Actors IU, right, and Park Bo-gum are seen in a scene from Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines." Courtesy of Netflix

Netflix's "When Life Gives You Tangerines," starring IU and Park Bo-gum, is a heartrending drama that delicately portrays the beautiful yet harsh stories of three generations of women — Ae-sun's mother, Ae-sun and her daughter — spanning from the 1960s to the present day against the backdrop of Jeju Island.

In Korean society permeated with patriarchy, Ae-sun's mother, a woman of unwavering strength, vows to shield her daughter from the demanding life of a "haenyeo" (woman diver). Meanwhile, Ae-sun (IU), a young poet at heart, confronts the harsh reality of poverty, forgoing her university dreams, yet instills in her own daughter Geum-myeong (also IU) the belief that she can achieve anything.

In an episode, when Ae-sun brings home a tricycle for her daughter, her mother-in-law tells her, "What's the point of a girl riding a bike?" and insists she sell it for money. Ae-sun retorts, "If she can't even ride a tricycle, she'll spend her whole life in the kitchen. I want her to have everything. I don't want her to set the table. I want her to be the one to flip it."

Geum-myeong, an ambitious English major at Seoul National University, resolutely forges her own path, despite persistent financial hardships.

Actors Park Hae-joon, left, and Moon So-ri are seen in a scene from Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines." Courtesy of Netflix

The series captures both the beauty and struggles of the three generations of women, unfolding against the backdrop of Jeju Island's four seasons, a metaphor for life's cyclical nature.

The latest four episodes, released March 14, portray "summer." In the episode titled "Life goes on and on," Ae-sun and Gwan-sik (Park) lose their youngest son to the rough waves of Jeju during a storm. Overwhelmed by guilt for not protecting their child, they stop eating. As their grief begins to affect their other children, they realize they have been ruining their children's lives as well. During their time of despair, the villagers take care of their children as if they were their own. This realization helps the couple regain their strength and move forward, bringing tears and deep emotion to the viewers.

The drama's broad appeal has also sparked a strong fascination with its reclusive creator, known only by the pen name Lim Sang-choon. Despite her growing influence in the industry, Lim has remained largely anonymous since her debut in 2013 and her reserved nature has rather generated a considerable intrigue.

She typically avoids interviews and remains secretive about her personal details, leaving only limited information available.

In a previous interview, she noted, "I don't think it's good for the writer to be in front of the work. I want to remain in the role of delivering the story to the viewers," opting not to reveal her age, face or real name.

Based on scant clues from a 2017 interview during the drama "Fight For My Way," she is believed to be a self-taught female writer now in her early 40s, who began her screenwriting career in her late 20s.

Actor Kang Ye-won, second from right, is seen in the KBS drama "Becky's Back" (2016). Courtesy of KBS

From hidden gem to master storyteller

Writer Lim has established her unique domain by presenting universally relatable and deeply humane dramas. She is credited with the power of storytelling that draws out the extraordinary from the stories of ordinary people.

She first made waves in 2013 by winning an award at a drama script competition with her work "Samchungi." Samchungi, meaning "dreams blooming in one's 30s," is known to be the original idea for the 2017 KBS hit drama "Fight for My Way," for which Lim wrote the script.

In 2014, Lim won the MBC Drama Screenplay Competition and debuted with her one-act drama, "Lump in My Life." It was praised for delicately portraying familial dynamics between a gruff, old grandfather and his granddaughter, who unintentionally becomes a burden on her family at a young age. As they are forced to live together, they navigate through resentment, conflict, reconciliation and ultimately love.

The four-part KBS drama "Becky's Back" (2016) then catapulted Lim into the spotlight. This work, set on the tranquil Seomwol Island, centered on the return of the island's erstwhile "Scarlett O'Hara," Yang Baek-hee, also known as Becky, with her daughter after an 18-year absence. Her quest to identify the girl's father creates comedic chaos as three men — each with a past connection to Baek-hee —undertook their own idiosyncratic investigations into Ok-hee's parentage, drawing comparisons as a Korean version of "Mamma Mia."

