Actress Nam Kwon Ah, who played the quirky housekeeper in Netflix’s hit drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, recently shared her strange audition experience. She initially thought the late-night casting call might be a scam due to its unusual setup. Despite her doubts, she took the role and became a fan favorite.
Nam Kwon Ah opened up about the audition on the YouTube channel One Mic. She described how the casting notice arrived around 10 or 11 PM, which immediately made her suspicious. Most auditions happen during normal hours, so the late-night message felt odd.
She decided to attend because IU and Park Bo Gum were already confirmed as leads. But when she arrived, things got even stranger. The director was alone, with no cameras or assistants present. This was completely different from standard auditions, where multiple staff members guide actors.
“There were no cameras. Usually, there is an assistant director and people next to you that give you lines. But the director was alone. It was my first time experiencing something like this.”
Despite the unusual setting, Nam Kwon Ah gave her best performance. She found working directly with the director fun and different from her past auditions. Her leap of faith paid off—the role boosted her career, and she now gets recognized on the streets.
The drama When Life Gives You Tangerines became a global success, praised for its emotional storytelling. Starring IU and Park Bo Gum, it follows the lives of childhood sweethearts facing life’s challenges. The show won multiple awards, including Best Drama at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
IU and Park Bo Gum’s chemistry was a major highlight. One viral scene, where they shared an unscripted hug, left fans amazed. The raw emotion felt so real that viewers assumed it was carefully scripted. Netflix later confirmed it was spontaneous.
“Their chemistry is so natural that they don’t need a script for it.”
Park Bo Gum also spoke about their long friendship, which began over a decade ago. They first met during a commercial shoot and later worked together on IU’s drama The Producers. Their bond made filming When Life Gives You Tangerines feel effortless.
IU praised Park Bo Gum’s professionalism on set. She recalled an incident where he gently corrected a child actor for using inappropriate language. His calm and disciplined nature left a strong impression on her and the crew.
“Bo Gum gently put his hands on the kid’s shoulders and said, ‘Do you know what that word means? Promise me you won’t say that again, okay?’ That really left an impression on me.”
Despite the show’s success, IU and Park Bo Gum did not win individual awards at Baeksang. Fans expressed disappointment online, calling it a major snub. Many felt their performances deserved more recognition.
“IU walking out empty-handed at Baeksang baffles me. She played two timelines and nailed both.”
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The drama’s success has opened new opportunities for Nam Kwon Ah. She went from an unknown actress to a recognized name thanks to her quirky role. Her strange audition story is now part of the show’s behind-the-scenes legacy.
Credits: One Mic YouTube
