well made story of rekindling an old flame
Our Beloved Summer - 8,5/10 kdramafirstly I am in kinda drama slump now and to even start this one I had to force myself. It was really good, but I cant say it saved me from slump.
Drama at start tends to skip between past and present timeline, but its done quite well.
This drama got really high quality story which is quite on :ordinary life side:. I mean characters backstory aint really ordinary like silver spoon, celebrity, :single parent family child etc. But happenings in this drama are modestly ordinary at least if you compare it to most kdramas.
Chemistry... yeah it was there, but again not in some passionate or cute way[was cute sometimes].
Yeah this drama will show you more of relationship based on old feelings which still lasts and some kind of spiritual solace between main leads.
plot - at high school ML and FL was part of documentary which became successful thanks their very different school social standing and personality which resulted in nonstop clashes and bickering through whole documentary. Later on they ended up as couple for five years just to go through hard break up.
Now 10 years after documentary aired it became viral again and both leads was pushed into joining new documentary about their life now. Will such sudden meet up after 5 years from break up, spark a fire between main leads again?
genre - romance, school, love/hate. second chance
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This review may contain spoilers
The Weight of Seasons
I delayed watching 'Our Beloved Summer' for nearly two years, initially dismissing it based on its trailer. At the time, I wasn't in the mood for a story about seemingly immature high schoolers entangled in trivial romances and breakups. However, watching it now, two years after its release, I realise that my earlier mindset might have prevented me from appreciating the drama’s true essence. Recently, I decided to give the trailer another look before diving into the series, and a particular detail caught my attention. Choi Ung, portrayed by Choi Woo Shik, was holding a copy of my favourite book, 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being.' This unusual choice for a romcom immediately signalled that 'Our Beloved Summer' was not your typical K-drama filled with clichéd conflicts between the main characters. The screenplay ingeniously incorporates the theme of eternal return, a pivotal concept in both the book and the drama. This philosophical thread, reminiscent of themes explored in 'Past Lives'—another stellar example of Korean storytelling—suggestively weaves together notions of destiny and interconnected fates, or what some might refer to as 'yoon-myeong' or the 'red string of fate.' This creative narrative choice not only sets the drama apart but also enriches its depth, making it a profoundly unique viewing experience.
Choi Woo Shik's portrayal of Choi Ung in 'Our Beloved Summer' masterfully subverts the conventional 'low-achiever' archetype often seen in dramas. Contrary to expectations, his character isn't compensated for academic shortcomings with a boisterous or charismatic persona—attributes typically assigned to such roles to bolster their likeability. Instead, Choi Ung is depicted as quiet, pensive, and introspective. Despite his youthful immaturity, there’s a depth to his demeanour that defies the usual clichés. Although deeply loved by his adoptive parents, Ung carries the weight of knowing he was adopted after the tragic loss of his parents' biological child. This knowledge, discovered early in his childhood without his parents' awareness, instills in him a profound sense of living a 'borrowed life.' This internal conflict is eloquently captured in his reflection: 'At times, nothing is the best you can do when you’re living a borrowed life.'
This sense of indebtedness and the fear of being inherently 'worthless' manifest in his aimlessness and aloof demeanour, despite the introspective qualities suggested by his eclectic book choices. Ung admits, 'Deep down, I was afraid that I might be a worthless person. That’s why I pretended not to know anything and that I wasn’t interested at all.' This confession reveals the layers of his internal struggle—how his academic disengagement and reserved nature are not merely personality traits but a protective facade against deeper fears of inadequacy.This thoughtful characterization not only challenges stereotypes but also adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, making Choi Ung a relatable and compelling figure. His unique traits enrich the story, offering viewers a fresh perspective on what it means to be a protagonist in a youth-driven narrative.
