Latest news with #Ae-sun
AsiaOne
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Netflix responds to allegations of When Life Gives You Tangerines' extras being subjected to starvation and mistreatment , Entertainment News
PUBLISHED ON May 29, 2025 10:37 AM By Kristy Chua The buzz for much-beloved K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines has returned, but not with fanfare this time round. On May 26, crew who allegedly worked on the set made claims on X about the damage on rented props and cars. Extras who acted in the drama subsequently came forth with their own claims of abuse and mistreatment. One prop-rental company claimed that the production team used lacquer to stencil a rented bus. The X user said: "Since the production crew didn't have the ability to handle the retro buses or large vehicles that we rented or built for them, they ended up damaging them even though we stationed our staff on site for the sole purpose of operating the vehicles (though they were really just there to monitor the production crew). The reasons for damage were mostly due to 'ignorance' or 'irresponsibility'. "There was an incident where someone got caught stenciling on a rented bus with hardware store lacquer spray — and the person who did it came out and said, 'Can't you just use lacquer thinner to remove it?' and was cursed at for it. He's an ignorant person who thinks that lacquer thinner is a magic potion that can just cleanly erase the lacquer spray." 아직도 기억난다. 빌린 버스에 철물점 락카스프레이로 스텐실 하다가 걸리니까 그 짓거리 한 놈이 '락카신나로 지워주면 될 거 아니냐'라고 적반하장으로 나왔다가 욕 바가지로 처먹었던 사건. 락카신나가 락카만 선택적으로 깔끔하게 지워주는 무안단물인 줄 아는 모자란 놈이 현장에서 깝치고 다님. Set in 1960s Jeju Island, When Life Gives You Tangerines is a slice-of-life story that follows the rebellious and feisty aspiring poet Ae-sun (IU) and good-natured Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) from their childhood to adulthood. A Netflix exclusive released in March, it quickly became a beloved hit due to its heartfelt story and themes. After the first claims were shared on X, other allegations of abuse and mistreatment of extras were posted on the platform on May 27. A user who claims to have been an extra on the set posted: "Even among extras, the drama's schedule was notorious for being disliked... The [production team] even forced us to get haircuts, but for a Netflix production, they didn't provide anything. They didn't want to spend money on extras, so they went with the most cost-effective approach. They neglected the elderly extras in the cold winter and starved them. "They didn't even provide a tea table or food cart and just threw them into a random restaurant area and told them to eat within 30 minutes. It was winter and they told us costumes would be provided but ended up not allowing us to wear insulating inner wear — they said it would ruin the look of the costumes. But who would even notice extras in the background?" 폭삭은 엑스트라 사이에서도 유명한 기피 스케줄이었음..... 강제성으로 이발까지 시켰는데 뭘 넷플릭스 작품 치고는 뭐 하나 제공된 게 하나 없음 배우 아니면 출연자들한테 돈 쓰기도 싫어서 아득바득 가성비로 진행했던 제작팀 ㅋㅋ 추운 겨울에 어르신 출연자들까지 방치해두고 쫄쫄 굶기다가 — 로일.97 (@bigpeach_jk) May 27, 2025 A report by The Korea Times also shared that in April 2023, a visitor to the Gochang Green Barley Field Festival had complained that the production team blocked access to areas of the venue and shouted at tourists not to take pictures. Thereafter, the production company Pan Entertainment issued an apology where they acknowledged their failure in being considerate to the public. In response to the allegations, Netflix gave a statement to Sports Seoul yesterday (May 28): "We are currently verifying the facts surrounding the situation. For any confirmed cases, we will conduct a thorough review to ensure such incidents do not happen again." [[nid:718526]] K-dramaDRAMAabuseactingNetflixStreaming - Music/Video/Content This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.
