IU Opens Up About Her Most Relatable Line in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”: “That Line? Yeah, I Say It in Real Life Too”
IU, celebrated for her dual success as a singer and actress, recently opened up about her experience playing Geum-myung in the hit Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines.” Despite the show’s widespread popularity, IU humbly shared, “I’m sorry I could only give so much.”
The series, released in full on March 28, has quickly risen to the top of Netflix’s TV show charts across Korea and several Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Set against the backdrop of Jeju Island, it tells the emotional, seasonal story of rebellious Ae-soon and the quietly resilient Gwan-sik. The title, in Jeju dialect, roughly translates to “Thank you for your hard work.”
A Script Too Good to Pass Up
IU revealed that the moment she read the script, she was hooked, “Even though the script was quite long, I read it all in one go. I immediately said I wanted to join. It was so well-written and detailed, I could even imagine the weather in each scene.”
Although she typically avoids contacting writers directly, IU made an exception this time. “I sent writer Im Sang-chun a long message, apologizing in advance for the length. But he sent back a long reply too,” she shared with a smile.
Geum-myung’s Inner Voice and Defining Line
IU described her character, Geum-myung, as someone who often says things that mask her true feelings. She noted that the narration was the most challenging and essential part of the role, “It starts as if it’s happening in real time, but you later realize it’s Geum-myung looking back on her mother’s life. We worked on the narration for over two months, editing until the very end.”
She selected “So annoying” as Geum-myung’s most iconic line, “I say that in real life too — especially when I’m worried or overwhelmed by love and guilt. It’s a line that captures complex emotions in the most casual way.”
A Journey Through Grief and Growth
Comparing the role to her earlier work in “My Mister,” IU highlighted the emotional depth of both series. “Ji-an starts in darkness and walks into the light, while Ae-soon starts in the light and matures through hardships. Both are stories of quiet transformation.”
IU chose “If you live, life goes on” as the quote that best encapsulates the heart of the series. “No matter how many goodbyes we face — whether from death or broken relationships — life continues. That’s the message we wanted to convey.”
She also reflected on Ae-soon’s standout line, “But still, I really love it”, which, she says, encourages viewers to simply root for her life.
A Project Close to Her Heart
The series reunited IU with director Kim Won-seok, who also helmed “My Mister.” While she acknowledged tonal similarities between the two dramas, she emphasized that the writing and characters were distinct.
Reflecting on the entire project, IU said, “I’m just grateful I got to be part of something so meaningful. I think everyone feels like they’re not enough sometimes. That’s how I felt — grateful, but also sorry.”
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” may have wrapped its story, but its emotional resonance, and IU’s layered performance as Geum-myung, continues to linger with audiences. Through her thoughtful narration and authentic delivery, IU once again proves her strength not only as a performer but as a storyteller of life’s quiet yet powerful moments.
