On April 2, actress IU, renowned for her role in the K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, participated in an engaging interview with OSEN, a notable South Korean media outlet. The interview took place at the luxurious Ambassador Seoul Pullman Grand Ballroom in Jung-gu, Seoul, where IU discussed her critically acclaimed series that has been receiving significant attention from fans and netizens alike.
Aside from questions centered on her K-drama, the interviewer also sought IU’s perspective on her boyfriend, Lee Jong-suk’s, views about the show, especially given its rising popularity both domestically and internationally. IU and Lee Jong-suk have been public about their relationship since December 2022. However, IU candidly mentioned her uncertainty about Lee Jong-suk’s opinions on the series, suggesting that his busy schedule might have prevented him from watching it.
With a touch of humor, IU commented that she would refrain from discussing her boyfriend until the promotional activities for When Life Gives You Tangerines wrap up. She playfully asserted that her focus is currently on Gwan-sik, the character portrayed by Park Bo-gum, stating:
“First of all, he’s very busy. So, I think he probably hasn’t seen it. That’s what I assume since I know he’s very busy.’ She then wittingly added, ‘Today is the last day of promotions for ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ so right now, all I know is Gwan-sik. I only know Yang Gwan-sik (laughs). Maybe tomorrow it’ll be okay to talk (about my boyfriend).”
This interview has garnered a positive response from fans, who appreciated IU’s witty handling of the questions. Nevertheless, some voiced their frustration regarding the media’s focus on her private life when it diverged from the promotional content of the K-drama. Comments from fans reflected a desire for a stronger emphasis on her professional work rather than her relationship.
“And that’s why I hate when celebs make their relationships public, y’all make it their whole personality, what does that have to do anything with the drama”
Reactions from fans included:
“she really said this ain’t about iu and jongsuk, let’s talk about aesun and gwanshik instead,”said a fan on X.
“nice to know she jokingly talks about her boyfriend while still being so witty to focus on wlgyt she’s so smart with interviews,”added another fan.
“i just love the way she answers interview questions,”commented a netizen.
Other fans chimed in with similar sentiments:
“i love her for this but i hope people can stop bringing up her bf every single time bc it’s her drama….. come on,”stated a fan.
“Oohh.. She said.. Im in a relationship but today i want to talk about my work,”added an X user.
“what with the question, just talk about her work instead of her private life,”said a netizen.
“she respectfully says, mind your own business,”commented another X user.
Exploring the New Netflix K-Drama: When Life Gives You Tangerines
When Life Gives You Tangerines, a freshly premiered K-drama on Netflix, showcases a stellar cast including IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon. The series launched on March 7 and concluded with its finale on March 28, captivating audiences across sixteen episodes.
The narrative centers on childhood friends Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, who have grown up in a seaside village. Ae-sun is portrayed as an independent and spirited woman, while Gwan-sik embodies a more reserved and diligent character. Their evolving friendship eventually leads them to embark on a romantic journey.
Faced with constraints from their hometown, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik make the daring choice to elope, seeking new opportunities in Busan. Yet, their path is fraught with challenges as they aspire to create a family together. The series embodies a slice-of-life genre, exploring intricate themes of love, aspirations, and familial bonds in a heartfelt and relatable manner.
All episodes of When Life Gives You Tangerines are currently available for streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in this poignant story.