Viewers Are Begging Yeom Hye-ran to Stay Offscreen: What are the Reasons Behind?

Viewers of the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines“ have recently made an unusual yet heartfelt plea to actress Yeom Hye-ran: they want her to stay offscreen. However, this request isn’t rooted in dislike, quite the opposite. Her portrayal of a mother in the drama is so profoundly moving that every time she appears on screen, audiences find themselves in tears.

A Chart-Topping Success Fueled by Emotion

According to Good Data Corporation, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” ranked No. 1 in the TV-OTT drama category for the first two weeks of March. Netflix also reported that in its second week of release, the series garnered six million views (calculated by total watch hours divided by runtime) and secured the No. 2 spot in the platform’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) series rankings.

A major driving force behind the drama’s resonance is its emotionally charged storytelling, with many pointing to the supporting cast as a key factor in its success. Yeom Hye-ran, in particular, has been praised for her ability to evoke raw, heartfelt emotions that have left viewers deeply moved.

Yeom Hye-ran’s Heartbreaking Role as a Mother

In the series, Yeom Hye-ran plays Gwang-rye, the mother of Ae-soon (portrayed by IU and Moon So-ri). Gwang-rye’s life is riddled with hardship she is burdened by her parents’ debt, widowed from her first husband, and stuck with a negligent second husband. Like a porter carrying an unbearable load, Gwang-rye endures a life of suffering. Yet, her daughter Ae-soon becomes her source of warmth, constantly insisting on sharing her burdens.

As a hae-nyeo (female diver), Gwang-rye works tirelessly to make ends meet, yet she dreams of a better life for her daughter. Yeom Hye-ran’s gentle gaze and soft smile whenever she looks at Ae-soon have melted viewers’ hearts, making her character one of the most memorable in the series.

Scenes That Left Viewers Sobbing

Several key scenes featuring Yeom Hye-ran have struck a deep chord with audiences:

• In one particularly emotional moment, Gwang-rye comforts Ae-soon after she faces discrimination at school due to their poverty.
• Another heartbreaking scene shows Gwang-rye, suffering from decompression sickness, feeding her young daughter abalone in her final moments.
• Later in the series, she appears in Ae-soon’s dreams, offering silent comfort.

These moments have left audiences in tears, with some even joking that they “couldn’t eat while watching because they were crying too much.” Yeom Hye-ran’s ability to embody the deep sacrifices of a mother has resonated profoundly, reminding many viewers of their own mothers and the hardships they’ve endured.

Na Moon-hee’s Legendary Performance as Ae-soon’s Grandmother

The legendary Na Moon-hee, who plays Ae-soon’s grandmother Chun-ok, has also delivered a deeply moving performance. Chun-ok is an old-fashioned woman who isn’t always affectionate toward Ae-soon or her daughter-in-law, Gwang-rye. She doesn’t intervene when Ae-soon is left without food while the rest of the family eats.

However, over time, she watches over Ae-soon from a distance, neither too close nor too far. When the moment truly matters, she steps up in a big way, secretly giving Ae-soon a savings book filled with money, ensuring her granddaughter has a future. This portrayal of tough love and generational hardship has left a lasting impression on viewers.

A Silent Yet Powerful Exchange Between Women

One of the drama’s most heartbreaking moments occurs when Gwang-rye, before passing away, visits her mother-in-law Chun-ok to entrust Ae-soon to her care. Both women, having lived in an era where being a woman meant enduring constant hardships, share a silent but powerful moment of understanding. The raw emotion in this scene has left many viewers in tears, as it encapsulates the unspoken resilience and sacrifices of women from past generations.

Uhm Ji-won’s Impactful Cameo as Ae-soon’s Stepmother

Special guest star Uhm Ji-won, who plays Ae-soon’s stepmother Min-ok, has also made a significant impact despite her limited screen time. Initially, Min-ok is portrayed as a flashy woman who looks down on her stepdaughter, Ae-soon, after marrying her father, Byeong-cheol (played by Oh Jung-se). However, as time passes, Min-ok finds herself in the same position as Ae-soon and Gwang-rye, caring for others and working tirelessly to survive.

Eventually, she grows to understand Ae-soon’s struggles and even begins to see her as admirable. As Min-ok prepares to leave Jeju with her family, she unexpectedly embraces her role as a maternal figure to Ae-soon. She packs up household items for her, and in a deeply touching moment, she secretly pays three months’ worth of Ae-soon’s overdue rent, calling it a “scholarship.” Despite not being related by blood, Min-ok’s gesture of support during Ae-soon’s most difficult time is one of the most poignant moments in the series. At the same time, her comedic bickering with her irresponsible husband adds a lighthearted touch to the drama.

A Drama That Stays with You

The fully immersive performances from the cast have drawn viewers into “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” making them laugh and cry alongside the characters. The depth and authenticity of these portrayals have not only heightened the emotional impact of the drama but also elevated its overall quality.

With its powerful storytelling, heartfelt performances, and deep emotional resonance, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has proven to be much more than just another Netflix drama. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, sacrifice, and the quiet strength of women throughout generations.

For those who haven’t watched yet, be prepared to shed some tears, and perhaps, like many viewers, to find yourself begging for a moment of emotional respite whenever Yeom Hye-ran appears on screen.