Cover Ahead of its highly anticipated release on March 7, the stellar cast of the upcoming Netflix K-drama series share their experiences on set, what we can expect and more
Ahead of its highly anticipated release on March 7, the stellar cast of the upcoming Netflix K-drama series share their experiences on set, what we can expect and more
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Ahead of its highly anticipated release on March 7, the stellar cast of the upcoming ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ K-drama shares their experiences on set, what to look out for in the show and more
Each year, a handful of Korean dramas remain at the tip of everyone’s tongue. In 2024, series like Queen of Tears and Marry My Husband held audiences spellbound. The year is shaping up to be just as exciting with Netflix’s upcoming K-drama series When Life Gives You Tangerines. Since the release of its teaser, the highly anticipated series has been generating buzz thanks to its unique setting, acclaimed creators and stellar cast.
Scheduled to premiere on Netflix on March 7, the upcoming K-drama is written by When the Camellia Blooms’ Lim Sang-chun and directed by My Mister’s Kim Won-seok. On top of a notable creative team, the series features a star-studded cast, including singer-songwriter and actress IU, Reply 1988’s Park Bo-gum, Doctor Stranger’s Park Hae-joon and Queenmaker’s Moon So-ri.
Set on Jeju island, the romance slice-of-life series follows Oh Ae-sun and Yang Gwan-sik through seven decades, from 1960s Jeju to present-day Seoul. Played by IU and Moon, Oh is a dream-filled literary girl who appears indifferent and reserved on the outside while soft-hearted within. Bo-gum and Hae-joon share the role of Park, who is iron-willed and faces challenges with determination and grace. IU and Bo-gum play the younger versions of the duo, while Moon and Hae-joon play the duo as adults.
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While not much information about the series and its storyline has been revealed, director Kim teases in a press conference for the upcoming series: “It’s a story that captures all seasons of life… it will tear you up but it’s also very fun and will make you laugh.”
Bo-gum adds that the series is something for all generations. “I feel that the upcoming drama will be another project that’s going to resonate with all the audiences out there,” he explains.
In anticipation of the upcoming series, a press conference was held featuring director Kim along with the cast, IU, Moon, Bo-gum and Hae-joon. The conference saw them provide more insight on the slice-of-life K-drama. From embodying their characters to their experiences on set, the cast and director share some facts about the series before its release.
There’s a deeper meaning to the show’s title
Above The K-drama’s Korean title is directly translated to mean ‘here’s to all you’ve been through’ and ‘thank you for all your hard work’ in the Jeju dialect
The K-drama’s Korean title is directly translated to mean ‘here’s to all you’ve been through’ and ‘thank you for all your hard work’ in the Jeju dialect
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The K-drama’s Korean title is directly translated in Jeju dialect to mean “Here’s to all you’ve been through” and “Thank you for all your hard work”. Director Kim explains: “This series is a tribute to past generation of our fathers and mothers, and it is also an anthem of encouragement for the daughters and sons who will navigate the world ahead. We hope the story will break down the invisible barriers between generations, genders and people in general.”
Hotel Del Luna’s IU adds how the English title is a spin on the expression “when life gives you lemons”. She explains how the drama is about making warm tangerine tea from even the sourest tangerines life throws at you.
“No matter how bitter life [gets], create something sweet and beautiful [out of it],” she continues.
The series will release four episodes at a time
Above Park Bo-gum plays the younger Yang Gwan-sik
Park Bo-gum plays the younger Yang Gwan-sik
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Unlike other K-drama series which typically releases an episode each week, the upcoming drama will release 16 episodes across four weeks. Director Kim shares that this unique release method might help viewers enjoy the series to the fullest. “If you try watching at this original tempo and pace, you’ll be able to take in even the smallest details and emotions that this series captures,” he continues.
As the series is set over four seasons, Kim highlights how it would be effective to release the episodes within four weeks. Hae-joon adds: “I think that as you wait for the next batch to be released, you will find yourself wanting to rewatch the four episodes again.”
Kim also teases about a “little gift” at the end of each episode’s credits.
Director Kim wanted the series to reflect the lives of those who lived through each era
Above Director Kim Won-seok
Director Kim Won-seok
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The anticipated K-drama spans 65 years and Kim described it as a story where the true villain is the era itself. “The era itself profoundly shapes the characters [and] I thought the more authentically it is portrayed, the more resonant and immersive the story becomes,” he continues. Throughout filming, Kim constantly highlighted the importance of getting each era’s historical details and authenticity right.
The cast was drawn to the project because of director Kim and writer Lim
Above Park Hae-joon plays Yang Gwan-sik
Park Hae-joon plays Yang Gwan-sik
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At the press conference, IU shared that she was eager to jump into the project as she is a fan of Kim and Lim’s work. “The moment I got the offer, I just wanted in right away. After reading the script, I agreed [to join the cast] within a day,” the Blueming singer reveals.
Like IU, Bo-gum had always been a fan of Kim and Lim. He said: “I knew how much detail the director and writer put into their scripts and their work. I was so excited to be apart of the project.”
IU and Moon spent time together, bringing the character to life
Above IU stars as young Oh Ae-sun
Above Moon So-ri plays Oh Ae-sun all grown up
IU stars as young Oh Ae-sun
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IU and Moon share the role of Oh Ae-sun where IU plays Oh’s younger self and Moon stars as the grown-up version of the character. The duo spent a lot of time discussing how they would continue the character as she grows up.
While the duo wanted their character to have similar traits, Moon explains how they also wanted the Oh’s younger and older self to be two different people. “We agreed that we wanted to bring similarities to some aspects, but in other ways we wanted to be different people because that is more realistic.” During filming, they would read each others’ lines to ensure they speak and act similarly.
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Images: Neflix Korea
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
