Did This Actor Suddenly Disappear? Fans Question Screen Time in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

Netflix’s original series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' has become a global hit since its release, but it’s also sparked an unexpected debate among viewers—centered around Park Bo-gum’s vanishing presence in the later episodes.

Park plays the role of Gwan-sik, and while he takes center stage in the first act, fans were surprised to see his screen time dwindle significantly in the second half. His character, once a driving force in the storyline, gradually fades into the background, prompting some viewers to express disappointment and even use the phrase “screen time gone missing.”

The series follows the lives of spirited rebel Ae-sun and the steadfast Gwan-sik, born and raised in Jeju, as their stories unfold across the four seasons. Park Bo-gum plays the younger version of Gwan-sik—a hardworking man who excels at both physical labor and running a business, and who wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to love. With his sincere and grounded portrayal, Park earned praise for bringing emotional depth to the character.

However, in the third act, the story shifts to Gwan-sik’s middle-aged years, with actor Park Hae-joon taking over the role. Park Bo-gum only appears briefly in flashbacks lasting two to three minutes, leading fans to express regret over how quickly he exited the screen. Many felt his reduced presence disrupted the emotional arc—especially just as Gwan-sik and Ae-sun’s youthful romance began to bloom.

In a press interview on the 24th, Park Bo-gum addressed the issue head-on. “I’m truly grateful that so many people liked and missed Gwan-sik,” he said. “Of course, I do wish there were more scenes of his youth, but this drama tells the full life story of Gwan-sik and Ae-sun. I believe all the actors share the same sentiment.”

He also spoke about what drew him to the role: “After reading the script, I felt compelled to be part of it. Just being able to include it in my filmography was meaningful to me.” Reflecting on writer Lim Sang-choon’s work, he added, “The writing was so heartwarming. From the first read, I could feel the warmth. It captured how a community looks after its own and how adults protect the vulnerable.”

When asked how he approached playing Gwan-sik, Park explained, “He’s someone who acts more than he speaks. He’s quiet, but he gives his all in everything he does. That personality came through clearly in the script. I trained and gained weight to bring out that athlete-like physicality in his look.” He added, “Gwan-sik was such a cool character, and I truly enjoyed working on this project.”

On the topic of the screen time controversy, he remarked, “I knew what I was signing up for from the beginning. I actually take it as a compliment—if people wanted more of Gwan-sik, it means they connected with him.” He then hinted, “I will appear in Act 4. I believe there’s a scene that will leave a lasting impression.”

Speaking about Park Hae-joon, who portrays Gwan-sik later in life, Park Bo-gum shared, “We met once during the table read, but we didn’t cross paths on set. Still, he captured the essence of Gwan-sik so well. I feel like I benefited from his performance.” He added with a smile, “He’s tall and charismatic, so I was really curious to see how he’d portray the character—and it felt so natural watching the show.”

Reflecting on the series as a whole, Park said, “This drama makes you want to express your love more openly to the people you care about. It’s a perfect show to watch with your family, friends, or partner. Every actor brings their role to life—no one is a supporting character in this story.”

In the series, young Gwan-sik is portrayed as someone unwavering, like gold that doesn’t tarnish. Park echoed that sentiment, saying, “Young, middle-aged, and older Gwan-sik—they’re all the same person. He’s like gold that never changes.”

Despite the disappointment among viewers over his limited screen time, Park Bo-gum showed a deep understanding of his role and embraced the narrative as a whole. His thoughtful perspective and genuine affection for the story have resonated with many.

As fans look ahead to the final act, airing March 28 on Netflix, all eyes are on what emotional notes 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' will strike next.

Who Stars in When Life Gives You Tangerines?

The ensemble cast of When Life Gives You Tangerines brings together a powerhouse lineup of seasoned actors and rising stars:

IU (Broker) plays Oh Ae-sun, the bold and rebellious heart of the story, and also Yang Geum-myeong, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s daughter.

Park Bo-gum (Wonderland) stars as Yang Gwan-sik, a stoic and loyal man who has loved Ae-sun since the age of ten.

Moon So-ri (Queenmaker) takes on the role of older Ae-sun, portraying her later years with emotional depth.

Park Hae-joon (The 8 Show) plays older Gwan-sik, continuing the character’s journey into middle age.

Yeom Hye-ran (The Glory) appears as Jeon Gwang-rye, Ae-sun’s fiercely protective mother.

Choi Dae-hoon (Crash Landing on You) portrays Bu Sang-gil, Gwan-sik’s longtime friend.

Kang You-seok (Black Knight) plays Yang Eun-myeong, the son of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik.

Cha Mi-kyung (Itaewon Class) takes on the role of Park Chung-su, a haenyeo (female diver) who fishes alongside Gwang-rye.

Lee Soo-mi (Emergency Declaration) plays Choi Yang-im, another seasoned haenyeo.

Baek Ji-won (The Fiery Priest) appears as Hong Gyeong-ja, part of the island’s haenyeo community.

Kim Yong-rim (Hello, Me!) plays Park Mak-cheon.

Na Moon-hee (You Are My Sunshine) stars as Kim Chun-ok.

Oh Min-ae (The Glory) plays Kwon Gye-ok.

Jung Hae-kyun (The Whirlwind) appears as Oh Han-mu.

What to Expect from Volume 4: Fan Buzz and Predictions

As anticipation builds for the final act of When Life Gives You Tangerines, set to premiere on March 28, fans are eager to see how the story wraps up—especially given the emotional weight of the previous episodes.

Many viewers are hoping for a deeper dive into the later years of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s relationship, as well as closure on some of the story’s more poignant threads, including the fate of their children and the ripple effects of their youthful decisions.

Park Bo-gum has hinted at a meaningful appearance in Volume 4, sparking theories that a key flashback or emotional turning point could be on the horizon. Some fans speculate that the final episode might revisit the innocence of their youth in contrast with the bittersweet reality of old age, bringing the story full circle.

Online discussions are also filled with praise for the show’s heartfelt tone and richly drawn characters, with many calling it a “healing drama” that celebrates resilience, love, and community. As one fan wrote, “I’m not ready to say goodbye yet—this series feels like a warm hug wrapped in nostalgia.”

Whether it ends with heartbreak or hope, When Life Gives You Tangerines has already made a lasting impression. All eyes are now on Volume 4 to deliver a finale that honors its emotional journey.