@dramaddictally thanks for a brilliant recap. More tears again after reading this recap. I’ve never shed this many good tears over a show.

When Life Gives you Tangerines
Daebak. You will not be the same person after witnessing Tangerines.

Every once in a blue moon a drama emerges of an Epic nature that permanently etches its presence into your soul. We will be talking about Tangerines for the next decade. Tangerines will change your life. You will never look at your parents the same way again. You will hug your kids more. You will be a better spouse.

Tangerines is fantastically ambitious and brave. It’s a heart wrenching story of life over decades. The focus is generations strong women with some “steel heart” guy thrown into the mix. While most dramas focus on the initial love, this show stamps it’s authority on love over a lifetime.

The plot is about life, resilience, and the inevitable flow of time. I love the present day narration as it reinterprets the real time past both beautifully and painfully. I love the complexity of the characters.
I love how every sentence is poetry.
It’s a lot to take in and it’s a masterpiece.

I love the 4 chapters and the paced drop. I think they intended us to savor the moment instead in binging all at once. The brain needs time to process.

A huge shoutout to:

IU and director Kim Won Suk: they made magic with My Ajusshi and I thought lightning could not possibly strike twice. Yet here we are, smoldering from that second bolt of lightning. Just like My Ajusshi, we will be rewatching and writing down each painstakingly etched quotes and life lessons. IU had nothing to prove and she ATE.

“I might hurt them because I don’t know how to be a mom”.

Another shoutout to Yum Hye-Ran as Gwang-Rye (Ae-Sun’s mom). What an incredible performance.

I love how they “reincarnated” Ae-Sun’s mother as the editor. She finally gets to savor her daughter’s work AND she found a job where she sits in a desk. BRILLIANT.
“I’m proud of her”…bring me more Kleenex pronto. 😭🥺😭😭

Child actress Kim Tae-Yeon as child Ae-Sun. Between her, IU, and Moon So-Ri, they portrayed Ae-Sun’s sprit perfectly. They were a perfect match.

A final shoutout to Moon So-Ri as the elder Ae-Sun. She was sooooo good. She embodied Ae-Sun perfectly despite the stupidly high bar that IU set. They complemented each other perfectly.

This isn’t the drama of 2025. This is the drama of the decade.

Thank you Netflix. You restored all hope (I forgive you after WTSG).

I’m calling it now. Daesang award winner. 🥇 but more importantly, it won over so many of our hearts.

Who would have thought that the same plattform that Just two months ago left us lost in space would also deliver us a gem like this- maybe the world is a good place after all.
@dramaddictally: I bow my head to you, what Ae-soon does with poetry you masterfully do with these recaps

Unlike Dramaddictally, I gave it a 1 day break and hit play again on episode 1. Yes, it's a very heavy watch even on the 2nd play. However, I got to appreciate so many details that I didn't notice on the first play.

IU pronouncing the english word "nevah" multiple times with a Korean accent. Adorable (reminds me of Jisoo)

The grandma flipping the cabbage cart over. I kept thinking "My Cabbages" (referencing Avatar the Last Airbender)

Just how many times the show focuses on Ae-Sun's hairclips. It does this very early on, before we come to realize the significance of those hairclips.

Ae-Sun's mannerisms of crossing her arms over her chest and saying "I'm Happy". I didn't notice how often she did this early in the show.

IU's various facial expressions (especially her rolling her eyes at her grandma) since I was concentrating on reading the subtitles the first time around.

The 3 log traditional gate at their house in the 60's

The foreshadowing quote very early in the drama "When a parent dies, you send them to heaven. When a child dies, you keep them alive here". This originally referenced Ae-Sun's dad from the perspective of Ae-Sun's grandma. I didn't think much of it the first watch. It hit a ton harder on the second watch

Yes, a masterpiece and epic is correct. What a journey of life. Everything in this drama was well and releasing it in 4s was a good call. Just a top tier drama, not soon forgotten.

@dramaddictally thank you for an amazing recap of the drama of the year. Each season told a powerful story so it took a lot of reflection, you worked hard. You really did it justice.

