“When Life Gives You Tangerines,” the narrative of Jeon Gwang-rye and her daughter Ae-sun flows like a wave, drawing us into the complicated, often stormy realm of mother-daughter relationships. At its core lies a quiet, agonizing truth: motherhood is made up of unseen labours, silent love, and sacrifices woven into the fabric of daily existence. Gwang-rye, a haenyeo (female deep-sea diver), personifies these unseen energies with elegance and strength, demonstrating the unwavering tenacity of moms everywhere.
The water shapes her life—brutal, icy, and unforgiving—but so does an undying love for her children, particularly Ae-sun. Gwang-rye dives into dangerous seas every day, not merely for survival, but also for a better future than her own. Through the salt and solitude, her body becomes a map of sacrifice, with wrinkled fingertips, exhausted lungs, and calloused strength. Nonetheless, her love endures, even when it is unsaid or misunderstood.
A Tough Shell and A Tender Heart:
Jeon Gwang-rye is not the type of mother who sings lovely lullabies or makes public gestures of affection. Her love is severe, wrapped in scolding and silence. She is sometimes furious or irritated, yet underneath this tougher exterior lurks a vast ocean of adoration. Every angry remark is accompanied by care, and every wrinkled face represents years of weariness and hope. She does not have the luxury of gentleness, since the sea requires her to be tough.
Her strong appearance is her armour, a strategy to protect not just her children but also her deep weakness. The water teaches her to be strong and calm in the face of hardship. Despite her tough demeanour, she is not a woman without affection. Her fury is directed toward them rather than at her children. She wants them to have more than she did—to break away from the cycle of adversity and build a better future. While Gwang-rye’s exterior is impenetrable, Ae-sun can see through it. She sees the lady who chooses the sea over safety, who prioritizes her family above her comfort. And she starts to understand.
A Pearl Forming in the Current:
Ae-sun’s journey is moulded by her mother’s sacrifices. Raised under the shadow of resilience, she develops into a lady who recognizes that strength comes from adversity. But her power is not inherited in the same way. It is learned. Ae-sun’s path is different, yet it still bears the imprints of her mother’s teachings—selflessness, love, and an unwavering will to defend those you love.
As a mother, Ae-sun reflects Gwang-rye’s sacrifices, but with her subtleties. She does not merely mimic her mother’s behaviour; she makes her own decisions. Ae-sun sells their house to pay for her daughter’s exchange program overseas, a choice that demonstrates her values. She doesn’t consider her comfort or dreams. Her daughter’s development, independence, and pleasure come first. In the process, she sacrifices her desires, just like her mother did. Her connection with her daughter is based on protection, not perfection. Ae-sun is a fervent advocate for her child in a culture that may be cruel at times. When her daughter is bullied or mistreated, Ae-sun intervenes, not out of wrath, but with purpose. She tells her daughter that the world might be harsh, but love and resilience will always act as a shield.
Ae-sun, like her own mother, does not pressure her daughter to thrive academically, but instead encourages her to pursue her interests. She encourages her dreams, even if they appear impractical or remote. It’s a subtle form of encouragement, based on compassion and the freedom to be oneself rather than success.
When I Grow Up, the First Thing I’ll Do is Buy You a Pearl Necklace.
In one of the most moving passages in the story, Ae-sun tells her mother, “When I grow up, the first thing I’ll do is buy you a pearl necklace.”
This short yet meaningful sentence captures the full experience of both mother and daughter. Pearls are commonly seen as symbols of elegance and beauty, but in this context, they represent something far deeper. Pearls are the result of years of irritation, pressure, and time. They rise from the depths of the ocean, formed by layers of sacrifice and struggle. Similarly, Gwang-rye’s strength has been developed over years of hardship, with each layer building on the last.
Ae-sun sees the pearl necklace as more than a gift; it is an homage. She wants to show her mother that she appreciates her sacrifices and acknowledges the depth of love that was always present, even when it wasn’t overtly expressed. The pearl necklace represents appreciation and an homage to the eternal love that has formed her.
The Legacy of Mothers:
The loss of Gwang-rye creates a void in Ae-sun’s life. Despite her demise, Gwang-rye’s legacy lives on in her daughter’s heart. Ae-sun bears not just sadness, but also her mother’s soul. She inherited her mother’s perseverance, courage, and love. Finally, Gwang-rye lives on via her daughter, passing along her ideals like precious antiques. This legacy is both emotional and practical. Ae-sun carries on her mother’s heritage of sacrifice, becoming a source of strength for her child. She teaches that strength is not about being resistant to adversity, but about surviving it, loving in the midst of it, and constantly rising again, no matter how many times life knocks you down.
A Necklace of Generations:
Each mother, in her unique manner, dives into her sea. Some delve into employment, while others turn to sacrifice, quiet, revolt, or abandoned goals. But their love, like pearls, is frequently hidden under the surface, waiting to be discovered. In “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” the necklace Ae-sun originally wished to give her mother is no longer merely a present. It becomes a metaphor—a strand of generational strength fashioned by adversity, love, and the common experience of femininity.
Mothers, regardless of their socioeconomic status, are frequently the unsung heroes of any household. They are the silent fighters, sturdy pillars, and gentle forces influencing the future. Gwang-rye was a heroine in her own right, her sacrifices paving the way for Ae-sun’s love and persistence. And when Ae-sun offers her mother the gift of pearls, she unintentionally pledges herself that she will continue with the same strength. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, The Pearl Necklace teaches us to look beyond the obvious. To comprehend the wordless, to recognize the effort, and to pass on the love we inherited. Every pearl we wear today, real or not, was once created by a mother who endured, gave, and loved.