One of the most poignant aspects of 'Our Beloved Summer' is its unflinching portrayal of poverty and its impact on personal relationships. A line from Kook Yeon Soo (Kim Da Mi) particularly resonates: 'I wish I was only poor to the point I could bear it. Please just for once.' This statement not only underscores the crushing weight of her financial struggles but also profoundly illustrates the emotional and psychological toll it takes on her. It’s a pivotal moment that clearly delineates the heartbreak and realism of her character’s journey, providing insight into the reasons behind her eventual breakup with Choi Ung. While Choi Ung is not exceptionally wealthy during college, his relative financial stability allows him the luxury of dreaming—a luxury Yeon Soo cannot afford as she is compelled to enter the workforce immediately after college, foregoing further education. This stark contrast in their circumstances breeds an inferiority complex in Yeon Soo, and understandably so. Her decision to end their relationship, driven by a fear of eventual resentment despite her love for Ung, is portrayed not as a failure on her part but as a painful act of self-preservation and practicality. Reflecting on their breakup years later, Yeon Soo labels her younger self as immature. However, from the perspective of her dire financial pressures, her choices appear both rational and sadly necessary.
The dynamic between Choi Ung and Kook Yeon Soo exemplifies a more nuanced approach to the 'enemies-to-lovers' trope. Unlike typical portrayals where stark opposites attract, their relationship is grounded in subtle yet profound similarities that make their bond both realistic and enduring. Both characters navigate their own forms of loneliness, insecurity, and a sort of premature maturity forced upon them by challenging childhoods. These shared experiences and traits—thoughtfulness, introversion, and a blend of immaturity coupled with wisdom beyond their years—forge a deep mutual understanding. This foundational connection is what makes their reunion, five years post-breakup, feel so natural and inevitable rather than forced. The concept of 'eternal return' woven throughout the drama doesn’t just recur in their fate but resonates deeply in their aligned personalities and past experiences. This thematic and emotional congruence ensures that their relationship stands the test of time, making their narrative not only compelling but also heartwarmingly authentic.
Additionally, the series delves into Kim Ji Ung's (Kim Sung Cheol's) poignant struggle with loneliness, accentuated by his unrequited love for both Yeon Soo and his emotionally distant mother. His role as a documentary producer, which compels him to observe life from behind his camera, initially appears as a safe detachment but increasingly becomes a suffocating cage. This metaphor of entrapment is profoundly illustrated when he chooses to film his dying mother—a decision intended to pave a path to reconciliation. However, this resolution doesn't evoke the sense of closure one might expect; instead, it leaves a lingering sense of sadness, as if the reconciliation is just another scene in his array of observed lives rather than a heartfelt connection. The character NJ (Roh Jeong Eui) also presents a compelling narrative, grappling with the dissonance between her public idol persona and her private identity. She finds an unexpected refuge in Choi Ung's art, which helps bridge her internal divides. Meanwhile, Yeon Soo’s evolution is equally significant. Her realisation towards the series' end, 'the only person who made my life seem pathetic was me,' marks a pivotal moment of self-acceptance. While her struggles with poverty initially isolated her, she eventually recognised the support system she always had in her friends and in Ung. This newfound acceptance and confidence enrich her character's journey, illustrating the transformative power of self-awareness and support.
'The documentary metaphor' that the series employs is especially striking, suggesting that it's the ordinary moments of our lives that compile our unique stories. This notion is beautifully encapsulated in the exchange, 'How pitiful,' 'Who?' 'Just us...us...and everyone...' It reminds us that while we may often feel trapped in the minutiae, it is these very moments that define and distinguish our lives. 'Our Beloved Summer' excels in portraying these subtle yet significant life experiences, making it a memorable and reflective drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
Pretty good, overall nicely done.
This drama turned out pretty good. It wasn't really on my radar, but it kept popping up in my feeds, so I decided to give it a watch as the general premise sounded at least somewhat alluring.Towards ep14 I was feeling like they should just wrap it up but the last 2 episodes did have some good moments.
