The K-Drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, with favorite K-Drama stars IU and Park Bo Gum on Netflix, is expected to deliver a combination of humor and heartbreaking content.
Written by Heo Sung-tae of the hit 2004 drama Full House, and directed by Kim Won-seok, who worked on My Mister and Misaeng, the upcoming 16-parter tracks the relationship between Ae-soon (IU), a fiery Jeju girl, and indomitable Gwan-sik (Park Bo Gum) who is besotted with her.
The drama, written by Im Sang-Choon, who also wrote When the Camellia Blooms, has four episodes released to date.
The series has received critical appreciation for its beautifully knit narrative, which explores human dynamics and compatibility in various emotional situations without using the trope of appropriate evil.
According to a review by KBiZoom, Im Sang-choon's trademark writing style radiates through the piece. The ambitions and hardships of each character are seamlessly interwoven to move the plot along.
Another unforgettable aspect of the drama is Gwan-sik (Kim Tae-woo) and his constant devotion to Ae-soon (Kim Hye-ja). His stoicism and reliability bring heart to the romance between his character and the viewers.
Another review read, 'His quiet strength and unyielding love for Ae-soon make him very watchable.'
Director Kim highlights the natural scenery of Jeju, adding more depth to the character's emotional journey.
"Every intimate moment rangtrue with the cinematography that invites the audience into their world at every turn," the review stated.
As Ae-soon, IU feels deceptively authentic even as an instantly recognizable idol, the Jeju term "yomangjida," someone bright, playful, and sarcastic, encapsulating Ae-soon's spry and mischievous character effortlessly.
Park Bo Gum adds nuance to the performance, using delicate but heavy expressions appropriate for the role of Gwan-sik, who is in love and dedicated.
Although her mother, played by Yeom Hye-ran, isn't developed much, the same can again be said for Gwan-sik's mum, which is adrift in its storytelling, they still enrich the storyline○.
A trio of Jeju's famed female divers adds both humor and heart to the plot line.
Releasing weekly in batches of four episodes, at the time of writing, When Life Gives You Tangerine" is set to be the K-Drama of the season.
