Latest news with #Ae-sun
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines sweeps Blue Dragon awards
South Korean actors IU (left) and Park Bo-gum received the Popular Star Award at the Blue Dragon Series Awards. Photo: IU/Instagram Hit K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) dominated 2025's Blue Dragon Series Awards, taking home four trophies, including the top honour, the Grand Prize. Now in its fourth year, the annual ceremony is a spin-off of the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards, created to recognise excellence in South Korean streaming series. This year's event was held on July 18 at Paradise City in Incheon. The period romance emerged as the biggest winner of the night, securing awards for Grand Prize, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Popular Star Award. Stealing the spotlight was singer IU, who claimed her first Best Actress award for her dual performance in the 16-episode show. She portrayed both the young version of Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong, delivering a powerful portrayal that resonated with global audiences and brought depth to the emotional arcs of both characters. 'This show will remain the greatest pride of my life,' IU, 32, said onstage as she accepted the award. 'I offer my deepest respect and gratitude to all the Ae-suns who lived boldly and clearly in a world that demanded they remain unseen, and to all the Geum-myeongs who firmly planted their desires and nurtured them into reality.' Yeom Hye-ran, 48, won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Gwang-rye, Ae-sun's mother. 'I've never received so many cheers and compliments in my life. I may not deserve them, but I'm deeply honoured,' she said, thanking the series' production team for their support. IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, also received the Popular Star Award alongside actor Park Medical series The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call (2025) bagged several awards, including the Top Excellence Award, the second-biggest honour of the ceremony. Cast members Ju Ji-hoon and Choo Young-woo nabbed Best Male Actor and Best New Male Actor respectively. Best Supporting Actor went to Lee Kwang-soo for his role in the Netflix crime thriller Karma (2025), while Best New Actress was awarded to Kim Min-ha – better known globally as Pachinko – for her performance in Tving's romance drama Way Back Love (2025). – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines sweeps Blue Dragon awards, with IU winning Best Actress
(From left) When Life Gives You Tangerines co-stars Park Bo-gum, IU, Yeom Hye-ran and Kang You-seok. Yeom won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Gwang-rye, Ae-sun's mother. SEOUL - Netflix's hit K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) dominated this year's Blue Dragon Series Awards, taking home four trophies, including the top honour, the Grand Prize. Now in its fourth year, the annual ceremony is a spin-off of the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards, created to recognise excellence in South Korean streaming series. This year's event was held on July 18 at Paradise City in Incheon. The period romance emerged as the biggest winner of the night, securing awards for Grand Prize, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Popular Star Award. Stealing the spotlight was singer IU, who claimed her first Best Actress award for her dual performance in the 16-episode show. She portrayed both the young version of Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong, delivering a powerful portrayal that resonated with global audiences and brought depth to the emotional arcs of both characters. 'This show will remain the greatest pride of my life,' IU, 32, said onstage as she accepted the award. 'I offer my deepest respect and gratitude to all the Ae-suns who lived boldly and clearly in a world that demanded they remain unseen, and to all the Geum-myeongs who firmly planted their desires and nurtured them into reality.' Veteran actress Yeom Hye-ran, 48, won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Gwang-rye, Ae-sun's mother. 'I've never received so many cheers and compliments in my life. I may not deserve them, but I'm deeply honoured,' she said, thanking the series' production team for their support. IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, also received the Popular Star Award alongside actor Park Bo-gum, 32, who portrayed the younger version of Ae-sun's husband Gwan-sik. Actors Lee Hye-ri and Lee Jun-hyuk also received the award. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Singapore HSA extends hotline hours, launches new platform to report vaping offences Singapore Tampines regional centre set to get more homes, offices and public amenities Multimedia How to make the most out of small homes in Singapore World Diplomats dismissed: Inside the overhaul reshaping Trump's foreign policy Life US tech CEO Andy Byron resigns after viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' video Opinion I thought I was a 'chill' parent. Then came P1 registration Singapore 'God and government are the only things beyond our control,' says Group CEO The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call (2025), another Netflix title, also bagged several awards, including the Top Excellence Award, the second biggest honour of the ceremony. Cast members Ju Ji-hoon and Choo Young-woo nabbed Best Male Actor and Best New Male Actor respectively. Best Supporting Actor went to Lee Kwang-soo for his role in the Netflix crime thriller Karma (2025), while Best New Actress was awarded to Kim Min-ha - better known globally as Pachinko - for her performance in Tving's romance drama Way Back Love (2025). THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Korean actor IU on her global fanbase: I had no idea I was popular in India
