IU & Park Bo-gum's 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' Clinches Grand Prize at New Media Content Awards

The Netflix series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' starring IU and Park Bo-gum, has once again proven its worth by securing the Grand Prize at the '2025 New Media Content Awards.'

The awards ceremony, held on the 17th at COEX in Seoul, saw the drama take home the top honor in the Feature-Length category. The judging panel lauded the series for expanding regional specificity into universal emotions, showcasing K-content's cultural diversity and potential for growth.

Park Sang-hyun, CEO of Pan Entertainment, expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are honored to be here thanks to the global viewers who loved 'When Life Gives You Tangerines.'" He also extended thanks to the staff, writer, director, and actors. He added, "Most importantly, I sincerely thank the viewers worldwide who cherished our work. We will do our best to bring you even better projects in the future, so please continue to watch us with affection."

'When Life Gives You Tangerines' is a story that unfolds over four seasons, depicting the adventurous lives of Ae-soon (IU), a spirited rebel born in Jeju, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), a steadfast and devoted man. The series has been praised for its tightly woven script, delicate direction, and the passionate performances of its cast, achieving a perfect harmony.

Upon its release, the series immediately debuted at No. 1 in Korea on Netflix and ranked 4th globally among Top 10 non-English series. It later topped the non-English series chart and maintained a spot in the Top 10 for eight consecutive weeks. This year alone, it recorded approximately 35 million viewer hours, captivating audiences worldwide.

This latest award adds to a string of accolades for 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' which also received multiple nominations and wins at prestigious ceremonies such as the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards (4 wins), the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards (3 wins), and the 2025 International Streaming Festival Global OTT Awards (3 wins), solidifying its success in both commercial appeal and critical acclaim.

IU, also known as Lee Ji-eun, is a highly successful South Korean singer-songwriter and actress, lauded for her versatile artistic talents. Her music career includes chart-topping hits like 'Good Day' and 'Through the Night,' while her acting roles in dramas such as 'My Mister' and 'Hotel Del Luna' have earned her critical acclaim. She continues to balance her thriving music and acting careers, cementing her status as a beloved global star.