10 Best K-Dramas Like When Life Gives You Tangerines

by

Released in 2025, When Life Gives You Tangerines is a truly special K-drama – many are calling it Netflix’s best romance in years. The story of Oh Ae-sun (IU) and Yang Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) is particularly memorable, and their connection feels like an instant classic. While it’s a unique show, fans looking for something similar will find other great K-dramas to enjoy.

Considered a landmark K-drama of its time, When Life Gives You Tangerines is beautifully written, features stunning visuals, and boasts exceptional performances. Its distinctive style is a major part of what makes it so memorable, and while other dramas might try to capture its magic, it remains truly unique. However, there are still some other excellent shows worth checking out.

Twinkling Watermelon

2023

Like the drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, Twinkling Watermelon is a historical drama focused on family struggles and how time changes things. The story follows Ha Eun-gyeol (Ryeoun), who travels back to the 1990s after a major argument with his father, giving him a chance to meet his parents when they were his age.

This K-drama stands out because it combines time travel with a family story, and music is central to the plot. Like his mother, who always wanted to be a poet, the main character dreams of being a guitarist, even though his father disapproves. Through time travel, both characters learn valuable lessons and re-evaluate what’s truly important in their lives.

My Mister

2018

If you loved IU’s amazing performance as Oh Ae-sun and Yang Geum-myeong in When Life Gives You Tangerines, you should definitely check out more of her work. While she’s been in fun fantasy shows like Hotel del Luna and historical dramas like Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, many fans consider her role in My Mister to be her best yet.

IU delivers a powerful performance in this emotionally intense drama as Lee Ji-an, a woman facing immense pressure. She’s responsible for caring for her ailing grandmother and is also being threatened by loan sharks. As she targets the person she believes is responsible, she unexpectedly finds a strange comfort in watching him. Her work on My Mister proved her talent as an actress and paved the way for future roles, including that of Oh Ae-sun.

Crash Landing On You

2019

Everyone knows Crash Landing On You – it’s one of the most famous K-dramas out there! The story begins when Yoon Se-ri, a successful South Korean businesswoman (played by Son Ye-jin), accidentally lands in North Korea while paragliding. Her only chance of getting back home rests with Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin), a respected captain in the North Korean army.

I absolutely loved When Life Gives You Tangerines, and I feel like Crash Landing On You has that same special something, even though it’s set at a particular time. The romance is just incredible – it really sets the standard for K-dramas. What’s great is that, unlike some older shows, it still feels fresh and relevant. If you enjoyed the emotional depth of When Life Gives You Tangerines, I think you’ll fall head over heels for Crash Landing On You – it’s the perfect show to watch next!

Rain or Shine

2017

While When Life Gives You Tangerines offers some lighthearted moments, Rain or Shine is a deeply emotional K-drama that eventually blossoms into a sweet love story. The series follows Lee Kang-doo (Lee Jun-ho) and Ha Moon-soo (Won Jin-ah), who find solace in each other after both losing a loved one in a devastating accident, reconnecting years later to support each other’s healing process.

Both When Life Gives You Tangerines and Rain or Shine present challenges for their characters, but Rain or Shine is significantly more intense. Despite facing difficult pasts, the romance between Kang-doo and Moon-soo feels especially rewarding when they ultimately find happiness. Similar to Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, they learn to appreciate and build upon what they have, no matter how limited it may be.

Twenty-Five Twenty-One

2022

I’ve been completely drawn into these two shows! When Life Gives You Tangerines really captured what Seoul was like around the year 2000, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One is this beautiful K-drama set in the late 90s. What’s really fascinating is getting to know Na Hee-do (played by Kim Tae-ri) at two different points in her life – we see her as this energetic teenager passionately pursuing her dreams, and then as an adult who, sadly, had to give them up. It’s like we’re meeting two different people, but it’s still her, and it’s incredibly moving.

Both When Life Gives You Tangerines and Twenty-Five Twenty-One explore the complicated bond between mothers and daughters. In Twenty-Five Twenty-One, we see Na Hee-do’s teenage years through her diary, as her daughter reads it. Like When Life Gives You Tangerines, Twenty-Five Twenty-One features an ending that some viewers disagree with, but which powerfully emphasizes the importance of love, particularly when dealing with loss.

Welcome To Samdal-ri

2023

The K-drama Welcome to Samdal-ri is a heartwarming story that uses familiar romance themes like friends falling in love and getting a second chance at love. It shares similar ideas with the drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. A key connection between the shows is the shared experience of the male lead, Cho Yong-pil (played by Ji Chang-wook), and Oh Ae-sun, both of whom lost their mothers, who were both female divers (haenyeo) on Jeju Island.

The drama Welcome to Samdal-ri centers on the long-held feelings between Yong-pil and Cho Sam-dal (played by Shin Hye-sun). Though Sam-dal sometimes seems indifferent, Yong-pil clearly still cares for her deeply. While the love story of Gwan-sik and Ae-sun is more intense, Welcome to Samdal-ri is a more relaxed and heartwarming show that explores similar themes.

Our Blues

2022

Before When Life Gives You Tangerines came along, Our Blues was the K-drama everyone was talking about if you loved realistic, slice-of-life stories set on Jeju Island. Honestly, both shows are amazing, but Our Blues is really special. It’s an anthology series, meaning each episode focuses on a different character and their story, with a huge cast. What’s cool is, even though there isn’t one central main character, the show never feels disjointed or like it’s wandering around – it always feels focused and meaningful.

Jeju Island has always been a difficult place for Oh Ae-sun, but it’s central to the story of Our Blues. Interestingly, Our Blues shares similarities with When Life Gives You Tangerines – they’re comparable yet unique, and both are well worth watching.

Reply 1988

2015

The Reply series is considered a landmark in Korean dramas, and most fans agree that Reply 1988 is the standout title. Set in 1988 in a close-knit neighborhood, the show follows a group of five friends, including Sung Deok-sun (played by Lee Hye-ri), a cheerful but somewhat directionless young woman.

Since its release in 2015, Reply 1988 has become a must-watch K-drama, thanks to its nostalgic style and beloved main couple. When Life Gives You Tangerines shares similarities with the popular Reply series, but feels like a more developed version, and both shows were hugely successful when they aired.

My Liberation Notes

2022

Despite its seemingly straightforward story, the K-drama My Liberation Notes has sparked a lot of different opinions. The show centers around three siblings – Yeom Ki-jeong, Yeom Chang-hee, and Yeom Mi-jeong – who are all feeling lost and unhappy with their lives. Their paths intersect with a puzzling man named Mr. Gu, and together they navigate a quiet, thoughtful story about everyday life.

Unlike many dramas with captivating plots, My Liberation Notes doesn’t rely on big twists or suspense. Instead, it’s a quiet, realistic look at the lives of three siblings, each just trying to navigate life and find their way. Compared to this, When Life Gives You Tangerines feels surprisingly upbeat.

Pachinko

2022

While many K-dramas explore different periods of Korean history, from the Joseon dynasty to the late 20th century, Pachinko uniquely weaves together a continuous story from 1915 to 1989. It’s worth highlighting that Pachinko isn’t a typical Korean drama; its setting spans Korea, Japan, and the United States, and features dialogue in Korean, Japanese, and English.

Though some might not consider it a traditional K-drama, Pachinko is fundamentally a story about Korean history and the experiences of an immigrant family over four generations and almost a century. When Life Gives You Tangerines remains slightly better overall, but those who strictly define K-dramas shouldn’t overlook Pachinko’s compelling and unique artistry.

Read More

2026-01-03 17:42