This review may contain spoilers
That Summer the Waves Brought Them Together
'That Summer', first things first, I really love the title. There's something about summer- it's fleeting, short-lived, but maybe that's what makes it all the more beautiful and of course, hotter too. A love named after that season, just like the season itself, feels like an escapade, you know a little world apart where everything is more intense, more emotional, and more unforgettable. And this series is really good- execution wise as well as plot wise.Davin, a prince who loses his memory after an accident, ends up being saved by Lava, a rebellious kid sent to live with his uncle for three months as a punishment. And that's where everything begins. Lava names the stranger "Wave" because, as he says, "The waves brought you to me." and their story quickly becomes a mix of bickering, teasing, and unexpectedly tender moments in between. Lava is a total tsundere- sharp, sarcastic, but secretly soft- and Wave, even without his memories, still has his princely charm and playful sass. And he is so damn cute. Like even when he is glaring at Lava, all I could see was cuteness. Their bickerings were hilarious but when they actually care for each other, it was genuinely heart melting. And after Wave and Lava finally acknowledge their feelings for each other, the story just gets sweeter and more layered. Their relationship blossoms from playful teasing into genuine intimacy, both emotionally and, at times, physically, but always in that heart-melting way. The cute bickering doesn't disappear- it just transforms into a comfortable, teasing language that only they share. Also, I absolutely loved the coming out scene of Prince Davin.
The side story with Lava's uncle Pheng and his doctor boyfriend Wut is sweet yet layered with it's own complexities. Wut's desire to live openly- no longer hiding who they are or what they mean to each other clashes gently with Pheng's hesitation and need for privacy. Still, instead of pushing, Wut chooses understanding Their relationship is filled with quiet but meaningful gestures. Their journey from hiding to being official was really worth watching.
Other side characters also add depth and fun. Tum, the wannabe influencer, is hilariously entertaining, and his interactions with Kratae, the kind nurse, creates a fun bickering dynamic. Also, the setting is gorgeous, the vibes are nostalgic, and the whole story just in a way sticks with you, at least it did with me. Recommended!!!
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Sun-Kissed Romance
Most definitely, this series carried such a summery vibe all throughout. From the warm cinematography and the playful color grading to the breezy locations, everything screamed sunshine and romance. And of course, the hot scenes between Winny and Satang added that extra spark. It was refreshing to see them step into more mature roles, really leaning into those steamy love scenes that pushed their chemistry to the next level. Now, I’ll admit—the acting wasn’t perfect. There were moments where it could’ve been sharper, but honestly, their chemistry more than made up for it, plus they both register so well on camera. Story‑wise, it follows the familiar rom‑com BL formula we’ve seen before, so I really did not expect major twists or reinventions. But what kept me hooked was the way it was narrated—the pacing, the vibe, the way the visuals tied everything together. The colors, the atmosphere, the whole aesthetic gave it a charm that made the series enjoyable despite its predictability. So yeah, while it’s not a masterpiece, it’s definitely a fun watch if you’re in the mood for something light, romantic, and visually pleasing. I’d land it at a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars—worth the ride for the chemistry and the summer glow it brings.Was this review helpful to you?
A Warm Island Romance That Feels Like a Summer Breeze
Finally, after so many supporting roles, Winny and Satang shine in their first main roles and they absolutely deliver. Satang as Wave and Winny as Lava are such a joy to watch. Their chemistry feels natural and effortless, and the way their relationship shifts from teasing and bickering to genuine care is heartwarming to see.I love how That Summer breaks away from the usual university BL setting. The island atmosphere adds a refreshing, breezy charm that perfectly fits the story’s lighthearted tone. It’s fun, simple, and easy to enjoy, a perfect weekend comfort series.
Surprisingly, my favorite couple is the second one, Dr. Wut and Uncle Pheng. Their chemistry is undeniable, yet their love story carries a quiet sadness. Poor Dr. Wut, forced to hide his relationship, while Pheng clearly has his own reasons for keeping things secret. Their moments together add depth and emotional weight to the show.
Overall, That Summer is another solid GMMTV production. It doesn’t rely on heavy drama or complex twists but instead captures the beauty of connection, healing, and love that grows naturally under the summer sun.
