That Summer

there's always haters on the review ? dang

So.. here we go
It’s not a series with a completely new genre or theme, but it still has its own distinct charm.
The story and pacing are light, the cinematography is pleasing to the eye, and the chemistry between the main leads—along with the acting of the supporting cast—is very strong.
I first knew Winny and Satang from My School President, and their performances have continued to catch my attention. They perform exceptionally well in this series. Their eye acting, micro-expressions, and body language have clearly improved here.
For those who haven’t watched it yet, don’t hesitate. Just prepare some snacks, get into a comfortable position, and you’ll be able to finish it in one sitting.

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Come on, Let's be objective.

Everyone has to admit that the cinematography in this series is very pleasing to the eye. The acting from all the cast members is solid, and the chemistry between the main leads (Winny and Satang) is undeniable.

From me to those of you who haven’t watched it yet and are still hesitant: don’t rely on reviews that are overly biased or overly filled with hate. Look for reviews that are neutral and objective, and give this series a chance.

It’s a light, easy-to-watch series with a fast-paced storyline. However, because of that, one of its weaknesses lies in the duration, the episodes feel very compressed, and some scene transitions may come across as a bit abrupt. And even if you want to discuss the details or feel dissatisfied about certain aspects, there are still many good things about this series that are worth talking about right?

Overall, I don’t regret watching this series. It’s a light show that carries a warm summer vibe and is truly a feast for the eyes.

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That Summer (I Met a Prince on the Beach)

When I started That Summer, I went in with moderate expectations, even though the trailer had been on my radar for a while. I was immediately impressed; the series does an excellent job of balancing a classic summer romance with an unexpected layer of political drama. The production value is notably high, particularly with the gorgeous seaside setting.

The core strength of the series is the character of Lava. His portrayal was excellent, showcasing a dynamic shift in personality. He starts out stubbornly rebellious, trying to maintain a cool exterior. However, the performance successfully conveys that underneath his initial defenses, he is the most genuinely empathetic and caring person among the group.
​Wave (Prince Davin), dropped onto an unfamiliar island with amnesia, is the catalyst for the central conflict. The memory loss storyline, which could have been cliché, actually works brilliantly. It allowed the relationship between Lava and Wave to develop organically, building a strong, close foundation based on who they are, not their titles.
​The drama smartly uses Davin's political situation to deliver a powerful message: the betrayal comes from the person he trusted most. The story highlights the necessity of checking your surroundings, making the complicated plot feel grounded in high-stakes reality. Their destiny coming together on that beach felt both sweet and compelling.

​I have to highlight Uncle Pheng and Dr. Wut. Pheng, who perhaps looks too young to carry the "Uncle" title, provides a grounding presence. What I loved most was the maturity and stability of their relationship. There was no tedious back-and-forth drama; their connection was straightforward, supportive, and already established. Their subtle, secretly-dating dynamic added a charming and mature contrast to the main couple’s intense journey.

Overall, the story is fantastic. The characterizations are strong, the plot is layered, and the entire cast delivered phenomenal performances. That Summer is a highly recommended watch for anyone looking for a BL drama that delivers not just on chemistry, but also on a genuinely engaging, well-executed plot.

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It’s not a perfect series, but it’s also not a series that deserves to be hated.

You can tell the difference between thoughtful criticism and careless, hateful comments, right? There are plenty of those on this website, so be wise when reading reviews.

This is a very light series, a kind of light fantasy. Don’t overthink it when watching a BL 😂 (this applies to almost all BLs). Just enjoy the sweet moments, the sad ones, and everything in between.

If you’re not a fan of the main actors, or if you even dislike them, then don’t watch it. THAT'S IT.
But if you’re starting to get curious about them, then give this series a chance. It's worth it.

Well.. the limited runtime means the series actually could have maximized its potential more.
But overall, you should appreciate the chemistry between the cast and the cinematography.

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This is what all BLs should be...

to explain why I say this is simple.

First to note, the story was clear on where it was heading. No extra or extremely confusing details. It was enough information to keep my mind on what was going to happen next and as things happened, each event was kept balanced and not drawn out.
Second, the skips in time were well placed and didn't take to much away from events that were happening prior to the laps in time. The comedy was sensible and Funny, not to much, not to little. Emotions were not misunderstood and clear on what was happening even when details might have lacked (which was not really at all in my opinion).
Third and final. The characters were so well matched to their actors and there was always a moment I was swooning over all of these couples. Emotions matched to the events that were happening and I feel the reactions to how things kept happening was quite well done. The human brain is a very complex system and I personally felt that Wave losing his memory a second time was not a mistake.

It's hard to explain my reasoning behind it but as it's my opinion I don't really feel the need to either. Like I seriously am sad seeing this one end as it was just so good in comparison to others that I have watched. For me this show was a Masterpiece. It was cute, funny and sad, I want there to be more as for me simple is okay with me if the story is well played out and not super exaggerated. I don't really feel like anything was TOO MUCH!! But as I've said in previous reviews. This is simply my opinion and I expect no one to have the same views on this show as me. I very much so was pleased with it and really just don't want to see it go. Please let there be a special!!!!

