Park Bo-gum’s Highly Anticipated Comeback in *When Life Gives You Tangerines*
Renowned actor Park Bo-gum has made a much-anticipated return to the TV landscape after a three-year hiatus, primarily due to his military service. The star was last seen in the 2020 hit *Record of Youth* and has now graced the small screen again in Netflix’s latest K-drama, *When Life Gives You Tangerines*, where he stars alongside the ever-popular IU.
A Role Crafted for Connection
In *When Life Gives You Tangerines*, Park Bo-gum takes on the character of Yang Gwan-sik, the male lead whose life journey unfolds through the trials of youth and into adulthood. His character develops a profound love for Ae-sun, and together they navigate the challenges of starting a family while facing life’s unpredictable nature. Viewers have expressed a deep appreciation for Park’s portrayal of Gwan-sik, lauding his ability to convey emotion and connection.
Fan Reactions to Limited Screen Time
Despite the buzz surrounding his return, fans have voiced disappointment regarding Park Bo-gum’s noticeably limited on-screen presence in recent episodes. As the episodes progress, viewers have pointed out that Gwan-sik’s character has been featured less than expected, a situation that’s sparked a flurry of discussions on platforms like X.
“The disappointment is valid. If you wait 5 years to see your fave, you’ll naturally want more screen time for him. But knowing how smart Bogum is, he looked at the script and still accepted it. Then went above and beyond with promotions. Let’s support him and respect his decision,”one fan tweeted.
“The good takeaway is that he was able to deliver an award-worthy performance enough to expose himself to a new wider audience that were in awe of his acting skills. It was much needed given this is his comeback role after military enlistment,”an X user wrote.
“My only disappointment is if he wasn’t going to have enough screen time, they shouldn’t have put him on the main poster because it kinda gave the hint that the show will be majorly on IU/Bogum but it’s still a beautiful show regardless and he has an excellent choice in script,”a fan said.
“May I just say that his character, Gwan-sik, is so impactful that I didn’t even realize he had shorter screen time? Although I am only a casual viewer of PBG and IU, I understand the struggle of wanting more screen time for them because I am also like that to my faves,”another replied.
While many expressed their desire for more of Park Bo-gum, several netizens defended his choices, highlighting a shift in focus toward the women’s narratives within the story.
“For the time Bogum has in the series, he shines very well and really plays his role perfectly, but still, I understand you. But I promise you this will be one of Bogum’s most memorable roles,”an X user replied.
“Guys what do you mean we’re not getting Park Bo-gum and IU young life back? Like we’re not gonna see their duo anymore? It was only six episodes?? NO, I wished it was the entire K-drama about their relationship. I’m devastated,”a fan commented.
“Does it even matter? You’re too focused on the man, but this drama is about parenthood, the sacrifices of hardworking people, and the real raw struggles women face every freaking day. And yes, women need more screen time!! And your main focus is only ‘Park Bo-gum got less screen time?'”another viewer wrote.
Overview of *When Life Gives You Tangerines*
*When Life Gives You Tangerines* intricately weaves the lives of Ae-sun, Gwan-sik, and their children into a narrative that resonates across generations. Set against the scenic backdrop of Jeju Island, the story illustrates Ae-sun’s determination and adaptability in pursuit of happiness with Gwan-sik, even as they contend with life’s myriad struggles.
In this drama, IU portrays both the younger Ae-sun and her grown-up daughter, Geum-myeong, while Park Bo-gum embodies Gwan-sik in his youth. The series also features Park Hae-joon and Moon So-ri as the older versions of Gwan-sik and Ae-sun, respectively, adding depth to the intergenerational narrative.
The show premiered on March 7, 2025, with an initial release of four episodes, each subsequent batch referred to as a volume. As of now, three volumes have been made available, with the third volume launching on March 21, 2025.