fluffed romance with some twist
●FIRST IMPRESSIONHow was I in my school days I wish I had some photographs of me. its so cool if you have some videos or photos of your school time. with friends. i just have all classmate pics which were given by school, and its enough for me to get nostalgic.
●STORY
The story shows the leads persnality clash since the school days as they are polar oppsite. FL is like running in a competition to exel in her future. ML is simple who lives in present without a worry enjoying the nature.
But the two meet again as the time has brought the two together once again.
●PLOT VIEW
This plot I have seen in many dramas about high school students who turn couples in their adulthood.not just in dramas but in real life too. But this story is diabetic sweet with so many heartwarming and humorous moments. Because its the leads are polar opposite bickering couple. But they create a magical chemistry which is worth watching. Leads set aside their differences and fall in love again understanding the life and its beauty.
It also shows how good grades topper student shows an instance of a good future. And art is seen as a low grade to people with no future. That really needs a change.
Since the start of series it has a pace and surprising events, which is engaging and always make one wait for the next episode. Well am beingeing this because its difficult to resist from watching the next episode
●ACTING/CAST
CWS is the guy next door, who is unattractive, lazy but is kind and enjoys life. He lives his passion and not in any competiotion. CWS as choi Ung is the perfect. I cant take anyone else for this role. The heatwarming epression he delivers is crazy rich with his innocent curvy smile and shy eyes.
KDM is a tough stubborn character. But she looks so beautiful with long hair since I last saw her in Itaewon class. The resilient and cold character suited her as she doesnt smile a lot and has a lot of vigor in her eyes.
●MUSIC
The OST’s are soulful. They enhances the mood of the scene and remains in the mind for a long time.
●REWATCH
Yes am definetely rewatching this. It just reminds me of my first love.
●APPRECIATION
The color palette of scene is so eye-pleasing
The lighting of the rooms, dim, dark has a feeling and mood.
The sketches of CWS is picked carefully and everyone is lovely to see.
●FAV SCENE
Well, there are many and it's difficult to choose one.
I would pick the brooming scene from episode 2
●QUOTES
I love things that don't change but people change or disappear over time
●AFTERTHOUGHT
A fluffy yet emotional love story.
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This review may contain spoilers
A heartwarming kdrama
(minor spoilers on the ending and the characters stories)In my opinion this kdrama was really heartwarming it's simple and peaceful, I love how it explores relationships whether it's platonic or romantic. I loved every single character in this series, I feel like a lot of people found the time skips annoying but while everyone is entitled to their own opinion to me it kind of would've felt odd without it since I felt like that's what the series is all about and why I loved it. The ending was so fulfilling to me all the main characters got their satisfying end, and even the secondary characters that I adored got a satisfying and heartwarming ending. I'm sure that I won't forget about this kdrama any time soon since the characters were not only relatable but really loveable as well.
I loved NJ she's one of my favorite characters in the series at first she come off negatively to me but her story was all about self-confidence, loneliness and living the way you want to live, she struggles with her fame that made her feel lonely and alone, in the end she finally had the courage to be herself and live her life the way she wants to live it, I love the fact that she stood up for herself didn't care about people's opinions and hurtful words.
The main characters and the main couple as well we're really cute even Tho to me they had really different personalities they still were able to overcome challenges and grow as characters and accept each other. I really don't understand how some people dislike her just because she's a second lead doesn't mean she isn't a good character.
Kim Ji-Ung who's a fav of mine as well. his story would probably be relatable to a lot of people, he has negative feelings about his mother and he had every right to resent her since she was neglectful and made him feel only when he was just a child who needed a family a mother to be there for him, to me his choice to take a video about his mother was heartwarming because he did for him, and for hope of forgiving her one day. I liked his ending it was satisfying, and it was really heartwarming seeing him smile for once.
Lee Sol-Yi: I really love her bubbly personality a real esfp. Shes really cute and has a really enjoyable persona and she's an amazing friend that was always there for Yeon-Su. There more to her as well then just being the main characters friend.
