This is such a feel good drama
I don't know why, but this is my all time feel good drama, that I want to watch when I'm sick,sad,tired or in need of something to lighten me up! I love this, I love story and the flow of it and all the characters in it ❤ no annoying parents, who always stick their nose into their childrens business, no unecasserary love triangle (there's a slight one, but it doesn't bother you most of the time ) Iwatch it , when ever there's nothing else to stream and I never get bored of it! So much love for all the actors and the story, they're telling!Was this review helpful to you?
Characters with Depth
I loved watching this series from beginning to end. The main characters were written with more depth than in many K rom-coms. They were quirky, vulnerable, and "human." Choi Woo-shik was terrific. The relationships between the supporting characters was entertaining, as well. It's well worth the watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Chemistry between leads and coming-of-age theme supported by mellow cinematography and soundtrack
The chemistry between the leads is the highlight of this show, which the plot helps develop by showing them at different points in their relationship at different ages. I loved how they developed the ML. The FL was developed too, but it seemed more like just breaking down her walls, whereas the ML found himself over time. The coming-of-age theme was supported well by the mellow cinematography and soundtrack.Was this review helpful to you?
green flag
tbh... i've watched this drama many times but somehow i don't get bored while watching it, i'm sure buddy. i really like the acting of both of them, the main character Choi Wooshik (Choi Ung) and the main actress Kim Dami (Kook Yeon Soo). they are both very cool in acting, i won't lie about that, this drama is very inspiring for couples who have fallen out of love but both of them still have great love, i as a man really want traits and personality like the main character Choi Ung, he is like an angel for her beloved partner, i also study what he does, what Choi Ung does in this drama, and yea... as you know, the character Choi Ung in this drama is highly coveted by many women out there, they call it the word "green flag" LMAO.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I should have loved this
I wanted to love this. When I came across it on Netflix right after watching Hometown Cha Cha Cha, I thought it would be the perfect substitute with similar vibes. I was wrong.I know Our Beloved Summer is a well-made drama. I can see it through the acting, structure, story and other characteristics. However, I couldn't help but feel disengaged by it. I wanted to fall in love with the story really badly, but I was left hanging. I don't really blame the drama, I think this is on me. To each their own.
I love Choi Woo-shik and he was really good in this.
But yeah, overall, I wish I had loved this like everybody else.
Was this review helpful to you?
"People Crave for The Normal."
As a person who enjoys binging thriller dramas, this one is sure to have ended up in my dropped/fast forward list had I tried binging it.The very interesting discourses and comments regarding certain characters is what drove me to begin watching this drama. Slice of life dramas are not my forté. But, seeing such intense character analysis for a seemingly sunny drama was what made me curious.
Probably one of the most well loved dramas that premiered last year, "Our Beloved Summer" is the chronicles of Choi Ung and Kook Yeon Su, two vibrantly different personalities who are forcibly put together in high school to film a documentary. The Proximity Principle proved true and it's not long before their hateful relationship morphs into love. After a disastrously earth shaking break-up, they meet five years later. Now, grown up and absorbed in their own career paths, they are unexpectedly thrown together again. But, this time, both of them are determined to change for the better…
I suck at expressing emotions in general and have a penchant for accepting characters and the story as it is presented, hence watching this was personally a purely fun experience for me.
Be warned… the slice-of-life tag doesn't lie.
The story follows the ordinary lives of both Yeon Su and Choi Ung along with one major supporting character (Kim Ji Ung).
Sticking true to the tag, it's the characters who are the soul of the story. Though it began with almost little to no emotional attachment from my side, I slowly grew attached to them by episode 14. There is not much purposeful happening with the plot, so, if you are a fan of strictly plot driven stories, this drama isn't for you.
Kook Yeon-Su can sit together with Kat from 10 Things I Hate About You and I wouldn't bat an eyelid. Studious and meticulous in every aspect, she sets vigorous boundaries and rules to who or whatever crosses her path. Including Choi Ung. She has an almost aggressive reaction to everyone, trenchant and assertive with her words… which naturally makes her one of the most unlikeable students in her school.
I found her bravado tiring. But, the writers did a good job, taking time to explain her actions and errors.
Choi Ung is far from her strict good-girl regimen. He slacks off at class, is meek like a puppy and knows more social skills than Yeon Su. He understands what he has signed up for once he begins to date her. I loved how he was not driven by goals, but rather went with what his heart wanted.
