Lim Sang-chun

Career The name 'Lim Sang-choon' is a pen name derived from the Chinese characters "想賰," which translates to "plentiful imagination." Lim adopted an androgynous pen name and maintains a private persona to mitigate potential biases related to gender and age. Her stated objective is to prioritize the narratives conveyed through her characters over personal recognition as an artist.

Prior to becoming a screenwriter, Lim worked at a company in her late 20s. She has stated that her aspiration to become a writer stemmed from observing the positive impact of dramas on viewers. "I saw people smiling while watching dramas on their cell phones on the bus going home with their tired bodies. I thought I should write a drama that makes people happy."

She pursued screenwriting independently, studying existing scripts without formal training at a writer's education center. In 2013, Lim submitted her work to The 5th Drama Script Contest — Finding a Shooting Star in the Desert, with two of her scripts reaching the final screening. Subsequently, a producer who reviewed her scripts proposed a Chuseok special drama. In 2014, Lim debuted with the MBC Chuseok special drama "Lump in My Life." The drama, featuring actors Byun Hee-bong, Kang Hye-jung, Song Ok-sook, and child actor Kal So-won, depicts the reconciliation between a grandfather and granddaughter. The drama was also broadcast at the 2014 Short Drama Festival.

"The strength of writer Lim Sang-choon is that she writes realistic stories that are not absurd. She will be one of the few writers who can do both minis and weekend dramas." — Producer Lee Kun-joon — Hankyoreh's Interview It was well-received during its initial broadcast. Due to positive reception and viewer requests, KBS2 rebroadcast the director's cut of Becky's Back as a two-part series in March 2017, prior to the premiere of Lim's new drama Fight for My Way.

"All of Lim Sang-chun's works depict wrong prejudice against the weak and overcoming them. This time, she conveyed deep comfort by interpreting the community called Ongsan through the code of family." — Drama critic Gong Hee-jeong

In 2019, Lim returned with When the Camellia Blooms, a mini-series starring-series that stars Gong Hyo-jin, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-seok, Son Dam-bi, and Kim Kang-hoon. Director Cha Young-hoon collaborated with Lim again after Becky's Back.

"The strength of writer Lim's script is its gripping power and tight character placement." — Jo Eun-byeolBridge Economy and Culture Reporter — Weekly Kyunghyang Interview

Lim's works convey a message of comfort, depicting individuals who have lost sight of their self-worth and regain it through the support of others. In December 2022, production designer Ryu Seong-hie confirmed her involvement. The original Korean title, Pokssak sogatsuda , was revealed on January 27, 2023. This Jeju language expression translates to "thank you for your hard work." The English title, When Life Gives You Tangerines, was announced on January 30, 2023, and is a word play on the proverb "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. The production cost of the series is reported to be around billion. The series earned 8 nominations at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, winning four, including the Best Television Drama and Best Screenplay Award for Lim. Lim and the drama was also considered for Grand prize.

Filmographies Television series

Web series

Recurring cast +Recurring casts Lump of My LifeDodoharaBecky's BackFight for My WayWhen the Camellia BloomsWhen Life Gives You Tangerines

Accolades

Awards and nominations +Awards and nominationsYearCeremonycategoryNominated workResultRef. 2013 The 5th Drama Script Contest 'Finding the Shooting Star in the Desert' SBS Plus Award Puberty 2018 54th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Screenplay – TelevisionFight for My Way 13th Seoul International Drama AwardsBest Screenwriter 2019 KBS Drama Awards Best ScreenwriterWhen the Camellia Blooms 2020 56th Baeksang Arts Award Grand Prize (Daesang) Best Screenplay – Television 47th Korea Broadcasting PrizesBest Screenwriter 15th Seoul International Drama Awards Best Screenwriter 2025 61st Baeksang Arts Awards Best Drama When Life Gives You Tangerines Best Screenplay 2025Blue Dragon Series Awards Grand Prize Best Drama 2025 Global OTT Awards Best Creative Best Screenplay 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards Best Screenwriter

State honors +Name of country, year given, and name of honorCountryAward CeremonyYearHonor South Korea 11th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards 2020 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism