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‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ actor Hwang Jae-yeol says, ‘I want to apologize on behalf of many adults’

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A scene from 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' / Courtesy of Netflix

A scene from "When Life Gives You Tangerines" / Courtesy of Netflix

Actor Hwang Jae-yeol, who played Ae-sun’s homeroom teacher in the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” recently shared his thoughts on appearing in the show.

Hwang's performance in the Netflix original drama left a distinct impression on viewers. His portrayal of a teacher from the 1960s brought to life through a steady and convincing performance, helped immerse the audience in the era. One notable scene showed him scolding Ae-sun (played by IU) to give up her class president victory to a wealthier classmate despite her legitimate win.

"It was truly an honor for me to be part of such a great project," Hwang said in a video released by his agency. "The director and writer are creators of works I deeply admire. Even though my role was small, I cherished every moment. I'm incredibly thankful to everyone who watched the show."

He continued, "I hope to become someone who influences the next generation positively by reflecting on the past." Speaking through his character, he added with a touch of wit, "Ae-sun, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention. I want to apologize on behalf of many adults."

Hwang also shared that the role reminded him of his own mother’s younger days. "I thought a lot about my mom during her youth — when she was young and beautiful. I hope all the people who lived through that time and those living now have many more reasons to smile. They’ve been through so much, and I deeply respect them."

He concluded by saying, "I hope this show gave viewers lots of good energy and filled their hearts with warmth. I'm currently filming another project, and if we meet again in a good drama, I hope you'll recognize me. Thank you to everyone who watched ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines.’"

Although his screen time was brief, Hwang Jae-yeol made a strong impression with his performance. His past credits include “Crash Course in Romance,” “Bargain,” “Hunted” and “L.U.C.A.: The Beginning.”

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.