"One Fine, Ordinary Day,' IU says, would be the title if a film were ever made about her life. But there's nothing ordinary about IU. A genre-bending force in both music and drama, South Korean superstar IU continues to blur boundaries with ease and elegance. IU's evocative dual performance in the critically acclaimed series When Life Gives You Tangerines has left an enduring impression on audiences as she enters yet another transformative chapter in her career. "I feel like I'm busier than ever, but I'm enjoying life. Recently, I've begun filming for a new drama called Wife of a 21st Century Prince (working title), and I have a feeling that 2025 will be a packed and fulfilling year. I'm very happy and grateful for all the love and interest that people have shown for When Life Gives You Tangerines, Flower Bookmark, and the next project," she tells us. When asked about the success of her series, When Life Gives You Tangerines, IU shares, "When I was first given the script, it was only for the first six episodes, but my heart raced as I read through it. From that moment, I was already someone who was wholeheartedly rooting for Ae-sun's life more than anyone." We further quizzed her about her approach towards portraying the mother-daughter duo, and the 32-year-old actress shares, "It was clear in the script that Ae-sun and Geum-myeong both had shared aspects and stark differences. From my perspective, Ae-sun felt like a character whose sacrificial spirit was greatly influenced by her inherently kind nature and the era she lived in." IU also praised her co-star Park Bo-gum, who plays the role of Yang Gwan-sik in the series, saying, "He is a very trustworthy partner and friend. Sometimes we would be in perfect sync even without discussing things in advance, as if we had already rehearsed them together. I believe it was thanks to Bo-gum's kind and cheerful personality that we were able to build such great chemistry." Since making her acting debut with KBS drama Dream High, IU has worked with several directors. "I've been very fortunate to have had many opportunities to work with truly amazing writers and directors. The writers have always crafted the scripts in a way that allowed me to immerse myself in the story from the moment I read them, and once on set, the directors gave me clear feedback to help me act and speak in the character's voice." With a filmography that boasts diverse projects like "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo," "Hotel Del Luna," "My Mister," and others, IU's evolution as an actor is evident. "I don't really choose roles with a specific story in mind," IU revealed. "It's more like fate — somehow, certain projects appear in front of me almost magically at the right time, and I end up taking them on," she says. She adds that while working with renowned writers or directors is a consideration, her decision ultimately comes down to the story resonating with her in the moment. "I think I clearly land on a decision when it's a story that I want to tell right now in this moment of my life," shares IU. Adding to her stream of thoughts, IU shares the kind of roles she aims to do now: "Something that steps away from the dopamine-rush settings, revenge and death, heart-wrenching emotions, fiery romances, dramatic lines, life lessons — a story that deals with simple, everyday feelings." When asked about striking a balance between her dual career, she says, "When I'm a musician, it feels like the world exists inside of me, and when I'm an actor, it feels like the world exists outside of me. With music, I enjoy digging deep introspectively and having a conversation with my inner self, while with acting, I find joy in being part of a team, the sense of belonging, and being all in it together to accomplish a shared goal." With the rise in K-pop culture in India, IU enjoys a great fan base. "I had no idea I was popular in India, but I did hear that my show 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' received a lot of love in India. I've been enjoying learning about India's beautiful landscapes, watching Indian films filled with dance and music that brings joy to its audience, and reading books about the country," says IU. Ask her how does she manage her immense popularity and public presence and maintain a balance between private and public life and she replies, 'To be honest, I don't feel a huge sense of pressure or feel overwhelmed. On the contrary, I don't feel like I'm immensely popular. All of this feels like it's mine, but also not entirely mine at the same time. I think I'm also somewhat prepared to pack up and move on if at some point my popularity fades, and life says, 'It's time to check out of the celebrity life!' I'm genuinely and deeply grateful to the fans who have been sending me so much love and support, but to receive a question like this, it makes me wonder if I truly am living that much of a glamorous life. If I think about it, it feels pretty surreal. I'm just working hard and living my life! We're all special, but also ordinary, aren't we? I'm just another person who's both special and ordinary.'
