Review: When Life Gives You Tangerines – The Fangirl Verdict

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This is a case of Show living up to the hype.

Everything about this show, from the writing, to the direction, to the delivery, speaks so deeply, of genuine tenderness, and I just love how it all comes together, to become something that’s even greater than the sum of its (already impressive) parts.

Our story is simple and approachable, yet so profound in its humanity and compassion, that one cannot help but find it affecting.

Our entire cast is fantastic, but in my opinion, our core cast, IU, Park Bo Gum, Moon So Ri and Park Hae Joon truly stand out, playing our OTP in different timelines. They deserve all of the awards, and then some. 🥲

A masterpiece that’s well worth your time.

THE LONG VERDICT:

My friends, I honestly kind of wish that I could just flail around and tell you guys to just go watch this, because it’s just that good, and also, I’m just that overwhelmed, and I don’t know if my words can do this show justice.

In all my years of drama watching, I can only recall a small handful of instances, when I’d felt this way, when I’d gotten to the end of a show.

Thinking back on my many years of drama watching, I recall that I’ve only felt this way after finishing Chuno (review here), Nirvana in Fire (review here), Secret Love Affair (review here) and My Mister (review here).

And now, I’m so pleased to say that I feel pretty much the exact same way, as I’m finishing this show.

Which tells me that, just like those other iconic dramas, this really is one for the ages. 🥲

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Here’s the OST from Chapters 1 to 3, in case you’d like to listen to it while you read the review.

I found the music very pleasant as a general rule, and it definitely added positively to my watch experience.

In terms of favorites, I do like Midnight Walk and My Love By My Side. Both feel gentle and warm to me, which I feel fits this show’s vibe perfectly.

Additional shout-out to My Love By My Side, for having a title that feels like the perfect summary of Ae Sun and Gwan Sik’s relationship. ❤️

Here’s My Love By My Side on its own as well, in case you’d prefer to listen to that on repeat. Just right-click on the video and select “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll talk about how to manage your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens would be most helpful.

After that, I talk about stuff I liked on a more macro level, before I give the quickish (still macro) spotlight to selected characters and relationships.

Following that, I dive into the various chapters of our story, from Spring, to Summer, to Autumn and Winter.

If you’re interested in my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the various Patreon members’ comments during the course of our watch, you might like to check out my episode notes on Patreon here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Here are some things that I think would be helpful to keep in mind, to maximize your enjoyment of your watch:

1. This is not a sad story

If you haven’t seen this show, you might get the wrong impression that it’s a sad story, from the way other people talk about this show making them cry.

I’m here to tell you that this show is primarily warm and hopeful in tone, even though there is heartache along the way.

I’m pretty sure Show will make you cry at some point, but I’m just as sure, that those tears will be cathartic ones.

In short, you’re likely to cry, but you’re also likely to thank Show for making you cry. 🥲

2. Our story moves between timelines

Show is helpful about indicating the actual dates whenever we move between timelines, but I sometimes still found it a little disorientating – mostly because I’m likely not as good as the average person, with keeping track of dates. 😅

I found that looking out for contextual clues – like hairstyles – helped me to get myself situated, so hopefully that trick will work for you too.

Overall, I didn’t find myself getting too confused, so I’m sure you’ll get a handle on things like I did.

STUFF I LIKED

Overall handling, writing and execution

Everything about this show, is so carefully done, and it shows.

From the setting, to the costuming, everything feels so authentic to the times, and look so believably lived-in.

The writing is also impressively detailed and deft. Even though our story moves between multiple timelines, I never felt like write-nim ever lost track of where we were or why, and every scene felt like it was made with purpose, which I really liked.

Which means that, yes, I didn’t feel like there was any filler in this show.

I loved the earthy, slice-of-life feel, which made me feel like I was doing life with these characters, and yet, Show somehow also manages to land as extraordinary and epic.

And, it felt like everyone involved in making this show, was on the same page about what this show ought to be, and how they would achieve it.

I thought that was really remarkable.

Our excellent cast

I thought everyone was suitably well-cast, and did an excellent job of the roles.

I think it says a lot, that so many well-known actors are in this, from big roles to smaller roles.

For one thing, it means that every character is well-delivered, and more often than not, a supporting character who’s stayed on the sidelines for a good portion of the story, might suddenly deliver an amazing scene which lands as a punch to the gut.

It’s not exactly a surprise, when you look at the caliber of the actors – like Na Moon Hee playing Gran, for example – but it is a surprise, in the sense of how much impact a supporting character might have, on the overall narrative.

And, that’s the best kind of surprise, in my drama-watching experience. 🤩

Honestly, it feels to me like everyone isn’t as concerned with how much screen time they get, as they are about the quality of the end product.

Case in point: Park Bo Gum was widely advertised as being this story’s male lead, but in effect, he has a lot less screen time than the average male lead.

However, not only does he do a flat-out amazing job of the screen time that he does have, he’s also expressed that he knew about the smaller amount of screen time, coming into the role.

In a landscape where the bottom line almost always reigns supreme, this drama stands out as one where it feels like everyone – from writer, to production crew, to actors – cared primarily for the artistry and integrity of the story that they wanted to tell.

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS / RELATIONSHIPS

Unlike most of my other reviews (the long ones I mean), I won’t be doing detailed spoilers sections of the characters & relationships in this section.

Instead, I’ll talk about them with broad spoilers, and leave the detailed spoilers for the deep dive into the four seasons, later in this review.

[BROAD SPOILERS FOR THIS SECTION]

Yeom Hye Ran as Mom

Mom doesn’t have a great deal of screen time in the overall scheme of things, but I freaking loved Yeom Hye Ran in this role.

She’s often prickly and angry on the surface, but her heart is so true, and so full of love for her children, especially Ae Sun, her first-born.

In the little that we saw of her, I already got such a strong sense of how much of herself she poured out, for the sake of her family, and how little she kept back for herself, if any at all.

Mom and Ae Sun

Like I mentioned above, there’s a special bond between Ae Sun and Mom, and our sense of this, only gets stronger over time.

Mom might be rough and gruff, but she only ever has Ae Sun’s best interests at heart, and Ae Sun, young as she is, is also sensitive to Mom’s efforts and feelings, and does what she can, to meet Mom halfway.

I am ever so grateful to Show, for giving this relationship room to exist and breathe, over the entirety of our story.

Ae Sun and Gwan Sik

The love story between Ae Sun and Gwan Sik forms the backbone of our story, and oh my goodness, is it a love story for the ages.

It’s sometimes a little dramatic, but most of the time, it’s quiet and unassuming, and the love that we see between them, is demonstrated less in romantic words and gestures, and more in the everyday beats.

The way they each put the other person first, in their minds and hearts, and align their actions accordingly, shows up again and again, and I couldn’t help but be moved by such enduring loyalty and deep devotion, where they choose each other, again and again – and then again still – regardless of the circumstances. 🥲

In a drama landscape where many dramas only showcase the initial giddy courtship phase, it feels like a rare and important treat, to see what love looks like in action, not just in the early honeymoon days, but over the course of a lifetime. 🥲

IU as adult Ae Sun and Geum Myeong

IU does double duty in our story, playing both Ae Sun and Ae Sun’s daughter, Geum Myeong.

This did make very occasionally confused about who we were looking at, when Show would jump timelines, but I totally buy the idea that Geum Myeong might be the spitting image of her mother.

IU is excellent in both roles, and plays them as two distinct individuals, with each having her own body language and personal vibe. I thought this was really excellently done.

I have to admit, though, that between the two characters, my soft spot is for IU as Ae Sun. 🥲

Park Bo Gum as Gwan Sik

I love-love-loveddd Park Bo Gum as Gwan Sik, and as excellent as Park Hae Joon is, as older Gwan Sik (more on him in just a bit), I have to admit that in my mind’s eye, when I think of Gwan Sik, it’s Park Bo Gum’s Gwan Sik that comes to mind. 🥲

Gwan Sik’s written as a character who’s only ever had eyes for Ae Sun, and I just love how steadfast and devoted Gwan Sik is, and how consistent and resilient he is, in his love for her, and also, for their family.

As the family’s provider, it always moved me to see how hard Gwan Sik worked, and how much he would push himself, and how much he would endure, for the sake of his family.

He may be a man of few words, but this love in action, spoke so much louder, and I found it utterly affecting. 🥹🥹

Moon So Ri as older adult Ae Sun

I thoroughly enjoyed Moon So Ri as older Ae Sun, and one of the reasons is because, in her, I felt like I could still feel younger Ae Sun’s girlish, pure heart.

