When Life Gives You Tangerines Review: A Soul-Stirring Masterpiece Starring IU and Park Bo-Gum

Image Source: Netflix

There’s something about finishing a K-drama that leaves me utterly hollow. It’s as if a part of me detaches, floating somewhere between fiction and reality. I sit there, staring at the screen, letting the last scene linger in my mind before the credits roll. Then, almost like a delayed wave, emotions come crashing in: grief, joy, nostalgia, and the desperate need to talk about it. That’s exactly what happened when I finished watching When Life Gives You Tangerines.

Netflix's chart-topping K-drama, When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring IU and Park Bo-Gum, is one of those rare treasures: a story that unfolds with the unhurried grace of the seasons changing on Jeju Island. Much of this multigenerational saga is set against the island’s breathtaking landscapes, weaving a narrative that is as tender as it is powerful. This drama doesn’t just tell a story; it immerses you in a world so vivid that it lingers in your heart long after the final episode.

A Love Story That Transcends Time

The show begins with some elder citizens writing poems or rather their thoughts on a paper. Suddenly you see a woman walking on the rocks who thinks back to her early days of 1960s that she would have not a slight ides if she would ever turn 70. At any age you just need your mom. And as her mind travels back her past she returns to those days where should walk hand in hand with her mom.

Beginning in 1960 in Jeju Island, Aesun (Lee-Ji-Eun) a precious school grader who waits for her mom (Yeom Hye-ran) to come ashore after catching abalone. Being a haeneyo is a tough job and Aesun wants her mom to stop diving and come back to the shore. Until she comes Aesun would hang with the other haeneyo women and a small boy Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) a son of a fish monger. Aesun currently lives with her dead father's family but her mother gets convinced to bring her back after she reads about a poem that describes how catching abalones have affected her family.

Life feels full and happiness seems to have found a way in Aesun' s and her mom's world. Soon she learns how the people in school treat Aesun by making her vice president even though she has the most votes. Seeing her sadness Aesun' s mother decides to go to the school to enquire the reason. Soon she learns that it is all about financial and mental competence. She tries to convince Aesun that after her death she should leave the island and not live the life of haeneyo. Soon her mother leaves her siblings to live with her step in the tormenting land of sorrow and struggles.

Aesun and Gwan-sik are in their teenagers in the late 1960s selling cabbages and fish side by side at the towns market. He does all the selling while Aesun just reads and together they listen to the radio broadcasts. Eventually their relationship blossoms and soon turn into a beautiful story that transcends time and relations. A love story that proves to be unyielding, enduring through time and circumstance, even when their relationship gets tested repeatedly. A proof that is not always about perfection but about persistence, understanding, and unwavering support that stands against all odds.

IU & Park Bo-Gum’s Best Performances Yet?

IU and Park Bo-Gum deliver performances that feel incredibly raw and lived-in, making Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s love story all the more compelling. IU brings an effortless charm to Ae-sun, perfectly balancing her free-spirited nature with moments of vulnerability and quiet strength. She makes Ae-sun feel real, flawed, hopeful and deeply human. On the other hand, Park Bo-Gum masterfully embodies Gwan-sik’s quiet devotion. With minimal words but deeply expressive eyes, he conveys a lifetime of love, restraint, and longing. His portrayal of a man who loves not through grand declarations but through steadfast actions is both powerful and deeply moving.

What makes this drama even more special is the presence of the older Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, played by Moon So-ri and Park Hae-jun. These veteran actors bring nostalgia and depth, showing how time has shaped their characters while preserving the essence of their love. Moon So-ri conveys Ae-sun’s lingering emotions with heartbreaking authenticity, while Park Hae-jun’s quiet strength and unwavering devotion remain just as powerful. Their seamless portrayal of the older versions makes the time shifts feel natural and deeply resonant.

The supporting cast is just as impactful, adding layers of richness to the story. The older generation, especially Ae-sun’s family and the entire haeneyo group, plays a crucial role in depicting the weight of traditions, societal expectations, and the sacrifices made for love. Each character feels well-crafted and essential, bringing warmth, humor, and depth to the drama.

Ultimately, it’s the cast’s nuanced performances that elevate When Life Gives You Tangerines beyond just another love story. Their chemistry, restraint, and ability to convey emotions through the subtlest of gestures make this drama an unforgettable experience.

The Beauty of Jeju Island Through Stunning Cinematography

Beyond the romance, When Life Gives You Tangerines explores themes of family, grief, and finding peace in one’s roots. The cinematography deserves a special mention as every frame is a painting, with Jeju Island’s golden sunsets, lush tangerine groves, and the calming waves reflecting the emotions of the characters. The vibrant orange hues of the tangerine fields contrast beautifully with the more muted, melancholic moments, creating a visual language that speaks to the heart.

The director’s approach is refreshingly subtle, allowing the emotions to unfold naturally rather than forcing dramatic highs and lows. The use of long, quiet scenes and detailed close-ups immerses the audience in the emotions of the characters, making every moment feel deeply personal. The pacing is deliberate, drawing the viewer into the slow unraveling of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s story, making their journey feel as intimate as a cherished memory.

Why "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is a Must-Watch

Some dramas keep you hooked with plot twists and grand romances, but When Life Gives You Tangerines stays with you because of how real it feels. There are no exaggerated misunderstandings or over-the-top conflicts, just life unfolding in its quiet, bittersweet way. Ae-sun’s struggles as a woman in a time when freedom wasn’t a given felt heartbreakingly raw. When her mother said, “It is better to be a cow than a woman,” I felt the weight of generations of women who had to fight just to have a say in their own lives.

Then there are the small, beautiful details, like the bean-scattering ritual to ward off bad spirits, cultural moments that make the story feel deeply human. Healing isn’t always loud; sometimes, it’s in a shared meal, the scent of tangerines in the air, or simply knowing someone is there for you, even in silence.

Some stories entertain you, but this one lingers like the fading warmth of the sun over Jeju’s tangerine groves.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?

As I sit here writing this, still wrapped in the emotions this drama left me with, I know it’ll be a while before I find another one that fills this void. But more than that, When Life Gives You Tangerines made me realize why I fell in love with K-dramas in the first place. The way they pull you into their world, make you feel deeply, and leave you changed and this drama embodies all of that. It’s more than just a drama; it’s a journey that stays with you, leaving you both heartbroken and deeply grateful. If you haven’t watched it yet, trust me, you’re in for something truly special.

What’s your favorite IU or Park Bo-Gum drama? Let’s discuss!

Find your next K-drama obsession in my other reviews