“When Life Gives You Tangerines” starring IU and Park Bo-gum is a heartfelt romance set in Jeju, capturing love, dreams, and life-changing choices across four seasons. Directed by Kim Won-seok, this Netflix original beautifully blends emotional storytelling with stunning cinematography. Watch now!
1. Overview
Netflix’s original K-drama, “When Life Gives You Tangerines “, is a deeply moving story set against the breathtaking landscapes of Jeju Island. This series follows the lives of Ae-sun, a rebellious dreamer, and Gwan-sik, a steadfast protector, as they navigate love, ambition, and the ever-changing tides of life across the four seasons.
More than just a romance, the drama captures the cultural and social transformation of 1950s Jeju, a time when many young people sought opportunities on the mainland while others held onto tradition. Ae-sun dreams of becoming a poet and leaving her island home, torn between her aspirations and family obligations. Meanwhile, Gwan-sik is devoted to preserving the life they’ve built in Jeju, embodying the quiet strength of those who choose to stay.
Their story mirrors Jeju’s evolution from an insular fishing and farming community to a modernizing society, making this drama a heartfelt exploration of love, identity, and change.
2. Release Information
- Release Date: March 7, 2025 – March 28, 2025 (4 episodes released weekly on Fridays)
- Production Companies: Pan Entertainment, Baram Pictures
- Director: Kim Won-seok (Misaeng, Signal, My Mister, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Fight for My Way, When the Camellia Blooms)
- Screenwriter: Im Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms, Fight for My Way)
- Cast: IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, Park Hae-jun, and more
- Filming Period: March 18, 2023 – February 5, 2024
- Exclusive Streaming on Netflix
3. Plot Summary
Set in 1950s Jeju, When Life Gives You Tangerines follows childhood friends Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, whose lives take diverging paths. Ae-sun, a free-spirited woman, dreams of leaving the island to pursue poetry, while Gwan-sik, a quiet but devoted man, wishes to build a life in Jeju.
As the seasons change, so do their emotions—pulling them together, pushing them apart, and forcing them to confront the realities of their choices. The story reflects Jeju’s own transformation, as industrialization and tourism reshape the island’s traditional way of life. Young people face a dilemma: to stay and honor their roots, or to leave and chase new dreams.
Their love, much like Jeju itself, is caught between the pull of the past and the promise of the future, making this drama a profound meditation on longing, sacrifice, and the pursuit of happiness.
4. Main Characters
- Ae-sun (Played by IU & Moon So-ri)
- A passionate, free-spirited woman yearning to become a poet.
- Torn between her ambitions and the expectations of family and tradition.
- Her journey is one of self-discovery, love, and the struggle to define her own path.
- Gwan-sik (Played by Park Bo-gum & Park Hae-jun)
- A quiet yet steadfast man who deeply cares for Ae-sun.
- Struggles to express his emotions, yet his devotion never wavers.
- Represents the resilience of those who stay behind, holding onto their roots.
5. The Four Seasons of Love and Change
This drama unfolds across spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with each season symbolizing a different phase of their journey.
🌸 Spring: The excitement of first love, self-discovery, and endless possibilities.
☀️ Summer: Passion and conflict rise as their dreams begin to clash.
🍂 Autumn: A time of reflection, choices, and the weight of growing up.
❄️ Winter: Closure, longing, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go—or holding on.
The director masterfully uses natural lighting, symbolic color palettes, and Jeju’s scenic backdrops to enhance the emotional depth of the storytelling. Each season is not just a backdrop but an integral part of their love story.
6. Global Performance
When Life Gives You Tangerines made a powerful debut, ranking #8 on Netflix’s Global TV Show Chart. According to FlixPatrol, the drama entered the Top 10 in 41 countries, including:
🏆 #1 in South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore
🥈 #2 in the Philippines, Taiwan
🥉 #3 in Bangladesh, Brazil, Peru, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Vietnam
Compared to other top Netflix K-dramas, this ranking is particularly impressive. The Glory debuted at #3 globally, while Extraordinary Attorney Woo peaked at #6. Given its strong momentum, When Life Gives You Tangerines is likely to climb even higher as new episodes are released weekly.
7. Release Schedule & How to Watch
📅 Episode Release Schedule:
- March 7, 2025: Episodes 1-4
- March 14, 2025: Episodes 5-8
- March 21, 2025: Episodes 9-12
- March 28, 2025: Episodes 13-16 (Finale)
- Streaming Exclusively on Netflix
8. Conclusion
When Life Gives You Tangerines is a visually stunning and emotionally profound drama, weaving history, romance, and personal struggles into a deeply moving story.
Director Kim Won-seok brings his signature realism and emotional depth to this series, using long takes, symbolic color palettes, and rich period details to create an immersive experience. The story’s themes of love, ambition, and the push-and-pull between tradition and change make it a standout in the world of K-dramas.
Beyond a love story, it is a reflection on how we define home, the sacrifices we make for dreams, and the people who shape our journey.
🔥 Whether you’re a fan of romance, historical dramas, or coming-of-age stories, this is a must-watch. As new episodes continue to release weekly, this series is set to become one of the most talked-about K-dramas of 2025.