At the same time, I felt like in Moon So Ri’s hands, we also see Ae Sun mellow in her middle age, which is a lovely indication of growth and maturity, from the younger and much more impetuous Ae Sun of before.

Park Hae Joon as older adult Gwan Sik

As much as I missed Park Bo Gum in Gwan Sik’s shoes as our timelines moved forward, I have to say that I think Park Hae Joon does an amazing job of the role.

In fact, there were many occasions when I felt like the facial expressions and gestures that we get from Park Hae Joon are uncannily like what Park Bo Gum gave us, as younger Gwan Sik.

Overall, I felt that Park Hae Joon channels a very similar type of energy into his delivery of Gwan Sik – just, more mature, now that Gwan Sik’s older.

I don’t know if the two actors discussed this, or if it’s PD-nim who’s responsible for ensuring this, but I am really impressed by this.

The haenyeo aunties

I had a real soft spot for the haenyeo aunties; they are fiesty, cheeky and vocal, but also, so resilient, loyal and loving.

I love that they are such a safety net for Ae Sun, through the years; they really are like a bonus family, and I love that. 🥲

Na Moon Hee as Gran

Like I alluded to earlier, Na Moon Hee doesn’t have that much screen time as Gran, but when Gran gets to take centerstage, oh my, does Na Moon Hee shine. 🤩

She plays Gran with so much depth and nuance, and even though many of her scenes are on the shorter side of things, I still felt like I was seeing Gran, with all of her years of history and context, etched into her brow, informing her every word and gesture.

Love. ❤️

[DETAILED DEEP DIVE & THEREFORE SPOILERS HENCEFORTH!]

SPOTLIGHT ON CHAPTER 1: SPRING

E1-4. I loved these first 4 episodes, and feel fully invested in the journey of our characters, and I both want this show to move faster and slower, at the same time – which is basically how I tend to feel, when I love a show a great deal, and want to watch more episodes of it, but also, don’t actually want the end to come. 🥲

Off the top of my head, I feel like this show reminds me a fair deal, of a handful of other shows, like Our Blues, Jeongnyeon, Pachinko and even Oshin.

It’s the various similar elements that jump out at me, that lead me to make the comparison.

In Our Blues (review here) (and in Welcome to Samdalri (review here) too, to some extent), we had the focus on the haenyeo, and what it means to be one; the dangers, the hardship and the community.

In Jeongnyeon (review here), we had the tension between mother and daughter, where Mother’s lived a hard life and vehemently doesn’t want Daughter to follow in her footsteps.

And in Pachinko (review here), we’ve got the intersplicing of timelines, where we see younger and older actors playing the same characters, as we move between moments in the past and the present.

And then there’s Oshin, which had been about one woman’s life, and her journey to lift herself and her family from poverty – which is also the vibe that I’m getting here.

All of these elements are coming together really well for me, and altogether, Show is serving up a story that is engaging, poignant and heartfelt, and quite universally accessible, I feel.

I have to say, easily one of my favorite arcs is the mother-daughter relationship, which we delve into, in episode 1.

And before I get into that, I just have to gush about Kim Tae Yeon, who plays young Ae Sun; girl is just so natural and amazing! 🤩🤩

She imparts an effortless depth and nuance to her delivery, that make me fully believe that this is young Ae Sun, full of complicated feelings about her life, and just as full, at the same time, with dreams for a better and brighter future – and not knowing how to reconcile the two. 🥲

And of course, there’s Yeom Hye Ran, who is always amazing; she made Mom so raw and angry, yet so full of pride and love for her daughter. I loved her, so much.

Mom does the thing that mothers do; she pushes her own body to the edge without hesitation, if only to give her children a little more and a little better.

And, I can’t blame her for her anger, either; she’s suffered so much in the past, and continues to suffer so much in the present, with nothing much to show for it.

She still lives in poverty and uncertainty, and feels helpless because she can’t give her children the kind of life that she feels they deserve.

Mom is gruff about pushing Ae Sun to live with her father’s family, but it quickly becomes clear why she’d do that; it’s because her father’s family is better off, and would be able to afford to send Ae Sun to school.

Oh, but when Mom’s heart is triggered, her big Mama Bear energy comes out right away, and I love how, when she reads Ae Sun’s prize-winning poem, she brings croakers to Ae Sun’s father’s family home – and then when she sees that they’re not treating Ae Sun well, she marches right over, kicks up a big ol’ fuss, and takes Ae Sun with her.

Mom’s very gruff and rough a lot of the time, but the pride that she has in Ae Sun, and the hopes that she has for her, become clearer and clearer to see, and I soon got the idea, that Ae Sun really is Mom’s pride and joy. 🥲

It’s because of Ae Sun that Mom decides to quit smoking, and it’s also because of Ae Sun, that Mom borrows that pearl necklace, so that she can visit Ae Sun’s teacher, to try to put in a good word for Ae Sun, because of how unfairly Ae Sun had lost the class president position.

The way Ae Sun tries her best to sound upbeat about being vice-president, and pretend not to mind, is so poignant to see.

This is such a display of love and consideration, from both mother and daughter. 🥲

I was gutted to learn, time skip later, that Mom was sick, and didn’t have much time to live.

That scene where Ae Sun sits by the sea and screams and cries on her mother’s behalf, is just heartbreaking. 💔

Another scene which broke my heart even more, is the one where Mom wakes Ae Sun up to cook her abalones, and talk with her, giving her life advice, as well as telling Ae Sun to run away to her father’s family once Mom was gone, because they’d be able to pay for Ae Sun’s school expenses.

Afterwards, we see Mom singing Ae Sun to sleep. 🥹

Everything’s just extra poignant, because it’s clear to see that Mom knew that her time was almost up, and wanted to spend some special quality time with Ae Sun. 😭

And then, of course the heartbreak only gets greater, when Mom actually passes away.

I was quite blindsided to learn that Mom had only been 29 years old, when she’d passed. What a short, difficult life she’d led, and what it’s even more poignant, is the knowledge that Mom’s experience hadn’t been that out of the ordinary, for the times. 💔

Through it all, I’m glad that Gwan Sik’s there, for Ae Sun.

The relationship between Ae Sun and Gwan Sik truly is the other big highlight of our story.

I find it supremely endearing, that Gwan Sik’s only ever had eyes for Ae Sun, from the time they were children, and that he’s always kept special treats of food, just for her – that’s definitely his language of love, and it’s adorable. 🥲

Even though Gwan Sik (Lee Chun Moo) is just a couple of years older than Ae Sun, he’s really just a kid as much as she is, and yet, I feel heartened that during the toughest times in Ae Sun’s life, Gwan Sik’s always been there for her.

Even when Ae Sun had cried for her mother, Gwan Sik had been with her, and brought her meat, and told her, in his awkward, matter-of-fact way, that she’d be hungry if she cries. 🥹

And then he’s there, as Ae Sun mourns her mother, and in all the days afterward.

He helps her plow that field, and harvest those cabbages, and he even helps her sell them, with her little cabbage stall set up next to his fish stall.

..And this feels about as apt a time as any, to say that I am also very much enjoying IU and Park Bo Gum in the roles of Ae Sun and Gwan Sik; they are both very excellent. 🤩

This isn’t the kind of romance that we typically see in kdramas, where the OTP relationship takes centerstage, and we spend episode upon episode teasing out the OTP relationship, and waiting for the minting of the OTP relationship.

No, in this case, stuff happens a whole lot faster, and it all lands as very earthy and unvarnished – but I still find it very engaging heart-tugging.

I just love how steadfast and loyal Gwan Sik is; his devotion to Ae Sun truly seems unshakable, no matter what comes their way.

And Ae Sun might talk big about not wanting Gwan Sik even if his family gave him to her, but underneath that big talk, she really does like Gwan Sik.

Why else would she walk with her hand in his pocket as a matter of habit, and why else would she put on lip gloss – just so that she’d always be ready for kisses? 😁

And how about that first kiss? It’s so clumsy and ardent, the way they freeze and lock lips in that field of flowers; it’s just all very awkwardly adorable. 🥰😁

When Ae Sun suddenly finds her life situation changed, with her stepfather (Oh Jung Se) remarrying, and her father’s family unwelcoming, I honestly love the way Gwan Sik is willing to leave everything behind, to run away with her, so that they can make a new life for themselves in Busan.

Yes, it’s foolish and naive, that they would think this would work out without any issues, but that largeness of their hopes, dreams and love, is really endearing.

