| Native Name: |
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| Director: | Kim Won-seok | ||||||||
| Country: | South Korea | ||||||||
| Language: | Korean | ||||||||
| Producer: | Kim Hee-yeol | ||||||||
| Budget: | billion | ||||||||
| Network: | Netflix | ||||||||
When Life Gives You Tangerines is an upcoming South Korean romance slice-of-life television series written by Lim Sang-choon, directed by Kim Won-seok, and starring Lee Ji-eun, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon.[1] It is scheduled for release on Netflix in 2024.[2] [3]
A drama that unfolds the adventurous life of Ae-soon, the "remarkable rebel," born in Jeju in the 1950s, and Gwan-sik, the "unyielding iron," full of challenges and trials throughout the four seasons.[4]
In the arduous background of old photographs, our mother always smiled, and it tells the bright stories of our parents' youthful days. It is a work that resembles a tribute to their tender and still youthful seasons, when they were so young, including the story of mother's first love, father's dance anecdotes, grandma's rebellious youth, and grandpa's romantic era. The title, "폭싹 속았수다," means "Thank you for your hard work" in Jeju's language.
A spirited rebel, much like a "stubborn potato". Despite being in a situation that calls for maturity, she remains unyielding, her voice trembling like a goat each time she defies. She is a young girl with a touch of literary charm. Though slightly inexperienced, she is not overshadowed. Like a vibrant flower, she defiantly tilts her head towards the sun, even beneath the shaded walls that deny a single ray of light. She is an intriguing character, resolute and unfazed, radiating a captivating presence. Even in circumstances where attending school is impossible, she dreams of becoming a poet. Unafraid to express her emotions openly, her laughter resounds across the vast sea. She is a bold and spirited individual.[7]
A character as silent and unyielding as a "cast iron" and as unshakable as an "old tree".[9] He is a diligent and unwavering individual, understanding the immense power of true dedication. In matters of love, however, he is as fragile as a ripe peach. Even a smile from Ae-soon can cause his heart to falter, and her tears are equally devastating. Nevertheless, his loyalty, like unyielding steel, remains unshakable. From the very beginning, he loves and cherishes Ae-soon alone, never straying from his commitment. Using the pretext of the era, he takes the reins of Ae-soon's pivotal moments, steering, pulling the emergency brake, and at times even stepping on the accelerator of life. These actions defy the predictable course of time, as he wholeheartedly embraces his role as a warrior of unwavering devotion.
The upcoming series, written by Lim Sang-choon with working title "Life" marks her return after writing the 2019 drama When the Camellia Blooms. The critically acclaimed director Kim Won-seok helmed the project. In December 2022, acclaimed Production Designer Ryu Seong-hie mentioned that "Life" is one of her new project. It will be her third drama after Little Women and Mask Girl.[18]
On January 27, 2023, the title of the series, initially referred to as "Life" as a working title, was unveiled as "You Have Done Well." The title, derived from the Jeju dialect, carries the meaning of "Thank you for your hard work." The production cost is known to be around .[19]
On January 27, 2023, IU and Park Bo-gum were confirmed to be cast in the roles of main characters Ae-soon and Gwan-sik respectively. Kim Won-seok and Lee Ji-eun found themselves joining forces once again after their successful collaboration in the 2018 tvN drama series My Mister.
On January 30, 2023, Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon were officially confirmed to play the older versions of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik, respectively. This marks the fourth collaboration between Park Hae-joon and director Kim Won-seok, following their successful partnerships on tvN dramas like , My Mister, and Arthdal Chronicles.[20]
Following the casting news, on February 28, 2023, Choi Dae-hoon was also confirmed as part of the cast. Furthermore, it was revealed that filming for the series would commence in March. On March 10, 2023, the casting of Na Moon-hee and Kim Yong-rim was announced. This project reunites Kim Yong-rim and Lee Ji-eun after nine years, since their previous joint project in the KBS2 weekend drama series You Are the Best! which aired in 2013. Finally, on March 15, 2023, Lee Jun-young's casting was confirmed, and he actively participated in the script reading, securing a lead role in the drama.[21]
On May 12, 2023, Lee Soo-kyung's casting was confirmed. It has been reported that the script reading is about to take place after a meeting with director Kim Won-seok.[22] Baek Ji-won's casting was confirmed on June 23, 2023,[23] followed by Oh Jeong-se's confirmation on July 25, 2023.[24] Jeong Yi-seo's casting was confirmed on August 24, 2023.[25] Lee Soo-mi's casting was confirmed on September 5, 2023.[26] In an interview with Yeom Hye-ran on September 16, 2023, it was revealed that her next work would be You Have Done Well.[27]
An article was published on July 27, 2023, announcing that Kim Seon-ho would make a special appearance.[28] In December of the same year, while attending the 8th Asia Artist Awards in Bulacan, Philippines, Kim Seon-ho mentioned that the drama is slated to be his project for 2024.[29] In January 2024, a news report mentioned his appearance in the drama.[30]
The first script reading for the cast members took place on March 7, 2023. Among the actors in attendance were IU, Park Bo-gum, Lee Jun-young, Choi Dae-hoon, Na Moon-hee, and Kim Yong-rim.[31]
The drama was also filmed in Andong more than 30 times in 2023.[32]
In April 2023, it was announced that PAN Entertainment signed production contract with Netflix.[33] It is planned to be released in 190 countries in 2024.[34] [30] On January 30, 2024, media outlets shared the script reading photos of the drama and confirm its exclusive release on Netflix worldwide.[35] Netflix social media accounts announced the English title as When Life Gives You Tangerines.[36]