Never-Ending Summer

I absolutely adored the plot twists and that beautiful ending!

I absolutely love this series! "She fell first, but he fell HARDER" is hands down my favorite romance trope, and I genuinely didn't see it coming since I haven't read the novel. The ending completely touched the deepest part of my heart. After all the emotional rollercoaster, I am so incredibly happy they finally got their well-deserved happy ending. Seeing them get married was the perfect closure!

Here are a few thoughts on the characters that stood out to me:
1. Wanwan's Mother: What a well-written character. She made me so furious at times, yet her gorgeous visuals made it impossible for me to truly hate her.
2. AXiao's Aunt: I love her so much! Thank you for showering Lu Xixiao with so much genuine love and affection. She is such an inspiration, and I aspire to be like her in the future.
3. Nai-nai: May she rest in peace. Her storyline was so moving. 🕊️

If there is only one minor flaw or complaint I have, it's about "6". I really wish they made "6" suffer more for what he did because I absolutely despised that character!

Overall, this was a beautiful ride. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a touching youth romance with a great payoff. I really hope the main leads get to work together in another project in the future!

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Brooo this drama is so good I need them again on other drama again they have good chemistry and it's not boring and it's like uhmm speed and love?(I think) Bao shengen and Daniel Zhou have nice chemistry tbh beside I hope it's happy ending cause many people said on black app said it's not happy but I hope its happy ending hehehe and beside the acting was so good especially Daniel Zhou and bao shengen...when I first watch ep1 i scream because like I said have good chemistry and acting...I will be ready my self just in case if this drama will be sad ending cause many people saying on black app that this will be sad ending I think? Well I m not sure if it's true and I hope they will have new drama together again💯💯💯💯
(sorry if my English is bad ://)

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Good And Bad Sides

The Plot vs. The Chemistry: When a script is a complete trainwreck full of incomprehensible plot holes, the entire production essentially rests on the shoulders of the main leads. If their physical chemistry—amplified by that top-tier, classic height difference—is off the charts, it creates a powerful distraction. You end up ignoring the nonsensical writing just to watch them share a frame.

The Solitary Sane Character: Having an entire cast of characters who have seemingly lost their minds, except for one lone sane person on the male lead's side, is a hilarious but common trope. That one character usually becomes the audience surrogate, looking around in absolute disbelief at the chaos surrounding them.

Talent Wasted on Chaos: It is both a blessing and a curse when the casting is phenomenal and the main leads deliver powerhouse acting. On one hand, their talent saves the show from being entirely unwatchable; on the other hand, you can't help but wish their incredible acting had been utilized in a masterpiece rather than a chaotic, messy plot.

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Good Girl x Bad Boy with A Pinch of Teenage Angst and Chaebol Family Soap Opera

Disclaimer: This review only covers the first 17 episodes, so please do not attack me for marking it as completed. I need to do so in order to make a full yapping about this series as I'm totally pissed off after watching it.

I don't even have the slightest idea of the reason I'm coming to "Never-Ending Summer". I did try to read the novel once, but goodness only knows why, it's so full of violence and sexual contents which discourages me to continue - oh yeah, the ML is also a total jerk who only knows to flirt with other pretty girls since he's a carefree chaebol boy. I couldn't care less about that. However, when words got out that Zhou Keyu and Bao Shang'en would star this drama, I reminded myself it wouldn't do much harm to try watching a bit, 'cause I like Keyu (he's a super-duper pretty boy and a sexy one on top of that). So, let's see my take on "Never-Ending Summer".

The story tells us the angsty romance story between Zhou Wan and Lu Xixiao. Zhou Wan is a straight-A student whom the teachers always brag about. She also has a nice and kind-hearted personality and is extroverted enough to build a connection within her classmates. However, nobody ever knows her family condition and that she's now living in a run-down apartment with her sickly grandmother. To pay her grandma's medical bill, Zhou Wan becomes a manipulative person and secretly works as a tutor by posing as a college student looking for part-time job. Sometimes, she also makes note and sells them to a nearby bookstore, hoping that her school friends will buy dozens of them. Zhou Wan comes from a broken family as her father had died during a factory accident and her mother Guo Yan (better known as Guo Xiangling) fled to the Lu Family to have a better life, preferring to abandon her biological daughter with her grandma. On the other hand, Lu Xixiao is your typical bad boy with a rebellious streak against his controlling family. He has zero interest in studies but is zealous over painting (as painting is his mother's favorite hobby). Xixiao accidentally meets Zhou Wan in an abandoned swimming pool behind their school and she helps to tutor him so that he can go abroad to delve more into the painting world. Since then, the two develop an unusual bond and become each other's emotional anchor since they both come from dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, there will always be obstacles hampering their relationship. As they approach their adult years, their love and loyalty are tested repeatedly, and they finally find their true selves within the storm.