My biggest problem with this drama was the 2nd FL, the character added barely anything to this drama. Through and through, I would class this as a drama with just one couple in mind. the 2nd FL has this whole backstory and persona built up making you feel bad about her and giving her a rich character but not actually using her for the story. You get somewhat of a 2nd lead syndrome but nothing serious like School 2015 *cough *cough. Either way any screen time she had just made me feel bad makes me want to go rewatch YAMG which keeps the main couple in focus at all times and brings 2nd FL/ML in only for short moments and doesn't develop their characters that much. Or Intense Love for that Celeb x "normal person" drama which you wish NJ could get.
The music was quite good and did bring out emotions from me so no problems with it. But when it comes to rewatch value as I stated above the interest just dwindled from ep14 and onwards. Usually rewatch dramas are the ones that keep me hooked to the end. But overall it was a enjoyable watch with a interesting story definitely worth checking out but it's not going to top any of my charts. 8/10
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The most PERFECT enemies to lovers ??
I loved the whole thing, I hesitated to watch it a lot but I must say it was definitely worth the watch! An absolute masterpiece! Truly enjoyed every second and it has an amazing insight about the misunderstandings in relationships and how communication is key. And the acting was extraordinary with great chemistry! It's a very very very very happy ending for everyone! Ahh that last episode was sooo good I loved it! Absolutely loved it! The music too was sooo good! The cast smashed it! Overall fantastic enemies to lovers rom-com with the cutest bickering and sweetest romance ?????❤️?❣️Was this review helpful to you?
Heartbreaking, emotional, amazing!
Oh my gosh that was so good! I'm not going to try to be all poetic and proper, I just want to gush about how good this series was. There was such good chemistry amongst the characters. And I swear, every time Ung smiled, I melted. So now I'm just a puddle of goo trying to operate the keyboard to say how much I liked this.I didn't cry a lot, which in itself is a miracle, because I'm a crier. There were a couple of tears shed here and there though. If there hadn't been, I don't think I'd have liked it as much. That last episode definitely tugged at a heartstring or 2.
There were a lot of flashbacks, especially to the first documentary, but they were done well and I loved them. There weren't too many scenes throughout the whole show where I questioned whether I should fast-forward. But honestly, it's 16 episodes....I think there were 2 or 3 that I thought about doing the Netflix 10-second skip. To have that few is a win in my book, and I never did skip for fear of missing something.
It wasn't fast paced, but it wasn't so slow as to be uneventful. I swear I was heartbroken for the first 13 or so episodes, and several times I went to the MDL individual episodes to comment, but I never wrote anything, as I was too much into the "what's next" of the series. Truly, it was WAY better than I thought it would be.
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The simplicity of this show is what makes it special.
Despite not having a complicated plot, something about the way it was written and the cinematography made me feel attached to the characters easily from the moment I started watching this. You can deeply feel and relate to the emotions that each character wants to convey, everyone in this show is so likeable. The casting was great and everyone played their role perfectly. The pacing was excellent, and I must say that I loved the constant flashbacks of their highschool days! There's so much overflowing chemistry between the leads, that I was constantly smiling at my screen. Another strength of this drama is how many different issues are covered in a way that is not overwhelming.The only thing that bothered me was the lack of communication, I even felt like their relationship was toxic at first, so it was good to see the character development and how they became more open about their feelings and struggles.
Overall, is a feel-good show, very heartwarming, chill, cute and healing. I will rewatch this from time to time when I feel like I need a hug. :)
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Não só de um romance fofo se vive.
Tenho muito o que falar sobre "Nosso eterno verão" mas serei breve. O drama apresenta o romance de uma forma diferente da qual o público está normalmente acostumado, o que poderia ter sido ruim, mas pelo contrário, trouxe as emoções, os sentimentos e as ações de maneira humana, profunda e complexa. Os personagens também tão complexos e muitas vezes frustrantes, eram puros e imprevisíveis. Alguns momentos senti o drama um tico arrastado mas não atrapalhou tanto no ritmo. Our beloved summer é calmo e ao mesmo tempo intenso. Se aprofunda nos protagonistas de maneira que podemos sentir suas dores, aflições e paixões. Recomendo para quem gosta de roteiros sensíveis e poéticos.Was this review helpful to you?
