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The South Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines," starring two popular stars, IU (as Oh Ae Sun) and Park Bo Gum (as Yang Gwan Sik), created a huge sensation among viewers, not only in South Korea but also in many countries around the world. The drama captivated audiences with its deeply human story, the picturesque and emotionally rich setting of Jeju Island, and the nuanced performances of its talented cast.
"When Life Gives You Tangerines" is not just a simple entertainment film, but also a work of art imbued with profound humanistic values. The film realistically portrays the lives of working-class people on Jeju Island in the 1950s, with their hardships and struggles, but also with abundant human kindness and hope.
"When Life Gives You Tangerines" contributes to promoting the cultural aspects of Jeju to international friends.
Besides its captivating plot, the film also contributes to promoting the beauty of Jeju Island, a beautiful island with majestic natural landscapes and unique cultural features. Famous tourist destinations on Jeju Island, such as the pristine blue beaches, extinct volcanoes, and peaceful fishing villages, are vividly recreated on screen, leaving viewers in awe of the island's beauty.
Recently, a scene from the film revealing the story of the two Dolhareubang stone statues, sacred symbols of Jeju Island, has become famous on social media.
The sacred guardian deity of Jeju Island
The film features a particularly impactful scene where the character Ae Sun (played by IU), in a fit of emotion, strikes a Dolhareubang stone statue – a famous and sacred cultural symbol of Jeju Island – and is then severely reprimanded by her mother-in-law. This scene is not merely a plot point, but a clear illustration of generational differences and cultural conflicts, especially within the context of Korean society in the 1960s.
For the people of Jeju, especially the older generation like Ae Sun's mother-in-law, the Dolhareubang stone statues are not just decorative objects but also embodiments of their ancestors.
Dolhareubang stone statues, also known as "Grandfather" in the local language, are not only unique works of folk art but also symbols of protection, prosperity, and spiritual strength in Jeju culture. These statues, depicting fierce-looking men wearing mushroom-shaped hats and holding staffs, are often placed in front of village gates, temples, or homes, with the belief that they can ward off evil spirits and protect families from misfortune.
For the people of Jeju, especially the older generation like Ae Sun's mother-in-law, the Dolhareubang stone statues are not just ordinary decorations, but also embodiments of ancestors, a deep connection to the island's past and traditions. Ae Sun's act of striking the statue of her grandfather, in a moment of失去控制 (loss of control), could be considered a serious insult to the spiritual values that her mother-in-law cherishes so deeply.
The stone statue of Grandpa is not only a work of folk art but also a symbol of protection, prosperity, and spiritual strength in the local culture.
In the context of the film, set on Jeju Island in the 1960s, Korean society was still deeply influenced by Confucianism, where ancestor veneration and tradition were paramount. The mother-in-law, as the elder in the family, might view Ae Sun's actions as disrespectful not only to her family but also to the entire Jeju community.
These statues are often placed in front of village gates or houses to ward off evil spirits.
This scene not only depicts the conflict between two generations but also reflects differences in cultural and religious beliefs. While Ae Sun, a young woman, may not fully understand the profound meaning of the Dolhareubang stone statue, her mother-in-law, an older woman, considers it an integral part of her life and culture.
The mysterious Dolhareubang rock formations are deeply ingrained in the consciousness of the island's inhabitants.
Jeju Island, the emerald island of South Korea, is not only famous for its majestic natural beauty but also for its unique cultural treasure. The island's special geological formation, created by volcanic eruptions lasting millions of years, has endowed Jeju with a rich resource of volcanic rock. This type of rock is not only the building material for strangely shaped stone statues, but is also intimately connected to the daily lives of the people of Jeju.
From traditional houses built with volcanic rock and stone walls surrounding villages to stone boundary markers, volcanic rock is ubiquitous on Jeju Island. The total length of Jeju's volcanic rock is estimated at approximately 36 million kilometers, an impressive figure equivalent to the circumference of the Earth. This type of rock gives Jeju its unique and distinctive beauty, and also inspires mystical legends, most notably the legend of the two stone statues "Grandfather and Grandmother" (Dolhareubang), sacred symbols and "guardians" of the island.
Dolhareubang has long transcended the meaning of an inanimate object to become an inseparable part of the spiritual life of Jeju residents.
The space between the two statues became a natural boundary, regulating the maximum size of vehicles allowed to pass on the village road.
Upon arriving in Jeju, visitors will easily spot the distinctive "Grandfather and Grandmother" stone statues scattered throughout the island, from tourist attractions and streets to the gates of traditional villages. Locals say their ancestors were the "Grandmothers," and these statues, placed at village gates, not only protect the village from evil but also serve as markers to indicate distances along the way.
Dolhareubang, which means "stone old man" in the Jeju dialect, dates back to around the 18th century, during the Joseon dynasty.
These statues, acting as "village guardians," have also become familiar landmarks, helping Jeju residents measure distances along their routes.
Later, to prevent large trucks from entering the village, the people of Jeju carved additional statues of "Grandpa" and placed them opposite "Grandma" at the village gate. The distance between these two statues became the limit for vehicles allowed to travel on the village road. Whether in sunny days or stormy weather, the two stone statues of "Grandpa" and "Grandma" act as loyal guardians, protecting the island from evil.
For the people of Jeju, an isolated island in the middle of the ocean where nature is harsh with storms and volcanoes, believing in supernatural forces is a way for them to find peace and tranquility.
Dolhareubang, with his stern yet approachable appearance, became a symbol of protection, like a kind grandfather in the family.
Over time, the two stone statues of "Grandfather and Grandmother" also acquired a fertility symbolism, reflecting the desire to increase the population on this struggling island. The people of Jeju believe that if they want a son, they place their hand on the nose of "Grandfather," and if they want a daughter, they place their hand on the nose of "Grandmother."
Today, when visiting Jeju, many tourists also make sure to place their hands on the noses of the two stone statues of "Grandpa and Grandma" as a way to pray for good luck in having children, and at the same time show respect for the unique cultural symbols of this beautiful island.
