List of When Life Gives You Tangerines characters

IU and Park Bo-gum portrayed the main characters Ae-sun and Gwan-sik respectively

This is a list of characters of the South Korean television series When Life Gives You Tangerines starring IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon. Netflix released the 16-episode series in four volumes, each with four episodes starting on March 7, 2025 through March 28, 2025. Bae Jong-byung, senior director of Netflix Korea's series division, explained: "We chose a release strategy that aligns with the creators' vision to maximize viewer enjoyment. From the beginning, the director and writer envisioned Tangerines as a story unfolding in four volumes, and we wanted viewers to experience it that way."

Cast overview

List indicator

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in at least one act.

•   A green cell indicates the actor is a main cast member.
•   A red cell indicates the actor is a recurring cast member.
•   A light blue cell indicates the actor is a guest or special guest cast member.

Character	Actor	Appearances
		Volume I	Volume II	Volume III	Volume IV
Main characters
Oh Ae-sun	IU	Main
	Moon So-ri	Main
	Kim Tae-yeon	Recurring
	So-yeon	Recurring
Yang Gwan-sik	Park Bo-gum	Main
	Park Hae-joon	Main
	Lee Cheon-mu	Recurring
	Moon Woo-jin	Recurring
Yang Geum-myeong	IU	Main
Recurring characters
Park Mak-cheon	Kim Yong-rim	Recurring
Kim Chun-ok	Na Moon-hee	Recurring
Jeon Gwang-rye	Yeom Hye-ran	Recurring
Kwon Gye-ok	Oh Min-ae	Recurring
Bu Sang-gil	Choi Dae-hoon	Recurring
Yeong-ran	Jang Hye-jin		Recurring
	Chae Seo-an	Recurring
Park Chung-su	Cha Mi-kyung	Recurring
Choi Yang-im	Lee Soo-mi	Recurring
Hong Kyung-ja	Baek Ji-won	Recurring
Oh Han-moo	Jung Hae-kyun	Recurring
Park Yeong-bum	Lee Jun-young		Recurring
Yang Eun-myeong	Kang You-seok	Recurring
Bu Hyeon-suk	Lee Soo-kyung		Recurring
Yoo Bu-young	Kang Myung-joo		Recurring
Song Bu-seon	Jung Yi-seo			Recurring
Yang Gyeong-ok	Seo Hye-won	Recurring
Guest characters
Yeom Byeong-cheol	Oh Jung-se	Special Guest
Na Min-ok	Uhm Ji-won	Special Guest
Park Chung-seop	Kim Seon-ho			Special Guest
Mi-sook	Lee Mi-do		Guest
Geum-ja	Kang Mal-geum	Guest
Geum-ja's husband	Kim Young-woong	Guest
Professor Jeon Ae-kyung	Kim Gook-hee		Guest
Oh Jenny	Kim Su-an		Guest
Kim Mi-hyang	Kim Geum-sun		Guest
Oh Jenny's housekeeper	Nam Mi-jung		Guest
Oh Jenny's driver	Kim Jae-young		Guest
Kim Hae-bong	Kim Hae-gon			Guest
Song Young-Sam	Jeon Bae-soo			Guest
Nurse	Lee Bong-ryun			Guest
Jung Mi-in	Kim Sung-ryung			Guest
Jung Mi-in's manager	Hyun Bong-sik				Guest
Lee Hye-ran (Chloe H. Lee)	Yeom Hye-ran				Special Guest

Family tree

Oh Ae-sun and Yang Gwan-shik family tree
Mr. Oh Kim Chun-ok Mr. Yang Park Mak-cheon Na Mi-ok Yeom Byeong-cheol Jeon Gwan-rye Oh Han-gyu Oh Han-moo Hyeon Yi-sook Yang Sam-bo Kwon Gye-ok Oh Ae-sun Yang Gwan-sik Oh Jong-go Oh Jong-mi Yang Gyeong-ok Mr. Seo Yeom Seon-nam Yeom Seom-bom Park Chung-seop Yang Geum-myeong Yang Eun-myeong Bu Hyun-suk Yang Dong-myeong Seo Dong-min Park Sae-bom Yang Jae-il Yang Yeong-won

Main characters

Oh Ae-sun

Oh Ae-sun
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
IU (L) and Moon So-ri (R) IU (L) and Moon So-ri (R) as Ae-sun
Portrayed by	IU Moon So-ri Kim Tae-yeon Seo-yeon
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 16
Created by	Lim Sang-choon
In-universe information Occupation Housewife, poet Family Yang Husband Yang Gwan-sik Sons Yang Eun-myeong Yang Dong-myeong Daughters Yang Geum-myeong

Oh Ae-sun (born in 1951) is the main protagonist of When Life Gives You Tangerines. Ae-sun was a small, timid literary girl who, despite needing to be resourceful in many ways, had a voice that trembled like a goat's whenever she rebelled. She was a child who had little but was not embittered. She is a resilient character like a wildflower tenaciously lifting its head toward the sun, even under the harsh shade of a wall that let in no sunlight. Even when circumstances prevented her from attending school, she dreamed of becoming a poet, unreservedly weeping when sad and laughing loudly enough to echo across the entire sea. She was assertive and capable.

Ae-sun's character is described as yo-mang-jin, a Jeju dialect term meaning "smart and clever." She is a lovable girl with infinite dreams and abilities, striving to get through life despite being frustrated by poverty and her gender. She possesses a girlish yet strong personality and maintains a beautifully positive outlook on life. Ae-sun's late mother, Gwang-rye, was a haenyeo—a female free diver who harvests seafood. Gwang-rye worked herself to death to ensure Ae-sun would never become a haenyeo and would be free to chase her dreams of becoming a poet.

Despite her intelligence and ambitions, Ae-sun was unable to graduate from high school or attend college on the mainland. She married her first love, childhood friend Yang Gwan-sik, and gave up her own dreams to become a mother at a young age, having her first child at 18.

Although Ae-sun escaped becoming a hanyeo, she did not become a writer or attend university. Instead, she became a housewife to a fisherman and repeated her mother cycle of sacrifice—working, cooking, and cleaning every day—in the hope that her daughter, Geum-myeong, would have opportunities she never enjoyed. She was deeply concerned about her ability to be a good mother, fearing she might fail to provide the love and care her child needed. This anxiety fueled her dedication to raising Geum-myeong with exceptional care, projecting her own hopes and insecurities onto her, making maternal love and commitment the core of her life. Ae-sun became furious and fought back when her in-laws tried to force Geum-myeong to become a haenyeo. Having lived a quiet life after marriage, this was her first act of rebellion, which resulted in her being slapped by her mother-in-law.

Ae-sun began publishing poetry in her 60s, with her poems appearing in magazines. In her 70s, she released a collection of poems titled You Have Done Well (폭싹 속았수다). After her husband's death, she volunteered teaching residents of a Jeju nursing home how to read, write, and express themselves through poetry. The residents called her "teacher," which brought her a sense of fulfillment. She lived in her renovated family home—originally her mother's—which had been sold to fund Geum-myeong's education but was later repurchased by Geum-myeong.

