OSEN Reports: “When Life Gives You Tangerines”Reigns in TV-OTT Ratings
On March 10, 2025, OSEN announced that the hit series When Life Gives You Tangerines>, featuring the talented IU and Park Bo-gum, has dominated the TV-OTT topical drama rankings, as reported by Good Data Corporation. This Netflix sensation has outperformed other popular series such as Melo Movie, starring Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-young, and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, headlined by Ju Ji-hoon.
In South Korea, When Life Gives You Tangerines is alternatively titled “폭싹 속았수다”or “Pokssak sog-atsuda,”which translates to “I Was Completely Fooled.”The series has also been referred to as “You Have Done Well.”
According to Won Soon-woo, a representative from Good Data Corporation, the response from viewers has been overwhelmingly positive. He indicated that netizens have expressed a range of emotions, from amusement to nostalgia, highlighting a shift in audience interest away from Netflix’s crime-thriller and fantasy genres that previously dominated their release schedule.
“It appears that netizens have been posting comments with the most diverse positive expressions recently, such as funny-cute-sad-hilarious-touching-thrilling-lovely. Viewers who felt tired of Netflix, which focused on releasing only crime-thriller-fantasy genres until last year, are responding positively to Netflix’s works that have been continuously releasing popular dramas since 25 years ago.”
Leading Performers Take the Spotlight
In addition to the series’ success, both IU and Park Bo-gum have made waves in the TV-OTT Drama Topical Cast category, with IU securing the top position and Park Bo-gum following closely in second place.
Plot Overview: Episodes 1 to 4
When Life Gives You Tangerines unfolds across four distinct seasons, mirroring the progression of time in South Korea. Veteran actress Moon So-ri takes on the role of an older IU, while Park Hae-joon portrays an older version of Park Bo-gum.
In a unique twist, IU not only plays the middle-aged character, Ae-sun, but also portrays Ae-sun’s daughter, Geum-myeong. Actor Lee Jun-young, known for his role in Melo Movie, stars as Geum-myeong’s love interest.
This captivating drama is set against the scenic backdrops of Jeju Island and intricately weaves a narrative of love, resilience, and personal growth that spans multiple decades. The tale primarily follows the intertwined lives of Oh Ae-sun, played by IU (Lee Ji-eun), and Yang Gwan-sik, portrayed by Park Bo-gum.
Ae-sun is characterized as a free-spirited “rebel”with dreams of becoming a poet, despite the limitations imposed by her impoverished upbringing that deny her access to formal education. Her passion for literature sets her apart from the societal expectations of her time, which confined women to domestic roles. In contrast, Gwan-sik embodies the quiet strength of an introverted and diligent young man who admires and respects Ae-sun.
While Ae-sun harbors dreams of soaring to success, it is Gwan-sik who consistently encourages her aspirations. From a young age, he declared his intention to be the “First Gentleman” should she fulfill her ambition of becoming president. His unwavering support serves as a steadfast foundation in her life.
The series opens with a present-day Ae-sun at the age of 70, actively participating in a poetry workshop for the elderly, which serves as a narrative gateway to her past, shifting back to early 1960s Jeju Island.
Young Ae-sun, depicted by Kim Tae-yeon, is a vibrant and imaginative girl raised by her paternal relatives due to her family’s dire financial situation. Her mother, Jeon Gwang-rye (played by Yum Hye-ran), is a haenyeo, a traditional female diver who works tirelessly to sustain her family. Despite facing numerous hardships, Ae-sun’s love for poetry and education remains unshaken.
As she often spends time by the shore, observing her mother and forming a deep bond with Gwan-sik, life takes an unexpected turn as financial struggles intensify and her mother passes away. The young Ae-sun grapples with harsh realities, juggling the responsibilities of caring for her siblings while yearning for a brighter future.
At 18, she decides to flee to Seoul for a fresh start, with Gwan-sik joining her journey. Their dreams take a downturn when they are robbed in Busan, forcing them to return to Jeju, where Ae-sun faces the derogatory label of “village waste.”
Displaced from her stepfather’s home and rejected by relatives, Ae-sun reluctantly moves in with Gwan-sik’s family after they decide to marry. Gwan-sik’s steadfast support provides a crucial pillar of strength in her tumultuous journey.
The series does an excellent job of depicting the socio-political climate of the 1970s, showcasing the challenges Ae-sun faces in her pursuit of education and literary aspirations against a backdrop of rampant gender norms and economic barriers. Gwan-sik’s encouragement propels Ae-sun to transcend her limitations, fighting societal obstacles to pursue her dreams.
Episodes 5 to 8 of When Life Gives You Tangerines are set to premiere on March 14, 2025, and eager viewers can catch the latest episodes on Netflix.