Moon So-ri Shares Global Recognition Following 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' Success

Moon So-ri Discusses International Fame from Hit Film

Actress Moon So-ri recently appeared on tvN STORY's variety show 'Gakjipbubu' alongside MC Park Myung-soo, guests Kim Min-jae with his wife Choi Yu-ra, and Kim Jung-min. During the November 6th broadcast, Moon shared fascinating stories about the overwhelming international success of her film.

From Jeju to Global Recognition

Moon So-ri took Choi Yu-ra, who expressed interest in visiting the filming locations, on a special trip in an open-top car. The actress revealed it was her first time riding in a convertible, while Choi Yu-ra humorously recalled riding one during her dating days, noting she felt "less embarrassed this time."

Their first destination was Hallim Port, where Moon discussed the film's title choice. She explained that while the director initially worried audiences might not understand the title's meaning, it ultimately proved to be the right decision.

Worldwide 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' Phenomenon

When Park Myung-soo asked about the film's success, Moon So-ri revealed the extent of its global impact. Referring to the movie by its English title, she shared remarkable anecdotes:

• Flight attendants on a recent trip to Kenya recognized her and called out "When Life Gives You Tangerines"
• Duty-free shop employees at Dubai Airport identified her
• Even in rural Mongolia, people recognized her from the film

Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Moon So-ri also discussed her unexpected cameo in the film '1987,' directed by Jang Jun-hwan. She originally went to the set to help guide student extras unfamiliar with 1980s culture. However, the director suddenly asked her to change clothes and step in for a scene on the spot.

The actress revealed she actually wanted to play the role of Kim Tae-ri's mother and Yoo Hae-jin's older sister. However, her husband told her it wouldn't suit her since Yoo Hae-jin was older than her. She expressed mild frustration when the role eventually went to actress Kim Soo-jin, who is the same age as Moon.

Dedication to Craft

Discussing memorable scenes from the film, Moon explained that the wind in one emotional scene where her character searches for her son was entirely artificial. She described how Jeju Island filming is typically challenging due to strong winds, but on that particular day, there was no wind at all, requiring the crew to use industrial fans.

Moon also detailed her preparation for scenes at the fish market, extensively practicing squid and sea squirt preparation. She joked that thanks to her practice, both she and her husband ate squid and sea squirt bibimbap for days.

Life After Success

Despite the film's massive success, Moon candidly shared that she went two years without projects following the movie's release, offering a realistic perspective on the unpredictable nature of an acting career even after a major hit.