Park Bo Gum has revealed that one of the most emotionally charged and physically demanding scenes in When Life Gives You Tangerines was not enhanced with CGI but was filmed in the real, open ocean.

In a behind-the-scenes video released by Netflix on April 3, titled "Unveiling All the TMIs and Behind-the-Scenes: Commentary Special," the cast and crew discussed the iconic ocean scene where Park's character, Gwan-sik, swims through rough waters to reach IU's character, Ae-soon.

Park confirmed that he actually swam in the ocean, despite some viewers speculating that the scene was digitally enhanced.

"Some might think it was CGI, but I really swam in the middle of the sea," Park shared during the special commentary, as quoted by KBiZoom.

IU, who plays Ae-soon, also praised Park for his dedication to the scene.

"Bo-gum really struggled with this scene, the entire sequence," she said.

"He gave it his all, and it was hard work, but it made the scene even more touching."

Director Kim Won-seok further explained the challenges of filming the scene, noting that it was shot over two days in Busan and two more days in Jangheung.

He recalled that the crew worked in difficult weather conditions, including rainy days.

"Since we shot this early on, the writers and actors were thrilled when they saw the edited version.

It was worth the effort," Kim said.

Park's commitment to authenticity was evident during filming, as he battled both the cold waters and the physically demanding nature of the scene.

He recalled the moment of filming the embrace between Gwan-sik and Ae-soon on the breakwater, which took place under freezing conditions.

"We were so cold that we were both shivering when we embraced," IU recalled.

"It was a tough shoot, but it made the scene feel real."

Despite the chill, Park added with a smile, "We shared each other's warmth," prompting laughter from the cast.

Since the emotional ocean scene, it has become one of the highlights of When Life Gives You Tangerines, further adding the layers of emotion to the normally touching drama plot of the show.

The series has won acclaim for its authentic casts and naturalistic approach to production, and it pays that affection forward by continuing to leave us breathless with its portrayals of truly human stories.