K Drama Chat Weekly

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, then Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: They Fell Down But Got Back Up Again and Eternal Nostalgia , both by Judah Earl, a non-Korean musician who has contributed to many K Dramas OSTs. The history and use of yeontan (연탄), charcoal briquettes in Korea to heat homes; Joanna talked about how these briquettes are prominent in Reply 1988 . The healing nature of this episode for Geum Myeong, who returns to Jeju a year after her breakup with Yeong beom and is cared for by her parents. The lavish and carefully prepared meals Ae-sun prepares to nourish her daughter, including jangjorim, chonggak kimchi, bibim naengmyeon, and kimbap. A sweet sunrise boat ride between Gwan-sik and Geum Myeong that rekindles their bond and r...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 11 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun, Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun, and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The songs we featured during the recap: "Picasso’s Room" by Yun Hyun Kyum and "Geum Myeong is Truly a Blessing to Me" by Chang Hyowon. Joanna’s Korean food tour in Annandale, VA with Virginialicious and tour guide Park Su-jin, and how Korean food has become mainstream in the U.S. Gongjindan, a traditional Korean herbal medicine, and its symbolic role in showing affection and care. The blossoming emotional depth and poetic confession from Chung Seop to Geum Myeong — comparing her to a Christmas tree that sparkles no matter where it's placed. The nuanced reasons why Geum Myeong breaks up with Yeong Beom — not because she doesn’t love him, but because she loves herself, too. Yeong Beom’s powerlessn...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 10 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, then Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The featured song during the recap: “Theme of Ae-sun” by Park Sung-il, the musician who also wrote “Theme of Gwan-sik,” “Spring in a Heartbeat,” and “Two Faced Summer” from this OST. The Baeksang Awards wins for this show—Best Drama, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor—and how validating it feels to have picked a gem for Season 11 of our podcast! How this episode focuses on three mothers and their powerful love for their children: Ae-sun, Yeong-ran, and Chung-seop’s mom. The symbolic and cultural significance of white rice, and how Bu Sang-gil uses it as a weapon in his drunken tirade. Oh Seong’s boiling anger against his father and sister, and his tragic learned behavior from witnessin...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 9 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun, Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, and Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The song featured during the recap: "Midnight Walk" by IU, a sweet ballad of longing that reflects Geum Myeong’s and Ae Sun’s emotional states of mind. How this episode subtly shifts focus to Geum Myeong as the central figure, possibly revealing the show as her coming-of-age story. The Baeksang Awards wins in 2025, including Best Drama, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay for When Life Gives You Tangerines! Our shoutouts to Lori and Seven Seas, who shared their love for the podcast and personal stories that echo themes in the show. The Yang family’s move to a cramped apartment, and Ae-sun’s determination to bring her cherished mother-of-pearl armoire to their new apartment. Eun Mye...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 8 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, and Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The song featured during the recap: My Love by My Side by Isaac Hong, a gorgeous acoustic ballad performed with only guitar, piano and voice. The full-circle moment when Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s past kindness saves their daughter Geum Myeong from a false accusation nearly 20 years later. Guilt and obligation between parents and children, especially how Geum Myeong's guilt leads to emotional distance from her loving parents. Geum Myeong’s awful experience at the police station, reminiscent of her mother’s experience at the Busan police station 20 years earlier. Gwan-sik’s efforts to connect with his daughter, waiting all day to see her in Seoul and facing her rejection with grace. Ae-sun’s sacrifice: abandoning...