Jung Chae-Ran: she's incredibly underrated I love her, she's relatable and mature, she's always there for Kim ji-Ung even when he was struggling.
she wasn't a main character at all, but I still looked forward to her scenes. Her ending was satisfying to me since she was able to confess her feelings, I found it really cute even though it was a short scene it was still realistic in a way.
The rest of the characters all stood out to me as well but if I start talking about how much I love the other characters then this review will be really long XD.
If you love a peaceful slice of life kdrama about relationships, familial problems, love, personal conflicts, personal growth, youth and friendships then you'll love this kdrama :)
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Courage to take chance on love, once again
Acting:I loved all the characters, both the leads and support, since they complemented the story well and everyone portrayed their character perfectly to the extent you get carried away with their emotions while watching the drama.
The music:
OST ... Absolutely beautiful, perfect timing, and giving an extra emotion to the scene shown. And as an Army myself Christmas tree was just the perfect addition to this drama, maybe I'm a little biased here😉.
The story:
The story depicts various shades of love throughout the episodes, whether it is the first love as high school students, more mature love once they grow older, when there is one sided love, the love between friends and the love of family, and the love for oneself.
Through the documentary these different tones of love can easily be seen and identified, however as they say, there is a reason why roses have thorns, because holding something so truly beautiful as love comes also with sacrifices and sometimes heartaches too.
Overall:
I highly recommend this drama. You're lucky to binge watch it if you like. I had to wait for a whole week to continue the story as I have watched it as it was airing.
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I think it's the best romance-comedy in this year?
Background:I don't like watching pure romance or romance comedy-drama ONLY IF there isn't my favorite actress as the lead. So, what brought me here is to see Jeong Eui (Hong Shi Ah from 18 Again). I have never thought I would love this drama at that time.
These are what I felt when watching this drama:
a. Pros
- This drama is so funny. The comedy scenes look seamless and natural.
- The relationship conflicts are cute yet stabbing my heart deeply.
- The romance plot went up-down-down-up-down-up-up so that the watchers can't guess what will happen next.
- The chemistry between Kook Yeon Su and Choi Ung looks beautiful.
- Supporting characters really shine with their own comedy lines.
- No obsessive or aggressive characters. Just kind of triangle-love and unrequited love. Yes, it's a more realistic way.
- Jeong Eui executed her role very well!
- Kook Yeon Su's coldness made the romance aspect alive.
b. Cons
- The plot went boring slowly in the last two episodes (this is a normal thing in romance drama though). It's hard to finish the drama until the end if we're late to watch. It's recommended to watch the last two episodes right after you finish the 13th episode (binge-watching).
- There's one major unsolved plot that I can't mention here because this is a spoiler-free review but it's not a big deal, you can still enjoy the ending.
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An enthralling drama <3
To be honest I picked up this drama because of Kim Da Mi and Choi Woo Shik, a pair I never knew I needed to ship! As I watched the drama I realised how much intriguing their character's life was for me and I wanted to find out the reasons behind their choices.Story- 10/10
High school sweethearts meeting again to film a documentary again as the previous one went viral. So raw and pure. I loved that. I am really addicted to the concepts of second chances and I was lured into due to that haha! I had to give it A 10. I was so much invested in this plot and till the end it didn't disappoint me. It was magical. Every character had their own stories to tell and I was very happy to hear that from each of them. The story was realistic and I could empathize with their feelings when they felt happy, sad or mad. It was all so beautifully portrayed! I truly adored it.
Cast- 10/10
I have seen Kim da Mi in Itaewon so I was actually excited to watch her in this. Now I don't think I can see anyone else doing the role of Yeon Soo as better as her. Same goes for Choi Woo Shik (irresistible Choi Woong) . I haven't seen his any other drama yet but now I will surely add his drama in my watchlist! He was adorable but the most important aspect of his character was neatly portrayed. Not going to ignore Kim Sung Chul (our lovely Ji woong) and Roh Jeong Eui ( our sweet NJ) since their stories were equally and beautifully portrayed through the plot, making us love them much more by the end of the drama. I liked how all supporting characters were given equally screen time for their stories to be narrated in front of audience. I personally could relate to Yeon Soo and felt her emotion through. It was endearing to see such a great cast.
