“When Life Gives You Tangerines” is an endearing yet tear-jerking series that takes place during the 1950s in Jeju Island in South Korea. This moving story follows the young protagonist, Ae-Sun, and her faithful companion, Gwan-sik, through the many phases of their lives as they experience happiness and heartbreak, milestones and setbacks. Their story serves as a reminder that the challenges of life can reveal some of the most human yet bittersweet experiences.
At the start of the series, Ae-Sun and Gwan-sik are two young children learning to navigate their personal struggles as best they can. Then, as they grow older, life at times becomes crueler to them, but they constantly lean on each other for support and comfort through it all. Amidst their trials, these two still share many heartwarming moments together, finding joy in the beautiful memories that they would make.
Once they reach adulthood, they begin facing questions and challenges that grow increasingly relatable as I am still learning how to push through my own stage in life. What inspired me so much about these two characters was how they held onto the joys of youth, despite everything, and faced the world with wisdom and persistence combined.
As I walked with this beloved pair through their journey and every stage, I wept, I laughed, I pondered and eventually grew into a person that only a story with incredible meaning could cultivate. In these characters, I saw different members of my family as well as myself, and it made the story even more real and vulnerable to me. I had the opportunity to view life through a different lense – to hold its lessons and memories with new reverence.
Every person has experienced their own form of highs and lows in life but rarely does a TV series so poetically illustrate this journey as well as “When Life Gives You Tangerines.”
The music that accompanies each episode is tender, at times exciting, but always speaking to the soul. It taps deeper into the emotion of each individual scene and draws me closer to the characters. In addition to the music, the cinematography creates a very meaningful and intimate experience.
The scenes feel down to earth, bringing the troubles and beauty of life to the screen in a heartfelt way. During more personal moments with individual characters, each frame carries much thought and feeling. It is almost as if the viewer can look deep into the heart of the character.
The script is also carefully written with many words of wisdom held within. The setting has a combination of the lovely landscapes of Jeju Island and the busy streets of bigger cities, which portray numerous backdrops in the characters’ life events. Overall, the various elements of this production work in unison to create such an inspiring story.
If I could recommend only one Korean drama to watch, it would be “When Life Gives You Tangerines.” Every aspect of this story touched my soul in a special way. Because of this beautiful series, my perspective of our journey through life will be forever changed.