I also find it sweetly touching, that even though they have nothing much, and don’t really know what the future holds, Gwan Sik does his very best to protect Ae Sun, and provide for her. 🥲

He’s just all-in with Ae Sun, regardless of what it is, and that’s really clear to see, when they get scammed out of their money and belongings.

He never once says they should give up, and just follows Ae Sun to try to steal their stuff back, even though he’s terrified. 🥲

Given Ae Sun’s dreams of being a poet, it’s heartbreaking that her dreams are shattered in an instant, when she’s expelled for running away (how unfair, that Gwan Sik is suspended, but Ae Sun is expelled! Truly a sign of the times 😑).

It’s sneaky of Gwan Sik’s mom (Oh Min Ae) to tell Ae Sun that Ae Sun would only hold Gwan Sik back from achieving his dreams, but I can see why Ae Sun would believe her, and choose to push Gwan Sik away, for his own sake.

That scene, where Ae Sun tells Gwan Sik that he has to leave, in order for her to live, is utterly heartbreaking; I felt completely gutted by the heartbreak in Gwan Sik’s eyes, as Ae Sun’s words, and the new reality that she was talking about, begin to sink in. 😭

I can see why Gwan Sik would then prepare to leave, for Ae Sun’s sake. He’d always done everything for Ae Sun’s sake, and it makes sense that if he believed that Ae Sun wanted it, he would leave too.

And then, HOW EPIC WAS THAT REUNION SCENE??? 🥹🤩🥹🤩🥹

The desperation on both sides is so raw that it jumped out of my screen to hit me in the gut, with Ae Sun screaming and crying for Gwan Sik, and Gwan Sik beside himself with panic, in wanting the boat to turn back.

The way Gwan Sik literally jumps overboard and SWIMS STRAIGHT TO AE SUN, is just epic.

What a neat way to reveal that the sport which Gwan Sik’s been training in, is swimming! 🤭

Oh, but I just loved – LOVEDDD – that tearful reunion scene, as Gwan Sik finally has his Ae Sun in his arms again. 🥹🥹🥹

Just, so satisfying and so beautiful. ❤️

As a side note, can I just say that I just love all the haenyeo for being our OTP’s determined, vocal little cheer squad? The way they are so happily gleeful at our OTP’s reunion is the perfect bonus. 😁

I find it sweetly poignant, that when we fast-forward to the time when Gwan Sik and Ae Sun are young parents to their toddler, they are both so happy and content, even though they’d both given up so much, in order to be together.

Their hearts are so full of love, as they bask in their daughter, and it’s just very touching, that they find their sacrifice so worthwhile, and now, only hope that their daughter will be able to fulfill the dreams that they never got to. 🥹

In episode 4, another time skip later, it’s poignant to see how Ae Sun’s putting up with the bullying from her mother- and grandmother-in-law, without saying a word to Gwan Sik, so as not to burden him further.

Honestly, when Ae Sun brings back that tricycle and that big bundle of things from her stepfather’s wife, I found the joy in her face super endearing.

Her life is tough, and yet, here she is, taking such unadulterated joy in the little things. I admire her for that.

It’s also very poignant to me, that when Gwan Sik tells her that he’d do anything she wants, Ae Sun’s only request, is that he make it such that their daughter Geum Myeong gets to ride it, instead of being confined to the kitchen like her.

The way Ae Sun waves so happily at Gwan Sik, as Geum Myeong rides that tricycle, even though she herself is stuck working in the kitchen, feels so pure and precious.

Her joy is fully in the blessings of her daughter, and the love and dependability of her husband. 🥲

(And I must say, I appreciate that in the future timeline, we get to see Geum Myeong make a firm stand for her career, because she insists on looking upon it with value and dignity – which is what Ae Sun had always wanted for her. 🥲)

When Gran-in-law (Kim Yong Rim) tries to force Geum Myeong to become a haenyeo, the way Ae Sun puts her foot down is so fiercely desperate; she’ll suffer injustice and poor treatment, but she won’t compromise on this.

I do love that Ae Sun has such sharp clarity on this, even though she has no clue what she’s going to do.

Again, I love Gwan Sik’s steadfast, unwavering loyalty; he just shows up, and takes his wife and daughter away.

He has no clue either what they’re going to do, but he’s extremely clear on the fact that he’s not going to stand for how his family treats Ae Sun, and I just love him for it. 🥲

It’s no wonder that in the future timeline, Ae Sun shyly admits to Geum Myeong, that if she had to do it over again, she’d still marry Gwan Sik. How beautiful. 🥰🥹

I feel so sorry for Gwan Sik going to work for Sang Gil (Choi Dae Hoon), the rich dude whom Ae Sun had been getting ready to marry, because Sang Gil is a terrible excuse for a human being, with the way he bullies Gwan Sik, and even refuses to turn the boat around when Gwan Sik gets injured, which leads to permanent damage to Gwan Sik’s hand. 😭

And yet, Gwan Sik soldiers on, all for the love of his family and wanting to provide for them, and I’m just moved to tears here. 😭

I’m glad that when Ae Sun catches wind of all this, she basically cusses Sang Gil out, tells him that Gwan Sik will no longer be working for him, and even kicks him in the shins.

This, while quite heavily pregnant too. What a star! 🤩

Yes, she sobs afterwards while holding Gwan Sik’s hand, but it’s just really touching and endearing to me, how the both of them put each other above everything else – even practical things like financial stability and income.

I find it utterly touching, that we get to see them, almost 30 years later, still holding hands, and still as devoted to each other. 🥲

I’m definitely concerned that Gwan Sik’s body seems to be breaking down here and there, but for now, I’m just so glad to see that Gwan Sik and Ae Sun have managed to stay together and love each other, through thick and thin, over literal decades.

It feels like a blessing in and of itself, and I’m just tearfully content. 🥹

SPOTLIGHT ON CHAPTER 2: SUMMER

E5-8. Upon reflection, I realize that Show is doing a great job of balancing our various threads from different timelines – and keeping them intertwined, so that moving from one timeline to another just feels like an extension of a particular thread.

I really like this, because this ensures that we get to see various characters on our screens, even when we’re technically past their timeline, in our story.

I personally appreciate this a lot, because I am fond of Yeom Hye Ran playing Mom, and IU playing Ae Sun, and Park Bo Gum playing Gwan Sik, and don’t want to say goodbye them, even when we move into the middle-aged years with Ae Sun and Gwan Sik. 🥲

Backing up to episode 5, however, I found it a poignant thing in and of itself, to watch IU and Park Bo Gum as Ae Sun and Gwan Sik, navigating life as young parents trying to provide for their little family.

Their obvious youth is a little trippy to behold, because it’s such a contrast to what young people at their age tend to be busy with, in our world.

Instead of being busy with their own education or career, as many young people their age would be, in our world, they are overwhelmed with the gritty realities of what it means to be parents, and the very real struggle to put food on the table.

I feel like I can practically see the giant burden on Gwan Sik’s shoulders, as the head of the household and main breadwinner.

He doesn’t say a word about it, but I feel like I can see the worry etched into his brow, even as he does his best to keep an impassive poker face, so as not to worry Ae Sun. 🥲

On that note, I just have to say, I truly, deeply love Gwan Sik as a character; he’s so simple and steadfast in his devotion to Ae Sun and their little family, and through these episodes, there were a number of occasions when he had me in literal tears. 🥲

I’ll talk more about those later.

Right now, I wanted to also take a moment to appreciate Ae Sun.

She has to be just as concerned as Gwan Sik, about his lack of work, and the strain that this puts on their financial situation.

Yet, in her eyes, Gwan Sik’s mental and emotional wellbeing takes precedence.

Not once does she scold him or nag him, or put any additional pressure on him, in any way.

In fact, what we see, is her consistently worrying for him, that he’s burdened himself too much, or working too hard.

What we hear her tell him instead, is that it’s ok for him to take a break; that he’s earned it, and that she’ll earn money for the family, if necessary.

I find this all very touching, that Gwan Sik and Ae Sun consistently put each other first, even in the midst of very real struggles and problems, where their little family could literally starve. 🥲

I have to confess that through all of their struggles, I found it a comfort to occasionally pop by the future timeline, if only because it gave me a visual reminder that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik make it, together, and this means that whatever storms we are witnessing in the past timeline, will pass. 🥲

It is poignant, at the same time, to see how Ae Sun has mellowed over the years.

At this point, when we look at middle-aged Ae Sun, the dreams that she’d once held so fiercely, are but distant specks in her memory, and her joy comes from her family, and the little pleasures in life, like a discount on produce at the market, or a hand-me-down pair of floral shoes from Geum Myeong.

