Soyou calls out Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines for lack of Jeju dialect
Soyou is facing controversy after openly expressing disappointment with Netflix’s hit 2025 K-Drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. The show, praised worldwide and set on Jeju Island, was criticized by the Jeju-born idol for its absence of Jeju dialect.
The SISTAR member spoke about the drama during a recent appearance on singer Sung Si Kyung’s YouTube channel. When asked about the show, Soyou said she was “a little disappointed.”
Sung Si Kyung jokingly replied, “Let’s edit that out,” but Soyou clarified her point.
She explained her disappointment wasn’t about the drama’s quality but the limited use of Jeju dialect, unlike another Jeju-based drama Our Blues, which featured more local dialect and gave her a chance to interpret for others.
“It’s not that I was disappointed in the quality of When Life Gives You Tangerines as a project. I enjoyed it. But there wasn’t as much Jeju dialect as I expected, so as someone from Jeju, I didn’t feel there was much I could uniquely contribute.”
— Soyou
Despite her criticism, Soyou’s honest and respectful tone gained a mostly positive reaction. Some netizens agreed that more Jeju dialect could have enriched the show’s authenticity.
The drama continues to enjoy strong global popularity since its March release, but Soyou’s comments are sparking fresh debate about representation in K-Dramas set in regional areas.
