Netflix’s acclaimed series, When Life Gives You Tangerines, has captured the hearts of viewers globally thanks to its poignant storytelling and vibrant cultural context. The much-anticipated final episode aired on March 28, 2025, leaving fans reflecting on its powerful narrative.
Over its structured four volumes, the series intricately wove the paths of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, culminating in a final scene that has provoked considerable discourse regarding its themes of life, death, and potentially the afterlife.
Four Seasons, Four Volumes
The series is segmented into four distinct volumes, each reflecting a different season and phase in the lives of the main characters:
- Volume 1: Spring – Introduces young Ae-sun and Gwan-sik during the 1960s on Jeju Island, illustrating their emerging friendship against a backdrop of personal struggles.
- Volume 2: Summer – Chronicles their progression into adulthood, encompassing marriage and the emotional turmoil of economic hardships and the tragic loss of a child.
- Volume 3: Autumn – Focuses on their middle age, highlighting the lives of their adult children as they embark on their own journeys of love and self-discovery.
- Volume 4: Winter – Brings a poignant resolution to their saga, emphasizing themes of legacy and enduring affection, culminating in Ae-sun’s heartbreaking farewell to her beloved Gwan-sik.
The Cycle of Loss
Each act explores profound themes of loss:
- The first act introduces Ae-sun, who faces the pain of losing her mother at the tender age of nine.
- The second act depicts the tragic passing of their three-year-old son, Dong-myeong, swept away by a typhoon.
- The third act reveals the heartbreak of their daughter, Geum-myeong, as she faces her own love’s dissolution.
- The final act encapsulates the sorrow of a family’s loss, emphasizing the depth of grief felt by Ae-sun as she bids farewell to Gwan-sik.
The series’ emotional climax is illustrated in a touching scene where young Ae-sun and Gwan-sik are seen hand in hand in a field of vibrant canola flowers. Fans widely interpret this as a metaphor for the afterlife, signifying their eternal bond that transcends mortal limits. As they share dreams of a future filled with love and family, it reinforces the notion that their relationship is a safe haven.
Fans’ Emotional Reactions
Audiences have taken to social media to express their interpretations of the moving finale, many resonating deeply with the series’ exploration of life’s cyclical nature. Comments include:
“this drama is a masterpiece”
Many fans have hailed When Life Gives You Tangerines as one of their all-time favorites, with several sharing their hopes that Ae-sun finds Gwan-sik again in the afterlife, forever youthful and joyful.
“For my sanity, in my head, gwanshik waits for aesun and they will meet again in the afterlife and are forever young & happy in this field. I rest my case!!!!”a fan wrote.
Other viewers reflected on the sense of completion they felt after witnessing the characters evolve through their losses:
“I feel like I’ve also finished one cycle of life while watching this. Gwangsik and Aesun younger days will always be remembered as eternal spring,”another fan added.
As the final episodes unfurled, they prepared fans for the heartbreak of Gwan-sik’s passing:
“I officially announce that this is the best series I have ever watched in my life…”a fan remarked.
A Poetic Representation of Womanhood
When Life Gives You Tangerines unfolds the intertwined narratives of Oh Ae-sun and Yang Gwan-sik, spanning from their youth in the 1960s to the present day. In its stirring conclusion, Gwan-sik’s cancer diagnosis shakes the family unit, yet his love for Ae-sun remains unwavering.
One memorable scene features the father-daughter duo reminiscing about cherished moments, filled with laughter and tenderness during Gwan-sik’s hospital stay. He reflects on their journey of love, marriage, and parenthood.
In the emotionally charged final episode, as dawn breaks, Gwan-sik asks Geum-myeong to care for her mother, Ae-sun. This moment underscores the family dynamic and the love that binds them even in times of despair.
Despite his declining health, Ae-sun’s devotion to Gwan-sik shines brightly. Opting to spend his final days at home, Gwan-sik passes at 56, fulfilling his wish for Ae-sun’s poetry to be published. Ultimately, Ae-sun realizes her dream and releases her book in 2023, representing her triumph amidst heartache.
Fans can watch When Life Gives You Tangerines, featuring IU and Park Bo-gum, on Netflix.