her daughter’s world.

this drama is about the unconditional love between a family, who despite losing everything, gained their everything. showcasing the portrayal of the sea as both the giver and the taker, it emphasizes on the harsh realities of life and nature no one can win against. the life ae-sun’s daughter grew up dreading was the same life ae-sun was willing to relive all over again as she managed to define her happiness in her own way. the ups and downs of their journey itself teaches a lesson– when one door is closed shut, another one is bound to be open. their life was all about searching for those new opened doors as the uncontrollable forces of life shut the previous ones for them. each member in the family struggling in their own way found their way out of the darkness in some way or the other, and the most dreadful season eventually passed each time it added up to their struggles.

the heartbreaking ending itself roots from the touch of reality; everything is bound to come to an end. what matters the most is that you lived a great life– in no one’s but your own perception. the four volumes, consisting of heartbreak in all forms– the loss of parents, dreams, a child, love, and the sacrifices made concludes with the reflection of love in all its purest forms that eventually make all the hardships seem worth it at the end.