Nelly
Canada
Quirky but fun!
OVERALL
The first season of Fox's Summer is at times over the top, but still gripping enough to binge. Watch it if 1) you like strong, capable female leads, 2) you appreciate deep backstories and 3) you're looking for slow but realistic relationship development. If you 1) are easily bothered by inconsistencies, 2) don't like slapstick, over-the-top humor, or 3) can't stand bad acting, then skip.
THE STORY
I need to specify my review here is only for the FIRST SEASON of Fox's Summer. This season, I binged in one day. That's right, one day. It's not crazy good, but if you come in with low expectations, first season has enough cool elements to surprise you and grip you until the end. These elements are: 1) interesting backstories for the lead (lots of drama on FL's side and lots of mystery on ML's side), 2) FL's sassy, quirky, street-smart personality, 3) fun dialogues that show writers actually spent some time on the script, 4) the potential for an epic love story, as evidenced by fun scenes between the OTP and a couple of cute ones too.
On the negative side, the drama isn't the most consistent. One second, the secondary male lead looks like a potential abuser, the next we're supposed to like him. One second, FL's mom is acting like a gold-digger who couldn't care less about her daughter. The next, we're supposed to believe she does. One second, FL is a total boss, and the next, she's acting like a clumsy preteen. It definitely gets frustrating as the episodes go by. And then there's excessive bad use of flashbacks. However, the worst, in my opinion, was the childish, slapstick, over-the-top humor that was barely there at the start but increased steadily throughout the season. I don't enjoy having second-hand embarrassment over the FL. I don't find FL acting silly funny. I'm also very tired of the fact that 99% of the time, we're supposed to have a laugh over the FL and not, I don't know, the ML. I find it very distasteful...and sexist. But anyway, if you can skip these parts the drama isn't bad!
THE ACTING
I've seen Tan Songyun before in Sword & Brocade and I really liked her in that drama. In this one, not so much, but I could see more versatility in her acting. Male lead looked like a piece of wood to me, I was really unimpressed by his acting. Chemistry was close to inexistent between them, but I was hopeful for the future with a few scenes.
THE MUSIC
Loud and inappropriate. First time I hate hearing piano in the background, all the time.
REWATCH VALUE
This season has no ending, so I wouldn't watch it again unless I loved the second season. You can find out why if you look for my review of Fox's Summer 2!
The first season of Fox's Summer is at times over the top, but still gripping enough to binge. Watch it if 1) you like strong, capable female leads, 2) you appreciate deep backstories and 3) you're looking for slow but realistic relationship development. If you 1) are easily bothered by inconsistencies, 2) don't like slapstick, over-the-top humor, or 3) can't stand bad acting, then skip.
THE STORY
I need to specify my review here is only for the FIRST SEASON of Fox's Summer. This season, I binged in one day. That's right, one day. It's not crazy good, but if you come in with low expectations, first season has enough cool elements to surprise you and grip you until the end. These elements are: 1) interesting backstories for the lead (lots of drama on FL's side and lots of mystery on ML's side), 2) FL's sassy, quirky, street-smart personality, 3) fun dialogues that show writers actually spent some time on the script, 4) the potential for an epic love story, as evidenced by fun scenes between the OTP and a couple of cute ones too.
On the negative side, the drama isn't the most consistent. One second, the secondary male lead looks like a potential abuser, the next we're supposed to like him. One second, FL's mom is acting like a gold-digger who couldn't care less about her daughter. The next, we're supposed to believe she does. One second, FL is a total boss, and the next, she's acting like a clumsy preteen. It definitely gets frustrating as the episodes go by. And then there's excessive bad use of flashbacks. However, the worst, in my opinion, was the childish, slapstick, over-the-top humor that was barely there at the start but increased steadily throughout the season. I don't enjoy having second-hand embarrassment over the FL. I don't find FL acting silly funny. I'm also very tired of the fact that 99% of the time, we're supposed to have a laugh over the FL and not, I don't know, the ML. I find it very distasteful...and sexist. But anyway, if you can skip these parts the drama isn't bad!
THE ACTING
I've seen Tan Songyun before in Sword & Brocade and I really liked her in that drama. In this one, not so much, but I could see more versatility in her acting. Male lead looked like a piece of wood to me, I was really unimpressed by his acting. Chemistry was close to inexistent between them, but I was hopeful for the future with a few scenes.
THE MUSIC
Loud and inappropriate. First time I hate hearing piano in the background, all the time.
REWATCH VALUE
This season has no ending, so I wouldn't watch it again unless I loved the second season. You can find out why if you look for my review of Fox's Summer 2!
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