The emotional rollercoaster that is When Life Gives You Tangerines is heading into its final chapter. With just four episodes remaining, the critically acclaimed 60 billion-won Netflix original will wrap up its sweeping tale of love, loss, and life on March 28.
Written by Lim Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms, Fight for My Way) and directed by Kim Won-seok (My Mister, Misaeng, Signal), the series paints a vivid portrait of life across four seasons in 1960s Jeju Island.
IU and Park Bo-gum lead as Ae-soon, the fierce island rebel, and Gwan-sik, her unshakable partner, portraying the joys and heartbreaks of growing up and growing old in a world shaped by family, tradition, and time.
Since its debut, When Life Gives You Tangerines has been a runaway success, topping Netflix’s charts in Korea and entering the global Top 10 non-English series in 41 countries—including Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In just its second week, it amassed over 6 million viewing hours, proving its resonance across generations and cultures.
IU Delivers Performance of a Lifetime
IU is once again proving why she’s one of the most beloved actors of her generation. In Part 3 of Netflix’s 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', released on March 21, her powerful and nuanced performance as Geum-myung turned living rooms into tear-filled theaters.
In a reunion scene with her boyfriend Young-beom (played by Lee Jun-young), IU brought infectious warmth to the screen—her playful tone and affectionate expressions captured the essence of a loving partner, highlighting the bright side of her character.
But it was the emotional rollercoaster that followed that truly stole hearts. After waking up in the ER, IU delivered a quiet yet heartbreaking moment—her voice weakened from pain, yet her attempt to smile through it for Young-beom’s sake was gut-wrenching in its subtlety.
In a confrontation with Young-beom’s mother, IU elevated the scene with her powerful line, "I’m not ashamed to hold my father’s hand." Her steady breath, unwavering gaze, and controlled delivery carried the weight of Geum-myung’s convictions, pulling viewers even deeper into her emotional world.
Moments later, when she locks eyes with Young-beom, she finally breaks, sobbing, “How can we get married like this? My mom and dad would cry.” It was a raw, explosive moment of suppressed emotion that brought many viewers to tears.
Throughout the drama, IU has continued to breathe life into her character with a rich range of emotions—from joy to sorrow, strength to vulnerability. Her portrayal of Geum-myung’s emotional growth in Part 3 has been widely praised for its sincerity and depth.
With only the final chapter left, anticipation is high for how her story will conclude.
Volume 4: A Bittersweet Farewell
As Part 4 (Episodes 13–16) prepares to drop, Netflix released the third round of official stills and a new trailer, both of which have sparked an emotional reaction from fans.
The trailer opens with Geum-myung (IU) in a wedding dress, smiling and waving beside Young-beom (Lee Jun-young). The question on everyone’s mind: will her first love finally lead to lasting happiness?
Meanwhile, Ae-soon (Moon So-ri) and Gwan-sik (Park Hae-joon) enter the winter of their lives—crossing paths with the adult Geum-myung and Eun-myung (Kang You-seok) as unresolved tension and raw emotion begin to surface.
From courtroom confrontations to tearful reunions, the finale teases a mix of conflict, resolution, and hope, mirroring the cyclical nature of the seasons and life itself.
Within an hour of release, the Part 4 trailer had surpassed 40,000 views, with fans flooding social media with comments:
“I’m not ready to let go… this one’s a forever rewatch.”
“Even the trailer made me cry. What will the finale do?”
“Lim Sang-choon truly understands human emotions like no one else.”
“A drama that bridges generations with life lessons and raw emotion.”
A Visual Masterpiece
The newly released Part 4 stills show glimpses of key emotional moments: Geum-myung beaming in front of her wedding venue, Ae-soon smiling warmly as the mother of the bride, and Gwan-sik tearfully watching his daughter step into adulthood.
A flashback of Gwan-sik telling a young Geum-myung, “If anything goes wrong, I’ll be right here”—mirroring a parent’s quiet strength.
Returning characters like Chung-seob (Kim Seon-ho), now transformed after military service, and rising tension between Sang-gil and Young-ran hint at unresolved stories ready to explode. Meanwhile, couples like Eun-myung and Hyun-sook emerge as grown-ups facing their own paths in life.
Final Drop:
When Life Gives You Tangerines Part 4 (Episodes 13–16) will premiere exclusively on Netflix on Friday, March 28.
It promises to deliver not just closure, but a final chapter full of tears, tenderness, and the promise that spring always returns—even after the coldest winter.
Netflix Korea – Today’s Top 10 Series (March 24, 11:17 a.m. KST)
When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다)
The Boyhood (소년의 시간)
HeartPairing (하트페어링)
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (중증외상센터)
Crazy Tastes: My Gourmet Friend’s Restaurant Picks (미친맛집: 미식가 친구의 맛집)
The Apothecary Diaries (약사의 혼잣말)
The Witch (마녀)
The Divorce Consideration Camp (이혼숙려캠프)
Solo Leveling (나 혼자만 레벨업)
Sakamoto Days (사카모토 데이즈)