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Positives:
- The story is fun , exploring identity, friendships, trust and belonging.
- The show does not use excessive filters on the actors skin, leaving it looking natural.
- The couple dynamics are heartwarming and have some moments that are relatable and realistic.
- It has a nice balance between serious scenes and playful moments.
- Winnys character is portrayed realistically, being awkward at first and avoiding his feelings to then becoming protective and allowing his true feelings to be seen. He starts thinking about his lifestyle and choices differently after getting into a long term relationship.
-The Kiss scenes are sweet and believable without being stiff or forced.
Negatives:
- The political story elements were not overly interesting to me, becoming repetitive.
- The story does not go too deep and is best viewed as a light/casual drama.
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1A summer drama that looks better than it feels with paper-thin plot!
This is one of those dramas that walks in looking like a vibrant summer postcard and then quietly hands you… a plot that feels like it’s still on vacation. The set-up was promising. Lava, a moody teenager with emotional turbulence, is shipped off to an island to “reform” while living with his uncle. He meets Wave, a mysterious nan who was washed up on the shore and is memoryless.Honestly, the drama has all the right ingredients. From identity secrecy to trauma and a prince in disguise, everything that you need for a good romance but somehow it lacks any depth and the emotional payoff is scant at its best.
Lava as a character, was one of the stronger elements, at least initially. He was prickly, resentful and lonely without fully admitting it. His moments with Wave were nice. But once the novelty of their connection settles, Lava’s characterisation hits a plateau. He reacts, he broods, he protects but he doesn’t evolve in any meaningful way. The script seems afraid to let him feel anything sharper than mild irritation or vague affection, which is a shame because his backstory had real potential for emotional bite.
On the other hand, Wave is introduced as this gentle enigma...vulnerable, soft-spoken and tender in a way that contrasts nicely with Lava’s volatility. But somehow the shallow writing doesn't give him anything. He feels like he was written to be more pretty than complex. And when I say complex, I don't mean complication, but to have a personality. Somehow, his entire personality revolved around being Lava's boyfriend. Remove that from the equation, and we barely know him. A prince stripped of memory should have been an emotional goldmine that could have been banked, but he was the least developed character of them all.
Their chemistry is… fine. But it lacks the intensity that would make their relationship compelling. Because the writing doesn’t challenge them enough, their bond feels like it’s floating instead of anchoring the drama. The drama seemed to be content with stolen glances, soft touches, and scenic silences. They were definitely beautiful but not necessarily meaningful. It’s the kind of romance that looks great in screenshots but feels lighter than expected when actually watching.
Another thing after the one-dimensional character was the pacing and conflict resolution. Some dramas try to reach for depth but this felt like it didn't even try. Every time the story tries to approach something heavy, it quickly backs away, scared and cuts to another scenic shot of the ocean hoping the view will distract us. The amnesia angle is treated similarly. It could have offered emotional depth, intense internal conflict and even moral dilemmas, but it’s used more for cute moments than meaningful character exploration. It almost works too, because the drama is visually stunning, just not enough to mask how hollow the narrative can feel.
There is a difference between calm storytelling and lethargic repetitive storytelling and this often tips into the latter. Conflicts appear out of nowhere and resolve themselves even faster.
Another missed opportunity was Wave’s royal background. This could have easily added layers of conflict with power dynamics or social pressure or the weight of public expectations, but we never truly delved into any of that. It did come but very late and seemed a little too convenient and last minute.
As for the second couple… I did enjoy their love story. The closeted uncle Pheng and Doc Wut. I loved how gentle and understanding Doc was of Pheng and his circumstances. Their relationship had real ups and downs that actually made sense for who they are and it all felt genuinely real instead of forced.
Acting-wise, I have mixed feelings about the leads. I have seen them in their previous dramas, but somehow the charm was missing. I don't know if writing was the problem. I hope we get to see more of Winny and Satang but with a better script. Mond and Ryu were a nice surprise. Neo was also very "himself" here. Never a dull moment when he was on screen.
