Kinda watchable
The drama had a nice concept but the story was too thin for a full run drama even with the added side stories. It's also why they sneaked in a useless love pentagon that didn't get anywhere. Although you may find the FL's behavior passable as a teen but that wasn't the case as an adult, it was increasingly challenging to endure watching her. It simply didn't serve the narrative. After seeing her character in action I had a strong hunch to why they broke up. Such a reason may be valid when written adequately but, in this case, it came off as a shallow excuse to progress the plot. Even if we were to over glance that, they ended up giving a half-assed resolution to their underlying problems and opted to supplement the rest with an overdose of mindless lovey-dovey scenes while eliminating any opportunity for the drama to delve deeper into the emotional package they threw at us earlier on. Another prime example of the bait and switch technique the Kdrama industry have been going through recently and it doesn't look like this will change. One last thing, there were some obvious amateur editing mistakes sprinkled in the drama. One singular scene may have multiple camera angles but 2 different color grading, even for the same consecutive face shot.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Healing, Nostalgic With Excellent Cinematography and OST
Our Beloved Summer" follows the story of two ex-lovers, Choi Woong and Kook Yeon Soo, who are brought back together years after filming a viral documentary in high school. Choi Woong, seemingly naive and free-spirited, harbors deep aspirations that he begins to pursue for the first time in his life. Meanwhile, Kook Yeon Soo, who once aimed to be the top student, is now an adult grappling with the harsh realities of life. As they find themselves back in front of the camera, their past and present collide, rekindling old emotions and unresolved conflicts.The show excels in its realistic portrayal of character development and relationships. The chemistry between Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi is palpable, making their on-screen relationship believable and engaging. The narrative beautifully oscillates between the past and the present, offering a rich, layered storytelling experience. The cinematography is visually stunning, (Watch out for a shot of them in the rain) capturing both the beauty of mundane moments and the intensity of emotional scenes. The soundtrack complements the mood perfectly, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
While there is second lead syndromes with supporting characters, i like the way things turned out for them towards the ending of the show each finding their own closure. The scenes where the main leads realizing their lost love and rekindling their romance, ML confronting his past trauma , Their clear bickering with each other all were really cute to watch.
Overall, If you are looking for a drama enemies to lovers trope with a great OST and a warm watch, this drama would be perfect for you. I would recommend this 10/10 and this would clearly be in most of the k-drama viewers top watched shows.
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Disappointing story and characters
I really like CWS and though I didn’t like KDM in Itaewon Class, I was willing to give it a try. But I’m 10 episodes in and just barely hanging on.CWS is too passive (yes I understand his character, but this is a drama and he lets KDM walk all over him) and KDM’s character is incredibly annoying.
If any of the characters would just share the tiniest bit of what they’re feeling the plot would fall apart. Or be resolved in half the episodes. I think that’s lazy writing.
It’s infuriating to see KDM be so rude to her ex when she’s the one who broke his heart. She only shows vulnerability around her grandmother and best friend. I know there’s more info that will be revealed but I can’t imagine CWS really wanting to be with someone who lied and broke his heart and never apologized.
CWS manages to stay likable through sheer sweetness. And I blame the writing for KDM’s frustrating character. I would love to see her play someone with less of a tough outer layer. Or someone with a genuine sense of humor.
I’ll stick with OBS till the end because I’m a narrative junkie. But I will definitely be skipping sections and groaning with frustration.
Updates coming after I’ve watched all 16 episodes.
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Slooooooooooooow but addictive so far
Slow burn is not slow enough to describe the show. It’s so full of cliches and so utterly predictable that you can safely guess whatever’s coming a mile away. The problem is that it takes soooo long for the story to unfold that you’re just sitting there tapping on your watch waiting for the show to catch up with you. This story definitely could’ve been told in a few episodes but it just drags on.Despite all that… I can’t get mad at them because I love the main characters. I get extremely frustrated with Ung-i because he’s so passive and slow-witted sometimes (appears to be at least) but he’s so likable.
We’ll see what happens going forward. Hope everything will work out for everyone.
