Ae-soon (IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) get married in a scene from the drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines." Courtesy of Netflix

The Netflix drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which premiered on March 7, is striking an emotional chord with viewers for its heartfelt portrayal of parents born in the 1950s.

The series has sparked a wave of online responses, with many saying it reminded them of their own families, as one viewer wrote, "I couldn't stop crying because it reminded me of my mom."

According to global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol, the series ranked No. 1 in the Netflix TV show category in 10 countries, including Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as of March 10. It also placed sixth in the global TV show rankings.

The 16-part drama follows the lives of three generations of women, from Ae-soon (played by IU), who was born in Jeju Island, to her mother and her daughter. Spanning 65 years from the 1960s to the present, the series sheds light on the struggles of parents who endured hardship after the (1950-1953) Korean War but hoped their children would lead better lives.

It captures the emotional depth of women who devoted themselves to caregiving from a young age and later endured hardship in marriage.

Many viewers shared tearful reactions online, with comments such as, "My eyes were swollen from crying so much thinking of my parents," and "It made me realize just how difficult life must have been for women back then." Director Kim Won-seok previously described the drama as "a tribute to the parent generation."

The title "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is a translation of the Jeju dialect phrase "Pokssak Sogatsuda," meaning "You've worked so hard."

Middle-aged Ae-soon (Moon So-ri) in the drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines." Courtesy of Netflix

While there have been many period dramas dealing with the postwar generation, few have focused on the lives of ordinary people. Recent examples like "Chief Detective 1958" (2024), which centers on the work of police officers, and "Uncle Samsik" (2024), which focuses on political turmoil, reflect more male-centric and darker narratives.

Kim Heon-sik, a professor of social science at Jungwon University, said, "Series like 'Uncle Samsik' fell short of generating broad resonance due to their dark and male-centered tone, while 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' stands out for its warm, uplifting story that can be embraced by all generations."

The drama also sets itself apart from prevailing trends. Most major broadcast dramas still revolve around chaebol families or elite professionals, while OTT platforms are filled with violent and provocative genres.

In contrast, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" gently and humorously explores the everyday experiences of ordinary parents and children, offering a rare example of a human drama in today's market.

Much of the drama's power also stems from its writer. Im Sang-chun, known for "Fight for My Way" (2017), which portrayed young people without credentials, and "When the Camellia Blooms" (2019), a story about a kind and strong single mother, has once again delivered a script filled with warmth and wit.

In a past interview, the writer — believed to be a woman in her late 30s — said, "I want to write stories that cheer people on, like pumping air into a bicycle tire."

The drama's lines have also struck a deep chord. In one scene, after a quarrel between Ae-soon and her daughter over poverty, a narration follows: "For parents, only their regrets linger. For children, only their resentments remain."

Ae-soon and Gwan-sik smile while looking at their baby in a scene from the drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines." Captured from Netflix

Another widely shared quote comes when Ae-soon, who dreamed of becoming a poet, and Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), who once aspired to be a swimmer, give up on their dreams in their late teens: "Spring for them was not a season to dream, but a season to give up dreams. And they did so willingly."

Yoon Seok-jin, a professor of Korean literature at Chungnam National University, said, "Many recent dramas are filled with stories about chaebol families that are detached from the reality of ordinary people. Im Sang-chun's works resonate because they leave out artificial elements and portray real-life challenges in a dramatic yet relatable way."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.