Production and cinematography were the biggest strengths of this drama. It was visually gorgeous. The beach scenes, the atmosphere, the warm colour grading just matched the overall vibe and elevated in what ways it could...everything was crafted with such aesthetic care that it’s almost frustrating how little emotional weight the story carries.
Overall, while this is an easy watch where you can keep your brain aside and just watch, it doesn't stick. It gets cute, sometimes comforting but it feels hollow. I know the review sounds harsh but that's how my watching experience was. I binged the first 8 episodes, so I can't even recommend binging. Maybe weekly watchers might have a different experience. Not terrible, just underdeveloped.
Thank you for reading my review!<3 I hope you enjoy/enjoyed it more than me.
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Everything Went Right
A pleasant surprise from GMMTV's 2025 lineup that I didn't expect to touch my heart as much as it did. The premise is very simple and actually not that original compared to what you'll see in the entertainment industry, yet it's effective. The plot is solid and doesn't drag or stray from its original course. The few subplots that are introduced are not taking any unnecessary space or affect the narrative. The story remains loyal to its genre, with romance being the main focus from start to finish, and everything feels very natural and down to earth. The dialogues, the character growth, the reactions and interactions between characters are all organically developed.As for the characters themselves, they are very lovable and multidimensional. They are not perfect or how a person is supposed to act or be. They are very human; they feel real. I also want to point out how important and refreshing it was to see a series embracing the actors' natural skin tones. It's a rarity seeing tanned actors without makeup on the screen, and I loved it.
In regards to the acting, it was good overall. Some actors admittedly have more experience than others within the cast, but there was no one that didn't do a good job portraying their characters. As for Mond and Ryu, being a new pairing, they were actually pretty cute and showed a lot of chemistry.
Overall, I do recommend this series to anyone looking for a heartwarming show. The beautiful cinematography and scenery really give you the vibes of that one summer you had in your life that felt special. It gives off a sweet and nostalgic feeling.
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beachy romance with some darker moments
Overall: the dynamic worked better for me as it went on, but I was not a fan of several cliched plot elements. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI6tVlhqWH7KNPYxmkei5tB1&si=RCeoqPM6SsvzpeEEContent Warnings: sexual harassment, punches/fight, vomiting, attempted murder, manipulation, past fight, past murder, violence, fight, blood, homophobia
What I Liked
- beach setting
- easy to understand premise
- sweet/caring moments
- that a character stood up for himself, sought communication and made it know what he needed
- supportive characters
Room For Improvement
- the silly music over what should have been a tense scene and other examples where the music didn't fit
- tropey falls and catch, several cliched plot points
- multiple near kisses in episode 1
- some scenes at night needed more light on actors' faces
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny
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This review may contain spoilers
I Wasn't Familiar With Your Game, WinnySatang
That Summer was 11th on my list of Most Anticipated BLs from GMMTV's 2025 Lineup (BL Only). So far, it has become my number one favorite BL series of GMMTV 2025. And no one saw that coming.Let's Dive In.
Granted, we haven't really gotten a lot from the GMMTV 25 lineup this year (with two/three currently airing series), but from we've gotten so far (Memoir of Rati, Boys in Love, My Magic Prophecy, and now That Summer), this series takes the number 1 trophy... for now.
I think, inevitably, Ticket to Heaven will take that spot, but for now, That Summer, has completely blown me away. It has this stellar coming-of-age vibe to it, including a summer love story mixed with a little mystery. I'm not the biggest fan of amnesia plot lines, I think it's cheap writing, and overall just not fun, but the way TS utilizes it is unique, and a new twist on what we know.
Davin, a prince, forgets his past when his crush who's also out to kill him, whacks him with a paddle board and sends him into the sea. Lava, a delinquent sent to work at his Uncle's, finds Davin and learns that he has no recollection of who he is. With his new identity as Wave, the both of them discover things about themselves and one another that leads to a beautiful love story.
