Exploring 5 Life Lessons in "When Life Gives You Tangerines"
- lewishooper1
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
We've laughed, cried, and reflected on our own lives in what could be the best drama of 2025 When Life Gives You Tangerines. This drama showcased everything a slice-of-life drama could offer. We explore 5 life lessons that we learned from watching this masterpiece!
The popular K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines is likely to be celebrated as one of the best ever. Its heart-warming story, compelling characters, stunning cinematography, and powerful life lessons have forged a deep connection with viewers globally. By weaving together themes of love, loss, family, and the importance of community in a deeply emotional way, it's a series that both entertains and profoundly enlightens, ensuring its enduring appeal.
Never Underestimate the Power of Your Community
Beyond the childhood village, it's a resilient community that truly carries you through life's storms. Ae Sun, orphaned early, was raised by her village, but the haenyo (female divers) community – her mother's legacy – became her enduring strength. These sea women were more than just caregivers; they were lifelong allies and guardians who remained by Ae Sun's (IU) side even as she became a mother herself. In their twilight years, their worry was whether Ae-sun could eventually navigate life without their constant support. Through every high and low, Ae Sun's haenyo community stood as a testament to unwavering support, celebrating her triumphs and sharing her burdens.
Choose a Partner Who Is Fully Invested in You
Find a love that mirrors Gwan Sik's "Steel Heart" devotion to Ae Sun.
When it comes to unwavering devotion to a partner, Gwan Sik (Park Bo Gum) sets the benchmark. Known as "Steel Heart" for his adoration and loyalty, his life was dedicated to Ae Sun's happiness and the well-being of their family, quietly weathering life's storms. His love was both grand and intimate, from his determined ocean crossing for Ae-sun to his lifelong supply of her favorite hair clips. He was a partner who prioritized his wife above all else, even his own family and the opinions of his beloved daughter. As their daughter Geum Myeong (also IU) astutely observed, her mother was always "number zero" in her father's heart.
Don't Forget Your Worth
The ultimate act of love is often choosing yourself. Despite the deep affection in Geum Myeong's first relationship with Park Yeong Beom, evident even to Ae-sun, the relentless disrespect from his mother forced Geum Myeong to a powerful realization. Recognizing the importance of her own self-love, she called off the wedding, declaring, "I do love you deeply. But I love myself deeply, too."
People Are More Than They Seem
Bu Sang Gil's story in "Tangerines" serves as a powerful reminder that there's more to people than meets the eye. While largely depicted as a flawed husband and father, his eventual redemption arc in the final volume reveals the complexity within him. It underscores the idea that even seemingly unsympathetic individuals can surprise us with their capacity for growth and positive change.
What goes around comes around.
Kindness has a memory, and the universe, in its own time and way, tends to repay the good we offer. Ae-sun and Gwan Sik's simple act of warning a young woman years prior led to her later protecting their daughter from false accusations. In another instance, a celebrity returned Gwan Sik's past kindness by saving their restaurant. These events underscore the enduring power of generosity, which often finds a path to reciprocation.
What life lessons did you learn from the K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines? Comment below!
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