“When Life Gives You Tangerines” production staff talk about the drama

When Life Gives You Tangerines: Behind the Scenes of the Netflix Series

Since its release on March 7, the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines has been a constant topic of conversation, leaving a lasting impression on viewers with each episode. The series, which chronicles the eventful 65 years of the lives of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik, born in a Jeju fishing village, spans four seasons and has garnered praise for its high level of craftsmanship. With a delicate script by writer Im Sang-chun, direction by Kim Won-seok, and the stable performances of the actors, the series has received widespread acclaim.

Recently, the key members of the production team behind When Life Gives You Tangerines shared their insights into the behind-the-scenes creation of the show. We’ve compiled an interview with the heads of the filming, art, and music departments, shedding light on the concerns and efforts that went into their respective areas.

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“I wanted to bring out the actors’ emotions without being excessive” — Cinematographer Choi Yoon-man

When cinematographer Choi Yoon-man first encountered When Life Gives You Tangerines, he recalled that the script “reminded me of my late mother.” He admitted, “I cried the entire time I read the script,” but also acknowledged the challenge of intertwining past and present seamlessly.

Choi’s primary goal was to express the “struggling life” of the past without making it appear overly harsh. He adhered to the principle of not over-exaggerating visually, allowing the actors’ performances to shine. “I didn’t want the technical aspects to limit the acting,” he explained, revealing how the overall space and comfort of the work were thoughtfully crafted.

The challenge of working on a “group drama,” where many characters often appear in a single scene, added to the complexity. Filming across various locations in Jeju Island and other parts of the country, Choi emphasized the importance of ensuring that the weather and tone matched across scenes. For instance, the pivotal scene where Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) jumps off a boat and swims to Ae-soon (IU) was filmed across three locations—Busan, Jangheung, and another spot—before being stitched together. The meticulous coordination required, both before and after filming, was immense.

Having previously worked with director Kim Won-seok on My Mister and Arthdal Chronicles, Choi shared his trust in the director’s ability to capture the smallest of details. Above all, Choi expressed the joy of witnessing the exceptional performances of the actors, which made the long filming hours worthwhile.

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“A space that embodies the times and emotions together” — Art Directors Ryu Sung-hee and Choi Ji-hye

The art direction team, Ryu Sung-hee and Choi Ji-hye, was immediately captivated by the narrative of When Life Gives You Tangerines from the moment they read the script. They were especially drawn to the four-season structure of the story, which made visualizing the passing of time easier.

The core of their design was to reflect the emotional and memory-driven evolution of the characters over the 65 years. To visually express the time periods spanning the 1960s to the present, a massive set was built in Andong, with variations made to suit different eras.

Creating a visually authentic representation of Jeju’s fishing village was particularly challenging. To recreate the island’s unique landscape, hundreds of tons of soil, basalt rocks, and plants were transported to the set, while stone walls were constructed to reflect the real Jeju environment. Computer-generated imagery (CGI) was used to seamlessly expand the sea for the port scenes, and even minor props like signage, posters, and flyers were designed and aged by hand to replicate the look of the 80s and 90s.

Ryu, who had previously worked on historical films such as Ode to My Father and The Attorney, explained that this project differed from those in that it focused on personal sentiment rather than recreating historical events. “I tried to portray a time that passes through one person’s inner self,” Ryu said, reflecting the personal and emotional approach the team took in designing the sets.

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“Music that connects time… Focused on emotions” — Music Director Park Sung-il

Park Sung-il, the music director for When Life Gives You Tangerines, shared that the script’s detailed emotional descriptions made it feel like reading a long novel. Given that the series spans multiple decades, Park emphasized that the key to the music production was focusing on emotion rather than genre.

With a large ensemble of characters, each one needed a distinct musical theme, which was made easier by the script’s deep understanding of the characters’ emotional journeys. Traditional Korean instruments were used in the first half to evoke Korean sentiment, while the music transitioned to reflect the sounds of the 1980s and 1990s in the middle section, before seamlessly bridging to the present.

Park also highlighted the inclusion of familiar retro classics, like The Beatles’ Yesterday, which added an extra layer of emotional resonance for viewers. Despite the challenges of dealing with copyright issues, Park explained how much effort went into acquiring and utilizing these iconic songs. One particularly notable track was Jeong Mi-jo’s Gwiro, which was re-recorded to maximize the subtle emotional impact after seeing the edited footage.

The show’s soundtrack played a crucial role in connecting the emotions of each era, with songs such as Choi Baek-ho’s Land of Hope, Chu Da-hye’s Youth Song, and IU’s Night Walk adding depth to the emotional arc of the series. Park also noted the special effort to utilize advanced sound technologies like Dolby Atmos to enhance the immersive experience.

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“The weight of emotions that do not disperse, the joy of creating”

When Life Gives You Tangerines delves deeply into the lives of individuals, grounded in the traces of modern Korean history that many have lived through. The production team aimed to create a drama with “a simplicity that smells like people,” ensuring that the emotions were fully conveyed through screen, music, and space.

Cinematographer Choi Yoon-man reflected, “It was the most difficult, but it will be a work that marks my filmography.” Similarly, art directors Ryu Sung-hee and Choi Ji-hye expressed that the entire team put love and care into every scene. Music director Park Sung-il confessed that he shed tears every time he saw the edited version and urged viewers, “I hope you feel the lingering emotions without skipping the end credits.”

The series, blending warmth and sorrow, captures the joys and heartaches of a family, offering a poignant look at the expressions of life that resonate deeply with audiences. The results of When Life Gives You Tangerines, from small props to grand sets and innovative sound techniques, can be experienced now on Netflix.