Meet The Real-Life Jeju Couple Who Inspired IU And Park Bo Gum’s Characters
The hit Netflix K-drama has been inspired by the real-life story of a couple from South Korea’s Jeju Island.
Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines has taken the world by storm, captivating audiences with its simplistic storyline. This slice-of-life series has become the No.1 non-English show on the platform. Starring IU and Park Bo Gum, the show offers a fresh take on the usual K-drama romance formula, where it tells the story of a devoted husband, Gwan Sik, who, despite several hardships, did everything for his wife Ae Sun and their children.
But little did people know that Gwan Sik was not just another “green flag" K-drama character. He exists, and the character is inspired by a real-life man. The drama’s emotional core is rooted in reality, loosely following the story of a woman named Hong Kyung Ja from South Korea’s Jeju Island.
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In the very first episode, eagle-eyed fans noticed a tribute hidden in plain sight. They discovered a tewak, a floating device used by Jeju’s female divers called haenyeo, inscribed with the name Hong Kyung Ja. This was not just another coincidence but a heartfelt tribute to the real-life woman who inspired the character Ae Sun in When Life Gives You Tangerines. As per KBIZoom, Hong Kyung Ja was born in Jeju Island in 1950 and lived a life filled with struggles and sacrifices.
Kyung Ja lost her mother when she was just five years old. After her passing, she had to care for her eight younger siblings, unlike Ae Sun, who looks after just two younger siblings. She began working as a haenyeo at a young age, catching seafood to sell and provide for her family. Unlike Ae Sun, who was raised by a stepfather in the Netflix drama, she was raised by a stepmother. Education became a luxury she had to fight for, and she would often miss her classes to fend for her family.
Eventually, Kyung Ja fell in love with a boy who was her childhood friend and just like her, he would also spend his days diving in the sea. Their romance lasted for six years before they got married. As shown in the K-drama, throughout her life, Kyung Ja’s husband remained the biggest pillar of support. He encouraged her when she decided to run for local elections in their village against a powerful opponent. He was even awarded the “Beautiful Husband Award" in 2002 by the Jeju YWCA for his love and devotion towards his family.
Kyung Ja and her husband raised three children, two sons and a daughter. Unlike in the drama, where Ae Sun and Gwan Sik lost one of their sons to the sea during a stormy night, Kyung Ja and her husband were able to raise all three of their children.
Together, they built a life full of love and resilience, which the fans found even more heartwarming than the reel life story of IU and Park Bo Gum. Unfortunately, Hong Kyung Ja lost her husband seven years ago. Fams of When Life Gives You Tangerines thought Gwan Sik would meet with the same fate, and while he did battle cancer and arthritis, the show chose to focus more on love, family and the enduring presence of a loved one when they are gone.
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