The Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' unfolds the adventurous lives of 'rebellious spirit' Aesun and 'stubborn iron man' Gwansik, both born in Jeju, across four seasons. Released from March 7 with four episodes per week over four weeks, totaling 16 episodes, the series warmed viewers' hearts with its relatable storytelling. It immediately topped the 'Today's Korea TOP 10' series category upon the release of its first act and maintained its position even after the fourth act, proving its immense popularity.
By the third week of its release, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' had climbed to the top of the Global TOP 10 Series (Non-English) category, consistently captivating audiences both domestically and internationally. After the fourth act, it recorded 6,000,000 views (calculated by dividing total viewing hours by the series' runtime), securing the 3rd spot in the Global TOP 10 Series (Non-English) category. The series concluded its run by making it to the TOP 10 list in 39 countries, including Bolivia, Chile, Morocco, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
'When Life Gives You Tangerines' was filled with memorable lines and scenes that made viewers laugh and cry. Domestic viewers expressed their deep impressions and regrets through positive comments on various social media platforms and online communities. The enthusiastic response was mirrored overseas, with the series achieving a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.4 out of 10 rating on IMDb, captivating international audiences as well.
The behind-the-scenes and unreleased stills from the fourth act, released on the 2nd, capture everything from the actors' passionate performances to the lively atmosphere on set.
From Aesun's youthful days (played by IU) to her wedding day as Geum-myeong (also played by IU), IU flawlessly portrayed two different characters. Just like Geum-myeong, who always seemed like a child in her father Gwansik's (Park Hae-jun) eyes, the actors portraying her younger self also appear in the photos dressed as a bride.
The image of young Aesun and Gwansik (Park Bo-gum) in a canola flower field, found on the last page of Aesun's poetry book spanning 70 years, is captivating. Park Bo-gum's bright smile, which won over viewers' hearts, naturally brings to mind Gwansik, the devoted lover and family pillar. The stills also capture moments like Aesun's radiant smile as she becomes the poet she always dreamed of being, and Gwansik, who always adored Aesun, spending time with family in Jeju, touching viewers' hearts once more.
The newly revealed scenes of Geum-myeong's husband, Chung-seop (Kim Seon-ho), and their sweet date offer viewers a vicarious thrill. After a seven-year relationship ended, Young-beom (Lee Jun-young) attends Geum-myeong's wedding, his playful expression adding a different charm from his character's poignant gaze in the series.
The supporting characters who enriched 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' also stand out. Aesun's supportive aunts, Yang-im (Lee Soo-mi) and Kyung-ja (Baek Ji-won), along with the adorable couple Eun-myeong (Kang Yoo-seok) and Hyun-sook (Lee Soo-kyung), who proudly show off their wedding rings, brought life to the village of Dodong-ri. Sang-gil (Choi Dae-hoon), who became a fan favorite with his quirky catchphrase, shares a scene with Gwansik, who sees Eun-myeong and Hyun-sook as his own children, and sits across from his grandchild's stroller, showcasing Sang-gil's character in the fourth act.
Additionally, special appearances by actors like Kang Mal-geum, Kim Sung-ryung, and Hyun Bong-sik added to the series' charm. 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' completed its four-act journey with a fresh and heartwarming chemistry among its numerous characters, delivering a rich tapestry of stories to its audience.
[Photo Credit: Netflix]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)