List of When Life Gives You Tangerines characters
This is a list of characters of the South Korean television series When Life Gives You Tangerines starring IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon. Netflix released the 16-episode series in four volumes, each with four episodes starting on March 7, 2025 through March 28, 2025. Bae Jong-byung, senior director of Netflix Korea's series division, explained: "We chose a release strategy that aligns with the creators' vision to maximize viewer enjoyment. From the beginning, the director and writer envisioned Tangerines as a story unfolding in four volumes, and we wanted viewers to experience it that way."
Main characters
Oh Ae-sun
Oh Ae-sun is the main protagonist of When Life Gives You Tangerines. Ae-sun was a small, timid literary girl who, despite needing to be resourceful in many ways, had a voice that trembled like a goat's whenever she rebelled. She was a child who had little but was not embittered. She is a resilient character like a wildflower tenaciously lifting its head toward the sun, even under the harsh shade of a wall that let in no sunlight. Even when circumstances prevented her from attending school, she dreamed of becoming a poet, unreservedly weeping when sad and laughing loudly enough to echo across the entire sea. She was assertive and capable.Ae-sun's character is described as yo-mang-jin, a Jeju dialect term meaning "smart and clever." She is a lovable girl with infinite dreams and abilities, striving to get through life despite being frustrated by poverty and her gender. She possesses a girlish yet strong personality and maintains a beautifully positive outlook on life. Ae-sun's late mother, Gwang-rye, was a haenyeo—a female free diver who harvests seafood. Gwang-rye worked herself to death to ensure Ae-sun would never become a haenyeo and would be free to chase her dreams of becoming a poet.
Despite her intelligence and ambitions, Ae-sun was unable to graduate from high school or attend college on the mainland. She married her first love, childhood friend Yang Gwan-sik, and gave up her own dreams to become a mother at a young age, having her first child at 18.
Although Ae-sun escaped becoming a haenyeo, she did not become a writer or attend university. Instead, she became a housewife to a fisherman and repeated her mother cycle of sacrifice—working, cooking, and cleaning every day—in the hope that her daughter, Geum-myeong, would have opportunities she never enjoyed. She was deeply concerned about her ability to be a good mother, fearing she might fail to provide the love and care her child needed. This anxiety fueled her dedication to raising Geum-myeong with exceptional care, projecting her own hopes and insecurities onto her, making maternal love and commitment the core of her life. Ae-sun became furious and fought back when her in-laws tried to force Geum-myeong to become a haenyeo. Having lived a quiet life after marriage, this was her first act of rebellion, which resulted in her being slapped by her mother-in-law.
Ae-sun began publishing poetry in her 60s, with her poems appearing in magazines. In her 70s, she released a collection of poems titled You Have Done Well. After her husband's death, she volunteered teaching residents of a Jeju nursing home how to read, write, and express themselves through poetry. The residents called her "teacher," which brought her a sense of fulfillment. She lived in her renovated family home—originally her mother's—which had been sold to fund Geum-myeong's education but was later repurchased by Geum-myeong.
The character of Oh Ae-sun is portrayed by IU. Moon So-ri plays the middle-aged Ae-sun, Seo-yeon as teen Ae-sun and Kim Tae-yeon as child Ae-sun. IU and Kim Tae-yeon received praise for their performances in the drama, leading to IU's nomination for Best Actress – Television and Kim Tae-yeon's nomination for Best New Actress — Television at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. IU also considered for the Grand Prize. She also won for Best Actress in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards. IU ranked second place in Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year annual poll, after co-star Park Bo-gum.
Yang Gwan-sik
Yang Gwan-sik is the main male character and Ae-sun's love interest, boyfriend, and later husband. He is described as "a character as silent and unyielding as cast iron and as unshakable as an old tree."A diligent and steadfast individual, he understands the immense power of true dedication. However, in matters of love, he is as fragile as a ripe peach. Ae-sun's smile can make his heart falter, and her tears deeply affect him. Nevertheless, his loyalty remains as unyielding as steel. From the very beginning, he loves and cherishes Ae-sun alone, never wavering in his commitment. Using the circumstances of their era as a pretext, he guides Ae-sun through pivotal moments in her life—sometimes steering, pulling the emergency brake, or even stepping on the accelerator—defying the predictable flow of time as a warrior of unwavering devotion.
Gwan-sik has been by Ae-sun's side since their youth, always bringing fish from his own family's table to feed a neglected Ae-sun. He worked aboard a squid fishing boat under Captain Bu Sang-gil, where he endured verbal and physical abuse before quitting his job under Ae-sun's encouragement. Bu Sang-gil was the man Ae-sun had initially planned to marry and was known for his violent nature and frequent use of the word "hak."