Love and a little bit tiring
As I watched it became uninteresting, there were a lot of unnecessary episodes that didn't give any continuity to the storyThey fought, fell in love, fought and so on until episode 10, but this fight is worth it because when they finally get together again it's the most beautiful thing and amazing to watch, the comedy is good too, but a good part of this kdrama is the hatred between them.
yeonsu is super rude and self-centered, but as the kdrama progresses you can see that she is a sweet girl and that because of her financial life she grew up doing things just for herself.
I found ung to be very sensitive, and he always went after her, that's where I found this kdrama a little boring.
When they went to a spring house, (I don't even know what that was) well, moving on, when they went there, it was the most annoying and unbearable part of this kdrama, and then yeonsu did something, but other than that , this kdrama is wonderful. And finally they had a cute and amazing ending
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This series is a warm blanket around you, keeping you warm in a cold winter.
How difficult love can be sometimes! How many misunderstandings can we tolerate in one single life? It's insane how many were in this series. This series may have a slow pace during some episodes, but we can not expect something to happen in every second of it.I was overwhelmed by this, because I saw myself in them. Sometimes we expect a lot from some people, and we realize that we never told them what we wanted in the first place.
I can resume this series as follows: misunderstandings (a lot), lack of communication (both), falling in love, second chances, and resilience.
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I FEEL GOOD!!!
*sigh* "ahhh...that was good"It's not that often I am left feeling like this after watching a drama, where I just feel satisfied with everything. A simple shift in perspective and mindset made a life of turmoil produce the beauty of spring, the warmth of summer, the comfort of winter, and the renewal of autumn.
Learn life, live life, feel life and rinse and repeat. This drama taught of the gifts life brings both in the good and bad times. We may not always see the beauty in the pain or peace in happiness but with time and change, we will learn to grow and overcome.
This is what this drama shows, through the cast, production, soundtrack, visuals and narration. Life may not be perfect but some moments make it worth living.
More Accurate Scoring:
Story: 8.2/10
Cast: 8.5/10
Music: 8.3/10
Rewatch: 8.3/10
Overall: 8.9/10
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Both witty and touching.
A gentle, reflective and quite tender story of opposites attracting and squabbling their way to romance.It is pretty slow paced; some might find it dull, but personally, I didn't. It is realistic, based on their lifestyles. Some very funny and touching parts.
Great casting. Maybe it's me, but perhaps having worked together on The Witch Pt1: The Subversion, made a difference, because Choi Woo-shik (Woong) and Kim Da Mi (Yeon-soo) just clicked. It felt like a real relationship ~ very believable.
Her character could be intense and irritating, but the foundations of her personality become clearer with each episode and I went from not being keen, to really liking her. Dry, assertive and great expressions.
He was a perfect fit for the talented, humble, simple and uncomplicated loner, Woong.
Woong's parents were a delight, their relationship is definitely a couple goal!
Lots of nice supporting characters (and cast), with no real nasties, but some sad circumstances that lead to irrevocable hurt that's carried into later life.
There is a love triangle, but it doesn't exactly take centre stage and, again, is quite realistic. It doesn't make the person mean or vindictive. Friendship remains both important and intact.
Allowing others to make their own decisions, without assuming our own valuations of self-worth are shared, comes over strongly in this too.
If we are satisfied and happy personally, that is enough and should not be benchmarked by the aspirations or desires of others (peers, family or anyone).
I liked that both MCs had struggled to reach their more successful adult selves. Slowly opening up and becoming honest with one another and themselves.
The final episode was my favourite. Everything really came together and several moments had me reaching for tissues. It amusingly came full circle in many ways.
Lovely.
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