So, what can I say about the plot? Well, nothing much to say maybe, because the story is so awfully generic that even writers who love rich-boy-x-poor-girl trope know how to combine this spice into a hot mess. I grow frustrated over times as I watch this drama and always skip endlessly as the plot rumbles with a pace of a snail. Zhou Wan grows into a frustrating character as she always gives mixed signals to Xixiao. Well, she only approaches him so that she can have her revenge against her bitchy mommy and extract money from her to pay for grandma's hospital bill. Unbeknownst to Xixiao, the pair of mother and daughter has concocted scheme that will threaten the couple's relationship. All I see from Zhou Wan is crying like a little baby, mumbling about suicide after grandma dies, breaking down in front of Xixiao, being bullied by a gang of thugs, and complaining interminably to Jiang Yan (her neighborhood friend). However, the next day, she will turn into a completely different person and attempts very hard to make Xixiao hate her, like gurl, can you be more specific about your feeling - like you love him or not? If no, please leave Xixiao alone before he hates you that much. But she doesn't seem to be aware of her actions and acts like a double-faced liar instead. For Xixiao, I don't know why you always have to listen to your sugar daddy and listen to every of his order. Firstly, you want to escape abroad then he threatens to sell your mommy's residence. Secondly, you want to play along with Zhou Wan, then he grounds him in the Lu mansion. Thirdly, grandpa intervenes as well and wants Zhou Wan to stay away from you. Okay, this is getting more and more tedious and I don't care the single fuck you want to do anymore. I'm also tired of seeing him repeatedly forgiving Zhou Wan despite her manipulative behavior. After the forgiving, they will act as if nothing happened, then fluffy couple scenes will be thrown in your frame and you are going to see how both of them flirt endlessly, including kissing, I guess.

In the above paragraph, I've said pretty clearly that I don't like the main couple. Now, let me list what I also dislike from this drama. Firstly, congratulation for the bitchy mommy Guo Yan/Guo Xiangling for being so awfully selfish and abusive that I hate her the most. Secondly, the whole Lu family (except for Xixiao's auntie) for being so fucking lucrative and only thinking about their company and whatsoever. Thirdly, the second couple Jiang Fan and Gu Meng for having the most lackluster bickering relationship - I see no spark between these two people. Fourthly, Jiang Yan and his mommy - mommy previously had an affair with sugar daddy Lu and she got pregnant with Jiang Yan, then the two of them were kicked out of the Lu mansion due to their underprivileged economic background. That's why she always encourages Jiang Yan to loathe the Lu family, even though not all people are the same as sugar daddy. Fifthly, Jiang Yan gives mixed signal as well, sometimes being hostile to Xixiao, and sometimes secretly helping the couple to escape by having meaningless talk with sugar daddy. Sixthly, the hooligan Luo He keeps abusing Zhou Wan and uses violence to harm her, and yet his elusive gang always disappears before the police comes. Seventhly, Xixiao always comes to Zhou Wan's rescue whenever she is harassed by Luo He's gang, like they are in some kind of mafia mini dramas. I don't have any idea about the stabbing scene, but that comes off as cheesy to me.

Now, to the acting. All the actors have performed very well according to the script, and I appreciate all their hard works. This is my third drama of Bao Shang'en after the reboot of "The Legend of Condor Heroes" and "Generation to Generation". I feel Shang'en still has room for improvement for her next roles, and she radiates the bubbly yet resilient and independent aura of Zhou Wan seamlessly, proving herself as a promising future actress in C-drama land. Meanwhile, Zhou Keyu has come out of his comfort zone and has better micro-expressions which are shown during the scene of Zhou Wan lying to her and how he forcefully kisses her in ep 10. Other than the leads, I've only known Fu Weilun from "Extraordinary" and Ke Chun from numerous mini dramas. Their performances are so-so, so I don't think I'm going to complain much further. And please tell Ke Chun not to take any of this abusive role in the future. He's too good to become a real rogue juvenile delinquent.

The OSTs are giving mixed signals as well because I like some of them and dislike some too. My favorite will be 梦与环游 by Xu Ziwei and Cui Shiba, Sunburn by Brian Cheng, Frozen Heart by 8Bite and Dyrox, 最蓝核梦 by Murphy's Law band. Other than the songs I list, all sounds kinda meh to me, or maybe I'm too overwhelmed by the shitty stuffs happening in the drama.

Of course, my last words will be do not try to watch this drama unless you're in a total drama slump or you want to see beautiful fashions of the leads here or you need a daily dose of sizzling chemistry of these two people (all is up to you). Thank you for reading my whole yapping and I'm so glad to take everything off my chest. Good luck and happy watching!!!

P.S.
If any of you ever know about an Indonesian novel titled "Long Lost Memories in Daejeon", the ML's tragic backstory is more or less similar to Xixiao's. However, the characterization of the FL is completely different and she's a full-time simp too.

