green flag
tbh... i've watched this drama many times but somehow i don't get bored while watching it, i'm sure buddy. i really like the acting of both of them, the main character Choi Wooshik (Choi Ung) and the main actress Kim Dami (Kook Yeon Soo). they are both very cool in acting, i won't lie about that, this drama is very inspiring for couples who have fallen out of love but both of them still have great love, i as a man really want traits and personality like the main character Choi Ung, he is like an angel for her beloved partner, i also study what he does, what Choi Ung does in this drama, and yea... as you know, the character Choi Ung in this drama is highly coveted by many women out there, they call it the word "green flag" LMAO.Was this review helpful to you?
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I should have loved this
I wanted to love this. When I came across it on Netflix right after watching Hometown Cha Cha Cha, I thought it would be the perfect substitute with similar vibes. I was wrong.I know Our Beloved Summer is a well-made drama. I can see it through the acting, structure, story and other characteristics. However, I couldn't help but feel disengaged by it. I wanted to fall in love with the story really badly, but I was left hanging. I don't really blame the drama, I think this is on me. To each their own.
I love Choi Woo-shik and he was really good in this.
But yeah, overall, I wish I had loved this like everybody else.
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"People Crave for The Normal."
As a person who enjoys binging thriller dramas, this one is sure to have ended up in my dropped/fast forward list had I tried binging it.The very interesting discourses and comments regarding certain characters is what drove me to begin watching this drama. Slice of life dramas are not my forté. But, seeing such intense character analysis for a seemingly sunny drama was what made me curious.
Probably one of the most well loved dramas that premiered last year, "Our Beloved Summer" is the chronicles of Choi Ung and Kook Yeon Su, two vibrantly different personalities who are forcibly put together in high school to film a documentary. The Proximity Principle proved true and it's not long before their hateful relationship morphs into love. After a disastrously earth shaking break-up, they meet five years later. Now, grown up and absorbed in their own career paths, they are unexpectedly thrown together again. But, this time, both of them are determined to change for the better…
I suck at expressing emotions in general and have a penchant for accepting characters and the story as it is presented, hence watching this was personally a purely fun experience for me.
Be warned… the slice-of-life tag doesn't lie.
The story follows the ordinary lives of both Yeon Su and Choi Ung along with one major supporting character (Kim Ji Ung).
Sticking true to the tag, it's the characters who are the soul of the story. Though it began with almost little to no emotional attachment from my side, I slowly grew attached to them by episode 14. There is not much purposeful happening with the plot, so, if you are a fan of strictly plot driven stories, this drama isn't for you.
Kook Yeon-Su can sit together with Kat from 10 Things I Hate About You and I wouldn't bat an eyelid. Studious and meticulous in every aspect, she sets vigorous boundaries and rules to who or whatever crosses her path. Including Choi Ung. She has an almost aggressive reaction to everyone, trenchant and assertive with her words… which naturally makes her one of the most unlikeable students in her school.
I found her bravado tiring. But, the writers did a good job, taking time to explain her actions and errors.
Choi Ung is far from her strict good-girl regimen. He slacks off at class, is meek like a puppy and knows more social skills than Yeon Su. He understands what he has signed up for once he begins to date her. I loved how he was not driven by goals, but rather went with what his heart wanted.
The life outside their perfect bubble has an almost domino-like effect on them. These polar opposite duos had their own ways of expressing their emotions as a result. Yeon Su was more on the *tell* side of the sphere whereas Choi Ung was on the *show* side. They each await empathic responses to unasked questions. To me, this lack of understanding and failure to express themselves was the prime reason for their break up. Now, as adults, their tables have turned. They are much more aware of their mistakes and are ready to accept the error of their ways.
40% of the drama is seen partially through the eyes of the Documentary Producer, Kim Ji Ung, Choi Ung's best friend. He was a character whose presence was pivotal in understanding the leading ones. We see a deeper side of Choi Ung through him, his own personal troubles, his support and ear for Yeon Su, the rapport with his workplace colleagues… even Ung's manager and Sol - I were important.
NJ, an idol, felt really out of place. She was not annoying… but I didn't understand why there was so much time being invested in her story, which could literally be spliced out and kept as a different special episode. Her presence did incite major changes to certain characters, but I felt that the writers failed to portray her with more depth or importance. The main reason seems to be her lack of interaction with the major characters.
