Kim Jae-Young’s Surprise Cameo in **When Life Gives You Tangerines**
In the seventh episode of Netflix’s hit series When Life Gives You Tangerines, Kim Jae-Young makes a delightful cameo as a chauffeur. Dressed in a sharp black suit and stylish sunglasses, he arrives to pick up Geum-myeong, portrayed by IU, from Seoul National University.
Upon her approach, he elegantly steps out of the vehicle, adjusting his sunglasses and holding the door open for her. Following this, he drives to a local high school to collect his employer’s daughter, Jenny. While waiting, Geum-myeong amusingly reads the newspaper, and Kim’s character engages her in conversation, inquiring about the weather on Jeju Island.
Although his character is briefly introduced without a name, fans have expressed their excitement at seeing Kim make an appearance in the drama.
Plot Overview of **When Life Gives You Tangerines**
The drama’s narrative unfolds on Jeju Island, spanning the years between 1950 and 1990. This slice-of-life series follows the intertwined destinies of Oh Ae-sun and Yang Gwan-sik, chronicling the struggles faced by three generations as they navigate hardships, the loss of loved ones, and the unvarnished realities of life.
Ae-sun, a spirited young girl, aspires to become a poet at a time when women were often relegated to domestic roles. The storyline centers on Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), Ae-sun, and her daughter Geum-young (both characters portrayed by IU), showcasing their journey to build fulfilling lives together.
Fan Reactions to Kim Jae-Young’s Cameo
Kim Jae-Young’s unexpected appearance as a chauffeur has ignited a wave of responses on social media. Fans took to platforms like X to share their astonishment and enthusiasm:
“I literally screamed when he came out of the car. Scene stealer.”
“Kim Jaeyoung pulling up on I’m soooo shocked,”wrote a fan.
“Wait Kim Jaeyoung and Junyoung are also in this drama?? Omgggg,”commented another viewer.
“Suddenly there is Kim Jaeyoung! here as a driver. Hahaha,”another fan quipped.
Many viewers appreciated the surprise inclusion of Kim Jae-Young’s character, with comments reflecting their delight:
“Oh my god I didn’t expect #KimJaeYoung cameo as a driver in #WhenLifeGivesYouTangerinesEp7 he looks soooo good,”one fan exclaimed.
“Ariana, what are you doing here? I didn’t know Kim Jaeyoung would be in WLGUT. I really hope they end up together; I kind of ship them,”added another.
Kim Jae-Young’s Notable Roles
Kim Jae-Young has built a reputation through his notable roles in series such as The Judge from Hell and Love in Contract. He plays the character Han Da-On, a sensitive and astute police officer in the 2024 SBS drama The Judge from Hell, where he shares the screen with Park Shin-hye. This series presents a narrative about Kang Bit-Na, a demon who inhabits the body of a judge, challenged by her perceptions of morality due to Han Da-On’s investigations.
For his part in this gripping series, Kim was awarded the “Top Excellence Award for an Actor in a Miniseries”at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards. Additionally, he starred in the romantic comedy Love in Contract, which delves into the complexities of unconventional relationships, portraying Kang-Hae-Jin, a prominent Korean actor embroiled in a contractual marriage with Park Min-young.
His previous projects include Blade Man (2014) and 100 Days My Prince (2018). In 2019, his performance in Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life earned him the Best New Actor award at the KBS Drama Awards.
When Life Gives You Tangerines is currently available for streaming on Netflix, with four new episodes set to premiere on March 22, 2025. Fans can also find Kim Jae-Young’s performances in The Judge from Hell on Disney+ and Love in Contract on Netflix, Viki, and Viu.