This review may contain spoilers
Life is The Real Villain of This Drama
“The ones alive keep on living…”
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a classic in the making.
This drama doesn’t rely on nostalgia or aesthetics. Instead, the chemistry between all the characters—major to minor, protagonist to antagonist—was just plain perfection. This is a classic, and I can definitely see it gaining a cult following and making a name for itself in pop culture in the future.
Unlike most dramas, especially K-dramas, where the most unnerving or exhilarating scenes happen near the end of the episode, When Life Gives You Tangerines stands out. The most action happens in the middle, and the rest of the episode focuses on how our main leads deal with the dilemma. Likewise, life isn’t a collection of cliffhangers. Instead, the most unforgettable, desperate, or happiest moments usually come out of nowhere. Truly, life is about all those little moments as well as braving the stormy future.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Villains
When we talk about “villains” in dramas, they’re usually people who target the main leads directly or some ever-present evil force that moves the plot forward. Those hostel people and Jennie’s mom? Bad people, sure. Minor antagonists for an episode or two? Yes. But THE villains of the drama? No. They were just awful people doing awful things who happened to cross paths with the main leads.
At first, I even thought the villains were Gwan-sik’s mom and grandmother, but they weren’t. They were also just victims and perpetrators of a toxic cycle that stems from poverty and patriarchy. Deep inside, I think they wanted to have someone treat them, love them, and respect them unconditionally—just like how Gwan-sik does for Ae-sun.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ That Heartbreaking In-Laws Meeting
I can’t stop thinking about that first in-laws meeting where an elderly Gwan-sik used two hands to shake hands so his callouses wouldn’t be as noticeable. That scene really broke my heart. No one commented about it out loud at the time, but Yeong Beom’s mother later condescendingly called them “laborer’s hands.” That REALLY pissed me off! There is NO shame in hard and honorable work.
Geummyeong’s parents raised her properly—she wouldn’t even take more than necessary from a jar full of bills or be bribed by Jennie’s mom.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Yeong Beom’s Mother
Also, I just found out that the actress playing Yeong Beom’s mother recently died of cancer. Gosh, she definitely gave her all to that character. As much as I hated her at first, I have to admit I still gave her the benefit of the doubt, hoping for character growth since her son truly loved Geummyeong.
I applaud her performance. Even with just a few scenes, she caught my attention. At first, her character was hiding her disdain under the guise of “class,” but when all hell broke loose, it became clear—her so-called class was just pure snobbery, prejudice, and ignorance. The end of that confrontation and the smooth transition into her future was just the definition of karma
Yeong Beom’s mother fully deserved her lonely and miserable end. I mean, I pitied his mother’s end, but she brought it upon herself. It wasn’t “love” that made her wary of Geummyeong—it was snobbery and prejudice. Now, her grandchildren and daughter-in-law treat her like a ghost in her own home.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ I Love You But I Love Myself Too.
I was heartbroken when Geummyeong and Yeong Beom broke up (while still being in love), but I was 100% supportive of Geummyeong when she said that while she loves him, she loves herself too—which is why she wouldn’t settle for in-laws like that.
Yeong Beom wasn’t entirely a pushover, but he hesitated a lot and needed a push most of the time—like in that restaurant scene where Gwan-sik kept eyeing him to make a move.
Sure, they tried showing some parallels between Yeong Beom and Gwan-sik. In the end, while Gwan-sik acted out of pure selflessness and love for Ae-Sun, it seemed like Yeong Beom acted out of doing what’s right based on what’s “right”. Sure, he loved Geummyeong but he was no Gwan-sik.
In that car scene where Yeong Beom told Geummyeong that no guy can choose between his wife/lover and his family, Geummyeong answered back that her father was able to. I truly think that growing up and witnessing her parent’s love shaped Geummyeong as a person and established her self-respect and refusal to settle.
Nevertheless, I feel bad for Yeong Beom because he ended up in a loveless marriage, but I guess that’s what happens when you don’t live for yourself.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Bu Sang Gil’s Fate
I can’t even feel bad for Bu Sang Gil when he tried to reconnect with his daughter after seeing Gwan-sik and Geummyeong’s father-daughter relationship. I mean it was kind of funny how he was ignored in his own home but what did he expect? He was never a good father or husband. He made his bed, and now he’s lying in it. Nobody in his family loves or respects him. His own biological sons prefer their stepmother over him.
