The Korean drama "When life gives you tangerines", officially released to audiences on March 7, quickly created a fever on the small screen, attracting the attention of a large audience.
Not only that, the film's beautiful setting, filmed on the idyllic Jeju Island, also received a "shower" of compliments from the audience. The romantic, poetic scenes, recreating the wild and idyllic beauty of Jeju, contributed to the film's special appeal.
The scene of the main actors holding hands and walking through the canola field at the foot of Seongsan Mountain
Jeju Island Love Song
Inspired by the famous saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade", the movie "When life gives you lemons" brought the audience an emotional and meaningful love story.
In that space, Ae Sun (IU) appears like a brilliant flower, carrying within her a spirit of freedom and a strong desire. Ae Sun is the embodiment of a generation of young women who dare to think, dare to do, dare to fight to live true to themselves. In contrast to Ae Sun, Gwan Sik (Park Bo Gum) is a quiet, simple man, with the strong personality of a Jeju farmer. He possesses a warm heart and a sincere, strong love for Ae Sun. Gwan Sik's love is not ostentatious, not noisy, but quiet, like the waves lapping on the sand.
The film takes the audience back to Jeju Island in the old days, where the story of Ae Sun (IU) and Gwan Sik (Park Bo Gum) gradually unfolds amidst the rough waves.
Despite their contrasting backgrounds and personalities, Ae Sun and Gwan Sik's love blossomed and grew over time, like a lush tangerine garden on Jeju Island. Together they experienced sweet, romantic moments, but also could not avoid the storms and challenges of life. The questions about the two people's feelings created the drama and appeal of the film, making it impossible for the audience to take their eyes off the screen.
A "different" Jeju in the movie
Far from the modern, vibrant and vibrant image of Jeju that we often see through travel films or sparkling advertising photos, "When life gives you tangerines" takes viewers back to a harsh period of this island. 1950 was a period when the sea was not only a precious source of life, but also a huge burden for the people here. Their lives were closely linked to the sea, but they also had to face the dangers and challenges that the sea brought.
Far from the image of modern, vibrant and vibrant Jeju, When Life Gives You Tangerines takes viewers back to a harsh period of this island.
Standing out in the picture of that arduous life is the image of Haenyeo – resilient female divers, strong women who have become the symbol of Jeju Island. They not only have to face fierce waves and sudden storms, but also have to fight the harshness of life, with the difficulties that pile up in their lives.
Her mother, Jeon Kwang Rye, is a seasoned Haenyeo who carries the family on her bare shoulders deep in the sea.
Ae Sun’s mother, Jeon Kwang Rye, was a seasoned Haenyeo, a woman who had dedicated her entire life to the sea. She carried her family on her bare shoulders, diving deep into the ocean to make a living. Kwang Rye understood better than anyone the hardships of being a diver, so she did not want her daughter to continue on this path.
That's why she said a bitter sentence: "It's better to be born as a cow than to be a haenyeo woman." This sentence not only revealed her personal fatigue and frustration, but also reflected the obsession and hardship of many generations of Haenyeo women. They had to sacrifice their youth, health, and even their lives to make a living and support their families.
The arduous profession of a Heiress is glorified in film.
Hainanese women are recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage not because this is a beautiful and poetic profession, but because it is a testament to the resilience, courage and spirit of sacrifice of women. They are women who dare to give up everything to overcome difficulties, to protect their loved ones. They are the silent heroes of Jeju Island, who have contributed to creating the unique cultural identity of this island.
The footage of Jeju Island in "When Life Gives You Tangerines" paints a colorful picture, both poetic and lyrical, and harsh and bare. The warm, nostalgic tones are used subtly, combined with slow, meticulous filming, helping to fully recreate the nostalgic beauty of an old Jeju. It is a Jeju with pristine, quiet beaches, simple, rustic stone roofs, and Haenyeo female divers who work hard day and night, diving into the deep sea to make a living.
Sad footage
Each frame in the film is meticulously crafted, like an emotional work of art, recalling distant memories and stories that have faded into the past. Viewers are not only captivated by the poetic beauty of the landscape, but also moved by the hard-working life of the people here. The time-worn setting has created a unique artistic space, giving viewers unforgettable experiences.
Each frame is meticulously cared for
The sad film colors tell about Jeju in a difficult time
One of the most classic and beautiful scenes of the film is the scene where the main actors hold hands, walking through the bright yellow rapeseed fields at the foot of Seongsan Mountain in the afternoon sunlight. Behind them is a long blue beach, creating a romantic and emotional scene. In wide-angle shots, viewers can admire the whole scene of the bright yellow rapeseed flowers in spring (March-April) on Jeju Island, a beautiful scene that captivates people's hearts.
Not only does the film feature majestic natural scenes, it also realistically depicts the daily lives of Jeju people through everyday scenes. The bustling morning market, the small road running down to the sea, the fishing boats moored on the shore, or the traditional wooden houses with thatched roofs and surrounded by stone fences, all contribute to deeply depicting the simple, rustic life of the people on the island.
Jeju's famous tourist destinations are shown on the small screen
Jeju Island, the largest island in Korea, has long been known as the "paradise island", an ideal destination for those seeking peace and romance. This place is not only famous for its beautiful natural landscapes, but also a familiar setting for Korean romantic movies, contributing to the special attraction of this island.
Located about 100 km from the mainland, Jeju is completely separated from the hustle and bustle of large urban areas. This island has a mild, pleasant climate all year round. Summer is not too hot, creating favorable conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, or swimming. Autumn brings cool air, the treetops begin to turn yellow and red, creating a romantic and poetic scene. In winter, Jeju is covered in white snow, bringing a magical and romantic beauty.
Compared to other islands in Korea, Jeju still retains its unique traditional culture, not lost by the urbanization process. The people here promote a community lifestyle, closely connected to each other. They still preserve and use the typical dialect of Jeju Island, a unique cultural feature that attracts the attention of many filmmakers.
Not only does the film feature majestic natural scenes, it also realistically recreates the daily lives of Jeju people.
