IU shares how WLGYT changes her idea about marriage

IU is winning hearts once again, both on screen and off, as she opens up about love, relationships, and marriage in a candid new interview following the success of her latest K-drama, When Life Gives You Tangerines.

The Netflix show has been winning over viewers not just for its heartfelt story but for the way it portrays love and marriage in such a raw, tender way. IU, who plays dual roles in the series, has especially struck a chord with fans through her character Ae Sun’s relationship with her husband, Gwan Sik, played by Park Bo Gum. The way Gwan Sik quietly, selflessly loves Ae Sun has left a lasting impression, not just on the audience, but on IU herself.

In the interview, she admitted that the drama made her rethink what love should really feel like, confessing it changed her views on marriage and relationships.

IU talks about love, marriage, and Gwan Sik

On April 16, IU appeared as a guest on the YouTube show Btv’s Piaakia with Lee Dong Jin, where she opened up about her experience filming When Life Gives You Tangerines and how the drama unexpectedly shifted her perspective on love and marriage.

Credit: Netflix

During the chat, host and film critic Lee Dong Jin shared how the drama made him reflect on personal values. “With the current low birthrate issues, this drama almost feels like a celebration of marriage. After watching it, it even makes you think about wanting to have kids,” he said.

IU responded with a candid smile, saying the show made her feel torn. “It’s about fifty-fifty for me. It made me feel that I’d want to get married, but only if it were that kind of love. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to get married. That feeling was exactly 50/50,” she explained.

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Gwan Sik sets a new standard for what makes a great man

The conversation shifted to the character of Gwan Sik. Lee Dong Jin pointed out that while Gwan Sik is admirable, he might also be a bit intimidating for real-life men. “He raises the bar so high that unless you’re doing exceptionally well, you won’t be appreciated,” he said.

IU entirely agreed. “Right? Gwan Sik feels like a new standard for what makes a great man, and that felt really refreshing,” she said. “When we think of a ‘cool guy’ in romance stories, it’s often someone rich or flashy. But Gwan Sik is a character whose strength is sincerity, and he’s still incredibly charming. That kind of portrayal felt so new and touching to me.”

Gwan Sik made IU rethink her idea of marriage

Credit: Netflix

IU ended the conversation by sharing how deeply Gwan Sik’s character affected her. “The sincerity and quiet strength he showed… it was just so heartwarming,” she said. “It really made me reflect on the kind of love that would be worth marrying for.”

IU's real-life romance

IU is currently in a public relationship with actor Lee Jong Suk. The two confirmed their relationship in December 2022, after years of friendship and quiet support for each other’s careers. While IU didn’t mention Lee Jong Suk by name during the interview, fans couldn’t help but draw parallels between her reel and real-life romance.

In a separate interview recently, IU was asked if Lee had watched the drama. Responding to the query, she shared, "He’s really busy, so I don’t think he’s had a chance to watch it yet."

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