Is This IU’s Best Performance Yet? What to Expect in Part 4 of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’

The emotional rollercoaster that is When Life Gives You Tangerines is heading into its final chapter. With just four episodes remaining, the critically acclaimed 60 billion-won Netflix original will wrap up its sweeping tale of love, loss, and life on March 28.

Written by Lim Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms, Fight for My Way) and directed by Kim Won-seok (My Mister, Misaeng, Signal), the series paints a vivid portrait of life across four seasons in 1960s Jeju Island.

IU and Park Bo-gum lead as Ae-soon, the fierce island rebel, and Gwan-sik, her unshakable partner, portraying the joys and heartbreaks of growing up and growing old in a world shaped by family, tradition, and time.

Since its debut, When Life Gives You Tangerines has been a runaway success, topping Netflix’s charts in Korea and entering the global Top 10 non-English series in 41 countries—including Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In just its second week, it amassed over 6 million viewing hours, proving its resonance across generations and cultures.

IU Delivers Performance of a Lifetime

IU is once again proving why she’s one of the most beloved actors of her generation. In Part 3 of Netflix’s 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', released on March 21, her powerful and nuanced performance as Geum-myung turned living rooms into tear-filled theaters.

In a reunion scene with her boyfriend Young-beom (played by Lee Jun-young), IU brought infectious warmth to the screen—her playful tone and affectionate expressions captured the essence of a loving partner, highlighting the bright side of her character.

But it was the emotional rollercoaster that followed that truly stole hearts. After waking up in the ER, IU delivered a quiet yet heartbreaking moment—her voice weakened from pain, yet her attempt to smile through it for Young-beom’s sake was gut-wrenching in its subtlety.

In a confrontation with Young-beom’s mother, IU elevated the scene with her powerful line, "I’m not ashamed to hold my father’s hand." Her steady breath, unwavering gaze, and controlled delivery carried the weight of Geum-myung’s convictions, pulling viewers even deeper into her emotional world.

Moments later, when she locks eyes with Young-beom, she finally breaks, sobbing, “How can we get married like this? My mom and dad would cry.” It was a raw, explosive moment of suppressed emotion that brought many viewers to tears.

Throughout the drama, IU has continued to breathe life into her character with a rich range of emotions—from joy to sorrow, strength to vulnerability. Her portrayal of Geum-myung’s emotional growth in Part 3 has been widely praised for its sincerity and depth.

With only the final chapter left, anticipation is high for how her story will conclude.

Volume 4: A Bittersweet Farewell

As Part 4 (Episodes 13–16) prepares to drop, Netflix released the third round of official stills and a new trailer, both of which have sparked an emotional reaction from fans.

The trailer opens with Geum-myung (IU) in a wedding dress, smiling and waving beside Young-beom (Lee Jun-young). The question on everyone’s mind: will her first love finally lead to lasting happiness?

Meanwhile, Ae-soon (Moon So-ri) and Gwan-sik (Park Hae-joon) enter the winter of their lives—crossing paths with the adult Geum-myung and Eun-myung (Kang You-seok) as unresolved tension and raw emotion begin to surface.

From courtroom confrontations to tearful reunions, the finale teases a mix of conflict, resolution, and hope, mirroring the cyclical nature of the seasons and life itself.

Within an hour of release, the Part 4 trailer had surpassed 40,000 views, with fans flooding social media with comments:

“I’m not ready to let go… this one’s a forever rewatch.”

“Even the trailer made me cry. What will the finale do?”

“Lim Sang-choon truly understands human emotions like no one else.”

“A drama that bridges generations with life lessons and raw emotion.”

A Visual Masterpiece

The newly released Part 4 stills show glimpses of key emotional moments: Geum-myung beaming in front of her wedding venue, Ae-soon smiling warmly as the mother of the bride, and Gwan-sik tearfully watching his daughter step into adulthood.

A flashback of Gwan-sik telling a young Geum-myung, “If anything goes wrong, I’ll be right here”—mirroring a parent’s quiet strength.

Returning characters like Chung-seob (Kim Seon-ho), now transformed after military service, and rising tension between Sang-gil and Young-ran hint at unresolved stories ready to explode. Meanwhile, couples like Eun-myung and Hyun-sook emerge as grown-ups facing their own paths in life.

Final Drop:

When Life Gives You Tangerines Part 4 (Episodes 13–16) will premiere exclusively on Netflix on Friday, March 28.

It promises to deliver not just closure, but a final chapter full of tears, tenderness, and the promise that spring always returns—even after the coldest winter.

Netflix Korea – Today’s Top 10 Series (March 24, 11:17 a.m. KST)

When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다)

The Boyhood (소년의 시간)

HeartPairing (하트페어링)

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (중증외상센터)

Crazy Tastes: My Gourmet Friend’s Restaurant Picks (미친맛집: 미식가 친구의 맛집)

The Apothecary Diaries (약사의 혼잣말)

The Witch (마녀)

The Divorce Consideration Camp (이혼숙려캠프)

Solo Leveling (나 혼자만 레벨업)

Sakamoto Days (사카모토 데이즈)