Observer
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Lessons from ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines'
'Psychologists believe that healing from trauma centres around regulating the central nervous system through rhythm, repetition and bodily safety'. I have always found watching Korean dramas challenging, mainly because I could not remember the characters' names, but also because of the length of most series. However, when I started watching 'When Life Gives You Tangerine', I knew I would be hooked. The show centres around Ae-sun, who becomes an orphan at an early age and ends up living with her stepfather, helping him care for his two young children. Ae-sun is blessed by the love of her sweetheart 'Gwan-ski', a fisherman's son and her late mum's friends, who worked as divers 'Haenyeo' collecting molluscs and seaweed from the ocean and selling them in the village streets. We also see 'Ae-sun's' paternal grandmother, despite being harsh on her at the start of the series giving up all her savings so 'Ae-sun' can buy a fishing boat. These acts of kindness are not limited to family members as we see the elderly landlords donate a portion of their rice secretly to Ae-sun so she can feed her small family. The series gives a deeper insight into the psychology of loss, grief and resilience when staying still and weeping your pain is not an option. After losing their younger son in the storm 'Ae-sun' and 'Gwan-ski' keep on working day in and day out because life does not pause. They grieve differently hiding their guilt for not saving the young boy. The psychologist Vessel van Der Lolk states in his book ' The Body Keeps the Score' that trauma recovery is rooted in the body and the mind and that healing from trauma centres around regulating the central nervous system through rhythm, repetition and bodily safety. We see the grieving couple indulging themselves in the daily routine of working and socialising with others. The father is up every morning to catch fish from the ocean while his wife looks after the children, cooking for them and then going to work after sending them to school. The family could not afford to go off sick or pay for extensive therapy sessions. They simply had to keep working and carry on. The series shows how the geopolitical factors affect the daily lives of people in the village how social customs influence relationships and how paternal stubbornness and attitude towards those perceived to be from a lower social class deprive the younger generation from marrying their first love. We also see how social values change between generations with the new ones focusing on easy and quick ways of achieving wealth. The series shows us how parents go a long way to provide for their children, giving up their dreams so their children can complete their education and have a better life. How parents continue to love and care for their children and grandchildren until they die and how love makes harsh days more bearable. Unlike other TV dramas, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' is about celebrating life with all its sweet and sorrowful moments holding on to hope and cherishing whatever life gives you. BLURB Unlike other TV dramas, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' is about celebrating life with all its sweet and sorrowful moments holding on to hope and cherishing whatever life gives you.
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
IU teases fans with studio selfies… and maybe new music?
SEOUL, May 1 — IU might be cooking something up — and fans are all ears. The South Korean singer-actress sent social media into a frenzy this week after posting a carousel of 17 selfies, casually captioned 'May is coming.' Naturally, the internet did what it does best: read between the lines. Among the mix of behind-the-scenes snapshots and glowing bare-faced close-ups, one photo stood out. IU, headphones on, appears deep in thought inside a recording studio. That was all it took for fans to start whispering (loudly) about a possible musical comeback. Supporters flooded the comments with hopeful pleas for new tracks, especially on the heels of IU's recent acting success. Her latest drama, When Life Gives You Tangerines, sees her playing Ae-sun, a fiery dreamer from Jeju Island with ambitions of becoming a writer. The Netflix series has earned her critical praise — and a Best Actress nomination at this year's Baeksang Arts Awards, happening May 5. With IU juggling both screen and studio, could May bring more than just spring blooms? Fans will be watching — and listening.
Metro
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix smash hit racks up 32,900,000 views and a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score
Some Netflix shows grab our attention with huge marketing campaigns, plenty of hype, enormous budgets or a whole stack of cliffhangers. When Life Gives You Tangerines, however, takes a slightly different path. Since its release back on March 7, the breakout Korean drama has steadily found an audience, reaching the 32.9 million views mark last week and earning a perfect 100% audience score over on Rotten Tomatoes. It has been described as emotional, grounded, profound and quietly powerful, standing out from a crowded field of new releases with its different, thoughtful tone Set on Jeju Island in South Korea, the series follows Oh Ae-sun, a young woman with big dreams who never quite gives up on them, even as life pushes her in different directions. Her long-standing connection with Yang Gwan-sik provides a steady thread through a story that spans the decades. Rather than dramatic twists, the show focuses on the quieter shifts that happen over time – ambition, family and love, all of which evolve down the years. