Summit of Our Youth

Amazing story with great characters, but then came the ending

The show was pretty good. The characters were so good and the starting episodes were very interesting and inspiring. The whole drama had a really good vibe. The actors did a really great job at portraying their characters.
The drama had pictured really nice and important phases of a person's life. The overall character building and story building was amazing.

Second chance at life done right could have been the perfect title for this.

And then came the downfall.
Everything else was good until the very last episode, in fact last 15minutes made the whole show go down the drain.

They could've ended the show after the first half of last episode, but no, they had to shove the disappointment onto us that they have done such a worst possible thing to the ending. It was perfect until the last 15mins. The last few minutes of this drama made the whole story pointless.
Just for the sake of ML and FL to grow their love and bond stronger they just threw down every other character's story down the drain.
That's literally the worst possible ending anyone could give to a show which had very nice actors, and a great hype.

The last few minutes made such a huge impact to the show that any person who sees this will literally hate the writer/the director. Only if those last few minutes were cut out in the editing, we would've got the perfect ending.

The whole show was worth binge watching, except the ending.

Read More

perfect example of a good story messed up by the ending.

This drama had so much potential, and for the most part, it delivered — until the last few episodes completely derailed the story. The premise of a girl going back in time to fix her past mistakes and change her future isn’t exactly new, but it was still engaging and handled well in the beginning.

For most of the show, I was invested. I loved seeing the female lead work hard to improve herself, mend her family relationships, and support her friends. The writers went into such great detail about her career journey, her growth as a person, her college friendships, and even her family dynamics. Watching her succeed through hard work and perseverance was so satisfying — and seeing how she inspired her friends to reach their own goals made it even better.

And then… the ending happened.
Everything we watched — all of her progress, all of her friends’ growth, her brother finally believing in himself — turned out to be meaningless because it was all just a dream. Her family went back to being poor, her brother was back to his insecure self, and none of the hard work we witnessed mattered. It made the entire journey feel pointless and incredibly frustrating.

The male lead’s storyline wasn’t much better. His whole goal in going back was to save his best friend’s life, which felt like such an emotional and meaningful mission. And he succeeded — for a while. But when he returned to the present, his friend was dead again. So, all that effort and emotional investment were for nothing. The male lead also ended up in a completely different career path because of his friend’s death, which might have been interesting… except it didn’t matter either, because nothing truly changed. It was just heartbreaking and hollow. The only “consolation” we got was that both leads remember what happened. Honestly, who cares if they remember, if nothing actually happened?

To make matters worse, the second male lead’s character was completely butchered at the end. He started out as a happy-go-lucky, slightly lazy guy who gradually became more focused and driven, while still staying true to his personality. Instead of continuing that growth, they suddenly turned him into a bitter, doom-and-gloom businessman obsessed with the female lead, throwing away his own happiness for a love that was never reciprocated.

This felt so unnecessary and out of character. His arc should have been about letting go, moving on, and maybe finally pursuing his dream of becoming a basketball player. Instead, we got a scene of him crying about how she was “all he had,” as if he didn’t have a loving, supportive father and a best friend who had always been there for him. It didn’t make sense, and rather than feeling empathy for his situation, I just felt frustrated and sad that the writers did him so dirty.

Final Thoughts:
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this drama for most of its run. The first half was solid, and even up until the proposal, it was still really good. But the last two to three episodes completely undid everything that came before.

If you decide to watch, I honestly recommend stopping after the proposal or skipping the final few episodes. You’ll save yourself a lot of heartbreak and frustration.

It’s worth the watch for the journey — just don’t expect a satisfying destination.

Read More

Oh my..

Summit of Our Youth started a little strong, but quickly stablelized and continued at a smooth pace. The actors were great, the story was interesting, and the production was good. It's one of the better dramas that I've seen this year.
I was so happy that Gu Xue Jiao was trying to help those around her, even those who wronged her in the original timeline.
Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua were so fricking cute!!! I really loved their relationship and, honestly, was kind of envious lol.
I was over the moon to see them live the life they deserved! Which is why the last episode was such a punch in the gut!!!! WTH? They were happy, the people around them were happy, the new timeline was just filled with happiness, so why??! Well, at least Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua still have each other, right? That's all that matters.

I'm still rather perplexed...
But! Regardless of the ending, Summit of Our Youth really is a wonderful drama, and I would recommend it to everyone who reads this.