It's the actors who breathed life into the chara ters. They lived them. Even the minor ones. Choi Woo Shik was mind blowing in portraying the very insoucient Choi Ung. Rather than appearing lifeless and boring, he was vibrant and unique. Kim Da Mi had less internal monologues than Choi Ung, but the process of unwrapping her various layers was smoothly portrayed.
I didn't find the drama too funny, though. There were a few slapstick comedy scenes, but there was always a serious shadow in the background for more than half of the drama.
The soundtrack was overall pleasant to listen to with "Home" and "Christmas Tree" being my favorites along with the opening theme by Kim Hwan Hee.
It's a drama that I'm sure I'll probably never rewatch. But, sometimes you stumble upon a coin on the road and check it out.
As Mr. Park said to Ji Ung, people crave for the 'ordinary'. And so do I.
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I'm dramatic i know, but can you blame me?
randomly this show would come to my mind and i would find myself crying uncontrollably, though I don't know why. i think I've found my all time favorite characters.I'm bad at explaining why i love something i only know how to complain about things but i love how complex the characters are i relate to each and every one of them their good and their bad sides. i would like to say who my favorite was but they're all so unique with their own backstories and emotional baggage. i would recommend watching the show when you're in the mood to it though as in relaxing with a warm cup of coffee and a box of tissues.
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Slowburn Drama's Enemies-to-Lovers Twist Leaves a Lasting Summer Romance Imprint"
The rollercoaster of emotions I experienced while immersed in this drama is beyond words. Initially, the Slowburn pace felt foreign to my preferences, yet it gradually became a source of fascination, especially with the infusion of my beloved enemies-to-lovers trope. The female lead, whom I dismissed at first, transformed into a complex character whose layers I gradually peeled back, coming to appreciate her actions and motivations.In essence, it felt like a coming-of-age drama, not just for the characters but also for my own appreciation of the narrative. Our beloved summer, portrayed so vividly on screen, transcended the confines of the show and made my own summer wonderfully memorable. The yearning for a love as profound as theirs lingered, becoming a wish to embrace the moment, relish life, and find joy in the simple yet profound experiences. The journey of the characters mirrored my own, leading me to a deeper understanding of the narrative and a newfound appreciation for the beauty of a Slowburn and the complexity of character evolution.
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Healing, Nostalgic With Excellent Cinematography and OST
Our Beloved Summer" follows the story of two ex-lovers, Choi Woong and Kook Yeon Soo, who are brought back together years after filming a viral documentary in high school. Choi Woong, seemingly naive and free-spirited, harbors deep aspirations that he begins to pursue for the first time in his life. Meanwhile, Kook Yeon Soo, who once aimed to be the top student, is now an adult grappling with the harsh realities of life. As they find themselves back in front of the camera, their past and present collide, rekindling old emotions and unresolved conflicts.The show excels in its realistic portrayal of character development and relationships. The chemistry between Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi is palpable, making their on-screen relationship believable and engaging. The narrative beautifully oscillates between the past and the present, offering a rich, layered storytelling experience. The cinematography is visually stunning, (Watch out for a shot of them in the rain) capturing both the beauty of mundane moments and the intensity of emotional scenes. The soundtrack complements the mood perfectly, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
While there is second lead syndromes with supporting characters, i like the way things turned out for them towards the ending of the show each finding their own closure. The scenes where the main leads realizing their lost love and rekindling their romance, ML confronting his past trauma , Their clear bickering with each other all were really cute to watch.
Overall, If you are looking for a drama enemies to lovers trope with a great OST and a warm watch, this drama would be perfect for you. I would recommend this 10/10 and this would clearly be in most of the k-drama viewers top watched shows.
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Overrated because of the famous leads
Story started off good.. but then it's just lost it's way in between.The ML and FL are a couple who broke up long back and are facing each others after few years due to some unforeseen situation - that's where the story starts.
Now going back n forth , eventually we understand that the FL is a self centred bitch who pushes away Ung (ml) again and again as per her convenience, where Ung is an innocent boy who fells for the same girl again n again however he also failed to communicate properly due to his introvert sort of nature and loses the girl again n again.
