When Life Gives You Tangerines TV Series (2025) – Watch Online, Release Date, Cast, Episodes, Story, Platform, Trailer, Poster, Review
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When Life Gives You Tangerines TV Series Details
| Original title | 폭싹 속았수다 |
| Also known as | You Were Fooled , Life, Thank You For Your Hard Work, You Have Done Well, Pogssag Sogassuda, Pokssak Sogasssuda, Insaeng, Sugo Manheusyeossseubnida, 인생, 수고 많으셨습니다 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Genres | History, Romance, Slice-of-life Drama |
| Season | 1 |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Release date | March 7, 2025 – March 28, 2025 |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Age rating | TV-14 |
| Starring | IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, Park Hae-joon |
| Created by | Kim Won-seok |
| Directed by | Kim Won-seok |
| Written by | Lim Sang-choon, Im Sang-choon |
| Produced by | Kim Won-suk |
| Music by | Studio Curiosity |
| Art Direction by | Ryu Seong-hie |
| Production Company | Pan Entertainment, Baram Pictures |
| Original Network | Netflix |
| Budget | ₩60 billion |
Cast & Characters
Main
- IU as Oh Ae-sun / Yang Geum-myeong
- Kim Tae-yeon as child Ae-sun
- Moon So-ri as middle age Ae-sun
- Oh Ae-sun: A spirited rebel, much like a “stubborn potato”. Despite being in a situation that calls for maturity, she remains unyielding, her voice trembling like a goat each time she defies. She is a young girl with a touch of literary charm. Though slightly inexperienced, she is not overshadowed. Like a vibrant flower, she defiantly tilts her head towards the sun, even beneath the shaded walls that deny a single ray of light. She is an intriguing character, resolute and unfazed, radiating a captivating presence. Even in circumstances where attending school is impossible, she dreams of becoming a poet. Unafraid to express her emotions openly, her laughter resounds across the vast sea. She is a bold and spirited individual.
- Yang Geum-myeong: Ae-sun and Gwan-sik daughter who graduated in English language and literature from Seoul National University
- Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik
- Lee Cheon-mu as child Gwan-sik
- Moon Woo-jin as teen Gwan-sik
- Park Hae-joon as middle age Gwan-sik
A character as silent and unyielding as a “cast iron” and as unshakable as an “old tree”. He is a diligent and unwavering individual, understanding the immense power of true dedication. In matters of love, however, he is as fragile as a ripe peach. Even a smile from Ae-sun can cause his heart to falter, and her tears are equally devastating. Nevertheless, his loyalty, like unyielding steel, remains unshakable. From the very beginning, he loves and cherishes Ae-sun alone, never straying from his commitment. Using the pretext of the era, he takes the reins of Ae-sun’s pivotal moments, steering, pulling the emergency brake, and at times even stepping on the accelerator of life. These actions defy the predictable course of time, as he wholeheartedly embraces his role as a warrior of unwavering devotion.
Supporting
- Kim Yong-rim as Park Mak-cheon, Gwan-sik’s grandmother who is a shaman
- Oh Min-ae as Kwon Gye-ok, Gwan-sik’s mother
- Na Moon-hee as Kim Chun-ok, Ae-sun’s grandmother
- Yeom Hye-ran as Jeon Gwang-rye, Ae-sun’s mother who is a haenyeo
- Jung Hae-kyun as Oh Han-moo, Ae-sun’s uncle
- Choi Dae-hoon as Bu Sang-gil, Ae-sun’s political rival
- Kang You-seok as Yang Eun-myeong, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s son
- Jang Hye-jin as Yeong-ran, Sang-gil’s wife
- Baek Ji-won as Hong Kyung-ja, a haenyeo
- Cha Mi-kyung as Park Chung-su, a haenyeo
- Lee Soo-mi as Choi Yang-im, a haenyeo
- Oh Jung-se as Yeom Byeong-cheol, Ae-sun’s stepfather
- Uhm Ji-won as Na Min-ok
- Lee Jun-young as Park Yeong-bum, Geum-myeong’s first love
- Lee Soo-kyung as Bu Hyeon-suk, Sang-gil and Yeong-ran’s daughter
Special appearances
- Kim Jae-young as a chauffeur
- Kim Su-an as Oh Jenny, Geum-myeong’s tutee
- Kim Geum-soon as Mi-hyang, Jenny’s mum
- Kim Seon-ho as Park Chung-seop, an artist
- Kim Sung-ryung as Jeong Mi-in, an actress
Storyline
It is a story that resembles a tribute to our parents’ tender and still youthful seasons when they were so young, including the story of mother’s first love, father’s heroic tales, grandma’s rebellious youth, and grandpa’s romantic era.
