Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines, which follows the lives of a lovestruck couple across 50 years, is one of the most talked-about K-dramas so far this year.

Starring IU and Park Bo Gum, the tearjerker has earned rave reviews from audiences and critics across the globe and catapulted several supporting actors and child stars to fame.

The drama recently made headlines again but this time for its harsh working conditions on set.

Earlier this week, a netizen, who claims to have worked on the show, took to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse the production team of mistreating extras and crew.

Recounting an incident on set, the netizen wrote: “Someone used spray paint from a hardware store to spray on a rented bus. When caught, they brushed it off, saying, ‘Just use paint remover to wipe it off.’ They got scolded severely after that.”

Another user, sharing the post the next day, claimed that the When Life Gives You Tangerines production team had a notorious reputation among extras.

“It’s the one job everyone tried to avoid,” said the user.

Although the drama is a Netflix-funded original, the person said they “didn’t provide even the most basic support.”

“Other than the main cast, the production was unwilling to spend money on anyone else. It was all about penny-pinching,” the person wrote.

They went to describe some of the gruelling filming conditions which include making elderly actors wait outside in the freezing cold for long hours.

“There was no tea station or meal truck — people had to find their own food at nearby restaurants and were told to finish eating within 30 minutes,” the person said.

The costume department was also criticised for dressing extras in super thin winter clothes and prohibiting them from wearing anything underneath, even thermal underwear.

The reason? It would ruin the silhouette.

“Who even notices what background actors are wearing? This is modern-day slavery!” said the user.

One especially disturbing incident occurred during heavy snowfall. 

As everyone waited in the cold, there was no heating until one actor took the initiative to lead people to a nearby stove for warmth.

The user also claimed that crew forced extras to shave their heads because “wigs are too hard to put on.”  

“There was zero room for flexibility. I don’t understand what kind of money they were trying to save,” they said.

In response to the allegations, the production team said it is verifying the situation and facts surrounding the incidents.”

Photo: Netflix