Read More

i really liked this!! it was so fluffy and cute

main characters areadorable together !! the casting is immaculate. both are so good looking on their own and they suit each other soo well
i love how gu xuejie remained dedicated to her goals and didn't allow romance to lead her astray the second time around, but rather allowed it to further her progress. lin zhihua was the biggest green flag ever and treated her so well!! the pacing felt very natural and i loved seeing them fall for each other. i really enjoyed the studying aspect as well, it motivated me to et to work :)
the only thing i disliked was the shiyun plotline. halfway through i just started entirely skipping all her scenes. very veryyy unsuccessful revamp
though the ending was rushed, i thoroughly enjoyed the entire series, hence the 8/10

Read More

DO NOT WATCH THIS WITHOUT READING THIS REVIEW

I SINCERELY REGRET WATCHING THIS WHILE ONGOING. AND EVEN THO I WAITED FOR LIKE 2 DAYS AFTER THE FINAL EPISODE CAME, DUE TO MY EXAMS I DIDN'T READ ANY REVIEW CUZ I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SPOILER. I'll try to keep it short. It starts with a great concept of MC and ML time-travelling back and together building a better life, constantly influencing each other to better themselves and everyone around them to create a happy future for all. The entire show ML was good, and overall, the show is great; even the side characters are well written. The only reason for me to give a low rating on rewatch and story is the fucking ending. Due to China's ban on time-travelling in shows, they messed up the ending, and by "messed up" I don't mean the entire last episode, just the last few mins. If anyone would like to watch it, I would recommend stopping exactly at the scene in the car where they start focusing on the date of their time-travelling in the last episode. From there on is downhill.

Read More

Could have been even better if

So personally, this could have been even better for mainly 2 reasons, I’ll develop below.

1) Thoughts for eps 1-13 :

Let’s start with some like :
- I find both leads likeable characters.
- Good chemistry between the leads. I enjoy and always wait for their interactions. I have some good scenes in mind, like :
* When he saved her in woods, after her talking to him when he was in the bathroom (thinking it was her girl friend)
* When she was in his house, looking at pictures and all with his parents, that was pretty fun
* when her brother was drunk and they went home together. FL falling, him catching (a cliché, but we still love it), etc..
* In the lab, the scene on the chair
* In ep 13, her drunk. They were cute, piggyback ridding her, the little kiss
- FL is cute, beautiful and ML is handsome, he looks manly. He looked very good in that blue suit (dont remember the episode). He is kind, supportive and has good qualities. Husband material. They are a good match and even the actors fit together
- I appreciate how they showed us early on that ML also « timed travel » and he remembers. In some drama with similar plot that I saw before, we only know FL did and at the end she randomly meet ML again and we are supposed to believe it’s « him ». Makes more sense like this in here.
- also interesting that ML found out in ep 13 that FL went back. But, her saying that if he was the one from the future, she would never never like him, I feel incoming problems
- this has some fun moments and some good friendship moment. I like Gao Rui and FL’s friend who cook.
- It was good seeing FL change her fate, motivation, studying hard and finally getting into the university of her choice,
- As of now, FL is not going in the way of forgiven and staying friend with that snake ex friend
- FL’s family

So now, what is going wrong in this drama that make it loose some point for me :
A) FL’s ex best friend and brother : If you add some side couples, I will include them in my rating. totally unlikable and uninteresting story. Like who wants to see a the romance for that bitch and sometimes they have a lot of screentime. We have seen how she is and what she did in future and all, totally a fake friend who stabs you in the back. Now she has a sad story with the mom and they will maybe try to redeem her. Don’t know what they are trying to do with her character, but I feel 0 sympathy for her. We know the brother is dump and have low EQ, but seeing him go again and again after her is just side eyes. Even more after she tried to hurt his sister and bro doesn’t care, he still wants her. Like come on. Having such a bad second couple is unfortunate. No idea if this is in the book, but another couple instead of those two or even putting more in the spotlight the potential ML’s friend and his cousin would have been better. These 2 are lovely characters and just little crumbs so far, would have been such a better second couple, they deserve more screentime.
B) Lurking SML : bro is not taking the hint. He is still chasing FL and sometimes interrupts the moments between the leads. His presence give nothing to me but annoyance. If I was FL, I wouldn’t spend a second with him after going back in the past. I know he is the one going to see her and all, but she still spend time with him (like in the cafeteria for exemple or her birthday : ML getting her a cake and SML randomly came interrupt their moment and he just stayed with them ???). Let’s see how it goes, I just hope it’s not gonna be like this till the end. Give him another love interest or make FL already proper reject him or something. That was my rant, sorry ahaha it’s just these SML with one-side who can’t take the hint or still continue after being told no, just touch a nerves on me for some reason😅😅😅😅 and if for this character, it feels like his hole personality is going after the FL, what an uninspiring and boring character, let’s see what they do with him later

So, I would probably rate it for now 8-8,5/10

To Be continued…

2) Second half 14-24 + ending :

ep 15 : officialy together. 2 years time jump

Read More

Relish second chances and relationships, and don't forget the family!

From Episodes 1 to 15, this comedy-drama with a large chunk of romance is light, fun, yet realistic and plays out like a delightful puzzle connecting many hearts while hopefully inspiring viewers to study hard, cherish relationships and patiently consider the factors which influence personal choices. What if you had a second chance to change what you once did in school, for a future in university and beyond?

