IU denies 500 million KRW per episode claim for 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

The hit K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, released on Netflix on March 7, 2025, quickly became a fan favorite. Recently, an anonymous claim circulated online suggesting that IU, along with her co-star Park Bo-Gum, was being paid 500 million KRW (approximately $345,000) per episode for their roles in the series.

However, on March 18, Pan Entertainment, the production company behind the show, swiftly responded, debunking the rumor. A representative for the company stated, "The claim that IU received ₩500 million per episode is completely false."

This controversy began when an anonymous user posted on an online community claiming that both IU and Park Bo-Gum were earning 500 million KRW per episode for their roles in When Life Gives You Tangerines. The post also mentioned that Park Hyung-Sik, currently starring in Disney+ show Buried Hearts, earned a similar fee for his role in Doctor Slump in 2023. Furthermore, the user claimed that Lee Jung-Jae received 1 billion KRW per episode for his role in Squid Game 2 on Netflix.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a highly anticipated K-drama set in Jeju Island, where the story follows the characters Ae-sun, a "remarkable rebel," and Gwan-sik, whose long-standing crush on Ae-sun forms the heart of the narrative. The drama's Korean title pays tribute to the Jeju dialect and translates to “thank you for your hard work,” adding cultural authenticity to the storyline.

IU, a leading figure in South Korea’s entertainment industry, is known for her roles in beloved K-dramas like My Mister, Hotel del Luna, and Dream. When Life Gives You Tangerines marks another chapter in her impressive career.