On March 30, 2025, Chosun Biz highlighted the widespread impact of Lim Sang-chun’s heartfelt farewell letter to the cast and crew of When Life Gives You Tangerines. This poignant message, originally penned after the completion of filming, resonated deeply with fans following the show’s emotional finale.
Lim Sang-chun, renowned for her captivating storytelling, is the mastermind behind this popular Netflix series, which concluded its run on March 28, 2025. Known for her reclusive nature, Lim tends to avoid public appearances, preferring to let her scripts convey the profound connections she fosters between her narratives and the audience.
In her moving farewell letter, Lim reflected on the incredible journey experienced over the past year while bringing the drama to fruition. She poetically likened the creative process to the changing of the seasons, highlighting how the team, much like the characters they portrayed, endured a variety of life experiences throughout the production:
“It has been exactly a year since our ship set sail. We have truly experienced all four seasons together, just like our drama. As I stood at the harbor, praying, I realized how many magical things were happening. I saw you truly create a ‘field where cabbages burst forth,’ as well as the entire village, each season, and the world, all with a single heart. I was so reassured and moved by your hard work and attentiveness.”
Expressing her heartfelt appreciation, Lim emphasized the miracle of collaboration that made the drama a reality:
“Many, many years from now, when you stand in Aesoon’s flower garden and look back, I hope you will remember, ‘I think it was a good thing that I did that drama around that time…’ I hope for that memory to last long with you all. You were more than wonderful. You were passionate. You were the best. I will miss you until we meet again in spring. When Life Gives You Tangerines. And I deeply love you.”
With a touching conclusion, Lim expressed her hope that the experiences shared during the production would remain cherished memories for the team in the years to come.
Exploring Lim Sang-chun and When Life Gives You Tangerines: Background and Insights
Lim Sang-chun is a distinguished South Korean screenwriter, celebrated for her emotionally charged dramas that masterfully combine humor, romance, and significant social commentary. Her career took off with Becky’s Back (2016), but it was Fight for My Way (2017) that solidified her status as a prominent writer, featuring stars like Park Seo-jun and Kim Ji-won.
Before When Life Gives You Tangerines, one of her standout works was When the Camellia Blooms (2019), a series blending romance with thrilling elements surrounding a single mother’s determination. This drama enjoyed formidable ratings and received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Grand Prize (Daesang) at the KBS Drama Awards.
The cast of When Life Gives You Tangerines includes well-known actors IU and Moon So-ri, portraying the younger and older stages of Ae-soon, a resilient female lead facing life’s adversities while pursuing her dreams. IU is acclaimed for her performances in My Mister (2018) and Hotel Del Luna (2019). In contrast, veteran actress Moon So-ri brings a depth of experience to the role.
Additionally, Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon represent the character of Gwan-sik in his younger and older years, respectively. Gwan-sik is characterized as a loyal and sincere individual who steadfastly supports Ae-soon through her life journey. Park Bo-gum gained popularity with Reply 1988 and Love in the Moonlight, while Park Hae-joon (from The World of the Married) portrays Gwan-sik’s mature years with exceptional nuance.
The drama is further enriched by a stellar supporting cast featuring Kim Seon-young (noted for Crash Landing on You and Pachinko) as Ae-soon’s pragmatic aunt, and Go Min-si (of Youth of May and Sweet Home) as her childhood friend.
When Life Gives You Tangerines, a 16-episode Netflix drama, beautifully encapsulates decades of experiences set against the stunning backdrop of Jeju Island and is directed by Kim Won-seok, known for acclaimed series such as Signal and My Mister.
Fans can watch all 16 episodes of When Life Gives You Tangerines now streaming on Netflix.