Gwan-sik named his children Geum-myeong, Eun-myeong, and Dong-myeong. In English, geum translates to gold, eun to silver, and dong to bronze. Having given up a promising career as an athlete, his children became his greatest achievements. He later named his boat—bought for him by Ae-sun's grandmother—Geum Eun Dong as a tribute to his kids. Together, they lost a child but raised two to adulthood. They are grandparents and beloved members of the community, having done it all side by side. The character of Yang Gwan-sik is portrayed by Park Bo-gum. Park Hae-joon plays the middle-aged Gwan-sik, Lee Cheon-mu the child Gwan-sik, and Moon Woo-jin as teen Gwan-sik.
Park Bo-gum's portrayal received widespread praise by audience and critics domestically and internationally, earning him his second nomination for Best Actor – Television at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. He is also nominated for Best Actor in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards and won the Popularity Award. In addition, the role earned him two Grand Prizes : Best Actor of the Year – OTT at the 10th Asia Artist Awards and Performer of the Year at the Fundex Awards. Park was named the 2025 Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year, his second time being selected. He is the first actor to top the poll for a streaming project.
Yang Geum-myeong
Yang Geum-myeong is the eldest and only daughter of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, born when her mother and father were 18 and 19 years old, respectively. Her name, Geum-myeong, literally means "gold", symbolising that she is her parents' "gold medal." She is also the main narrative voice of When Life Gives You Tangerines, with each episode structured around her thoughts in her 50s.Geum-myeong resembles her mother, Ae-sun, in appearance but slightly differs in personality, often speaking harshly at her affectionate parents. Her emotional struggles appear to stem from a unique sadness, distinct from her parents'. The loss of her sibling Dong-myeong likely left her with buried guilt. She finds solace in academic achievements, which bring moments of brightness to her parents.
Upon entering Seoul National University, Geum-myeong faces new challenges. The pressures of city life, economic disparities with her lover, and loneliness in a foreign environment in Japan weigh heavily on her. As the eldest daughter, she carries a heavy burden and eventually breaks down emotionally. Yet, her desire to live well is deeply rooted in her love for her family, revealing the depth of her character.
Her family made great sacrifices for her education; her parents even sold their house to send her on a student exchange programme to University of Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan. Upon her return, she rented a room in Bongcheon-dong and worked part-time at Cannes Theatre while completing her studies. She later found employment at Daewoo and planned to marry her first love, Park Young-beom. However, their relationship ended due to opposition from his mother.
She lost her job during the IMF crisis. While job hunting, she decided to attend a farewell film screening at Cannes Theatre, which was closing down. That same night, she reconnected with an old friend, Park Chung-seop, whom she eventually married a year later.
After having her daughter Sae-bom in 2001, Geum-myeong started her own business and became a successful early tech entrepreneur. She launched an online lecture business aimed at making education accessible to people like her mother, who missed out on college due to factors such as social class and geography. She also purchased and renovated Ae-sun's mother's old home, which the family had sold to fund her education.
The character was portrayed by IU as Yang Geum-myeong, Lee A-ra as child Geum-myeong, Ahn Tae-rin as child Geum-myeong, and Shin Chae-rin as child Geum-myeong.
Supporting characters: People from Jeju
Park Mak-cheon
Park Mak-cheon is Gwan-sik's grandmother and a shaman. Due to her strong belief in superstitions, she dislikes Ae-sun, claiming that Ae-sun is possessed by the spirit of her deceased mother and is destined to die young. This leads to frequent conflicts between them. When Gwan-sik helps Ae-sun with her cabbage business at the market, Mak-cheon would come to overturn the cabbage cart and cause chaos.Even after Gwan-sik and Ae-sun married, Mak-cheon threw red beans at Ae-sun daily to ward off bad luck. She also attempted to hold a ritual for Geum-myeong to become a haenyeo, which enraged Ae-sun, causing her to overturn the ritual table and move out.
Park Mak-cheon became kinder to Ae-sun after the birth of her son, Eun-myeong. After Ae-sun gave birth to their third child, a second son named Dong-myeong, Mak-cheon teased Gwon Gye-ok, Ae-sun's mother-in-law, by comparing Ae-sun favourably to her. When Dong-myeong went missing, Mak-cheon blamed herself for being unable to search for him due to her age. After Dong-myeong's death, she advised Eun-myeong to live as if he no longer had a birthday, emphasising the importance of behaving well for her mother's sake.
Park Mak-cheon died when Eun-myeong was in middle school, and she is depicted in a portrait in episode 12. The character is portrayed by Kim Yong-rim.
