In Opening
When I first saw the drama title "폭삭 속았수다" (Poksak Sogasseuda) on Netflix, I was honestly a bit confused. Did it mean "completely deceived"? Was this a story about someone fooling someone else? Or perhaps it meant something had withered away? But after watching the drama, I finally understood just how deep and warm this title truly was.
A Misleading Title, Yet Full of Sincerity
"폭삭 속았수다" is Jeju dialect for "you've worked so hard" or "thank you for all your efforts." Most people unfamiliar with Jeju dialect, like myself, would easily misunderstand it as something completely different. In standard Korean, "속다" (sokda) means to be deceived or tricked—a negative connotation. However, in Jeju dialect, "속다" means "to work hard," "to make an effort," or "to struggle." Same pronunciation, same characters, but opposite meanings.
So "속았수다" acknowledges someone's hardship and offers comfort. When combined with "폭삭" (an intensifier), it becomes "you've really worked incredibly hard" or "truly, thank you for all your efforts." What a warm expression! This single phrase, which recognizes and comforts someone's labor, fully embodies the sentiment of Jeju people.
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| source: NanuWiki (https://namu.wiki) |
The Texture Created by Jeju Dialect
What impressed me most while watching the drama was that the Jeju dialect wasn't just a background setting—it created the core emotional fabric of the show. The Jeju language naturally woven into every line exchanged between Ae-soon (played by IU) and Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum).
Expressions like "이 사름아" (i sareumah), "혼디 말라" (hondi malla), and "무사 경 허우꽈" (musa gyeong heouwah) weren't just passing dialect—they vividly conveyed the characters' emotions. Especially during intense emotional moments or family conversations, when the Jeju dialect emerged, it somehow felt more genuine. It carried a rough yet warm affection unique to Jeju that standard Korean simply couldn't express.
Not being from Jeju myself, I initially found it difficult to fully understand some of the dialogue. But that actually enhanced the experience. While understanding the meaning through subtitles, I could still feel the emotion conveyed by the intonation and rhythm of the Jeju language itself. Like listening to a song in an unfamiliar language—even without fully understanding the words, the experience itself was beautiful.
Language Carrying the Weight of Life
The title "폭삭 속았수다" perfectly encapsulates what this drama seeks to address. The show tells the story of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik, born in a small Jeju village, living their respective lives. Their lives were far from easy. Poverty, frustration, giving up, loss—all the hardships one encounters in life came crashing down on them.
But this drama doesn't just emphasize those hardships. Rather, it tells people who have silently lived through all those difficulties, day by day, "폭삭 속았수다"—you've really worked hard. The time you've lived through, the moments you've endured—all of it was remarkable, truly you've done so well.
What particularly struck me was the scene near the end where Ae-soon publishes her poetry collection. The title of that collection was "폭삭 속았수다." Looking back on her life, the people she loved, and all those moments, this single phrase was Ae-soon's conclusion. You've really struggled through life, but that's exactly what made it precious and beautiful.
The Wit in the English Title
The drama's English title is "When Life Gives You Tangerines." This cleverly transforms the famous English saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." The original proverb means to turn sour lemon-like trials into sweet lemonade—to transform adversity into opportunity.
But Jeju doesn't grow lemons—it grows tangerines. So they substituted tangerines for lemons. This isn't just reflecting regional characteristics. Unlike lemons, which are only sour, tangerines are naturally sweet and delicious. In other words, it suggests that what life gives us isn't always hardship. Sometimes sweet moments are given too, and all of these things combined create our lives.
Universal Empathy Through Dialect
Interestingly, the Jeju dialect actually created more universal empathy. You might think that using a specific regional dialect would only resonate with people from that region. But "When Life Gives You Tangerines" proved the opposite. People not from Jeju, even international viewers, became passionate about this drama.
Why? Perhaps because the unique intonation and expressions of Jeju language conveyed emotions more genuinely. Rather than polished standard Korean dialogue, the raw Jeju dialect felt more real. So viewers, while watching the story of Jeju people, could recall their own parents, their own hometowns, their own lives.
Language Is Culture, and Culture Is People
Watching "When Life Gives You Tangerines," I realized anew just how important language is. It's not merely a tool for communication—it contains the emotions, culture, and way of life of the people who speak it. The fact that the Jeju word "속다" means "to struggle" itself seems to show how hard Jeju people have lived, and how much they cherish each other's efforts.
After finishing the drama, I thought "폭삭 속았수다" was truly the perfect title choice. Initially I was puzzled not knowing its meaning, but once I understood, there couldn't be a better title to express this drama. Using Jeju's language to tell Jeju's story, it simultaneously became everyone's story.
In Closing
"When Life Gives You Tangerines" was, from its title to the final scene, a comfort for the days we've lived. After watching the drama, I found myself reflecting on my own life. The difficult moments, the moments I wanted to give up, yet all those times I endured—I wanted to say something to them too.
"폭삭 속았수다."
You, me, all of us—we've really worked so hard. We've struggled through living, and for that, thank you. Isn't it amazing that this warm Jeju phrase created a drama with such profound resonance?