When Life Gives You Tangerines controversy: IU and Park Bo Gum's hit K-drama rocked by shocking abuse claims; Netflix responds
When Life Gives You Tangerines, once celebrated as a standout K-drama, is now facing serious backlash over claims of mistreatment on set, including mishandled props, poor treatment of extras, and damage to heritage sites. Netflix has responded with a promise to investigate and improve working conditions.
Once hailed as a gem among recent K-dramas, When Life Gives You Tangerines has now found itself at the centre of controversy. Starring IU and Park Bo Gum, the Netflix original broke global viewership records and earned praise for its storytelling and nostalgic visuals. But behind the romantic charm of Jeju Island and sweeping timelines, serious allegations have surfaced from people who were on set, which have sent shockwaves among fans of the beloved drama.
Allegations of mistreatment spark online storm
The situation began unravelling when an X user, allegedly affiliated with a prop company, claimed the production team mishandled and damaged rented retro buses and large-scale props. They described the staff as ¡°ignorant or irresponsible,¡± noting that damage was documented and claims were filed.
"Our company staff were present on set to ¡®facilitate¡¯ the use of the props (we were really just there to monitor them) because the production team lacked the skills to operate the retro buses or large props we rented or made for them. They damaged everything. They were either ignorant or irresponsible. Naturally, we documented the damage and filed claims later (sic)," the tweet stated.
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¡ª ???? (@M_RBt_) May 26, 2025
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This post quickly snowballed, prompting several background actors to share their own distressing experiences, ranging from being forced to shave their heads to being left cold and hungry during long shoots in the winter. One post even likened the treatment of extras to being ¡°like slaves.¡±
Some users also raised concerns about the crew¡¯s alleged disregard for protected or culturally significant areas during filming. According to a few posts, the production team may have caused damage to heritage sites on Jeju Island in their pursuit of visually stunning scenes.
Netflix issues official response
As backlash mounted and criticism spread across social media platforms, Netflix was eventually forced to respond. The streaming giant broke its silence with an official statement addressing the growing allegations of mistreatment and negligence on set. ¡°We are working closely with our Korean production partners to improve working conditions and will thoroughly review the facts to prevent similar issues in the future,¡± the platform said.
About When Life Gives You Tangerines
Credit: Netflix
Set against the backdrop of Jeju Island, When Life Gives You Tangerines follows Ae-sun (played by IU) and Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo Gum) as their lives intertwine from the 1960s to the present.
The romance drama touched viewers worldwide with its emotional depth and period-accurate aesthetic. However, with these behind-the-scenes claims now surfacing, it remains unclear if WLGYT will go on to become a cult classic.
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As an Entertainment Content Writer with 3+ Years of experience, I have been keeping a keen eye on who wore what. A self confessed Koreaboo, I am your fangirl next door. Ps: I take pride in saying that I grew up watching "It's Controversial" as a kid.
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