There were so many amazing elements to the story, big events and the little things that showed the love the family members had for each other. The genius heated seat, the father and daughter sleep over at the hospital and their shared sunrise on the boat. I love that we got to see the woman who lived the life Aesoon narrowly escaped. Her description of the sports day experience where she was on her own in the blazing sun looking over at Aesoon standing with her soul mate by her side fanning her back really summed it up.

I understood the meaning of the comment that we may be the main character in our own lives but we are just extras in everyone else’s. Everybody's interactions were only there when their lives collided with Aesoon and Gwanshik.

I like this way of dropping episodes. Mini bite sized binges that allowed reflection. Episodes 9-12 were the ones with the most funny moments, but every season had something that made it stand out.

Watching the couple’s treatment at the hospital was heartbreaking and so unnecessary. These people are dealing with the bigger issues in life, surely you can cut them some slack.

This really spanned the life after marriage and showed that the happy ever after is not played out in terms of financial riches or a life free from sorrows.

I admit I am quite shallow and I am watching kdramas that usually avoid heavy or deep live emotional aspects even if occasionaly I watch them and like them. So for me the most charming point of last 2 volumes was GeumSeop love story. It blows my mid and ressurected butterflies in my stomache, I didn't felt them for quite a long time. I like very mich how scripwriter left hints here and there, how actors (who had only ~10 filming sessions tgth from IU's interview) manage to create such a natural, full of laughter and love story, in which you believe immediately. They are both very talented actors and OMG sometimes it is just stars allignes (sigh to Boy next door).
I saw Kim Seon Ho in HomeCha and I liked him very mich but ChungSeob just won my heart and butterflies. I think I become a fan (I am already usual fan of IU she is superwoman for real).
And shoutout to incredible Moon So Ri and Park Hae Jun!!! They were amazing. Damn all cast was amazing.
As I said before for years to come every actor who was in this drama will be honored that he was there even for several minutes screentime

I was waiting for this recap and now I don't even know what to say haha. Well, first off, I cried ALOT during the final episode. I know it was theorized that Gwan Sik was gonna die since part 1 but to actually see it play out really hit me. I kept thinking was the actor also so skinny and this was the result of makeup and bigger clothes. My god, it was really affecting seeing him look thinner. And then when the son kept trying to avoid looking at him and focus on all the things to help him only to look up and see how thin he got.. oh my heart.
One thing I was confused about during his death scene was when they took him away. I thought they took him to a room to die peacefully, like euthanasia. Is that a thing?

I've seen so many comments about how the kids were so ungratful and blah blah blah and it's like what the hell type of lives are viewers living. Most kids are ungratful to their parents or feel pressured by them in some way, shape, or form at some point in their lives. Many people may feel resentment or complicated feelings about their parents even if they love them, respect them, etc.

I don't know how I felt about Geum Myong and her husband. I mean it's exactly what I thought it was: he was the realistic, right man for her vs the idealized storybook romance of her first love but I feel like the first love had more time devoted to it. Maybe I'm wrong and it was just that relationship had alot of big emotional moments while her moments with her husband were fairly chill. They did seem like they were just friends who happened to love each other and they matched each other's goofiness haha. I thought it was really endearing how even though CS was seasick or drunk, he still tried making his way to GM and stood at attention (as best as he could) just to be attentive to her. Like I've said before both of GM's suitors had qualities of her dad and it's totally understandable why she would fall for them.

The reincarnation surprised me but it was nice. (Even though once again the age throws me off. Is the editor supposed to be in her 20s/30s?)

Oh the karma being a kick in the ass for Yeong Beom's mother. She looked down on GM and her parents for being from a poor background and fast forward to GM being a happily married CEO of a successful company while her parents own a restaurant that ended up the first of a franchise haha while her son is unhappily married shell with a daughter in law that mistreats her (apparently) and a grandson that ignores her (while probably watching GM's tutoring site haha).

