Summer Strike (2022)

One of the best shows I've watched in a while

I have a very short attention span and get bored easily, so I thought I would drop this after the first two episodes but I was so wrong! I personally know what it feels like to burn out in a toxic environment and how your live can change drastically after someone close to you dies. The storyline was very similar and realistic to my experience yet somehow completely different, I liked that.
This show won't be peaceful from start to finish but! it IS worth it. Going through ups and downs in life is totally normal and I think everyone can relate to this show at some point.
The actors and actresses came off very genuine. They weren't cringy or insufferable to watch at all. I also liked how the two leads weren't pushed together romantically very quickly and rather formed their bond slowly. It was a great watch, especially for a hopeless romantic like me. I think a kiss scene after the 4th or 5th episode would have made me drop the show altogether.
Overall, I just love how this is a big fuck you to societal norms and expectations towards women (especially young women) and how we should all be perfect at everything we do. I've never had a chance to take a break from a situation like Yeoreum's but watching her summer strike really made me feel like I took a break as well, it was very refreshing. I think we should normalize not having big goals and living one day at a time. Pressuring people into doing stuff they aren't ready/don't want to do is just weird and unnecessary.
This show will always be very charming to me and I am always happy to rewatch it. If you're hesitant about watching, please give it a chance!

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Have you ever wanted to quit your job, take only a few of your possessions, and leave behind everyone/everything you've ever known? That's exactly what this drama is about. Yeo Reum finds herself miserable in her every day life. Constantly comparing herself to everyone else and being held to a higher standard that seems unachievable. She decides to leave the corporate life behind, packs a small bag and heads off for a small beach town: Angok.

There we begin the most comforting story of learning to find little things to enjoy in your life. It's a story about finding people who get you with no judgements and finding the true path to what you want to do in life without anyone's expectations getting in the way. I loved everyone in the small town, though it starts out rough at first with Yeo Reum and the villagers. As the show goes on, the town opens up in every way possible... even showing some of the darker cracks that are hiding in the shadows of Angok.

Finding herself in the library quite often, Yeo Reum and the quiet librarian, Dae Beom, become interested in each other slowly. Their chemistry and relationship slowly blooming was one of my favorite parts of this drama and I loved seeing everyone's relationship with each other get better and better as the show went on. Towards the end, it feels like everyone is a huge family that loves and cares for each other. Dae Beom has a tragic past that is the talk of the small village. This is my one flaw with the show.. I understand needing some form of drama after everyone in the town begins to like Yeo Reum, but I felt it could've gone just fine without it. Towards the last few episodes, the darker side jumps out more than the other side stories and it unravels the big mystery in the small village: who killed Dae Beom's sister Sun-Ah? I will say the twist was not one that I could've guessed because the show does a good job of keeping you preoccupied on the obvious suspects. I'm glad that Dae Beom got the closure he needed and could move on with that chapter knowing that he didn't do anything wrong. The last episode spent quite a long time laying out the answer and solving the mystery that I felt it left behind what I was actually wanting to see in the end which was all of the other relationships and how they are now that it's the end of the summer.

I did have a hard time getting through most of the scenes with Dae Beom's close friend and fellow librarian, Ji Young. It's very obvious from the start that she holds their relationship in a different light than Dae Beom views them. She goes out of her way to be rude and hateful towards Yeo Reum without any reason for doing so other than she has a crush on Dae Beom and he doesn't reciprocate. She goes to Sung Min quite often and begs him to kick her out several times and even goes behind everyone's back to talk to Yeo Reum privately about how she gave up on life and doesn't get to push how she lives on everyone (Bom and Dae Beom) all the while doing exactly that to the both of them. She becomes more tolerable too late and I wish that they would've wrapped up her feelings a little earlier than they did.. especially when her relationship with Sung Min was much more interesting and unexpected. I wanted to see more of the 2 of them with Joon.

