5 life lessons to learn from Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines

Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines has earned its spot in the Top 10—and for good reason. With a star-studded cast like Park Bo-gum and IU, plus a heartfelt storyline that dives into themes of love, loss, family, and community, it’s no wonder this K-drama has left a lasting impression on viewers. It’s not your typical tearjerker filled with overdone tropes (no rich-boy-meets-poor-girl cliché here). Instead, the show offers a deeply moving look at the human experience, weaving in moments that span across generations—many of which feel all too real.

Now that all 16 episodes are out, we’re looking back at some of the most memorable life lessons from the series that truly hit home. (Spoilers ahead!)

Appreciate the present 

It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life and forget to appreciate what’s right in front of us—until it’s gone. That’s one of the biggest takeaways from the show: to pause, be present, and hold on to the little moments before they slip away. Even the title captures that idea perfectly. When Life Gives You Tangerines is a playful spin on the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But instead of lemons, we get tangerines—a nod to Jeju Island and a uniquely Korean twist that still carries the same message of making the best out of life’s ups and downs, with a little bit of heart and hope.

Settle for nothing less than a man who shows up for you, fully and faithfully

Geum-sik and Ae-sun go way back—all the way to when they were kids. He was always there for her, through the good times and especially the tough ones. From helping out at her mother’s funeral to selling cabbages on her behalf, and even giving her fish for years so she’d never go hungry, Geum-sik constantly showed up. Even when Ae-sun tried to push him away—after that conversation with Geum-sik’s mother telling her to leave him alone—he still chose her. He swam back to shore from the ship just to reunite with her, and that moment marked the start of their relationship. His unwavering love and loyalty are a reminder that we should never settle for anything less.

Tough times never last, but tough people do

There were many moments in the show where Ae-sun had no choice but to pull herself through. After losing her mother, she was left to face life’s challenges on her own—often relying on help from others, even when some folks in the village weren’t exactly willing to offer it. One particularly heartbreaking moment that showed Ae-sun’s strength was when she lost her son under tragic circumstances. While she was out searching for her daughter, her youngest son left the house looking for her—and sadly, he didn’t make it back. Losing a child is one of the hardest things any parent can go through. But with time, and with each other’s support, the family slowly picked themselves up and chose to move forward, doing their best to live fully despite the pain.

A mother’s love knows no bounds

Ae-sun’s mum, Gwang-rye, plays a pivotal role in Ae-sun’s upbringing. Having lived as a tough, selfless haenyeo (female diver) who’ll do anything to give her daughter a better life, Gwang-rye works herself to the bone and dreams big for Ae-sun, hoping she’ll one day become a writer or make it to university—goals Gwang-rye never had the chance to pursue.

In the end, she even gives up her life to make that happen. Even before she passed, she pleaded for her mother-in-law (Ae-sun’s grandmother) to take care of her daughter when she’s not around.

Years later, Ae-sun finds herself doing the same for her own daughter, Geum-myeong—putting her child’s future first, just like her mum once did.

We bruise the hearts that beat the loudest for us

It’s hard not to see yourself in Geum-myeong and the way she snaps at her parents without meaning to. More often than not, she’s quick to get impatient, even when the conversation starts off light. And deep down, she’s frustrated—not just with them, but with the guilt of being loved so unconditionally.

Watching her get upset with herself after each harsh word is probably something most of us can relate to when we talk to our parents sometimes. They often get carried away, asking too many questions and worrying about the smallest things. But we fail to realise that most of the time, our parents’ concerns come from a place of love, and we often take that for granted.