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The relationship: I love the premise of FL & ML reuniting as ex-partners. It's something so little explored in kdramas, but it's a storyline near and dear to my heart. The tension with which they converse, the awkward familiarity with which they speak and act, and most importantly, the quiet way they care about each other so intimately, are the foundation of this series. Although it's established that their breakup wasn't amicable, their interactions aren't rancorous or acrimonious. The way they interact shows, even in the most sniping of interactions, how much love they still hold for one another. The two couldn't be more opposite: the FL as a driven, ambitious professional who constantly sprints ahead, the ML as a comfort-loving, goofy artist more than content to just stop and smell the roses. Yet, like yin and yang, the two complete each other, even if their journey back to each other is littered with obstacles.
I also love how the problems with their first breakup aren't brushed aside and miraculously solved — it's clear that the issues leading to the cause of their first breakup need to be resolved, and it's the very thing preventing them from getting back together, in spite of their attraction. The show really works well at gelling the past and the present in this respect, displaying both the highs and lows in their previous relationship and the twists and turns due to such in their current story.
The actors: Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry. Perhaps it's because Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi have worked together before, but the romantic tension between them and the ease in which they interact makes the drama so enjoyable. Notwithstanding their previous working relationship, it's clear that both are talented actors in their own right: watching even the first episode demonstrates the gamut of emotions that they can bring forth to portray these characters. I'm simply glad that such amazing actors with massively impressive acting credits already under their belt— Choi Woo-shik with Okja, Train to Busan & Parasite, Kim Da-mi with The Witch & Itaewon Class — have come together to bring this script to life.
The parallels: If there's one thing I love as a literature person, it's this. Perhaps it's a little cliche, but the big moments in this series so far have been prefaced by important parallels to highlight their importance in their budding reunion. It's amazing to see how the director withholds certain cuts from scenes to insert in later & make the most impact, whilst you belatedly realise the poetic resemblance, have a 'aha' moment and watch on even more enraptured. My favourite nugget of information I realised recently is how each episode is named after a classic movie: sometimes tongue-in-cheek or in jest, but other times leading to a more profound reading of the episode.
The cinematography: As the actors have previously discussed in their press conference, the four seasons are exhibited wonderfully in this show. This becomes apparent as you go deeper into the drama — the scenic shots, the picturesque views, the camera's interaction with both the city and countryside is nothing short of magical. The way that the seasons frame the FL & ML's relationship brings a welcomed level of depth into their story.
All in all, if you love romantic dramas, watch Our Beloved Summer. It's perhaps the best romantic drama I've watched ever. Even as a seasoned 'veteran' with 100 dramas or so under my belt. Even with just 8 episodes out. I guarantee you won't regret it.
PS. May be a little biased because I love this drama too much, but I haven't heard a bad word said about it from any other of my kdrama-loving friends.
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Summer fling or Summer love, both can never be forgotten.
Choi Wooshik and Kim Dami reunite in this beautiful romance genre, synonymously known as Our Beloved Summer.Based upon a webtoon, the storyline contains my least favorite romance trope. Honestly I do mildly dislike this trope of a broken up couple to get together following a second lead syndrome, but I'm just so endeared of how the leads made it work!! (Yeokshii our power duo) It's also very very surprising how much Choi Wooshik (Choi Woong) owns a very very similar relatable personality like me. (And if you're the kind to enjoy you doing yourself, fantasize a therapeautical life and love lying under the sky on soft grass, you too, my lovely person!)
Our Beloved Summer is the hot cocoa to a chilly snowy night. It's enriched with romance, comedy, highschool lovers with a spoonful of documentary theme, and some side characters who are simps of the leads. It's overall such a comfort drama after masterpieces like Hometown Cha Cha Cha and Move To Heaven. You'll love it. <3
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Light and Breezy with an awesome OST
The title 'Our Beloved Summer' promised a breezy show and it served. It is beautiful, funny, hilarious, heartbreaking and adorable at the same time.The leads who are ex lovers in the present day, not only find a way back to each other but also discover themselves in the journey. This ability to mature over years is admirable for the storyline.
The side characters are alright, nothing remarkable but they support the leads well.
The cinematography, production and OST is so beautiful, it really lends a character to the show. It is a good easy watch.
