"Very, thank you for your hard work." A literary girl becoming a stubborn woman, and a life where waves strong enough to melt iron crash down. Was this what the writer wanted to say to Aesoon and Gwanseok, who endured those seasons in the nation? "When Life Gives You Tangerines" provided deep comfort to viewers through the words of IU and Park Bo-gum.

The Netflix original series "When Life Gives You Tangerines" (screenplay by Im Sang-chun, directed by Kim Won-seok) concluded with the release of its 16th episode (final episode) on the 28th. As can be inferred from the logline, the work unfolds the adventurous life of the rebellious Aesoon (IU, Moon So-ri), born in Jeju, and the inept Gwanseok (Park Bo-gum, Park Hae-joon) through the four seasons. IU and Moon So-ri presented Aesoon's youth and middle age, while Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon depicted Gwanseok's youth and middle age. Additionally, IU played the role of Aesoon and Gwanseok's eldest daughter, Geum-myeong. The work, unraveled into four acts, reminiscent of the four seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter, left a lasting impression as the first viewing pattern on Netflix, where binge-watching is common.

# IU and Park Bo-gum's anticipated work... there were rumors of 'nuisance filming'

The meeting of singer and actress IU and actor Park Bo-gum, known as 'Bogum Magic,' drew attention to "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which was highly anticipated from the planning stage. As a work from writer Im Sang-chun, recognized for its warm sensibility and writing in "When the Camellia Blooms," and director Kim Won-seok, praised for delicate direction in "Misaeng," "Signal," and "My Mister," expectations for a well-made series were high.

However, there were some controversies during the filming stage. With a staggering production cost of about 60 billion won reported, concerns arose that expectations might be inflated. Furthermore, the filming, which involved controlling citizens during the Cheongbori Field Festival in Gochang, received intense criticism for being 'nuisance filming.'

Amidst the coexistence of anticipation and concern, "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which premiered on the 7th, alleviated all worries from the first act. Responses emerged that not only diluted initial reservations but also led to excessive immersion. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" proved to be a work that invites understanding from various aspects.

The lives of Aesoon and Gwanseok are far too arduous to be merely categorized as a love story. Aesoon, who was given up by both parents to the unknown sea, grew up like a maid throughout her childhood in Jeju, where gender discrimination was severe. Although she wanted to become a poet as a literary girl dreaming of leaving for the mainland, her dreams were crushed due to her circumstances of being parentless, leading her to elope with her first love, Gwanseok.

Even though she endured the harsh life of her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law, who were demanding with their expectations, she ran away from the in-laws' home when they tried to use her beloved daughter, Geum-myeong, whom she loved dearly, as a 'household asset' to become a diver. Her determination, which led her to overturn the dining table to prevent her daughter from ending up like her parents who were consumed by the sea, was supported by Gwanseok's unwavering love.

# There are no 'villains'... everything makes sense

Gwanseok's affection is strong but feels somewhat stifling. Although he never made a proper confession until they reached their teenage years, he constantly brought Aesoon cabbage instead. Even on hot summer days, he silently packed long sleeves. However, within that is the warmth toward the literary girl who couldn't say a word like "I want cabbage,” and the consideration for his wife who would feel heartache seeing the captain who got hurt.

Perhaps because of the boundless love Gwanseok provided, the once rebellious Aesoon becomes a mother who gives limitless love to her children like Gwanseok. Even when her daughter Geum-myeong, who went to Seoul National University, speaks harshly with her intelligence, Aesoon welcomes her with open arms and a smile, referring to her as "my dear." However, this, too, is gradually understandable within the context of "When Life Gives You Tangerines." From Geum-myeong's perspective, Aesoon's fruit stand, which seemed to be a miserable existence, was, as an adult, a place where she cultivated children that could not be fully raised. Geum-myeong’s grievances, which penetrated the hearts of her parents, emerged from her inability to repay the boundless love she received as the eldest.

Aesoon and Gwanseok's deep understanding is not unique to them. The haenyeo aunties who care for Aesoon as if she is their daughter because she is the daughter of their colleague, Gwang-rye, and even the 'Yang family' in-laws who make life difficult enough to consider running away or divorcing, reveal their own struggles, and even the neighbor Dongdong-ri, who nearly became Aesoon’s stepfather, show the complex relationships within her life. Everything from the loyalty of haenyeos to the burdensome in-law life and the violent patriarchy prompts reflection—are the characters merely following the lessons learned from above? Just like people we see every day in our homes or somewhere.

Furthermore, this consideration and understanding extend beyond the camera. They prompt viewers to reflect on their own reality. Whether it's your mother, father, child, yourself, or any neighbor who has crossed paths, haven't we all once been like Aesoon, Gwanseok, and Geum-myeong? The shaman grandmother (Kim Yong-rim) who threw red beans to demand a male descendant from Gwanseok and Gwanseok's mother, Gyeok-ok (Oh Min-ae), who managed the household while caring for her dog 'Hyoja' are just ordinary people we see beside us. It seems to convey the message that even the lives of ordinary people, marked by hardships, are akin to a drama. This warm perspective could be the viewpoint of writer Im Sang-chun, veiled in mystery.

# Tears, how can one not cry?

Because of this, I welcome Netflix's courageous decision to avoid binge-watching. Just like the four seasons that separate a year, the time of "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is divided into vivid colors. It breaks down prejudices. The seasons where spring is vibrant and summer is refreshing are times that cannot be expressed in just one word, stacked into the four acts of "When Life Gives You Tangerines." This is the reason why, even after all 16 episodes have been released, binge-watching should not be done easily. Tears will surely blur the view before completing the watch.

"Every episode is a sea of tears." This phrase was frequently heard among devoted viewers throughout the release of the work. In reviews affirming the work, the phrase "my eyes were blinded" often appeared. The dramatic narratives that elevate intense emotions and evoke exaggerated tears are often considered typical of what is known as 'shinpah' in Korea. Leaving aside its origins and processes, this expression was by no means related to praise. Nevertheless, the shinpah of "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is different.

In an era that divides man and woman, old and young, the established generation and youth, the privileged and the minorities, wealth and poverty, race and nation, amid a great wave of hatred, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" crashes understanding into your heart like a torrent. If these waves of emotion evoke tears, then "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is indeed true shinpah. And perhaps we have not liked shinpah; we simply have not encountered a true work.

Aesoon and Gwanseok, who miss their parents yet endure with love, are not alone. There are many such kind souls around us, simply tired of their own lives and failing to look around. Whether or not they are family, ordinary people who embrace their precious others abound. In every rural village or urban area, whether it be in the 1960s or in 2025, there are stories worth telling, and I want to convey to everyone who has endured the unnoticed time: 'When Life Gives You Tangerines.'

[Photo] Provided by Netflix.

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