K-netizens react to 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' starring IU and Park Bo Gum: 'It made me think of my...'

The highly awaited period drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, featuring IU and Park Bo Gum, made its debut on March 7 with the first four episodes. Directed by the talented Kim Won Seok (known for My Mister) and written by Lim Sang Choon (from When the Camellias Bloom), the show had already created a lot of excitement before it even aired.
Set on Jeju Island, this drama tells the story of the feisty Ae Sun (played by IU) and the reliable Gwan Sik (played by Park Bo Gum). Their tale unfolds from their teenage years in the 1960s into their later lives, highlighting the simple yet poignant moments that life brings. With a jaw-dropping production budget of 60 billion KRW (around USD 42 million), the hype was through the roof.
After it aired, Korean audiences flocked to online platforms to share their reactions. Many were touched, commending the show's emotional resonance and powerful acting. Some viewers even mentioned how it brought them to tears, saying:
While one user said, "It's only been 4 episodes but I was already crying my eyes out," another one added, "It made me think of my mom so much TT." A user also commented, "Ae Sun's acting was crazy TT."
A netizen wrote, "If you liked 'When the Camellias Bloom', you will love this for sure." A user added, "It deals with the really difficult struggles that a lot of people endured back in those days... but I'm not sure if people born after the 2000s will be able to relate to what life was like then."
Even though reactions have been all over the place, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' has gotten people talking. Some folks were hooked right from the beginning, while others think it might not be for everyone. As the plot develops, it'll be cool to see how people's views change in the next few weeks.