When Life Gives You Tangerines is Netflix’s New K-Drama Sensation
Netflix is set to deliver yet another compelling Korean drama in 2025 with the much-anticipated series, When Life Gives You Tangerines. Starring two of the biggest names in Hallyu, Park Bo-gum and Lee Ji-eun. Who are better known to K-pop fans as IU. This emotional drama promises to be a heartfelt exploration of life, love, and resilience.
A Story That Spans Generations
When Life Gives You Tangerines takes place on the scenic Jeju Island, where it follows the romantic journey of Ae-soon (Lee) and Gwan-sik (Park). The drama digs into the evolution of their relationship over the decades, portraying their later years through the performances of Moon So-ri and Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo. The story spans from the 1960s to 2025, weaving history, culture, and personal struggles into its rich story.
The main cast of When Life Gives You Tangerines pic.twitter.com/sswqWPWCEk
— elli (@mydearestjieun) February 20, 2025
Behind the camera, the series has an impressive lineup with Scriptwriter Lim Sang-chun. Who brings his signature depth and relatability to the story. While director Kim Won-seok crafts a visually stunning and emotionally deep drama.
With an estimated production cost of 60 billion won ($41 million), the series creates an immersive experience. Director Won-seok confirmed that a significant portion of the budget was put toward cinematography, and set design to capture the historical periods depicted in the drama.
Global Appeal
Although envisioned for Korean audiences, Netflix’s involvement has broadened its reach. The series incorporates carefully crafted subtitles to ensure international viewers can grasp Korea’s rich history and cultural nuances, including references to the Korean War, refugee struggles, and the 1997 financial crisis.
Lee Ji-eun shared the significance of the show’s title. “The title symbolizes resilience,” “Even if life hands you bitter tangerines, you can turn them into something warm and comforting, like tangerine tea.”
The first four episodes of When Life Gives You Tangerines premiered last Friday on Netflix, with four new episodes released weekly.
When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring IU and Park Bo-gum, premieres March 7 pic.twitter.com/25ljOCA1l6
— Golden (@netflixgolden) January 23, 2025