It wasn't that I didn't like Winny and Satang, I just didn't see enough of them to crave to see them in leading roles. The main reason this was so far down my list. But this confirmed to me that these two know what they're doing and they do it so perfectly in this series. The yearning from the both of them in the beginning of this was so immaculate, I almost combusted. And then they got together, and it just gets better, which is usually so opposite of what I enjoy. Lava guides Wave, not only to re-realizing his sexuality, but by allowing him to live freely as himself, without the confines of his role as a a prince, even if unknowing. They go on several different adventures together, exploring the village, tackling relationship obstacles, building communities around them, dancing and partying and just living a great life. Their chemistry is strong, these two have definitely put in the work of creating a believable connection, and I loved it. I also loved how they handled intimacy, and it was shot so beautifully. Bravo.
My only real criticism is the second couple, Peng and Wut. Actually, Mond was the only reason I started this series in the first place, he's literally one of my favorite GMMTV actors. But sadly, I was not enthralled with this couple. I think I got around to them eventually, but they have like 1/4 the chemistry that they needed to actually sell me on their story. If felt like Mond was putting in so much of the effort and Ryu was just... there. That might not be entirely his fault, maybe it was a directing error, but there was just no buzz from this couple. I think I just enjoyed Peng's story enough to tolerate them. But, I definitely don't need to ever see them in another series together again, that's for sure.
The depiction of weed in this series had me so shocked. I don't think I've seen a series ever bring up weed, and yet, this series makes it a point to talk about it's use, show it, and even have a character get high for the first time. It was honestly lovely. Also, just no filters. Getting to see Winny's freckles was a blessing, oh my gosh he is so adorable.
Gawin, I can never escape you, can I?
Ratings:
Story: 8/10 - thoroughly enjoyed it. I also liked the flow of wave discovering himself and Davin. Lovely coming of age vibes. Didn't care much about the second couple. Also, they gave us Neo and Mint, but gave us nothing, romantically.
Acting: 9/10 - Lovely!! Winny and satang seriously have taken me by surprise. Of course Mond is just brilliant and I appreciate what he brought to the show. Everyone else did okay.
Music: 4.5/10 - I literally cannot stand the random english music playing during certain scenes. They had a lovely OST, and was like "No! let's use this copyright free music!"
Recommendation Value: 8/10 - I really, really liked this. Each episode had something to give, and made the story really fun to watch. It's also just a really fun story with some beautiful shots, so yes, I definitely recommend!
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I have read the novel
As someone who has already read the novel, I can confidently say this series is absolutely worth watching. The story itself is beautiful, and the direction it’s going in is really something to look forward to. It’s not just your typical romance or drama — there’s depth, there’s conflict, and there are a lot of little details that make it exciting to compare between the novel and the series.I noticed some people are quick to judge after only one episode, especially because the rating dropped from 8.1 to 7.8 the last time I checked. But honestly, ratings don’t capture the full experience. What matters most is how the series delivers the emotions, the chemistry, and the storytelling. And so far, I’d say they’re doing a really good job.
Let’s talk about the acting for a moment. Winny as Lava is incredibly convincing. He has this realistic aura, and when you look into his eyes, they’re so cinematic — you can actually feel the emotions he’s trying to portray. Lava in the novel was already a complex character, and seeing Winny bring him to life on screen is such a rewarding experience for those of us who’ve read the book. He gives Lava both the cold, intimidating side and the vulnerable, human side, and he does it so naturally.
On the other hand, Wave is also perfectly cast. The actor really captures the essence of his character — the innocence, the stubbornness, and the gradual emotional shifts that make Wave such a unique role. The interactions between Lava and Wave already have this pull, and you can tell there’s so much more development coming in the next episodes.
What I really want to remind everyone is this: we’re only on the second episode. That’s literally just the beginning. You can’t expect the whole story or the deepest emotions to unfold right away. This is the kind of series that takes its time to build the characters and set up the big emotional payoffs. So for those who are disappointed or feel like “not much is happening” yet — please be patient. The novel itself had a slow build-up, but once things started moving, it became unforgettable. The same thing is happening here.
For me, it’s exciting to see the changes between the novel and the series. Sure, not everything is exactly the same, but that’s the point — it makes it even more interesting. Sometimes the writers make changes to fit the pacing of a series or to give new layers to the characters. It doesn’t mean it’s worse; it just means we get to experience the story in a different way.