Ae Sun is rebellious but gets nervous every time she rebels. She is not well off but is always shining and full of positivity. She dreams of becoming a poet, although she cannot attend school, and she is a bold character who doesn’t hide any emotions.
Gwan Sik is an extremely diligent and quiet character. Romance is not a strength for him, and he doesn’t know how to act if Ae Sun cries or laughs, but he is a silent warrior who only loves Ae Sun from the very beginning and pours his all into loving her.
About When Life Gives You Tangerines TV Series
When Life Gives You Tangerines (Korean: 폭싹 속았수다) is a South Korean romance slice-of-life TV drama created by Lim Sang-choon, directed by Kim Won-seok, and starring IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon.
The series was developed under the working title Life (Korean: 인생; RR: Insaeng) by Kim Won-seok and written by Lim Sang-choon, who came back after writing the 2019 KBS drama When the Camellia Blooms. Production designer Ryu Seong-hie told in December 2022 that the series was one of her new projects. It would be her third drama after Little Women and Mask Girl.
On 27 January 2023, it was announced that the official Korean title of the series was “폭싹 속았수다”: the title, which is in Jeju dialect, means “Thank you for your hard work”. Three days later, the English title of the series was announced by Netflix to be When Life Gives You Tangerines. The production cost is said to be approximately ₩60 billion.
IU and Park Bo-gum were cast in the main roles of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik respectively, confirmed on January 27, 2023. It is Kim Won-seok and IU’s second collaboration after the 2018 tvN drama series My Mister.
Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon were cast on January 30, 2023, to play the grown-up Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, respectively. This is the fourth collaboration between Park Hae-joon and director Kim Won-seok following the casting for tvN dramas Misaeng: Incomplete Life, My Mister, and Arthdal Chronicles.
Following casting reports, Choi Dae-hoon was announced as part of the cast on February 28, 2023. Furthermore, it was revealed that the production of the series would commence in March. The casting of Na Moon-hee and Kim Yong-rim was confirmed on March 10, 2023.
This is a reunion of Kim Yong-rim and IU since it has been nine years since their previous collaboration in the KBS2 weekend drama series You Are the Best! released in 2013. Finally, the casting of Lee Jun-young was confirmed on March 15, 2023.
On March 7, 2023, the cast read the script for the first time. Actors who read the script include IU, Park Bo-gum, Lee Jun-young, Choi Dae-hoon, Na Moon-hee, and Kim Yong-rim.
Lee Soo-kyung joined on May 12, 2023. There were reports that the script reading would occur after a meeting with director Kim Won-seok. Baek Ji-won’s casting was confirmed on June 23, 2023, followed by Oh Jeong-se on July 25, 2023.
Jeong Yi-seo’s casting had been confirmed on August 24, 2023. Lee Soo-mi’s casting had been confirmed on September 5, 2023. In an interview with Yeom Hye-ran on September 16, 2023, it was announced that her next project would be When Life Gives You Tangerines.
On 27 July 2023, an article came out stating that Kim Seon-ho would make a special appearance. In December of the same year, at the 8th Asia Artist Awards in Bulacan, Philippines, Kim Seon-ho revealed that the drama was going to be his project for 2024. In January 2024, a news article quoted his appearance in the drama.
