Just Beautiful
Our Beloved Summer was one of the first K-Dramas I ever watched, I didn’t know anything about the actors or story at the time, so I didn’t have any set expectations when I started. And it remains one of my favorite comfort K-Dramas, even with the twenty I’ve watched since.Opinions about this show seem to be quite polarized, and I’m glad I watched it before reading all the negative reviews that might’ve scared me off. People love it or hate it, and I’m certainly one of the former.
The story spans over quite a bit of time and I thoroughly enjoyed both the flashback sections of the show and what's happening in modern day. The structure allowed for some beautiful parallel scenes too.
While I love this show, I do understand why some people don’t, it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. The story and relationship progression are both slow, so if you hate slow dramas, you’re most likely not going to like this one. But even with the slow progression, I was never bored.
Our main couple, Choi Ung (played by Choi Woo-Shik) and Kook Yeon-Soo (played by Kim Da-mi) were both perfectly cast. They made both hilarious rivals in the beginning and an awkwardly sweet couple later on. I thoroughly enjoyed all of their different dynamics.
I’ve seen several people bashing Yeon-Soo as a character, and while I will say initially, I didn’t find her very likeable, as the story progressed and her character developed, she won me over. I did like Ung from the beginning though, but as fellow sleep deprived artist I may be a little biased.
Honestly, I’m not usually a fan of second chance romances but this one got me. Through swapping between the current day and flashbacks of when the characters were previously together, it becomes quite clear why they didn’t initially work. But unlike many second chance romances, this one is able to take the reasons they didn’t work then and through a ton of character development, show why they do now. And they do work beautifully.
While much of the character development is shown through the lenes of a relationship, much of it is deeply individual. Ung and Yeon-Soo go from somewhat miserable individuals, both wallowing in their struggles, to two people who are able to make the best of their lives. And it was done beautifully.
Besides our main couple, there is a side romance with their friends, I found this to be the least interesting part of the show, ultimately though, it didn’t dampen my overall enjoyment.
I don’t fully know how to describe the overall tone, but mellow might be a good word.
Everything that I liked about the show was amplified by the OST. There isn’t a single miss in the soundtrack. The music helped set the mood phenomenally, and I’ve listened to it so many times that four of my top five most listened to songs in 2023 were from this soundtrack. It’s without a doubt my favorite K-Drama OST ever.
There’s so much more I could talk about in this review that I loved, from all the side characters to the family dynamics and beautiful cinematography, but this review is already long enough. So, I’ll leave it here.
Our Beloved Summer is a beautifully thought-provoking show, that made me laugh, cry, and reevaluate my life. Go give it a shot.
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Chemistry between leads and coming-of-age theme supported by mellow cinematography and soundtrack
The chemistry between the leads is the highlight of this show, which the plot helps develop by showing them at different points in their relationship at different ages. I loved how they developed the ML. The FL was developed too, but it seemed more like just breaking down her walls, whereas the ML found himself over time. The coming-of-age theme was supported well by the mellow cinematography and soundtrack.Was this review helpful to you?
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?
This review may contain spoilers
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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My first drama review
This series is the series that caught my breath and made me really invested in kdramas, I've not watched that much kdramas in my life myself but from my experience watching other forms of medias, this drama really depicts how youth and immaturity is supposed to look like.First off, i want to talk about the cast here, the male and female lead of this series are really well written, really well focused. It dives deep into how immature and egoistic the characters can be. Then there's also the supporting characters who continuously supports the plot of the story, a lot of the characters are there to cheer up the atmosphere whenever it gets awkward which is a nice thing to have.
The acting and cinematography are perfect from in my opinion, there are some scenes that just breaks my heart when i was watching it, this series executed the story incredibly. Altough this series is more focused on the romance drama aspect, the comedy in this series is also great in comparison to the main focus of the story.
The cons i feel in the series when i was watching it is that there are too many moments that are dramatize with the OST in the background, the amount of dramatic scene in this series is crazy, but aside from that, the story, characters, execution and everything else was reall good. Overall this series is really fun to watch and i absolutely recommend this to anyone trying to get into kdramas.
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my comfort show forever>>>
this is one of my all time favourites and take what i say with a grain of salt because i am actually very attached to our beloved summer ? it is so emotional and is such a beautiful and realistic representation of a relationship. the story follows 2 students who are polar opposites. they're invited to do a documentary (number 1 student in school and last) and they both annoy each other a lot. later on, a romance buds, things happen and then its 10 yrs later (ik that was an awful synopsis sorry). i love this show with my whole heart and is the perfect slow burn. it isnt rushed and its so comforting, sad and satisfying and sweet all at once. it also, has one of the best confessions i've seen. if u enjoy mellow, slower kdramas with the best romance, some comedy and loveable, relatable characters YOU MUST GIVE IT A GO!!Was this review helpful to you?
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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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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