Actress Yeom Hye-ran is receiving high praise for her stunning performance that seems like she swapped faces with each new character. With every project, she leaves a powerful impression, stealing the spotlight with her scene-stealing presence.
Performance in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”
Most recently, Yeom Hye-ran took on the role of Jeon Gwang-rae, the mother of Ae-soon (played by IU), in Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines.”
The Netflix series, set in Jeju Island, follows the adventurous life of the “feisty rebel” Ae-soon and the “hopelessly devoted” Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), as told across the four seasons. The final fourth act is set to be released on March 28. Yeom Hye-ran deeply moved viewers in Act 1 with her heart-wrenching portrayal of maternal love, and even as the story progresses into Act 3, her appearances continue to bring tears to viewers’ eyes.
In Act 2, Gwang-rae appears in Ae-soon’s dreams after she loses her youngest brother Dong-myung, encouraging her to keep going. In Act 3, when Ae-soon’s grandmother Chun-ok (played by Na Moon-hee) passes away after developing dementia, Gwang-rae appears again to escort her to the afterlife.
Gwang-rae asks Chun-ok, “So was it a picnic or a pilgrimage?” To which Chun-ok replies, “It was a picnic. An unbelievable one where I got to see all my children again,” leaving viewers with a lump in their throats.
Even as Ae-soon grows old, the presence of her mother Gwang-rae remains a source of strength and deep emotion, both for Ae-soon and for the viewers. Ae-soon passes on the love she received from her mother to her own children, Geum-myeong and Dong-myung, while striving to spare them from the sorrow and injustice she once endured.
Although Gwang-rae dies at the young age of 29 in Act 1, Yeom Hye-ran’s emotionally resonant performance struck a chord with many viewers.
Fans reacted emotionally, praising the cast with comments like, “There’s no weak link in the acting of When Life Gives You Tangerines,” while especially applauding Yeom Hye-ran, “Her acting is pure sorcery,” “Every time she appears, I cry,” and “She nails every role she’s given,” with many moved by her portrayal of Ae-soon’s mom, saying, “Just thinking about her breaks my heart,” and recalling the heartbreaking line about abalone, “a miracle when it enters your baby’s mouth.”
Versatility in Multiple Roles
Despite her limited screen time, Yeom Hye-ran exceeds expectations, embodying her character so thoroughly that she deeply moves audiences. Even with too little time to fully flesh out a backstory, her compelling performance leaves a lasting impression. Wherever there’s a hit drama, Yeom Hye-ran isn’t far behind.
In “The Glory,” she played Kang Hyun-nam, the mother fiercely protecting her daughter alongside Song Hye-kyo. In “When the Camellia Blooms,” she portrayed divorce lawyer Hong Ja-young, the wife of Oh Jung-se’s character. In “Goblin,” she played Eun-tak’s (Kim Go-eun) aunt, and in “Dear My Friends,” she took on the role of Soon-young, the daughter of Na Moon-hee’s character who suffers domestic abuse.
She also impressed in “Mask Girl” as Kim Kyung-ja, the mother of Joo Oh-nam (Ahn Jae-hong).
Netizens couldn’t stop praising Yeom Hye-ran, raving, “She’s a top-class actress,” and “Supporting actors like her deserve grand prizes too.” Many recalled her past performances, saying, “She made me cry in Hospital Playlist as well,” and “She was amazing in The Uncanny Counter.” Her latest role also left a deep impression, with fans declaring, “Her acting in When Life Gives You Tangerines was absolutely phenomenal.”
Yeom Hye-ran, born in 1976, began acting in films in 1999, but her career remained relatively quiet for many years, partly due to her non-traditional appearance. Nevertheless, she persevered with supporting roles and didn’t land her first lead role until the age of 40. In recent years, Yeom Hye-ran has been reaping the rewards of her dedication, gaining more opportunities to prove herself. Whether in lead, supporting, or villainous roles, she consistently leaves a strong impression with her flawless acting.