It is.. bittersweet, with more emphasis on the sweet, because to me, the most important thing is that Ae Sun is happy and content. 🥲

Still, this doesn’t take away from the raw sharpness of the scene where younger Ae Sun lies in bed and tearfully tells Gwan Sik that she can’t wait to grow old, because everything is still too hot for her. 💔

I find it very touching, that through all the difficult seasons, Ae Sun and Gwan Sik stick together so naturally, even though these kinds of struggles typically and easily put strain on marriages in general.

I really like that little detail, that Ae Sun, her face still wet with tears, tells Gwan Sik, very simply, to hold her and pat her back.

Our Ae Sun understands how simple Gwan Sik is, and doesn’t test him by expecting him to know how to comfort her; instead, she tells him how to comfort her, and that helps so much, I think, to keep their marriage solid, through the storms.

I have to say, I found the flashback, where we see Mom going with Gran to have her photo taken, extremely moving and heartpinching.

The way Mom is vulnerable with Gran, telling her that she’s afraid of having her picture taken, because of superstition, but also, because she knows in her gut, that this is going to be her funeral photo.

We really barely see Mom and Gran interacting in our story world; this is the moment where we see them interacting the most, and I am struck by how Gran is so ready to be there for Mom, when Mom asks.

When Mom talks about being afraid to have her picture taken, I so appreciate Gran for saying that she’ll have hers taken too; it’s such a lovely demonstration of solidarity, particularly in the context that she and Mom have been kind of estranged for years, since Dad’s death.

And how touching is it, that Gran personally puts on lipstick for Mom, saying that this is how her children will remember her, and that pink will look good on her. Such gentle, practical compassion. My heart. 🥹

It’s very heart-pinching as well, when Mom says that she’ll keep Dad company in the afterlife, and Gran breaks down in tears, asking Mom to tell him that she’s sorry.

And what a motherly thing for Mom to do, to ask Gran to watch over Ae Sun and help her just once, if Ae Sun ever comes to her when life gets too hard.

The fact that Mom understands Ae Sun so well, and knows that if Ae Sun actually got to the point of going to Gran to ask for help, it would mean that life is really, really tough, really gets me in the heart.

I find it deeply touching, that Gran would keep that promise, as we watch her give Ae Sun her life savings, so that Gwan Sik can buy a boat.

The way Gran talks about the pain of losing a child, is, on hindsight, a foreshadowing of things to come, but in the meantime, I am so grateful that Gran has, with her loyalty and generosity, given Gwan Sik and Ae Sun a lifeline with which to save their entire family.

I loved basking in the exuberance and cheer in both Gwan Sik and Ae Sun, as everyone gathers to bless the boat, and it feels like such a special moment, to see Ae Sun dancing with a smile – and Gwan Sik watching her, with an even bigger smile. 🥰🥲

It was a joy to see their little family expanding, and Ae Sun eating well, while happily teasing her mother-in-law.

And then it was breathtakingly touching, to see Gwan Sik present Ae Sun with a house – and not just any house, but the house that had belonged to her mother.

AUGH. What better gift could he have given her, truly? 🥲🥲

How thoughtful of Gwan Sik, to remember all the stories that Ae Sun had told him, about visiting her mother at this house, and how profoundly loving, to make it his goal, to give Ae Sun this house, so that she would feel that connection with Mom. 🥹😭🥹

It’s the first true home that Ae Sun can call her own, and it’s the house that contains all of her memories with Mom. It’s so beautiful. Gulp.

As Ae Sun cries overwhelmed happy tears in Gwan Sik’s arms, I’m crying too. 😭

And perhaps Show is leaning into this house and how it deepens Ae Sun’s connection with Mom, with the way Mom appears in Ae Sun’s dream, right before she goes into labor with her third child – and reminds her, that their neighbor has a truck.

And said truck, is how Ae Sun ends up being rushed to hospital. Aw. Mom thinks of everything. 🥲

It was also fun to see Ae Sun becoming deputy chief of the fishing association, with everyone’s support – in spite of Bu Sang Gil’s protests. 😁

In episode 6, it was so very hard, to watch Ae Sun and Gwan Sik lose their youngest child, through an unfortunate chain of events.

Their grief is so deep, so raw, so painful and so profound. 😭😭

The disbelief and shock, turning into a sinking depression, where they each blamed themselves, was so difficult to witness; when they cried, I cried too.

At this point, I just have to give props to Park Bo Gum, because as brilliant as IU’s delivery absolutely was, it was his portrayal of Gwan Sik’s grief, that really hit me in the heart.

The guttural groans, sounding like they were being squeezed out of a cracked corner of his heart; the crumpling of his entire body; the wordless sobs; I felt like my heart was in a stranglehold, as I watched him weep. 😭😭😭

I so appreciate that Ae Sun has Mom’s words on wisdom to rely on, during this time.

It feels like Mom had known, that there would be such days in Ae Sun’s future; that a time would come, when Ae Sun might feel too wretched to carry on – and that’s when her words to Ae Sun, to struggle with all her might, and that she’d get through the dark waters, and see the sky, become the rock that Ae Sun leans on.

It’s really poignant to watch Ae Sun and Gwan Sik pull themselves together for the sake of their children, and then it’s heartbreaking, to realize that every person in the family blames themselves, for the tragedy of losing their youngest. 💔

I’m glad that Gwan Sik pronounces it so firmly, that no one in their family is to blame for what happened – but then, when we learn later, that he’d blamed himself for years afterwards, for going to build that retaining wall, my heart breaks for him all over again. 😭😭

That scene, where we see Gwan Sik filling in the paperwork for the death certificate, and then breaking down then and there, in the civil affairs office, in swallowed, heaving sobs, just broke my heart. 💔

It really is touching, though, to see how everyone in the village comes together to provide support for our young family, in their bereavement. 🥲

Time skip later, I’m comforted to see that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik are still doing well, and that Gwan Sik is still so unconditionally supportive of Ae Sun, regardless of what it is that she wants to do – even if it’s running for the position of Chief of the fishing association. 🥲

I have to confess that I’m less interested in their foibles with their troublemaker son (Kang Yoo Seok), than I am with their complicated relationship with Geum Myeong, as she fulfills Ae Sun’s dream of going to SNU. 🥲

I do feel for Geum Myeong, as she must feel like she bears the burden of her family’s dreams, even as she struggles with the high cost of living in Seoul.

I’m low-key amused at Geum Myeong’s on-again, off-again relationship with her soldier boyfriend Yeong Beom (Lee Jun Young), mostly because there are definite elements that echo Ae Sun’s relationship with Gwan Sik.

That moment when it dawns on Gwan Sik, when Yeong Beom confesses that Geum Myeong keeps breaking up with him because he never says anything, is ruefully funny to me.

Poor Gwan Sik; his horror at Geum Myeong potentially being with a man who’s a lot like him, is quite amusing.

The arc that leaves a deeper impression on me, though, is the one where Geum Myeong gets falsely accused of theft, when she refuses to impersonate her student to take the college entrance exams, in exchange for an apartment in Seoul.

I love how Geum Myeong flatly turns down Rich Lady (Kim Geum Soon), saying that her parents brought her up to be honest, even if she had to be last in class or go hungry. Aw. Ae Sun and Gwan Sik would be so proud. 🥲

It’s awful that Rich Lady then turns on Geum Myeong and reports her for theft, but YAY for that twist of fate, where Housekeeper Lady turns out to be that random girl whom Ae Sun and Gwan Sik had helped back in Busan, and basically forces Rich Lady to drop the charges against Geum Myeong.

Honestly, I’m glad that this arc gets solved so quickly, because this allows us to explore the more complicated, pressing thing, which is Geum Myeong’s conflicted feelings about her parents.

She loves them, but clearly, she also is frustrated with them; for being poor, for not understanding her, for not being more expressive, and for the way that they love her, so sacrificially.

I believe that’s why she gets upset at Gwan Sik, for traveling such a long way just to see her, and then sitting out in the cold for hours, just waiting for her.

In the end, though, that’s the beauty and the burden of sacrificial parental love, isn’t it? 🥲🥲

It’s very moving to see that Ae Sun would be willing to let go of her mother’s house, if it meant that she could give her own daughter the opportunity to study overseas.

That house means so much to her, but her own daughter’s future means so much more – and that just encapsulates a parent’s love, so well.

I did love that we get another scene of Mom visiting Ae Sun in her dreams, and encouraging her to talk with Gwan Sik about their shared grief at the loss of their child – again, motherly wisdom that Ae Sun could only get from Mom.

