Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' proves its enduring popularity by ranking 2nd in Netflix's global TOP 10 series (non-English) institutional sector, while revealing behind-the-scenes production insights and previously unreleased stills.

The Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' which depicts the adventurous life of ‘feisty rebel’ Aesoon and ‘clumsy iron’ Gwan-sik born in Jeju through the four seasons, recorded 6,000,000 viewership (the number is divided by the total running time of the work) in its second week of release, clinching 2nd place in the global TOP 10 series (non-English) institutional sector. It continues to enjoy rising popularity not only in South Korea but also in a total of 41 countries including Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

'When Life Gives You Tangerines' vividly portrays stories from the 1960s and 70s as if they were happening right before our eyes, evoking empathy across generations both domestically and internationally.

After the release of the second act, it left a deep impression on viewers from the younger generation, reminding them of their parents' stories, while evoking memories of difficult past times for viewers from the parent generation. 'The stories contained here... are precious because they depict lives we have lived and will continue to live,' said one viewer (YouTube shs*********). Another noted, 'The story of Gwan-sik and Geum-myeong, a dad who wants to give everything to his eldest daughter and the daughter who feels both grateful and upset about such a dad, personally sticks with me' (X __do***). 'Even as someone who rarely cries, I cried. This is one of those rare life-changing works, so definitely watch it' (Naver Odd***), reflecting that domestic viewers have empathized with the characters, crying and finding solace together. International viewers also remarked, 'A beautifully structured drama that captures love, resilience, and the passage of time' (IMDB dan*****), and 'It's a painfully beautiful work. It quietly approaches and envelops you in genuine warmth, only to shatter your soul at unexpected moments. I loved every moment of it' (IMDB mhS*****), emphasizing that 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' portrays relatable stories of human life that resonate across generations and borders.

'When Life Gives You Tangerines' director Kim Won-seok, art director Ryu Seong-hee, and cinematographer Choi Yoon-man worked diligently to realistically capture the flow of time from the 1960s Jeju to 2025. Art director Ryu Seong-hee, known for films 'Decision to Leave' and 'Alien+Human,' added touches to various settings in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' including Dodong-ri village, bright yellow canola flower fields, and the scenery of 1970s Seoul.

Director Kim Won-seok said, 'Thanks to the tremendous dedication and effort of Ryu Seong-hee and Choi Ji-hye, along with the art team and props team, led by Jang Jeong-woo, we were able to achieve the detail of the spaces.' He also elaborated on the production intentions behind the filming, stating, 'We discussed methods with the cinematographer to ensure that the actors' performances flowed naturally without interruptions.' He noted that they aimed to avoid stylish camera work and editing whenever possible. In the remaining third and fourth acts, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' is expected to unfold the life seasons of 'Aesoon' and 'Gwan-sik' like a panorama, providing viewers with joy and emotional comfort.

The behind-the-scenes and unreleased stills revealed alongside the series perfectly capture the actors immersed in their characters and the sets reflecting the flow of time from the 1960s Jeju to 1980s Seoul, reminiscent of the tumultuous stories unfolded in the second act. First, the youthful teenage appearances of ‘Aesoon’ (IU) and ‘Gwan-sik’ (Park Bo-gum) stand out. Gwan-sik, despite being in the physical education department, participated in the essay contest due to his one-sided love for Aesoon, while Aesoon's pose in front of a tree elicits a smile.

Additionally, the adorable braided-hair characters 'Geum-myeong' (IU), ‘Aesoon’ (Moon So-ri), and ‘Gwan-sik’ (Park Hae-joon) evoke warmth that parallels what was shown in the work. IU's challenge of playing two roles also draws attention. The contrasting appearances of the long-haired college student 'Geum-myeong' enjoying campus life and the short permed 'Aesoon' in Dodong-ri showcase IU's effort to express both characters. The subtle appearance of 'Geum-myeong' (played by Ahn Tae-rin) dressed similarly to the college student Geum-myeong hints at the cheerful atmosphere during filming.

The diverse appearances of the characters that further enrich the lives of ‘Aesoon’ and ‘Gwan-sik’ are also a pleasant surprise. Na Moon-hee as ‘Chun-ok’ and Yeom Hye-ran showcase the passion of actors who deeply immersed themselves in their characters, while the haenyeo aunts 'Chung-soo', 'Yang-im', and 'Gyeong-ja,' played by Cha Mi-kyung, Lee Soo-mi, and Baek Ji-won, convey the cheerful atmosphere on set.

'When Life Gives You Tangerines' depicts the tumultuous life journey of 'Aesoon' and 'Gwan-sik,' from childhood best friends to becoming parents, woven through the four seasons. Enhanced by the touch of veteran producers, ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ is set to remain a classic work in the hearts of people, with Act 3 premiering exclusively on Netflix on March 21 (Friday).

[Photo] Netflix TOP 10 website, behind-the-scenes unreleased stills

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