K Drama Chat Weekly

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11.9 - Podcast Review of Episode 9 of When Life Gives You Tangerines

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...

11.8 - Podcast Review of When Life Gives You Tangerines

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...

11.7 - Podcast Review of Episode 7 of When Life Gives You Tangerines

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 7 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, and Lee Jun-young as Park Young-beom. We’ll also discuss Yeom Hye-ran, the actress who plays Jeon Gwang-rye, Oh Ae-sun’s mother. We discuss: The song featured during the recap: "To the Land of Hope" by Choi Baek-ho , a song that evokes nostalgia and the passage of youth. Feedback from our amazing listeners, including a poem shared by Winfor Lam and insights from Malcolm, Seven Seas, and Sue about character development and OST impact. How Gwan-sik is portrayed as the "perfect man," which we all think is unrealistic. Ae-sun’s powerful transformation, stepping into her role as a leader by lying in front of a government truck to defend the haenyeos. The portrayal of Korea during the 1980s, including steps the government to...

11.6 - Podcast Review of When Life Gives You Tangerines

Today, we’ll be ing Episode 6 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. We discuss: The song featured during the recap: Hwal Hwal by Hwang So-yoon (aka So!YoON!), a blazing track that mirrors the episode’s emotional intensity. The tragic and pivotal loss of Dong Myeong, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s son, and the overwhelming grief that overtakes the family. The episode’s haunting realism in showing how each family member carries deep guilt for Dong Myeong’s death. Listener Malcolm’s brilliant comparison of the haenyeos to a Greek chorus that offers communal commentary, humor, and moral perspective. The emotional support network of Jeju villagers, especially the haenyeos and the elderly couple who helped the family survive. The revelation that Min-ok paid the rent under the guise of a “moral scholarship,” and how language misinterpretation played a key role in the mystery behind who paid...