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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 Myeong’s emotional journey—his bitterness, rebellion through hairstyles, and quiet gestures of love toward Ae Sun, like placing tennis balls under his mom’s chair.
Geum Myeong’s return from Japan and the lack of exploration of her time abroad, which disappointed both of us.
The awkward and growing connection between Geum Myeong and Park Chung Seop, who keep running into each other, and who the staff at the theater want to push closer together.
The breakdown of Geum Myeong and Yeong-beom’s relationship, and how Park Chung Seop might be quietly emerging as a romantic lead. Does Geum Myeong marry him in the end?
The Romeo and Juliet parallel between Eun Myeong and Bu Hyeon-suk, son and daughter of two families that have been intertwined forever but are enemies!
The beautiful poem “Natasha, the White Donkey and Me” by Baek Seok, read by Geum Myeong from Chung Seop’s notebook.
A spotlight on Lee Jun-young (Jun)—his career in K-pop and K Drama, including his rap and acting performances. We love him as Park Yeong Beom in this drama!
How we’re excited to watch the film "The Match" on Netflix, starring Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in. This movie is about an epic match Go between a mentor and mentee!
References
I am dubbing this the bad hairstyle episode! I mean, even IU had an unflattering hairstyle! The late eighties were a low point in hair. And I expect you both to post photos proving my point! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis episode was a welcome low stakes relief. As you said, no deaths or tears!
The letters on the backpack were certainly stolen off of cars, including the moving truck in the opening scene. I find this absolutely hilarious.
I too was confused about the scene with the flyer for Japanese translation and was wondering why that whole episode of her life was cut out. Can't be because they didn't have the budget to go to Japan! It could have been really interesting! Frankly, when they make the K Drama of my life, the only interesting parts will be when I studied abroad!
Joanna, I assumed you would be a huge fan of the movie Ghost. And I agree it would make a good premise for a K Drama. It also made me think what other 80's-90's movies would be a good basis for a K Drama. The obvious one is Back to the Future. The first one was almost a perfect time travel movie. And Twinkling Watermelon was basically a similar plotline. Any other suggestions?
You're right that this is not the typical K Drama in that it is played straight with very little intentional humor. It is a realistic slice of life drama in that sense. The closest show I can compare it to is Our Blues, also set on Jeju Island.
And sound effects are definitely a K Drama Element. Add them to the list (don't tell Seven Seas!). I'd say the most common side effects are the stomach growling - either because a character is hungry or has to use the bathroom. Korean comedies love bathroom humor! Another common one is music referencing religion. You will either hear that rapid drum for situations referencing buddhism or angelic choir sounds for references to Christianity! But none of that in this "high brow" show!
What am I watching?!
Nothing new to report. Still absolutely loving Resident Playlist. Oh, I did watch the first two episodes of Spring of Youth on Viki. It was not good. Poor writing and a kind of ridiculous plot. Waiting for the next big show to drop.
That's it for now. I'm off to work on my screenplay for my Baeksong award winning K Drama about Sung-hee's parents life - "When Life Gives You Physics!"
Hi Malcolm! I look forward to the dramatization of my parents' story about love in the Physics department, at SNU, no less! The story continues in Chapel Hill, where they were surprised by the arrival of a little girl (me, born 11 months, not 8 after the wedding) and lived in a tiny house where they struggled to find anything resembling Korean food in 1960s North Carolina. Because of a lack of child care, my mother had to give up her dreams of being a physicist, but did end up finding her way to data processing and running the ATM system for a bank in Los Angeles.
DeleteOn your strong recommendation, I'm watching Resident Playbook and enjoying the cameos. I'm losing interest in Heavenly Ever After, but I did watch the Match with Lee Byung Hun and Yoo Ah In. Christine has just let us know that Harbin has been released on Disney/Hulu, so I'm going to have to sign up for that now!
"And sound effects are definitely a K Drama Element. Add them to the list (don't tell Seven Seas!). I'd say the most common side effects are the stomach growling - either because a character is hungry or has to use the bathroom."
DeleteHaha.
On contrary! I actually fully agree that these 2 are K Drama Elements, because they are really unique to Kdramas. I haven't seen them anywhere else. Sound effects are simply an artsitc choice. And while people get hungry everywhere in the world, I don't recall seeing a world drama where you hear growling.
So, that makes them real elements even if they might not be as frequent as some others.
Malcolm, I did watch Ghost and I remember liking it but that was so long ago, I can't tell you much more than that. I think I may need to rewatch it, especially given that my love of magical realism came much later in life.
DeleteMalcolm and Seven Seas, Sung Hee and I are going to have to talk about sound effects! They are hilarious in Reply 1988 and Mr. Queen!
Malcolm, based on your recommendation I will start watching Resident Playbook.
DeleteWe all needed this episode. It was light hearted and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED the title. It is just way too cool. I don’t really think that much about titles, but I really enjoy your discussions about them.
These kids (I know actors are almost 30) looked adorable kneeling in front of Ae-Sun & Gwan Sik.
Ae-Sun mother in law finally got her revenge lol.
I didn’t recognise Kim Seon Ho as well even though I really liked Hometwon ChaChaCha.
I remember Ghost very well when it came out. Everybody loved it. Demi Moore never looked more beautiful than in that movie, especially when she was crying lol.
By the way, I think IU is an excellent crier as well. E15 of “My Mister” AH! One of my favourite TV episodes ever in any language.
I think I agree with Joanna that Kim Tae-Ri will probably end up like the Meryl Streep of South Korea. Personally, I don’t subscribe to the idea of one person being the best in ultimately subjective matters. She is though (just like Meryl Streep), undoubtedly a very talented actress. Her portrayal of Na Hee-Do in 25-21 was iconic!
I hope/think that Shin Hye-Sun might join her as one of the best Korean actresses.
I think you are right that Kim Tae-ri and Shin Hye-sun are two of Korea's best actresses. I love them both! Kim Tae-ri was mesmerizing in Mr. Sunshine and 25 21. Shin Hye sun was brilliant in Mr. Queen!
DeleteI loved Hometown Cha Cha Cha as well. That K Drama was like a giant hug.
Not so much with this show, but is sleeping with the lights on a Kdrama thing? I keep wanting to reach into the screen and switch off the lights. Is it just me?
ReplyDeleteNo, it is not just you. Great minds must think alike, because this has also been bugging me. It's so hard to sleep with the lights on! Still, I always give the creative director a pass on this issue, because it's so hard to see the actors with the lights off.
DeleteFascinating comment about sleeping with the lights on! I feel the same way when I see actors sliding into bed without turning off the lights! But Gordon is right, it would be awkward to have our actors turn off the light and then jump into bed.
DeleteBTW, I have to have a nearly pitch black room at night. But since I sometimes have to get up in the middle of the night, I have a little kitty cat night light, one that you tap to turn on. This way, it's pitch in the bedroom but I can easily turn on a light if I have to go to the bathroom. I LOVE this thing. Let me know if you want a link, haha.