In the second act of the Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' released on the 14th, the journey of Ae-soon (played by Moon So-ri) and Gwan-sik (played by Park Hae-jun) unfolds as they navigate the unfamiliar and challenging role of being parents.
Once a shy girl embarrassed by her cabbage-selling family, Ae-soon has grown into a resilient fish vendor and even became the head of the local fishing community. She celebrates her daughter Geum-myung's (played by IU) acceptance into Seoul National University while also dealing with her mischievous son Eun-myung (played by Kang Yoo-seok) by charming his teachers with gifts. Ae-soon's determined steps as both a woman and a mother have viewers cheering her on.
A particularly poignant scene shows Ae-soon in a dream, confronting her mother Gwang-rye (played by Yum Hye-ran) and expressing her longing for her deceased son Dong-myung. Her attempt to appear composed while swallowing her tears deeply resonates with viewers, capturing the heartache of losing a child.
Moon So-ri portrays Ae-soon with depth, sometimes as the adorable Ae-soon loved by Gwan-sik, sometimes as the fierce mother who would do anything for her family, and sometimes as the tender daughter in her dreams. Her nuanced performance brings Ae-soon's character to life, allowing viewers to laugh and cry along with her. Her expressions, dialogue, and movements vividly convey the character, making it easy for audiences to empathize and connect with Ae-soon.
Moon So-ri's powerful and realistic portrayal has elicited reactions such as, "Watching Ae-soon and Geum-myung feels like seeing my own mom and me, bringing tears to my eyes and leaving me speechless."
Anticipation builds for the next chapter of Ae-soon's story in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' with the third act set to release on the 21st.
[Photo: Netflix]
Reporter Kang Sun-ae sakang@sbs.co.kr
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)