‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ May Be Based on Real Story

Netflix’s latest hit When Life Gives You Tangerines may not be entirely fiction, according to fans and some local Jeju sources. Viewers are pointing out striking parallels between the show’s characters and the real-life experiences of a couple from Jeju Island—raising questions about whether the popular series was inspired by actual events.

The drama, starring IU and Park Bo Gum, follows Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik, two locals growing up in 1950s Jeju. Ae-Sun is a bright, poetry-loving girl who can’t attend school due to poverty. Gwan-Sik is a quiet, dependable boy who cares deeply for her. While their love story unfolds in a fictional setting, it’s one that feels deeply personal to many Jeju natives—and perhaps for good reason.

Fans spot hidden clue in the first episode

One key detail that sparked this theory appears in the first episode. A traditional floating device used by Jeju’s famous female divers (haenyeo) is shown with the name “Hong Kyung Ja” written on it. It didn’t seem like a random name drop.

In fact, Hong Kyung Ja is a real person. She was born on Jeju Island in 1950, just like the show’s timeline. Raised by her grandmother after losing her mother young, Hong lived a life of hardship as the eldest of nine siblings. She often had to skip school to support her family, echoing Ae-Sun’s struggle in the show.

The real woman behind the possible inspiration

In interviews with local Jeju outlets, Hong Kyung Ja shared her story of growing up by the sea—catching shellfish, diving in cold waters, and surviving difficult conditions. Like many Jeju women before her, she became a haenyeo diver. Her life was tough, but she remained hopeful, much like Ae-Sun’s poetic spirit.

Her love story, too, bears a resemblance to the series. At 23, she married her childhood friend Kim Seung Hwa. Described as her biggest supporter, Kim helped her with everything from household duties to managing their fishing village life. Their decades-long partnership was built on mutual respect and quiet loyalty—just like Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik’s bond.

A quiet love that challenged norms

While Kyung Ja continued her demanding work as a haenyeo, Seung Hwa made sure she came home to warm meals. He took on household duties traditionally assigned to women, supporting her in ways that stood out in their community. His dedication earned him the "Beautiful Husband Award" from the Jeju YWCA in 2002—a public recognition of a love that broke conventions.

Even after Seung Hwa’s passing in 2018, Kyung Ja remains closely connected to the sea that first brought them together. She still dives, but she’s also thinking about what comes next. In an interview, she said she hopes to write about her life once she retires—whether in the form of a book, essay, or something else. The idea is slowly taking shape, much like the rhythms of the ocean she knows so well.

The sea as both livelihood and muse

Much like Ae-Sun in the drama, Kyung Ja’s life has always been deeply tied to nature and poetry. A writer herself, she won a bronze medal in the National Fishermen's Essay Contest for her piece titled The Sea is Honest. Her years of diving didn’t just provide a living—they also gave her a creative wellspring. The ocean, with all its honesty and depth, became her inspiration as much as it was her everyday reality.

Netflix hasn’t confirmed the connection

Despite the growing speculation, Netflix hasn’t confirmed if When Life Gives You Tangerines is directly based on Hong Kyung Ja’s life. Still, the emotional depth and nostalgic storytelling clearly draw from real-life elements that many viewers—especially those familiar with Jeju’s culture—can relate to.

Whether fully fictional or not, the series is a powerful tribute to the resilience, dreams, and quiet strength of Jeju’s people, past and present.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here