Kim Chun-ok
Kim Chun-ok is Ae-sun's paternal grandmother. Ae-sun is the only child of her eldest son, Oh Han-gyu. In her youth, Chun-ok sold gukbap on the mainland and fled to Jeju with her children during the Korean War.Gwan-rye once asked her mother-in-law Chun-ok to accompany her to a photo studio for her mortuary portrait. Tearfully expressing her concerns about leaving Ae-sun behind in a world without her, Gwan-rye sought Chun-ok's support for her daughter. Chun-ok promised to honour Gwan-rye's wishes and, when Ae-sun was on the verge of giving up, her grandmother gave her money saved from selling gukbap and advised her to use it to buy a fishing boat.
Later in life, Chun-ok developed dementia and no longer recognised her children or other relatives. However, she immediately recognised her granddaughter Ae-sun, surprising everyone by saying, "Why don't I know? She's our Han-gyu's daughter." She showed concern for Ae-sun, asking, "Are you having a hard time? When did Kang-saeng, who lost his front teeth, grow this much? It must be hard, why aren't you feeling better? I know what's on your mind. I know everything." Ae-sun promised to get her new teeth after receiving her savings, but Chun-ok died on December 20, 1995, before that could happen. As both lost a son, they understand each other.
When Chun-ok died, in a dream-like sequence, Gwang-rye appears and asks, "How was your life? Was it like a picnic, or was it difficult?" Chun-ok responds, "It was like a picnic. It was a wonderful picnic where I saw all my children before departing." The song "Gwi-ro" by Jung Mi-jo plays softly in the background.
The character is portrayed by Na Moon-hee. Na Moon-hee with Yeom Hye-ran, Jung Hae-gyun, were all the writer's choices, as she had wanted them from the start.
Jeon Gwang-rye
Jeon Gwang-rye is Ae-sun's mother and a haenyeo. Born in 1932, she was a war orphan who faced numerous hardships before settling in Jeju at around 18 or 19 years old with her friend Kyung-ja. Gwang-rye lived a difficult life as a Jeju haenyeo to support her three children, but worsening diving sickness led to her premature death at the age of 29 in 1961.Gwang-rye was married twice. She lost her first husband at sea and had Ae-sun with him. She had two more children with her second husband, Yeom Byeong-cheol, who was a loafer and rarely worked, causing financial strain. To make ends meet, Gwang-rye dove longer and deeper than others to catch one more abalone.
Ae-sun expressed her dissatisfaction with her mother by writing a poem titled "Gaejeombok", which have phrase, "I want to buy a day's fishing net with the money I earn by selling abalones." Gwang-rye, in an attempt to comfort herself, lit a cigarette but threw it into the fire pit after reading Ae-sun's words: "A diver who lives by breathing is going crazy if she smokes a cigarette because she wants to die." This made Gwang-rye cry, and she brought Ae-sun back home. Ae-sun was working as a maid at her uncle's house following her father's passing and her mother's absence.
Despite her often harsh demeanor, Gwang-rye loved her daughter deeply. Sensing her limited time, she asked her mother-in-law Chun-ok to accompany her to a photo studio, fearing to go alone. Among haenyeo, a photograph is considered a mortuary portrait symbolising one's impending death. Tearfully, Gwang-rye expressed her worries to Chun-ok about leaving Ae-sun behind, and asked her to support her daughter in times of struggle. Chun-ok's promise to honour these wishes. Gwang-rye became ill while Ae-sun was only ten. Ae-sun recalled her mother's words, "When the flower water fades, the living will come alive," while drinking balsam water. Gwang-rye roasted abalones over a bonfire, feeding them to Ae-sun and saying, "If you sell them, you will receive a hundred blessings, but if they enter a magpie's mouth, you will receive a thousand blessings," comforting her with, "Even if both parents die, the child will live." Gwang-rye died at 29, leaving Ae-sun and her two younger siblings behind.
The character of Jeon Gwang-rye was played by Yeom Hye-ran. Na Moon-hee, Yeom Hye-ran, and Jung Hae-gyun were all the writer's preferred choices, as she had envisioned them in the roles from the beginning. Yeom won the Best Supporting Actress – Television|Best Supporting Actress] award in the television category at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards for her portrayal. She also won Best Supporting Actress in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.
