On March 28, 2025, the production team behind When Life Gives You Tangerines paid heartfelt tribute to the late actress Kang Myung-joo at the conclusion of episode 13. Kang portrayed Bu-yong, the mother of the character Young-beom, delivering a compelling performance as a dominant figure who disapproved of her son’s girlfriend, Geum-myeong, ultimately seeing her as his wife.
To honor Kang’s memory, the series included a poignant message at the end of the episode, which was translated by Kbizoom:
“Remembering actress Kang Myung-joo, the emerald of the world and our pride.”
Kang Myung-joo sadly passed away due to cancer in February 2025, marking a significant loss for the entertainment industry.
Acclaim for When Life Gives You Tangerines
The final trilogy of episodes—14, 15, and 16—was released on March 30, 2025, leading to an outpouring of appreciation from viewers. The series achieved an impressive rating of 9.2 stars on MyDramaList, affirming its status as the highest-rated drama on the platform. It triumphed over other popular series such as Twinkling Watermelon and Move to Heaven.
Set in a slice-of-life romantic context, When Life Gives You Tangerines boasts an impressive cast, which includes renowned actors like IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, Park Hae-joon, Kim Tae-yeon, Lee Chun-moo, Kim Yong-rim, Na Moon-hee, Yeom Hye-ran, Oh Min-ae, and Kim Seon-ho.
The series is directed by Kim Won-suk, famed for his previous works such as My Mister, Signal, and Misaeng: Incomplete Life. The screenplay was crafted by Ryu Seong-hee, whose other notable dramas include Little Women and Ode to My Father.
The official synopsis for When Life Gives You Tangerines, as provided by Asianwiki, depicts the storyline as follows:
“Ae-Sun (IU) and Gwan-Sik (Park Bo-Gum) were born in Jeju, South Korea in the 1950s. Ae-Sun is a rebellious girl with a passion for literature, though her impoverished background prevents her from attending school. Despite this, her aspirations to become a poet remain unshaken.”
The synopsis continues:
“She communicates her emotions freely and authentically, while Gwan-Sik, a sincere and hardworking young man, cherishes his love for Ae-Sun and honors her deeply.”
This romantic comedy consists of sixteen episodes and is available for streaming on Netflix in the United States, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the engaging narrative.