Movies

6 shows to watch if you loved Netflix’s top-rated K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines

BBG News

Ever since its premiere on the 7th of March, the bittersweet Korean drama titled “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has experienced a significant surge in popularity, accumulating over 32.9 million views from viewers.

This heartfelt romantic drama has been universally acclaimed by both critics and audiences, achieving a flawless 100% rating and an almost perfect 99% rating when reevaluated on Rotten Tomatoes.

The near-certain cause of its triumph lies in its intricately designed and subtly expressed narrative, a fact further reinforced by its captivating main characters, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik. These characters skillfully breathe life into the story’s moments of happiness and sorrow, leaving an emotional impact that is truly moving.

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Over a fifty-year rollercoaster of a relationship, the story When Life Gives you Tangerines depicts Ae-sun and Gwan-sik navigating obstacles such as parental disapproval, financial struggles, catastrophic events, and political upheavals.

The poignant tale of their love is a heart-wrenching ode that Director Kim Won-seok described (as reported in The Korea Herald) as “a tribute to the generations of grandparents, parents, and all those who have fought tenaciously through life, and a source of inspiration for the young ones embarking on their own journeys.

Finding shows as captivating as this one can be challenging, but we’ve managed to compile a list of six outstanding Korean dramas that share similarities with “When Life Gives You Tangerines“.

Mr. Plankton

Despite being a romantic comedy, Mr. Plankton carries a serious undercurrent that occasionally surfaces amidst the more humorous aspects, creating a bittersweet viewing experience.

Following the revelation of his life-altering ailment, Hae Jo (played by Woo Do-hwan), tracks down his soon-to-be wed ex-girlfriend Jo Jae-mi (Lee Yoo-mi from ‘Squid Game’) and abducts her prior to their wedding ceremony, hoping she can help him discover the identity of his biological father.

Struggling with the life-altering diagnosis haunting her, Hae Jo embarks on a road trip with an old companion as a means to evade her challenges. Yet, unexpectedly, this reunion profoundly affects them both, offering a path toward acceptance of their health struggles and, eventually, providing Hae Jo with some restorative insight into their past relationship troubles.

Available to stream on Netflix.

Descendants of the Sun

A decade since it first graced our screens, “Descendants of the Sun” remains a captivating watch for me as a gamer. It tells the story of a surgeon named Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), who finds herself smitten by Yoo Shi-jin (Song Joong-ki), the charismatic captain of South Korea’s special forces, amidst a turbulent period of conflict.

In spite of overwhelming challenges, their relationship is put to the test not just by their commitments and obligations, but also by their deep-seated differences and the genuine life-threatening situation of war. This captivating K-drama received an impressive 91% rating from fans on Rotten Tomatoes.

Now streaming on Netflix.

Pachinko

Hugh’s adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s novel is a profoundly moving experience that draws you in. Over four generations, the story, titled Pachinko, primarily focuses on Sunja (portrayed by Kim Min-ha and Youn Yuh-jung), tracing her life from childhood to her later years.

The novel “Pachinko” subtly portrays how the Japanese occupation of Korea influenced the dreams and prospects of a compassionate Korean immigrant family. In an intriguingly compelling manner, it delves into forbidden love, deep-rooted trauma across generations, and hidden family mysteries in a tale that is heartbreakingly poetic.

Available to stream on Apple TV sign up to watch

Doona!

In the story “Doona!”, the primary characters are poles apart from those in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”. Unlike Lee Doo-na, who was once a popular K-pop artist seeking a regular lifestyle post-retirement, Lee Won-jun is a college student.

Despite facing numerous challenges that resonate deeply, this romantic K-drama follows two characters as they work through their complicated pasts and intertwined lives in an attempt to unite their worlds and experience a fresh love and existence. It’s a heartwarming and poignant viewing experience you can stream on Netflix.


Youth of May

In “The Youth of May,” we find a romance unfolding amidst the tumultuous landscape of political strife, specifically during the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980. Medical student Hwang Hee-tae (played by Lee Do-hyun) and nurse Kim Myung-hee (portrayed by Go Min-si) embark on a love affair that bravely persists amidst the chaos. Their emotional journey takes them through the trials of their time, crafting an engaging love story that leaves you captivated.

Available to stream on Netflix.

See You in my 19th Life

In a more casual and conversational tone, “This Korean drama, ‘See You in my 19th Life,’ is quite quirky, but it delivers all the heartfelt emotion you’d expect from a series worth watching.

As a gamer, I’m hooked on this K-drama where my character, Ban Ji-eum (portrayed by Shin Hye-sun and Park So-yi), has the unique ability to remember every past life she’s lived. One of these lives was cruelly cut short before I could keep a pledge to safeguard a dear friend.

In my gaming world, I’m dead set on tracking down this elusive character, fulfilling a vow I made long ago. However, it turns out to be a more complex quest than I initially thought. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of love and heartache in this unconventional romantic adventure.

Available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-05-02 18:49

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