The character of Oh Ae-sun is portrayed by IU. Moon So-ri plays the middle-aged Ae-sun, Seo-yeon as teen Ae-sun and Kim Tae-yeon as child Ae-sun. IU and Kim Tae-yeon received praise for their performances in the drama, leading to IU's nomination for Best Actress – Television and Kim Tae-yeon's nomination for Best New Actress — Television at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. IU also considered for the Grand Prize. She is also nominated for Best Actress in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Yang Gwan-sik

Yang Gwan-sik
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Park Bo-gum (L) and Park Hae-joon (R)
Portrayed by	Park Bo-gum Park Hae-joon Lee Cheon-mu Moon Woo-jin
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 16
Created by	Lim Sang-choon
In-universe information Occupation Fisherman Restaurant owner Wife Oh Ae-sun Sons Yang Eun-myeong Yang Dong-myeong Daughters Yang Geum-myeong

Yang Gwan-sik (born 1950) is the main male character and Ae-sun's love interest, boyfriend, and later husband. He is described as "a character as silent and unyielding as cast iron and as unshakable as an old tree."

A diligent and steadfast individual, he understands the immense power of true dedication. However, in matters of love, he is as fragile as a ripe peach. Ae-sun's smile can make his heart falter, and her tears deeply affect him. Nevertheless, his loyalty remains as unyielding as steel. From the very beginning, he loves and cherishes Ae-sun alone, never wavering in his commitment. Using the circumstances of their era as a pretext, he guides Ae-sun through pivotal moments in her life—sometimes steering, pulling the emergency brake, or even stepping on the accelerator—defying the predictable flow of time as a warrior of unwavering devotion.

Gwan-sik has been by Ae-sun's side since their youth, always bringing fish from his own family's table to feed a neglected Ae-sun. He worked aboard a squid fishing boat under Captain Bu Sang-gil, where he endured verbal and physical abuse before quitting his job under Ae-sun's encouragement. Bu Sang-gil was the man Ae-sun had initially planned to marry and was known for his violent nature and frequent use of the word "hak."

Gwan-sik named his children Geum-myeong, Eun-myeong, and Dong-myeong. In English, geum translates to gold, eun to silver, and dong to bronze. Having given up a promising career as an athlete, his children became his greatest achievements. He later named his boat—bought for him by Ae-sun's grandmother—Geum Eun Dong as a tribute to his kids. Together, they lost a child but raised two to adulthood. They are grandparents and beloved members of the community, having done it all side by side. The character of Yang Gwan-sik is portrayed by Park Bo-gum. Park Hae-joon plays the middle-aged Gwan-sik, Lee Cheon-mu the child Gwan-sik, and Moon Woo-jin as teen Gwan-sik.

Park Bo-gum's portrayal received widespread praise by audience and critics domestically and internationally, earning him his second nomination for Best Actor – Television at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. He is also nominated for Best Actor in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Yang Geum-myeong

Yang Geum-myeong
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
IU IU as Yang Geum-myeong
Portrayed by	IU
First appearance	Episode 2
Last appearance	Episode 16
Created by	Lim Sang-choon
In-universe information Occupation Businesswoman Family Park Father Yang Gwan-sik Mother Oh Ae-soon (mother) Brothers Yang Eun-myeong Yang Dong-myeong Husband Park Chung-seop Daughters Park Sae-bom

Yang Geum-myeong (born 1968) is the eldest and only daughter of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, born when her mother and father were 18 and 19 years old, respectively. Her name, Geum-myeong, literally means "gold", symbolising that she is her parents' "gold medal." She is also the main narrative voice of When Life Gives You Tangerines, with each episode structured around her thoughts in her 50s.

Geum-myeong resembles her mother, Ae-sun, in appearance but slightly differs in personality, often speaking harshly at her affectionate parents. Her emotional struggles appear to stem from a unique sadness, distinct from her parents'. The loss of her sibling Dong-myeong likely left her with buried guilt. She finds solace in academic achievements, which bring moments of brightness to her parents.

Upon entering Seoul National University, Geum-myeong faces new challenges. The pressures of city life, economic disparities with her lover, and loneliness in a foreign environment in Japan weigh heavily on her. As the eldest daughter, she carries a heavy burden and eventually breaks down emotionally. Yet, her desire to live well is deeply rooted in her love for her family, revealing the depth of her character.

Her family made great sacrifices for her education; her parents even sold their house to send her on a student exchange programme to University of Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan. Upon her return, she rented a room in Bongcheon-dong and worked part-time at Cannes Theatre while completing her studies. She later found employment at Daewoo and planned to marry her first love, Park Young-beom. However, their relationship ended due to opposition from his mother.

She lost her job during the IMF crisis. While job hunting, she decided to attend a farewell film screening at Cannes Theatre, which was closing down. That same night, she reconnected with an old friend, Park Chung-seop, whom she eventually married a year later.

After having her daughter Sae-bom in 2001, Geum-myeong started her own business and became a successful early tech entrepreneur. She launched an online lecture business aimed at making education accessible to people like her mother, who missed out on college due to factors such as social class and geography. She also purchased and renovated Ae-sun's mother's old home, which the family had sold to fund her education.

The character was portrayed by IU as Yang Geum-myeong, Lee A-ra as child Geum-myeong (10–12 years old), Ahn Tae-rin as child Geum-myeong (7–10 years old), and Shin Chae-rin as child Geum-myeong (4–7 years old).

Supporting characters: People from Jeju

Park Mak-cheon

Park Mak-cheon
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Kim Yong-rim
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 12
In-universe information Occupation shaman Family Yang Sons Yang Sam-bo Grandsons Yang Gwan-sik

Park Mak-cheon is Gwan-sik's grandmother and a shaman. Due to her strong belief in superstitions, she dislikes Ae-sun, claiming that Ae-sun is possessed by the spirit of her deceased mother and is destined to die young. This leads to frequent conflicts between them. When Gwan-sik helps Ae-sun with her cabbage business at the market, Mak-cheon would come to overturn the cabbage cart and cause chaos.

Even after Gwan-sik and Ae-sun married, Mak-cheon threw red beans at Ae-sun daily to ward off bad luck. She also attempted to hold a ritual for Geum-myeong to become a haenyeo, which enraged Ae-sun, causing her to overturn the ritual table and move out.

Park Mak-cheon became kinder to Ae-sun after the birth of her son, Eun-myeong. After Ae-sun gave birth to their third child, a second son named Dong-myeong, Mak-cheon teased Gwon Gye-ok, Ae-sun's mother-in-law, by comparing Ae-sun favourably to her. When Dong-myeong went missing, Mak-cheon blamed herself for being unable to search for him due to her age. After Dong-myeong's death, she advised Eun-myeong to live as if he no longer had a birthday, emphasising the importance of behaving well for her mother's sake.

Park Mak-cheon passed away when Eun-myeong was in middle school, and she is depicted in a portrait in episode 12. The character is portrayed by Kim Yong-rim.