I did read a few reviews before watching that mentioned that Yeo Reum is too nice and finds herself being walked over many times, but I had to keep in mind during this drama that it's about finding yourself and finding how you want to live your life. Bom's choices drove me crazy, but when you keep in mind that she's a teenager with a rough upbringing and it's her first life with mistakes and all, it makes it feel more realistic. Yeo Reum is kind and giving and will give even when knowing that she is being taken advantage of. She knows the feeling of pressure and judgement and does her best to not push her opinions on others. I found myself relating to her character a lot more than I thought and I loved seeing her become more and more happy than at the start.

Summer Strike quickly became one of my favorites and definitely a comfort show. I found myself laughing and giggling with Yeo Reum and Bom during their sleepovers.. crying with them during their hard times and kicking my feet with them as they began to realize their feelings and crushes. It feels like you become a part of the small village and I loved every minute of it.

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Soothing and Sweet

Summer Strike is one of my favorite dramas of the year, and exactly what I needed: short, sweet, and fulfilling.
The story follows Yeo Reum and her desire to leave the busy city life to fulfill her mother's wish of wanting to do nothing. In her grief, Yeo Reum makes some drastic changes to her life that she would otherwise not have the courage to do. I truly love Yeo Reum as I resonate with many of her characteristics, such as people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, and introversion. However, she isn't a complete pushover as she learns to stand up for herself and people in the community.

A couple of reasons why I love this drama is because I love the theme of Family of Choice, and this drama pulled incessantly on my heartstrings as Yeo Reum gradually found her significance/confidence. It also focuses on how the adults in our lives can truly fail us at times (Bom's father, Dae Bom's Father/professor, Jae Hoon's parents/aunt) but that isn't always the end all be all. The little safety bubble that they created with each other and how the characters learned to lean on one another was just chef's kiss.

Although we see a lot of interaction between Dae Bom and Yeo Reum, we do NOT get a kiss at the end, and for once I was fine with that. I felt that the story was complete regardless of a kiss. Dae bom and Yeo reum have done so much to prove that they admire and are willing to be there for one another, and they were moving so slowly that it made sense that the drama didn't end with a kiss. I enjoyed it regardless.

If you're looking for a low key drama to binge this is definitely the one to watch

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A "Healing" Show

Although many people depict this show as a "healing" show, I feel like it's much more than that. It didn't feel particularly healing to me. It was a show that definitely had healing aspects, however, the storylines felt a little rushed, and not fully thought out, so the ultimate resolution of healing through whatever conflict there was didn't feel complete.

Whilst the female lead is a main part of the story, her main purpose has more to do with the side storylines than her own. Which, turns out well since the side plots were really interesting, but it might've been nicer to get more details on her story and have good closure. Her ex-boyfriend isn't a MAIN part of her problems at the beginning, but his small contribution felt kind of cast out. He was mentioned once after the fact, but it would've been nice if she had been a little bit more affected long term, considering it had been a six year relationship. A little detail like that could've made the story super interesting, and would've been an amazing incorporation of her beginning conflict. Her brother as well, could've turned out to be a MAJOR plot point in her own story, however, the fight she has with him has little effect on it. It would have made her relationship with Bom and her family a lot deeper if it had been carried out further.

The male lead's storyline was probably one of the best carried out. It feels like out of everybody, his story had more closure and was well developed. His "healing" portion was well enough, even if it would've been nicer to see more of his interaction with his dad in the end. The whole "not talking to strangers thing" was a nice detail if a little useless, since it's not really ever seen again after the first episode. It would've been great if he had taken a little longer to warm up to the female lead.

Bom's story was one of the main ones. It felt more developed than the female lead's. It's also amazingly written in my opinion. However, this main storyline had little healing, or at least, healing that felt rushed, and unrealistic. Her story deals with the most trauma, so her healing should have been slower and better thought out than it was. It feels as though one second she's falling apart and the next she's mostly fine. I would've really liked if it had been gradual, and if the experiences she went through left more of an impact on her and everybody involved. It felt like a low-consequence ending for the amount of things she goes through.

