When Life Gives You Tangerines Crowned as Korea’s Most Beloved Program
When Life Gives You Tangerines has officially captured the hearts of Korean viewers nationwide. The Netflix hit starring IU and Park Bo Gum has risen to the top spot in Gallup Korea’s latest survey of most beloved programs. This heartwarming drama, which follows characters from the 1950s to present-day Jeju Island, has beaten out traditional broadcast favorites and cemented Netflix’s growing dominance in Korean entertainment.
How When Life Gives You Tangerines Won Korean Hearts
When Life Gives You Tangerines began its four-week run on March 7, releasing four episodes weekly on Netflix. The survey results announced on March 25 revealed that the drama secured 6.9% of votes from 1,003 respondents aged 18 and older. What makes this achievement particularly impressive is the nature of Gallup’s survey itself. Unlike traditional ratings systems, this poll allowed participants to freely name their favorite programs regardless of time slot, platform, or channel.
The IU Park Bo Gum drama tells the moving story of literature-loving Oh Ae Soon and steadfast Yang Gwan Sik as they grow from childhood friends to adults and eventually become parents. IU shares the role of Ae Soon with acclaimed actress Moon So Ri, who portrays the character in her later years. Similarly, Park Bo Gum’s character Gwan Sik is also played by Park Hae Joon during the character’s older years. This multi-generational storytelling approach has resonated deeply with viewers who connect with the characters’ lifelong journey.
Behind the camera, When Life Gives You Tangerines brings together an impressive creative team. Writer Im Sang Choon, known for emotional hits like “Fight for My Way” and “When Camellia Blooms,” joins forces with director Kim Won Seok, whose previous works include critically :acclaimed dramas “Misaeng,” “Signal,” and “My Mister.” Their combined talents create a perfect blend of emotional depth, realistic romance, and complex human relationships that viewers can’t resist.
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Netflix’s Growing Dominance in Korean Entertainment
When Life Gives You Tangerines marks a significant milestone for Netflix, becoming the fifth Netflix original to claim the top spot in Gallup’s survey. Previous chart-toppers include “The Glory” (March 2023), “Culinary Class War” (October 2024), “Squid Game Season 2” (January 2025), and “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” (February 2025). What’s truly remarkable is that this achievement represents the first time any streaming platform has dominated the rankings for three consecutive months.
The success of When Life Gives You Tangerines reflects Netflix’s strategic investment in high-quality Korean content. By bringing together top-tier actors like IU and Park Bo Gum with acclaimed creative teams, Netflix continues to produce content that resonates with Korean viewers. The streaming giant has successfully challenged traditional broadcasting networks by creating prestige dramas that combine compelling storytelling with high production values.
This changing landscape of Korean entertainment consumption is further validated by Gallup’s decision to include OTT content in their surveys since 2023. This adjustment acknowledges the growing influence of streaming platforms and how they’ve transformed viewing habits across Korea. When Life Gives You Tangerines exemplifies this shift, proving that viewers are increasingly turning to streaming services for their favorite content.
Traditional TV Shows Still Competing
While Netflix dominated the top spot, traditional TV programs continue to maintain strong followings. TV Chosun’s trot audition program “Mr. Trot 3” secured second place with a 4.7% preference rating. The show recently concluded its season on March 13, crowning Kim Yong Bin as the winner. The “Mr. Trot” series has consistently produced popular stars like Lim Young Woong and Song Ga In, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the trot genre in Korean entertainment.
KBS2’s weekend drama “For Eagle Brothers,” which recently achieved impressive viewership ratings exceeding 20%, landed in third place with 3.5%. KBS1’s daily drama “My Merry Marriage” followed closely at fourth place with 3.2%, while SBS’s “Buried Hearts” rounded out the top five with 2.8%. Popular variety shows like “Running Man” and “2 Days & 1 Night Season 4” also maintained positions in the top 10, showing the continued relevance of traditional broadcast content.
When Life Gives You Tangerines has managed to surpass these established programs, proving that compelling storytelling transcends platform boundaries. The drama’s success highlights how Korean viewers are increasingly platform-agnostic, following quality content regardless of where it originates.
Final Thoughts on When Life Gives You Tangerines’ Remarkable Success
When Life Gives You Tangerines continues to captivate viewers with its beautiful portrayal of life on Jeju Island across different eras. The combination of stellar performances from IU and Park Bo Gum, masterful direction, and heartfelt writing has created a viewing experience that resonates deeply with Korean audiences. As Netflix continues its winning streak in Korean entertainment, this latest success confirms that quality storytelling remains the ultimate draw for viewers.
What do you think makes When Life Gives You Tangerines so special? Are you one of the many Seoul Crushers already watching this hit drama? Share your thoughts in the comments!
