When Life Gives You Tangerines: Season 1
2025 · 16 episodes · ★ 9.1
Limited Series
What Season 1 of When Life Gives You Tangerines
The series is set on Jeju Island in the 1950s. Oh Ae-sun is a poor young woman who dreams of becoming a poet and refuses the fate that awaits her. From childhood, she is accompanied by Yang Gwan-sik, a boy of extraordinary strength who loves her even as setbacks keep coming. The story moves back and forth between her childhood and her adulthood, with images of happy days and of the stumbles life puts in their path. Their daughter, Yang Geum-myeong, recounts the adventures and love of her parents. IU and Park Bo-gum lead the cast.
Season 1 Episodes
1x01 Spring in a Heartbeat
Raised by a tenacious mother, a young, bright-eyed Ae-sun has dreams bigger than her village — until an unexpected tragedy changes everything.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Choi Hye-seo, Jang Soon-mi, Baek Su-ryeon, Hwang Jae-yeol
1x02 Sassy First Love
As love blossoms between Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, they make their first bold move together. But their romantic adventure hits a snag.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Yoo Byeong-hun, Kwon Oh-kyung, Choi Hye-seo, Jang Soon-mi
1x03 Yesterday Was Your Spring
After a dramatic rescue, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik return to Jeju. Soon, Ae-sun resigns herself to a sad fate — leaving Gwan-sik devastated.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Yoo Byeong-hun, Kim Hwi-gyu, Kwon Oh-kyung, Jeon Jin-oh
1x04 The Blazing Summer Sunshine
Summer brings joy as the newlyweds start a life together, but living with Gwan-sik's family tests their happiness — can they find a path to peace?
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Yoo Byeong-hun, Uhm Ji-won, Jeong Seon-cheol, Kim Deok-ju
1x05 A Midsummer Night's Full Nets
As Gwan-sik struggles to find work, Ae-sun worries for her family — until a lifeline appears. Soon after, Ae-sun sets her ambitions higher in Jeju.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Yoo Byeong-hun, Jung Eun-kyoung, Lee Mi‑do, Yoon Seo-yeon
1x06 Life Goes on and On
Just as Ae-sun and Gwan-sik taste the joys of their new life, a summer storm changes everything — testing their will to carry on.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writing: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Yoo Byeong-hun, Uhm Ji-won, Han Myeong-hwan, Lee Gyu-hoe
1x07 A Fruitful Fall
As the village chief election approaches, Ae-sun faces corrupt opposition. Geum-myeong receives an unusual request that tests her morals.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Lee Mi‑do, Eom Ok-ran, Moon You-kang, Kim Jae-young
1x08 The Moon Wanes, Yet the Young Heart Remains
When Geum-myeong receives a chance to study in Japan, dreams take flight. Now Ae-sun and Gwan-sik must make a tough decision.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writing: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Hwang Jae-yeol, Kim Ga-hee, Kim Su-an, Kim Keum-soon
1x09 The Wind Goes Whoosh, My Heart Goes Boo-Hoo
Life in a small apartment tests Ae-sun and Gwan-sik as they struggle to parent Yang Eun-myeong. Meanwhile, Geum-myeong juggles love and life in Seoul.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Yoo Byeong-hun, Lee Ji-hyeon, Jeon Bae-soo, Jung Yi-seo
1x10 The Storm Sweeps My Heart, the Love Rocks My Heart
While Geum-myeong grows closer to her quirky colleague, Ae-sun's troubling dreams stir real concerns. Do they hold any meaning?
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writing: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Lee Ji-hyeon, Jeon Bae-soo, Jung Yi-seo, Lee Gyu-hoe
1x11 My Love by My Side
As Geum-myeong's engagement moves toward marriage, her heart fills with doubt — will her first love story find its happy ending like her mother's?
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Lee Gyu-hoe, Kim Seon-ho, Kim Hae-gon, Lee Bong-ryun
1x12 A Glistening Winter
Back in Jeju, Geum-myeong mends her heart in familiar surroundings. Ae-sun treasures sweet moments with her loved ones.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writing: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Kim Seon-ho, Kim Hae-gon, Cho Myeong-yeon, Byun Joong-hee
1x13 Such an Uneven Love
While facing a career setback during an economic downturn, Geum-myeong encounters a familiar face — sparking an unexpected new beginning.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Yoo Byeong-hun, Lee Ji-hyeon, Kim Seon-ho, Kim Hae-gon
1x14 Spread Your Wings and Fly
Ae-sun and Gwan-sik grapple with Yang Eun-myeong's misfortune, sacrificing everything they can to help him. But Eun-myeong's self-confidence takes a hit.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writing: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Lee Mi‑do, Kim Seon-ho, Heo Jin, Park Ji-hong
1x15 A Spring Every Day
Between new business ventures and career changes, the family faces separate hurdles on their paths — drawing strength from their bond to press ahead.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writing: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Moon You-kang, Kim Seon-ho, Kim Sung-ryung, Park Bu-keon
1x16 Here's to All You've Been Through Season Finale
As the Yang family finally enjoys the fruits of their labor, sudden agony strikes — testing their resolve and the strength of their enduring love.
Directing: Kim Won-suk · Writer: Im Sang-choon · Starring: Baek Su-ryeon, Kang Jeong-woo, Kim Seon-ho, Kim Kang-hoon
Season 1 Cast
Park Bo-gumYang Gwan-sik16 episodes
Baek Ji-wonHong Kyung-ja16 episodes
Lee Su-miChoi Yang-im16 episodes
Choi Dae-hoonBu Sang-gil13 episodes
Yeom Hye-ranJeon Gwang-rye / Chloe Lee Hye-ran13 episodes
Oh Min-aeKwon Gye-ok12 episodes
Cha Mi-kyungPark Chung-su11 episodes
Kim Tae-yeonOh Ae-sun (child)10 episodes
Lee Soo-kyungBu Hyeon-suk9 episodes
Kim Yong-rimPark Mak-cheon8 episodes
Yoo Byeong-hunYang Sam-bo7 episodes
Jang Hye-jinPark Young-ran7 episodes
Sin Chae-rinYang Geum-myeong (young child)6 episodes
Jung Hae-kyunOh Han-moo6 episodes
Lee Cheon-muYang Gwan-sik (child)6 episodes
Kim Hae-gonCannes Theater president5 episodes
Na Moon-heeKim Chun-ok5 episodesWhere to Watch Season 1 of When Life Gives You Tangerines
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Episodes Does Season 1 of When Life Gives You Tangerines Have?
Season 1 of When Life Gives You Tangerines has 16 episodes.
When Did Season 1 of When Life Gives You Tangerines Premiere?
It premiered on March 7, 2025.
Where to watch When Life Gives You Tangerines Season 1
Available by subscription on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads (availability may vary by country).
What is the best episode of Season 1?
According to the audience rating on TMDB, episode 1x16, “Here's to All You've Been Through,” has a 9.5.