This show is also not a romance-centered plot. Although the romance very much exists, it's never the main focus, as it's more supposedly about healing than the actual aspects of romantic love. However, love is a huge theme in the show. Not just romantic, but familial and platonic love. A lot of bonds are made with all of the characters, and in the end you feel like they've all fallen in love with something. Whether it be someone romantically, or a bond of new chosen family, or a feeling of happiness, love plays a role in everyone's ending. However, approaching the show with expectations of a major romance storyline will probably disappoint, since it doesn't have a particularly satisfying ending in that way.

There was also aspects of a murder mystery, which although interesting, was also not a huge genre throughout. It was solved fairly quickly although in the last few episodes, since it only surfaces at the very end. It was unexpected, but also felt like it ended too quickly without much to go on. It was exciting to have some of the genre show up, but it wasn't anything major.

Overall, it was a pretty emotional show and although I felt the end was a little abrupt, I definitely felt like the show was worth my time. Although I approached it with different expectations, it was a pleasant watch, and I would probably choose to watch this show again in the future.

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It's a good drama. But even though it was a very calm drama, I expected more romance. The main actors had a lot of chemistry in the beginning, but in the last episode I couldn't identify all that passion and chemistry. However, it's worth watching, it's cute and calm.

The drama is slow, I believe it is good to watch if you like calm dramas or if you have just watched something very heavy.
However, he talks about important subjects such as murd*r, mental illness (although not as explored, I wish it had been), abuse at work, harassment, school violence and trauma. Even though it was calm, this part was well explored.

The second couple, the teenagers, had more development in their relationship than the main couple, which saddened me because the scene between the two would have been really beautiful. I hope they are recruited for another drama together, this time exploring the ''romantic comedy'' part of the actors.

Anyway, it's a good drama. I recommend.
11/12/2023 - Brazil, Rio.

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Healing

This is exactly the kind of K-Drama I was needing! It 100% gives meaning to "healing drama" genre.

My heart was full and touched by the end of it. I cried so much, but I also smiled a lot throughout it. I was very empathetic to the characters' struggles. The female lead put into words so many feelings/thoughts I have. Yet, at the end, she left me thinking.

We might feel like we're not enough or achieving some great dream and we must hustle to make a life, but... Are we really living for ourselves in the process or simply doing it due to expectations of others? There's a scene at the end that was very sobering where the female lead lists simple things in life we might take for granted, such as drinking water, hanging fresh laundry, etc... and she says that "it's enough." We might think we'll never truly be happy, but... happiness is technically contentment. In such moments when you realize you have "enough," you're content. This scene will stick with me long beyond finishing the drama.

All the characters/actors are great. You can't help but connect with them. I loved Siwan in "Run On," but I think I love him even more in this! I also appreciated how he and the female lead have such great chemistry and form such a wholesome relationship. Despite little to no skinship (there's not even a kiss), you never question their feelings for each other. It was nice to see how a couple showcases love without sex.

My only complaint is honestly how heavy it got near the end with the murder mystery. Sometimes, I'd like to watch a slice-of-life free of such tragic content, but this storyline was wrapped up much better than other dramas I've seen lately (*cough* Crash Course in Romance *cough*), and ultimately it delivered a powerful message of how people can overcome tragedies and horrific circumstances and still choose to live life and even find happiness.

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I love platonic relationships !!

This was in my watchlist way before it was released, was planning to watch after it got over but hesitated after that thinking there are no romantic scenes that I would like ...
I was watching unlocked and Im si wan was looking very scary to me since then so i planned to start this drama to make his dandy gentle handsome boy image back to me ...
I don't like the concept of relationship irl but it seems cute in dramas ... But this is the only drama that made me feel single ... Im Si Wan's character is so amazing ... So his the FL but the ML made me want him ? ... I wish such men actually existed ... Him never getting anger ... Mature and understanding.. trying to heal ... Even the FL taught us a lot about life.
Whenever u r feeling depressed or overwhelmed, do watch this drama ... It make u feel relieved..
It taught us to just let thing be and let things go even though it's difficult irl but I'm sure at some point these lessons could help someone at some point in life ..
This is a short drama so u can complete it in 1 day if u r free ... Or 3 days max ...
I highly recommend it to everyone.
Everyone should watch such dramas at least once in their life.
I can't express in words how much I loved this story ... I hate side characters cuz i get confused and overwhelmed but this story was well paced and set... I loved everything about it...
You will love it too especially if when u r feeling down or frustrated about something... This drama and console u in so many different ways. ?