That scene, of Mom patting Ae Sun’s head and stroking her hair, as Ae Sun ekes out tearfully, that she survives, by forgetting briefly from time to time, is so very poignant.

In this moment, it feels like Ae Sun’s grown into the wisdom that Mom had left for her, and it’s so beautifully bittersweet. 🥲🥲

As we close out episode 8, it feels like Show’s done a wonderful job of demonstrating how Mom’s dreams had been passed on to Ae Sun, and now, how Ae Sun’s dreams have been passed on to Geum Myeong.

A parent’s dream is such a beautiful, burdensome thing, that, despite its weightiness, also offers wings with which to take flight. 🥲🥹

It’s deeply, sweetly moving, to see the joy that shines from Ae Sun’s face, from having sold her house, for the sake of giving Geum Myeong wings.

There’s so, so much expansive love here, and so, so much tremulous hope. Beautiful. 🥲

SPOTLIGHT ON CHAPTER 3: AUTUMN

E9-12. Show is still serving up loads and loads of heart, and I find that that heart has sooo much to do with a parent’s love for their child, and what they’re willing to do, for the sake of their children’s happiness, security and future.

It’s all very touching and affecting for me, because my parents are typical Asian parents too, and Ae Sun’s love language – food and personal sacrifice – is very much similar to my own mom’s love language. 🥲

In episode 9, it’s really quite poignant to see the family – Ae Sun in particular – adjust to life in an apartment, after giving up their house in order to allow Geum Myeong to study in Japan.

It’s really so sweet of Gwan Sik to try to cheer Ae Sun up by wallpapering the bedroom in a print that he thinks she likes; I did have to giggle a bit, at how Ae Sun is suitably cheered up – and admits, in the same breath, that the print is tacky. 😂

Aww. It’s the heart that matters, though, and Gwan Sik’s dear heart that wants to make Ae Sun smile in the face of this big adjustment, is absolutely the reason Ae Sun cheers up. 🥲

And how sweetly endearing is it, that Ae Sun says that wherever Gwan Sik was, was home to her; that it didn’t matter what their physical surroundings were. 🥲

Show has a way of serving up truth bombs every once in a while, that make me feel like I need to pause for a second, to really let it sink in.

One would be that moment in episode 9, when Ae Sun turns to her haenyeo aunties and asks when she’ll be fully grown, and one of the aunties turns around and says that she herself isn’t fully grown yet.

That’s just so true, y’know.. I don’t feel fully grown either, and I feel like it’s the secret that no one actually tells you – you never ever feel fully grown. We’re all always in the process of growing up. 🥲

And, just like Show says, we do grow up, little by little, every time our hearts feel some growing pains.

That moment when Eun Myeong puts in effort to make Ae Sun’s spot at her street stall a little more warm, cozy and comfortable, is one of the signs of him growing up a little as well.

Another moment of truth dropped, is in episode 10, when one of the aunties says that Ae Sun shouldn’t treat Eun Myeong like she’s tossing a radish; that even the sturdiest radish can crack on in the inside.

That’s a very poignant reminder that we all have feelings, and even someone who looks tough on the outside, could be hurting on the inside, yes? 🥲

On the other side of the ocean, we also see that it’s not easy for Geum Myeong, who feels like she’s bearing the burden of her family’s dreams.

It hurts her to see evidence of her parents’ sacrifice, like the fact that Ae Sun’s back to running a street stall, knowing that Ae Sun’s doing this, for her sake.

It’s little wonder that Geum Myeong makes that promise to herself, to never steal their dreams again, which translates as a decision to never burden them again as well – which we see seep into every decision that Geum Myeong makes.

From choosing to live in a rundown rental room, to taking on that job at the theater, it’s all about not burdening her family further.

The thing that really grabbed my attention the most, these episodes, was Geum Myeong’s relationship with Yeong Beom, and the disapproval she faced, from his mother.

I gotta hand it to Kang Myung Joo, who plays Yeong Beom’s mother; she really makes Yeong Beom’s mom come across as effortlessly disdainful, in the way she looks at Geum Myeong.

Every time Disdainful Mom gave Geum Myeong another one of her withering stares, my heart sank a little deeper, at the thought of the future that lay ahead of Geum Myeong, if she were to marry Yeong Beom.

Even though Geum Myeong’s unfailingly polite and restrained in front of Disdainful Mom, I appreciate that when she’s alone with Yeong Beom, we get to hear her true thoughts; that she hates being treated like this, and she’s aware that Yeong Beom’s mom will never like her, no matter what she does.

It’s a sucky situation, but I’m at least relieved that Geum Myeong doesn’t actually believe that she deserves to be treated this way.

I like that soundbite that we get when she’s having supper with Cheong Seop, when she says that she’s precious to her parents too, and feels that when she keeps her head held high, her parents’ pride is kept intact too. 🥲

I love that clarity that Geum Myeong has, and we do see it come into play later, but I’ll talk more about that later.

In the meantime, Geum Myeong does make it clear to Yeong Beom, that she won’t marry him if he chooses to be his mother’s son, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.

She’s invested real emotions into this relationship, and she and Yeong Beom do actually love each other, which is why they keep trying to make it work, despite Disdainful Mom’s best efforts to indirectly intimidate Geum Myeong into backing away.

I understand that from Disdainful Mom’s point of view, she’s protecting her son, but I guess this is Show’s way of demonstrating to us that too much of a good thing can be bad; that even a mother’s love can be misguided and lead to misery.

On the other end of the spectrum, though, we do get to see a mother’s love in action.

First, there’s the flashback to when Mom had rescued Ae Sun, when she’d almost been kidnapped as a child.

Augh. The way Mom had rushed to find Ae Sun, until her feet had been scraped bloody by her shoes, just gets me in the heart.

None of it had mattered to Mom; she’d only cared about Ae Sun’s safety. 🥲

And then there’s the way Mom had been so fiercely on guard, until she found the woman who’d tried to kidnap Ae Sun, on the off chance that the woman would try to kidnap Ae Sun again.

On a tangent, I am pretty sure that Show doesn’t mean that Mom and her community had really killed that kidnapping couple with their beating; just that they’d beaten them thoroughly, to teach them a lesson they wouldn’t forget. 😅

And then there’s the way Ae Sun takes that trip to Seoul, because she’d had a bad feeling about all the bad dreams she’d been having – and arrives just in time to save Geum Myeong from dying from inhaling coal fumes.

On that note, I have to say, it was really quite affecting, to see into Ae Sun’s dreams, and find that she was dreaming, over and over again, about the moment she’d left Dong Myeong on his own at home. 😭💔

On the one hand, how heartbreaking, that Ae Sun obviously lives with so much guilt weighing on her, for Dong Myeong’s death.

On the other hand, it does feel like a release of sorts, that finally, in her dream, she sees herself going back for Dong Myeong, and patting him on the back, and promising him candy, after she goes to bring his sister back home. Oof. My heart. 😭

In a way, Ae Sun getting to Geum Myeong in time to save her, feels like a redemption of sorts?

Like, she’d been unable to save Dong Myeong before, but now, she’s saving Geum Myeong? 😭🥲

It was very poignant too, to see those flashbacks to when Ae Sun and Gwan Sik had saved Geum Myeong, again and again, every time she’d fallen into some inadvertent danger.

Truly, such protective parental love. 🥰🥲

I have to admit that I rolled my eyes, just like that nurse (Lee Bong Ryun) did, at the theatrics from Yeong Beom, when he comes to see Geum Myeong at the hospital.

But the poignant parallel in his promises to Geum Myeong, to take care of her and make sure that his family doesn’t bully her, is unmistakable; this has been the same promise that Gwan Sik had once declared, in his determination to marry Ae Sun and make her happy. 🥲

The difference, here, as it turns out, is that Yeong Beom doesn’t have the same kind of resilience that Gwan Sik had.

Where Gwan Sik had stood firm and refused to compromise, we see Yeong Beom pleading with Geum Myeong to just get on his mom’s good side – which, ugh. 🙄

I think I kinda knew, from that moment on, that things weren’t looking good for this relationship.

It was painful watching that lunch which was the formal meeting of the families; Disdainful Mom was being sooo disdainful, and Ae Sun, Gwan Sik and Geum Myeong were being so accommodating and restrained.

