Is “When Life Gives You Tangerines” Based On A Webtoon?

Alright, folks, gather ‘round because we need to talk about this. If you came here hoping to confirm that When Life Gives You Tangerines is based on some hidden-gem webtoon so you could speed-read it before the drama airs, I hate to break it to you—but nope!

No webtoon. No novel. No top-secret, underground manhwa traded like black market currency among K-drama addicts.

This drama is as fresh as a just-picked Jeju tangerine—juicy, vibrant, and ready to ruin our emotions in the best way possible.

Wait … So Why Does This Feel Like A Webtoon?

And that’s what makes this drama so exciting. No pre-existing storyline to overanalyze, no webtoon fans ready to start a petition over a minor character’s haircut.

Just IU and Park Bo-gum serving up some original K-drama goodness, straight from the brilliant mind of screenwriter Lim Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms, Fight for My Way).

Side note, Lim Sang-choon is basically the secret fairy godmother of K-drama. She writes these deeply human, wildly comforting stories that make you feel hugged from the inside out.

And the wildest part? She taught herself everything. She literally started writing after watching people find comfort in dramas during their daily commutes. Like, who does that? Only a storytelling wizard in disguise.

We are walking into this one blind, folks—no spoilers, no expectations, just vibes.

We are walking into this one blind, folks—no spoilers, no expectations, just vibes. It’s like clicking play on a drama you know nothing about, just trusting your gut that it’s about to emotionally wreck you in ways you weren’t prepared for.

First off, the title alone has that whimsical, slightly poetic quality we often see in webtoon adaptations. When Life Gives You Tangerines just sounds like it could have been a webtoon first, doesn’t it?

Something about the quirky metaphor and the fact that K-dramas have been on a webtoon-to-screen spree lately.

And let’s talk about the visuals. The cinematography in the teasers? It’s got that glossy, dreamlike quality that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a beautifully illustrated panel.

The colors pop, the landscapes are pure eye candy, and IU and Park Bo-gum? They look like they were crafted by an artist who specializes in dangerously attractive fictional characters.

Come on, we all know—if you’ve been around K-dramas long enough, you can sniff out webtoon-like tropes from a mile away.

Small-town setting? A fierce, determined heroine? A loyal, broody male lead who probably stares longingly while the heroine is busy being her best self?

It’s got all the classic webtoon vibes, yet—plot twist—it’s 100% original. No webtoon safety net, just pure, unfiltered K-drama magic.

Okay, But What’s Actually Happening In This Drama?

I can already feel my heart getting invested because this drama is set in 1950s Jeju and follows Ae-soon (played by IU), a fiery, headstrong woman with dreams bigger than the island itself, even when life keeps throwing hurdles in her way.

And then there’s Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), the ultimate ‘I will be your rock’ kind of male lead, standing by Ae-soon’s side through every storm and sunny day.

Their love story isn’t just a fleeting romance, it’s a journey that spans decades, weaving together themes of resilience, family, and the ever-changing seasons of life. (And yes, I’m already emotionally invested. Like, get-me-a-box-of-tissues-and-a-tangerine-candle kind of invested.)

And speaking of life’s seasons, this drama doesn’t just explore love. It delves into Jeju’s rich culture, from its famous plump tangerines to the legendary haenyeo (female divers) who have been a symbol of strength on the island for centuries.

These women, who dive without modern oxygen tanks to harvest seafood, have long been celebrated as independent, resilient figures in Korean history.

Their role in the drama adds a layer of cultural authenticity and serves as a powerful metaphor for the strength of women in Korean society.

If you’ve never watched a K-drama set in Jeju before, brace yourself—it’s about to awaken a deep, irrational need to drop everything and live your best countryside life.

Jeju isn’t just a backdrop in this drama—it’s the kind of place that makes me want to quit my job, move to a small seaside house, and spend my days farming tangerines while staring at the ocean like a drama heroine contemplating life.

Oh, I think you should know by now how this K-drama got its title, right? It’s a spin on “when life gives you lemons” but since it’s set on Jeju island, hence the use of “tangerines” instead. Catchy. Smart. 

Oh, I think you should know by now how this K-drama got its title, right? It’s a spin on “when life gives you lemons” but since it’s set on Jeju island, hence the use of “tangerines” instead. Catchy. Smart.

This isn’t just another K-drama. It’s a heartfelt tribute to Jeju, its people, and the kind of love that weathers every storm. If you’ve ever wanted a drama that feels like sipping a warm cup of tangerine tea on a crisp morning, this is it.

The Webtoon Takeover—And Why This Drama Feels Like One?

It’s not hard to see why people are convinced When Life Gives You Tangerines came straight from a webtoon.

The trend of webtoon adaptations in K-dramas has been exploding. From Business Proposal to Yumi’s Cells, so many of our favorite dramas have started as illustrated stories.

And when a drama looks this visually stunning, it’s almost second nature to assume it had a webtoon predecessor.

But this time, there’s no source material safety net. No frantic comparisons. No ‘the webtoon did it better’ arguments.

Just IU and Park Bo-gum delivering what’s bound to be a swoon-worthy, tear-jerking, beautifully filmed masterpiece.

So, Is This A Webtoon Or Not? (Spoiler: It’s Not, But You Should Still Watch It)

If you were hoping for a webtoon to binge-read before the drama airs, sorry to disappoint.

But on the bright side, this means When Life Gives You Tangerines is stepping into the K-drama world with a clean slate, unburdened by adaptation pressures. And that? That’s pretty darn exciting.

The rich storytelling, the gut-punch emotional payoffs, and cinematography so breathtaking it makes me want to pull up a travel site and impulsively book a one-way ticket to Jeju.

This, my friends, is exactly why K-dramas have me in an emotional chokehold. The rich storytelling, the gut-punch emotional payoffs, and cinematography so breathtaking it makes me want to pull up a travel site and impulsively book a one-way ticket to Jeju.

So, are we emotionally prepared to embark on this breathtaking Jeju journey? Let’s discuss—preferably over a virtual cup of tangerine tea. Or better yet, let’s all emotionally spiral together. I’ll bring the tissues. And snacks. Lots of snacks.