The drama was also filmed in Andong more than 30 times in 2023.
When Life Gives You Tangerines Release Date
In April 2023, it was announced that PAN Entertainment signed a production contract with Netflix. It was scheduled for distribution in 190 countries in 2024. On January 30, 2024, media outlets published the script reading photos of the drama and announced its exclusive release on Netflix worldwide.
In January 2025, Netflix revealed the series’ release date as March 7.
When Life Gives You Tangerines Episodes
Where to Watch When Life Gives You Tangerines TV Series Online?
FAQs
When Life Gives You Tangerines meaning?
“When life gives you tangerines” is a play on the familiar saying “Thank You for Your Hard Work” encouraging viewers to find the positive in difficult situations.
Where can I watch When Life Gives You Tangerines episodes?
When Life Gives You Tangerines is now available for streaming worldwide on Netflix. It premiered on March 7, 2025, 4 episodes every week, total 16 episodes.
How many episodes are in When Life Gives You Tangerines season?
When Life Gives You Tangerines has total 16 episodes and available on Netflix.
When Life Gives You Tangerines cast?
When Life Gives You Tangerines stars IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, Park Hae-joon, Kim Yong-lim, Na Moon-hee, Yeom Hye-ran, Oh Min-ae, Choi Dae-hoon, Chang Hyae-jin, Cha Mi-kyeong, Lee Soo-mi, Baik Ji-won, Cheong Hae-kyun, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Jun-young, Kang You-seok, and Lee Soo-kyung.
Who was the director of When Life Gives You Tangerines?
When Life Gives You Tangerines is directed by Kim Won-seok. He also directed Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010), Monstar (2013), Misaeng (2014), Signal (2016), My Mister (2018), and Arthdal Chronicles (2019).
Who was the writer of When Life Gives You Tangerines?
When Life Gives You Tangerines is written by Lim Sang-choon. She is best known for her work on the television drama Fight for My Way (2017) and When the Camellia Blooms (2019) for which she won the Best Screenplay Award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards, the 2019 KBS Drama Awards, and 47th Korea Broadcasting Awards.
When will When Life Gives You Tangerines be released?
When Life Gives You Tangerines will release four new episodes every Friday through March 28, 2025.
When was When Life Gives You Tangerines released?
When Life Gives You Tangerines was released on March 7, 2025, four new episodes every Friday through March 28, 2025.
What happens in When Life Gives You Tangerines?
Beginning in Jeju in 1951, the spirited Ae-sun and the steadfast Gwan-sik’s island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs — proving love endures across time.
Is When Life Gives You Tangerines based on a book?
No, When Life Gives You Tangerines is a original stary written by Lim Sang-choon.
Where does When Life Gives You Tangerines take place?
When Life Gives You Tangerines takes place across a span of 50 years on Jeju Island and in Seoul and Busan in South Korea.
What are haenyeo?
“Haenyeo” (해녀), meaning “women of the sea” in Korean, refers to female divers in the South Korean province of Jeju, who traditionally harvest seafood by diving without scuba gear. Haenyeo have reportedly existed for 1,000 years in Korea.
Is When Life Gives You Tangerines finished?
When Life Gives You Tangerines was released on March 7, 2025, four new episodes every Friday and ended on March 28, 2025.
When Life Gives You Tangerines release date?
Kim Won-seok directed When Life Gives You Tangerines is premiered on March 7, 2025, four new episodes every Friday through March 28, 2025.
Will When Life Gives You Tangerines be renewed for season 2?
Netflix has classified as a When Life Gives You Tangerines as ‘Limited Series‘ in its bi-annual engagement reports. It indicates that there is no season 2 will follow.
How many seasons When Life Gives You Tangerines have?
When Life Gives You Tangerines have only 1 season which premiered on March 7, 2025, on Netflix.