Kwon Gye-ok
Kwon Gye-ok is the mother of Gwan-sik and mother-in-law of Ae-sun. She is a character who endures the hardships of her in-laws' life. Initially, Gye-ok does not strongly oppose Gwan-sik's relationship with Ae-sun, expressing only exasperation with the remark, "I should have raised a dog instead." However, she becomes angry and feels betrayed when Gwan-sik and Ae-sun run away to Busan. She attempts to persuade Ae-sun to stop the marriage but ultimately feels betrayed when they proceed.Gye-ok's harsh treatment of Ae-sun after their marriage stems from her own loneliness and feelings of neglect. She was not recognised by her own mother-in-law and was ignored by her husband, so she expected compensation from her son. However, Gwan-sik neglected her, which increased her jealousy toward Ae-sun. She also tries to teach her granddaughter Geum-myeong the ways of a haenyeo, viewing it as early education rather than malice.
However, when Ae-sun is in distress due to the death of her youngest son Dong-myeong, she consoles Ae-sun with the line, "If you live, you will survive." In episode 7, frustrated with her grandson wandering around, Gye-ok drinks heavily. While drunk, she hugs her dog and calls him a filial son: "I did a good job raising him from the beginning. Oh my, let's go, filial son."
The role of Kwon Gye-ok is portrayed by Oh Min-ae.
Bu Sang-gil
Bu Sang-gil is the main antagonist character in the drama. He is so rich that six out of ten Dodong-ri boats are his family's boats. He rules over the village with his money. He was former chief of Dodong-ri.He has two sons from a previous marriage. He was once set to marry Ae-sun after a blind date, but Ae-sun, upset by Sang-gil's rude comments and still in love with Gwan-sik, ran away and married Gwan-sik instead. Later, he married Park Young-ran, with whom he has two daughters.
Sang-gil has a violent side and often displays abusive behavior toward his family. He is known for shouting "Hak! Ssi!" when in difficult situations, earning him the nickname "Hak Ssi Ahjusshi."
Sang-gil stands in stark contrast to Gwan-sik, epitomizing patriarchal masculinity. He fails to recognize Young-ran's accomplishments and seeks to dominate his wife through his financial influence and position of authority. Additionally, Sang-gil is unfaithful and has never participated in any of his children's school activities. As he reaches middle age, his family begins to turn against him, with even his children siding with Young-ran. Eventually, Young-ran divorces him. In his 60s, Sang-gil begins to show signs of positive change.
The role was portrayed by Choi Dae-hoon. His portrayal received critical acclaim, earning him his second nomination, and eventual win for Baeksang Arts Award for [Best Supporting Actor – Television|Best Supporting Actor – Television] at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. He is also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.
Park Young-ran
Park Young-ran is the woman Bu Sang-gil married after his failed engagement to Ae-sun. Her husband, Sang-gil contrasts sharply with Gwan-sik, embodying patriarchal masculinity. He never acknowledges Young-ran's achievements and attempts to control her using his financial power and authority.She took care of the children from his previous marriage despite enduring his infidelity and abuse. Her oldest stepson cannot tolerate his father's abusive treatment of her and supports her, wishing for her to divorce his father.
She shares a delicate and affectionate relationship with Ae-sun. Young-ran praises Ae-sun, saying, "You seem like a person who are treated preciously," and expresses to her daughter, Hyun-sook, urging her to grow up and marry a man like Ae-sun's loving husband, Gwan-sik.
After enduring over 30 years of abuse, Young-ran becomes emotionally detached. Later, after inheriting a tangerine orchard from her mother-in-law as a reward for her caregiving, she uses it as a stepping stone to pass the real estate exam around 2000. Ultimately, Young-ran divorces her husband.
The character is portrayed by Jang Hye-jin as middle-aged Yeong-ran and Chae Seo-an as younger Yeong-ran.
Park Chung-su
Park Chung-su is Gwang-rye's haenyeo colleague and the eldest among them. She and the other haenyeo are like real aunts to Ae-sun, providing strong support throughout her life. When Ae-sun is bullied, they defend her vocally. In episode 3, when Gwan-sik jumped off the boat and swam across the sea toward Ae-sun, Park Chung-su scolded Gye-ok for trying to separate the two, saying, "What's wrong with the children's feelings?"She later develops diving sickness and is the first of the three aunts to pass away. Out of habit, the remaining two aunts bring three spoons to the bibimbap bowl, evoking a poignant moment as they remember and miss Chung-su.
The character is portrayed by Cha Mi-kyung.
Choi Yang-im
Choi Yang-im is a native of Jeju and the best friend of Gwang-rye, one of the three haenyeo aunts. After Gwang-rye's death, she resolves to support Ae-sun, viewing their friendship as strong as a zelkova tree. Yang-im is always there for Ae-sun in difficult situations, providing warmth and support, and cherishes her like a niece. She defends Ae-sun from her grandmother-in-law Park Mak-cheon and mother-in-law Kwon Gye-ok, who often torment Ae-sun. Initially passive, Yang-im grows more assertive, particularly following the establishment of the Haenyeo Museum. As she ages, she becomes increasingly active in protecting the haenyeo and Jeju Island.In episode 3, when Gwan-sik jumped off the boat and swam across the sea toward Ae-sun, she scolded Gye-ok for trying to separate them, saying, "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl hit each other on the cheek."
