Barfi x K-drama? IU and Park Bogum starrer resembles Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra’s film

A new teaser and stills for the upcoming K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, which stars Park Bogum and IU, were released yesterday. The show, which is set on Jeju Island, centers on the entwined lives of Ae Sun and Gwan Sik, two people navigating love, adversity, and individual aspirations at a period when fate frequently determines one’s course.

IU plays Ae Sun, a young lady with a rebellious streak who questions herself anytime she does something out of the ordinary. She exudes optimism and clings to her dream of being a poet despite her lowly upbringing and lack of formal schooling. Even when life’s obstacles threaten to break her spirit, her character is a fearless force of nature, not afraid to express her feelings and desires.

The quiet but unwavering Gwan Sik, a man with few words but unwavering commitment, is played by Park Bogum. In contrast to Ae Sun, he does not show his feelings publicly and finds it difficult to manage the intricacies of emotions, such as Ae Sun’s tears or laughing. However, his love for her is unwavering, profound, and unchanging, which makes him the type of romantic protagonist whose power comes from quiet, steadfast support rather than showy displays.

쳐들어오는 봄을 누가 말리겠냐마는 제주의 봄은 그렇게도 유독 빠른 거였다.

여전히 꽃잎 같고 여전히 꿈을 꾸는 당신에게. <폭싹 속았수다> 3월 7일 1막 공개. 오직 넷플릭스에서. pic.twitter.com/WTg1JQ95NY

— Netflix Korea｜넷플릭스 코리아 (@NetflixKR) February 7, 2025

Indian fans quickly saw an unexpected link, despite the fact that excitement for the drama is already strong due to its star-studded cast and scenic locale. Discussions on social media regarding how many of the teaser’s scenes resembled the 2012 Bollywood hit Barfi! erupted shortly after its release. The critically praised movie, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ileana D’Cruz, is about a deaf and mute man who is divided between two very different women: Jhilmil, an autistic lady with whom he has an unbreakable link, and Shruti, his first love.

Online channels shared edits and side-by-side comparisons that highlighted poignant moments, color grading, and comparable shots. Many believed that, despite the fact that When Life Gives You Tangerines and Barfi! may not have a definite plot, their emotional core and visual narrative seemed to coincide, as evidenced by IU’s tears and her clutching to Park Bogum’s hands in some scenes as well as her joyful, youthful acting.

The drama’s production crew has not formally acknowledged any creative inspiration taken from the Bollywood movie, despite the fervor around these analogies.