Netflix probes mistreatment claims on set of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’
Users on X allege that extras lacked adequate protection during winter filming and were forced to cut their hair to accommodate wearing wigs
Netflix is investigating allegations of mistreatment on the set of its South Korean drama series When Life Gives You Tangerines, after accusations of extras facing abuse and neglect surfaced on social media.
Earlier this week, numerous anonymous users took to X, formerly Twitter, to accuse the production of workplace abuse during filming.
The posts alleged that extras were given inadequate protection from the cold weather and were forced to cut their hair to make wearing wigs easier, among other complaints.
Other users claimed that the production crew tried to cut their wages and that they were not provided with funds for accommodation, despite having had to travel to different regions to work on set.
None of the users have been verified to be actual workers from the show yet, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
“We are currently reviewing the facts surrounding the incident,” a Netflix spokesperson said on Wednesday, according to The Korea Times.
“Netflix continues to work with its production partners in Korea to foster a better working environment and will closely review the situation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.”
One X user claimed the drama production was “infamous among extras as a schedule to avoid” as it skimped on expenses for non-leading cast members.
“Even in the dead of winter, elderly extras were left hungry and unattended. Not once did they provide a proper meal or even a tea table – just dumped us near some restaurant and told us to eat within 30 minutes,” the user said.
“We were practically treated like slaves. How can you make someone shave or cut their own hair just because it was difficult to wear a wig?”
They also claimed that actors were banned from wearing thermal underwear to preserve the fit of costumes.
Another user claiming to have worked on the production said he was mistreated and did not receive payment despite being asked to drive due to staff shortages.
“It felt like the 60 billion won [US$44 million] budget went entirely to celebrity fees,” he wrote.
During a three-day shoot across multiple cities, extras were left without lodging or waiting areas, and given only a burger and soda for dinner, even in freezing weather, he added.
This is not the first time the production team has come under fire for its filming practices.
In April 2023, a visitor to the Gochang Green Barley Field Festival complained that the production team blocked access to areas of the venue and shouted at tourists to not take photos.
Production company Pan Entertainment later apologised and acknowledged it had failed to be more considerate of the public.
When Life Gives You Tangerines, mainly set on Jeju island, follows the life of protagonist Ae-sun, played by IU, and her love interest Gwan-sik, played by Park Bo-gum, from the 1960s to 2025.
