When Life Gives You Tangerines is a decades-spanning Korean romance following the enduring love story of Oh Ae-sun, a rebellious, aspiring poet from poverty-stricken Jeju Island, and Yang Gwan-sik, a steadfast, devoted young man who loves her unconditionally. The plot, narrated by their daughter, Geum-myeong, chronicles their life from 1960s childhood struggles, through family hurdles, economic downturns, and personal sacrifices, highlighting their perseverance, the strength of women in a patriarchal society, and finding meaning in small moments across generations.