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Nine Episodes In and I'm Already Not Ready for What's Coming

After 9 episodes, Never Ending Summer has completely won me over. What started as a slow-burn youth romance has become a deeply emotional story about loneliness, family wounds, and finding comfort in the right person at the wrong time. Zhou Wan and Lu Xixiao's relationship continues to be the drama's biggest strength—every interaction feels earned, from their quiet conversations to the countless moments where they instinctively look out for each other. I especially love how Lu Xixiao keeps acting indifferent while constantly showing up whenever Zhou Wan needs help, while Zhou Wan gradually allows herself to lean on someone, even though not fully, but she is really carrying herself very well, even though she has always learnt to carry everything alone.

The drama also does an excellent job balancing romance with the heavier themes surrounding Zhou Wan's grandmother, her mother's abandonment, and the complicated connection between the two families. Rather than relying on dramatic twists, the story builds its emotional impact through small moments, lingering glances, and unspoken feelings. Knowing that this is ultimately a story about love, separation, and reunion makes every happy scene feel bittersweet.

Nine episodes in, the chemistry between Bao Shang En and Zhou Keyu is carrying every scene, and the emotional tension keeps getting stronger. If the drama continues at this pace, I'm not ready for the heartbreak that everyone knows is coming.
dreading the inevitable separation storyline.

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worth it to watch if you want a drama to watch when bored

I absolutely loved this drama, it was executed perfectly and with the right approach. Its just that it felt so wrong that the grandpa told wanwan that she had to break up with him. i felt that was so rude considering what happened before that she had lost her dad her grandma and her mom didn't love her. But i understand the grandpas worries, and i'm so thankful that wanwan ignored him later on still dated the male lead. The cast was really good as to where even if he went close to her i had butterflies in my stomach. Also i loved the aunt and how supportive she was she literally said chase after her if you want i'm not stopping you. i also loved how well they portrayed the characters feelings through the screen. knowing everything that was happening made it so much easier to connect with both characters and feel what they feel, and i haven't seen like that in a drama in a while. but the story was good overall its just that i feel that it was rushed like the directors were trying to finish the drama as fast as they could and the love felt rushed. also i couldn't understand when they were together or not. back when they were 18 he was chasing her but i couldn't understand if they were dating or not because they seemed so close to not be dating. I feel that if they cleared that up it would've been a 10 for me. but that all i really loved this drama overall and would for sure watch it again.

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Their Chemistry

I personally enjoyed Never Ending Summer. The chemistry between the main leads was sweet, and many of their scenes felt natural and heartwarming. The drama has a light, youthful vibe that makes it easy to watch.

However, the story is not perfect. Some parts felt slow, and a few situations could have been resolved more quickly with better communication. Still, the emotional moments, friendships, and character growth kept me interested throughout the series.

Overall, if you're looking for a comforting romance with lovable characters and a nostalgic summer atmosphere, Never Ending Summer is worth watching. It may not be a masterpiece, but it's a charming and enjoyable drama that leaves a warm feeling.

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Lovely Story

I’m only past first green light, barely scratching the surface of the story but enough to form a first impressions review I want to note right away.

First off, the cast is great. Seriously I admire the talents of these young artists. Since Hidden Love, I haven’t been attached to school aged theme dramas. After third episode though, I am into my feels because the delivery of characters is really good.

Second, the writing. There’s really great liners that doesn’t just sound good, it connects. I’ve been on a rollercoaster of feels, teary even. I mean this story has themes already early on that is binding me to the core. Child abandonment? I don’t want to get into that as I just started but yes, development is flowing nicely as the premise is shaping up.

That’s it for now. I’ll be back at end but really, this is a keeper.

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Two less lonely people and it's gonna be fine

the story was unexpected, i mean for me cos what do you mean you will connect to this boy at school because of his stepmother being your biological mother and you wanted to ruin your mother's life? (I EAT THAT SH--) and cliche as it sounds, like how the FL and ML grown close all because of revenge but their feelings are genuine and you know what? I AM SEATED FOR THAT.

i loved the novel to be honest and i don't plan to watch the adaptation but when articles were released that my girl bao shangen is playing as zhou wan? SIGN ME UP!!! fangirling aside, the cast did great on their characters and i always laugh when ping ge and jiang fan shows up huhuhu dumb and dumber at its finest 😭😭😭 and the role of the mom/stepmom? girl, i am seethed in anger because the nerve of her calling herself a mom? AHHHH tho i love the grandma (aren't we all love good grannies in dramas like this)

MUSIC? I LOVE THE INTRO AND OUTRO!!! it's giving a healing drama vibe!!! like i don't have anything to say cos it's beautiful!

this review is solely subjective so, don't come at me hehe (will probably edit this review also in the middle and after the drama aired)

PS. as a reader of the novel, i really loved how well written and complex the characters are. it's a bummer that the high school scenes are just for 4 episodes (or maybe not) because it's the cherry on top of the novel, how lonely the two are and how they bonded over it (without discussing it definitely) but they had this certain connection that no one can describe. their unexpected arcade meetings and lu xixao always bothering her like, i wish they made the high school scenes longer so they can expound the tension between them and how did lu xixao grovel before zhou wan and zhou wan blinded by her revenge? gosh, i loved it.

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