Kim Chun-ok

Kim Chun-ok
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Na Moon-hee
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 12
In-universe information Occupation housewife Family Oh Sons Oh Han-gyu Oh Han-moo Grandsons Oh Jong-gu Granddaughters Oh Ae-sun

Kim Chun-ok is Ae-sun's paternal grandmother. Ae-sun is the only child of her eldest son, Oh Han-gyu. In her youth, Chun-ok sold gukbap (rice soup) on the mainland and fled to Jeju with her children during the Korean War.

Gwan-rye once asked her mother-in-law Chun-ok to accompany her to a photo studio for her mortuary portrait. Tearfully expressing her concerns about leaving Ae-sun behind in a world without her, Gwan-rye sought Chun-ok's support for her daughter. Chun-ok promised to honour Gwan-rye's wishes and, when Ae-sun was on the verge of giving up, her grandmother gave her money saved from selling gukbap and advised her to use it to buy a fishing boat.

Later in life, Chun-ok developed dementia and no longer recognised her children or other relatives. However, she immediately recognised her granddaughter Ae-sun, surprising everyone by saying, "Why don't I know? She's our Han-gyu's daughter." She showed concern for Ae-sun, asking, "Are you having a hard time? When did Kang-saeng, who lost his front teeth, grow this much? It must be hard, why aren't you feeling better? I know what's on your mind. I know everything." Ae-sun promised to get her new teeth after receiving her savings, but Chun-ok passed away on December 20, 1995, before that could happen. As both lost a son, they understand each other.

When Chun-ok died, in a dream-like sequence, Gwang-rye appears and asks, "How was your life? Was it like a picnic, or was it difficult?" Chun-ok responds, "It was like a picnic. It was a wonderful picnic where I saw all my children before departing." The song "Gwi-ro" by Jung Mi-jo plays softly in the background.

The character is portrayed by Na Moon-hee. Na Moon-hee with Yeom Hye-ran, Jung Hae-gyun, were all the writer's choices, as she had wanted them from the start.

Jeon Gwang-rye

Jeon Gwang-rye
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Yeom Hye-ran
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 10
In-universe information Occupation hanyeo Family Yeom Spouse Oh Han-gyu (late husband) Yeom Byeong-cheol (husband) Sons Yeom Sun-bong Daughters Oh Ae-sun Yeom Sun-nam

Jeon Gwang-rye is Ae-sun's mother and a haenyeo (female diver). Born in 1932, she was a war orphan who faced numerous hardships before settling in Jeju at around 18 or 19 years old with her friend Kyung-ja. Gwang-rye lived a difficult life as a Jeju haenyeo to support her three children, but worsening diving sickness led to her premature death at the age of 29 in 1961.

Gwang-rye was married twice. She lost her first husband at sea and had Ae-sun with him. She had two more children with her second husband, Yeom Byeong-cheol, who was a loafer and rarely worked, causing financial strain. To make ends meet, Gwang-rye dove longer and deeper than others to catch one more abalone.

Ae-sun expressed her dissatisfaction with her mother by writing a poem titled "Gaejeombok", which have phrase, "I want to buy a day's fishing net with the money I earn by selling abalones." Gwang-rye, in an attempt to comfort herself, lit a cigarette but threw it into the fire pit after reading Ae-sun's words: "A diver who lives by breathing is going crazy if she smokes a cigarette because she wants to die." This made Gwang-rye cry, and she brought Ae-sun back home. Ae-sun was working as a maid at her uncle's house following her father's passing and her mother's absence.

Despite her often harsh demeanor, Gwang-rye loved her daughter deeply. Sensing her limited time, she asked her mother-in-law Chun-ok to accompany her to a photo studio, fearing to go alone. Among haenyeo, a photograph is considered a mortuary portrait symbolising one's impending death. Tearfully, Gwang-rye expressed her worries to Chun-ok about leaving Ae-sun behind, and asked her to support her daughter in times of struggle. Chun-ok's promise to honour these wishes. Gwang-rye became ill while Ae-sun was only ten. Ae-sun recalled her mother's words, "When the flower water fades, the living will come alive," while drinking balsam water. Gwang-rye roasted abalones over a bonfire, feeding them to Ae-sun and saying, "If you sell them, you will receive a hundred blessings, but if they enter a magpie's mouth, you will receive a thousand blessings," comforting her with, "Even if both parents die, the child will live." Gwang-rye died at 29, leaving Ae-sun and her two younger siblings behind.

The character of Jeon Gwang-rye was played by Yeom Hye-ran. Na Moon-hee, Yeom Hye-ran, and Jung Hae-gyun were all the writer's preferred choices, as she had envisioned them in the roles from the beginning. Yeom won the Best Supporting Actress award in the television category at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards for her portrayal. She is also nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Kwon Gye-ok

Kwon Gye-ok
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Oh Min-ae
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 16
Created by	Lim Sang-choon
In-universe information Occupation Housewife Family Yang Husband Yang Sam-bo Sons Yang Gwan-sik

Kwon Gye-ok is the mother of Gwan-sik and mother-in-law of Ae-sun. She is a character who endures the hardships of her in-laws' life. Initially, Gye-ok does not strongly oppose Gwan-sik's relationship with Ae-sun, expressing only exasperation with the remark, "I should have raised a dog instead." However, she becomes angry and feels betrayed when Gwan-sik and Ae-sun run away to Busan. She attempts to persuade Ae-sun to stop the marriage but ultimately feels betrayed when they proceed.

Gye-ok's harsh treatment of Ae-sun after their marriage stems from her own loneliness and feelings of neglect. She was not recognised by her own mother-in-law and was ignored by her husband, so she expected compensation from her son. However, Gwan-sik neglected her, which increased her jealousy toward Ae-sun. She also tries to teach her granddaughter Geum-myeong the ways of a haenyeo, viewing it as early education rather than malice.

However, when Ae-sun is in distress due to the death of her youngest son Dong-myeong, she consoles Ae-sun with the line, "If you live, you will survive." In episode 7, frustrated with her grandson wandering around, Gye-ok drinks heavily. While drunk, she hugs her dog and calls him a filial son: "I did a good job raising him from the beginning. Oh my, let's go, filial son."

The role of Kwon Gye-ok is portrayed by Oh Min-ae.

Bu Sang-gil

Bu Sang-gil
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Choi Dae-hoon
First appearance	Episode 3
Last appearance	Episode 16
In-universe information Occupation captain of the squid boat the vice-chief of Dodong-ri Family Bu Spouse Yeong-ran Sons Bu Oh-seong Bu Han-eum Daughters Bu Hyeon-suk Bu Jeong-suk

Bu Sang-gil is the main antagonist character in the drama. He is so rich that six out of ten Dodong-ri boats are his family's boats. He rules over the village with his money. He was former chief of Dodong-ri.

