Episodes 4 and 5 of When Life Gives You Tangerines flew by, it takes a look at the early years of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s marriage, with all its ups and downs, as well as its heartfelt moments of love.
Episode 4 begins with Ae-sun’s daughter being taken behind her back by her great-grandmother and grandmother, who plan to teach her about becoming a haenyeo.
Meanwhile, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik are trying for a baby boy.
Later in the episode, when Ae-sun discovers the truth about her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law’s plans, she decides to leave.
Her husband eventually finds a new place to live, though they can’t afford the rent. Thankfully, someone (whom they don’t know) offers to pay their rent for them.
In future scenes, a much older Ae-sun lectures her daughter for owning too many shoes she doesn’t wear.
The young woman admits she bought the shoes because she felt frustrated as a child when she couldn’t have things easily.
She also reflects on her future, torn between getting married and rising up the ranks in her job. Throughout the episodes of the show, Yan Geum-myeong narrates her parents’ life stories.
Later in the episode, while Ae-sun is pregnant, she comes home to find her husband, who works on fishing boats, battered and bruised. She learns that he had a terrible boss who abused him.
The boss is the same man who had once proposed marriage to Ae-sun, and whom she had turned down.
Finally, Ae-sun confronts the abusive manager and leaves with her husband. In the future, a much older Gwan-sik struggles to walk, while Ae-sun admits that his body has become broken due to the years of manual labour he has endured.
Episode 5
Meanwhile, episode 5 opens with a poignant moment as Jeon Gwang-rye (Ae-Sun’s mother) has her picture taken, remarking that the reason for it is so it can be used for her funeral.
After struggling with food and rent, Ae-Sun has no choice but to express her concerns to her grandmother, who ends up giving her money.
The couple uses the money to purchase a new boat for Gwan-Sik, as well as a new house.
What makes this scene particularly heartfelt is that the house was previously rented by Ae-Sun’s mother before her passing.
As the couple celebrates this joyous moment, Ae-Sun’s water unexpectedly breaks, and she is rushed to the hospital, where she gives birth to their third child.
Elsewhere, the island residents are choosing their vice president, and they elect Ae-Sun for the position.
Later, Ae-Sun, now a mother of three, runs into the wife of the president (Gwan-Sik’s former employer), who confesses that she is still being abused by her husband.
The episode ends with Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik celebrating their new beginnings.
Overall thoughts
These episodes felt subtle and so powerful. We didn’t need grand gestures or life-altering scenes, just moments of happiness and sadness that meant so much more.
We watch Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik face some tough times, but their love and determination keep them going.
There are some beautiful moments a family support, new beginnings, and hope, that keep you invested in their journey. So good!