Not the best
This drama did not do much for me . It is enjoyable , well put together and beautifully filmed , but it failed to grab me .The story line of the traumatic experiences that the past leaves you with is the kingpin of Korean Drama , and has been done before and better . The acting was not impressive either . Long silences and doleful looks , bland faces unable to express emotions . Sure they can cry and be tearful but their pretty faces do not always convey the intensity of their emotions .
I preferred the characters when they were teenagers , they had a bit more life in them then . As they grew more mature they seemed to have lost their stamina . The sub stories were far more interesting and entertaining and the comedy they provided very necessary . The story of friend Kim -Ji-woong grabbed me most . You could sense the tension , the agony , the struggle in him and I would have liked that story line to be better developed . The ending was rushed and cobbled together , loose ends Not satisfactory .
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Unlikable characters
The female lead was awful to everyone except her grandmother. She was always about herself and her feelings. She never matured at all from her younger high school self. I really really wanted the male lead to kick her to the curb for the second female lead(the only character that was likeable). Her extreme selfishness never ended throughout the entire show, never once doing anything for the benefit of the male lead. She's one of the least likable female leads in a k drama ever.The male lead was a better character than the female lead, but not by much. Immature, unable to like anyone else except the intolerable female lead. I would've enjoyed this a lot more if he wasn't such a SIMP and went out with the Sfl. Sfl was prettier, nicer, more caring, and a way better personality. I don't know a man in real life who would choose the female lead over her.
The worst most despicable character was the second male lead. He deserved to be treated like the scum he was and have his ass kicked repeatedly by everyone.
The last third of the show was almost unwatchable.
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My Thoughts about this drama
The thing what I love the most about this drama is whenever they were facing any hardships in life. It wasn't like a guy protecting the girl or the girl protecting a guy. Or the girl is the ultimate savior for everyone's problem. They solved their own life problems themselves and along the way made mistakes corrected them and grew from it. They didn't just get back together because of a kiss that happened Because of overwhelming thoughts they took time with each other and most importantly themselves.After watching all of the available episodes till Ep10, I realized that we all have a yeonsoo and ung side in us... Sometimes we find it so hard to open up, specially if it's something about ourselves or what we are feeling. And then sometimes we also have this childish side of us where we enjoy small things, enjoy doing nothing, and enjoy just being us.This drama is full of life lessons and realizations which makes it magical and easier to relate
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the story of a relationship that isn’t over yet
Woong and Yeon Soo had filmed a documentary when they were in school, which now has gone viral. So, years after their first camera encounter, and a long time after their painful breakup, the two will have to film its sequel.Korean Drama Our Beloved Summer is a slice of life drama about a love story that has a more realistic approach to it. The drama is well constructed, revealing the past story slowly, while the characters are dealing with their current problems and emotions. And even though the love triangle was dimmed to not work, the slice of life vibes, with a more character-driven story, gave a refreshing approach to the love story.
The latter was a bittersweet romance, with an emphasis on the melodrama and few surprises when it came to its outcome and progress.However, towards the ending, the drama started showing its weaknesses. The couple, though they were mostly connected by their teary past, they didn’t have many things in common to keep them interesting for the viewer. Also, the story got more and more predictable and had few things to offer. In the end, it was more about miscommunication than drama.
Another culprit is the fact that the series founded the story on the logging for the main couple to get together. So, after that, the drama didn’t have anything else to say, though they could have explained Woong’s family situation more in-depth compared to the brush-off that happened.
Yeon Soo used to be the best student in her class. She was raised by her grandmother and she has always been struggling to survive financially, so she learned to be tough and built a nonchallenging character. Kim Da Mi‘s comeback proves that she is a versatile actress. Woong is a quirky character who is a talented artist. He is closed up and he hardly opens up or makes friends, though he is an aloof young man. He is very emotional and sensitive.
Choi Woo Shik did a great job with his performance. Ji Woong is Woong’s friend. Due to their common name, he always lived under his shadow, though he never really envied him, due to Woong’s sweet character. Ji Woong is a lonely man who feels like he doesn’t fit in. Kim Sung Chul gave a quite emotional performance.
NJ is a famous idol who is always busy, but finds nothing to make her happy. She likes Woong, however, she gets disappointed that he doesn’t seem to be as interested in her. Roh Jeong Eui handled her character brilliantly.Sol Yi is Yeon Soo’s friend. She used to be a scriptwriter, but she quit and has opened a pub that isn’t doing so well. She is an energetic character, friendly and loyal.Park Jin Joo is dramaland’s favourite side character and she is always delightful.
The drama had a smooth OST and an enjoyable pace, that didn’t confuse with the back and forth.
My overall rating for the Korean Drama Our Beloved Summer is 7 out of 10. The drama managed to present the story in a clever, entertaining way.
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Amazing & Beautiful ❤️✌️
This was something unique & I loved it ❤️ A teenage romantic drama & the romantic relation b/w the main characters was amazing, the back n forth of their relationship n it literally gave me butterfly all the way throughout the episodes. You can feel the connection with the characters throughout the series & that raw emotions & feelings they are going through. Besides, the OSTs of this series are also great & I loved it. After completing the series I hopped on to Spotify & listened to all of it's OST tracks & they all are soothing & great ❤ Also, the side characters were also portrayed in a very good way. I'll definitely recommend this & I'll give it 8/10 🔥✌️Was this review helpful to you?
A warm, visually appeasing and heart soothing drama.
