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Summertime korean drama review
Ongoing 4/10
Summertime
16 people found this review helpful
by NLE Clap Clap Clap Award1
9 days ago
4 of 10 episodes seen
Ongoing
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 10.0
Rewatch Value 10.0

Youth, Romance and Secret Feelings Wrapped in Beautiful Korean BL Magic

As soon as I found out Summertime is from Studio Oak Company the same production company as The Prosecutor's Proposal, Thundercloud Rainstorm and Ball Boy Tactics, I was so happy. I already knew this could be another outstanding BL when it comes to production quality, great NCs scenes, acting and storytelling, and after watching the trailer and 4 episodes, it has definitely lived up to the hype.

And DAMN, that opening scene was HOT! I was absolutely NOT expecting that! What a way to start the series! They really said, here is your NC scene, right from the beginning!

Even though each episode is only around 20-25 minutes long, this series never feels like one of those low budget Korean BLs you usually find on YouTube. The pacing is surprisingly smooth, and the production quality immediately caught my attention. Everything looks polished and beautifully put together, from the cinematography and locations to the overall youthful atmosphere. It has that clean and warm Korean BL aesthetic that makes the series incredibly easy to watch, while every episode makes great use of its short runtime. The series is also available on iQIYI and GagaOOLala in some countries.

The cast is another big highlight for me. The chemistry between EunHo and DoHyeon feels natural, and there is a really nice balance between the sweetness of their friendship and the underlying romantic tension. I especially love the dynamic between the two childhood friends because you can feel how comfortable they are with each other after knowing one another for so long.

The youth and romance elements work really well together too. I love the nostalgic feeling of watching characters who have grown up together slowly discovering that their relationship might be something more. The childhood friends trope, high school crushes, student characters and campus setting give the series a very youthful and refreshing feeling.

DoHyeon has fantasy feelings for EunHo for a long time. They’ve known each other since childhood, and because they’re both boys, he has kept those feelings hidden. I absolutely loved the fantasy scene with DoHyeon’s wet dream, especially the way it came back to him when EunHo bent down in front of him in real life to tie his shoelace while looking up with that innocent expression. That connection between DoHyeon’s fantasy and what happened in reality was such an incredibly smart way of storytelling. The way the scene brought his feelings back to the surface was so well done, and honestly, I was completely jaw dropped watching it.

And of course, we have the transfer student Yihyun coming in to shake everything up! My heart honestly hurts for him because he had to transfer schools simply because he is gay and was bullied for it. Sadly, he gets bullied again on his very first day, but I was so happy to see EunHo stand up for him. What I loved even more was that when Yihyun told him he was gay, EunHo never mocked him or treated him differently. He simply accepted him and showed him what a true friend should be like. This is what friends are for, supporting each other when you need it most. And because of this, we are getting a love triangle, and I am ALWAYS here for a little jealousy and romantic tension! Especially when one character has been secretly holding feelings for someone for 19 YEARS, while the other has fallen for someone after just a few days because that person was the first one to stand up for him and make him feel accepted. One love has lasted nearly two decades, while the other has only just begun, and I honestly cannot wait to see how this unfolds! It adds just the right amount of drama and emotional tension without taking away from the sweetness of the story.

This series is so beautiful and colourful, and it really captures that perfect summer vibe, which makes the title Summertime even more fitting.

If you love Korean BL, youth romance, childhood friends to lovers, secret fantasy feelings, BL romance with hot steamy scenes and a little jealousy, this is definitely one to keep an eye on.

The production quality is gorgeous, the acting is strong, both male lead looks fantastic together and the story has exactly the kind of youthful romantic atmosphere I enjoy. This absolutely lived up to the hype for me, and I cannot wait for more.

I’ve watched almost every high school BL released this year from Japan 🇯🇵, Thailand 🇹🇭 and Korea 🇰🇷, and honestly, this Korean BL is the spiciest, boldest and is easily my favourite high school BL of 2026 so far! It has completely won me over!
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