“When Life Gives You Tangerines” Actress Admits She Had To Juggle 7 Part Time Jobs Post Filming

Among the 2025 lineup of Netflix K-Dramas, few have enjoyed success as much as When Life Gives You Tangerines. So, when an actress from the show confessed that she had to juggle multiple part-time jobs despite being a part of such a successful project, she made headlines.

Actress Chae Seo An, who played Yeong Ran in When Life Gives You Tangerines, recently spoke with Harper’s BAZAAR Korea about her life after the Netflix K-Drama.

The actress shared that she finished filming for the show in 2023, and after that, she was going through a transition period with her previous agency, trying to figure out her next steps.

Chae stated that at that time, a friend working at an outsourcing company suggested she try out part-time jobs. She then listed an impressive number of different jobs she took up at that time. She had her last part-time gig until a month ago.

I worked at a rice cake factory, a cookie factory, an electronics factory, a research facility under a major company, in card terminal manufacturing, door lock production, and assembling PVC/electronic outlets. Until recently, I was part of a CCTV quality control team, but I quit about a month ago.

— Chae Seo An

Chae admitted that when she joined the cast of When Life Gives You Tangerines, she was going through a tumultuous time, and passing the audition “felt like a dream.”

However, the actress admitted she also kept her expectations in check, since her screen time wasn’t very significant.

It’s such a beautiful project. I had a feeling it would do well, but since my role wasn’t very big, I didn’t expect to be so loved as ‘Hak’s Wife.’ My family was really happy. Even though it still doesn’t feel completely real, my heart is full.

— Chae Seo An

Despite her reservations, Chae’s performance has indeed drawn attention of global viewers.

Meanwhile, Chae Seo An debuted in 2021 with KBS2‘s Police University and has appeared in multiple successful projects such as The Witch: Part 2, Moonshine, and Pale Moon.