“When Life Gives You Tangerines” Homeroom Teacher Says, “I Want to Apologize to IU”

In Netflix’s original series “When Life Gives You Tangerines”, Hwang Jae-yeol portrayed the homeroom teacher of young Ae-sun (played by IU), leaving a notable impression with his role.

Hwang fully immersed himself in his character set in the 1960s, delivering a stable performance that blended seamlessly into the story. Particularly memorable was the scene where he scolds young Ae-sun to give up her rightful class president win to a wealthy classmate—his compelling portrayal heightened the emotional weight of the storyline.

In the released video, Hwang began by saying, “It was such an honor to take part in such a great project.” He continued, “The director and writer are creators of works I personally admire, so although my role was small, I approached it with great care. I’m incredibly grateful for the attention the series has received.”

He then added “I hope that by reflecting on the past, we can become people who positively influence the next generation” and cheekily addressed his character with a sincere message, “Ae-sun, I’m sorry. It wasn’t entirely my will. I want to apologize on behalf of many adults.”

Hwang also shared a personal sentiment, “It reminded me of my mother in her youth—young and beautiful. I hope all the adults who lived through that era and are still living today experience nothing but laughter. You’ve gone through so much, and I truly respect you.”

He closed with, “I hope this project has brought you lots of good energy and warmth. I’m currently filming another project, so I’d appreciate it if you recognize me in a future role. Thank you to everyone who watched ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’.”

Despite his brief screen time, Hwang Jae-yeol left a lasting impression, helping to deepen the emotional resonance of young Ae-sun’s difficult reality. Having already proven his solid acting in dramas such as “Crash Course in Romance”, “Bargain”, “Hunted” and “L.U.C.A.: The Beginning”, anticipation for his future performances continues to grow.

Meanwhile, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” unfolds the adventurous life of Ae-sun, the “remarkable rebel”, and Gwan-sik, the “unyielding iron”, full of challenges and trials throughout the four seasons. It continues to draw praise for its production values and storytelling, having secured top spots in Netflix’s global charts.