He has two sons from a previous marriage. He was once set to marry Ae-sun after a blind date, but Ae-sun, upset by Sang-gil's rude comments and still in love with Gwan-sik, ran away and married Gwan-sik instead. Later, he married Park Young-ran, with whom he has two daughters.

Sang-gil has a violent side and often displays abusive behavior toward his family. He is known for shouting "Hak! Ssi!" when in difficult situations, earning him the nickname "Hak Ssi Ahjusshi."

Sang-gil stands in stark contrast to Gwan-sik, epitomizing patriarchal masculinity. He fails to recognize Young-ran's accomplishments and seeks to dominate his wife through his financial influence and position of authority. Additionally, Sang-gil is unfaithful and has never participated in any of his children's school activities. As he reaches middle age, his family begins to turn against him, with even his children siding with Young-ran. Eventually, Young-ran divorces him. In his 60s, Sang-gil begins to show signs of positive change.

The role was portrayed by Choi Dae-hoon. His portrayal received critical acclaim, earning him his second nomination, and eventual win for Best Supporting Actor – Television at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. He is also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Park Young-ran

Yeong-ran
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Jang Hye-jin Chae Seo-an
First appearance	Episode 4
Last appearance	Episode 16
In-universe information Occupation housewife real estate agent Family Bu Spouse Bu Sang-Gil Daughters Bu Hyeon-suk Bu Jeong-suk Stepsons Bu Oh-seong Bu Han-eum

Park Young-ran is the woman Bu Sang-gil married after his failed marriage to Ae-sun. Her husband, Sang-gil contrasts sharply with Gwan-sik, embodying patriarchal masculinity. He never acknowledges Young-ran's achievements and attempts to control her using his financial power and authority.

She took care of the children from his previous marriage despite enduring his infidelity and abuse. Her oldest stepson cannot tolerate his father's abusive treatment of her and supports her, wishing for her to divorce his father.

She shares a delicate and affectionate relationship with Ae-sun. Young-ran praises Ae-sun, saying, "You seem like a person who are treated preciously," and expresses to her daughter, Hyun-sook, urging her to grow up and marry a man like Ae-sun's loving husband, Gwan-sik.

After enduring over 30 years of abuse, Young-ran becomes emotionally detached. Later, after inheriting a tangerine orchard from her mother-in-law as a reward for her caregiving, she uses it as a stepping stone to pass the real estate exam around 2000. Ultimately, Young-ran divorces her husband.

The character is portrayed by Jang Hye-jin as middle-aged Yeong-ran and Chae Seo-an as younger Yeong-ran.

Park Chung-su

Park Chung-su
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Cha Mi-kyung
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 12
In-universe information Occupation hanyeo

Park Chung-su is Gwang-rye's haenyeo colleague and the eldest among them. She and the other haenyeo are like real aunts to Ae-sun, providing strong support throughout her life. When Ae-sun is bullied, they defend her vocally. In episode 3, when Gwan-sik jumped off the boat and swam across the sea toward Ae-sun, Park Chung-su scolded Gye-ok for trying to separate the two, saying, "What's wrong with the children's feelings?"

She later develops diving sickness (sumbyeong) and is the first of the three aunts to pass away. Out of habit, the remaining two aunts bring three spoons to the bibimbap bowl, evoking a poignant moment as they remember and miss Chung-su.

The character is portrayed by Cha Mi-kyung.

Choi Yang-im

Choi Yang-im
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Lee Soo-mi
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 16
Created by	Lim Sang-choon
In-universe information Occupation hanyeo

Choi Yang-im is a native of Jeju and the best friend of Gwang-rye, one of the three haenyeo aunts. After Gwang-rye's death, she resolves to support Ae-sun, viewing their friendship as strong as a zelkova tree. Yang-im is always there for Ae-sun in difficult situations, providing warmth and support, and cherishes her like a niece. She defends Ae-sun from her grandmother-in-law Park Mak-cheon and mother-in-law Kwon Gye-ok, who often torment Ae-sun. Initially passive, Yang-im grows more assertive, particularly following the establishment of the Haenyeo Museum. As she ages, she becomes increasingly active in protecting the haenyeo and Jeju Island.

In episode 3, when Gwan-sik jumped off the boat and swam across the sea toward Ae-sun, she scolded Gye-ok for trying to separate them, saying, "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl hit each other on the cheek."

The character is portrayed by Lee Soo-mi.

Hong Kyung-ja

Hong Kyung-ja
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Baek Ji-won
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 16
In-universe information Occupation hanyeo

Hong Kyung-ja was a war orphan who faced hardships before settling in Jeju at around 18 or 19 years old with her friend Gwang-rye. Together, they became haenyeo, with Hong Kyung-ja known as the most talkative among them. She has a gossipy nature and struggles to keep secrets. She often argued with Kwon Gye-ok when Gye-ok mistreated Ae-sun. On one occasion, she scolded Gye-ok for trying to separate Gwan-sik and Ae-sun, emphasising that some things are destined to happen: "Even the God above couldn't stop the day of the seventh lunar month, Chilseok."

Hong Kyung-ja, along with other haenyeo aunts and Ae-sun, sold snacks at a writing contest. She secretly submitted Ae-sun's poem, which unexpectedly won first prize, leading to an unforeseen turn of events. A photo of her with Yang-im at the Haenyeo Museum performance suggests that she is living a long life.

The character is portrayed by Baek Ji-won.

Oh Han-moo

Oh Han-moo
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Jung Hae-kyun
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 13
In-universe information Occupation housewife Family Oh Sons Oh Jong-gu

Oh Han-moo is Ae-sun's paternal uncle. Originally from a refugee family, he used to manage the Gyeonggi Trading Company in Gyeonggi Province. He neglected his niece Ae-sun, showing care primarily for his son Jong-gu. Despite this neglect, there was some affection for Ae-sun, as she was his niece. Living in a patriarchal society, Han-moo's attitude toward Ae-sun would likely have been different had she been a son. As head of the household, his actions were influenced by the prevailing social norms of the time.

Han-moo advised Ae-sun to give up college and work in a factory on the mainland, requesting that she send half of her monthly salary to him. In response, Ae-sun decided to steal jewelry and escape to Busan with Gwan-sik in the middle of the night.

Jung Hae-kyun was handpicked to be in the series by the mysterious star writer Lim Sang-chun, along with Na Moon-hee and Yeom Hye-ran.

Yeom Byeong-cheol

Yeom Byeong-cheol
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Oh Jung-se
First appearance	Episode 2
Last appearance	Episode 4
In-universe information Occupation Fisherman Family Yeom Spouse Na Min-ok (wife) Sons Yeom Sun-bong Daughters Yeom Sun-nam Stepdaughters Oh Ae-sun

Yeom Byeong-cheol is Ae-sun's stepfather. He married Ae-sun's widowed mother, Gwang-rye, and had a daughter and a son with her. Byeong-cheol is depicted as a man who relies on Gwang-rye for financial support and is often idle. However, he is not portrayed as entirely unkind, as he allowed Ae-sun, who was not his biological child, to live in his home.

