IU’s Sweet Surprise for Child Actress “When Life Gives You Tangerines” Warms Hearts Ahead of Baeksang Awards
IU, often dubbed the “queen of kindness” in the Korean entertainment industry, is once again being praised for her generosity, this time for a sweet and touching act involving her young When Life Gives You Tangerines co-star, Kim Tae-yeon.
IU’s Touching Gesture for Young Co-Star Melts Fans’ Hearts
The Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and rising child star Kim Tae-yeon, has garnered immense acclaim both domestically and internationally. IU’s portrayal of “Ae-soon” has been widely celebrated, earning her a nomination for Best Actress at the upcoming 61st Baeksang Arts Awards on May 5. Alongside her are co-stars Park Bo-gum, Choi Dae-hoon, Yum Hye-ran, and Kim Tae-yeon, who is nominated for Best New Actress.
Born in 2011, Kim Tae-yeon played the young version of Ae-soon in the series and previously appeared in popular shows like Crash Landing on You and Gyeongseong Creature. Her emotional performance in When Life Gives You Tangerines has won over countless viewers.
Recently, a touching Instagram post by Kim Tae-yeon’s mother captured fans’ hearts. She shared photos of Kim Tae-yeon holding a gift from IU, along with the caption: “Tae-yeon met IU unnie and wanted to say thank you. Words aren’t enough to express our gratitude. We were so surprised and touched by her thoughtful gesture.” Another photo showed Kim Tae-yeon trying on a dress, sparking curiosity and admiration.
Behind the Scenes of IU’s Sweet Surprise
According to insiders, IU personally arranged for Kim Tae-yeon to have a special dress for her first-ever awards ceremony. Since Kim currently works without a management agency, IU stepped in to cover not only the gown but also styling needs like hair and makeup. It’s reported that IU even accompanied Kim to a dress shop and helped her choose the perfect outfit.
This thoughtful gesture further illustrates IU’s deep affection and genuine care for her fellow cast members. Beyond this moment, IU also invited castmates, including Park Hae-joon, Moon So-ri, and child actor Ahn Tae-rin, to her concert and sent gifts to her co-stars.
In a recent interview, IU humbly reflected on how she manages to care for so many people: “As the number of projects increases, so does the number of people I’m grateful to. But it’s not hard. I just hope the people receiving [my gifts] are happy.” On When Life Gives You Tangerines, she said, “It was such a monumental project. Just being part of it felt like a gift. I think Ji-eun (IU’s real name) really went all out this time.”
IU’s heartfelt support for Kim Tae-yeon ahead of the Baeksang Arts Awards not only adds to her long list of well-known good deeds but also shows her unwavering support for the next generation of stars.