When Life Gives You Tangerines: A 10/10 K-Drama That’s Perfect From Start To Finish

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Truly great K-dramas are uncommon, but When Life Gives You Tangerines is exceptional throughout. Netflix has been instrumental in popularizing the genre since the mid-2010s, attracting millions of new viewers with a constant stream of both acquired and original series. 2025 offered many K-dramas, but When Life Gives You Tangerines instantly distinguished itself on Netflix.

Even though it first aired in March, When Life Gives You Tangerines continued to be a huge success throughout 2025. As of early 2026, it remains Netflix’s most popular K-drama romance. The series has also gained recognition within the Korean film industry. However, its growing popularity isn’t simply because it’s new; there’s more to its appeal.

When Life Gives You Tangerines Is Perfect From Start To Finish

The Four-Volume K-Drama Is Revolutionary

The highly anticipated K-drama of 2025 centers on Oh Ae-sun, a poet portrayed by IU, who grew up facing difficulties on Jeju Island. She finds love with Yang Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), and together they move to Seoul. However, their life is filled with challenges as they dedicate themselves to raising their two children, Geum-myeong (played by IU) and Eun-myeong (Kang You-seok), often making significant sacrifices.

The story unfolds over four volumes, each with four captivating episodes. It doesn’t follow a straight timeline, instead jumping between decades and locations – from 1950s Jeju Island to 2000s Seoul – to explore the family’s history. Everything, including the storytelling style, music, and visual transitions, is beautifully done and holds deep significance for the character Oh Ae-sun.

The K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines is a heartwarming story that follows the everyday life of its characters until the very end. The series centers on Ae-sun, her husband, and their children as they navigate life’s ups and downs, with each season – spring, summer, fall, and winter – marked by specific episodes. Later in the series, the story shifts focus to a new central character named Geum-myeong.

Many K-dramas look good, but When Life Gives You Tangerines stands out because it has real depth. You don’t need to be an artist to enjoy the show’s beauty, and you don’t need to know the historical context to understand why it’s meaningful.

When Life Gives You Tangerines Will Age Well

The 2025 Title Is An Instant Classic

Critics have already praised When Life Gives You Tangerines for its impressive detail. While it’s quickly become one of the best K-dramas of the last ten years in just eleven months, this Netflix series has the potential to become a true classic and join the ranks of all-time greats.

As a total film and TV buff, I was really struck by When Life Gives You Tangerines. Even though it’s set in very specific moments in the past, it somehow feels classic and even a little bit like looking back at old memories. What I loved most was how it jumped between two different time periods. It wasn’t confusing at all; instead, it really emphasized the feeling of time passing and made the story even more compelling. It created this beautiful contrast between the past and present that just added so much depth.

Both Park Bo-gum and IU have received praise for their acting, but When Life Gives You Tangerines could be a truly standout project for both of them. IU has successfully moved from being a singer to an actress, and this role as Ae-sun/Geum-myeong really showcases her skills like never before. Likewise, while Park Bo-gum has played many popular leading men, his portrayal of Gwan-sik feels different and more impactful than his previous work.

Despite its initially sad tone, the series When Life Gives You Tangerines has the potential to become a beloved classic, growing richer with time. As years pass, viewers will likely discover new layers to appreciate, and critics will be able to fully recognize its brilliance in future reviews. Ultimately, Gwan-sik and Ae-sun are poised to become one of K-drama’s most unforgettable couples.

Are There Other K-Dramas Like When Life Gives You Tangerines?

Nothing Hits Exactly The Same

As much as I’m loving When Life Gives You Tangerines, and hoping it reaches the heights of shows like Crash Landing on You and Reply 1988, there’s still plenty of great K-drama to watch while we wait! Honestly, whatever you’re enjoying most about it – whether it’s the beautiful poetry, the spot-on historical costumes, or just the gorgeous scenery – there are other shows out there that deliver that same feeling. You can definitely find something to fill the void!

If you like stories about family and how time changes people, Apple TV+’s Pachinko is a great choice, especially because it beautifully blends Japanese and American cultures. However, if you’re particularly interested in the life and setting of Jeju Island, you might enjoy Our Blues instead, as that series is set there.

I’m still reeling from finishing When Life Gives You Tangerines, and honestly, finding something quite like it feels impossible! But if I’m craving that same warm, fuzzy feeling, I’ve been looking into other K-dramas. I’m especially drawn to historical romances, stories where characters grow up together and fall in love, or even just revisiting some of my favorite work by Park Bo-gum and IU. While nothing will ever exactly hit the same way, there are definitely other dramas out there that can give me those sweet, sentimental vibes.

I don’t think anything will ever quite compare to When Life Gives You Tangerines. What makes it so special is how unique it is. Ae-sun’s story is one of a kind, and I truly believe we’ll never see anything exactly like it again. Other K-dramas might try to recreate the feeling, but When Life Gives You Tangerines has a genuine heart that just can’t be copied.

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2026-02-15 02:31