The drama offered a narrative on healing, exploring Baek-hee's past traumas, the circumstances that led to her departure and the redemptive power of community. Initially conceived as a filler, the series defied expectations, securing high ratings and acclaim for its compelling depiction of love and redemption through time.

Poster for KBS drama "Fight for My Way" (2017) / Courtesy of KBS

This work laid the groundwork for the writer to pen more dramas for KBS — "Fight for My Way" (2017) and "When the Camellia Blooms" (2019).

"Fight for My Way" is Lim's first full-length drama, starring Park Seo-jun and Kim Ji-won. It tells a story of four young people who are treated as "second-grade" due to their poverty and lack of qualifications.

Their love for each other in the face of adversity brought joy to viewers as they break free from being dragged down by reality, finding their voice. The drama encouraged those who are weary, urging them to go for it and to embrace the spirit of youth by taking chances.

"When the Camellia Blooms" is hailed as the writer's magnum opus, taking her philosophy further. It showcases the power of love through Hwang Yong-sik (Kang Ha-neul), who offers unwavering support to Oh Dong-baek (Kong Hyo-jin), a single mother who faces loneliness and prejudice. Despite the hurtful judgment from villagers, Dong-baek finds solace in the quiet support of her neighbors.

Dong-baek's maternal love and Yong-sik's pure affection made drama fans laugh and cry. With its compelling mix of romance and thriller, the drama achieved over 20 percent in viewership ratings, cementing Lim as one of Korea's most influential drama writers.

Poster for KBS drama "When the Camellia Blooms" (2019) / Courtesy of KBS

Incorporating social codes into melodramas

Culture critic Jung Duk-hyun said Lim is the one who began to incorporate social themes into melodramas that had previously mostly focused on personal love.

"These often called 'social melodramas' began to explore love within the context of society or class and even addressed issues of social minorities and discrimination. Lim is a prime example," he said.

"Her 'Fight for My Way' captured the raw, vibrant struggle of young hearts forging their own paths, defying a world that dismisses them as 'lesser.' And in 'When the Camellia Blooms,' she gifted us a vision of profound community, where love triumphs over prejudice, a tender story of belonging spun from the purest affection."

"When Life Gives You Tangerines" bears all the hallmarks of Lim's storytelling: resilience, human connection and the strength to challenge the status quo.

It portrays the spirited and rebellious Ae-sun, who yearns to escape Jeju but finds herself trapped in an inescapable cycle, forced to compromise with reality. By her side stands the steadfast Gwan-sik. Despite their challenging circumstances, Ae-soon and Gwan-sik are surrounded by neighbors who genuinely support and cheer them on. Even in the face of losing a child and struggling to find meaning in life, the neighbors offer silent assistance. Though their words may seem gruff, their hearts are filled with warmth.

As the saying goes, "A close neighbor is better than a distant relative," the drama highlights the importance of human connection.

Universal theme of love

In this drama, IU takes on two roles as the younger version of Ae-sun and Ae-sun's daughter Geum-myeong. Actor Moon So-ri portrays the middle-aged Ae-sun.

Critic Jung says IU's dual role has been an ingenious move for the drama.

"It is not just a single actor playing two roles for functional convenience, but a device that supports the parent-child narrative, where the mother's story continues through the daughter," he explained.

"While the work is filled with Korean elements in its historical background, the universality of this story can be seen as being created within the framework of family. Relationships and affection, though from different cultural spheres, can be relatable or aspirational not only in Korea and neighboring Asian regions, but also beyond."

Another critic Kim Hern-sik noted the strength of this drama lies in authenticity.

"While focusing on women's narratives, spanning three generations, it vividly depicts how harsh and despairing women's lives can be. But it still maintains hope, love and the humanity of gender equality," he said.

"Ae-sun and Gwan-sik show that no matter how difficult life's twists and turns may be, they can be overcome with a steadfast companion by their side. The storyline, which makes you dream of the future despite despair, provides positive strength to live and leaves a deep impression."