Netflix’s original series When Life Gives You Tangerines has unleashed a firestorm of buzz just one day after release.
The series follows characters across four “seasons” of their lives, from the 1960s to today, as they love, grieve, dream and find joy in the face of life’s cruelties.
The series was highly anticipated even before its release with When the Camellia Blooms writer Lim Sang Chun and My Mister and Misaeng director Kim Won Seok at the helm, along with a star-studded cast featuring Park Bo Gum, IU, Park Hae Joon and Moon So Ri.
Just a day after its debut, the show shot to No. 1 on Netflix Korea’s “Top 10 Series” ranking.
On the global stage, the series climbed to 6th place in Netflix’s worldwide TV show rankings as of March 9th, according to FlixPatrol, jumping two spots from the previous day’s record. It also claimed the top spot in 10 countries across Asia and the Middle East, including South Korea, Indonesia, and several others.
International critics on Rotten Tomatoes have praised the series as “bittersweet yet uplifting,” “a message of hope in desperate times,” and “beautifully written, expertly acted, and vividly brought to life.”
Here are more viewer reactions to the series:
cinematography, directing, lines, acting… everything is perfect. what do you mean i cried and laughed in all four episodes 😭 can’t wait for more because this is genuinely the slice of life drama i’ve been looking for#WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines pic.twitter.com/AkyB8okHj1
— skyೀ (@jskflower) March 7, 2025
#WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines
I never thought that the drama was so deep, the conversation was beautifully crafted, and I believe the writer is truly amazing. The characters are well-portrayed, which could explain why the director chose the actors with caution. pic.twitter.com/st2ThTaYzA— dheekyut😊 (@dheebrent30) March 7, 2025
i love how #whenlifegivesyoutangerines is celebrating women in the truest forms, showcasing the struggles they never ever talk about and how they never let a frown come on their face while they hide it with a smile instead for the ones they love:(
— ⏾ (@filvrsm) March 9, 2025
4 episodes went by, so freaking fast. #WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines is so well made. I expected a lot, but they served more. Ughhh i can’t wait for the rest of the series! 😭🤚🏼
I just know the mother-daughter theme will break me. 🤧 pic.twitter.com/kffsFPJg9E
— daisy hyun-ah 🍀 (@daisyisdone) March 7, 2025
“It was so fun. Their acting is so cute and good.”
“Not fun, and the acting feels off.”
“The chemistry isn’t quite there.”
“I watched up to episode 2, but watching it while feeling anxious was too nerve-wracking, so I’ll watch the rest tomorrow.”
“It didn’t quite meet my expectations… both the acting and the story.”
“Is the positive reaction just the original poster’s opinion?”
“I didn’t like it.”
“I watched it with my mom, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen her so focused on something. We were secretly wiping away tears while watching. I saw my mom wipe her tears on the blanket. We’re going to watch it together next week too, so I wish I could just close my eyes and open them to find it’s already next week.”
“I’m really enjoying it.”
“I don’t usually watch long dramas, but 16 episodes feels like a lot.”
“For some reason, IU and Park Bo Gum’s acting really feels like IU and Park Bo Gum, rather than their characters.”
“I really loved it!”
The first four episodes premiered simultaneously, with new episodes dropping in batches of four each week. The series will run for a total of 16 episodes over four weeks.
>> Netflix Unveils ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ Trailer, Starring IU and Park Bo Gum
