‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ offers comfort to those who need it

The poster for "When Life Gives You Tangerines" / Courtesy of Netflix

A heartwarming series has arrived to soothe the exhaustion of the past week, exciting viewers. The Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” starring IU and Park Bo-gum, is at the center of attention.

The Korean title of the drama "Pokssak Sogatsuda" is a Jeju dialect phrase meaning "You've worked hard." The drama tells the adventurous life stories of rebellious Oh Ae-soon (played by IU) and the devoted yet naïve Yang Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), set in 1950s Jeju and unfolding across four seasons.

The production team behind the series is also impressive. Screenwriter Lim Sang-choon, known for “When the Camellia Blooms” and “Fight for My Way,” wrote the script, while director Kim Won-suk, famous for “My Mister,” “Signal,” and “Misaeng,” took charge of directing.

The 16-episode drama is being released over four weeks. The first act (Episodes 1-4), representing spring, premiered on March 7, followed by the second act (Episodes 5-8), symbolizing summer, on March 14 at 4 p.m.

The series has gained popularity not only in South Korea but also internationally. According to Good Data Corp. a company analyzing online competitiveness in Korean content, the show ranked first in the TV-OTT drama buzz category, while IU topped the TV-OTT drama cast buzz rankings.

Within three days of its release, the series recorded 3.6 million views (calculated by dividing total watch time by the drama's runtime), securing fourth place in the Global TOP 10 (Non-English) series ranking. It also entered the TOP 10 lists in 24 countries, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Peru, and Bolivia.

As the drama continues to succeed, curiosity about the identity of its elusive writer, Lim Sang-choon, has grown. Lim has kept gender, age, and real name undisclosed, preferring to be recognized solely through work. Lim does not attend press conferences, award ceremonies, or any official events.

Based on available information, Lim is believed to be a woman in her late 30s or early 40s who transitioned from an ordinary office worker to a screenwriter. In a past interview, actress Gong Hyo-jin mentioned that Lim’s speech resembles that of the character Dong-baek from “When the Camellia Blooms,” while Son Dam-bi described Lim as having a cute impression.

In “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” IU and Park Bo-gum bring a lovable couple to life, leaving viewers with warm smiles. Park perfectly embodies his character with his pure and expressive eyes, while IU adds energy to the series with her lively and determined charm.

Additionally, the performances of Moon So-ri, Park Hae-joon, Yeom Hye-ran, Oh Jung-se, Uhm Ji-won, Na Moon-hee, Kang Mal-geum and Cha Mi-kyung, including special appearances, elevate the drama’s depth and enjoyment. Their flawless portrayal of the Jeju dialect also stands out.

Director Kim Won-suk, who created the beloved “My Mister,” has once again proven his talent by delivering a touching and delightful series. With its stunning cinematography and emotional storytelling, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” is sure to leave audiences eagerly anticipating Fridays for the next few weeks.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.