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The leading cast, Choi Woo-Shik as Choi Woong and Kim Dami as Kook Yeon Soo did a wonderful job bringing their characters to life. Their chemistry was great and they were wonderful in expressing their emotions, not only in their dialogues but mostly in the intense raw emotions that they brought through body language and facial expressions.
Although there are some comedic moments, the drama provokes all kind of emotions as the main characters work on overcoming pain and understanding their emotions to be able to conquer their fears in order to love and trust each other. It is a wonderful drama; enjoy it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Sweep under the rug and move on
It started well and was interesting. As it goes on, it makes me wonder whether my mindset or the story is the wrong one. The main couple interactions will give you butterflies in your stomach. It's like you're walking on a floor with many holes covered with pretty carpet. You won't notice the plot holes but once in a time, you will feel there are holes under your feet. It's nice not to have to see family conflicts mess but is it right to ignore the root problem between our main couple? It's frustrating to see FL doesn't try to understand ML's inner conflict and trauma which makes him hesitate to get back together. It's disappointing when ML asks FL to go together without considering FL's conditions first. Does being in a relationship mean only being together and fulfilling your own needs to be happy?STORY - When they were high schoolers, they bickered like cat and mouse while caring for each other at the same time like summer which is hot while also giving you a chance to go picnic or beach to enjoy the sun and have fun. Now they meet again after being grown-ups with their own scar but there is still that sparks hiding in the corner of their hearts. Seeing them face each other again try to make do with the past, deal with the present, and move on to life is exciting to watch.
I expected Kim Jiwoong will be our SML. He didn't cross the line but his doings with FL make me hate him. In earlier episodes, he's pictured as a very loyal and caring friend. He's done great as ML's best friend. The story going on, I started doubting that and ended with decided to ignore it (again).
ACTING - Do we still need to discuss about Kim Dami and Choi Wooshik's acts? Their act, facial expressions, eyes, and small gestures will pull you deeper into this drama.
MUSIC - OST filled with star-studded singers. All are nice songs to hear and good reflection to the story. It only lacks that 1% of the catchy hook to keep listening to them.
All to say this is a good drama with many fluffy parts to brighten your days. You can ignore all the discomfort like me and keep watching Woong and Yeonsoo's story.
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Beautifully slow and mesmerizing
I am writing this review few months after I watched the show, but it is still fresh in my mind, which is telling.This is one of those shows that either mesmarizes you from start to finish or never quite grips you at all. It's all to do with it's tempo, it has a very calm slow pace not even in script, but in cinematography too, which is not suited for everyone, so I am not surprised about some negative reviews most of which claim that show is boring, quite understandable why actually.
For me this tempo is ideal, and maybe for you it would be too.
Story is not very original, but very believable and relatable to me. Might do with characters age, which is quite close to mine. It's slow, but steady and easy to follow. It keeps you anxious for main characters till the end, few episodes have that sincking feeling to it, when you care A LOT about characters, which I enjoy in my shows.
There are a lot of truly beautiful scenes where BOTH writing, directing and ACTING (!!!) is truly superb.
I am very impressed with Kim Da Mi and Choi Woo Shik, they deliver every emotion very clearly, especially their acting without dialogs, with just eyes and mimic they convey so much, it's crazy.
Dialog at points is deep and emotional, very poignant and witty too.
Directing and cinematography is just chef kiss. You can argue it's infamous Netflix filters, but it works perfectly here.
Soundtrack is amazing, it underlines whole calm and warm vibe of the show.
Give it a chance, if you enjoy slower calmer vibes it could be best kdrama ever for you.
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Anyway, I gave the series a chance and I don't regret it, it's really nice and I think it's great for fighting boredom
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Happiness
The Series is written in a way that every time somethings gonna happen you will think about it and if you're into it can guess what will happen next but you can also be wrong. I like how they Color Grade the whole thing(Post Prod) it adds flavor to the story as well as the music they used, it really fits well. I also like how the cast portrait the role given to them and I like the Chemistry!! all in all Its Good and there will be a chance in the future that you will Re-watch it again.IF you want something that is not that on a HEAVY side and just want to Warm your heart then I would Recommend this
it will give you something within your heart it's a roller coaster of emotion but it Will Warm your heart
(This is just my opinion!!! and Thanks for reading this!!)
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