Music -10/10
Okay so I had already decided to give music section a 10 right after I heard the intro song "Our beloved summer" by Kim Kyung Hee. That's how captivating it was! The music was beyond my expectations and I love all the soundtracks played. They were played accurately when it was necessary. It was not excessive nor too less. Since I love music personally I adored all the songs.
Rewatch Value -10/10
Let me tell you the reason. It is simple. This k-drama has that power to make you rewatch it again and again. I am not a fan of rewatching kdramas or literally anything but I feel I can rewatch this drama easily. I loved it that much that I would love to go through the same feelings and venture through the story of Yeon Soo and Choi Woong again and again. They have that effect on me. Maybe it is because of the plot, realistic yet beautiful. The messages in this kdrama were actually valuable. Besides, who would not want to watch two people who were once in love, meet again in different circumstances and understand the reasons behind their fallout in the first place?
Overall- 10/10
I would recommend this for people who like to view a realistic approach of the feelings one have for another one. I could feel the rawness and pureness of the characters and so people who seem to like that touch to a drama may enjoy it! And also who enjoys stories of second leads and side couples. I surely did love them. This drama made me feel emotions. It was relatable and touching for me.
Ps: this is my second review I have ever given and I might make corrections as times passes by (Sorry if I made any mistakes). Till then happy watching :) <3
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this drama is so beautiful!
I can say that Our Beloved Summer is the best drama I’ve ever watched.This drama is so well written. The chemistry between the actors is on another level. There are bitter moments, sweet moments, funny moments. You can enjoy it all in this drama. The cinematography and the ost are masterpiece. A lot of lessons you can find in this drama and I feel like I growth with them. All of the characters are lovable and because of the pov we can understand all of the characters feeling. The problem is so relatable. I don’t know, I just want to say that this drama is a masterpiece.
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An exceptional work of craftsmanship from script to casting to direction to acting
“Those who do cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - Harvard philosophy professor George SantayanaSometimes we hear these phrases, like the one above and others, and they sound wise at first glance so we accept them as wholly and universally true. But if there is a whole and universal truth, it is much more likely that there are no whole and universal truths (except for, paradoxically, this one). “Our Beloved Summer” is a show about repeating the past - Woong and Yeon Soo having different values and backgrounds but loving each other despite them. In their past, the differences overcame them and they could not stay together.
Ironically, it was impossible for Woong and Yeon Soo not to remember their past as it was filmed in a documentary which remained popular into their adulthood. Can their familiarity with the past help them not to repeat it? That’s not really the issue though, whether for them or anyone else. Knowing the past but not recognizing how to change the present and future is useless.
The show isn’t built around the soundtrack like an idol drama, nor does it feature innovative or elaborate production design or wardrobe. But the crew for these elements were terrific. V’s “Christmas Tree” was one of many outstanding songs featured. The wardrobe for Woong in particular was stellar. And the locations where this show was shot were tops.
Woong is almost a polar opposite, on the exterior, of a typical male lead. Outwardly, he’s lazy and a coward. In the hands of a less talented actor than Choi Woo Shik, Woong could have been a disaster of a character and sunk the show. But this performance is mesmerizing and further solidifies Choi Woo Shik’s status as one of the most talented actors of any age and hailing from anywhere. That Woong is talented as an artist is made clear from early on but it is his inner emotional strength, that he will shrug off his own troubles and stand beside and lift up someone else who is suffering is where Woong really shines as a character.
