Netflix’s latest South Korean drama bases itself (at least partly) on reality.

Despite being in Korean, the show has been celebrated around the globe.

Is When Life Gives You Tangerines Based on a True Story?

When Life Gives You Tangerines Netflix series wallpaper

IU’s Ae-sun is based on the real-life Jeju Island resident Hong Kyung-ja.

Born in 1950, Hong grew up in Jeju, just like Ae-sun.

I cried and fought for the chance.

IU as Oh Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik standing next to each other in When Live Gives You Tangerines

That was my reality."

Read more about other hit series coming to Netflix in 2025 here.

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