Netflix’s heartwarming drama, When Life Gives You Tangerines, featuring acclaimed stars IU and Park Bo-gum, has garnered exceptional acclaim since its premiere. The series has topped several popular review platforms, including IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, achieving an impressive critical response.
As of March 30, 2025, this captivating show claimed the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s Global TOP 10 Series (Non-English). It earned a perfect score of 10/10 along with an outstanding 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, solidifying its status in the entertainment landscape. Moreover, it has consistently maintained its lead on IMDb’s Top Show List in South Korea.
Remarkably, Netflix announced that When Life Gives You Tangerines began dominating the Global TOP 10 Series (Non-English) category from March 26, 2025. The series also excelled in various other rankings, topping lists on platforms such as Watcha Pedia, Kinolights, AlloCiné, and Douban, along with TMDB in the romance genre.
Following its launch on March 7, 2025, the series quickly rose to prominence worldwide. Data from FlixPatrol indicates that it debuted at No. 1 in several countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea. It also made remarkable entries into the top 10 in 37 additional territories, securing the second position in the Philippines.
In the context of South Korean entertainment, an “ALL-KILL”describes a production that achieves simultaneous success across major charts and rankings. When Life Gives You Tangerines accomplished this remarkable achievement, shining brightly in viewership ratings, critical insights, and audience reactions across numerous platforms.
Exploring Generational Love and Sacrifice in the Series Finale
In the poignant conclusion of When Life Gives You Tangerines, characters Ae-sun and Gwan-sik confront the outcomes of their lifelong aspirations and challenges. The finale encapsulates their journeys, as they reflect on their youthful hopes juxtaposed against the realities of their lives. This climax is filled with impactful moments that highlight their steadfast bond and enduring strength over the years.
As the series draws to a close, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik find themselves at pivotal points that will shape their family’s future. Their daughter, Geum-myeong, harbors ambitions of studying abroad, symbolizing the aspirations of the younger generation seeking broader horizons.
In their quest to support Geum-myeong’s dreams, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik face the painful decision of potentially selling their beloved home to finance her education. This storyline culminates in an emotional build-up, especially with the impending early passing of Gwan-sik at the age of 56, a devastating moment for the family. In 2006, Gwan-sik succumbed to blood cancer, an illness stemming from untreated arthritis.
Before his passing, Gwan-sik spent nearly nine months at their residence in Jeju, surrounded by his family and grandchildren. The show tenderly portrays how, despite appearing weak due to his ailment, Gwan-sik maintained a courageous demeanor as he sought to provide for his loved ones one last time. He took initiative in repairing windows, adding locks, and ensuring his wife Ae-sun had new hairpins for when he would no longer be around.
In a heartfelt gesture, Gwan-sik fulfilled a long-held dream by publishing one of Ae-sun’s poems in a local magazine—an accomplishment he had envisioned since childhood.
The series illustrates Gwan-sik’s journey of unfulfilled childhood ambitions due to his responsibilities as a husband and father. Nonetheless, his sacrifices are portrayed with deep appreciation, reinforcing that he never regretted prioritizing his family’s welfare. The narrative artfully employs the sea as a symbol, mirroring Gwan-sik’s character as both a giver and a guardian.
Rich in symbolism, the series uses tangerines as a metaphorical representation of life’s diverse experiences—balancing sweetness and bitterness. The imagery depicted in the finale resonates profoundly, encapsulating the essence of love, sacrifice, and the inexorable passage of time.
When Life Gives You Tangerines is currently streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to experience this touching story.