If there’s a trope that “Our Beloved Summer” fails to avoid, it’s that if the two main characters had simply communicated openly and honestly with each other, they could have avoided many of their troubles. Well, hard to avoid here since the foundation of the story is that they’re separated after a five year relationship. But the show misses when it spends almost its entire first half focusing on the narrative primarily from Woong’s perspective. Yeon Soo’s inner thoughts are only momentarily illuminated until after the midpoint. The result is that she’s portrayed as an unapologetic bad guy between the two and Woong is the innocent victim. While the reality is that she did break things off, there’s much more nuance to Yeon Soo but it’s not revealed for a long stretch.
Once “Our Beloved Summer” delves further into Yeon Soo’s character, however, she comes alive as a layered character, tragically unselfaware while driven and loyal and smart. As the show proceeds, particularly in the final few episodes, Kim Da Mi’s portrayal gets better and better. She deftly alternates between lighter humorous scenes and raw emotional displays. There are probably examples of a finer pair of performances by both male and female leads in a production, but none spring to mind immediately.
The two secondary leads, unfortunately, do not leave the same impression. Kim Sung Chul and Roh Jeong Nui are both fine actors and perform admirably. The characters they play, however, are lackluster. Kim Sung Chul’s Ji Woong is an emotionally stunted friend of the main characters that is effective only briefly as a prop to move the arc forward between Woong and Yeon Soo. His own storyline is far and away the least compelling portion of the production. Meanwhile, Roh Jeong Nui’s NJ is an atypical idol with a crush on Woong. She has a brief but unnecessary subplot of her own that primarily just whets a viewer’s appetite for a return to focusing on any other part of the show.
An additional note is that “Our Beloved Summer” has one of the finest supporting cast ensembles of any show. If there is an easy layup in drama casting, it is to always, whenever possible, include Park Jin Joo as the female lead’s quirky bff. She’s as marvelous as ever here. But there’s standout performances as well from Ahn Dong Goo as Woong’s manager, Seo Jung Yeon and Park Won Sang as Woong’s parents, Jo Bok Rae as a senior television producer, Jung Kang Hee as a neighborhood hardware store owner and the sublime Kwak Dong Yeon makes several guest appearances as a fellow/rival artist to Woong.
Kim Yoon Jin nails how to handle the key emotional scenes. He lets the actors take over. The soundtrack takes a pause. There’s no moving cameras. The best example is the scene at the end of episode 11 where Yeon Soo struggles to find the words she wants to say to Woong. Technically, it is as simply presented a scene as a viewer will find. But it is an emotional powerhouse of a scene. Narratively, the show only strengthens as it nears its end. It continues to deliver humor, warmth and tenderness until its final moments.
If “Our Beloved Summer” were to be summed up in a single word, it would be warmth. We can all use more of that and so it is most highly recommended.
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One for the new age
First few things that caught my eye:It was a nice production, drama was shot very tastefully. Choice of music and art direction were very new age, encapsulating the current trends.
Script at the beginning episodes were interesting as it does not have the typical ‘dragging’ and repetitive dialogues, they were bit more realistic and straightforward. That kept me watching…
Then it became obvious that the main characters were a reflection of the ideal life the young adults dreamt of these days.
Not a fan and absolutely didn’t like the idea that the writer/director was affirming the concept of it’s okay to put in minimal effort in life as one could still be successful and be ‘special’ somehow and to top it, one could still live a very comfortable life (luxury lifestyle) yet without needing to worry about any finances struggle at all. The mentality and attitude of the lead actors were really misleading and disturbing.
This is the concept I grasped from this show:
“It’s okay to live in the world of your ‘perfect’ bubble cause the world and everyone else will give in and see you as the special one.“
This is such a misleading concept to promote and encourage. Second lead however had a more realistic side and depth. But I can see why it gained a lot of supports and views but this is nothing but a nice facade. Just like the main character
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This review may contain spoilers
Great OST not a fan of the characters and story
I won't say I don't recommend it because it's honestly not bad it's just not my cup of tea.So I watched until episode 13 and I wasn't sure if I would like it at first from the first couple of episodes but I gave it a chance anyway.