I thought of all of that when YB showed up to the wedding just to see GM in her wedding dress. I feel bad for him especially knowing what's in store for him. I think he got married after her because he knew he really could never get her back.

Thank you drammaddictally for the fantastic recaps.
Bravo WLGYT, standing ovation.
Simply put, this was phenomenal from beginning to end.

This drama is just WOW......from the story to the acting. I hope there are more of such historical/slice-of-life like this one in the future. I heard that the Baeksang is coming soon sometime in April/May. Hopefully, it will be nominated and win a lot of award this year.

“This is a masterpiece, detailing the epic and the ordinary in ways that make it relatable, authentic, and affecting….. It maintained the focus on women, generational struggles, and what we pass off to our kids, with humor and heartbreak that showed bad breaks and lucky strokes usually come in even numbers. Regrets, mistakes, and everyday struggle are what make heroes. And these characters, from start to finish, were heroes I wanted to follow.”

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a masterpiece and so is your recap, @dramaddictally! I simply admire how you distill what you’ve watched to the words of essence you share with us. A big thankyou!

As audience, I’m so grateful for the unparalleled experience and journey that goes deep into my heart. One that I can return to when in need of a moment of clarity about life, relationships and family members.

Thanks to the cast and crew for bringing this story to life. The phenomenal acting here by the main, supporting and side characters is second to none. I can tell in years to come I’d refer to them as Ae-soon’s auntie or the despicable almost-husband of Ae-soon (played so wonderfully by the always excellent Choi Dae-Hoon). And the casting of Jang Hye-jin is a stroke of genius who looks so much alike the younger character but importantly, her character as a long suffering subdued wife is so different from everything I’ve seen her in before. The performance of UI, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri and Park Hae Joon are truly exceptional - but Park Hae-joon is my personal favourite because he looks so much like my father in mannerism and that subtle-yet-deep love for his children.

I think all awards of the world may not exemplify the greatness of this drama. All beanies should give it a go please!!

A triumphant recap, @dramaddictally. I had some of the same happy tears being reminded of these last episodes that I had watching them.

For me, this was a show about moving away from arranged marriage to children picking their own partners. Ae-soon and Gwan-shik had to push against some family opposition to marry, in particular because she was an orphan. Then, in the second generation, they were ready to support their children in picking their own spouses, but Geum-myeong's boyfriend's mom was not willing to do that. She had to be the one to choose, and for her this was a disaster. It was in discussions here that I realized why the story of Geum-myeong's marriage was important to telling the story of her parents' lives.

The two things in these last episodes that really got me: Gwan-shik's reputation in later life, and the call-back to the first episodes with Ae-soon's mother. When Eun-Myeong is trying to sell rice cakes in the neighborhood, and everyone comes out to tell him what a wonderful person his father is... that has happened to me. (I wasn't upset about it, because the context was different, but still--it choked me up pretty good that this show felt like it was alluding to that experience. "The crown of a good name," was the phrase that came to mind.)

I really teared up seeing that Yeom Hye-ran, the actress who played Ae-soon's mother, also played the professor who helped get her book published. And then, seeing the characters from the show on a banner on the Haenyeo Museum in Jeju was so moving. I just cried a lot watching this drama.

I am definitely going to that museum. I have to save up to travel. This is the first time I have watched a K-drama and said, "Okay, now I have to go there. "

EPIC! This series is extraordinary and profound. I just loved it. Whatever it's called, this is my favorite genre.

My only question: Can anyone describe the arc and meaning of the bit where the little girl finds the wedding ring that was tossed into the canola field? What are your thoughts, Beanies? I was surprised that there wasn't more of a conclusion with that wedding ring arc.

EPIC! This series is extraordinary and profound. I just loved it. Whatever it's called, this is my favorite genre. It is most likely the best K-drama EVER.

My only question: Can anyone describe the arc and meaning of the bit where the little girl finds the wedding ring that was tossed into the canola field? What are your thoughts, Beanies?

I was surprised that there wasn't more of a conclusion with that wedding ring Oh Ae-sun tossed away. My guess is it symbolized Ae-sun giving up her "precious dreams" only to discover that her sacrifices turned into "precious memories" and the little girl represented women of the future building on her life.

