“When Life Gives You Tangerines” Oh Jung-se’s Real-Life Romance Rivals K-Dramas: Marries First Love from Elementary School
They say first love rarely lasts, but actor Oh Jung-se has proven otherwise with a love story more touching than any movie.
Best known recently for his scene-stealing performance as Yeom Byeong-cheol in the Netflix original When Life Gives You Tangerines, Oh Jung-se married his first love after an incredible 19-year relationship.
Oh Jung-se’s Ideal Love Life
Oh first met his wife in the 6th grade, they were desk partners and childhood sweethearts. After dating for nearly two decades, they married in 2006 and now have a son and daughter. Appearing on KBS2’s Happy Together 3 in 2014, he shared his touching love story, saying, “My wife was my first love. We’ve been together since we were kids and eventually got married.”
He added sweetly, “I’ve never dated anyone else. Even if I were born again, I’d marry her all over again.”
Oh, who is the same age as his wife, shared a humorous side of their relationship, saying, “We usually speak formally to each other, but during arguments, if I say ‘Please feed me,’ she’ll reply, ‘You can feed yourself!,’ with some choice words,” drawing laughter from viewers.
In another interview, Oh elaborated on their journey, saying they only separated briefly for three months during the 19 years of dating. He recalled a moment from 6th grade when he awkwardly asked her to step out into the hallway, only for her to boldly ask, “What? Do you want to marry me?,” to which he shyly replied, “Yes.” That innocent moment ended up becoming their real-life proposal.
Quiet Support From Beloved Wife
Even through his long years of struggling as an unknown actor, his wife stood firmly by his side, supporting him quietly. Their unshakeable trust and devotion have made them a rare example of a truly lasting relationship.
At the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2020, Oh moved many with his heartfelt speech as he won Best Supporting Actor for When the Camellia Blooms. He remarked, “Life is unfair because not everyone who works hard gets rewarded equally. But don’t be discouraged. Don’t blame yourselves it’s not your fault. If you keep going, comfort and rewards you never received may eventually come your way.”
He continued, “For me, that comfort came in the form of Dongbaek. You’ll meet your own Dongbaek too. When it feels like the world is against you, your own ‘Camellia’ will bloom. I hope it blossoms soon for each of you.”
Debuting in the 1997 film Father, Oh Jung-se gradually built his name, gaining attention through his villainous role in The Unjust (2010). He rose to stardom with his standout role as Ted Chang in the 2019 film Extreme Job, and has since impressed audiences in hit dramas like When the Camellia Blooms, Hot Stove League, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, The Good Detective, and Revenant. Known for his unmatched range and presence, Oh Jung-se has become a “scene-stealer” and one of Korea’s most trusted actors.