So my advice? Don’t judge the show too quickly. The second episode is just a small glimpse of what’s to come. Trust me, the upcoming episodes will surprise you, and the story will only get better from here. Give it a chance, let yourself feel the emotions, and enjoy the journey ❤️🩹
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The Never Let Me Go series that We Deserve
I have to admit, I didn’t plan to start this series when it first aired, even though I was intrigued by the interactions of WinnySatang in their breakout series My School President and the not-so-great We Are.But one day, I had a change of heart and decided to give That Summer a chance. What I didn’t anticipate was the production quality and the chemistry between the leads. Yes, the amnesia trope is predictable and occasionally contrived, but you can feel the show trying to put a different spin on it. It uses unique colour grading, a slice-of-life narrative, and lovable, morally ambiguous side characters.
It feels like a mash-up of Call Me By Your Name, Never Let Me Go, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It reminds you of the aesthetics and sexual tension of Call Me By Your Name, the secluded setting and high-stakes theme of Never Let Me Go, and of course, the “we will try to find each other in every universe” vibe of Eternal Sunshine.
It is an endearing experience. It reminds you of what the other BL series Never Let Me Go, where the major plot is set on an isolated island and the leads are stranded, could have been. The pacing of That Summer is much faster, spanning only 10 episodes. The narrative keeps moving, which is a stark contrast to the “start to drag midway through” approach found in Never Let Me Go and similar shows that have strong starts. However, I sometimes feel it moves too fast, leaving you barely enough room to process events or let the characters marinate in their emotions.
Still, I generally enjoy what the show offers and what it attempts to do. I would definitely recommend watching it for the production value, the WinnySatang chemistry, and the amazing soundtrack.
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Unexpected Favorite
That Summer left a strong impression on me. As a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, this series really met my expectations. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do, especially since I wasn’t originally a fan of WinnySatang. But through this series, they proved that they also deserve recognition. I ended up loving their chemistry and the tension between them — they definitely grew on me. The series gave me joy, a touch of angst, and plenty of scenes that made me laugh.When it comes to the characters, Lava is carefree but has an intimidating aura that sometimes gets him into trouble. Meanwhile, Wave/Davin is truly like a prince — refined, classy, and elegant in his actions — though he can have a sharp tongue whenever he argues with Lava. Both characters are well-written and wonderfully portrayed.
At first, I thought Lava’s uncle, Pheng, would be a difficult character to like, but I later realized he’s simply mature and disciplined. I wasn’t a fan of him lying to his ex-boyfriend and hiding their relationship, but he probably has his own reasons, so I somewhat understand him. Episode 9’s plot twist was predictable and a bit cliché, but I still enjoyed the amnesia storyline — it added excitement to the series. The beach setting is stunning, with its white sand and clear blue water. The OST is amazing, and both the main and supporting actors delivered excellent performances.
One thing I noticed — though it’s not really a dealbreaker — is that the show didn’t clearly explain how Davin’s parents escaped or resolved the issues in their kingdom. And also, what happened to Victor after he was caught?
Overall, I enjoyed this series a lot. Even though the amnesia trope isn’t new, they executed it really well. I highly recommend this if you’re a sucker for enemies-to-lovers stories.
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This review may contain spoilers
Again, a very underwhelming GMMTV production...
This seems to be again one of the fast produced GMMTV productions without much thought or deepness. The story is weak, even the first episodes started really awful imho, but in contrast to most GMMTV productions it gets better. Of course lazy writing was prevelent. Why give us a military coup in a country, but not going through with that storyline? It just resolved itself without us knowing exactly what happened.Of course the characters are also cliché BL, part childish, part pubertal behavior with actors way over 20. Yes, after a horrible start this series got better, but it's not enough to make me like it. It's one of the series I will only remember of not even being medicore. Also the production quality is nothing compared we have seen from GMMTV this year. It feels like they just created the series to fill a slot and that's it. While I wished for Winny & Satang to have a strong series, this was just a disappointment.
Should you not have watched this, just skip it. Better to watch all the recent JBLs (except Takumi-kun) and you will have a much better experience, more fluff (except the Yakuza series) and especially more story. So, I will wait for "School Trip" which bring me amusment and tingling sensations. 🤣
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