IU Reflects on Career-Defining Role in When Life Gives You Tangerines, Readies Reunion with Byeon Woo-seok in Upcoming Drama
At 31, IU has once again proven her status as one of South Korea’s most dynamic and beloved artists. Her recent performance in the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines captivated audiences globally, with the drama ranking in the Top 10 in 39 countries, including Bolivia, Chile, Morocco, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
IU’s Transformative Journey in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”
IU played not one but two central characters Ae-soon and her mother, Geum-myung—anchoring the emotionally rich 16-episode narrative. In an interview with Star News, she reflected on the show’s success: “I felt so happy. Even people I hadn’t heard from in a while reached out. It felt like our drama truly resonated across generations.” IU revealed her parents were deeply moved, with her mother watching all 16 episodes four times.
IU described the show as a major turning point in her career, one that allowed her to explore feminine narratives with unprecedented depth. “There’s never been a moment in my life where I felt this emotionally invested,” she said, recalling her promise to follow every stage direction with precision.
She praised her collaboration with writer Lim Sang-chun and director Kim Won-seok, whom she previously worked with on My Mister (2018). Their creative synergy helped bring depth and humanity to the show’s characters. “Playing two characters made my heart race,” IU said. “It wasn’t easy, but I trusted the script and knew I wasn’t alone.”
Artistic Growth, Bond with Park Bo-gum, and Emotional Challenges
A standout element of the drama was IU’s bond with co-star Park Bo-gum, whom she described as a “dear friend” since her teen years. “Filming together for over a year, I came to deeply respect him. Watching him embody Gwan-sik was surreal—it gave my performance more depth.”
Even beyond filming, IU’s commitment never waned. “I’d be exhausted but never regretful. I kept pushing myself—‘You’re tired? So what’?” Her efforts paid off, both professionally and personally. “Sometimes I’m disappointed in myself, but not this time. I fulfilled all the promises I made to myself.”
IU also addressed the pressures of fame and criticism: “It would be a lie to say I’ve never been upset, but if people criticize me, it’s because they care enough to pay attention.” While she accepts fair criticism, she also made clear, “My agency and I won’t ignore expressions that cross the line.”
Post-Drama Reflection and Anticipation for “21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife”
Looking forward, IU is preparing to lead MBC’s upcoming drama 21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife, co-starring Byeon Woo-seok. The series reimagines modern Korea under a constitutional monarchy, with IU playing Seong Hee-joo, a powerful commoner navigating royal politics, while Byeon plays Lee Ahn-daegun, a prince bound by tradition.
“There’s definitely pressure, but also excitement. Hee-joo is nothing like Ae-soon,” IU shared. She confirmed she’s still transitioning from her previous role and recently met with director Park Joon-hwa and Byeon Woo-seok to prepare for the shoot.
Though the series has been pushed to next year, IU’s dedication and thoughtful preparation have only heightened anticipation. With back-to-back impactful roles, IU continues to redefine what it means to be a multi-hyphenate artist, seamlessly blending acting prowess with emotional authenticity.