Gwang-rye passed away at the age of 29 after falling ill from diving sickness when Ae-sun was 10 years old. To provide for his family, Byeong-cheol took a job on a deep-sea fishing boat and promised Ae-sun that he would send her to college. During her teenage years, Ae-sun cared and supported her younger siblings by farming and selling cabbages at the market. Byeong-cheol ensured she attended high school, though ultimately he failed to fulfill his promise of paying for her college education.

Seven years after Gwang-rye's death, Byeong-cheol remarried. His second wife, who was pregnant with his child before their marriage, gave birth to another child after they wed. While she accepted Byeong-cheol's two biological children from his previous marriage, she refused to accept Ae-sun, the daughter of his late first wife. As a result, she forced Ae-sun, still a minor, to leave the house.

The character is portrayed by Oh Jung-se.

Na Min-ok

Na Min-ok
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Uhm Ji-won
First appearance	Episode 3
Last appearance	Episode 4
In-universe information Occupation housewife rice cake businessman Family Yeom Spouse Yeom Byeong-cheol (husband) Daughters 1 Stepsons Yeom Sun-bong Stepdaughters Oh Ae-sun Yeom Sun-nam

Na Min-ok is Yeom Byeong-cheol's second wife. Seven years after Byeong-cheol's first wife, Gwang-rye, died, Min-ok became pregnant with Byeong-cheol's child out of wedlock and later married him as his second wife, giving birth to another child. Min-ok reluctantly accepted Byeong-cheol's two biological children from his previous marriage but struggled to accept Ae-sun, the child of his late wife. Ae-sun and Min-ok often clashed over minor issues and had a major disagreement when Min-ok wanted to remove a photo of Gwang-rye from the house. This conflict led Ae-sun to run away to Busan, taking some of Min-ok's clothing and jewelry. Despite their conflicts, Min-ok did not respond with anger but rather viewed Ae-sun's actions as romantic act. Min-ok sarcastically teased Gwan-sik's mother who came looking for Ae-sun to bring her back, saying, "Are you going to chase after her? You look just like a bounty hunter, very impressive."

Raising children on her own under difficult circumstances, makes Min-ok recognized Ae-sun's role in raising her half-siblings and felt a kinship with her, especially after Ae-sun had her own child, Geum-myeong. Min-ok showed her appreciation by giving Ae-sun gifts like a bicycle and clothes, saying, "Think of it as a moral scholarship." Saying, "I respect you. Living in this house, I've come to respect you. Your fate isn't as a maid; it's your character that resembles one." Before leaving Jeju, Min-ok even paid three months' rent for Ae-sun. The owner, a hard-of-hearing grandfather, misheard and wrote "Moral scholarship" as "Do Hee-jeong scholarship." Min-ok, fearing exposure of her Hangul illiteracy, pretended to understand and only checked that the numbers were correct.

Later, when Min-ok's rice cake business prospered, she gave a gold toad worth five don (a traditional unit of gold weight) as a gift at Ae-sun's grandson Jae-il's first birthday.

Na Min-ok is portrayed by Uhm Ji-won.

Yang Eun-myeong

Yang Eun-myeong
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Kang You-seok (teen to adult Choi Won (3 years ol) Lee Chae-hyun (4-7 years old) Lee Woo-seok (11 years old)
First appearance	Episode 1
Last appearance	Episode 16
In-universe information Occupation businessman Family Yang Father Yang Gwan-sik Mother Oh Ae-sun Brothers Yang Dong-myeong Sisters Yang Geum-myeong Spouse Bu Hyeon-suk Sons Yang Je-il Daughters Yang Yeong-won

Yang Eun-myeong is the son of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik. His name, Eun-myeong, literally means "silver" in English, symbolizing that he is his parents' "silver medal."

Ae-sun was once called to school regarding Eun-myeong, expecting an important meeting but was disappointed to learn he had been causing trouble. Eun-myeong's high school homeroom teacher complained that he was the first student to steal car logos from teachers' cars and sell them. The teacher also listed other problems, such as making 11 bus passes out of 10 and earning 50 won per pass, gambling on small games like winning coins with panchi, and associating with bad friends. When the teacher mentioned Eun-myeong was dating a top female student, Ae-sun defended him, saying he didn't even play with his sister or cause trouble with women.

Among students, owning a car emblem letter matching their desired university's initial was believed to boost their chances of acceptance. In one scene, Geum-myeong is shown with a book binder adorned with an "S" emblem, possibly from Eun-myeong. This seemed to work, as she was admitted to Seoul National University, the top university in South Korea.

In Act 3, it is revealed that Eun-myeong's girlfriend is Bu Hyun-sook, daughter of Bu Sang-gil. She became pregnant in her early 20s while visiting Eun-myeong during his military service. Their baby was nicknamed Han-bang and later named Yang Jae-il. They had a shotgun wedding.

After Eun-myeong got married, he and his friend Chul-soo opened a pawnshop to make money. However, Chul-soo betrayed him by running away with the shop's money and assets, leading to Eun-myeong being wrongly accused of a crime and ending up in jail. While in jail, Eun-myeong's pent-up resentment towards his parents for always favoring his sister surfaced. Gwan-sik had to sell his boat to bail Eun-myeong out of jail. Eun-myeong resorted to selling rice cakes to survive, but when Gwan-sik discovered this, he helped Eun-myeong by secretly purchasing the rice cakes through Bu Sang-gil's acquaintances. Eun-myeong, upon learning of this, stopped selling the rice cakes. He attempted to leave by working on a deep-sea fishing boat, but Gwan-sik and Bu Sang-gil intervened to prevent him from leaving.

The character is portrayed by Kang You-seok, who portrays Eun-myeong from middle school to his 50s. The child actor progression is as follows: Choi Won at 3 years old, Lee Chae-hyun at 4–7 years old, and Lee Woo-seok at 11 years old. Kang is also nominated for Best New Actor in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Bu Hyun-suk

Bu Hyun-suk
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Lee Soo-kyung
First appearance	Episode 5
Last appearance	Episode 16
In-universe information Occupation businessman Family Bu Father Bu Sang-Gil Mother Yeong-ran Sisters Bu Jeong-suk Half-brothers Bu Oh-seong Bu Han-eum Spouse Yang Eun-myeong Sons Yang Je-il Daughters Yang Yeong-won

Bu Hyeon-suk is the eldest daughter of Bu Sang-gil and Yeong-ran. Born in 1973, she fell in love with Yang Eun-myeong despite opposition from her family, so she was nicknamed Juliet of Dodong-ri.

She got pregnant in her early 20s while visiting Eun-myeong, who was in the military. Their baby was nicknamed Han-bang and later named Yang Jae-il. They had a shotgun wedding. She encountered disapproval from her father and half older brothers and eventually moved in with her in-laws.

When Eun-myeong faced false accusations, she asked Sang-gil for financial help to bail him out, but he refused. Comparing him unfavorably to Gwan-sik, she expressed envy towards her sister-in-law Geum-myeong for having a caring father. She is close to Gwan-sik, who secretly buys Hyeon-suk her favorite beer.

