IU on ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’: 'I wanted to do it all, and then came this role'

IU, the lead actress from Netflix's hit drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" / Courtesy of Netflix

IU returned to the screen in Netflix’s "When Life Gives You Tangerines," a moving drama that has brought viewers around the world to tears. Set in Jeju, the series follows the life of Ae-sun — a fierce, rebellious girl. IU shares the role with veteran actress Moon So-ri and also plays Ae-sun’s daughter, Geum-myeong. It’s a rare case of one actor taking on the challenge of both a dual role and a shared role.

“When I crave acting, it’s like the right project always finds me. Three years ago, I just wanted to do it all — honestly. And then the character Ae-sun came along, and I thought, ‘This is fate.’ I felt it in my bones and said 'yes.'”

When IU was offered the script, she said her passion for acting was at an all-time high. “I really wanted to try everything,” she said with a laugh. So when the drama, with its rich and unique script, landed in her hands, she knew she couldn’t pass it up.

Meeting IU recently at a hotel in central Seoul, she welcomed reporters with her signature warm smile. Both her modest yet determined demeanor and her intelligence echo through her portrayal of Ae-sun and Geum-myeong. As audiences continue to respond with deep emotion, IU says the show has also changed the way she views life.

A script that struck like lightning

“At first, I didn’t read all 16 episodes — just the early ones — and I found them so fun. I especially love the third episode, where Gwan-sik swims back to reunite with Ae-sun. It’s not your typical emotional dialogue. They say things like, ‘You owe me for the clothes’ or ‘I’ve got money.’ It was hilarious and touching at the same time. I kept thinking, how does the writer switch between desperation and humor so naturally? Even without reading the ending, I just knew the whole story would be great.”

Park Bo-gum and IU in "When Life Gives You Tangerines" / Courtesy of Netflix

Tears beyond limits

“There were so many crying scenes. The writing was so immersive and moving that crying itself wasn’t difficult. But when we had to shoot multiple crying scenes in a row, even my body had its limits. The tears didn’t always flow like my heart wanted. Still, I think the script provided every drop of emotion. Of course, taking on two roles came with pressure, but that’s exactly why I wanted to do it. I was determined to rise to the occasion and repay the trust placed in me.”

From cynicism to optimism

“Playing Ae-sun and Geum-myeong changed me. I used to be — to put it nicely — a bit cynical about life. But after filming this drama, I found myself looking at things more positively, even subconsciously. I read the script so many times that I sometimes find myself narrating situations in writer Im Sang-chun’s voice. People around me joke, ‘You’re still way too immersed,’ or ‘You sounded just like Tangerines just now.’ It really left a mark on me.”

Crafting Ae-sun and Geum-myeong

“The writer crafted two characters who are similar yet distinctly different, and I believed that as long as I fully immersed myself, it would come through. I worked on voice tone and even how each would cry. When I felt unsure, I reminded myself to trust the script. For Ae-sun, especially from her teens to her 30s, I tried to reflect Moon So-ri’s speech patterns. I used a voice I’m not used to for the teenage version. The director kept encouraging me — showing me edits and saying it looked great. He knew I tend to worry a lot, and once even invited me for a special reading to help reassure me.”

IU recalls filming scenes for "When Life Gives You Tangerines." Courtesy of Netflix

IU’s real emotions shaped the performance

“When Geum-myeong snaps and says, ‘So annoying,’ it’s not just frustration. It really means, ‘Why are you being so kind to me when you’re struggling too?’ It’s full of love, guilt and gratitude. I’ve felt that before — feeling irritated at parents for pushing themselves too hard to help me. In my early 20s, I’d express it like that too. Ae-sun and Gwan-sik never react negatively to their daughter’s outbursts, and that really showed how deeply they understood her heart. I also drew on my own experiences for scenes with Eun-myeong. I used to bicker with my younger sibling a lot, so it came naturally.”

Mourning without tears

“The scenes where Ae-sun loses Dong-myeong during a storm were long and intense. We filmed them with great care, even checking weather conditions to match the mood. When skies were too clear, we postponed shooting. On cloudy days, we relied on blue screens and machinery to simulate the setting. The situation was so heavy that I found myself naturally immersed. There was a scene where I was rubbing the child’s feet to warm them, and they got colder and colder. Everyone, even extras, stood soaked and windblown in the scene. Park Bo-gum (as Gwan-sik) knelt and sobbed, while I had to hold it in. The script said, ‘Ae-sun, who always cried, does not cry. Iron breaks.’ It was a moment of emotional extremes. Whenever I started to break, the director reminded me, ‘Ae-sun doesn’t cry.’ His guidance helped me stay in character.”

Park Bo-gum and IU in "When Life Gives You Tangerines" / Courtesy of Netflix

Endurance, and IU’s take on ‘growth’

“I’ve got endurance. I don’t break easily. In any line of work, there are moments of self-doubt and difficulty, but I bounce back quickly. That’s what I mean by endurance. As for ‘growth,’ I think it’s a vague concept. Even after doing this for over a decade, I can’t always pinpoint when I’ve grown. But I approached this project with the heart of a devoted fan. I was surrounded by masters in every field — that was a kind of magic I got to witness and benefit from. This was the first time I filmed something over an entire year. I wanted to be steady and diligent throughout. Our drama values sincerity, and I tried to show up to set prepared every day. There were very few days I didn’t keep that promise. I did my best, to the fullest extent I could.”

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.