When Life Gives You Tangerines volume 3 nearly ends on a very melancholic note, but it flips everything around in the last couple of minutes just so we have something to look forward to rather than feel weighed down by. The K-drama, starring IU and Park Bo-Gum, is filled with cameos by some of Korea’s biggest legends as well as some promising stars who are not always in the limelight. From the child actors to the older ones, every single person involved in this show lends so much to it that it’s just a wholesome experience you’re always getting more from. However, having said that, I will not be rewatching When Life Gives You Tangerines because it has already completely broken me more than a dozen times, and I’m not cut out for any more of this. With that said though, I will not waste any more of your time, let’s dive straight into the ending of Volume 3 and what we can predict about the final volume based on that as well as everything we’ve seen so far.
Spoiler Alert
Who Died At The End Of Volume 3?
At the end of episode 12, we get the profound message that life is a vicious cycle that reminds you that the time you have with your loved ones is limited and you should use it wisely. But it also reminds us that, despite going through myriad hardships, at the end of the day, when you leave, you’re alone, and it’s possible that despite all of that you will still be happy. The episode is titled A Glistening Winter because, beyond the snow and the cold, there is a light that will always keep you warm and protected. The cold is glistening because you might be sad and you might be crying your eyes out, but eventually, you’ll find your way back up and begin to smile again. It is called that because, even though many parents would’ve thought what Geum-Myeong did was embarrassing to them, Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik always remained on her side and showed her that they would protect her from ever losing herself.
While Ae-Sun’s grandmother was her dad’s mother, for the purposes of this explanation, let’s pretend she is the matriarch of the family. The point the show is making is that if we follow the bloodline down from Ae-Sun’s grandmother to Geum-Myeong, each of the women is given a better life than the previous one thanks to the hard work of the previous one. Sure, this doesn’t necessarily apply to Ae-Sun’s grandmother, but she helped her granddaughter build a life for herself based on what her daughter-in-law told her to do. But of course, it is Ae-Sun’s dedication to breaking the cycle that is really important here. With Geum-Myeong, Ae-Sun wanted to teach her to fly, to follow her dreams, and never make a sacrifice. Though initially, for love, Geum-Myeong almost went down the same path as her mum, she eventually broke away (maybe this should’ve been called It Ends With Us).
In her final moments alive, Ae-Sun’s grandmother, who has dementia, remembers her oldest son as she looks at his daughter. She doesn’t remember Ae-Sun’s name, but she calls him her son’s daughter, because when you lose a child you lose your entire world, and nothing seems to be the same ever again. But you continue living for those who are around, pushing yourself until one day you’re reminded again of how you lost them, but it was you who was meant to leave. She tells Ae-Sun that she understands her completely, because she too knows the heartbreak of losing a child. It is a moment of bonding for them before she finally passes away. In the end, Ae-Sun’s grandmother was happy, and she believed she lived a “wonderful life,” so that’s all that mattered.
What Will Happen With Eun-Myeong?
After her grandma’s death, Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik talk about life a little bit in front of her grave before the scene shifts to a more jolly one; at least it’s jolly for Eun-Myeong. On the day of Eun-Myeong’s return from the military, Ae-Sun and Gwan-Sik are thrilled. But, when they open their door, to their shock, he’s got two bags instead of one; see, Eun-Myeong isn’t returning home alone; he’s brought with him his girlfriend, Hyeon-Suk. However, to add to the drama, they’ve basically run away, because she’s pregnant. Or at least we’re meant to think so. In all honesty, I think this might just be an excuse for them to get married, but I could be wrong. But hey, this is going to give Sang-Gil an actual aneurysm.
Is Geum-Myeong Going To Marry Chung-Seop?
At the end of episode 12, Geum-Myeong is back at work in Seoul, but an unexpected man notices her getting on a bus. It is Chung-Seop, fresh out of the military, clean-shaven and fit as heck, because he follows that bus down the road for quite a while before he gets caught in a mob of fangirls following a car that ends up behind the bus. This obviously means that they are destined to be in each other’s lives again, and it’s likely that the man whom Geum-Myeong marries is Chung-Seop!
Volume 4 Theories
In When Life Gives You Tangerines’ finale, we can imagine the tears are going to be even more brutal. I’m honestly starting to feel like I should back off and never watch it end, but as I repeat another time, such is life. In the preview of Volume 4, there are already quite a few sad moments. For one, it looks like Geum-Myeong will get married and have a kid, but maybe Chung-Seop (or Yeong-Beom) will not be happy that she’s too busy with work. Nobody can be like Gwan-Sik, right? On the other hand, we finally see some emotion from Eun-Myeong, who says, “I am also your kid,” in a desperate attempt to reach his parent. I say parent now because I’m not sure which of the two it is, but most likely it’s Ae-Sun. Also, since we’ve already seen Ae-Sun at age 70, Gwan-Sik is probably going to die before her, even though she told him it would be great if they died together. We already know this isn’t a fantasy show, so reality is going to hit us hard. I think there’s going to be some conflict and a major incident that will cause somebody to get really sick or hurt, but I hope I’m wrong. If it’s a positively unforgettable winter, then we’re all for it! What are you expecting from Volume 4 of When Life Gives You Tangerines?
