When Life Gives You Tangerines Review
When Life Gives You Tangerines is probably one of the saddest Korean dramas I’ve watched to date. You’ll definitely need a box of tissues to get through all 16 episodes— no joke.
The story follows the lives of lovers Ae-sun and Gwan-sik. Set in the 1960s on Jeju Island, as their families face hardship due to financial limitations, and the women in particular are held back by traditional expectations.
From the very first episode, we’re introduced to the mother-daughter relationship between young Oh Ae-sun (played by IU) and her strong-willed mother, Jeon Gwang-rye (played by Yeom Hye-ran). Ae-sun is just as stubborn as her mother. The first episode jumps around in time, briefly showing an older Ae-sun, before it rewinds to her youth and eventually her teenage years in the final minutes.
Gwang-rye is a poor mother of three who is forced to work tirelessly after the death of her husband. She dives for seafood alongside a group of women known as haenyeo, who dive without scuba gear in the ocean surrounding Jeju Island to support their families.
The series spans from the 1950s to the early 2000s, chronicling the significant changes in Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s lives. Without giving too much away, I can say that some major life changes are in store for both of them.
I was excited to see Park Bo-gum in the main cast. He’s known for his roles in dramas and films like Love in the Moonlight (2016), where he played a crown prince, and Encounter (2018), in which he starred alongside Song Hye-kyo.
IU, born in Seoul in 1993, began her music career at just fifteen with her debut EP Lost and Found in 2008. She’s since starred in several well-loved dramas, including Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Hotel Del Luna, and My Mister.
When Life Gives You Tangerines also introduces several key secondary characters, including Ae-sun’s grandmother (played by Na Moon-hee), her uncle (Jung Hae-kyun), her stepfather (Oh Jung-se), and her childhood neighbor Yang Gwan-sik, who is in love with her (played by Park Bo-gum).
After watching the entire series, I’ll admit I had to take breaks—it wasn’t something I could binge all at once, and it was a bit heavy.
I usually tend to watch more light-hearted dramas, so When Life Gives You Tangerines felt emotionally exhausting at times, but I don’t regret watching it. It focuses on amazing things such as family, first loves, and the importance of good health.
One criticism I’ve seen is that the show might be “too much” for some viewers. Many people turn to K-dramas for escapism, and this one delves deeply into trauma and grief. But despite the heavy themes, there are plenty of uplifting moments.
The cast is excellent overall, and IU is spectacular in her dual roles as both the younger Ae-sun and later as Yang Geum-myeong, the eldest daughter of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik.
Some viewers found the pacing slow, and I can understand that. This isn’t a drama you watch for the plot twists—it’s all about the characters and storytelling. For me personally, some scenes in the middle felt a bit drawn out, but the first few episodes and the finale were especially strong.