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. When Life Gives You Tangerines leans into some interesting themes, including things like resilience, loss and cultural identity. The setting is key too. Jeju Island's traditions, including the lives of the famous haenyeo divers, give the story a strong sense of place. Mostly known in her home country for being a pop star, IU plays Ae-sun with a mix of fire and restraint, while Park Bo-gum brings a quiet steadiness and stoicism to the character of Gwan-sik. The two leads reportedly spent significant time working together before filming to build natural chemistry, something many reviewers have picked up on and cheered. Their performances have been described as understated rather than showy, while critics have also praised the series as a whole. called When Life Gives You Tangerines 'four seasons of love,' highlighting how the show allows relationships to shift gradually over time in a patient and rewarding way. The South China Morning Post praised its 'intimate' approach and 'exquisite' performances, while reviewers also enjoyed the show's uniquely slow rhythm. However, some have argued that the pace makes it a challenge to get through the 12-episode run, as Decider wrote: 'Those of us who aren't diehard fans of K-dramas may struggle to sit through 12 episodes of a conflict-light slice-of-life story. 'At a certain point, we get the feeling that this show would have been better told in less episodes, or better yet, a long-ish feature film. Both would be able to capture the epic nature of Ae-sun's life while moving things along faster'. Many fans have connected with the way the show portrays aging, changing expectations and long-standing relationships without going overboard on the melodrama or becoming soap-y. A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer added: 'Ae-sun's journey is bittersweet… it's sad to see how life distanced her from her dreams, but joyful to see she found sweetness in life'. Directed by Kim Won-seok and written by Lim Sang-choon, the series had a reported budget of around $40m, making it one of the most expensive K-dramas ever made. While fans have been enjoying the show, it's by no means an easy watch. Gwan-sik's illness plays havoc with the happiness the two main characters crave. There are plenty of reasons to keep a box of tissues nearby, so be warned – this is a show that is designed to tug seriously hard on your heartstrings. When Life Gives You Tangerines arrives at a time when Korean dramas are experimenting more with genre, tone and pacing – although it doesn't have the global buzz of a thriller like Squid Game or the spectacle of The Glory yet , it has carved out its own space rather well. More Trending The show hasn't relied on huge twists or sensational headlines to find its audience. Instead, it has built a reputation slowly, through word of mouth and strong, steady reviews. Whether we're all drawn in by the setting, the performances or the broader themes, it's clear that the series has become a success in its own right. View More » When Life Gives You Tangerines is available to stream on Netflix now. MORE: WWE star uses fan's prosthetic leg as a weapon in 'craziest match ever' MORE: Netflix's bizarre reason for Twister's rating and 9 other odd trigger warnings MORE: 'I made one of Netflix's most popular shows – it's changed people's lives'
Express Tribune
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
When Life Gives You Tangerines — and everlasting love
In the ever-evolving landscape of K-dramas, When Life Gives You Tangerines is a poignant testament to enduring love and familial bonds. Released on Netflix in March 2025, this series is set in the picturesque backdrop of 1960s Jeju Island, South Korea. It is in essence about the mother-daugher bond told through the story of Ae-sun, a little girl with big dreams growing up in a fishing village. The series spans decades and takes the viewers inside the home of Ae-sun as she grows up, has a family and then raises them. It is a domestic saga and peels back the layers of familial bonds, casting a close eye on the primal relationship between mothers and daughters. Ae-sun (played by popular singer and actress IU) and her mother are stuck in the hardness of poverty and the unfairness that comes with being underprivileged since birth. Her mother is a strong and acrimonious haenyeo (a woman who dives for fish to earn a meagre living). Her softness is displayed only for Ae-sun for whom she makes any and all sacrifices despite being unable to make ends meet. As the saga follows Ae-sun maturing into a woman and then a mother, the story transitions to shed light on her relationship with her daughter, also played by IU. The drama is in fact narrated by Ae-sun's daughter Geum-myeong who's life unfolds in the second half of this series. When Life Gives You Tangerines chronicles the intertwined lives of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum). Born in the 1950s on Jeju Island, their journey spans several decades, capturing their reckless and rebellious days of youth, their turbulent domestic life while they share a home with Ae-sun's mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law, and their age of maturing and finding stability and security. The narrative delves into Ae-sun's aspirations beyond the confines of her island home, her relationship with her mother, a resilient haenyeo (female diver), and her evolving bond with Gwan-sik. Ae-Sun is called crybaby by others as a girl and a young woman – aptly so because this character's incessant wailing is like a grating soundtrack that was off-putting in the start of the show. Her better half (because we are talking about Park Bo-gum here) is the antithesis to her petulance. Gwan-sik is a softie but as resolute as steel. In his childhood he developed a crush on Ae-sun and he didn't let go of her for the rest of his life. He is the anchor to her life and takes on the onus to be her lifeboat too. Ae-sun has dreams of becoming something, a poet or a president. Gwan-sik does everything in his power to make her wishes come true. Their romance is sweet enough but nothing compared to what K-dramas have offered before despite the reviews you will read. Some are comparing this series with Reply 1998. Now, other than Park Bo-gum there is no similarity or comparison of the two in my eyes. The heart of this series lies in the performances of its lead actors. IU's portrayal of Ae-sun grows on you. She encapsulates the character's fiery ambition, vulnerability, and unwavering determination with youthful exuberance. From her spirited youth to her contemplative later years, IU