Basic Korean Knowledge to Enjoy "When Life Gives You Tangerines"-(1)

When Life Gives You Tangerines is an emotional drama set in the 1950s on Jeju Island, centered around the story of the two main characters, Ae-sun (IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum). Ae-sun is a rebellious girl born into a poor family, dreaming of becoming a poet, but due to her family's financial struggles, she is unable to attend school. Despite these hardships, she refuses to give up on her dreams, and she begins writing poetry, expressing her emotions freely.

Gwan-sik is a sincere and serious young man with a quiet personality. He holds a deep love for Ae-sun and respects her dreams unconditionally. Although Ae-sun and Gwan-sik have different personalities and backgrounds, their love gradually grows within the small community of Jeju Island and becomes a source of great meaning for both.

The drama, centered around the love story of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, deals with complex emotions and conflicts, set against the historical and social backdrop of Korean society. The drama beautifully depicts the unique culture, dialect, and the warmth of the people of Jeju, making it an important work for understanding Korean sentiment.

when Life Gives You Tangerines

 

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Introduction to the Characters

• Ae-sun (IU): A rebellious and free-spirited girl born into a poor family. She dreams of becoming a poet but cannot attend school due to her family’s struggles. She expresses her emotions through poetry, using it not just as writing, but as a way to communicate her heart and dreams.
• Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum): A sincere and quiet young man. He doesn't speak much, but he holds deep love and respect for Ae-sun, supporting her dreams and helping her through hardships. Gwan-sik understands Ae-sun’s aspirations and plays a key role in ensuring that she never gives up, no matter the challenges.

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Geographical Features and Lifestyle of Jeju Island

Geographical Features of Jeju Island

Jeju Island, located off the southern coast of Korea, has developed a unique culture due to its geographical isolation from the mainland. Because of limited interaction with the outside world, Jeju has maintained its distinct traditions and customs. The dialect and lifestyle of Jeju people are also quite unique, and the Jeju dialect is often difficult for mainland Koreans to understand. This distinctive cultural trait is a crucial part of the drama’s setting, bringing the characters' relationships and conflicts to life.

 

Lifestyle

As an island, Jeju Island's economy was heavily dependent on fishing, and many people engaged in the industry. Particularly, men were responsible for catching fish, often going out to sea on boats. However, the dangers of the sea were high, and many husbands would die while out fishing. In such circumstances, women played an important role in sustaining the family’s livelihood, and many women became haenyeo (female divers). The haenyeo were a crucial economic pillar of Jeju, and their labor and sacrifices were highly respected in the community.

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Korean Sentiment in the Drama

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a work deeply infused with Korean sentiment, reflecting traditional values and cultural elements that play an important role in the drama’s narrative. The Korean sentiment depicted in the drama is not just a representation of the past, but a reflection of values that still resonate today.

Son Preference

For a long time, Korean society prioritized agriculture, which made male labor highly important. The belief in continuing the family line made sons more valued than daughters, which also influenced the way inheritance was passed down. For example, important family events, such as ancestral rites, were carried out through the son, who would continue the family lineage.

Examples of son preference in the drama:

• When the protagonist Geum-myeong (daughter) is born, there is a scene where the family expresses disappointment, which reflects the societal preference for sons over daughters at the time.
• In a scene where Gwan-sik has two sons, his grandmother is thrilled and says, "Your daughter-in-law is better than mine," which is another expression of son preference.
• Even during meals, men would eat separately from women, a practice reflecting the son-preference culture of Korean society at that time.

The Life of Haenyeo (Female Divers)

On Jeju Island, haenyeo played an important role, and their lives reflect the reality faced by many women at the time. Haenyeo would dive into the sea to harvest seafood, often facing accidents or diseases (such as diving sickness). The drama realistically portrays their lives, focusing on their struggles and the way they sustain their livelihoods.

Particularly, when a haenyeo suffers an accident or illness, the scene where her fellow divers take care of her and help her sustain her life beautifully portrays the communal spirit of Korean society. Jeju’s haenyeo go beyond individual survival; through mutual support and dependence, they help each other to continue their lives. This reflects the cooperative spirit and strong bonds of women on Jeju Island.

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Fun Fact

• The Names of Children
  In the drama, the main characters' children are given unique names: ‘Yang Geum-myeong,’ ‘Yang Eun-myeong,’ and ‘Yang Dong-myeong.’ The middle parts of their names—‘Geum,’ ‘Eun,’ and ‘Dong’—represent Gold, Silver, and Bronze respectively, symbolizing Olympic medals. If the characters' names were translated into English, they would be Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The inclusion of these medal symbols in the children’s names emphasizes the family values that are crucial to the drama and sends the message that the main characters are striving for their own 'medals' in life.

 

• Spy Incidents : After the Korean War in the 1950s, South Korea underwent a period of intense anti-communism, with deep hostility toward North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. During this time, incidents involving spies became frequent. In one scene of the drama, Geum-myeong  is in a taxi, and a news broadcast announces that Kim Il-sung (the North Korean leader) has died. At this moment, Geum-myeong is seen crying after breaking up with her lover, subtly hinting at the dangerous situation where one could be mistakenly accused of being a spy. In the 1950s in Korea, being suspected of espionage was extremely dangerous, often leading to severe punishment. This scene captures the tense atmosphere of that era, reflecting the social anxieties of the time.

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Through When Life Gives You Tangerines, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical background of Korea, particularly the unique elements of Jeju Island’s culture and the societal realities of the 1950s. The drama provides a vivid portrayal of traditional Korean values, making it a valuable work for anyone interested in Korean history and sentiment.

 

Basic Korean Knowledge to Enjoy "When Life Gives You Tangerines"-(2)

 

Basic Korean Knowledge to Enjoy "When Life Gives You Tangerines"-(2)