“When Life Gives You Tangerines” Writer’s Heartfelt Farewell Letter Moves Entire Set to Tears
As “When Life Gives You Tangerines” wraps up its critically acclaimed run, a heartfelt letter from writer Im Sang-chun is once again tugging at heartstrings, this time far beyond the set.
Originally read aloud at the drama’s wrap party, Im’s farewell letter was addressed to the cast and crew who poured a year of their lives into bringing the Netflix series to life. With the show still fresh in the minds of viewers, the resurfaced letter has gone viral, resonating deeply with fans, actors, and staff alike. “It’s been exactly one year since our ship set sail (…) Just like in our drama, we truly spent all four seasons together,” Im wrote.
The writer went on to praise the team’s dedication and express admiration for their ability to create magic out of nothing, “Watching from the harbor with a heart full of prayers, it felt like you were performing magic. You turned a ‘field full of tightly packed cabbages’ into a reality, created a village, a season, a whole world together with one heart. It was incredibly moving and reassuring.”
Im also shared the emotional fulfillment the project brought, “I hoped the ship would return full of a great catch, but thanks to all of you, my heart is already full. I don’t know what kind of season our drama became for each of you, but I truly hope it was a source of comfort, and a piece of your youth.”
Looking ahead, the writer left a lasting wish, “When a long, long time has passed, and you’re standing in Ae-soon’s flower garden, I hope you’ll think, ‘I’m glad I worked on that drama back in those days…’ I hope you’ll remember it fondly for a long, long time.”
He ended with a powerful and affectionate send-off, “You were amazing, passionate beyond words. Until the spring we meet again, I will miss you dearly.”
“‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ I love you deeply, deeply (in Jeju dialect).”
The series, starring IU and Moon So-ri as the spirited Ae-soon, and Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon as the loyal Gwan-sik, follows the characters’ lives over the course of four seasons on Jeju Island. Known for its lyrical storytelling and emotional depth, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has received critical acclaim both in Korea and abroad, its impact now deepened by Im Sang-chun’s genuine and poetic parting words.
For fans and creators alike, the letter stands as a reminder of why the show touched so many: it wasn’t just a drama, it was a shared season of life.
