You know how sometimes people around you won’t stop talking about a show, and you finally give in and watch it? That’s exactly how I ended up watching When Life Gives You Tangerines, a 2025 Korean romance and slice-of-life drama written by Lim Sang-choon and directed by Kim Won-seok. It premiered on Netflix in March 2025 and stars IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon. This drama has taken the globe by storm, so much so that even The Global Times, a Chinese Communist Party-affiliated newspaper, praised it. According to Moneycontrol, it has even become the highest-rated Korean drama on IMDb, surpassing Kingdom, The Glory, and Squid Game.
After the emotional ride of She Was Pretty, this drama kept popping up in conversations, and I was told by everyone that it would hit me in a way I didn’t expect. At first glance, I knew this wasn’t going to be just another love story as it felt like it would be something deeper. And oh boy, it did not disappoint!
The first episode threw me off a little. It was slow, and I wasn’t sure if I’d keep watching. But something about the atmosphere, the characters, and the underlying sense that the story had more to say kept me going. Soon enough, I found myself completely hooked. What I thought would be a predictable love story unfolded into something far more.
The drama progressed with the two characters growing in love, facing challenges, and learning who they were through their connection with each other. The writing and storytelling were so powerful that at times, I didn’t feel like I was watching a show. I felt like I was living in the moments with them, feeling their joy and pain right alongside them.
What made the story even more meaningful for me was the fact that it was inspired by a real woman. According to KBIZoom, the character of Oh Ae-sun was modelled after Hong Kyung Ja, a resilient woman from Jeju Island who lived through hardship and sacrifice. She lost her mother at just five years old and became the caretaker of her siblings, diving into the ocean to catch octopuses to support her family. In the show, we see Ae-sun raised by a stepfather, but in real life, Kyung Ja was brought up by her stepmother. There’s even a beautiful tribute to her in the first episode, with her name carved into a “tewak,” the traditional float used by Jeju’s haenyeo (female divers).
One of the standout aspects of this drama is the emotional depth of the characters, especially the chemistry between the leads. IU and Park Bo-gum, playing the younger versions of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, bring such life to their roles. Their portrayal of young love is so tender and natural that you can’t help but root for them from the start. Their emotions, awkwardness, and excitement all feel so real, and they truly lived the characters.
But what really struck me was the transition to the older versions of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, played by Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon. These actors build on what the younger couple started, showing what love looks like years later, after life has thrown its challenges their way. Their performances were raw and genuine, showing how much a couple can go through and still hold on to each other.
The setting of Jeju Island is another reason why this drama feels so special. The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. The island’s serene beauty, its lush landscapes, and its coastal vibes make the backdrop not just a place, but a character in its own right. The camera captures every small detail and quiet moment that makes the story feel alive.
This show excels in the details. From the costumes to the way people speak to each other, everything feels real, grounded in history, and respectful of the culture. Even the performances from the child actors, who portray the younger versions of the characters, were outstanding. It’s rare to see child actors deliver such natural, heartfelt performances, but these kids brought a sweetness and authenticity that enhanced the story even more.
What makes When Life Gives You Tangerines stand out isn’t just its beautiful storytelling, though, it’s how it deals with the complexities of life. It doesn’t shy away from pain, loss, or heartbreak, but it also doesn’t let those things define the story. Yes, the characters face heartbreaking moments, but they also find healing in love, in family, and in holding on to what matters most.
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a series that makes you feel. The emotions linger long after the last episode ends. You’ll find yourself reflecting on the relationships in your life, on the way love changes over time, and on the simple beauty of the everyday moments we often overlook. It’s a beautifully written, well-acted, and emotionally charged series that’s definitely worth your time.
If you’re looking for a show that’ll pull at your emotions, make you reflect, and give you characters you’ll fall a little in love with, When Life Gives You Tangerines is the one. It’ll make you cry, smile through your tears, and leave you with that warm, aching feeling that only the best stories give. Trust me, you won’t regret watching it.
Originally Published on Ceylon Today