I couldn't find anything to love in this series--
the story is just spilled all over.
The leads are cold (unpopular opinion, because the reviews are full of saying they are warm), when they bicker or face each other after years of break up I could find only awkwardness and no emotional or sexual tension which could improve the chemistry.
Huge communication gap between the leads, they just don't talk, they assume and react based on their assumptions.
Also unpopular opinion, the leads might be famous stars but I found their expressions are pathetic in this series, Ung loves the girl but his face is always looked so blank, and like he was forced to make poker face throughout the show which can actually push away any girl whether she is self centred or not.
I slept off between many episodes and dropped it many times however finished it recently.
I won't recommend it to anyone. Such an overrated drama!!!!
I couldn't give less than 1 in re-watch value but for me it's rewatch value is in negative, I shouldn't have been watched at the first place!!!!!
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The writer makes their character choose the most realistic choice in their life. And the directing just fits in my eyes and my heart, they know so well about what the viewer wants to see through their character. So, although the main love story is quite common, I enjoy it very happily. I smile after finishing each episodes.
Our Beloved Summer will stay in our heart for a long time.
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glamorized dullness
Cursory watch.Glamorized boredom, kind of dull. Waste of a great soundtrack, cozy but overproduced with insta looking cinematography and ridiculous plot elements like a graphic artist having a manager babying him (which graphic artist is so rich they have a practically live-in manager duh).
Dislike the FL actress and character. I don't get her appeal at all, which is a lethal flaw for a romance drama which centers on the development of the relationship and main characters. Love both the SL actors and characters. NJ is "the least annoying female SL ever" which seems to be the consensus, and I agree. The second lead is quietly heartbreaking in his guarded stoicism. Honestly, the drama could have been so much better with those characters more in the spotlight.
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A second chance story done right!
Great drama!It had many things I wanted to see in the drama like an Ex-GF getting humiliated properly after a bad breakup initiated by her. Or an Ex-GF seducing the ML when he tries the friendship card I so despise.
Yes, the romance was spectacular with a lot of well placed cliche troupes.
Though it has its fallacies too like it took too long for them to get together by K-Drama standards or how it really got boring afterwards. The episode they did get together was great but immediately after the passion just fizzled out like they aged many years all of a sudden...
The SML's story was quite boring and I wasn't able to get vested in it though the drama did give him a lot of screen time in the second half. Same with the second couple as well which ultimately was a lost cause.
Essentially a recommended watch!
Though watch out for the fallacies as they may ruin it for you. I for one will cut them out and have the glory of watching the series without!
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my fav drama
I'm re-watching this drama and it's incredible how only get's better!! The history, the OST, the actors, every little thing in 'our beloved summer' is perfectly put in the right place.Kim Da-mi and Choi Woo-sik have the chemistry, they know exactly how to act to make us emotional with their history, to make us understand the characters' problems.
It's impossible to dislike the main couple, each one with their own traumas and problems, which make us identify with them, which make us understand that life isn't perfect and always find the way back for what's unfinished.
The secondary characters also have a great history, they amuse us and show a true friendship.
I loved every detail and watch again just show me that I'm not wrong about this drama.
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A good second chance love story
I'm kind of undecided whether this is a 3.5 or 4 stars (out of 5). On the one hand, this is quite a well-made character introspection narrative/drama about two people coming together and trying again. On the other hand, the middle part really drags and I wish this was 12 or (at the maximum!) 14 episodes, instead of the current 16. I stopped at around 11/12 coz of losing steam.I like that this is very character focused and really tells the stories of the two leads and the side characters. The palette is so nostalgic, like Hatsukoi and Makanai san, and the school days segment gives me the feels for Someday or One Day (I'm not over that heartbreaking ending ?). I think the skillful use of flashbacks and character voiceover narration actually works to the show's advantage because it feels like a diary at times, and I love the glimpse into the character's inner lives.
My gripe is really the length. 16 episodes is really way too much. Where the first 8-10 episodes feel better paced in terms of introducing the characters, their motivations, angst, and their perspectives on the break-up and their lives, by episode 10-11 it feels like the show is just dragging it out. (Also Kim Ji Woon's angst is just. So. Well written!!!)
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