It was really quite heartbreaking, to see Ae Sun step up to ladle the soup, because you just know that the reason she did that, is because it broke her heart to see Geum Myeong be humiliated like that, and she’d rather take that humiliation herself, than let her baby suffer it. 😭

And how loving is Gwan Sik, in the way he grasps Geum Myeong’s hands afterwards, and assures her that she’s doing everything well; because he knows that her pride must have taken such a hit, from Disdainful Mom? 😭

And then how poignant is it, that the whole reason Ae Sun keeps hurrying Gwan Sik to get in the cab so that they can leave, is because she is barely keeping it together, and needs to cry, out of Geum Myeong’s sight?? 😭

The love that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik have for their children, really brings me to tears. 😭

The scene at the hanbok place was awful too; Disdainful Mom actually dictating what color hanbok Ae Sun could wear to the wedding, was just too much. 😤

The fact that Ae Sun bears with it all, not because she actually wants Geum Myeong to marry Yeong Beom, but because she knows Geum Myeong loves him, is so painfully sacrificial.

I’m so proud of Geum Myeong, for putting her foot down, and speaking up to Disdainful Mom, once she realizes how Disdainful Mom’s treated Ae Sun, even telling Ae Sun that they should work to stop the wedding from happening.

I definitely got a stab of satisfaction from Geum Myeong stating for the record, that there’s not a single thing that embarrasses her about her family, and that her family had conducted themselves with far more dignity than Disdainful Mom, through the entire process of the wedding prep.

I mean, I’m sorry for Geum Myeong’s suffering and heartbreak, but I really do appreciate that Show demonstrates to us, that the way that Ae Sun’s painstakingly brought up Geum Myeong, treating her like she’s precious and worthwhile, has sunk roots and borne fruit.

Geum Myeong understands, in her heart of hearts, that she doesn’t deserve to be treated like less than and unworthy, and that she doesn’t need to marry Yeong Beom, in order to make something of herself; she is enough, all on her own.

And that’s something that only came about, through the careful, loving parenting that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik sowed, so that Geum Myeong would live a different life. 🥲

I actually found this very touching.

I felt sympathetic towards Geum Myeong for the heartache of breaking up with Yeong Beom, but not once did I feel that she should give the relationship another chance – even when Yeong Beom offered to cut off his family for her sake.

Yeong Beom might look like he has the same kind of heart as Gwan Sik, but he doesn’t have the resilience and fortitude that Gwan Sik has; I believe that it would have never worked out with Yeong Beom.

I loved the idea of Geum Myeong going home to her parents, and being fed and loved to wholeness again; that was really exactly what she’d needed – to be reminded all over again, that she’s precious and worthwhile, in and of herself.

I found it very heartwarmingly poignant, that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik would fuss over Geum Myeong so much; it really felt like their entire lives were lit up, by Geum Myeong’s return to the nest. 🥲

The joy that shines out of their eyes, as they fuss over her, is just wonderfully sweet and endearing, and it’s a wistful thought, that this once Geum Myeong returns to Seoul, their house will become quiet again. 🥲

I did love that beat, when Gwan Sik wakes Geum Myeong up to take her to see the sunrise in his boat, and brings all of Geum Myeong’s favorite foods, that Ae Sun had painstakingly prepared.

Such a precious time, where Gwan Sik and Geum Myeong have some daddy-daughter conversation, and it’s touching all over again, to be reminded of how steadfastly unwavering Gwan Sik is, in loving and providing for his family; always getting up before the sunrise, and contending with fear in the storms, without a word of complaint. 🥲

My heart is squeezing with some foreboding with Geum Myeong’s voiceover about her sun setting forever, that alludes to Gwan Sik’s death, but I’m trying to swallow that foreboding, until I have no choice but to face it. 🙈

And, I’m distracting myself by reveling in a bit of satisfaction, that Sang Gil is obviously jealous of Gwan Sik, that he would have a good enough relationship with his daughter, that they would go out to sea together, just the two of them, to see the sunrise. 😁

I also love the detail that Ae Sun never did send out the wedding invitations, because her gut had told her that Geum Myeong wouldn’t go through with it – because of how Ae Sun had raised her.

Aw. I love that. 🥲

I love just as much, that Ae Sun tells Geum Myeong that she’s done nothing wrong, and has avoided a pile of poop, because of her luck. 😁

Such deep understanding, and such unconditional love. 🥹

And then we get another truth bomb from Geum Myeong, as she muses in voiceover, that she receives so much from her parents, and yet, her smallest gesture makes them even.

This really hit home for me; it’s such a true thing, that parents give so much to their children, that we can never pay it back. 🥲

We also see it in Gwan Sik’s relationship with his mom, these episodes.

It’s true that he’s prioritized Ae Sun over her, all these years, and now, when he calls himself an ungrateful son in front of her, she tells him that just surviving, is being a filial son. 🥲

Related to this, we also have the scene where Ae Sun goes to Gran’s birthday celebration, and it’s just so poignant, to see that Gran remembers her, even though she can’t remember anyone else.

And then Show ramps up the poignance by about a thousand times, with Gran seeing through Ae Sun’s trouble-free facade, to the pain that she still carries inside, over the loss of Dong Myeong – because Gran knows exactly how it feels, to lose a child. 😭

The way Ae Sun crumples into a heap and sobs at Gran’s feet for a long time, while Gran strokes her back with empathy, is just so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. 😭😭

I found it sad to see Gran go, but I really enjoyed that little scene (supernatural bit? fantasy sequence?) where Gran and Mom are together at the photo studio, and Gran’s putting pink lipstick on herself, for her funeral photo.

It’s such a poignant echo of when Gran had put pink lipstick on Mom, when Mom had had her funeral photo taken.

It feels very meaningful, that when Gran asks if she’s paid her debt, Mom tells her that she has, abundantly.

And when Mom asks Gran if her life had been an ordeal or a picnic, it’s so comforting to hear Gran say that it had been a picnic – because she’d gotten to see all her children. 🥲

Again, I already feel sad and wistful, when Ae Sun tells Gwan Sik that when the time comes, they should go together, and he doesn’t reply, and just dusts off her floral shoes.

Ack. We are going to lose Gwan Sik soon, aren’t we?? 🙈😭

On another note, in terms of Eun Myeong’s loveline with Bu Hyeon Suk (Lee Soo Kyung), I’m ruefully amused by how crazy in love they are, and by the fact that Bu Hyeon Suk is Bu Sang Gil’s daughter.

It really seems like such an ironic twist, given that Bu Sang Gil’s never quite gotten over the fact that Ae Sun retracted her decision to marry him, in order to marry Gwan Sik. 🤭

It’s also ruefully ironic, to see that the way they’re crazy in love, isn’t so different from the way Ae Sun and Gwan Sik had been crazy in love, against their – well, his – parents’ wishes.

It’s little wonder that Gwan Sik’s mom is so gleeful as she ribs Ae Sun about possibly losing her son from right under her nose – because that’s exactly what had happened with her and Gwan Sik. 😅

I found it quite silly and dramatic, that Eun Myeong and Hyeon Suk would have that ridiculously weepy goodbye scene in episode 10, only to end up together again, but y’know, maybe this loveline will be the one to surprise me, by being the most enduring one, in their generation..?

At any rate, Eun Myeong showing up at home after his military discharge, with a pregnant Hyeon Suk, does kinda-sorta remind me of Ae Sun and Gwan Sik, who’d gotten pregnant in Busan with Geum Myeong, before they’d actually had their wedding ceremony.

We’re definitely going to see how this unfolds, in our next episodes; likewise for Geum Myeong’s relationship with Park Cheong Seop (Kim Seon Ho), which I haven’t mentioned in these notes, because they’re basically just friends, at this point.

I do appreciate, though, that we get to see them interacting over many different instances, and we also see Geum Myeong acknowledging Cheong Seop’s worth and talent, which I’m sure he deeply appreciates.

Plus, there’s also the thing where Geum Myeong’s kind to Cheong Seop’s mom (Lee Ji Hyun), which I thought was very lovely as well.

The fact that Cheong Seop left behind a portrait of Geum Myeong before going to the military, tells me that he already had feelings for Geum Myeong before he left, and so I’m not at all surprised to see him chasing down that bus, the moment he realizes that Geum Myeong’s in it.

I can hardly believe that we’re already on the cusp of the end of this journey with these characters; I’m not ready to say goodbye, y’all. 🥹🥹🥹

SPOTLIGHT ON CHAPTER 4: WINTER

E13-16. I’m a blubbering, contented mess as I come to the end of my watch of this show, my friends.

There’s just so much here, that I don’t even really know where to begin to talk about it.

There are such happy times; there are also such sad times; I feel like my heart’s been pulled in so many different directions, in these 4.5 hours. 🥲

I love that we get to witness Geum Myeong’s wedding; she looks utterly radiant on her wedding day, and I feel like a proud mother hen, seeing her so happy on her big day.

