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Netflix’s slice-of-life Kdrama When Life Gives You Tangerines takes viewers on a profound journey through love, loss and resilience. Starring IU as Oh Ae Sun and Park Bo Gum as Yang Gwan Sik, the 16-episode series beautifully captures the passage of time—from youth to old age—showing that while love may end, its warmth lingers like an eternal spring.

Before delving into the ending, it’s important to note the significance of the drama’s Korean title. In the Jeju dialect, it translates to "thank you for your hard work" or "you have endured." This phrase perfectly aligns with the story’s themes, as Oh Ae Sun’s journey is one of perseverance, love and the bittersweet reality of time.

Episode 16 brings Oh Ae Sun’s story full circle. Now in her 70s, she shares wisdom with her daughter, Geum Myeong (also played by IU). She reflects on ageing, saying, “Growing older is nothing exceptional. You feel the same on the inside, but when you look in the mirror, you see an old woman.” Her words carry the weight of decades, offering a poignant perspective on the beauty and pain of life’s journey.

The heart of the finale lies in the farewell between Oh Ae Sun and her husband, Yang Gwan Sik. Their love story, spanning decades, has been filled with joy and hardship. As he lies on his deathbed, he apologizes for not making her life easier. With quiet reassurance, she tells him, “Thanks to you, I was never lonely for a day.” This moment encapsulates their relationship—one built on deep love and unwavering companionship.

Oh Ae Sun never regretted choosing Gwan Sik over her former fiancé, Bu Sang Gil. While Sang Gil pursued prestige and control, Gwan Sik chose love and devotion. Despite societal norms that gave men authority, he treated Ae Sun as an equal partner, making their bond even more meaningful.

The drama also explores Geum Myeong’s love story. She meets artist Park Chung Seob when he helps her find a part-time job painting movie posters. Though she initially loved someone else, fate had other plans. Years later, after Chung Seob completes his military service, they cross paths again. Geum Myeong realizes that while each love in her life was different, its depth remained the same. She ultimately finds a love that allows her to be herself.

Oh Ae Sun and Geum Myeong’s successes reflect societal progress. Despite lacking formal education due to her background, Ae Sun becomes a poet, channelling her life experiences into writing. After Gwan Sik’s passing, she dedicates herself to teaching elderly Jeju residents to read and write. Meanwhile, Geum Myeong, inspired by her mother’s struggles, becomes a tech entrepreneur, creating an online platform to make education more accessible.

More than just a backdrop, Jeju Island plays a vital role in the story. The series pays tribute to its history and culture, particularly the haenyeo (female divers). Chloe Lee (Yeom Hye Ran), the editor of Ae Sun’s poetry book, is revealed to be a reincarnation of Ae Sun’s mother. The belief in life’s cyclical nature is reinforced as Ae Sun, standing by the water, calls out to the mother she still longs for.

In the final scene, Oh Ae Sun’s daughter asks if she is happy. With a gentle smile, Ae Sun replies that she is. She reflects on her life—from the moment she fell in love at nine to her present self—and describes it as feeling like spring: full of warmth, beauty, and hope.

The drama ends with a memory of young Oh Ae Sun and Yang Gwan Sik, laughing in a lush field, capturing their dreams with a camera. The voice of an older Ae Sun softly echoes over the scene, reminiscing about how life always felt like spring. She promises that until she and Gwan Sik meet again, she will be waiting.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is more than a love story—it is a reflection on life’s inevitable changes, the enduring nature of love, and the beauty found in everyday moments. Even when love fades, its warmth lingers, much like the lasting essence and hope that spring brings.

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