Netflix’s much-anticipated new K-drama, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (폭싹 속았수다), is set to premiere this week. We attended the press conference virtually, where the cast and crew shared insights about the series.
Starring IU (아이유) as the free-spirited Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum (박보검) as the steadfast Gwan-sik, the drama follows their intertwined fates on Jeju Island across different generations. Set against the backdrop of Korea’s changing times, the story captures love, resilience, and dreams, offering a heartfelt journey through the characters’ lives.
Here are some fun facts about the drama you need to know before watching it:
1. Collaboration between a renowned writer and director
This new series is a collaboration of two renowned storytelling powerhouses – writer Lim Sang-choon (임상춘) and director Kim Won-suk (김원석). Lim Sang-choon, renowned for his infamous works such as “When the Camellia Blooms” and “Fight for My Way”, once again brings to life deeply human stories filled with unique and authentic characters. Joining him on this journey is director Kim Won-suk, who has masterfully captured emotional depth in projects like “My Mister” and “Signal”.
2. The title has a unique meaning
The drama’s English title was originally “You Have Done Well“ before being renamed “When Life Gives You Tangerines”. The tangerines symbolise Jeju Island, which is renowned for its abundant citrus groves. Unlike the English title, the Korean title, “폭싹 속았수다” (Pokssak Sog-atsuda), carries a unique cultural meaning. The phrase originated from the Jeju dialect that translates to “Thank you for your hard work”, carrying a deeper meaning behind it.
3. Generational storytelling
Director Kim Won-suk described the series as “a story where the true villain is the era itself.” He explained that, as the era profoundly shapes the characters, portraying it with authenticity would make the story all the more resonant and immersive.
Staying true to this vision, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” offers a faithful depiction of those who lived through each period, spanning from the 1960s to 2025. In the later timeline, the older Ae-sun is portrayed by Moon So-ri (문소리), while Gwan-sik’s older self is played by Park Hae-joon (박해준), adding depth to the generational storytelling.
4. Why Jeju Island?
The show is set on Jeju Island, highlighting its breathtaking landscapes, rich traditions, and vibrant local culture. The island setting was crucial, as the character Ae-sun felt dissatisfied with her life there and longed to escape to the mainland. Director Kim Won-seok explained that Jeju was the perfect choice due to its historical significance, natural landscapes, and the presence of the haenyeo (female sea divers), all of which tied in seamlessly with the drama’s themes.
5. The show has a unique release format
Netflix has officially announced that “When Life Gives You Tangerines” will be released worldwide on 7th March 2025. However, the series will follow a staggered release schedule, with four episodes premiering each week throughout March:
- Episodes 1–4: 7th March 2025
- Episodes 5–8: 14th March 2025
- Episodes 9–12: 21st March 2025
- Episodes 13–16: 28th March 2025
Director Kim Won-seok explained the reasoning behind this approach, stating, “People love binge-watching these days and it might be too lenghty to watch 16 episodes all at once. People tend to fast forward or try to watch it at a faster speed but by doing that you wont be able to enjoy the series to the fullest. We decided that it would be best to gradually release the episodes for the audience to savour every moment.”
6. IU’s comeback drama after 6 years
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” marks IU’s highly anticipated return to television after a six-year hiatus since her critically acclaimed drama, “Hotel Del Luna”, in 2019. “Hotel Del Luna” was a massive success, ranking among the top 50 highest-rated Korean cable dramas of all time. With her exceptional acting skills and ability to bring depth to her characters, IU’s comeback has generated significant excitement among fans and the industry alike.
7. IU and Park Bogum’s on-screen chemistry
IU and Park Bo-gum’s long-standing friendship has made their on-screen partnership in the drama even more special. Having known each other since their younger days, the two stars shared their thoughts on finally working together in a drama.
Park Bo-gum said, “I feel truly moved to finally collaborate with IU again after knowing each other for so long. We did a commercial together in our 20s, and now, in our 30s, we are paired in a drama—it feels as though we have grown together. It’s rare to meet someone our age on set, so it was a meaningful experience, and we became even closer.”
IU concured, adding, “I think we had the best chemistry because we’ve been friends for years. However, this is our first time officially working together on a series, and I don’t feel nervous at all—I’m completely at ease around him.”
8. Park Bogum’s transformed into an aspiring athlete
For this drama, Park Bo-gum was specifically asked to gain some weight as his character, Gwan-sik, is training to become a professional athlete. He was also asked to sport a short buzz cut to better match the character’s appearance. The 31-year-old actor later shared that this was his first time playing a young boy from the 1970s, so he followed all the requests to make his portrayal as authentic and true to the era as possible.
9. Moon So-ri used makeup to resemble IU
Moon So-ri (문소리), who portrays the older version of Ae-sun, suggested that the makeup team add a beauty spot to her cheek to resemble IU. The actress explained that the spot served as a signal to help her get into character. IU later revealed that they often visited each other’s homes, not only to deepen their understanding of their characters, but also to have heartfelt conversations about life in general.
10. High production budget
With a staggering production budget of KRW60 billion (approximately RM183 million), the drama spared no expense in creating an immersive experience. An open set was built, and the production design costs were considerable, as the series depicts multiple generations. “We wanted to emphasise historical authenticity, and hopefully, this will transport the audience back to that era,” the director shared.
Watch the trailer here:
The drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines” premieres on the 7th March (Friday).
Nakhla Sabrina contributed to this article