It’s a lovely, poignant touch that we see that Yeong Beom’s there to fulfill the promise that he’d once blurted, so earnestly; that he would see her in her wedding dress.

I find it very touching, that he would want to keep that promise, and that he keeps it, with a softness in his gaze and a gentleness in his voice.

He might be wistful that he’s not Geum Myeong’s groom, but there is no anger or animosity there, at the could’ve been’s.

He’s purely there to fulfill that promise, to Geum Myeong and to himself, and I find that quite precious, really.

Importantly, we get the flashback of how Geum Myeong and Park Cheong Seop finally reunite, with him chasing down her bus a second time – and succeeding, finally.

I do find it endearing that after all that reticence that we’ve seen from Cheong Seop, he’s finally digging deep, to express himself to Geum Myeong, and telling her things like he feels like he’s going to drop dead (from sitting with her, and holding her hand). 😁

It is rather amusing to see Cheong Seop eventually finally meet Gwan Sik and Ae Sun, and trying his darndest to win over Gwan Sik specifically, because, at the end of the day, Cheong Seop really is like Gwan Sik where it matters most.

He’s fully dedicated to protecting Geum Myeong, and giving her the space and respect that she deserves, and it’s honestly really heartwarming to see that the moment Gwan Sik realizes this thing about Cheong Seop, he’s already accepted Cheong Seop as his son-in-law. 🥲

I also love that beat where we see Ae Sun basking in the love and affection that Cheong Seop’s mom demonstrates towards Geum Myeong, with the way she lovingly and carefully dries those persimmons, as a gift for Ae Sun.

Ahh. That was truly lovely to see, especially when we compare that to how Geum Myeong had used to be treated by Yeong Beom’s mother, who’d been her prospective mother-in-law.

Like Ae Sun, I’m so pleased that Geum Myeong will now have a mother-in-law who will treasure her like her own – which is all that Ae Sun could wish for, as a mom. 🥲

In the end, I love what Geum Myeong says in voiceover; that while this is not her passionate first love, this love is just as big, and just of a different temperature; the temperature that allows her to fully be herself.

What a wonderful way to put it, and what more could one really ask for, from one’s spouse, yes? 🥲

Another moment I loved on this day, is how Gwan Sik is there for Geum Myeong, and tells her that she can back out at any time, just like he’s always told her, from the time she’d been little.

Gosh, those flashbacks of young Gwan Sik fussing carefully over Geum Myeong, always making sure that she felt safe to only do what she felt comfortable doing, and that she knew that she had a safe hiding place in him, really had me by the heart. 🥲🥲

Geum Myeong can’t help but cry at the memories, and at the fact that Gwan Sik’s crying too, as he sits in the audience to witness the ceremony, and I’m all choked up in response.

I’m also all choked up, as Gwan Sik sees, in his mind’s eye, with tears in his eyes, Geum Myeong walking down the aisle, as a little girl, and then as a teenager, and then as a young woman.

Geum Myeong’s voiceover too, that that is how Gwan Sik lost his one-sided love, is so hit-me-in-the-heart poignant.

There’s just so much love there; much of it unspoken, but all of it fully demonstrated. My heart. 🥲

It’s in that exact same spirit, that Gwan Sik and Ae Sun deal with Eun Myeong’s sudden troubles with the law, when his friend and business partner Cheol Yong runs off with all their money in the middle of the night.

This portion of our story really is one of the more sharply poignant arcs in our story, because this deals with Gwan Sik’s and Ae Sun’s regrets and failures as parents.

In doing their best to deal with life and everything that it threw at them, they’d sidelined Eun Myeong without realizing it, in their daily words and actions, and that had eventually led to this thing, of Eun Myeong feeling like he had to do everything it took, to prove himself – which is how he got scammed by Cheol Yong, and left to take the blame.

Oof. The worry and self-reproach that we see in both Gwan Sik and Ae Sun is really so heartbreaking; you can just feel how desperately they want to save Eun Myeong, and how desperately they wish that they could turn back time, so that they could love him better. 😭

In the present, the way they both extend themselves to highly uncomfortable lengths, in order to save Eun Myeong, speaks volumes; this is how much they truly love their son. 😭

The way Ae Sun steps out of her default gentle and restrained persona, to grab Mi Suk by the hair and assert that Mi Suk needs to help pay off her son’s wrongdoing – which is how she gets that new TV off Mi Suk, to sell, and the way Gwan Sik sells his precious boat, in order to save Eun Myeong, are both so self-sacrificial, in their own ways.

It is so, so poignant to see all the memories of the past flood Gwan Sik’s mind, as he prepares to hand over the boat to its new family, and it’s so meaningful as well, that the new boat captain’s names his boat after his little girl, just like Gwan Sik had named the boat after his children.

It feels like the beginning of a new cycle of life, and the thought does give me chills, even as I feel wistful for Gwan Sik, as he lets go of such a significant piece of his life. 🥲

But I’m also grateful, that we get to see how he’s kept Ae Sun’s first poem for him, so preciously, all this time, in his logs.

And how precious, that as we get to hear that poem, we also get to see the shy joy that had dawned on Gwan Sik’s face, when he’d first read that poem, which was all about Ae Sun’s feelings for him:

M.F.L.

When it’s around, it’s annoying

When it’s not, I’m curious

When I tease it, it’s fine

When others do, I get mad

With eyes open, I pretend not to see

With eyes closed, its image comes to me

Unnoticed, like the sea I see every day

Yet without it,

I’m alone in the vast world

Like candy hidden in my mouth

Its sweetness overflows all around

Is this it

Is this it

Is that why

My heart stays in spring every day.

Oof. So, so sweet. 🥹

Not gonna lie; I totally got a lump in my throat when Eun Myeong wails about why they sold the boat, and Ae Sun tells him that of course it’s because he’s their #1.

Awww. So much healing and affirmation, in that compact little phrase. 🥲

The way that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik begin anew, working new jobs in their middle age, and without complaint, is really touching.

And then the way Gwan Sik and Sang Gil work together to ensure that Eun Myeong gets customers for his rice cakes – by giving people in the neighborhood money to buy said rice cakes – comes from such a place of quiet, sacrificial care as well.

On that note, I have to say that I’m pleasantly surprised by the bond that we see growing between Sang Gil and Gwan Sik.

They’ve come such a long way, as in-laws, after those early days, when Gwan Sik had worked on Sang Gil’s boat, and had gotten bullied by Sang Gil.

On this note, I really have to credit Gwan Sik’s long-suffering, forgiving nature, because in the present, he’s the one who reaches out to Sang Gil, and reminds him that they’re in-laws whether they like it or not, and even offers to help Sang Gil see his grandson, whenever he wants. 🥲

I can kind of see why Eun Myeong would think of going out to sea to make money, when he realizes that Gwan Sik is behind every customer who’s bought his rice cakes, but I’m still so glad, that Gwan Sik and Sang Gil manage to bring him back.

That flashback to younger Ae Sun running in the rain, searching for Dong Myeong, really gave me chills; I immediately felt her fear, in potentially also losing Eun Myeong to the sea which had also taken Dong Myeong. 😭

After this point, I’d honestly had a really bad feeling, when we see Gwan Sik stamping his seal on those real estate papers, to buy that restaurant.

I just kind of knew in my gut, that he was getting scammed.

But really, how sweet is it, that as they’re driving out there to that restaurant that’s literally in the middle of nowhere, Ae Sun declares that she won’t leave Gwan Sik, even if it turns out to be a bust?

It’s even sweeter when we later hear her reason: that it’s because it’s been 30 years since Gwan Sik’s had the same look of excitement in his eyes, the last time being the time they’d decided to run away together to Busan, to make a life together? 🥲

The kind of steadfast devotion that flows between Gwan Sik and Ae Sun really is the foundation stone of their relationship, and I just love how wholly committed they are, to each other, and to their family, regardless of the circumstances. 🥹

When Geum Myeong gives birth to her baby, they are immediately there, ready to fuss, first, over her, because she’s their precious princess, and then, over their new grandchild. 🥲

And when they realize that they’ve been scammed, they stick together and make it work, with sheer diligence and persistence, and I love-love-LOVE that Gwan Sik’s idea, to provide delivery of their delicious food, gives them the breakthrough that they need.

Again, I like that theme that recurs every once in a while, that the kindness of our key characters, comes back to help them.

Previously, it had been the lady whom they’d helped in Busan, who’d come to Geum Myeong’s aid when she’d been accused of theft.

