Amid a lineup of highly-rated dramas boasting over 20% viewership, Netflix original “When Life Gives You Tangerines“ has managed to top them all and be crowned as Korea’s most beloved broadcast program.
According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from March 18 to 20 with 1,003 adults nationwide, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” ranked No.1 with a 6.9% preference rating.
Unlike simple viewership ratings, this survey allows respondents to freely name their most preferred programs regardless of broadcast time, channel, or platform. Since 2023, the survey also includes OTT content, reflecting the rising influence of online streaming. Within this updated framework, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” was the most frequently mentioned program across both broadcast and streaming platforms.
The series, released weekly in batches of four episodes on Netflix since March 7, spans four weeks in total. Set in Jeju from the 1950s to the present day, it tells the story of literature-loving Ae-soon and steadfast Gwan-sik as they grow from children to adults, and eventually parents. IU and Moon So-ri play Ae Soon in the past and present, while Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon portray Gwan-sik, delivering a deeply resonant performance. The parallel storyline of their daughter Geum-myeong’s life in Seoul also brings emotional depth and nostalgia.
The drama is a notable collaboration between writer Lim Sang-choon and director Kim Won-seok. Lim is celebrated for emotionally rich, relatable romances like “Fight for My Way” and “When the Camellia Blooms,” while Kim is known for his nuanced portrayal of human relationships in series such as “Misaeng,” “Signal,” and “My Mister.” Their synergy has once again been proven in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”.
Notably, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” is the fifth Netflix-produced series to top the Gallup survey. Previous winners include “The Glory” (March 2023), “Culinary Class Wars” (October 2024), “Squid Game Season 2” (January 2025), and “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” (February 2025). This marks the first time a single OTT platform has claimed the No.1 spot for three consecutive months, further underscoring Netflix’s dominance.
Overview of The Survey
- Survey Period: March 18–20, 2025
- Sampling Method: Random extraction of virtual mobile phone numbers provided by Korea’s three major telecom providers
- Response Method: Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)
- Target Respondents: 1,003 individuals aged 18 and older nationwide
- Margin of Error: ±3.1 percentage points (at a 95% confidence level)
- Contact Rate: 46.4% (calls connected out of total valid numbers dialed)
- Response Rate: 13.1% (1,003 completed interviews out of 7,673 total calls)
- Commissioned by: Gallup Korea (independently conducted)
The success of “When Life Gives You Tangerines” not only highlights the power of heartfelt storytelling but also marks a cultural shift in how Korean audiences embrace content, favoring emotional resonance and quality over traditional ratings and platforms.
The post “When Life Gives You Tangerines” Tops Gallup Korea Poll, Surpassing 20% Rating Hits appeared first on KBIZoom. KBIZoom – Breaking news about K-pop, K-drama, Anime/Manga and worldwide entertainment KBIZoom – Breaking news about K-pop, K-drama, Anime/Manga and worldwide entertainment
