IU has once again set a new benchmark in her career with "When Life Gives You Tangerines."

On the 28th, the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines" premiered its final act, concluding its epic journey. Leading the drama, IU has received high praise for her compelling narration from acts 1 to 4 and her masterful performance that intricately portrays her character’s emotions at every moment. In the final act, she expressed "Geum-myeong"’s growth and change with more profound acting, leaving a strong aftertaste for viewers.

▲ IU's emotional acting shines until the end, setting a new standard for her career

In the fourth act, significant events that penetrate Geum-myeong's life unfolded, allowing IU's detailed emotional acting to shine even more. Particularly, during the childbirth scene, she delicately depicted the mother's emotional changes from the onset of labor to the moment she hears her baby's cry. Her fear and urgency were maximized through her gaze filled with anxiety when told the baby wasn't moving, and even in the exhausted state of her body, she depicted her struggle to keep going, culminating in a believable portrayal of her head drooping back as all strength drained away.

IU also convincingly expressed Geum-myeong's strong resolve to protect her family. In the hospital, attempting to reassure her parents in a calm tone, she said, "Don’t worry, Dad~ Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll be here, you know?" showcasing her image as a reliable daughter. Later, upon learning about her father’s illness, she reflected deep anxiety and a conscious effort to remain calm through her shifting gaze, flowing tears, and trembling lips, elegantly conveying the intertwining of those emotions.

▲ Performances full of sincerity, perfectly embodying the character

In "When Life Gives You Tangerines," IU delicately portrayed different emotions in every scene, injecting authenticity into the narrative. From acts 1 to 4, her performance was unmissable, revealing just how much affection she had for this work. With meticulous attention to her gaze, breath, expressions, tone of voice, and gestures, she created multidimensional characters of "Ae-soon" and "Geum-myeong," capturing the depths of two humans’ lives rather than just a simple growth narrative.

IU's acting spectrum, which maximized the diverse aspects of her character by expressing different nuances in each scene, sparked curiosity about how far it could go. She fully embodied the confident image of a career woman, the warmth of a mother to a child, the spoiled daughter still seeking her parent's affection, as well as her dependable side. Even in the repeated narration, her performance stood out. The same line, "When one door closes, another opens," offered depth through varying emotional tones and inflections depending on the context, drawing viewers deeper into the story.

Through "When Life Gives You Tangerines," IU has taken another leap as an actress. She perfectly navigated the challenges of playing dual roles and left a strong impression on viewers with her immersive narration and detailed acting variations, further expanding her acting depth.

After all four acts were released, IU conveyed her reflections on participating in the work through her agency, saying, "It was a great honor to portray the youth "Ae-soon" and "Geum-myeong" in "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which contains numerous stories from various generations." She added, "I hope it will be remembered as a warm work that stays by many viewers’ sides for a long time, like the people of Dodong-ri who quietly share comfort and encouragement in tough times. I sincerely thank all the viewers who fervently supported the project."

Meanwhile, IU continues her busy acting career with her next project "21st Century Dae-gun Wife." In the drama, IU takes on the role of "Seong-hee-joo," the second daughter of the top conglomerate, endowed with outstanding beauty, intelligence, and fierce competitiveness. Expectations are building for how IU, who showcased perfect character immersion and solid acting skills in "When Life Gives You Tangerines," will deliver "Seong-hee-joo."

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