And now, it’s the lady whom Gwan Sik had saved, who now endorses their restaurant, as a successful actress. Aw. Lovely. 🥰

Even Cheol Yong gets caught, and Eun Myeong’s name gets cleared – and with Sang Gil’s help, at that.

I do rather like that we get to see that Sang Gil’s not as awful as he’d shown himself to be, in his younger years.

That said, I do feel that Yeong Ran (Jang Hye Jin) makes the right choice, in divorcing him and starting a new life. After all that she’s suffered in the marriage, it feels like she’s finally set herself free.

As we get into episode 16, I have to confess that my heart was heavy, because I knew that the time had come, for us to deal with Gwan Sik’s departure. 😭

I do very much appreciate though, that during the course of the check-up, Ae Sun finally gains insight into the fact that Gwan Sik’s held so much guilt in his heart all these years, over Dong Myeong’s death.

That cuts so deep, because he’d so firmly and so valiantly told everyone in the family that they weren’t to blame for Dong Myeong’s death – but nobody knew that he’d silently blamed himself for Dong Myeong’s loss. 😭

It’s a relief to see Ae Sun and Gwan Sik finally being together, at Dong Myeong’s grave, even though Ae Sun has to quietly follow Gwan Sik there.

Those flashbacks, of how Ae Sun had spent all that time at Dong Myeong’s grave, while Gwan Sik had secretly stayed nearby, all watchful, in case Ae Sun’s grief overcame her and led her to do something self-destructive, really hit me in the gut.

That pain is so deep, and so raw for both of them, and it’s clear that the wounds just continue to stay where they are, over the years.

I’m just glad that they finally talk about how they feel, despite the lingering pain and guilt; I feel that this only makes their relationship stronger. 🥲

I was gutted to learn that Gwan Sik was ill, but the silver lining, I suppose, is that we get to spend some time with him, rather than have him be taken away all of a sudden.

It’s very touching that Ae Sun continues to stay close by his side through all of his treatments, and it’s also touching to see that Gwan Sik’s concern, isn’t for himself, but for how Ae Sun would cope, after his passing. 😭

That scene, where Gwan Sik asks Geum Myeong to say the night at the hospital instead of Ae Sun, so that he could tell Geum Myeong all the stories about Ae Sun, and ask her to be sweet to Ae Sun after his passing, is so heartbreaking, truly. 💔

Geum Myeong’s guilt towards Gwan Sik, for taking his love for granted all these years, and for not telling him that she’s appreciated his reassuring presence all this time, now spilling out in raw, desperate tears, really hit me like a ton of bricks.

That kind of unexpressed, unspoken dynamic feels so familiar to me, because that’s basically the kind of relationship I have with my parents too, and so, when Geum Myeong cries, my heart sobs too. 😭

And then, there’s how Gwan Sik is so steady and assuring through it all, patting Geum Myeong’s back and telling her that he knows how she feels, which makes me want to cry, all over again. 😭

Eun Myeong crying at Gwan Sik’s weight loss and blubbering about how Gwan Sik had already shown him love, but that he’d selectively forgotten, also feels very relatable, and that made me cry too. 😭

The thing that really had my heart in a stranglehold, though, was Ae Sun’s newly written poem for Gwan Sik, her Steelheart.

To the Heart That Leaves Me Behind.

I believed I had to hold your hand

To feel its warmth when I was young

But now I know you’re with me

Even if you’re not by my side

Now that I have a warm spot too

Just the thought of you

Warms my whole heart

I’ll live knowing the moon is still there

Even during the day

So if you’re going to leave, go like the gentle waves.

After 50 years

Finally set me down and be free

My precious dear

You have worked so hard

My precious dearest

Here’s to all you’ve been through.

AUGH. 😭😭😭

It’s Ae Sun’s love letter to Gwan Sik, assuring him that it’s ok for him to leave if he must, and that she’ll be ok, and that’s the most loving, tenderhearted thing ever, and I’m tearing up all over again, as I read it now. 😭

It’s utterly heartbreaking, yet beautiful, at the same time. 💔🥹

I also love that Gwan Sik gets to see Ae Sun’s poem get published, because he’s always wanted to help her fulfill her dreams, and has always felt bad that none of her dreams had come true because she’d been married to him.

The way he hugs the book to his chest and says he’s soo happy, is exactly in Ae Sun’s signature tone when she says the same thing, and I love that, so much.

That scene afterwards, where they talk quietly in bed, about their life, and his impending death, and Ae Sun cries quietly while holding Gwan Sik’s hand, feels like such a raw, intimate, precious sort of moment between them; one to hold in their hearts forever. 🥹

That final moment that Ae Sun and Gwan Sik share at the hospital, where they lock eyes through the glass doors, and have that silent, unspoken conversation, is so, so poignant and beautiful.

Ae Sun: You should have been easier on yourself. Why have you aged so quickly?

Gwan Sik: But you’re still the same.

Ae Sun: I’ve gotten older too.

Gwan Sik: No. You’re the same. In my eyes, you’ve looked the same for the past 50 years.

Geum Myeong in voiceover: There was a girl in the boy’s life. All his life, the boy kept the girl’s world safe.

Ae Sun: Thank you, honey. You’ve lived a good life. A truly great life.

Gwan Sik: Was it all right? Was our time together good?

Ae Sun: It was more than perfect. It was so wonderful that I couldn’t have asked for more.

Geum Myeong in voiceover: Gazing at the one person etched into his life… Dad slept in for the first time. After leaving his last gifts behind.

Gurgle. I am a sobbing mess, just reading these words, all over again. 😭😭

And it feels so very meaningful, that we get to see younger Ae Sun and younger Gwan Sik, gazing at each other with their hearts full, as they shared this final, precious moment. 🥹🥹

Afterwards, it somehow gutted me more, when we see that Gwan Sik had left behind gifts for everyone, and the thing that made me cry the most, was seeing that Gwan Sik had left behind drawers and drawers full of pretty hairpins for Ae Sun, his most precious girl. 😭

Also, how about that detail, that he’d moved everything in the upper shelves to lower ones, so that Ae Sun wouldn’t have any difficulty reaching for things? Augh. Gwan Sik is so thoughtful and considerate. 😭

It’s absolutely not easy on Ae Sun, with Gwan Sik gone, but I’m glad that we get to see her doing well, time-skip later, which brings us back to our opening scene in episode 1.

How wonderful, that her poems get published in their own volume; Gwan Sik and Mom would be so proud.

On that note, I do love that little detail, where we see that Mom had been reborn, and had been the editor who’d published Ae Sun’s poems.

How poignant and heartening is it, to see that Mom’s finally working at a desk job like she’d always wanted, and that, instinctively, she is moved to tears by Ae Sun’s poetry, and feels a sense of pride? 😭😭

And what a lovely touch, that Ae Sun now lives in the very same house that had once belonged to Mom, and then belonged to her and Gwan Sik, before they’d sold it to send Geum Myeong abroad.

How wonderful, that she is now able to live in that house again, now beautifully redone, and how important, that she has found work that feels meaningful to her, at the nursing home.

I love that we get that closing beat, of Geum Myeong asking her if she’s happy, and she says, in her gentle, signature way, that she’s sooo happy. 🥹

And perhaps most precious of all, is that closing snippet, where we get to see a young Ae Sun and Gwan Sik, together in that flowery field, taking pictures together and happily rambling about their dreams for the future.

I very much love Geum Myeong’s final voiceover, as we see Ae Sun and Gwan Sik walking happily hand in hand, in the field of yellow flowers:

To their seasons, once so young and still so tender. With remorse, gratitude, and the deepest respect.

Here’s to all you’ve been through.

What a beautiful, fitting way to honor Ae Sun and Gwan Sik, who lived such simple yet extraordinary lives.

Here’s to all you’ve been through, indeed. 🥹❤️

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Sharply poignant; devastatingly tender; unfailingly warm. Understated, yet profoundly affecting.

FINAL GRADE: A++

TRAILER:

MV:

BONUS: IN-CHARACTER INTERVIEW

PATREON UPDATE!

The next drama I’m covering on Patreon, in place of  When Life Gives You Tangerines is Resident Playbook [Korea].

You can check out my episode 1-2 notes on Resident Playbook on Patreon here.

Here’s an overview of what I’m covering on Patreon right now (Tier benefits are cumulative)!

Foundation Tier (US$1): Entertainment Drop (Sundays) + the first set notes of all shows covered on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Access (US$5): +The Haunted Palace [Korea] – starting soon!

Early Access Plus (US$10): +Doubt [Korea] – starting soon!

VIP (US$15): +Heavenly Ever After [Korea] – starting soon!

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