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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.
Korea Herald
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Park Bo-gum says he is about '70 percent' similar to 'fantasy husband' character
Netflix's 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' star discusses becoming Gwan-sik, a character who, he insists, is not a 'fantasy' "When Life Gives You Tangerines," the water cooler show delving into the poignant tales of familial bonds and romance across generations of Koreans, has viewers at home and abroad laughing and crying with the characters. Within just two weeks of its release this month, the series has climbed to second place on Netflix's global Top 10 list for non-English shows. At the heart of the story are Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) and Ae-sun (Lee Ji-eun), whose love story begins on 1960s Jeju Island and unfolds as they build a family. Park's portrayal of the devoted, hard-working young Gwan-sik, who falls head over heels for Ae-sun and strives to free her from the restrictive gender roles of the era, has earned him widespread popularity as the "fantasy husband" — with the character feted for his unwavering love and quiet strength. However, Park himself doesn't see Gwan-sik as an unrealistic figure. "As I was reading (the script), I thought Gwan-sik was a really admirable character, but I didn't necessarily find him unrealistic. I felt like he could be someone you might come across at least once in your life," Park said during a group interview in Seoul Monday. The character, apparently, left a lasting impression on the actor. "As I portrayed Gwan-sik, I found myself wishing I could be more like him. Or perhaps it's better to say I hoped to become someone like him — a reliable partner, a loving spouse, or a steadfast companion to someone," Park added. When asked how much of himself he sees in Gwan-sik, Park estimated 70 percent. "The way I love my family, take care of my people and wholeheartedly express my feelings when I love someone deeply — those parts feel similar. But compared to Gwan-sik (who is mostly wordless), I believe I try to speak more whenever I can," he said. To fully embody the character, Park said he made notable physical transformations. "The director mentioned that since the character is someone who works out and is a skilled swimmer, he wanted Gwan-sik to have a bigger, more athletic build. So, I worked out, ate a lot and tried to bulk up to portray that visually," Park said, adding he gained around four to five kilograms for the role. The transformation didn't stop at physical training — the makeup team also played a crucial role in creating Gwan-sik's looks, he said. "I also remember the makeup team using a very dark foundation, covering me from my face all the way down to my ankles and feet. Any visible skin was darkened with makeup to create a tanned, sun-kissed look, reflecting the character's life on Jeju Island under the sun," he said. Another key aspect of Park's performance was mastering the Jeju dialect. "At the beginning, the director shared some background details about the characters' regional settings. From what I remember, Ae-sun was portrayed as a refugee, and Gwan-sik's mother was from another region. His father, on the other hand, was clearly from Jeju Island, so while Gwan-sik had lived there for a long time and could speak the Jeju dialect, he wasn't as versed in (Jeju dialect) as someone who used it frequently," Park said. Park approached the dialect with subtlety, ensuring his delivery remained true to Gwan-sik's reserved nature. "Even in the script, Gwan-sik wasn't a character who spoke much — he expressed himself more through actions. So, I intentionally set his tone to be a bit more reserved and low-pitched. When I first heard the Jeju dialect, I tried to capture its rhythm and I also borrowed a bit of the intonation from his mother's side to add some variation," Park said. As the story shifts toward Gwan-sik's later years, Park Bo-gum's screen time gradually decreases, with Park Hae-joon stepping into the role for the character's older years. Regarding the last four episodes which will be released Friday, Park promised they will leave a lasting impact. "When you watch the (final four episodes), you might think, 'Ah, I should express my love better to the people I care about,' or reminisce, 'We had times like that, didn't we?' This piece is a wonderful show to watch with family, great to enjoy with friends and also perfect to watch with a loved one," said Park.
Korea Herald
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Most Korean yet most universal: 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' makes you laugh and cry
IU, Park Bo-gum explore parental devotion, romance in hit series Transcending cultural boundaries, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is perhaps the most Korean yet universally relatable series — portraying the lives and loves of characters from the 1960s to contemporary times in Korea in a way that stirs both laughter and tears in viewers. The 16-part Netflix original series follows the lives of Ae-sun (played by Lee Ji-eun, or also known as singer IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), spanning decades from the 1960s to 2025. Netflix Korea takes a fresh approach with this release, unveiling four episodes per week over four weeks — an intentional pacing designed to let viewers "savor it slowly, like picking and enjoying dried persimmons one by one," according to the director. Each set of four episodes represents a season in the protagonists' lives, beginning with "spring," where young love blossoms and Ae-sun and Gwan-sik navigate their early years and marriage. The first four-hour stretch, which debuted at No. 8 worldwide in Netflix's TV show category the day after its release on March 7, is at the same time a tearjerker and a laugh-inducer, seamlessly blending humor with heartbreak. At its core, the series explores universal themes of love, sacrifice, gender roles in the 1960s, as well as generational struggles. One of the most compelling narratives unfolds through Gwang-rye (Yum Hye-ran), a mother determined to keep her daughter from becoming a "haenyeo" (female diver) while continuing to dive herself despite a debilitating lung condition — an act of self-sacrifice that underscores the drama's exploration of parental devotion. Meanwhile, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's unwavering love in the face of opposition also evokes deep reflections on family, romance and personal dreams. Celebrated screenwriter Lim Sang-chun ("When the Camellia Blooms," "Fight for My Way") once again showcases her signature wit and emotional depth. The series is filled with profoundly moving lines, such as: "Parents only remember what they regret, while children only remember their disappointments." Such poignant lines strike a chord with anyone who has ever grappled with the complexities of familial relationships. Beyond its gripping narrative, the casts also deliver stellar performances. Lee takes on the dual roles as Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong, showcasing a remarkable range as vastly different characters living through different times. Park also perfectly embodies Gwan-sik's lovely, steadfast charm, creating an undeniable on-screen chemistry with Lee. Director Kim Won-seok, known for his nuanced storytelling, described the drama as both "a tribute to the generations of grandmothers, grandfathers, fathers and mothers who have lived fiercely, and a song of encouragement for the daughters and sons who will navigate the world ahead." "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is just that ― a series that salutes and cheers on viewers as they navigate life. yoonseo.3348@