The character is portrayed by Lee Soo-mi.
Hong Kyung-ja
Hong Kyung-ja was a war orphan who faced hardships before settling in Jeju at around 18 or 19 years old with her friend Gwang-rye. Together, they became haenyeo, with Hong Kyung-ja known as the most talkative among them. She has a gossipy nature and struggles to keep secrets. She often argued with Kwon Gye-ok when Gye-ok mistreated Ae-sun. On one occasion, she scolded Gye-ok for trying to separate Gwan-sik and Ae-sun, emphasising that some things are destined to happen: "Even the God above couldn't stop the day of the seventh lunar month, Chilseok."Hong Kyung-ja, along with other haenyeo aunts and Ae-sun, sold snacks at a writing contest. She secretly submitted Ae-sun's poem, which unexpectedly won first prize, leading to an unforeseen turn of events. A photo of her with Yang-im at the Haenyeo Museum performance suggests that she is living a long life.
The character is portrayed by Baek Ji-won.
Oh Han-moo
Oh Han-moo is Ae-sun's paternal uncle. Originally from a refugee family, he used to manage the Gyeonggi Trading Company in Gyeonggi Province. He neglected his niece Ae-sun, showing care primarily for his son Jong-gu. Despite this neglect, there was some affection for Ae-sun, as she was his niece. Living in a patriarchal society, Han-moo's attitude toward Ae-sun would likely have been different had she been a son. As head of the household, his actions were influenced by the prevailing social norms of the time.Han-moo advised Ae-sun to give up college and work in a factory on the mainland, requesting that she send half of her monthly salary to him. In response, Ae-sun decided to steal jewelry and escape to Busan with Gwan-sik in the middle of the night.
Jung Hae-kyun was handpicked to be in the series by the mysterious star writer Lim Sang-chun, along with Na Moon-hee and Yeom Hye-ran.
Yeom Byeong-cheol
Yeom Byeong-cheol is Ae-sun's stepfather. He married Ae-sun's widowed mother, Gwang-rye, and had a daughter and a son with her. Byeong-cheol is depicted as a man who relies on Gwang-rye for financial support and is often idle. However, he is not portrayed as entirely unkind, as he allowed Ae-sun, who was not his biological child, to live in his home.Gwang-rye died at the age of 29 after falling ill from diving sickness when Ae-sun was 10 years old. To provide for his family, Byeong-cheol took a job on a deep-sea fishing boat and promised Ae-sun that he would send her to college. During her teenage years, Ae-sun cared and supported her younger siblings by farming and selling cabbages at the market. Byeong-cheol ensured she attended high school, though ultimately he failed to fulfill his promise of paying for her college education.
Seven years after Gwang-rye's death, Byeong-cheol remarried. His second wife, who was pregnant with his child before their marriage, gave birth to another child after they wed. While she accepted Byeong-cheol's two biological children from his previous marriage, she refused to accept Ae-sun, the daughter of his late first wife. As a result, she forced Ae-sun, still a minor, to leave the house.
The character is portrayed by Oh Jung-se.
Na Min-ok
Na Min-ok is Yeom Byeong-cheol's second wife. Seven years after Byeong-cheol's first wife, Gwang-rye, died, Min-ok became pregnant with Byeong-cheol's child out of wedlock and later married him as his second wife, giving birth to another child. Min-ok reluctantly accepted Byeong-cheol's two biological children from his previous marriage but struggled to accept Ae-sun, the child of his late wife. Ae-sun and Min-ok often clashed over minor issues and had a major disagreement when Min-ok wanted to remove a photo of Gwang-rye from the house. This conflict led Ae-sun to run away to Busan, taking some of Min-ok's clothing and jewelry. Despite their conflicts, Min-ok did not respond with anger but rather viewed Ae-sun's actions as romantic act. Min-ok sarcastically teased Gwan-sik's mother who came looking for Ae-sun to bring her back, saying, "Are you going to chase after her? You look just like a bounty hunter, very impressive."Raising children on her own under difficult circumstances, makes Min-ok recognized Ae-sun's role in raising her half-siblings and felt a kinship with her, especially after Ae-sun had her own child, Geum-myeong. Min-ok showed her appreciation by giving Ae-sun gifts like a bicycle and clothes, saying, "Think of it as a moral scholarship." Saying, "I respect you. Living in this house, I've come to respect you. Your fate isn't as a maid; it's your character that resembles one." Before leaving Jeju, Min-ok even paid three months' rent for Ae-sun. The owner, a hard-of-hearing grandfather, misheard and wrote "Moral scholarship" as "Do Hee-jeong scholarship." Min-ok, fearing exposure of her Hangul illiteracy, pretended to understand and only checked that the numbers were correct.