Thank you @dramaddictally for the great reviews of this show. This is definitely one of the best kdramas that I've ever watched, and I shall miss feeling the anticipation of waiting for upcoming episodes to be streamed.

it took me 3 tries to finish the last episode. i couldn't even blow my nose, i was sobbing so much... loved this drama.

As everyone has said here, this is definitely a generation-defining K-drama. And the story it portrayed defies culture or countries. I think every person could find something in this drama that touched their spirit - the regret of not recognizing what your parents had done for you, the constant comparison to your sibling/s and feelings of not living up to your parents' expectation of you, when you had to make a choice between supporting your spose against your family, etc. That is why I think this story can be universally relatable. Just truly a masterpiece!

Now, one thing I will admit that I did not like in this last 4-episode arc is the redemption arc given to Bu Sang-il (the nasty rich captain). I know the show was trying to show that every person is complicated, and that he too had some redeeming qualities as a father. But I honestly thought that he needed a stronger comeuppance for all that he had done. He was an abuser, even if that was considered "normal" in those times. I am so glad that they showed his wife finally having the opportunity to divorce him and become financially independent (and this is true as to why a lot of women can't leave their abusive husbands, since they cannot become financially stable). I wish the show had given him a little more hard time as his karma - they could have shown how in the end he died alone in some nursing home with no one caring for him. And the nice things he had done as a father came out only afterwards. I felt like the show creators were trying to make everything sentimental in the last couple of episodes and so glossed over all his past mistakes and made his character more comical in the end, hoping we would forget how mean he had been.

Usually, when people say: "I cried so much during that drama", I wonder how easily they tear up - maybe I looked sad during a scene, but "cry so much"? no.
Also, I honestly hate those long passages with a voice-over that resignedly spews wannabe-wisdom about how everything comes to an end and we we should honour our parent and what not.
But even if I still hate the voice-over way of trying to force often ludicrous "truths" at me, like that "mothers know instinctively when their child is in danger" or "thing will turn out to be justified in the end", I just have to admit that this drama totally got me and all the way through Gwan-sik's prolo-o-o-o-onged death scene, I was just crying, low-key ugly-crying. (I know; ugly-crying is not low-key. I wasn't wailing with a wide-open mouth. But I was just sniffing , while mucus was coming out of my face all the time, expression like this head (to be found at The Met, so we must assume that I am am a classic, marble-like beauty): https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/204759

@missvictrix the Beanie review for this drama has not appeared and it’s nearly two week since it finished.

Moon So-Ri as the mature Ae-Sun of tangerines 🍊 deserved a Baeksang best actress nomination too. I get it- they can’t nominate 2 actresses from the same show for best actress- but Moon So-Ri deserves a nomination just as much as the wonderful IU. What a performance!

This drama was really a journey for me. I came from the insta reels and all but stayed for the amazing drama that this is. I was soo reminded of reply 1988; but I don't think i have cried this many times and this much for any other kdrama.
This really changed my perspective, and as a sucker for empowered female characters I loved and admired all characters. I know how people say Gwan Shik is the ultimate green flag and he is, but it is really unrealistic to expect a guy to prioritize me above everything else, even his career and everything(as in the starting episodes), but nevertheless his character is one of the most refreshing male characters.
My watching this kdrama at this point of time in my life, when I will leave our home, makes me appreciate my parents and wanna know more about their lives and struggles. The fact that parents try to make sure their children don't face the same hardships as them finally made sense and seeing it in my own life was lowkey crazy.
Honestly this makes me glad I love and appreciate kdramas, why they are kinda my comfort place, I just feel more thankful now. I always pick rom-com kinda light kdramas by instinct but I'm so glad I watched this, this is one of the best kdramas I have seen, it isn't for the light-hearted tho lol
But all in all, the storytelling, the subtle yet powerful connections, the complexity or life, the grey-shaded ness of human beings, and the way we all evolve over time, everything was amazing and incredibly delivered!