When Life Gives You Tangerines: The Ultimate Guide to Netflix's 2025 K-Drama

copy right by Netflix

Title: When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다)
Genre: Romance, Period Drama, Human Drama
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: March 7, 2025 – March 28, 2025
Release Format: Four episodes released every Friday for four weeks (Total 16 episodes)

• • • Act 1 (Episodes 1–4): March 7, 2025
    • Act 2 (Episodes 5–8): March 14, 2025
    • Act 3 (Episodes 9–12): March 21, 2025
    • Act 4 (Episodes 13–16): March 28, 2025
      Total Episodes: 16
      Production Budget: Approx. 600 million KRW
      Director: Kim Won-seok (Notable works: Misaeng, Signal, My Mister)
      Writer: Im Sang-chun (Notable works: Fight for My Way, When the Camellia Blooms)
      Rating: 15+

Plot Overview:

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" (폭싹 속았수다) is a poignant drama set in 1950s Jeju Island, South Korea, following the turbulent lives of two protagonists, Oh Ae-sun and Yang Gwan-sik. The title is a local Jeju dialect phrase meaning "Thank you for your hard work," and the story unfolds over four seasons, symbolizing the stages of their lives: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Oh Ae-sun, a rebellious yet literary-loving young woman, and Yang Gwan-sik, a sincere and devoted man, grow up together in a seaside village, experiencing love, setbacks, and personal growth. This drama portrays timeless themes of family love and relationships, offering heartfelt moments that have resonated with audiences worldwide.

 

Key Characters & Catchphrases:

The main characters in this series are incredibly memorable, with unique lines that have become widely popular. Below are some of the most iconic lines from the show:

• Oh Ae-sun (Young: IU / Adult: Moon So-ri)
  Catchphrase: "Geum-myeong, do you trust your mom?"
  A spirited young woman who loves literature, Ae-sun's heartfelt line reflects her deep affection for her daughter, Geum-myeong.
• Yang Gwan-sik (Young: Park Bo-gum / Adult: Park Hae-joon)
  Catchphrase: "Ae-sun, I'll protect you."
  Gwan-sik’s earnest and dedicated nature shines through in his promise to stand by Ae-sun, a line that captures his unwavering commitment.
• Jeon Gwang-rye (Yum Hye-ran)
  Catchphrase: "Ae-sun is my treasure."
  As Ae-sun’s mother, Gwang-rye’s unconditional love for her daughter is expressed in this touching line, which moves many viewers to tears.
• Oh Geum-myeong (IU, dual role)
  Catchphrase: "Mom, I’ll do my best."
  Geum-myeong, Ae-sun’s daughter, inherits her mother’s dreams and proves to be a deeply emotional character who continues the legacy of love and resilience.

Awards and Recognition at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards (2025):

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" garnered significant attention at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, receiving nominations in eight categories, and became a major talking point. Here are the key awards and nominations:

Awards:

• Best Drama: Netflix's "When Life Gives You Tangerines"
• Best Actress: IU (as Oh Ae-sun/Oh Geum-myeong)
• Best Actor: Park Bo-gum (as Yang Gwan-sik)
• Best Script: Im Sang-chun

Nominations:

• Best Director: Kim Won-seok (Award went to Jeong Ji-in for "Retirement")
• Best Supporting Actress: Yum Hye-ran (as Jeon Gwang-rye)
• Best Supporting Actor: Choi Dae-hoon (Role undisclosed)
• Best New Actress: Kim Tae-yeon (as young Oh Ae-sun)

Filming Locations:

While set in Jeju Island, most of the filming took place on set in Andong, South Korea. The stunning natural beauty of Jeju, including places like the Sunrise Coastal Road, Seongsan Ilchulbong, and Jeju Mok Gwana, serves as the backdrop for the story. The ocean scenes, however, were filmed using advanced CGI techniques. Some key filming locations include:

• Jeju Island: Sunrise Coastal Road, Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju Mok Gwana, Yongsuri
• Mainland Locations: Andong set (village scenes), Gochang Hakwon Farm, Gyeongbokgung Palace stone wall, Busan alleyways

Unique Features & Reception:

This drama has become a standout production for Netflix, especially with its unique release strategy. Instead of releasing all episodes at once, the show opted for a weekly release over four weeks, aligning with the seasonal narrative of the series. This approach allowed the story’s progression to match the changing seasons, adding to the emotional impact.

The show’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with an IMDb rating of 9.4, tying it with iconic shows like Band of Brothers and Breaking Bad for the top spot. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" became a global sensation, ranking #1 in the TV show category in over 10 countries on Netflix.

Behind the Scenes: The poetry book titled "When Life Gives You Tangerines," published by the character Oh Ae-sun in the show, became a fan favorite, with fans clamoring for the book to be released as a collectible item.

 

Why You Should Watch:

• The adorable chemistry between IU and Park Bo-gum in their young roles, and the heartfelt performances of Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon in the adult roles.
• A universal story of love, family, and personal growth that transcends age and culture.
• Stunning visuals that showcase the beauty of the 1950s, recreated with a production budget of 600 million KRW.
• The perfect blend of classic Korean storytelling and modern Netflix production quality.

 

This drama is a must-watch for fans of heartfelt stories with beautiful cinematography, rich character development, and powerful performances. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" offers a deep, emotional journey that will stay with you long after the final episode.