The life outside their perfect bubble has an almost domino-like effect on them. These polar opposite duos had their own ways of expressing their emotions as a result. Yeon Su was more on the *tell* side of the sphere whereas Choi Ung was on the *show* side. They each await empathic responses to unasked questions. To me, this lack of understanding and failure to express themselves was the prime reason for their break up. Now, as adults, their tables have turned. They are much more aware of their mistakes and are ready to accept the error of their ways.
40% of the drama is seen partially through the eyes of the Documentary Producer, Kim Ji Ung, Choi Ung's best friend. He was a character whose presence was pivotal in understanding the leading ones. We see a deeper side of Choi Ung through him, his own personal troubles, his support and ear for Yeon Su, the rapport with his workplace colleagues… even Ung's manager and Sol - I were important.
NJ, an idol, felt really out of place. She was not annoying… but I didn't understand why there was so much time being invested in her story, which could literally be spliced out and kept as a different special episode. Her presence did incite major changes to certain characters, but I felt that the writers failed to portray her with more depth or importance. The main reason seems to be her lack of interaction with the major characters.
It's the actors who breathed life into the chara ters. They lived them. Even the minor ones. Choi Woo Shik was mind blowing in portraying the very insoucient Choi Ung. Rather than appearing lifeless and boring, he was vibrant and unique. Kim Da Mi had less internal monologues than Choi Ung, but the process of unwrapping her various layers was smoothly portrayed.
I didn't find the drama too funny, though. There were a few slapstick comedy scenes, but there was always a serious shadow in the background for more than half of the drama.
The soundtrack was overall pleasant to listen to with "Home" and "Christmas Tree" being my favorites along with the opening theme by Kim Hwan Hee.
It's a drama that I'm sure I'll probably never rewatch. But, sometimes you stumble upon a coin on the road and check it out.
As Mr. Park said to Ji Ung, people crave for the 'ordinary'. And so do I.
Was this review helpful to you?
Not As Slow Burn As You Might Expect
I was mislead by a lot of comments. There was really a lot about slow burn, but in actuality, there is no more slow burn than any standard rom-com Kdrama.The template of such a drama is the work up to the 7-8th episode for the confessions, and skinship to happen... this drama fits the templete so I'm not stressed about it. I expected it to be more like a Cdrama where you almost have to wait for the last second and then they're only happy for 1/2 a day, some tragedy or fight happens, and you don't see them together for the rest of the drama until the last 15 minutes. lol. This is no where near that kind of thing.
You don't get a lot of silliness once they start to grow up, get over their mental issues, open up to others, not just themselves, and start to become more and more emotionally healthy.
Also, the comments about them being way too immature for their age and that this was boring had the point of this drama go right over their heads. That WAS the point of the drama, hahaha. It is a testament on varying mental issues, how parents can make or break that, and set up their kids for success or failure despite their circumstances and how that affects your other interpersonal relationships, be they work related, friendships, or extended family. You can watch the entire Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial to understand what this means. And this couple aren't anywhere near having the mental issues those two have, and he's in his 50s... So, yeah, the way things transpire in childhood has a serious affect on how you handle life in adulthood. If a rom-com based on this is boring to you, than avoid those topics.
As to how the drama handled the subject matter, for the most part, it was quaint and relatable. There were moments of cliche that made me sad they couldn't have made fresher interpersonal issues. The idea you actually need a 'degree' to grow creatively etc is too antiquated. It discounts folks like Steve Jobs et al. There's no One Size Fits All to maturity, growth, & creativity... but the Korean mindset just hasn't grasp that idea yet, it seems. I thought with Ung they almost got there, but they fell short in the end by doing him a bit dirty.
I wasn't really a fan of the forward backward then forward again flashes in time to tell the story. They used it to slowly unfold the truths behind each character. It was okay and effective at times. In others, it felt like they were trying to play you with forced "Ah,, ha" moments. After a while, it was a bit irritating.
So, weighing the pros and cons of this drama, I still think this is an above avg Kdrama, worth a solid watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
What a heartwarming drama?.
😭😭No way it ended. I want to see more. What a heartwarming drama🤧. Love this drama, it will always be in my heart. My comfort drama and I also learned many things through OBS. I hope we get more dramas like this in future.Please I want to see dami and wooshik in another drama again😭 really they are so natural with each other, they are perfect.
