₩60 Billion Shock: 4 Stunning Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines

 

₩60 Billion Shock: 4 Stunning Behind-the-Scenes Facts About Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines

Starring IU and Park Bo-gum — a masterpiece of a drama, made even more magical once you know what went on behind the scenes.

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“Wait—what kind of drama looks this beautiful nowadays?”
“And why does it make me laugh one minute and cry the next?”

If you’ve already watched Netflix’s latest hit When Life Gives You Tangerines, chances are you’ve said something like this out loud. Spanning from the wistful 1960s to a vividly reimagined 2025, it’s a story of love, friendship, time, and memory.

But here’s a surprise: did you know this drama had a jaw-dropping ₩60 billion (approximately $45 million) production budget?
And behind that budget lies laughter, tears—and some incredible behind-the-scenes secrets that make this drama even more unforgettable.
Let’s dive into four of the most fascinating truths behind When Life Gives You Tangerines.

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1. ₩60 Billion? The Movie-Quality Secret Behind the Screen

Yes, it’s a ₩60 billion drama.
At first, you might scoff—how could a single TV show cost that much? But once you watch When Life Gives You Tangerines, you’ll understand. You can smell the budget in every scene—not just in how “expensive” it looks, but in the time, precision, and emotional detail packed into each frame.

Of course, some of that went to its all-star cast. IU and Park Bo-gum alone are enough to justify a massive chunk of the budget. Add veterans like Moon So-ri, Park Hae-jun, and Na Moon-hee, and you’re looking at a cast that delivers on every emotional beat.

But here’s where the real money went: world-building.
Half of the story takes place in 1960s Jeju Island, a time and place that doesn’t exist anymore—not even in Jeju itself. So what did the production team do? They built it from scratch. Not in Jeju, but in Andong—a full-scale replica of an island village, including houses, alleyways, and even a harbor.

And that breathtaking ocean?
It wasn’t real.
The “sea” was actually a painted plain with heavy CG rendering, while the boat that floats in the scene was real. The team CG’ed the water, but physically launched a real ship into it. That level of obsessive detail? That’s where the ₩60 billion really went.

As a result, every shot feels cinematic. Every frame looks like it belongs in a gallery. There are many dramas with good production value—but very few feel this carefully, lovingly crafted.

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2. Set in Jeju—but Shot in Andong?

One of the biggest surprises: When Life Gives You Tangerines may be set in Jeju, but it wasn’t filmed there.

The crew wanted to capture the texture of 1960s Jeju, a place that’s long gone. So instead of compromising with modern Jeju, they built their own world—in Andong. An entire island town was constructed from the ground up, including narrow roads, fishing docks, and rustic homes.

The “sea” was blue-painted land enhanced with digital magic, but the boats were real, physically floating and maneuvered on set. The team didn’t take shortcuts. They poured heart and craft into creating an immersive, lived-in world—by hand, frame by frame.

This is not a case of throwing money at a screen. It’s a case of sculpting reality from scratch. And it paid off.

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3. Park Bo-gum Was Too Handsome (Yes, It Was a Problem)

Believe it or not, Park Bo-gum’s good looks became a problem on set.
The wardrobe team tried everything to dress him down for the role.
They gave him loose slacks, faded shirts, and a buzzcut—all in an attempt to make him look like a humble, small-town guy from the '60s.

But no matter what they did, he looked… flawless.
So flawless, in fact, that the crew reportedly asked,
“How do we make him look less good?”

Even IU commented, “I look frumpy with short hair, but Bo-gum looks amazing with a buzzcut. It’s unfair.”
When your actor is so handsome that he makes ugly clothes look like runway couture—you know you’ve got a (beautiful) problem.

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4. The Hidden Message in the End Credits

As stunning as the visuals and acting were, what truly made When Life Gives You Tangerines feel “beautiful” was the end credits.

If you watched all the way to the end, you may have noticed a curious line: “Production Baby.”
It wasn’t a joke. It was real.

During the filming period, several staff members had children—and the babies' names appear in the credits. Even babies who hadn’t been born yet were listed by their prenatal nicknames.

It was a touching reminder that behind all the glamor, this drama was a shared journey of people and families. It was a project that grew alongside new life—and you can feel that in every scene.

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🎬 So Why Did We Fall in Love With This Drama?

When Life Gives You Tangerines isn’t just a romance.
It’s not just a historical series either.
It’s a story woven from bittersweet memories, friendship, misunderstandings, heartbreak, and—most of all—a kind of tenderness that modern dramas often forget.

It doesn’t just rely on money.
It’s a drama made from real feelings, from the sweat and tears of everyone involved.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll remember things you’ve forgotten.
And long after the screen fades to black, it lingers in your heart.

If you haven’t watched it yet—don’t wait.
Go press play on Netflix.
You’re about to fall “completely” for it.