When Eun-myeong goes missing, she pleads with Sang-gil to find him. Eventually, Sang-gil and Gwan-sik locate Eun-myeong on a deep-sea fishing boat and bribe the captain to return him to port. She later discovers that Sang-gil has bribed a detective to prove Eun-myeong's innocence, leading to the investigation clearing her husband's name. Both events improve her relationship with her father.

Bu Hyeon-suk is portrayed by Lee Soo-kyung and as a child by Choi Ha-yoon.

Yang Dong-myeong

Yang Dong-myeong
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Shin Sae-byeok
First appearance	Episode 5
Last appearance	Episode 10
In-universe information Family Yang Father Yang Gwan-sik Mother Oh Ae-sun Brothers Yang Eun-myeong Sisters Yang Geum-myeong

Yang Dong-myeong (Shin Sae-byeok) Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's youngest son. His name, Dong-myeong, literally means "bronze" in English, symbolizing that he is his parents' "bronze medal." Ae-sun loses Dong-myeong during a storm and he died.

Yang Sam-bo

Yang Sam-bo (Yoo Byung-hoon) is as Gwan-shik's father. He is the only child of Park Mak-cheon. He is a fisherman who own his fish shop in the market.

Hyeon Yi-sook

Hyeon Yi-sook (Oh Yeon-jae) as Han-moo's wife and Ae-sun's aunt. She and her husband were initially stingy with feeding young Ae-sun, but she dedicated her life to caring for her mother-in-law and performed ancestral rites for Ae-sun's father with devotion.

Yang Gyeong-ok

Yang Gyeong-ok (Seo Hye-won) is the only younger sister of Gwan-sik. Unlike Gwan-sik, she has a free-spirit personality. In second act, she tells Geum-myeong the secret of her birth while visiting their Jeju apartment. In the third act, she visits her sister in-law, middle-aged Ae-sun and forces her to buy a heated mat. In fourth act she attends Geum-myeong and Chung-seop's wedding.

Bu Seong-yi

Bu Seong-yi (Actor: Moon Yu-gang) is the eldest son of Bu Sang-gil and the stepson of Park Young-ran. He is the older brother of Bu Hyun-sook. Despite Park Young-ran not being his biological mother, Seong-yi expresses anger toward his father for harassing her while intoxicated. He asserts that he will live with Young-ran if she divorces Sang-gil. Additionally, he often nags his disoriented sister, Bu Hyun-sook, and is characterized as a strong son and a blunt, intimidating brother.

Aesoon's homeroom teacher

Ae-sun's homeroom teacher, played by actor Hwang Jae-yeol, demotes her to vice president and instructs her to yield to a wealthier student despite her winning the class president election. He presents Ae-sun with her first injustice, emphasizing that background holds more weight than election results. His remarks, such as "37 votes are not important in social life," "The one who loses is the one who wins," and "If you come down on all fours, you will resign; for the greater good, you must yield," depict him as a symbol of power and corruption. This portrayal is strengthened by the props on his desk, including a newspaper and various books labeled "March 15th Election Fraud Mastermind."

Upon hearing that Ae-sun had lost the election to the military general's son, Gwang-rye decides to pay a visit to the homeroom teacher. Concerned about her daughter being mistreated, Gwang-rye shows her sincerity by gifting the teacher with an envelope containing expensive nylon socks and hidden 4,000 won. Given that the monthly salary of a civil servant in the early 1960s was between 3,000 and 4,000 won, this was a significant amount for Gwang-rye.

Harbang

Harbang, meaning grandfather in Jeju dialect (actor: Park Byung-ho), is Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's elderly landlord and co-owner of the Dodong-ri Manmul Center. He often grumbles as if scolding them but displays generosity by casually tossing an octopus to Ae-sun and Gwan-sik and reminding them to take care of the ancestral rites. His unique way of expressing affection includes giving them pork as a bonus when someone pays three months' rent for them. His famous line is, "You don't have to talk so much to understand."

Halmang

Halmang, meaning grandmother in Jeju dialect (actor: Song Kwang-ja), is Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's elderly landlady and co-owner of the Dodong-ri Manmul Center. She is deeply caring and demonstrates sensitivity, particularly when reminding her husband not to be too obvious in his actions, as it may annoy others. Her care is evident each night when she secretly refills Ae-sun's rice container—which often runs empty—with just enough rice for the family, creating a kind of 'goblin jar' magic. The grandmother's famous word is, "No one can live alone.".

Mi-sook

Mi-sook (Lee Mi-do) is the owner of a fortune-telling shop who first appears in episode 5. Caught dancing the so-called "social dance," she recovers quickly and declares, "Dance is a healthy sport." She later works as Bu Sang-gil's henchman. However, she also helps Ae-sun by informing her about Eun-myeong's boarding of a deep-sea fishing vessel. In middle age, when Ae-sun and Gwan-sik open a squid restaurant, Mi-sook opens a competing restaurant next door.

Supporting characters: People from Seoul

Park Young-beom

Park Young-beom
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Lee Jun-young
First appearance	Episode 6
Last appearance	Episode 13
In-universe information Occupation lawyer Family Park Father Park Geum-myeong Mother Yoo Bu-young

Park Young-beom is Geum-myeong's first love. He graduated from Seoul National University Law School and met Geum-myeong at the college entrance ceremony. They had an on-and-off relationship lasting seven years, including a long-distance phase during his military service and a student exchange program in the United States.

He pressured Geum-myeong to marry him several times and they eventually became engaged after both already graduated. However, Geum-myeong ended the engagement due to his mother's cruelty, including insults directed at Geum-myeong and her parents. After a year of on-and-off reconciliation, they ultimately broke up on his birthday.

Park later married someone from a prestigious family. Despite his affluent background, he appeared trapped in a loveless marriage and blamed his mother for his unhappiness. On the day of Geum-myeong and Chung-seop's wedding, he secretly visited Geum-myeong, seeing her in a beautiful wedding dress, smiling and talking with a friend. He laughed sadly, fulfilling his promise to see her in a wedding dress, and then left.

Lee Jun-young as Park Yeong-bum,

Yoon Boo-yong

Yoon Boo-yong
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Kang Myung-joo
First appearance	Episode 4
Last appearance	Episode 11
In-universe information Occupation housewife Family Park Spouse Park Geum-myeong Sons Park Young-beom

Yoon Boo-yong is Young-beom's mother. She exhibits a twisted form of maternal love, taking pride only in her son who was raised in a wealthy family. She is consistently dissatisfied with Geum-myeong for not meeting her standards and openly disapproves of their relationship as they prepare for the wedding.

In Episode 11, she verbally abuses Geum-myeong. Previously, Boo-yong had told Ae-sun that she opposed the marriage. However, she lost control when she saw Geum-myeong at Young-beom's house, insulting her and criticizing her parents with remarks such as, "If it's difficult, you should somehow get some shade. How about being like a big tree in the sun?" This confrontation ultimately led to Geum-myeong breaking off the engagement.

