Young actress Kim Tae-yeon touched hearts with stories of IU’s kind gestures during the filming of the hit Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. From helping her pick a dress for the Baeksang Arts Awards to sending a coffee truck, IU’s support left a lasting impact.
The Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines has won over audiences worldwide with its heartfelt story and stellar cast. Among its rising stars is Kim Tae-yeon, who plays the young version of IU’s character, Ae-soon. On the May 3 episode of JTBC’s Knowing Bros, Kim Tae-yeon shared emotional stories about her journey in the drama and IU’s thoughtful support, especially ahead of the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. Her stories highlight the strong bond between the two actresses and the drama’s warm behind-the-scenes moments.
Drama’s Success and Baeksang Nominations
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a 2025 South Korean romance slice-of-life series set in Jeju Island during the 1950s. Written by Lim Sang-choon and directed by Kim Won-seok, it stars IU as Ae-soon, a poor girl aspiring to be a poet, and Park Bo-gum as Gwan-sik, her devoted partner. Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon play the older versions of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik, with a talented supporting cast including Choi Dae-hoon, Yeom Hye-ran, Na Moon-hee, and Kim Yong-rim.
The drama aired on Netflix from March 7 to March 28, 2025, and became a global hit. It earned praise for its nostalgic storytelling, strong performances, and direction, often compared to Reply 1988. According to Gallup Korea, it was Korea’s favorite program in March and April 2025. Good Data Corporation reported it topped TV-OTT drama rankings, with IU and Park Bo-gum leading topicality charts.
At the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, set for May 5, 2025, at COEX D Hall in Seoul, the drama secured nine nominations. These include Best Drama, Best Director for Kim Won-seok, Best Screenplay for Lim Sang-choon, Best Actor for Park Bo-gum, and Best Actress for IU. Choi Dae-hoon and Yeom Hye-ran earned nods for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, while Kim Tae-yeon was nominated for Best New Actress. The drama’s success has made it a standout in Korean entertainment.
Kim Tae-yeon’s Journey in the Drama
Born in 2011, Kim Tae-yeon is a rising child actress who debuted in 2018 with Let’s Eat Season 3. She has played younger versions of top actresses, including Son Ye-jin in Crash Landing on You, Han So-hee in Gyeongseong Creature, and Kim Se-jeong in I Wanna Hear Your Song. In When Life Gives You Tangerines, her role as young Ae-soon earned widespread praise for its emotional depth.
Kim Tae-yeon shared her determination to join the drama on Knowing Bros (Episode 480), a Children’s Day special aired on May 3, 2025.
“I got into a car accident on my way to the audition, but I begged my mom to let me go because I really wanted to do this drama. I’ve liked IU unnie since I was seven. I wanted to play her younger version more than anything.”
Her persistence paid off, and her performance resonated with viewers. Social media buzzed with positive reviews, with many calling her a “genius” young actress. IU herself praised Kim Tae-yeon’s talent, fueling excitement for her future projects.
IU’s Thoughtful Gestures
Kim Tae-yeon’s stories about IU’s support stole the spotlight on Knowing Bros. Despite not sharing scenes, IU built a warm connection with the young actress. Kim Tae-yeon recalled their first meeting on set.
“She recognized me on set and called out, ‘Tae-yeon-ah!’ It made me so happy.”
IU went further, inviting Kim Tae-yeon to her concert and sending a coffee truck to the set on the last day of filming. These gestures left a deep impression on the young actress.
The most touching moment came when Kim Tae-yeon prepared for her first-ever awards show, the Baeksang Arts Awards. Nominated for Best New Actress, she felt overwhelmed and unsure about what to wear. IU stepped in to help.
“It was my first time at an awards show, and I had no idea what to wear. IU unnie reached out to help me pick out a dress. She chose the fabric and the rhinestones herself. I was so grateful.”
Since Kim Tae-yeon works without a management agency, IU arranged for a special dress and covered styling needs like hair and makeup. Reports say IU personally accompanied her to a dress shop to choose the perfect outfit. This act of kindness sparked widespread praise online, with fans calling IU the “Queen of Heartwarming Stories.” Posts on X echoed this sentiment, noting IU’s care for her co-stars.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
Fans and netizens showered IU with praise for her generosity. On X, users shared emotional reactions to Kim Tae-yeon’s stories.
“IU called Taeyeon to help choose her dress & decorate it prettily. She even picked out the fabric & beads. We don’t have scenes together, but we met on set & she’d greet me, ‘Taeyeon-ah!’ She sent me a dress, a concert invitation, & a coffee truck on my last day of filming.”
“Taeyeon is very thankful towards IU for taking good care of her during the filming and even after WLGYT ended.”
Viewers also praised Kim Tae-yeon’s performance. Many noted her chemistry with the cast and her ability to capture Ae-soon’s spirit. Social media posts highlighted the drama’s realistic portrayal of ordinary lives, with one scene—Park Bo-gum’s Gwan-sik swimming to shore to prove his love—becoming a viral moment dubbed “terjun cinta” (diving into love).
The drama’s setting in Jeju sparked a tourism boom, with Korean Air adding flights to the island in spring 2025. A viral “My Own Gwan-sik” challenge saw fans posting about loved ones mimicking Gwan-sik’s loyal character.
IU’s Broader Support for the Cast
IU’s kindness extended beyond Kim Tae-yeon. She invited co-stars Park Hae-joon, Moon So-ri, and child actor Ahn Tae-rin to her concert and sent gifts to the cast. In an interview, IU reflected on her actions.
“As the number of projects increases, so does the number of people I’m grateful to. But it’s not hard. I just hope the people receiving [my gifts] are happy.”
Her role as Ae-soon earned her a Best Actress nomination, competing with Kim Tae-ri, Go Min-si, Kim Hye-yoon, and Jang Na-ra. Park Bo-gum faces tough competition for Best Actor against Byeon Woo-seok, Lee Jun-hyuk, Ju Ji-hoon, and Han Suk-kyu. Fans are eager to see if the drama will sweep the awards.
As of May 4, 2025, anticipation for the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards is high, with When Life Gives You Tangerines leading nominations. Kim Tae-yeon’s appearance on Knowing Bros has boosted her popularity, and fans are rooting for her to win Best New Actress. IU continues to receive praise for her on- and off-screen warmth, with netizens highlighting her support for young actors. The drama remains a top topic on social media, with viewers rewatching episodes on Netflix and sharing emotional reactions to its story and cast.
CREDITS: Daum