Later, when Min-ok's rice cake business prospered, she gave a gold toad worth five don as a gift at Ae-sun's grandson Jae-il's first birthday.
Na Min-ok is portrayed by Uhm Ji-won.
Yang Eun-myeong
Yang Eun-myeong is the son of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik. His name, Eun-myeong, literally means "silver" in English, symbolizing that he is his parents' "silver medal."Ae-sun was once called to school regarding Eun-myeong, expecting an important meeting but was disappointed to learn he had been causing trouble. Eun-myeong's high school homeroom teacher complained that he was the first student to steal car logos from teachers' cars and sell them. The teacher also listed other problems, such as making 11 bus passes out of 10 and earning 50 won per pass, gambling on small games like winning coins with panchi, and associating with bad friends. When the teacher mentioned Eun-myeong was dating a top female student, Ae-sun defended him, saying he didn't even play with his sister or cause trouble with women.
Among students, owning a car emblem letter matching their desired university's initial was believed to boost their chances of acceptance. In one scene, Geum-myeong is shown with a book binder adorned with an "S" emblem, possibly from Eun-myeong. This seemed to work, as she was admitted to Seoul National University, the top university in South Korea.
In Act 3, it is revealed that Eun-myeong's girlfriend is Bu Hyun-sook, daughter of Bu Sang-gil. She became pregnant in her early 20s while visiting Eun-myeong during his military service. Their baby was nicknamed Han-bang and later named Yang Jae-il. They had a shotgun wedding.
After Eun-myeong got married, he and his friend Chul-soo opened a pawnshop to make money. However, Chul-soo betrayed him by running away with the shop's money and assets, leading to Eun-myeong being wrongly accused of a crime and ending up in jail. While in jail, Eun-myeong's pent-up resentment towards his parents for always favoring his sister surfaced. Gwan-sik had to sell his boat to bail Eun-myeong out of jail. Eun-myeong resorted to selling rice cakes to survive, but when Gwan-sik discovered this, he helped Eun-myeong by secretly purchasing the rice cakes through Bu Sang-gil's acquaintances. Eun-myeong, upon learning of this, stopped selling the rice cakes. He attempted to leave by working on a deep-sea fishing boat, but Gwan-sik and Bu Sang-gil intervened to prevent him from leaving.
The character is portrayed by Kang You-seok, who portrays Eun-myeong from middle school to his 50s. The child actor progression is as follows: Choi Won at 3 years old, Lee Chae-hyun at 4–7 years old, and Lee Woo-seok at 11 years old. Kang is also nominated for Best New Actor in 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards.
Bu Hyun-suk
Bu Hyeon-suk is the eldest daughter of Bu Sang-gil and Yeong-ran. Born in 1973, she fell in love with Yang Eun-myeong despite opposition from her family, so she was nicknamed Juliet of Dodong-ri.She got pregnant in her early 20s while visiting Eun-myeong, who was in the military. Their baby was nicknamed Han-bang and later named Yang Jae-il. They had a shotgun wedding. She encountered disapproval from her father and half older brothers and eventually moved in with her in-laws.
When Eun-myeong faced false accusations, she asked Sang-gil for financial help to bail him out, but he refused. Comparing him unfavorably to Gwan-sik, she expressed envy towards her sister-in-law Geum-myeong for having a caring father. She is close to Gwan-sik, who secretly buys Hyeon-suk her favorite beer.
When Eun-myeong goes missing, she pleads with Sang-gil to find him. Eventually, Sang-gil and Gwan-sik locate Eun-myeong on a deep-sea fishing boat and bribe the captain to return him to port. She later discovers that Sang-gil has bribed a detective to prove Eun-myeong's innocence, leading to the investigation clearing her husband's name. Both events improve her relationship with her father.
Bu Hyeon-suk is portrayed by Lee Soo-kyung and as a child by Choi Ha-yoon.
