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"When Life Gives You Tangerines" has released two first volumes (8 episodes) out of 4 and thanks to the perfect synergy of writing, directing, and acting has immediately captured the hearts of both Korean and global audiences. As the drama has just shown the spring and summer season, many viewers are eagerly anticipating the fall, and winter parts of this story.

Released on March 7th, Netflix’s original series "When Life Gives You Tangerines" (directed by Kim Won-seok, written by Im Sang-chun) tells the story of the adventurous life of a rebellious girl Ae-soon (IU) and quiet but strong man Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum). There are no "villains" in the story, but life itself. And the characters, including the mischievous Ae-soon and loyal Gwan-sik, each have their unique charm, bringing the story to life.

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Im Sang-chun, the writer known for the highly loved When the Camellia Blooms and Fight My Way, showcases her excellent writing skills once again. On the other hand, Kim Won-seok, who directed Misaeng, Signal, and My Mister, is showing off his distinctive directing style as well.

The performances of the actors are also impressive. IU and Park Bo-gum are leading the drama with their remarkable acting. In the first episodes, IU brings to life a lively and playful character, the representation of the word 'cheeky'. Park Bo-gum portrays a solid and sincere character who fulfills his responsibilities quietly. The synergy created by the two lead actors, is probably the main reason why the story of "When Life Gives You Tangerines" resonated with viewers so much.

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The supporting cast around IU and Park Bo-gum also stands out. The most mentioned actress is Yeom Hye-ran, who plays Ae-soon’s mother, Gwang-rye. Despite her brief screen time, she impressively elevates the immersion into the story early on. Oh Jung-se, who plays Ae-soon’s stepfather, Yeom Byeong-cheol, also skillfully brings his character to life, enhancing the completeness of the story.

Set against the backdrop of Jeju Island, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" raised concerns about whether it would capture the global audience before its release. Director Kim Won-seok confessed, "Initially, I thought it would be for Korean viewers only. I was grateful it was released on Netflix, but I was concerned about how international viewers would perceive it." He continued, "I worked hard to express Korean characteristics and Korean words through subtitles so that it would be understood. Themes like the Korean War, refugees, and the IMF crisis are not difficult for foreign viewers to understand."

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Despite initial concerns, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" is receiving a lot of love from global audiences. According to FlixPatrol, which tracks global OTT rankings, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" ranked 6th in the global TV shows category after the release of the first volume. It also reached No.1 in 10 countries, including Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. The drama started at No.8 after ranking first in Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore, and in just one day, it rose by two spots and continues its upward momentum.

On IMDb, the world's largest content rating site, "When Life Gives You Tangerines” has earned an impressive score of 9.3. Although only eight episodes have been released so far, the score is still remarkable. Viewers who have watched the drama have praised it, saying things like, "Every moment of this drama was great", "It’s an undeniable masterpiece", "IU showed that she is top-tier in both singing and acting", and "After watching Park Bo-gum, many women will wish for a Gwan-sik of their own."

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One point of disappointment mentioned is that not all episodes are available yet. Unlike other Netflix Originals, which generally release episodes in a binge-watch format or split into seasons, "When Life Gives You Tangerines" will release its 16 episodes in four parts of four episodes each. The first eight episodes, depicting Jeju Island in the spring and summer, have already aired. Many viewers expressed their desire to watch the next episode, showing the drama's growing attention.

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According to Netflix, next episodes, which will focus on the fall and winter seasons, will continue to deliver emotional, heartwarming and at times heartbreaking storytelling. With a strong start, all we can do is wait and see for ourselves whether "When Life Gives You Tangerines" can continue its momentum and maintain the heated interest.