After the engagement ends, Boo-yong arranges a marriage for Young-beom with a woman from a prestigious family. However, her relationship with her son deteriorates, and she experiences mistreatment from her daughter-in-law, resulting in loneliness and despair in her later years.

Yoon Boo-yong is portrayed by Kang Myung-joo. The drama became her posthumous work after she passed away on February 28, 2025 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 53. In tribute, the production team incorporated funeral mass music into episode 4 to honor Kang Myung-joo, who was a Catholic.

Park Chung-seop

Park Chung-seop
When Life Gives You Tangerines character
Portrayed by	Kim Seon-ho
First appearance	Episode 9
Last appearance	Episode 16 (voice)
Created by	Lim Sang-choon
In-universe information Other names Park-casso, Park Toto Occupation painter Family Park Mother Bun-hui Spouse Yang Geum-myeong Daughters Park Sae-bom

Park Chung-seop, also known as Basement Picasso, Park-casso, Park Toto, is an art school graduate and an aspiring painter. He first met Geum-myeong when she rented a room at his ex-girlfriend Song Bu-seon's house; he hid in her wardrobe to avoid Bu-seon's father, Yeong-sam, but was discovered. Later, Chung-seop helped Geum-myeong get a part-time job at the Cannes Theater, where he worked as a movie poster painter.

Chung-seop is an unkempt movie sign painter with a stubbly face and messy hair, embodying the image of a struggling artist. His work straddles the line between popular and pure art, showcasing genuine creativity and artistic value. Unlike typical sign painters, he depicts only four horses on the poster for the erotic film Madame Aema 4. Kim Hae-bong, president of the Cannes Theater, often criticizes Chung-seop's posters but lacks the resolve to fire him.

Bun-hui, Chung-seop's mother, secretly visits every movie premiere to admire her son's poster, unaware that Kim Hae-bong mistakes her for a scalper. Geum-myeong gives her a free ticket, allowing her to have her first cinema experience watching Cinema Paradiso. Chung-seop wants to thank Geum-myeong, so she asks for a painting. Out of gratitude, Bun-hui gifts Geum-myeong English books and other study materials from her copy shop, sending her son as a porter with the items.

After helping Ae-sun take an unconscious Geum-myeong to the hospital following briquette gas inhalation, Chung-seop and Geum-myeong grow closer. He compares her to a Christmas tree, saying, "A Christmas tree sparkles even when it's in a basement one-room apartment or standing alone in front of a ruined store. It makes your heart flutter." Before enlisting, he leaves her a portrait, expressing his feelings indirectly without saying goodbye.

After completing his military service, Chung-seop returns looking more presentable. On the day of his discharge, he coincidentally sees Geum-myeong boarding the same bus he was on. He tries to catch the bus by running after it but is thwarted by a van carrying Seo Taiji and Boys being chased by their fans. Determined to see her again, he visits Cannes Theater daily. Geum-myeong attends a farewell screening of Cinema Paradiso at Cannes Theater, which is closing due to the IMF crisis. Park Chung-seop misses her at the theater but manages to catch her bus after running 3 bus stops. They reunite and start dating right away, eventually getting married a year later. In 2001, they welcome a daughter named Sae-bom.

The character was portrayed by Kim Seon-ho in the third and fourth acts. He received positive reviews for his portrayal from social media fans and critics.

Kim Hae-bong

Kim Hae-bong (played by Kim Hae-gon) is the president of the Cannes Theater. He is upset with Chung-seop for painting four horses instead of a naked woman on the poster for Madame Aema, but he cannot bring himself to fire him. Kim is frustrated that Chung-seop refuses to create the lewd posters the public demands and questions why Chung-seop insists on pursuing art with other people's money.

Despite his rough demeanor, Kim deeply cares about his employees. After learning that Chung-seop's mother is not a scalper and visits the theater to see the movie sign her son painted. Following Geum-Myeong, Kim gifted her with more complimentary movie tickets under the pretense of employee welfare, praising Chung-seop's work.

Kim acts as a cupid, instructing Geum-myeong to deliver dumplings to Chung-seop. After the IMF crisis forces the closure of the Cannes Theater, Kim deliberately assigns side-by-side seats in the movie theater to help Chung-seop and Geum-myeong meet. When Chung-seop misses her, he scolds him. Kim later attends their wedding as a guest on the groom's side, moved to tears as he applauds the bride's entrance.

Bun-hui

Bun-hui (Lee Ji-hyun) is the mother of Park Chung-seop, who is a widower and runs a copy shop in the university district. She attends every movie premiere to see her son's poster, not realizing that Kim Hae-bong mistakes her for a scalper. Geum-myeong gives her a complimentary ticket, allowing her to watch Cinema Paradiso in a theater for the first time, which brings her to tears. She mentions that Toto in Cinema Paradiso reminds her of Chung-seop. Bun-hui expresses her gratitude to Geum-myeong, saying, "I think I'll remember today even on the day I die." As a gesture of thanks, she gives Geum-myeong English books and study materials from her shop, assuring Geum-myeong that she can count on her until she graduates and sending her son along as a porter with the items.

Song Bu-seon

Song Bu-seon (Jung Yi-seo) is the daughter of the boarding house and ex girlfriend of Park Chung-seop. She was a high school drop out. She often quarreled with Chung-seop due to his unstable income and her parents' disapproval of their relationship. During a confrontation at the Cannes Theater, she mistakenly believes that Chung-seop and Geum-myeong have a relationship. Since then she kicks Geum-myeong's shoes out of jealousy. Despite a potential marriage proposal from the son of the "Pil-dong Guksu" family, she cannot move on from Chung-seop yet. However she eventually marries the Guksu house son. She is referred to as Natasha, a name inspired by a poem in a collection owned by Chung-seop. Geum-myeong teases Chung-seop about Bu-seon's appearance in a commercial, leading to a humorous exchange between them.

Song Young-sam

Song Young-sam (Jeon Bae-soo) is the owner of the boarding house where Geum-myeong stays after studying in Japan. He worked at a factory and has a daughter, Song Bu-seon, and a young son. When Geum-myeong moved in as a boarder, he initially refused her request to fix the doorknob and warned her that if she brought in a boyfriend, he would take eviction measures, stating that she was like a daughter to him. One day, he arrived just in time to catch Park Chung-seop.

Jeon Ae-kyung

Professor Jeon Ae-kyung, played by Kim Gook-hee, is a professor of English Literature at Seoul National University. She offered to send Geum-myeong to study in Japan with her own funds instead of government sponsorship, but she declined. Ye-rim feels Geum-myeong missed an opportunity and should have accepted the offer, but Geum-myeong chose to study abroad with money from her own parent. Professor Jeon has a habit of leaving apple slices on a window sill for birds to eat.

