Classically styled, When Life Gives You Tangerines will have you following the story of two people from Jeju Island as they pursue their dreams and true love. The drama is directed by Kim Won-Suk and scripted by Im Sang-Choon.
The story follows the lives of Ae Sun and Gwan Sik on Jeju Island in the 1950s. This Korean drama, stars IU and Park Bo Gum. As well as, presenting Moon So Ri and Park Hae Joon as part of the main cast.
It tells the story of Ae Soon, a girl full of ambition and aspiring to become a poet. However, she has to fight against financial challenges that prevent her from continuing her education.
How is the next story? Let’s see the full synopsis information below!
When Life Gives You Tangerines Synopsis

The drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, tells the story of the lives of Ae Soon (IU) and Gwang Sik (Park Bo-gum), who grew up on Jeju Island in the 1950s. Ae Soon, is an educated girl who loves poetry.
However, due to his family’s economic situation, he was unable to continue his education. Nevertheless, he did not lose his spirit and continued to strive to realize his dream of becoming a poet.
Meanwhile, Gwang Sik is a quiet person with a sincere and steadfast heart. Although he doesn’t speak often, he is always ready to support Ae Soon in his silent way. Since childhood, Gwang Sik has harbored deep feelings for Ae Soon.
In fact, he often gave her food from his house secretly so that she wouldn’t go hungry. Their closeness was dynamic, evident from their contrasting traits. The outgoing Ae Soon is often at odds with the more introverted Gwang Sik.
However, fate has always brought them together through the many twists and turns of life. Both the joyful and the sad. With captivating cinematography, When Life Gives You Tangerines captures the beauty of Jeju’s colorful orange groves.
Cast List and Showtimes

When Life Gives You Tangerines, features the following talented actors and actresses.
- IU plays the character of young Ae Soon
- Park Bo-gum plays the character of Gwang Sik
- Moon So-ri plays the character of the adult Ae Soon
- Park Hae-joon plays the character of middle-aged Gwang Sik
- Kim Tae-yeon plays the character of Ae Soon as a child
- Lee Cheon-u portrays Gwang Sik as a child.
- Kim Yong-rim plays the character of Mak Cheon (Gwang Sik’s grandmother)
- Na Moon-hee plays the character of Chun Ok (Ae Soon’s grandmother)
- Yeom Hye-ran plays the character of Gwang Rye (Ae Soon’s mother)
- Oh Min-ae plays the character of Gye Ok (Gwang Sik’s mother)
- Baek Ji-won plays the character of Kyeong Ja (Ae Soon’s aunt)
The drama When Life Gives You Tangerine, presented in the form of a special broadcast. Carrying the theme of four seasons, this Lim Sang Choon-produced Korean drama will feature four new episodes.
The episodes will air every Friday for the next four weeks. When Life Gives You Tangerines, has been on Netflix since March 7, 2025. The drama, consists of 16 episodes, each with a duration of about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Well, that’s the synopsis, cast list, and airing schedule of the recently aired Korean drama When Life Gives You Tangerine. Don’t miss every exciting episode!