Never-Ending Summer

Same feels of couples yearning to each other
Both Fls suffered due to their toxic family situation, and both decided to run away
Both MLs only love one girl in their lifetime and so as the FLs, who only have one relationship partner in their lifetime.
Both FLs work on Journalism field (as reporter).
And both story revolve from their high school encounter and split up, then to their adult-selves where they find away to be with each other.

Similar vibes
"Bad boy good girl" trope lmao
Difficult family relations and a bunch of other issues
Separation and reunion arc of the leads
Pseudo step family trope... :/

Both dramas feature a young woman whose life is changed by unexpected family circumstances, leading her to form a meaningful connection with a young man from a very different background. Their relationship begins during their youth and grows through shared experiences, personal struggles, and emotional challenges. However, life eventually pulls them apart, leaving behind unresolved feelings that linger for years. When they reunite as adults, they are given a second chance to heal old wounds, rediscover their bond, and rebuild the love they once shared. However, Dazzling focuses more on coming of age growth, friendship, and healing, while Never-Ending Summer leans more toward melodrama, emotional misunderstandings, and a reunion driven second chance romance.

Both dramas feature a young woman carrying emotional burdens while navigating personal struggles and complicated family circumstances. The leads share a meaningful connection that develops into love, but emotional wounds, misunderstandings, and life challenges eventually drive them apart. Despite the separation, lingering feelings remain, and years later they are given a chance to reconnect, heal old scars, and rebuild their relationship. However, When I Meet the Moon focuses more on emotional healing, psychological growth, and overcoming personal trauma, while Never-Ending Summer leans more toward melodrama, misunderstandings, and a second chance romance shaped by years of separation.

- Typical "good girl x bad boy" trope, lol
- Seperation and reunion arc
- FLs and MLs have complicated relations with their families

both used to date each other back in their school days but broke up, then later meet again after many years has passed while still have feelings for each other.

- contemporary romance c-dramas
- difficult family relations and issues
- seperation and reunion arc
(- pseudo step family trope)

Both the drama has same tone.
- The leads meets as classmate, starts with some conflicts.
- Bad boy good girl
- Gradually gets to know each other.
- Has family issues
- Some accident makes them apart.
- Both the ML is tough, and FL is also strong.

Daniel Zhou is the male lead in both. The male lead in both dramas carry emotional burdens and the female leads are a North Star, helping the MLs overcome their trauma. Both dramas have a deeply intertwined connection by the OTPs that gets tested by time, separation, and emotional baggage before a dramatic reunion. The FLs push the MLs away, insisting that it is for his best. Both feature strong, grounded female leads who act as his anchor while overcoming through their own trauma. The MLs are intense, devoted green-flags who will wait through the storm for the person they love. Both have time jumps. Sniper Butterfly has an age gap between the leads while Never-Ending Summer is a relationship between peers. Both share themes of resilience, yearning, and finding an anchor in someone else .

- Both explore FLs personal/family struggles
- emotionally guarded leads
- opposites attract
- emotional growth
- end up facing life's challenges together

Class difference in NES ML is rich in BR the FL is rich
Parental objection
Separation after falling in love
Angst
Both ML suffer after their breakups
Meeting after many years with ML holding a grudge against the FL.
Happy Ending

Another match with very similar plots. Autumn’s Concerto being the older Taiwanese classic romance about a couple who fell in love as teens. ML is from a rich family while FL is basically a hardworking orphaned who often get bullied with ML often step in to protect her. An incident happened that lead to a misunderstanding that drove the couple apart, then they eventually meet again years later as adults.

Both main leads broke up during senior high school years with misunderstandings leading to a love-hate relationship. After meeting again as adults, both male leads decided to get entangled with female leads again for revenge (of course it’s also because they still love their girls too much). The female leads in these two dramas are very prideful, often lies and acted cold toward male leads to hide their true feelings. They initially got closed to Male leads with ulterior motives (money for family) but later on fell in love.

If you are loving Never Ending Summer, Exclusive fairytale might be your watch as well. Exclusive Fairytale* thrives on comfort. Ling Chao and Xiao Tu have that lovable childhood-friends dynamic where every bicker, tease, and sweet moment makes you smile. It's warm, fluffy, and full of the kind of romance that feels like home.
Never Ending Summer, on the other hand, feels more nostalgic and emotionally charged. After just four episodes, Zhou Wan and Lu Xixiao already have the kind of chemistry that lives in the quiet moments—the lingering looks, the unspoken feelings, and the sense that every memory they're making will matter later.
Exclusive Fairytale is the drama that gives you butterflies AND Never Ending Summer is the one that makes your heart ache a little. Both excel at showing first love and growing up, but one wraps you in a warm blanket while the other quietly prepares to break your heart.

And honestly? That's exactly why I'm hooked.

If Our Secret is one of your favorite youth romances, Never Ending Summer deserves a spot on your watchlist. What made Our Secret so memorable was the way Ding Xian and Zhou Si Yue grew from classmates into each other's biggest source of support. The romance wasn't rushed—it was built through years of shared experiences, quiet encouragement, and the feeling that they understood each other better than anyone else. Never Ending Summer also gives me that same emotional pull. Just four episodes in, Zhou Wan and Lu Xixiao already have the kind of connection that feels deeper than a typical school crush. Like Our Secret, the story takes its time, letting the small moments do the heavy lifting. Every conversation matters, every glance means something, and you can feel a life-changing love story slowly taking shape.
The difference is in the tone. Our Secret feels hopeful and comforting, while Never Ending Summer carries a layer of nostalgia from the very beginning. You don't just watch them fall in love—you watch them create memories they'll carry forever.

If Our Secret made you believe in growing up with the right person, Never Ending Summer might make you happy and sad cry about it (prediction).