Yang Dong-myeong
Yang Dong-myeong Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's youngest son. His name, Dong-myeong, literally means "bronze" in English, symbolizing that he is his parents' "bronze medal." Ae-sun loses Dong-myeong during a storm and he died.Yang Sam-bo
Yang Sam-bo is as Gwan-shik's father. He is the only child of Park Mak-cheon. He is a fisherman who own his fish shop in the market.Hyeon Yi-sook
Hyeon Yi-sook as Han-moo's wife and Ae-sun's aunt. She and her husband were initially stingy with feeding young Ae-sun, but she dedicated her life to caring for her mother-in-law and performed ancestral rites for Ae-sun's father with devotion.Yang Gyeong-ok
Yang Gyeong-ok is the only younger sister of Gwan-sik. Unlike Gwan-sik, she has a free-spirit personality. In second act, she tells Geum-myeong the secret of her birth while visiting their Jeju apartment. In the third act, she visits her sister in-law, middle-aged Ae-sun and forces her to buy a heated mat. In fourth act she attends Geum-myeong and Chung-seop's wedding.Bu Seong-yi
Bu Seong-yi is the eldest son of Bu Sang-gil and the stepson of Park Young-ran. He is the older brother of Bu Hyun-sook. Despite Park Young-ran not being his biological mother, Seong-yi expresses anger toward his father for harassing her while intoxicated. He asserts that he will live with Young-ran if she divorces Sang-gil. Additionally, he often nags his disoriented sister, Bu Hyun-sook, and is characterized as a strong son and a blunt, intimidating brother.Ae-sun's homeroom teacher
Ae-sun's homeroom teacher, played by actor Hwang Jae-yeol, demotes her to vice president and instructs her to yield to a wealthier student despite her winning the class president election. He presents Ae-sun with her first injustice, emphasizing that background holds more weight than election results. His remarks, such as "37 votes are not important in social life," "The one who loses is the one who wins," and "If you come down on all fours, you will resign; for the greater good, you must yield," depict him as a symbol of power and corruption. This portrayal is strengthened by the props on his desk, including a newspaper and various books labeled "March 15th Election Fraud Mastermind."Upon hearing that Ae-sun had lost the election to the military general's son, Gwang-rye decides to pay a visit to the homeroom teacher. Concerned about her daughter being mistreated, Gwang-rye shows her sincerity by gifting the teacher with an envelope containing expensive nylon socks and hidden 4,000 won. Given that the monthly salary of a civil servant in the early 1960s was between 3,000 and 4,000 won, this was a significant amount for Gwang-rye.
Harbang
Harbang, meaning grandfather in Jeju dialect, is Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's elderly landlord and co-owner of the Dodong-ri Manmul Center. He often grumbles as if scolding them but displays generosity by casually tossing an octopus to Ae-sun and Gwan-sik and reminding them to take care of the ancestral rites. His unique way of expressing affection includes giving them pork as a bonus when someone pays three months' rent for them. His famous line is, "You don't have to talk so much to understand."Halmang
Halmang, meaning grandmother in Jeju dialect, is Ae-sun and Gwan-sik's elderly landlady and co-owner of the Dodong-ri Manmul Center. She is deeply caring and demonstrates sensitivity, particularly when reminding her husband not to be too obvious in his actions, as it may annoy others. Her care is evident each night when she secretly refills Ae-sun's rice container—which often runs empty—with just enough rice for the family, creating a kind of 'goblin jar' magic. The grandmother's famous word is, "No one can live alone.".Mi-sook
Mi-sook is the owner of a fortune-telling shop who first appears in episode 5. Caught dancing the so-called "social dance," she recovers quickly and declares, "Dance is a healthy sport." She later works as Bu Sang-gil's henchman. However, she also helps Ae-sun by informing her about Eun-myeong's boarding of a deep-sea fishing vessel. In middle age, when Ae-sun and Gwan-sik open a squid restaurant, Mi-sook opens a competing restaurant next door.Supporting characters: People from Seoul
Park Young-beom
Park Young-beom is Geum-myeong's first love. He graduated from Seoul National University Law School and met Geum-myeong at the college entrance ceremony. They had an on-and-off relationship lasting seven years, including a long-distance phase during his military service and a student exchange program in the United States.He pressured Geum-myeong to marry him several times and they eventually became engaged after both already graduated. However, Geum-myeong ended the engagement due to his mother's cruelty, including insults directed at Geum-myeong and her parents. After a year of on-and-off reconciliation, they ultimately broke up on his birthday.
Park later married someone from a prestigious family. Despite his affluent background, he appeared trapped in a loveless marriage and blamed his mother for his unhappiness. On the day of Geum-myeong and Chung-seop's wedding, he secretly visited Geum-myeong, seeing her in a beautiful wedding dress, smiling and talking with a friend. He laughed sadly, fulfilling his promise to see her in a wedding dress, and then left.
