Actor Lee Jun-young delivered heart-fluttering romance alongside IU, captivating viewers in the Netflix hit series ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines.’

On March 21, Netflix dropped episodes 9 to 12 (Act 3) of the series, featuring Lee Jun-young as Park Young-beom, who is head-over-heels for his girlfriend, Geum-myung (played by IU).

‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ chronicles the eventful, adventurous lives of Ae-soon—a feisty rebel—and Gwan-shik, a lovable softie, both born and raised in Jeju. The show follows their ups and downs, from innocent teenage days and unpredictable youth to the complexities of adulthood. Episodes 9–12 spotlight Young-beom and Geum-myung’s sweet romance as they embark on a new chapter of life.

Returning home from abroad on Christmas Day, Young-beom surprises Geum-myung at her workplace, a local cinema. Their emotional reunion—filled with warm embraces and sweet kisses—left viewers smiling. Young-beom even playfully confessed, “Nobody at home knows I’m back early. I snuck out just to see you,” and adorably added, “You’re cuter than a puppy,” charming fans with his lovestruck expressions.

Yet, their idyllic romance faced turbulence due to Young-beom’s mother, who strongly opposed their relationship. After a long-term romance, the couple painfully parted ways. Geum-myung’s harsh words, “Everyone would be happy if it weren’t for you,” drew tears from Young-beom, who emotionally responded, “Could you really live without me?” Lee Jun-young’s heartfelt portrayal of heartbreak deeply resonated with viewers, leaving many feeling as if they themselves had endured the breakup.

Known for showcasing growth and versatility in each role, Lee Jun-young once again proved his prowess with an even deeper performance, solidifying his status as a rising superstar.

The final act of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ featuring Lee Jun-young, premieres March 28 on Netflix.

Meanwhile, just two weeks after its release, the drama achieved an impressive 6 million views (calculated by total watch hours divided by the series runtime), climbing to the No. 2 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV Series. It also stormed into the Top 10 lists in 41 countries, including Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, the Philippines, and Vietnam.