Bad decisions after bad decisions—cheating, bribery, snobbery, bullying—and now, the people in his life barely tolerate his existence. Even his own wife asks him not to come home for dinner often because it’s “bothersome.” This drama doesn’t have a singular villain—except for life itself—but the bad people sure do get their karma in the end.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Cheong Seop: The Man That You Are
From the start, it was obvious that Cheong Seop was interested in Geummyeong. But even until he left for the military, we were left guessing—because he kept his boundaries and never once hit on her or made her intentionally feel confused about her relationship with Yeong Beom.
The moment we really became sure that he liked her fr fr was that bus stop scene. He had just been discharged, and he saw Geummyeong entering the bus he had just exited. It was just a split second, but that moment said everything.
And that episode 12 ending? I LOVE how KSH’s character, Cheong Seop, didn’t stop running. Sure, it was funny when he got tangled with the fangirls, but hey—he did NOT stop chasing after Geummyeong’s bus after just a split second of seeing her. That says a LOT.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ A Perfect Drama from Start to Finish
To be honest, I already had decent expectations for this drama because IU was in it. That girl has a GOLDEN TOUCH when it comes to choosing her dramas istg.
Meanwhile, I only ever saw Park Bo Gum in Reply 1988, and I understood the hype—he was a cutie, after all. But I never really liked any of his other projects. I didn’t even finish Love in the Moonlight because the chemistry just wasn’t there for me.
So when I tell you that THIS drama is the BEST drama of the year, BELIEVE ME. Everything is just perfect.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ The OSTs: A Perfect Fit
Someone commented that the OSTs weren’t by big-name artists. You know what? I didn’t even NOTICE that—because the OST was perfect the way it was, fitting the drama’s theme and time period flawlessly.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ IU’s Dual Role: A Brilliant Choice
This is NOT an unpopular opinion lol but I really like how they made IU play both the mother and daughter. It emphasizes how Geummyeong is exactly like her mother—living the dreams her mother couldn’t (college, financial independence)—but at the same time, she’s still her OWN person.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Final Thoughts
When Life Gives You Tangerines isn’t just another drama—it’s art. It doesn’t rely on clichés or forced conflicts. Instead, it gives us a raw, honest, and deeply moving story about love, family, self-worth, and the weight of societal expectations. No flashy gimmicks. No over-the-top twists. Just pure, heartfelt storytelling that lingers long after the final episode.
Sure, I cried a lot and it’s probably difficult for me to rewatch the drama (lowkey traumatized) but never say never. Art is supposed to make you feel things and this drama definitely a masterpiece!!
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a classic in the making.
This drama doesn’t rely on nostalgia or aesthetics. Instead, the chemistry between all the characters—major to minor, protagonist to antagonist—was just plain perfection. This is a classic, and I can definitely see it gaining a cult following and making a name for itself in pop culture in the future.
Unlike most dramas, especially K-dramas, where the most unnerving or exhilarating scenes happen near the end of the episode, When Life Gives You Tangerines stands out. The most action happens in the middle, and the rest of the episode focuses on how our main leads deal with the dilemma. Likewise, life isn’t a collection of cliffhangers. Instead, the most unforgettable, desperate, or happiest moments usually come out of nowhere. Truly, life is about all those little moments as well as braving the stormy future.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Villains
When we talk about “villains” in dramas, they’re usually people who target the main leads directly or some ever-present evil force that moves the plot forward. Those hostel people and Jennie’s mom? Bad people, sure. Minor antagonists for an episode or two? Yes. But THE villains of the drama? No. They were just awful people doing awful things who happened to cross paths with the main leads.
At first, I even thought the villains were Gwan-sik’s mom and grandmother, but they weren’t. They were also just victims and perpetrators of a toxic cycle that stems from poverty and patriarchy. Deep inside, I think they wanted to have someone treat them, love them, and respect them unconditionally—just like how Gwan-sik does for Ae-sun.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ That Heartbreaking In-Laws Meeting
I can’t stop thinking about that first in-laws meeting where an elderly Gwan-sik used two hands to shake hands so his callouses wouldn’t be as noticeable. That scene really broke my heart. No one commented about it out loud at the time, but Yeong Beom’s mother later condescendingly called them “laborer’s hands.” That REALLY pissed me off! There is NO shame in hard and honorable work.
Geummyeong’s parents raised her properly—she wouldn’t even take more than necessary from a jar full of bills or be bribed by Jennie’s mom.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Yeong Beom’s Mother
Also, I just found out that the actress playing Yeong Beom’s mother recently died of cancer. Gosh, she definitely gave her all to that character. As much as I hated her at first, I have to admit I still gave her the benefit of the doubt, hoping for character growth since her son truly loved Geummyeong.