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This series is well-balanced mix of life and romance.

I find this series very comforting. This is a fresh take on living your own life and finding genuine happiness.

The writer seems to include the mystery case to have a wider audience, but in my opinion, this isn't needed in the story. Many viewers will still watch this series because of great portrayal of the characters. The story will still be good even if it only focused on life and romance. Being simple is also extraordinary nowadays.

The music isn't praise-worthy but not a bad one too. I easily recognize music if it deepens the emotions it portrays to or if it doesn't match the scenes at all.

"Know what you truly like. If being extravagant and living in a big city is what you like, then go for it. If living a simple life is what you like, then so be it. You can't find your happiness if you don't know yourself." ------ this is what I think of after watching this series.

I always check my drama list before finalizing the rating. The suggested rating is 7.5/10 but this series is a little above my dramas that I rated 7.5 so I will give this an 8/10.

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A Wonderful Story about Starting New Again

First off before I start reviewing anything about the story itself I have to say, the production team did a fantastic job with the cinematography and the location picking for the filming of this drama. This has to be the most visually pleasing drama I have ever watched and in terms of cinematography, it competes with some of my top western TV shows in that regard as well.

Now onto the cast, the casting director deserves an award for their selection of this cast. Seolhyun and Si Wan are perfect leads for this show that really mirror the entire story perfectly. The supporting cast of Eun Soo, a.mond, Ye Young, Min Gyoo, Hye Jung, and the rest of the cast did a wonderful job in really making Angok feel like a real town with tons of intricate relationships and backstories.

The story of Yeo Reum being tired of the corporate world and wanting to break free of that bland life and start again a new after life throwing misery after misery at her really resonated with me. It made me instantly connect with her as a character. Dae Beom's very introvert personality and his trauma he faced growing up and going through intense schooling also instantly made me connect with him as a character. So I was instantly sold on these two main characters. Their love story throughout the show was so well done that it displayed a very unique choice, by not having the two leads not having their big kiss scene nor not even saying, "I love you" (although there was a scene where Dae Beom confesses his love to Yeo Reum indirectly however by saying he loves summer (Yeo Reum's name in Korean literally means summer). Bom and Jae Hoon's relationship also reminds me of my first ever relationship I had, although they got a happy ending instead! The drama does a wonderful job in making the good times, which there are plenty of, feel like really great times. However the show does a great job in making bad times feel like really bad times, which thankfully there are only a few but oh do they make you feel really depressed. But it finds a great way to re-instill hope and happiness back into you.

There were some bits and story choices I felt like weren't necessary and really didn't fit the plot and concept for show itself which prevented it from being the perfect drama. And lastly, the OST for this drama was fantastic. It did a great job in accompanying the emotions of the drama and really made everything feel so much more perfect.

Yeo Reum's parting wisdom really put the cherry on top of the drama:
“I thought about what happiness is. I looked it up in the dictionary. Happiness is a state of being pleased, fulfilled, and content in life. I found that definition to be too long, so I decided to make it shorter. Happiness. The state of being sufficient.”

I don't think any other drama will every top the feeling I got from watching this masterpiece of a drama. Fantastic, absolutely fantastic.

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Happiness… able to live with enough

Nice, lovely story about life… with a bit of romance,… but romance is not the main topic here.

Sometimes life is just too much… cutting off all the ropes that tie us to a place, a job, a person…. Might seem dramatic but it might be the solution to .. life..

Literally going on a strike

FL could do that and broke all her attachments…. Let destiny take you to a place far distant from where you are.

I found this story a bit philosophical in its core…. But quite lovely.
Very slow, but still all characters were interesting enough to keep you watching.

Yes, I recommend it for those moments when you need a break from other heavier stories ..

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