‘When Life Gives You Tangerines,’ starring IU and Park Bo-gum, has officially been crowned TIME magazine’s ‘Best K-Drama of 2025.’

This honor cements the series as a global masterpiece, standing out as the undisputed definitive drama of the year.

TIME didn’t hold back, calling it “one of the year’s best TV series, full stop.” The magazine praised its rare ability to make ordinary life feel extraordinary.

It proves that you don’t need fantasy elements to tell a deeply engaging story, just the rich complexity of real life.

Directed by Kim Won-suk, the Netflix series follows Ae-sun (IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) across four seasons of their lives on Jeju Island.

From childhood adventures to adult struggles, the narrative beautifully captures the messy, laugh-out-loud, and tear-jerking glory of real life.

The series aired on Netflix from March 7 to March 28, 2025, and earned widespread acclaim.

It secured eight nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards, winning four including ‘Best Drama,’ and drew comparisons to the beloved ‘Reply 1988’ for its emotional resonance.

With IU and Park Bo-gum’s heartfelt performances at its center, ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ proved that simplicity can be powerful.

Its recognition cements the drama as a defining K-drama of 2025, reminding viewers why stories rooted in real life endure.

Louis Vuitton has revealed a new bag charm inspired by the Japanese fish-shaped cake, ‘taiyaki.’

Shaped like a fish and stamped with the iconic LV logo, the playful accessory is turning heads among fashion lovers seeking unique and culturally inspired luxury pieces this season.

Taiyaki, first sold in Japan in 1909, is traditionally made with pancake or waffle batter poured into a fish-shaped mold, filled with sweet ingredients like red bean paste, then cooked until golden brown.

Louis Vuitton’s charm reimagines this beloved snack as a collectible accessory for luxury fashion lovers.

There is no official release yet, but the taiyaki bag charm is now listed on Louis Vuitton’s official store, priced at NZ$1,710.00 ($979.33 USD).

It is poised to become a sought-after collectible for both food enthusiasts and fashion collectors.

Last year, a 10-year-old girl in southwest Japan went viral after becoming the youngest person in the country to pass the fugu preparation authorization test.

Karin Tabira, a fifth grader in Kumamoto, earned certification to safely handle the deadly pufferfish, a rare and highly dangerous delicacy.

Karin trained for six months at Fukunari, a Kumamoto-based fugu wholesaler, learning to fillet the poisonous fish and identify its lethal parts.

She took the fiscal 2024 exam in Yamaguchi Prefecture, which has no age restrictions, allowing her to become certified despite being only 10 years old.

The test included both an academic section on food sanitation and a practical demonstration of fugu preparation skills.

Out of 93 examinees, 60 passed, mostly professional chefs. Karin became the youngest certified fugu preparer at 10, breaking the previous record of 11.

Following her success, Karin was invited to prepare the deadly dish for Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura on August 22, 2024. She served a platter of fugu sashimi, which the governor praised.

“I’m glad to hear that it tasted good. It was difficult to cut and wash the skin during the exam,” Karin said.

While Karin is now certified, she cannot officially prepare fugu in Kumamoto until she turns 18.

However, she plans to continue honing her skills so that, when the time comes, she can safely offer the delicacy in her hometown, combining a lifelong passion with rigorous safety standards.