Following The Trauma Code and Squid Game, Can IU & Park Bo-gum Deliver Netflix’s Next Hit?

After kicking off 2025 on a high note with Ju Ji-hoon’s medical drama The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Netflix is looking to sustain its success with IU and Park Bo-gum’s highly anticipated period romance, When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다).

The 16-episode drama, penned by hit screenwriter Im Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms, Fight for My Way), is set to premiere on February 7 at 5 PM KST. Unlike Netflix’s usual binge-release format, the series will adopt a weekly episodic structure, dropping four episodes per week over four weeks.

Director Kim Won-seok (Misaeng, Signal, My Mister) previously explained the decision behind this release strategy, stating, “Rather than encouraging fast-forwarding or skipping to the ending, we wanted to let the story unfold naturally. Since the drama spans the four seasons of life, we felt this format would enhance the experience.”

Set in Jeju Island, When Life Gives You Tangerines follows the adventurous life journey of rebellious yet spirited Ae-soon (IU) and the hopelessly devoted Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum). Spanning from the 1960s to 2025, the drama promises to be a heartfelt generational saga, offering universal themes of love, resilience, and personal growth.

Unlike Netflix’s usual action-packed or thriller-heavy offerings, this series takes a warmer, more nostalgic approach, making it stand out among the platform’s lineup.

1. A Unique, Emotionally Charged Love Story

At its core, the drama presents a fresh take on romance, exploring how time and circumstances shape relationships. Ae-soon and Gwan-sik’s youthful love blossoms in Jeju, only to face unexpected trials as their lives take different turns. The long-span narrative weaves together past and present, capturing the innocence of youth and the wisdom of age.

2. The Powerful Duo of IU & Park Bo-gum

Both IU and Park Bo-gum are among the biggest stars in the industry, but this marks their first major collaboration. IU, known for her exceptional acting in My Mister and Broker, takes on the role of Ae-soon, a bold dreamer with nothing to her name but boundless ambition. Meanwhile, Park Bo-gum, acclaimed for his performances in Love in the Moonlight and Record of Youth, transforms into Gwan-sik, a man whose unwavering devotion to Ae-soon defines his journey.

Adding to the anticipation, veteran actors Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon will portray the older versions of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik, offering a multi-generational perspective on love and destiny.

3. A Visually Stunning, Nostalgic Production

The series meticulously recreates the changing times from the 1960s to the present, bringing Jeju’s historical landscape to life. From authentic set designs to intricate CGI work, the production team has spared no effort, with reports estimating a 600 billion KRW (~$45 million) budget.

According to the creators, the series serves as both a tribute to the resilience of past generations and a source of encouragement for today’s youth.

Netflix’s Next Big Hit?

Netflix has been on a K-drama hot streak, with Squid Game 2 and The Trauma Code dominating global Netflix rankings in January. However, the platform faced a minor setback when its romantic drama Melo Movie failed to break into the Top 10 in its debut week.

With When Life Gives You Tangerines, Netflix is betting on a heartfelt, visually captivating story to reclaim its momentum. Whether this ambitious, nostalgia-driven romance will resonate with audiences worldwide remains to be seen, but with IU and Park Bo-gum leading the way, expectations are sky-high.

The first four episodes of When Life Gives You Tangerines premiere on February 7 at 5 PM KST on Netflix.