Park Bo Gum Fans Express Disappointment Over His Screen Time In “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” Production Company Responds
The sudden reduction in Park Bo Gum’s screen time in the latter half of “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has left fans feeling unsatisfied.
The Netflix original series, which is currently airing to great popularity, is facing criticism from viewers and fans. Park Bo Gum, who plays the younger version of the male lead, Gwansik, saw his screen time drastically reduced in the second act and almost completely disappear in the third act.
NOTE: minor spoilers ahead
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” tells the adventurous life story of rebellious Aesun (played by IU) and the devoted yet strong-willed Gwansik (played by Park Bo Gum), who were born in 1960s Jeju. The drama is a collaboration between writer Im Sang Chun, known for hits like “When the Camellia Blooms” and “Fight for My Way,” and director Kim Won Seok, famous for “My Mister,” “Signal,” and “Misaeng.” Their work has been praised as another well-made drama.
The 16-episode series is structured into four acts, each consisting of four episodes, following the four seasons—spring, summer, fall, and winter. Park Bo Gum played the younger version of Gwansik in the first act, depicting a youthful yet passionate romance with Aesun. In the second act, he transitioned into the role of a father, raising his three children—Geum Myung, Eun Myung, and Dong Myung—while taking on the responsibilities of a family man.
However, by the third act, Park Bo Gum was nearly absent from the drama. While the story naturally progresses with the passage of time, transitioning Aesun and Gwansik’s roles from IU and Park Bo Gum to senior actors Moon Sori and Park Hae Joon, the drastic decrease in Park Bo Gum’s presence has left fans disappointed.
What’s causing even more frustration among viewers is that IU’s character, Aesun, reappears as an older version of her daughter, Geum Myung, and continues to play a significant role. Meanwhile, Park Bo Gum’s character has been nearly erased from the narrative since the third act. Since “When Life Gives You Tangerines” initially gained attention for the highly anticipated pairing of IU and Park Bo Gum, the unexpected shift in screen time has sparked mixed reactions, ranging from minor complaints to strong dissatisfaction with the series.
Regarding the concerns, Netflix told OSEN, “‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ tells the adventurous life journey of Aesun and Gwansik. Just as their youth was a crucial part of the story, their middle-aged years as parents also bring deep emotions and excitement. Please look forward to the upcoming fourth act, which will continue the story of Aesun, Gwansik, Geum Myung, and Eun Myung.”
Despite being a Netflix production, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has taken an unusual approach by releasing episodes in four separate parts rather than all at once. This segmented release strategy has made differences in screen time among actors more pronounced. With the final act set to release on the 28th, viewers are curious to see if Park Bo Gum’s reduced screen time will be addressed.
Source: (A)
