IU, the renowned South Korean singer-actress, recently opened up about her experience starring in the Netflix K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, a series that has touched hearts worldwide with its poignant storytelling. In a heartfelt discussion on B tv’s 폭싹 속았수다, IU described the drama as a deeply meaningful project, calling it the most significant work of her career. The series, which spans decades of a woman’s life, weaves together themes of love, loss, resilience, and the beauty of everyday moments, earning praise for its emotional depth and authenticity.
The drama follows Oh Ae-sun, played by IU in her younger years and Moon So-ri in later stages, a spirited woman from Jeju Island born in the 1950s. Ae-sun dreams of becoming a poet despite facing poverty, gender discrimination, and personal tragedies. Alongside her is Yang Gwan-sik, portrayed by Park Bo-gum and later Park Hae-joon, a steadfast man who loves her unconditionally. The series, directed by Kim Won-seok and written by Lim Sang-choon, captures the couple’s journey through the 1960s to 2025, set against the backdrop of Jeju’s tangerine groves and cultural heritage.
IU highlighted the drama’s unique ability to balance joy and sorrow, reflecting life’s unpredictable nature. She shared how the story’s emotional contrasts affected her deeply, even in her personal life, causing her to cry more often during filming.
“You finally bought a boat and bought a house… But in the very next scene Dong Myeong dies,” IU said. “Ae Sun is overjoyed that her poetry collection has been published—but her husband passes away.”
This emotional rollercoaster, IU explained, mirrors the resilience of her character, Ae-sun, who faces pain head-on but continues to find strength. IU emphasized Ae-sun’s ability to endure without denying her struggles, making her a powerful symbol of perseverance.
“She just takes it all in and overcomes it,” IU said. “That made her feel even stronger.”
The drama’s focus on ordinary moments, as noted by critic Lee Dong Jin, sets it apart. Rather than grand victories, When Life Gives You Tangerines celebrates survival and the small joys that make life precious. IU’s performance, alongside Park Bo-gum’s heartfelt portrayal of Gwan-sik, has resonated with audiences, earning the series a spot in Netflix’s Top 10 Non-English Shows for six weeks, with 60.6 million cumulative views as of April 2025.
The series also pays tribute to Jeju’s cultural heritage, particularly the Haenyeo, the island’s female divers recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. IU noted that the drama’s setting and themes reflect the strength of Jeju women, adding a layer of historical and cultural significance.
Filmed over nearly a year from March 2023 to February 2024, the production, with a reported budget of 60 billion won (approximately $41.5 million), is one of the most ambitious K-dramas ever made. IU’s dual role as both Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong showcased her versatility, earning widespread acclaim for her ability to convey raw emotion and nuanced character differences.
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IU also shared insights into the challenges of portraying Ae-sun across different life stages, working closely with Moon So-ri to ensure continuity in the character’s speech and mannerisms. The drama’s script, praised for its detailed scene descriptions, allowed IU to fully immerse herself in Ae-sun’s journey, from a fiery, dream-driven teenager to a reflective woman in her later years.
The series’ title, rooted in the Jeju dialect phrase “폭싹 속았수다” (Thank You for Your Hard Work), draws inspiration from a Chinese proverb about turning bitterness into sweetness, much like making tea from sour tangerines. IU reflected on this metaphor, noting how Ae-sun’s ability to find happiness despite hardship embodies the drama’s core message.
“Even when life gives you bitter tangerines, make them sweeter and enjoy them,” IU said, summarizing Ae-sun’s approach to life’s challenges.
Fans have taken to social media to express their emotional connection to the series, with some pleading for a hopeful ending given the story’s heavy themes. The drama’s finale, released on March 28, 2025, delivered a bittersweet conclusion, tying up Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s love story with warmth and sacrifice. IU’s farewell message to fans underscored her deep attachment to the project.
“It was a huge honor to play both Ae-soon and Geum-myung,” IU said. “I hope ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ will remain a warm source of comfort for a long time.”
The series has been compared to the beloved K-drama Reply 1988 for its nostalgic warmth and rich character development. Critics, including South China Morning Post, have called it one of the best K-dramas ever made, praising its emotionally rich script and stellar cast. With a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews, the drama has solidified its place as a global hit.
IU’s reflections reveal why When Life Gives You Tangerines resonates so deeply: it’s a story that acknowledges life’s pain while celebrating its beauty, urging viewers to find strength in both the highs and lows.
CREDITS: Netflix Korea, Daum, X(twitter)
