Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 4 of When Life Gives You Tangerines, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Park Bo-gum as Gwan-sik and IU as Ae-sun, and featuring a deeply emotional story about family, hardship, love, and resilience. We discuss:
The song featured during the recap: "Name" by Kwak Jin-eon, a tender ballad reflecting the enduring love between Ae-sun and Gwan-sik.
Joanna’s magical trip to Japan, including cherry blossoms, sushi, Enoshima Island, and meeting the amazing Akiko in Shinjuku Gyoen.
How the lyrics of "Name" perfectly capture the decades-long bond between Ae-sun and Gwan-sik.
The brutal reality of Ae-sun’s early married life, especially her abuse by her in-laws due to not producing a son.
The significance of 108 prostrations in Korean Buddhism and the intense societal pressure on wives to bear sons.
South Korea’s declining fertility rate, from 6 children per woman in the 1960s to close to the lowest in the world today.
The heartbreaking and symbolic moment when Ae-sun flips the table to prevent her daughter from becoming a haenyeo.
The shocking revelation that Gwan-sik is being physically abused by his boss — the man Ae-sun almost married!
Ae-sun’s fierce loyalty and love for Gwan-sik, including confronting his abuser in front of the entire village.
The evolving dynamic between Ae-sun and her daughter Geum Myeong in 1994, especially around class, shoes, and emotional validation.
Gwan-sik and Ae-sun’s intimate physical and emotional connection, even decades into their marriage.
The symbolism of sugar, kimjang, and daily packed lunches in expressing affection, social rules, and hardship.
The beautiful theme of quiet sacrifice — how both Ae-sun and Gwan-sik shield each other from their respective pains.
The significance of the episode’s title, “The Blazing Summer Sunshine,” as a metaphor for both oppressive hardship and the radiant love that sustained them.
A spotlight on Park Bo-gum: his acting and musical background, clean-cut reputation, and his return to dramas after military service.
Next week, we’ll recap and analyze Episode 5 of When Life Gives You Tangerines, and talk about the real-life couple that inspired this drama — or so the internet says!
References
Hi Sunghee and Joanna, thank you for your discussion on episode 4 of WLGYT. I do love this series. The story hits too close to home, it is relatable. The love between Gwan-Sik and Ae-Sun is so pure and true. While rewatching this episode (as I've finished the series), I am drawn to their family dynamics. Oh to be loved by these two. They have each others' backs, which explains their strong marriage as we witnessed in the last scene. I have seen this episode twice, and while you two recapping the scenes, I was still teary eyed. What a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteWhen Park Bo Gum cries, I cry, too. He has that kind handsome face that makes one want to comfort him. I first met watched him in Reply 1988.
So glad you're enjoying the podcast. We're working hard to do this beautiful story justice.
DeleteI agree about Park Bo Gum. He expresses so much love and caring, even without saying anything.
This was a pretty heartbreaking episode with a few uplifting moments.
ReplyDeleteWatching Ae-sun’s mother-in-law and grandmother in law mistreat Ae-sun, and by extension her daughter, was maddening! Particularly since Gwan-sik’s mother had been in that exact position herself. You would think these women would have a bit more empathy. It made me think of that famous Madeline Albright quote. IYKYK. Of course, that mistreatment just set the table (no pun intended) for Gwan-sik’s show of support!
Fundamentally, I think this show is about 1) women, 2) mothers and daughters, and 3) the men who support them in the face of society’s pre-existing prejudices. So ultimately, it is actually quite uplifting after you sit through the heartbreak.
One random thought I had watching this show is that the haenyeos serve the purpose of the Greek Chorus. I know Joanna loves to dive into the literary underpinnings of these dramas, so have at it!
I am really enjoying the recreation of 1960’s Jeju. I think doing a “historical” drama like this set in the 60’s trough 90’s is so much more difficult that your typical Joseon Dynasty historical – if for no other reason than it’s happened within living memory. There are so many details you have to get just right or they will be clearly noticeable. Now, obviously, I don’t have frame of reference for what South Korea was like in any of those decades, but I can tell there is a lot of attention to detail here, and I will bet those who did live through those times are appreciating it.
At the risk of justifying Joanna’s claim that this drama will have K Drama elements just like all other K Dramas (of which I am skeptical), I think you need to consider a new element. The kick to the shins seems a particularly Korean element. I’ve seen it in a bunch of K Dramas, but mostly where a superior is kicking a subordinate for a mistake or some frustration. Of course, her Ae-sun does it to the boat captain, which I think makes it even more humiliating. Like I said, this seems particularly Korean; you don’t see it in western shows. I guess it could also fall under the more general element of “emotional violence” which would include the slap to the face (seen in this episode and many K Dramas) and hair pulling in a fight (including men, but more often women). What do you think?
And since no one asked, here’s what I’m watching:
Just finished My Dearest Nemesis, Undercover High School, and Potato Lab. Actually, that’s not true, I couldn’t finish Undercover Highschool because the plot went off the rails. Like “going to Argan” off the rails. All these shows were pretty meh, but had compelling lead and second lead (in the case of My Dearest Nemesis) couples.
For Eagle Brothers – this is like an old-time soap opera, although the plot is so transparent. It apparently is currently the highest-ranking drama on Korean TV. Not sure there is much to recommend in it other than the lead actress who is very charming.
Scarlet Heart; Moon Lovers – final five episodes!
Karma – just started this dark six episode one on Netflix. Wasn’t crazy about the first episode, but Shin Min-a is in it, so I’ll keep watching.
I saw Wonderland. It was only ok, even with that great cast.
As for Reply 1988, I think Joanna will love it despite the lack of time travel, demons, ghost, reincarnation, etc. It’s one of the shows I’ve consistently (failed) to recommend for a season of K Drama Chat.
OK, that’s it for this week. Gotta get these red beans out of my cuffs….
Per Malcolm’s comment on Potato Lab, I also read a negative review on that show in the South China Morning Post, which complains that the FL is someone who starts angry and stays that way through the series, bullying all the other characters through the end. Is this true, Malcolm?
ReplyDeleteThat made me realize how Ae Sun changes throughout this show, when she realizes that the loving kindness of Gwan-sik is her redemption rather than her burden. And that he needs her protection just as she needs his. That dynamic shows the depth of this series compared with others. Had Ae Sun just stayed one-dimensional, this show wouldn’t have resonated the way it does. I think Joanna didn’t go for Potato Lab either, so I guess I’ll skip that one.
The FL in Potato Lab is only comic angry. She's actually quite charming. The only reason to watch the show is the OTP couple and the second female lead who is very funny and charming. I would watch other shows with them. The story is pretty dumb, but if you want some light rom com action its ok.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteLoving "When life gives you tangerines"! Thanks for reviewing and making the podcasts. It is lighthearted in a way, but does not shy away from real life problems. The way it tackles difficult topics like physical abuse and the pressure on women to bear children (and sons in specific) and women to have to behave a certain way.. And the title song is captivating 😊
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