11.9 - Podcast Review of Episode 9 of When Life Gives You Tangerines

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 9 of When Life Gives You Tangerines, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun, Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, and Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss:

• The song featured during the recap: "Midnight Walk" by IU, a sweet ballad of longing that reflects Geum Myeong’s and Ae Sun’s emotional states of mind.
• How this episode subtly shifts focus to Geum Myeong as the central figure, possibly revealing the show as her coming-of-age story.
• The Baeksang Awards wins in 2025, including Best Drama, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay for When Life Gives You Tangerines!
• Our shoutouts to Lori and Seven Seas, who shared their love for the podcast and personal stories that echo themes in the show.
• The Yang family’s move to a cramped apartment, and Ae-sun’s determination to bring her cherished mother-of-pearl armoire to their new apartment.
• Eun Myeong’s emotional journey—his bitterness, rebellion through hairstyles, and quiet gestures of love toward Ae Sun, like placing tennis balls under his mom’s chair.
• Geum Myeong’s return from Japan and the lack of exploration of her time abroad, which disappointed both of us.
• The awkward and growing connection between Geum Myeong and Park Chung Seop, who keep running into each other, and who the staff at the theater want to push closer together.
• The breakdown of Geum Myeong and Yeong-beom’s relationship, and how Park Chung Seop might be quietly emerging as a romantic lead. Does Geum Myeong marry him in the end?
• The Romeo and Juliet parallel between Eun Myeong and Bu Hyeon-suk, son and daughter of two families that have been intertwined forever but are enemies!
• The beautiful poem “Natasha, the White Donkey and Me” by Baek Seok, read by Geum Myeong from Chung Seop’s notebook.
• A spotlight on Lee Jun-young (Jun)—his career in K-pop and K Drama, including his rap and acting performances. We love him as Park Yeong Beom in this drama!
• How we’re excited to watch the film "The Match" on Netflix, starring Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in. This movie is about an epic match Go between a mentor and mentee! 

References

• Bloomberg Innovation Index in 2021
• Healthcare and Life Sciences as a Strategic Focus for South Korea
• Natasha, the White Donkey and Me by Baek Seok
• ‘Ghost’ Director Lauds the Korean Sense of Responsibility
• Circle of Love by Lee Jun young
• Amazing rap by Jun young of U Kiss
• Kal-guksu - Wikipedia
• Jjolmyeon - Wikipedia