First, the stuff I enjoyed. I enjoy the OST and the cinematography. The characters are likeable, it has an enjoyable vibe and I like how it has a documentary style like lovestruck in the city. I like how we got to see them from their high school days and how they kind of did like a remake to see where they are now. Just because yeon soo did well in school didn't make her as successful as she thought and just because choi woon wanted to live a calm and quiet life it didn't make him unsuccessful.
The stuff I didn't enjoy. I like the male lead, choi woong, but it did get on my nerves that even how he was treated by yeon soo, the female lead he still went back to her. Yeon soo got on my nerves from the very beginning then after awhile she wasn't that bad and I did like her but I just don't like how she treated choi woong and acts like she didn't hurt him and feels hurt after she thought he moved on. I know they did explain her reasoning but I don't think it justifies the way she treated him and broke up with him (Unless I might have missed something though so my bad).
I did try to get into it and I only got to episode 13 because I thought I could keep giving it a chance and sort of forced myself (I just sped it up honestly) and I don't like to leave dramas on unfinished but I just don't feel motivated to finish this one. Like I said it isn't bad just isn't for me. I'm dropping it for now but I'll probably go back to finish it because there's only like 3 episodes left.
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Very lacklustre
I'm a huge fan of sappy KDs, so it took me by surprise when this one didn't hit me quite in the spot. The acting from each cast member was flawless, but the storyline and lack of character development in the earlier episodes was such a wasted opportunity. I think I must've only been 4-6 episodes in when I sort of wanted to give up watching. It also didn't help that I found NJ's character to be extremely superficial and annoying. It brought back memories of IU's character in the 2015 drama "The Producer", who I can't say I also liked. Anyways, I think the point I wanted to make was that if you're willing to sit through hours watching two former flames bickering, making up, acting petty, finding themselves through the lens of each other, and living very mundane lifestyles, then this is your kind of KD. I totally get that the themes of this KD is young love, forgiveness, self-development and rekindling, but what use is it if everyone nearing the age of 30 in the KD is going through teenage angst, and the characters do nothing but feign ignorance most of the time?Was this review helpful to you?
Messy, Real, and Beautifully Human
Our Beloved Summer is cute, charming, and quietly profound. The entire cast delivers, but the secondary couple adds so much humor and warmth — their chemistry is underrated. Park Jin-joo absolutely steals scenes; she’s hilarious yet deeply genuine, bringing emotional depth beneath the laughs.What makes this drama stand out is how it tackles feelings of insecurity and inferiority without losing its light tone. It reminds you that love isn’t about perfection — it’s about acceptance, vulnerability, and growth. By the end, you’ll feel seen, understood, and maybe a little nostalgic for your own “what if” moments.
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This review may contain spoilers
I wish my summer was beloved too
Feb. 20, 2022Oh damn, another drama done on my ever-growing list of k-dramas. I can't believe it’s done. Our Beloved Summer is one of the few dramas where I will excuse the "break up" parts because it is so well thought out and not like those unnecessary breakups in other dramas.
The chemistry is splendid, I think that the male lead and female lead were able to convey the emotions needed. I like how the acting is just appropriate and the casts were not overacting or underacting. Also, the documentary movie was so cute as well. I kinda skipped it through while watching since I cannot find the subtitles. But I'll edit this review, once I find the subtitle for their move.
Ji-ung is the character that I have a lot to talk about. For me, I relate heavy to his story so maybe this is why he captured my heart and my attention throughout the whole series. Yes, it is hard to accept parents who have neglected you throughout your whole life. I also understand why he felt that way. I just wanna hug him so bad cause he needs it so much. Thank god, he was able to find some sense of family with Ung's parents. I really hope that Ji-ung was given a solid partner, but I'll settle for the hint that the directors gave away.
I guess the moral of the story is: cherish your life and live as if it is you're last...
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