I cannot begin to express how beautiful this drama was. I don’t know about anyone else but kdramas are my little escape from reality and this one did not disappoint. It was well written and the actors were so amazing, the chemistry was top tier, they just overall complemented each other well. Right now I will have to rewatch it from episode 1 to 16 bcuz it was that good. Most kdramas give you an “ok” ending but this ending was just so perfect and the relationship was just so extraordinary. At first it seemed as if the relationship between the leads was toxic since they would constantly break up but after learning more about them you realise how healthy their love were.Was this review helpful to you?
Good enough
Korean Drama "Our Beloved Summer" is a slice of life love story that founds its success in the lingering feelings between two exs who have to work together after a long time.The drama does a great job creating the perfect atmosphere, with the use of lighting being on point, the scenes were beautifully shot and executed and the OST was brilliantly selected. And true, the game between the two main characters was an intriguing one, with the yearning for them to be back together being the force prompting the interesting factor. However, when that one was taken out of the equation, the drama got tiring and lots of scenes were added that were unnecessary and only there to fill in. So, yes, the drama started pretty strong, but it got predictable and boring towards the end. It also left out the family situation of the main lead out, which was a plotline that could have been explored in more depth.
Finally, the performances were great by everyone in the cast, which was consisted of an all-star pallette.
So, overall, 7 out of 10.
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The Beauty in Second Chances
Our Beloved Summer felt like a balm and like cool air at dawn. It was a completely refreshing watch that ultimately bewitched me and held me in its world. This story was a masterclass in character driven narratives that demand your deep attention and examination. Where others might characterize this drama as slow in pace, I understand it to be less of a meander and more of a intentional stroll through the complex lives of a group of young people trying to find themselves. They search for glimpses via validation in their careers; they try to see themselves reflected back to them through others. They're dysfunctional and messy and honest and afraid and I think that's a part of the charm of this drama.This is my first experience with Kim Da-mi and Choi Woo-shik and I was not disappointed. Kim Da-mi offers a compelling "difficult" woman whose life experiences have created a hardened shell to shield her from the harshness of the world. But beneath that shell is a vulnerable, fragile and scared woman looking for a soft place to land. Choi Woo-shik's vulnerability and honesty were chef's kiss. His capacity to portray someone so deeply in love that the ache of losing them haunts both their waking and dreaming was felt. Together, they showed the depth of love - how it pulls and pushes, how it hurts and heals. In fact, each character makes the case for love's fulsome capacity. That, regardless of our desires, love bends not just to our individual needs, but it also curves with life and life's journey.
Definitely a favourite watch of this year and has easily slid into my comfort watch list.
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Nostalgia feeling with feel-good breeze
A romance drama about two grown adults who had their documentary shoot 10 years ago and relationship thereafter, which ended eventually. After 10 years, it happens once again and yes it feels nostalgic in every way.The best thing about Our Beloved Summer that catches the eye is the cast. The charms of Kim Dami and Choi Woo Shik, who radiate youthful energy, fill up the screen, and the chemistry between the two naturally leads the story. The drama emphasizes the images of summer and thanks to this, the play’s overall atmosphere is full of freshness. Also it might feel relatable to many viewers' teenage life they lived.
The cast, whether be the lead or the supporting, had a great connection. The soundtrack is soothing and melodious which fits the setting of the drama. The story had depth, but it was fairly executed, if not efficiently. Also the supporting characters weren't given much exposure as one would have thought. Although it doesn't come close to other feel-good romance drama (like Hometown Cha Cha or When The Weather Is Fine), Our Beloved Summer manages to hold itself through freshness and nostalgic moments of reminiscing the good old teenage life.
To summarise, Our Beloved Summer ends itself as a dama that conveys the sweetness of love and the freshness of youth at the same time. It's effective enough to catch viewers' attention with it's fair, if not excellent story and screenplay.
My Rating : 6.5/10
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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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This review may contain spoilers
AMAZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!! If you are a fan of a love story with drama and a little bit of a plot twist, this is the drama for you. I loved the story,the acting, THE MUSIC especially!!! What I didn't liked tho it's that we didn't get more details about the story between Ji-ung and Chae-ran, but it's ok after all. About the main actors: i loved how cute their relationship was and i loved that they were very clingy with each other, mostly Ung, but............. Btw, this is also a life story and it has a great moral and that to not be selfish and to not ignore the people you love the most in this life and to not go trough things alone. I loved the drama and I can't wait to start anoher one!!!!!! Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Comforting to be faced with a summer love (that will last a long time) <3
Wait, I'm still impacted!!!!!!I loved our beloved summer so much, as I said in some episode their love is very comforting to watch, as Yeon Su said in an ep "it's really good to be in a mature relationship" and that's what they achieved apart for a while and then together. They grew up. In addition to their love that I loved, it was the OST that won ALL of my heart. These are such nice songs to listen to, reading, doing things at home, to relax your mind, listen to in the morning when you wake up. It's simple, delicious and conveys the comfort of the drama and the couple, you know?
And speaking of summer, despite the heat, summer is also comfort and coziness, the drama's scenography is the most beautiful thing, following the seasons, the clothes, scenery, everything, everything. The only thing I didn't like: The other characters, I mean in couple form, firstly, I thought they could have been more developed, you know? I waited for them to go and I missed them. Ji ung at least resolved himself with his mother but his relationship with liking Yeon Su ended up making me upset and it took so long for him to get rid of that feeling (I know it takes time to stop liking someone but it took a long time for me).
I loved the drama format, mixed with documentary, watching it reminded me a lot of Lovestruck in the City which I loved too.
I'm in love with Woo Shik and Da Mi, they're so cute, they have great chemistry, great acting!
It was a really enjoyable drama to watch! 💛
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