When Life Gives You Tangerines scores highest IMDb rating in K-drama history; beats Squid Game, The Glory

When Life Gives You Tangerines beats Glory, Squid Game in IMDb rating 

The show saw a steady jump in its IMDb score, climbing from 8.7 to an impressive 9.3 after its finale. The last three episodes revolved around Oh Ae Sun’s daughter Yang Geum Myeong getting married to Kim Seon Ho’s character, Park Bo Gum’s Gwan Sik losing his battle with cancer, and a new chapter opening up in Ae Sun’s life. Episode 16 alone pulled in a near-perfect 9.9. Twelve episodes from the series have scored 9 or higher. With that, the drama has officially surpassed several popular titles, including Kingdom Season 2 with a score of 8.2, Move to Heaven at 8.5, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call with 8.4, the globally famous Squid Game Season 1 at 8.0, and even Song Hye Kyo’s revenge hit The Glory Season 2 with 8.1. 

Also read: When Life Gives You Tangerines Review: Don’t skip IU & Park Bo Gum’s K-drama if you’re dealing with life’s sour moments

When Life Gives You Tangerines climbed to No 1 on Netflix’s global non-English chart last week after holding steady at No 3 and No 4 in previous weeks. The show wrapped up its 16-episode run on March 28, but it’s still holding strong, currently sitting at No 3 this week. With 6 million views, it’s the No 1 show in four countries this weekend and in the Top 10 across 39 countries. 

Also read: IU and Park Bo Gum react to their ‘awkward’ kiss in Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines, reveal 13-year friendship

According to the IGAWorks Mobile Index, 14.09 million active viewers tuned in to Netflix Korea in March 2024, with March 29 (the day after the finale) racking up 4.05 million daily active users alone. That figure is said to be the best one-day number since Squid Game Season 2 in December 2023, breaking the previous record set by The Glory. When the show first aired, it felt like just another K-drama set against the serene backdrop of Jeju Island. But as it progressed, the comforting storyline, the break from the usual rich-CEO trope, the raw real-life struggles, and the cast’s chemistry kept viewers hooked. Even though Bo Gum’s character arc ended early, the story remained strong with IU and the supporting cast masterfully carrying the show on their shoulder. The show is directed by Kim Won Suk and penned by Im Sang Choon. According to IMDb, the show revolves around, “A spirited girl in Jeju and a steadfast boy’s island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs, proving love endures across time.”