I applaud her performance. Even with just a few scenes, she caught my attention. At first, her character was hiding her disdain under the guise of “class,” but when all hell broke loose, it became clear—her so-called class was just pure snobbery, prejudice, and ignorance. The end of that confrontation and the smooth transition into her future was just the definition of karma
Yeong Beom’s mother fully deserved her lonely and miserable end. I mean, I pitied his mother’s end, but she brought it upon herself. It wasn’t “love” that made her wary of Geummyeong—it was snobbery and prejudice. Now, her grandchildren and daughter-in-law treat her like a ghost in her own home.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ I Love You But I Love Myself Too.
I was heartbroken when Geummyeong and Yeong Beom broke up (while still being in love), but I was 100% supportive of Geummyeong when she said that while she loves him, she loves herself too—which is why she wouldn’t settle for in-laws like that.
Yeong Beom wasn’t entirely a pushover, but he hesitated a lot and needed a push most of the time—like in that restaurant scene where Gwan-sik kept eyeing him to make a move.
Sure, they tried showing some parallels between Yeong Beom and Gwan-sik. In the end, while Gwan-sik acted out of pure selflessness and love for Ae-Sun, it seemed like Yeong Beom acted out of doing what’s right based on what’s “right”. Sure, he loved Geummyeong but he was no Gwan-sik.
In that car scene where Yeong Beom told Geummyeong that no guy can choose between his wife/lover and his family, Geummyeong answered back that her father was able to. I truly think that growing up and witnessing her parent’s love shaped Geummyeong as a person and established her self-respect and refusal to settle.
Nevertheless, I feel bad for Yeong Beom because he ended up in a loveless marriage, but I guess that’s what happens when you don’t live for yourself.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Bu Sang Gil’s Fate
I can’t even feel bad for Bu Sang Gil when he tried to reconnect with his daughter after seeing Gwan-sik and Geummyeong’s father-daughter relationship. I mean it was kind of funny how he was ignored in his own home but what did he expect? He was never a good father or husband. He made his bed, and now he’s lying in it. Nobody in his family loves or respects him. His own biological sons prefer their stepmother over him.
Bad decisions after bad decisions—cheating, bribery, snobbery, bullying—and now, the people in his life barely tolerate his existence. Even his own wife asks him not to come home for dinner often because it’s “bothersome.” This drama doesn’t have a singular villain—except for life itself—but the bad people sure do get their karma in the end.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Cheong Seop: The Man That You Are
From the start, it was obvious that Cheong Seop was interested in Geummyeong. But even until he left for the military, we were left guessing—because he kept his boundaries and never once hit on her or made her intentionally feel confused about her relationship with Yeong Beom.
The moment we really became sure that he liked her fr fr was that bus stop scene. He had just been discharged, and he saw Geummyeong entering the bus he had just exited. It was just a split second, but that moment said everything.
And that episode 12 ending? I LOVE how KSH’s character, Cheong Seop, didn’t stop running. Sure, it was funny when he got tangled with the fangirls, but hey—he did NOT stop chasing after Geummyeong’s bus after just a split second of seeing her. That says a LOT.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ A Perfect Drama from Start to Finish
To be honest, I already had decent expectations for this drama because IU was in it. That girl has a GOLDEN TOUCH when it comes to choosing her dramas istg.
Meanwhile, I only ever saw Park Bo Gum in Reply 1988, and I understood the hype—he was a cutie, after all. But I never really liked any of his other projects. I didn’t even finish Love in the Moonlight because the chemistry just wasn’t there for me.
So when I tell you that THIS drama is the BEST drama of the year, BELIEVE ME. Everything is just perfect.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ The OSTs: A Perfect Fit
Someone commented that the OSTs weren’t by big-name artists. You know what? I didn’t even NOTICE that—because the OST was perfect the way it was, fitting the drama’s theme and time period flawlessly.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ IU’s Dual Role: A Brilliant Choice
This is NOT an unpopular opinion lol but I really like how they made IU play both the mother and daughter. It emphasizes how Geummyeong is exactly like her mother—living the dreams her mother couldn’t (college, financial independence)—but at the same time, she’s still her OWN person.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Final Thoughts
When Life Gives You Tangerines isn’t just another drama—it’s art. It doesn’t rely on clichés or forced conflicts. Instead, it gives us a raw, honest, and deeply moving story about love, family, self-worth, and the weight of societal expectations. No flashy gimmicks. No over-the-top twists. Just pure, heartfelt storytelling that lingers long after the final episode.
Sure, I cried a lot and it’s probably difficult for me to rewatch the drama (lowkey traumatized) but never say never. Art is supposed to make you feel things and this drama definitely a masterpiece!!
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