Also this drama is so relatable like everything is so emotional, relationships in this drama had the best developments, not dramatic but in a realistic way. Also this is so my type of drama, cinematography is so aesthetic and scenes also their arrangement were really good, I noticed during flashbacks there would be flicker effect and many more minute details. Also I like the scenes where they showed their hands while talking, also when yeonsu was crying they focused on the filled basin as it was overflowing, we could see the meaning behind these scenes. Our second leads they were the best, they were respectful towards our leads.
I really really mean this drama is so creative, I could say an art!
Not our usual kdrama I would say.I really really mean this drama is so creative, I could say an art!
Not our usual kdrama I would say.
Was this review helpful to you?
Third Watch, Same Tears, Same Warmth.
Watching Our Beloved Summer for the third time, and it still hits the heart the same way.The story begins when a documentary filmed during high school — featuring two constantly arguing students — suddenly goes viral years later. This forces the male lead and female lead, who had a painful breakup, to meet again and face memories they thought were long buried.
What makes this drama stand out is its simple but deeply emotional storytelling. Instead of relying on dramatic twists, it quietly explores feelings — misunderstandings, regrets, growing up, and the possibility of reconnecting with someone who once meant everything.
The male lead is introverted, awkward, and unintentionally funny, while the female lead is ambitious, confident, and emotionally guarded. Their personalities clash in ways that create many funny, awkward, and painfully relatable moments, yet there is always a warmth between them that never completely disappeared.
The drama shines through its small details:
awkward reunions that slowly become nostalgic
quiet conversations revealing unresolved emotions
playful arguments filled with both humor and tension
and a slow emotional healing between two people rediscovering each other.
Another highlight is the beautiful soundtrack. Songs like Christmas Tree perfectly capture the nostalgic and emotional tone of the story, making many scenes even more memorable.
Even after multiple rewatches, the show still manages to make you laugh, tear up, and feel comforted.
Final Thoughts:
A rare rom-com that feels genuine, warm, and emotionally honest. Our Beloved Summer blends comedy, nostalgia, romance, and great music into a story that feels like revisiting a cherished memory.
A comforting drama with heart, humor, and a soundtrack that stays with you long after the show ends. 🎶
Was this review helpful to you?
My first drama review
This series is the series that caught my breath and made me really invested in kdramas, I've not watched that much kdramas in my life myself but from my experience watching other forms of medias, this drama really depicts how youth and immaturity is supposed to look like.First off, i want to talk about the cast here, the male and female lead of this series are really well written, really well focused. It dives deep into how immature and egoistic the characters can be. Then there's also the supporting characters who continuously supports the plot of the story, a lot of the characters are there to cheer up the atmosphere whenever it gets awkward which is a nice thing to have.
The acting and cinematography are perfect from in my opinion, there are some scenes that just breaks my heart when i was watching it, this series executed the story incredibly. Altough this series is more focused on the romance drama aspect, the comedy in this series is also great in comparison to the main focus of the story.
The cons i feel in the series when i was watching it is that there are too many moments that are dramatize with the OST in the background, the amount of dramatic scene in this series is crazy, but aside from that, the story, characters, execution and everything else was reall good. Overall this series is really fun to watch and i absolutely recommend this to anyone trying to get into kdramas.
Was this review helpful to you?
my comfort show forever>>>
this is one of my all time favourites and take what i say with a grain of salt because i am actually very attached to our beloved summer 😅 it is so emotional and is such a beautiful and realistic representation of a relationship. the story follows 2 students who are polar opposites. they're invited to do a documentary (number 1 student in school and last) and they both annoy each other a lot. later on, a romance buds, things happen and then its 10 yrs later (ik that was an awful synopsis sorry). i love this show with my whole heart and is the perfect slow burn. it isnt rushed and its so comforting, sad and satisfying and sweet all at once. it also, has one of the best confessions i've seen. if u enjoy mellow, slower kdramas with the best romance, some comedy and loveable, relatable characters YOU MUST GIVE IT A GO!!Was this review helpful to you?
Overrated Show
I watched it & finished it without liking the main leads(judge me as I have to have feelings for the oppa before the FL iykwim), much of the plot & loving the OST the most. I didn't go back to it so it's an overrated drama with nothing much memorable to go back to. Maybe it's just me but I don't rate it highly.OST & cinematography of this show is absolutely beautiful, more than the story itself.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
One time watch & it's Internet that's made it cult classic kind of show.
Was this review helpful to you?
