The final episode of “When Life Gives You Tangerines” captivated audiences with its poignant dialogues, offering profound reflections on life, love, and human connections. These words not only stirred emotions but also encouraged moments of introspection about ourselves and those around us.
Table of contents
Quote 1: Cherish Your Loved Ones Before It’s Too Late
“I only see my child, but my mother only sees me. I know a thousand expressions of my daughter, but I can’t recall a single one of my mother’s. Back then, I didn’t know, and I never thought that one day, I would only be able to remember her through a confused face captured in a photograph.” – Geum-myeong
Geum-myeong’s monologue conveys her immense love and regret for her mother, Ae-soon. This serves as a poignant reminder to cherish our loved ones before it’s too late because, like Ae-soon, one day we may only have photos to remember them by.
Quote 2: A Child’s Innocent Wish – More Time with Mom
“If I eat quickly, Mom will leave quickly.” – Sae-bom
Geum-myeong reflects that every mother has a child they can never win against. At 37, she struggles with her 4-year-old daughter, Sae-bom, who takes forever to eat and insists on changing clothes multiple times each morning, making an already busy Geum-myeong feel overwhelmed. Frustrated, she scolds her daughter, only to learn that Sae-bom delays her actions because she fears that if she eats quickly and gets dressed fast, her mother will leave for work.
This revelation deeply moves Geum-myeong and reminds us that while children may test our patience, they often just want to spend more time with us. Understanding their perspective can bring us closer.
Quote 3: A Father’s Endless Love
“Geum-myeong, having you is like catching a whale with a small boat.” – Gwan-sik
This seemingly simple line from Yang Gwan-sik expresses his boundless love for his eldest daughter, Geum-myeong. To him, having a daughter like her is an unimaginable blessing. Even as he approaches the end of his life, he remembers her childhood achievements with pride, from excelling in math to earning a spot at Seoul National University.
Though he always tried to give her the best, Gwan-sik constantly felt guilty for not doing more. This reminds us that a parent’s love knows no limits.
Quote 4: Cherish and Care for Mom
“Don’t be annoyed with Mom. Don’t be angry at Mom. Don’t be impatient with Mom. Love her, okay?” – Gwan-sik
During what might be his last conversation with his daughter, Gwan-sik urges Geum-myeong to take care of her mother, Ae-soon. He understands that after his passing, Ae-soon will experience immense loneliness and pain, and Geum-myeong will be her pillar of strength.
Every family experiences conflicts due to generational differences, but this quote serves as a reminder to always treat our loved ones with kindness. At the end of the day, family is the only source of unconditional love.
Quote 5: Realizing a Parent’s Sacrifices Too Late
“To us, our father seemed like he would live forever.” – Geum-myeong
Geum-myeong unintentionally hurt her father when she expressed disdain for the saying, “A dragon born from a stream.” In an argument with her mother, she complained about the burden of being the eldest and the family’s pillar of support, deeply wounding her father, Gwan-sik.
Similarly, her younger brother, Eun-myeong, once rejected their father’s lifestyle, criticizing him for only earning enough to get by and even questioning, “What have you ever done for me?”
Growing up in poverty, Geum-myeong and Eun-myeong failed to appreciate their parents’ struggles. Only as they matured did they understand the sacrifices made to raise them. This quote highlights a common truth: we often take our parents’ presence for granted until we realize they won’t be there forever.
Quote 6: A Love Too Rare to Find Twice
“You can’t be the only one living in a flower garden.” – Ae-soon
If given another life, Ae-soon only wishes to meet and love Gwan-sik again. However, she fears that fate may not grant her that blessing a second time. To Ae-soon, Gwan-sik was the greatest fortune of her life—something too precious to come by twice.
Despite enduring countless hardships, Ae-soon believes she has lived a fulfilling life, all because she had a wonderful partner in Gwan-sik. Thanks to him, she never felt alone.
The finale of “When Life Gives You Tangerines” left viewers with tears and deep reflections on family, love, and the passage of time. These six quotes serve as timeless reminders to cherish our loved ones while we can, appreciate the sacrifices of our parents, and embrace the love that makes life meaningful.
