IU’s When Life Gives You Tangerines’ Falls Short of Kim Soo-hyun’s ‘Queen of Tears’ in Popularity Battle

IU’s Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines is drawing attention—not only for its performance, but also for falling short of the buzz generated by Queen of Tears, led by actor Kim Soo-hyun.

According to reports, Google’s weekly search volume for When Life Gives You Tangerines in its debut week (March 9–15), following its March 7 release, was lower than that of both Queen of Tears and Mask Girl.

Queen of Tears (starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won), which premiered in March 2023, recorded a relative Google search index of 42 during its debut week. For comparison, Netflix hit Mask Girl, released in August 2023, scored 44—the highest among recent K-dramas at launch. In contrast, When Life Gives You Tangerines earned a score of 29 in the same metric, based on Google's index where 100 represents peak search volume in the ninth week after Queen of Tears’ release (April 28–May 4, 2023).

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a Netflix original drama chronicling the life journey of a rebellious girl named Ae-soon (played by IU) and the ever-loyal Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), spanning from 1960s Jeju to 2025 Seoul, told through the four seasons.

IU described her character Ae-soon as “a girl with big dreams and a full heart,” adding, “Though she doesn’t have much in material terms, she’s rich in spirit. She’s also someone who’s lucky enough to meet Gwan-sik.”

Meanwhile: Kim Soo-hyun Faces Backlash Over Kim Sae-ron Relationship

Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun—who shares a long-standing friendship with IU—is currently facing public scrutiny. He recently admitted to dating actress Kim Sae-ron after she became an adult, following allegations that their relationship had begun when she was still a minor. The rumors, which first surfaced due to photos and online speculation, sparked grooming concerns. After initially denying the dating allegations, Kim Soo-hyun issued a statement on March 14 confirming that they had dated—but only after Kim Sae-ron reached legal age.

Speculation began earlier this year when photos surfaced online suggesting the two had dated in the past. Thereafter, Garo Sero Institute (Gaseyeon) released a YouTube video, and what sparked public concern was the claim that their relationship may have started as early as 2015—when Kim Sae-ron was still a minor.

The controversy escalated amid rumors of “grooming,” though Kim Soo-hyun initially denied the dating rumors. However, on March 14, he released a statement confirming that the two had dated after Kim Sae-ron became a legal adult, effectively acknowledging the relationship but attempting to dispel speculation about its timeline.

The incident has sparked heated debate online, and while it hasn’t significantly impacted Queen of Tears’ viewership yet, the story continues to develop.

Part 4 of When Life Gives You Tangerines: The Emotional Finale

Despite the modest search performance, When Life Gives You Tangerines continues to stir strong reactions among viewers—especially as it nears its final release on March 28 with Part 4 (Episodes 13–16).

The drama, which spans from 1960s Jeju to 2025 Seoul, follows the life of Ae-soon (played by IU), a spirited young woman, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), her quiet but steadfast companion. Part 4 will bring closure to their decades-long love story, highlighting themes of family, sacrifice, and the passage of time.

The final trailer teases a mix of joy and heartbreak: Geum-myung (IU) in a wedding dress, a tearful Gwan-sik letting go, and elder Ae-soon and Gwan-sik holding hands in a field of memories. Fans have already flooded social media with emotional reactions, with many calling it a “drama to be remembered for life.”

Final Thoughts

While When Life Gives You Tangerines may not have matched Queen of Tears in raw search volume, IU’s powerful performance and the show’s intergenerational story continue to win over audiences emotionally. With the series finale just days away, the buzz may yet catch up as viewers prepare to say goodbye.

🗓️ When Life Gives You Tangerines Part 4 streams March 28, exclusively on Netflix.