Lee Jun-young as Park Yeong-bum,
Yoon Boo-yong
Yoon Boo-yong is Young-beom's mother. She exhibits a twisted form of maternal love, taking pride only in her son who was raised in a wealthy family. She is consistently dissatisfied with Geum-myeong for not meeting her standards and openly disapproves of their relationship as they prepare for the wedding.In Episode 11, she verbally abuses Geum-myeong. Previously, Boo-yong had told Ae-sun that she opposed the marriage. However, she lost control when she saw Geum-myeong at Young-beom's house, insulting her and criticizing her parents with remarks such as, "If it's difficult, you should somehow get some shade. How about being like a big tree in the sun?" This confrontation ultimately led to Geum-myeong breaking off the engagement.
After the engagement ends, Boo-yong arranges a marriage for Young-beom with a woman from a prestigious family. However, her relationship with her son deteriorates, and she experiences mistreatment from her daughter-in-law, resulting in loneliness and despair in her later years.
Yoon Boo-yong is portrayed by Kang Myung-joo. The drama became her posthumous work after she died on February 28, 2025 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 53. In tribute, the production team incorporated funeral mass music into episode 4 to honor Kang Myung-joo, who was a Catholic.
Park Chung-seop
Park Chung-seop, also known as Basement Picasso, Park-casso, and Park Toto, is an art school graduate and an aspiring painter. He first met Geum-myeong when she rented a room at his ex-girlfriend Song Bu-seon's house; he hid in her wardrobe to avoid Bu-seon's father, Yeong-sam, but was discovered. Later, Chung-seop helped Geum-myeong get a part-time job at the Cannes Theater, where he worked as a movie poster painter.Chung-seop is an unkempt movie sign painter with a stubbly face and messy hair, embodying the image of a struggling artist. His work straddles the line between popular and pure art, showcasing genuine creativity and artistic value. Unlike typical sign painters, he depicts only four horses on the poster for the erotic film Madame Aema ''4. Kim Hae-bong, president of the Cannes Theater, often criticizes Chung-seop's posters but lacks the resolve to fire him.
Bun-hui, Chung-seop's mother, secretly visits every movie premiere to admire her son's poster, unaware that Kim Hae-bong mistakes her for a scalper. Geum-myeong gives her a free ticket, allowing her to have her first cinema experience watching Cinema Paradiso''. Chung-seop wants to thank Geum-myeong, so she asks for a painting. Out of gratitude, Bun-hui gifts Geum-myeong English books and other study materials from her copy shop, sending her son as a porter with the items.
After helping Ae-sun take an unconscious Geum-myeong to the hospital following briquette gas inhalation, Chung-seop and Geum-myeong grow closer. He compares her to a Christmas tree, saying, "A Christmas tree sparkles even when it's in a basement one-room apartment or standing alone in front of a ruined store. It makes your heart flutter." Before enlisting, he leaves her a portrait, expressing his feelings indirectly without saying goodbye.
After completing his military service, Chung-seop returns looking more presentable. On the day of his discharge, he coincidentally sees Geum-myeong boarding the same bus he was on. He tries to catch the bus by running after it but is thwarted by a van carrying Seo Taiji and Boys being chased by their fans. Determined to see her again, he visits Cannes Theater daily. Geum-myeong attends a farewell screening of Cinema Paradiso at Cannes Theater, which is closing due to the IMF crisis. Park Chung-seop misses her at the theater but manages to catch her bus after running 3 bus stops. They reunite and start dating right away, eventually getting married a year later. In 2001, they welcome a daughter named Sae-bom.
The character was portrayed by Kim Seon-ho in the third and fourth acts. He received positive reviews for his portrayal from social media fans and critics.
Kim Hae-bong
Kim Hae-bong is the president of the Cannes Theater. He is upset with Chung-seop for painting four horses instead of a naked woman on the poster for Madame Aema, but he cannot bring himself to fire him. Kim is frustrated that Chung-seop refuses to create the lewd posters the public demands and questions why Chung-seop insists on pursuing art with other people's money.Despite his rough demeanor, Kim deeply cares about his employees. After learning that Chung-seop's mother is not a scalper and visits the theater to see the movie sign her son painted. Following Geum-Myeong, Kim gifted her with more complimentary movie tickets under the pretense of employee welfare, praising Chung-seop's work.
Kim acts as a cupid, instructing Geum-myeong to deliver dumplings to Chung-seop. After the IMF crisis forces the closure of the Cannes Theater, Kim deliberately assigns side-by-side seats in the movie theater to help Chung-seop and Geum-myeong meet. When Chung-seop misses her, he scolds him. Kim later attends their wedding as a guest on the groom's side, moved to tears as he applauds the bride's entrance.