“When Life Gives You Tangerines” Tops Gallup Korea Rankings, Surpassing 20% Approval Rating

In a remarkable achievement, the Netflix original series When Life Gives You Tangerines has emerged as Korea’s most treasured broadcast program, outpacing a multitude of competing dramas that have surpassed 20% viewership ratings.

This accolade stems from a recent survey conducted by Gallup Korea, engaging 1, 003 adults nationwide between March 18 and 20. Within this assessment, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” secured the top spot with an impressive 6.9% preference rating, showcasing its widespread appeal.

A Heartbreaking Love Story in When Life Gives You Tangerines

Notably, this survey diverges from traditional viewership metrics by allowing individuals to freely designate their favorite programs without restrictions concerning broadcast time, channel, or platform. Since its 2023 update, the survey has expanded to include Over-The-Top (OTT) content, reflecting the significant rise of streaming services in shaping viewer preferences. In this context, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has emerged as the most commonly cited program across both television and streaming platforms.

The series, which debuted on Netflix on March 7, is rolled out weekly in groups of four episodes, spanning four weeks. The narrative is set against the backdrop of Jeju, tracing the lives of Ae-soon, an avid literature enthusiast, and Gwan-sik, a devoted companion, as they transition from childhood to adulthood and eventually into parenthood. The dual roles of Ae-soon are portrayed by IU in both her past and present, while Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon bring Gwan-sik’s character to life, delivering powerful performances that resonate deeply with viewers. Additionally, the parallel storyline following their daughter Geum-myeong’s experiences in Seoul adds layers of emotional complexity and nostalgia to the narrative.

This poignant drama represents a stellar collaboration between acclaimed writer Lim Sang-choon and experienced director Kim Won-seok. Lim is known for crafting emotionally compelling and relatable love stories such as “Fight for My Way” and “When the Camellia Blooms”, while Kim has garnered acclaim for his nuanced exploration of human relationships in shows like “Misaeng”, “Signal”, and “My Mister”. Their collaboration in “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has genuinely captivated audiences.

Significantly, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” marks the fifth Netflix series to lead the Gallup survey rankings. Previous titles included “The Glory” in March 2023, “Culinary Class Wars” in October 2024, “Squid Game Season 2” in January 2025, and “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” in February 2025. Notably, this achievement signifies the first instance wherein a single OTT platform has maintained the No.1 position for three consecutive months, emphasizing Netflix’s substantial influence in the current media landscape.

Survey Overview

Survey Period: March 18–20, 2025
Sampling Method: Random selection of virtual mobile phone numbers from Korea’s major telecom providers
Response Method: Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)
Target Respondents: 1, 003 individuals aged 18 and older across the nation
Margin of Error: ±3.1 percentage points (at a 95% confidence level)
Contact Rate: 46.4% (calls successfully connected out of the total valid numbers called)
Response Rate: 13.1% (1, 003 completed interviews from 7, 673 total calls)
Commissioned by: Gallup Korea (independently conducted)

The triumph of “When Life Gives You Tangerines” underscores the potency of evocative storytelling and signifies a cultural pivot among Korean audiences, who are increasingly prioritizing emotional narratives and content quality over conventional ratings and platforms.

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