The Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines has come to a heartfelt end, leaving behind emotional reviews. With its raw and honest portrayal of family, the series resonated deeply with viewers. It told the story of parents and children—both navigating their roles for the first time—clashing, growing, and eventually parting ways, stirring a warmth that lingered long after the credits rolled.
Throughout the series, audiences held their breath whenever Geum-myeong spoke, hoping she would not be too harsh on her parents. They understood her words all too well—because, in many ways, they could have been their own. “I saw so much of myself in both Aesun and Geum-myeong,” said IU, who played both roles. “And maybe, they reflect most people in some way.”
Singer and actress IU was offered the role by screenwriter Lim Sang-choon even before the drama was officially confirmed. She took on a dual role, playing both young Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong, in a story spanning three generations—grandmother Chun-ok, mother Gwang-rye, Ae-sun, and Geum-myeong. In an interview on April 2, she may have looked like Geum-myeong, but her heart was still with Ae-sun. “Playing both roles was such a strange experience,” she shared.
One of the drama’s most compelling dynamics was the clash between Ae-sun, a mother who remained cheerful despite life’s hardships, and Geum-myeong, a daughter who achieved success but carried her own emotional burdens. “I was playing a daughter raised by a character I also portrayed, saying harsh words to my own ‘mother,’” IU said. “I understood Geum-myeong’s feelings, but deep down, I couldn’t help but feel the heartbreak of thinking, ‘After all the love and sacrifice I poured into raising you…’”
IU expressed deep affection for Ae-sun. “People say her dreams were shattered, but I don’t think they ever truly were. She’s one of the most resilient characters—full of life, love, and connection. In that sense, I believe she lived a successful life.”
When Life Gives You Tangerines explores raw human emotions within the everyday experiences of family, without relying on dramatic twists or elaborate techniques. IU found its generational themes especially moving. “What resonated most was how carefully it conveys respect for past generations and encouragement for those to come,” she said. “Geum-myeong exists because Gwang-rye risked her life diving to protect her daughter, because Chun-ok supported ‘the eldest daughter of the eldest son,’ and because Ae-soon overturned the dinner table. The story makes you reflect on the people and sacrifices that shaped your own life.”
At its core, the drama is about the inevitable parting between parents and children, making the ending especially poignant. “There are many farewells in this story,” IU reflected. “But rather than dwelling on sadness, it focuses on what comes after. It comforted me, showing that even in loss, we can find meaning and reasons to keep moving forward.”