AsiaOne
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Netflix responds to allegations of When Life Gives You Tangerines' extras being subjected to starvation and mistreatment , Entertainment News
PUBLISHED ON May 29, 2025 10:37 AM By Kristy Chua The buzz for much-beloved K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines has returned, but not with fanfare this time round. On May 26, crew who allegedly worked on the set made claims on X about the damage on rented props and cars. Extras who acted in the drama subsequently came forth with their own claims of abuse and mistreatment. One prop-rental company claimed that the production team used lacquer to stencil a rented bus. The X user said: "Since the production crew didn't have the ability to handle the retro buses or large vehicles that we rented or built for them, they ended up damaging them even though we stationed our staff on site for the sole purpose of operating the vehicles (though they were really just there to monitor the production crew). The reasons for damage were mostly due to 'ignorance' or 'irresponsibility'. "There was an incident where someone got caught stenciling on a rented bus with hardware store lacquer spray — and the person who did it came out and said, 'Can't you just use lacquer thinner to remove it?' and was cursed at for it. He's an ignorant person who thinks that lacquer thinner is a magic potion that can just cleanly erase the lacquer spray." 아직도 기억난다. 빌린 버스에 철물점 락카스프레이로 스텐실 하다가 걸리니까 그 짓거리 한 놈이 '락카신나로 지워주면 될 거 아니냐'라고 적반하장으로 나왔다가 욕 바가지로 처먹었던 사건. 락카신나가 락카만 선택적으로 깔끔하게 지워주는 무안단물인 줄 아는 모자란 놈이 현장에서 깝치고 다님. Set in 1960s Jeju Island, When Life Gives You Tangerines is a slice-of-life story that follows the rebellious and feisty aspiring poet Ae-sun (IU) and good-natured Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) from their childhood to adulthood. A Netflix exclusive released in March, it quickly became a beloved hit due to its heartfelt story and themes. After the first claims were shared on X, other allegations of abuse and mistreatment of extras were posted on the platform on May 27. A user who claims to have been an extra on the set posted: "Even among extras, the drama's schedule was notorious for being disliked... The [production team] even forced us to get haircuts, but for a Netflix production, they didn't provide anything. They didn't want to spend money on extras, so they went with the most cost-effective approach. They neglected the elderly extras in the cold winter and starved them. "They didn't even provide a tea table or food cart and just threw them into a random restaurant area and told them to eat within 30 minutes. It was winter and they told us costumes would be provided but ended up not allowing us to wear insulating inner wear — they said it would ruin the look of the costumes. But who would even notice extras in the background?" 폭삭은 엑스트라 사이에서도 유명한 기피 스케줄이었음..... 강제성으로 이발까지 시켰는데 뭘 넷플릭스 작품 치고는 뭐 하나 제공된 게 하나 없음 배우 아니면 출연자들한테 돈 쓰기도 싫어서 아득바득 가성비로 진행했던 제작팀 ㅋㅋ 추운 겨울에 어르신 출연자들까지 방치해두고 쫄쫄 굶기다가 — 로일.97 (@bigpeach_jk) May 27, 2025 A report by The Korea Times also shared that in April 2023, a visitor to the Gochang Green Barley Field Festival had complained that the production team blocked access to areas of the venue and shouted at tourists not to take pictures. Thereafter, the production company Pan Entertainment issued an apology where they acknowledged their failure in being considerate to the public. In response to the allegations, Netflix gave a statement to Sports Seoul yesterday (May 28): "We are currently verifying the facts surrounding the situation. For any confirmed cases, we will conduct a thorough review to ensure such incidents do not happen again." [[nid:718526]] K-dramaDRAMAabuseactingNetflixStreaming - Music/Video/Content This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.
Observer
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Lessons from ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines'
'Psychologists believe that healing from trauma centres around regulating the central nervous system through rhythm, repetition and bodily safety'. I have always found watching Korean dramas challenging, mainly because I could not remember the characters' names, but also because of the length of most series. However, when I started watching 'When Life Gives You Tangerine', I knew I would be hooked. The show centres around Ae-sun, who becomes an orphan at an early age and ends up living with her stepfather, helping him care for his two young children. Ae-sun is blessed by the love of her sweetheart 'Gwan-ski', a fisherman's son and her late mum's friends, who worked as divers 'Haenyeo' collecting molluscs and seaweed from the ocean and selling them in the village streets. We also see 'Ae-sun's' paternal grandmother, despite being harsh on her at the start of the series giving up all her savings so 'Ae-sun' can buy a fishing boat. These acts of kindness are not limited to family members as we see the elderly landlords donate a portion of their rice secretly to Ae-sun so she can feed her small family. The series gives a deeper insight into the psychology of loss, grief and resilience when staying still and weeping your pain is not an option. After losing their younger son in the storm 'Ae-sun' and 'Gwan-ski' keep on working day in and day out because life does not pause. They grieve differently hiding their guilt for not saving the young boy. The psychologist Vessel van Der Lolk states in his book ' The Body Keeps the Score' that trauma recovery is rooted in the body and the mind and that healing from trauma centres around regulating the central nervous system through rhythm, repetition and bodily safety. We see the grieving couple indulging themselves in the daily routine of working and socialising with others. The father is up every morning to catch fish from the ocean while his wife looks after the children, cooking for them and then going to work after sending them to school. The family could not afford to go off sick or pay for extensive therapy sessions. They simply had to keep working and carry on. The series shows how the geopolitical factors affect the daily lives of people in the village how social customs influence relationships and how paternal stubbornness and attitude towards those perceived to be from a lower social class deprive the younger generation from marrying their first love. We also see how social values change between generations with the new ones focusing on easy and quick ways of achieving wealth. The series shows us how parents go a long way to provide for their children, giving up their dreams so their children can complete their education and have a better life. How parents continue to love and care for their children and grandchildren until they die and how love makes harsh days more bearable. Unlike other TV dramas, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' is about celebrating life with all its sweet and sorrowful moments holding on to hope and cherishing whatever life gives you. BLURB Unlike other TV dramas, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' is about celebrating life with all its sweet and sorrowful moments holding on to hope and cherishing whatever life gives you.
