As we well know, Netflix has bet on South Korea as one of its main bastions for film production. Beyond “Squid Game”, Netflix brings us a Korean production every week. “When Life Gives You Tangerines” is one of those productions that demonstrates that the Korean film industry is, today, one of the best in the world.
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” has two star actors, who serve as a draw for fans, but it is a first-order production that spans several generations and talks about something as mundane, wonderful, and universal as… living.
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” is the story of four generations and the passage of time that, at the same time, summarizes a historical period and the transformation and evolution of a society.
Plot
The series follows the lives of two central characters, Ae-soon and Gwan-sik, from their youth in the 50s through the changing landscapes of Korean society. IU plays the rebellious and intelligent Ae-soon, while Park Bo-gum embodies Gwan-sik, described as a character who communicates more through actions than words.
About the Series
Director Kim Won-seok, famous for his narrative full of emotional nuances in series like “My Mister” and “Misaeng: Incomplete Life”, brings to this project the depth that characterizes him. In collaboration with screenwriter Lim Sang-choon, author of the acclaimed “When the Camellia Blooms”, the series promises a narrative that will move and challenge viewers.
The original Korean title, “Pokssak Sogatsuda”, is a Jeju dialect phrase meaning “You have worked hard”, a subtle nod to the resilience of generations that have overcome countless challenges.
Regarding the series, it is one of those Korean productions that, apart from its good production, has a strong emotional weight and a marked tendency towards melodrama. It is a dramatic story, heartfelt and full of feelings that are transmitted in each of its four chapters.
At the same time, it is a tribute to previous generations, a tribute from its creators to their ancestors, and ultimately a historical reconstruction that is undoubtedly worth watching.
One of those epic series that, with all its historical and emotional background, threatens to leave a mark on the viewer at a sentimental and deep level.
Once again, a period Korean production that is worth enjoying.
Enjoy it.
Where to Watch “When Life Gives You Tangerines”
The Cast
Moon So-ri
Park Hae-jun
Choi Dae-hoon
Na Moon-hee
Kim Yong-rim
Lee Jun-young
Oh Jung-se
