INTERVIEW IU learns 'life goes on' from 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

Actor IU / Courtesy of Netflix

In the recently concluded Netflix sensation "When Life Gives You Tangerines," singer-actor IU delivers a captivating performance by seamlessly embodying two distinct characters — the spirited young Ae-sun and her ambitious daughter Geum-myeong — in a multigenerational story of life, love and resilience.

Despite the challenge of playing dual characters, IU, also known as Lee Ji-eun, skillfully captures the intricate nuances of both their lives. Viewers have praised the 31-year-old for setting a new milestone in her acting career since her breakout role in the 2018 drama "My Mister," once again expanding her acting spectrum.

Expressing her joy and disbelief upon receiving the script for "When Life Gives You Tangerines," IU revealed she read the script on the spot, feeling an immediate desire to take on the role of Ae-sun, a character very different from the darker roles she had previously portrayed.

"'My Mister' and 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' share a common focus on human emotions rather than events, but their tones are vastly different. In 'My Mister,' Ji-an starts in the shadows and gradually steps into the sunlight. In contrast, Ae-sun begins in the sunlight, encounters passing shadows, but refuses to be defeated and continues to seek the light," she said during an interview with The Korea Time at The Ambassador Seoul — A Pullman Hotel in eastern Seoul, Wednesday.

"In my past works, I often played characters burdened with darkness and wounds. Ae-sun, however, is a character who has endured great pain but possesses immense vitality and inner strength, ultimately overcoming her struggles to embody sunlight itself. I really wanted to take on this role."

Actor IU is seen in a scene from Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines." Courtesy of Netflix

Set against Jeju Island, the 16-part series follows the turbulent yet inspiring lives of the passionate Ae-sun and the steadfast Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum).

For IU, the drama’s central theme encapsulates a powerful message — "Life goes on as long as you live."

"The drama covers a variety of themes — family, women, stories that transcend time and generations, love and ambition. But ultimately, it’s about life. I particularly liked the ending, where Gwan-sik’s departure is heartbreaking, but Ae-sun lifts her head, straightens her back and proudly finishes writing her poem to show Gwan-sik. Even after his passing, Ae-sun continues to live well and I found that very moving," she explained.

In the series finale, Ae-sun realizes her dream of becoming a poet, completing a poetry collection titled "Pokssak Sogatsuda," a Jeju expression meaning "You've worked hard," which also is the show's Korean title. Reflecting on this, IU revealed if she were to create a poetry collection herself, she would title it "I’ll Sharpen My Pencil Again."

"In my 20s, I've expressed myself intensely (with a sharp pencil) and lived fiercely. But as I entered my 30s, the pencil's tip gradually dulled. I came to accept that both sharp and blunt pencils have their own merits," she said, noting her relentless pursuit of work often feels like a form of addiction.

"But, now I'm ready to sharpen my pencil again (and explore new opportunities in music and acting). It's my personal resolution."

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" made IU reflect on what it means to live a successful and fulfilling life.

"I, too, am someone with many desires. In my pursuit of achieving the pinnacle of success, there were moments when I failed to feel what I should have felt or to connect with people when I should have. Society views such achievements as success, but if one can say 'I wrote a book of poetry and that is my treasure' at the end of life, then perhaps that is what it means to live a meaningful and well-lived life," she said.

She metaphorically likened her current phase of life to autumn, the season of harvest and reflection.

"I’ve held onto this drama for a long time and now that it’s out in the world and receiving so much love, it feels like autumn — a season of harvest. Personally, I also love autumn. I lived through summer intensely, but thinking about going back to summer feels too overwhelming. Autumn feels like both a season of gathering and preparation. Right now feels like the time to reorganize and prepare for winter," she concluded.