Gu Xuejiao decides to take charge of second chances and embrace certain changes. Along the way, our lovable heroine's story interweaves and unfolds alongside the stories of her brother, her choice of tutor (Lin Zhihua), and certain friends including those who are not kind to her. Adapting a novel to screen isn't easy for multiple characters necessary to each other, especially with only 23 episodes. However, screenwriter Lan Baise and Director Cai Cong keep a streamlined focus on character development and relationships while incorporating plot devices alongside engaging wordplay. Peanuts are heartwarming positivity. Coding takes on a completely new meaning when verbally discussed. Finding friends to rely upon, sharing camaraderie and jokes and more- This drama might give you ideas and courage in overcoming obstacles.

A crucial factor for this drama involves the different parents of the five characters with the biggest screentimes in this drama, whereby these parents leave their impact on those children and in turn, also influences individuality of each character when it comes to relationships. Across 15 episodes, why each of the five characters turned out the way they did or once made specific choices will become clearer. Gu Xuejiao and Gu Mingze are fortunate in ways which the likes of Lin Zhihua and Zhou Shiyun are not. One specific relationship might make some viewers question why it even happens. Second chances take time depending on emotional wounds, and some people need more time than others... Especially when you consider the kind of parents you might be fortunate to have versus the parents which children don't deserve to suffer or be controlled by.

Sun Zhenni is happily relishing this role whereby she is not afraid to be whatever her character needs (reminding one of Carole Lombard from the Golden Age of Hollywood), and shines as Gu Xuejiao in a naturally expressive manner wielding delicate restraint in selected moments. Chen Jingke is the perfect foil and might make you see spectacles in a totally different light. "Relish" is the keyword here, whereby the cast is clearly having a blast acting out their individual quirks and emotions in this drama. Their synergy flows, and the end result is fresh while not taking itself too seriously with just the right touch of exaggeration or subtlety where needed, while aiming to address life through different perspectives with different personalities.

The full OST of 21 songs encapsulates a slice of time in life, whereby you will want to enjoy halcyon days and achieve your goals and be in school again... Breathing in the perfume of possibilities and romance amidst a fresh field of flowers or bouncy summer humidity. 《无效》 by 孙郎朗Billy is the rap song that might have you bopping along mentally, spreading good vibes. Wanting good things to happen to everybody is a noble kind aspiration to share via a drama. Will the characters leave you wanting to have good things happen for others, making good on second chances? All I can say is... Peanuts.

花生花生好事发生!

ETA: For the remaining eight episodes, currently no comments.

Read More

The thing I felt

All episodes were gr8 according to me but thing I didn't like is the last episodes seems empty like 😕
though the dream was gr8 but in end they do meet in lift agn as lovers but not like gr8 one happy ending I wished it cld have been better with time travel thing too!! Yeah the kissing scene doesn't seem that gr8 though they were nice and story too...I thought shld have ep 24 on contrary as the last showing both first and second lead endings gr8...!! the time travels drama always seems like a dream u enjoy but the reality is different in the drama like whyy...the cast and all were gr8 and story too but I wld like everyone to focus on the main points in the review which are common in every one and in end I wld say that drama was good however it was I liked it the story the actor and actress and play and the story which was played in dream...I wld say not good but not bad!!!

Read More

Good until the 20th episode!!

* Cast was amazing, undoubtedly.
* Storyline was going nice if considered a fictional drama. The ML and FL had nice chemistry.
* For me, a nice happy ending means everything settled with all pieces of life put together perfectly, even though its just not possible in reality but the fact is that this is a drama not reality.
* I know going back in past is not possible but it is still acceptable form a drama's pov. Everything was nicely put together up until the 20th episode and I liked it.

I was happy until the scene where the past life lover heard their conversation and then came the leap. That was horrible and honestly I don't know how to express that all in words,

Maybe I should have read the reviews first.

I never write reviews but I had to since this series was too much.

Read More

Ingore low ratings Really good and cute couple

this show is a 10 on 10 , the low rating is only based on the ending which is 1%of the whole show , y'all should be glad that mc doesn't die or breakup in end and people rating this low only because of the ending ,

my opinion on ending - I recently rated a drama 1 then 5-7 on different places and story actually sucks and the ml dies in the end , so 1-5 isn't wrong to rate that one , but this one only in the end they suddenly come back in time which I thought was unnecessary, because most of these time travel I have read in MANWHA so they do no go back to original world I just accept whatever it is I actually do not like this past time travel plot but I'm watching anyway since this is trend now , the first 20 eps seem pointless if they come back but the focus of the story wasn't to end some tragedy but blossom of romance which happened so you can't say that they won't come back if they can go back in time they can come back too, I actually enjoyed this drama as much I have HIDDEN LOVE AND FLY TOWARDS YOU it's not one of my favourite but definitely to be in top and ratings between 9-10 since there's no unnecessary drama or anything annoying , y'all also don't understand that she lost her identity? she came back to future with her memory so how can that be lost of identity? she is has new identity,she would probably go back working or won't have issues since she's more capable,and another thing she has a fiance? not bf but fiance? she already has no issues for her future it doesn't matter if they come back in time

Read More