Set against the backdrop of Jeju Island, Netflix’s original drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다) unfolds like a literary novel, chronicling the life journey of a woman striving to give her daughter a better future.
At its heart, the series tells a poignant story of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of motherhood.
The drama begins with Gwang-rye (played by Um Hye-ran), a Jeju haenyeo (female diver), who sternly advises her daughter, Ae-soon, against following in her footsteps.
“Do not dive,” she warns.
“Do not work as a housemaid.”
Despite their difficult circumstances, Gwang-rye urges Ae-soon to live a fulfilling and abundant life.
However, tragedy strikes when Gwang-rye dies from decompression sickness when Ae-soon is just ten years old.
Left to navigate life on her own, Ae-soon grows up to be a spirited and determined young woman, promising herself that she will never marry a man from the island.
She dreams of becoming a poet, envisioning a life beyond Jeju’s shores.
Despite her bold declaration, Ae-soon eventually marries her childhood friend, Gwan-sik.
He has been by her side through thick and thin, embodying a quiet and steadfast love.
While she does not leave Jeju or escape the daily struggles of life, her marriage is not a tragedy.
Together, Ae-soon and Gwan-sik build a family, raising their beloved children and finding joy in small moments.
However, Ae-soon holds onto one wish: that her daughter, Geum-myeong, will have the freedom to live the life she desires.
Spanning decades, When Life Gives You Tangerines captures the life of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik from their youth to their twilight years.
The first episodes depict a bright and hopeful young couple, played by IU (Lee Ji-eun) and Park Bo-gum.
As time passes, they mature into their older selves, portrayed by Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon.
The transition is seamless, and the audience is drawn into their journey, deeply invested in their triumphs and struggles.
Written by Im Sang-choon, the drama is rich with poetic dialogue and authentic character portrayals.
It resonates across generations, illustrating the universal experiences of parents who set aside their own dreams to nurture the next generation.
While Ae-soon and Gwan-sik share a deep love, their lives are shaped by the societal constraints of their time.
Ae-soon, like many women of her era, faces the hardships of poverty, patriarchal expectations, and the pressure to bear sons.
Even with her strong spirit, she initially submits to the traditions imposed upon her.
Gwan-sik, though quiet and reserved, proves to be an unusual man for his time.
Unlike many husbands who unquestioningly uphold oppressive customs, he refuses to let Ae-soon suffer alone.
In a pivotal moment, when Ae-soon reaches her breaking point, Gwan-sik takes a stand against his family, declaring that they will move out and live independently.
His steadfast support becomes a silent rebellion against outdated traditions, allowing their children to grow up in a slightly more progressive environment.
As the story progresses, the focus shifts toward the next generation.
In an evocative scene, Ae-soon instinctively stops Geum-myeong from stepping onto a fishing boat, recalling the age-old superstition that women bring bad luck at sea.
However, realizing the contradiction in her own beliefs, she lets go and joins her daughter on the boat.
This moment is accompanied by a narration, spoken in Geum-myeong’s voice (also played by IU), reflecting on how her mother overturned societal norms to give her a freer world.
Even in the 1990s, Geum-myeong faces challenges similar to her mother’s, proving that the struggle for gender equality is far from over.
As her story unfolds, audiences find themselves rooting for her to make better choices and break the cycle of sacrifice and suffering.
The drama carefully builds emotional investment in Ae-soon and Gwan-sik’s efforts to raise their daughter with love and dignity, making her journey even more compelling.
With only one act remaining, the final episodes (13–16) are set to explore Geum-myeong’s romantic journey while also depicting Ae-soon and Gwan-sik’s later years.
Whether filled with laughter or tears, When Life Gives You Tangerines has consistently balanced moments of heartbreak with glimpses of hope, showcasing how happiness can be found even in the face of adversity.
As viewers brace themselves for the conclusion, one thing is certain: the story of Ae-soon, Gwan-sik, and their family will leave a lasting impact, just like the timeless tales of love, resilience, and generational change that inspired it.
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