Min-seon

Min-seon, played by Kim Su-yeon, is Geum-myeong's best friend and a member of the same college film club. When Oh Ye-rim belittles Geum-myeong, Min-seon defends her by pointing out that Geum-myeong excels in both grades and height. She also mentions that Oh Ye-rim wouldn't have been able to study in Japan if Geum-myeong hadn't given up her spot. However, when Oh Ye-rim boasts about her victory, Min-seon sarcastically remarks that life is all about the total score and compliments her on her dignity before ending the conversation. Min-seon is a close friend of Geum-myeong, often visiting her at home and providing support after Geum-myeong ends her engagement with Young-beom. She serves as a bridesmaid at Geum-myeong's wedding.

Oh Ye-rim

Oh Ye-rim (Pyo Young-seo) is a member of the same college film club as Geum-myeong's college classmate. Oh Ye-rim, who comes from a wealthy and privileged family, contrasts with Geum-myeong's struggles to balance studies, part-time jobs, and dorm life. She subtly belittles Geum-myeong, flaunting her family's support and making snide remarks. However, she actually feels intellectually inferior to Geum-myeong.

Jo-kyung

Jo-kyung (Kim Gye-rim) is Geum-myeong's friend and a member of the same college film club. She is often caught disliking Geum-myeong or badmouthing her. However, she seems to have maintained a friendship with Geum-myeong and Min-seon even after graduating from college. She serves as a photographer at Geum-myeong's wedding.

Oh Jenny

Oh Jenny (Kim Su-an) was born on August 7, 1969. She is in Class 2, Number 27 of the 3rd grade at Seonhwa Girls' High School. Jenny is a student whom Geum-myeong tutors, and her nickname is Oh-jaemi. She uses an English name, but she struggles with writing Wednesday in English. Jenny is a typical rebellious high school girl who dreams of becoming a singer and enjoys dancing, singing, and playing rather than studying. She is a fan of singer Kim Seung-jin, and her room is covered with Kim Seung-jin's photos. Geum-myeong is well aware of Jenny's inclinations and advises her mother, Mi-hyang, to let Jenny pursue a career in what she is good at, rather than pushing her to attend a prestigious university through a proxy college scholastic ability test.

Kim Mi-hyang

Kim Mi-hyang (Kim Geum-sun) is Jenny's mother. She is a nouveau riche from a hostess background. She is aware of her daughter's lack of intelligence and asks Geum-myeong to take the college scholastic ability test for Jenny in exchange for buying her an apartment in Seoul. When Geum-myeong refuses, she retaliates by framing her as a ring thief to prevent her from leaking the information. However, she later clears Geum-myeong of the theft charge after her housekeeper threatens her with holding a diamond ring hostage. Despite receiving advice from both Geum-myeong and the housekeeper to live a life of accumulating good deeds and letting Jenny pursue what she is good at, she still decides to take the proxy exam for Jenny. This decision leads to her being caught and appearing on the front page of the newspaper. She instilled in her daughter the belief that she would be abandoned once the "sweet water" was gone, and true to her words, Jenny testifies that "Mom made me do it all" when the crime is discovered.

Oh Jenny's housekeeper

Jenny's Housekeeper (Nam Mi-jung). In episode 8, when Geum-myeong is falsely accused of stealing a diamond ring by the student's mother she tutors and is arrested by the police, she uses her wit to help her get released. Mi-hyang cannot bring herself to fire the housekeeper because of their relationship from her days as a hostess, and she drinks with her and asks why she helped her. The housekeeper says that Geum-myeong looks exactly like someone. As it turns out, when the housekeeper was staying at an inn in Busan when she was young, it was Gwan-shik and Ae-sun who told her that the owners were swindlers. Thanks to the two, the housekeeper was able to protect her mother's inheritance, and afterwards, she bought them tofu. Although decades have passed, she has not forgotten what happened at that time, and she noticed that Geum-myeong looked exactly like Ae-sun and helped her.

Supporting characters: People from Busan

Geum-ja

Geum-ja (played by Kang Mal-geum) is the female owner of the Nampo-jang motel in Busan, where Ae-sun and Gwan-shik stay after running away. She is a swindler and thief who serves strong alcohol to guests and secretly steals their belongings when they fall asleep. Geum-ja steals Ae-sun and Gwan-shik's valuables bag, but when Ae-sun sneaks in to retrieve it and sees Hye-sook sleeping with her hairpin in her hair, she attempts to pull it out. Hye-sook wakes up, screams, and Geum-ja is caught, tying up Ae-sun in the process. Ae-sun headbutts her, allowing them to escape. Later, when Gye-ok arrives to stage a protest, Geum-ja becomes frustrated. She is eventually arrested for fraud and is revealed by the police to be a notorious criminal with more than ten previous convictions.

Park Bong-nam

Park Bong-nam (played by Kim Young-woong) is the male owner of the inn where Ae-sun and Gwan-shik stay after running away to Busan. When the innkeepers steal Ae-sun and Gwan-shik's bag and deny any knowledge, Park Bong-nam becomes angry and kicks them out, demanding evidence. However, when Ae-sun and Gwan-shik return to retrieve the bag and are caught, Park grabs Ae-sun and threatens her. This provokes Gwan-shik to become angry, kick a wall, and deliver a flying kick. Later, after his wife is reported and imprisoned, and following persistent demands from Gye-ok, Park finally returns the stolen valuables.

Gold Shop Owner

Gold Shop Owner (played by Shin Mi-young) owns "Nampo-dang," a gold shop in Busan visited by Ae-sun and Gwan-shik to sell their valuables. She immediately recognizes them as runaway teenagers and initially regards them unfavorably. However, when the innkeeper attempts to steal and sell Ae-sun and Gwan-shik's valuables, the shop owner identifies the items as stolen goods and reports them to the police, aiding in their arrest. She also fulfills Gwan-shik's request by making a wedding ring, demonstrating genuine Busan generosity.

Supporting characters: other

Jung Mi-in

Jung Mi-in (Actor: Kim Sung-ryung) is a top actress. She attempts to take her own life by jumping into the sea from a fishing boat following a scandal but is rescued by Yang Gwan-sik. She later bounces back in her career, winning a Baeksang Award for her role as a fisherman's she strives to repay her debts and ultimately becomes Yang Gwan-sik's savior after he experiences a significant mishap. Yang Gwan-sik, having purchased a small store in a desolate area, opens a squid and seafood restaurant named "Geum-eun-dong." Unfortunately, he faces financial troubles due to a lack of customers. Jung Mi-in visits the restaurant to film a broadcast, where she enjoys squid soup and humorously uses the catchphrase "Buy soup~ soup~ soup," a playful nod to Jang Mi-hee's catchphrase from the 1998 drama Six Siblings. Following her visit, the restaurant sees a surge in popularity, described as a 'jackpot,' with customers flocking in.

Hyun-ja

Hyun-ja (Actor: Lee Ji-hyun) is a kidnapper who appears in childhood flashbacks of middle-aged Ae-sun. In these flashbacks, she asks young Ae-sun, who is returning home, to pretend to have an injured leg and attempts to kidnap her by putting her in a truck with an accomplice.

External links

• List of When Life Gives You Tangerines characters at IMDb