What was expected to be a typical red carpet event turned into a heartwarming surprise for K-drama fans. On April 15, the VIP premiere of the gritty new crime thriller Yadang: The Snitch at Megabox COEX in Seoul became the unexpected stage for a touching reunion of the beloved cast from Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines — and social media lit up with joy.
The premiere, held in celebration of director Hwang Byung Guk’s latest film starring Park Hae Joon, drew a glittering crowd. Celebrities including Uhm Tae Woong (in his first public appearance in eight years), Lee Min Ho, Ha Ji Won, Hyeri, Kim Sung Kyun, Lee Yu Bi, Lee Joo Young, and Single’s Inferno 4 contestant Lee Si An were all in attendance. But it was the surprise appearance of the Tangerines cast that stole the night.
Fans were quick to spot IU, who played the deeply emotional role of Geum Myeong — the daughter of Park Hae Joon’s character, Gwan Sik. Quietly entering the venue without walking the photo wall and wearing a mask to stay under the radar, IU’s appearance still didn’t go unnoticed. Sharp-eyed fans shared glimpses online, with one post reading, “Geum Myeong is here! IU came to support!”
Shortly after, Kim Seon Ho — who played Geum Myeong’s husband Chung Seop and Gwan Sik’s son-in-law — arrived, followed by Kang You Seok, known for his role as Eun Myeong, the youngest in Gwan Sik’s family.
Then came a fan-favorite moment: Choi Dae Hoon, who brought the quirky Uncle Hak Ssi to life in Tangerines, showed up with a warm smile and even took a moment to greet fans. His off-screen charisma drew fond memories of his comedic yet touching role in the drama.
Interestingly, Park Hae Joon himself had teased the possibility of a cast reunion earlier that day. In an interview with Xports News, he said, “You’ll have to see tonight to find out if the Bokssak cast is coming. Everyone’s busy, so it depends on the situation. But if they do come, I’d be really happy to see them again.” That cryptic comment had already fueled speculation — and the turnout exceeded even fans’ most hopeful expectations.
For many, this spontaneous reunion was more than just a nostalgic callback; it was a reminder of the strong camaraderie the cast shared during and after filming. The emotional connection fans formed with these characters was reignited in real time, turning a promotional event into something truly special.
Meanwhile, the spotlight remains firmly on Park Hae Joon, whose role in Yadang: The Snitch marks a stark departure from the soft-spoken, introspective Gwan Sik of Tangerines. In the new film, he takes on the gritty role of Oh Sang Jae, a hard-nosed narcotics detective operating in the seedy underworld of Seoul. The transformation is already generating buzz among critics and fans, who are eager to witness his impressive range.
Yadang: The Snitch officially hit theaters on April 16.
