IU Drops All Glam for “When Life Gives You Tangerines” Even Her Eyebrows Stayed Natural
IU is winning hearts with her raw and immersive performance as Oh Ae-soon in the hit Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines, with fans now raving over the incredible attention to detail in her portrayal.
The Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines has topped the TV-OTT integrated drama buzz rankings for the second week of April (April 7–13), according to FUNdex by Good Data Corporation. This marks the show’s sixth consecutive week at No. 1, a testament to its continued popularity.
Amid the series’ strong reception, the spotlight is now on the incredible attention to detail shown by its stars, IU and Park Bo-gum. Playing the roles of Oh Ae-soon and Yang Gwan-sik respectively, the two actors have fully immersed themselves in their characters, drawing praise for even the subtlest choices—like not grooming their eyebrows to suit the 1960s Jeju setting.
IU portrays Ae-soon, a feisty and resilient literary dreamer born and raised in Jeju. Known for her bold and rebellious spirit, Ae-soon radiates a youthful charm throughout the series. Viewers noticed that even in IU’s behind-the-scenes selfies taken during filming, she left her eyebrows untouched, capturing a raw and authentic aesthetic that perfectly fits her character’s era and background.
Netizens reacted enthusiastically:
- “Even untrimmed, her natural brows look beautiful.”
- “Both of them are so good-looking that I didn’t even notice!”
- “No wonder their look felt so natural.”
- “This is next-level attention to detail.”
- “Untrimmed brows actually make her look even more youthful, so fresh!”
Such reactions highlight how even the smallest, almost invisible choices made by actors can enrich the storytelling experience. IU and Park Bo-gum’s dedication to their roles has deepened viewer immersion and drawn admiration across online platforms.
When Life Gives You Tangerines follows the seasonal journey of Ae-soon (IU), a rebellious girl from Jeju, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), a stubborn yet deeply affectionate man. The series, divided into four acts representing the seasons, wrapped up on March 28.
Reflecting on her experience, IU shared through her agency:
“It was a tremendous honor to portray young Ae-soon and Geum-myung in ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ a story filled with voices from multiple generations. I hope the series will be remembered as a warm, comforting work that stays close to viewers’ hearts, just like the supportive and quietly strong people of Dodong-ri. Thank you so much to everyone who loved the show.”
From the raw emotion she brings to her character to something as simple as untouched eyebrows, IU’s dedication has helped breathe life into Ae-soon in the most genuine way. It’s these quiet yet powerful details that have elevated the drama into more than just a period piece, it’s a timeless portrayal of resilience, youth, and love.