At this point, can we all agree that ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ isn’t just a show—it’s a work of art?
The last four episodes are already out, and honestly, we’re still not over the heartbreak (yes, literal heartbreak) between Yeong-beom and Geum-myeong. And don’t even get me started on Ae-sun and Gwan-sik—the kind of parents whose love makes you immediately want to call your own.
Volume three was phenomenal (just like the two before it), and once again, we’re here with a few lines from the drama that probably hit you right in the feels.
1. “Children don’t have time for parents once they leave home.”
Even though Geum-myeong knows how much her parents sacrificed for her, it feels like she’s not doing enough. Her parents tell her it’s been ages since she visited—and honestly, don’t we all relate to that?
We know our parents deserve more of our time, and we do feel guilty once in a while. But work or something else gets in the way, we get busy, and the visits or calls just keep getting postponed. Maybe it’s time we remember: our parents aren’t asking for much—just a little bit of us. After everything they’ve done… don’t they deserve at least that?
2. “Don’t show your children favoritism, ever. Cause they will always remember.”
One of the “haenyeos” (badass sea-diving grandmas, I must say) drops this truth bomb, and this holds so much meaning.
I don’t know if you’re a parent now or will be someday, but this one’s not just a line. You might think you love all your kids the same—and you probably do—but it’s the little things that stick. The subtle comments, the expectations, the attention, the praise, and the gifts. Kids notice. They all do. And they remember. So if there’s one parenting rule to tattoo into your soul, let it be this: be fair, always. Even when you don’t think it matters.
(And yes, ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ isn’t just about lessons for children—it’s for parents too.)
3. “Maybe if I sleep a little less, the two of you will get to sleep more.”
If this didn’t tug at your heartstrings, then you weren’t paying attention!
This is like a flashback to everyone who remembers their parents being always the first to wake up. Back then, it felt normal. Now, hearing Gwan-sik say this to Geum-myeong… it makes you realise how even the smallest sacrifices were big love.
Parents sacrificing sleep—the most important need of adulthood—just so WE could snooze an extra hour.😭
4. “We don’t know what we had until they’re gone.”
We’ve heard it before, but it never gets less true.
Some of us have already experienced it, but others still have time. Either way, let this be a reminder to not wait. And never take our loved ones for granted. Life’s only getting busier, faster, louder. But let nothing stop you from cherishing the people you love. Don’t let anything steal your chance to spend time with your mom or listen to your dad’s cringey jokes. Because remember life is unpredictable and “later” can suddenly become “never.”
5. “Dad, if you have 100 of something, you always give me 120. I wouldn’t trade you…”
Gwan-sik takes Geum-myeong on a sunrise boat ride, and sadness engulfs her as she realises that her father works hard every single day to provide comfort to her and Eun-myeong.
Isn’t that true for all the Gwan-siks in our lives? The dads who don’t sleep enough, who work till late, who never stop giving more than they have. We chase after shiny things, maybe even dream of chaebol oppas… but when you have a father like that, you would never want to trade him for anyone richer, right?
6. “You always act like you’re the boss at home.”
Okay, this one isn’t exactly tear-jerking, but it’s just so funny and real.
When Ae-sun says this to her daughter, who suddenly turns all polite and proper in front of Yeong-beom’s mom—it’s hilarious and so relatable. At home, we’re loud, bold, maybe even bossy. But one step in front of our employer or crush—we’re shy, calm, soft-spoken, polite, practically unrecognisable. It’s that universal truth of how we all wear different versions of ourselves depending on where we are… and who’s watching.
Each week, these lines from the show had us in tears and smiles. And now, with the fourth volume out, I think we’re more sad that it’s coming to an end, right? But let’s live in the moment! So, drop your favorite line from episodes 9-12 in the comments below!
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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Gwan-sik really set the standards for fathers