navigates the complexities of a fallible woman, and one finds her amusing, relatable and inspiring. Although when she transitions into the character's daughter, Geum-myeong, the same panache is missing. Nevertheless, she is regarded as a top-notch actress and Tangerines too showcases her versatility. Opposite her, Park Bo-gum's depiction of Gwan-sik, a man of few words but big gestures, is a treat to behold. Gwan-sik's steadfast loyalty, quiet strength, and enduring affection for Ae-sun are portrayed with subtlety and grace. Park Bo-gum captures the essence of a man whose love is both gentle and unwavering, providing a perfect counterbalance to Ae-sun's tempestuous nature. His expressive eyes hold the viewer's attention and his on-screen presence is both tender and heart-wrenching. Park Bo-gum leaves one wanting more and an episode about his character's story arc would have only added more to the show. The series is a visual feast, with cinematography that captures the serene beauty of Jeju Island. The lush landscapes, coupled with the meticulous attention to historical detail, transport the viewer to a bygone era. The colour palette, dominated by earthy tones and vibrant hues, mirrors the emotional undertones of the narrative, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Each frame is thoughtfully composed like a tapestry that intertwines the minutiae of everyday life and the enduring vistas of natural beauty. At its core, When Life Gives You Tangerines is a nuanced exploration of the mother-daughter relationship. Geum-myeong over the phone to Ae-sun complains, 'Why do you frustrate me so,' while she is missing her and is concerned about Gwan-sik at the same time. It is out of place to draw parallels with a hip American classic show from the 2000s, but the theme of Gilmore Girls is quite the same in that the mothers in both shows aim to give their daughters the education they didn't get and to live the dreams they couldn't reach either. Both Gilmore Girls and Tangerines depict mothers who are mentors and pillars of support for their daughters. They push their girls to reach for the stars despite their circumstances, they allow and provide their daughters with more than they had. In Tangerines, the three generations of maternal figures carve a life for their daughters that expands the horizon of the previous ones. In Gilmore Girls, Lorelai's unconventional upbringing leads her to forge a unique bond with Rory, characterized by mutual respect and understanding. Similarly, in When Life Gives You Tangerines, Ae-sun's relationship with her mother transcends traditional norms. When Ae-sun has school presidency taken away from her unfairly, her mother, an illiterate haenyeo who stinks of fish, puts on the only clean dress she owns and makes her way to the school to get justice for her daughter. After her mother dies, Ae-sun dreams of her whenever a life changing event is about to take place. The dreams where mother and daughter meet poignantly show the longing a daughter has for her mother all her life as she is the ultimate protector in this world. Narrating Ae-sun's story, Geum-myeong shares how much she is like her mother and how much courage her mother lends her to face life, shaping her worldview and aspirations. Both series highlight the challenges women face in patriarchal societies and the lengths they go to protect and empower their daughters. While Gilmore Girls focuses on the trials of adolescence and young adulthood, set against the backdrop of a small-town American community, When Life Gives You Tangerines situates its narrative within the historical and cultural context of 1960s Korea. This setting adds layers of complexity, addressing issues such as gender roles, societal expectations, and the pursuit of personal dreams amidst familial obligations. The evolution of the mother-daughter relationship in both series is explored in depth. Gilmore Girls showcases the transition from teenage rebellion to adult friendship, while When Life Gives You Tangerines emphasises the cyclical nature of life, with the daughter eventually stepping into the role of caregiver. The family obligations and joint family conflicts depicted in Tangerines are certainly more relatable to Pakistani viewers as they display social mores similar to ours. The scenes with Ae-sun's mother-in-law are amusing for the petty clashes they have. The exchanges between the mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law further demonstrate the generational toxicity that is entrenched in some households. This progression is a commentary on the passage of time and the enduring bonds that define us as families grow larger. Set against the backdrop Jeju Island, the series provides insight into the lives of the haenyeo, the island's famed female divers. This cultural element sheds light on a unique aspect of Korean heritage. Wheres Jeju is now touted as a popular tourist getaway, the portrayal of the fisherwomen among Ae-sun's mother's coterie serve as a reminder of the underbelly of the island's history. The historical context enriches the story, offering viewers a glimpse into the socio-economic challenges of the time and the indomitable spirit of the women who navigated them. The series has garnered acclaim both domestically and internationally. Within three days of its release, it secured the fourth spot in Netflix's global non-English TV show category, amassing 3.6 million views. Its ranking in the top 10 lists across 24 countries, including South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Peru, and Bolivia, indicates its universal appeal and the global resonance of its themes. Critics have lauded the series for its emotional depth, stellar performances, and visual grandeur. The portrayal of complex characters navigating love, ambition, and societal expectations has struck a chord with audiences. So has the seamless blending of personal stories with cultural and historical elements which has been employed to lend the series narrative strength. When Life Gives You Tangerines did not hold my interest throughout and in fact dragged here and there. But if you are new to K-dramas it has a lot to offer, including romance, humour and emotional content.
