Fans Are Obsessed with This Unexpected Detail in IU’s Look for ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’

IU is earning massive praise for her performance as Oh Ae-soon in the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines, and this time it’s the tiniest details—like her eyebrows—that are grabbing attention.

On April 15, the series topped the TV-OTT Integrated Drama Buzz Chart released by Good Data Corporation's FUNdex for the second week of April (April 7–13), marking its sixth consecutive week at No. 1. The ongoing buzz around the show is being fueled by the nuanced performances of IU and her co-star Park Bo-gum.

Both actors have been applauded for their complete immersion into their 1960s Jeju Island roles—down to skipping eyebrow grooming to reflect the time period. IU, playing the feisty and fearless literary dreamer Oh Ae-soon, fully embraced the look of a small-town girl growing up in post-war Korea. In behind-the-scenes selfies taken during filming, fans noticed IU hadn’t trimmed her brows at all—enhancing the realism of her character.

Online reactions to this subtle detail have been overwhelmingly positive:

“Her natural brows are beautiful.”

“They’re both so good-looking, I didn’t even notice.”

“No wonder it felt so authentic.”

“That’s top-tier dedication to detail.”

“Untrimmed brows make her look even more youthful—like a true coming-of-age vibe.”

The commitment to realism—even in areas most viewers wouldn’t notice—has drawn admiration and deepened emotional connection with the show.

When Life Gives You Tangerines tells the story of Ae-soon (IU), a rebellious yet passionate young woman, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), a loyal and earnest man, as they journey through the seasons of life in a village called Dodong-ri. The series is structured into four episodes, each representing a different season, and concluded on March 28.

IU shared her thoughts on the role through her agency:

“It was a great honor to portray young Ae-soon and Geum-myeong in a drama that weaves together the stories of multiple generations. I hope When Life Gives You Tangerines continues to offer comfort and warmth to viewers, just like the people of Dodong-ri do in tough times. Thank you so much to everyone who showed love for the series.”

The show may have ended, but the buzz around its subtle, heartfelt storytelling—and IU’s commitment to character—continues to grow.

Get the latest on K-pop & K-drama here!