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That Summer: A Summer That Stretched Too Long

Let me start by saying that I went into this series genuinely excited. It had all the ingredients for a delicious romance: an island setting, summertime vibes, an amnesia arc, a city-boy-to-island-boy character arc, and etc. Unfortunately, the show didn’t go the way I’d hoped.

Starting with the main couple, as someone who really enjoyed Winny and Satang’s chemistry in MSP, I expected their chemistry to be even stronger with them as the leads. To my surprise, I felt none of that chemistry here. On top of that, the writers made Lava quite unlikeable in the early episodes, which made it hard for me to root for the romance and him as a character.

As for the main romance, I understand they were going for a “simple summer love story,” but with ten episodes to fill, it needed more substance. Halfway through, it felt like the plot stopped moving entirely. Instead, we repeatedly watched the characters do everyday activities like teaching, playing on the beach, and so on. While the visuals were defo beautiful, there’s only so much visuals can do. This drama really could've benefitted with having fewer episodes and a tighter screenplay.

Then there’s the palace arc, where the prince’s family was trapped. This could have added some much needed spice or story depth, but because the show insisted on staying in “simple romance” mode, they didn’t explore it at all. All we really learn is that Davin’s family was held hostage and then somehow won in the end. Honestly, the palace arc with another guy trying to take over made no sense. Since he was trying to get rid of the prince, he should’ve asked for proof of the prince’s death or sent a larger group to finish the job. The fact that only Victor and Paolo were sent made zero sense to me. With no deeper explanation or build up, it was hard to take any of it seriously. It felt like a fever dream.

There was also a second amnesia trope which, while completely unnecessary, I was still able to tolerate. However, the way they rushed through that entire arc in just two episodes really weakened the emotional impact of everything that came before it. I genuinely wanted to see more of Prince Davin and the realistic struggles that would come with a relationship marked by such a clear power imbalance, but the show ignored all of that until the very last episode, and by then, it felt far too late to matter. I did not care about the main couple at all by that point.

The second couple actually had more of a storyline, with more well-developed problems and feelings, but their arc still felt rushed. Especially the adoption plot. It came across like the writers suddenly decided, “Hey, let’s add an adoption angle, people will like that,” without thinking it through. It ended up portraying adoption as something easy and casual, which left a bad taste in my mouth.

The supporting characters, while enjoyable, were also quite one dimensional. Tum = Tik-tok obsessed, loves weed & alcohol, likes Kratae. Kratae = Responsible nurse and Tum's crush. Till the end, I never quite understood why they liked each other / what they liked about each other.

PROS
1. Beautiful cinematography
2. Strong production quality in terms of location setting and color grading.
3. Brings out topics that are fairly new to Thai BLs such as adoption, weed use, queer people in politics, etc.
4. Stronger second couple
5. Decent Acting

CONS
1. Main leads had no chemistry
2. Extremely slow/draggy plot line
3. Wasted potential with the palace arc.
4. Rushed second couple
5. Inconsistency between the 'simple summer romance' idea and the attempted dramatic political elements.

Overall, That Summer had the potential to be a heartfelt, visually stunning romance, but its weak development, undercooked storylines, and draggy pacing made it bland and way less impactful than it could have been.

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Uma história simples que me prendeu do jeito certo

Eu gostei de assistir essa série. Assim… não foi a minha preferida, de fato não foi. Mas é gostosinha, sabe? Dá um certo conforto, aquele tipo de história que você coloca pra ver e, do nada, percebe que está acolhida ali dentro. E o Winny e o Satang… meu Deus. Belíssimos. Eles entregaram tudo aqui, química, presença, aquele brilho que faz a gente acreditar nos personagens. Eles realmente deram alma ao romance, que é bem construído e tem uma doçura que combina com a vibe mais melancólica da série.

O mistério em torno do Wave funciona muito bem: de onde ele apareceu, o que aconteceu com ele, por que ele parece sempre meio entre dois mundos. E aí, quando ele perde a memória pela segunda vez e volta a ser o príncipe Dawin, eu achei isso ainda mais interessante. A série ganha um fôlego novo, cria essa correria emocional pra recuperar a memória dele de novo. Não é a reviravolta mais revolucionária, mas é boa, é divertida de acompanhar, e faz sentido naquele universo.

E é isso que eu tenho gostado nesses novos BLs: eles finalmente saindo um pouco da mesmice de máfia, faculdade e colegial. Aqui eles apostam em outro clima, outra estética, e isso já deixa tudo mais refrescante. A fotografia ajuda muito, tem cenas tão bonitinhas e calorosas que dá vontade de pausar e só ficar olhando. E aqui isso fica claro: é uma trama simples, mas feita com carinho. E eu gostei bastante de acompanhar.

O Lava é fofíssimo, mesmo com toda aquela pose de durão, "Sou foda, e não me importo com ninguém!", Aham, tá bom. O Wave chega, quebra aquela casca inteira, e de repente o homem tá ali apaixonado, arriado os quatro pneus sem saber como lidar com os próprios sentimentos. Essa construção deles é uma delícia de ver, lenta, doce, e com um cuidado gostosinho de acompanhar.

E os personagens secundários? O tio do Lava e o médico são o puro açúcar. É aquele romance fofinho que equilibra o drama mais carregado do casal principal. A série inteira fica nessa divisão gostosa: o peso emocional com Wave e Lava, e do outro lado um casal que só quer ser feliz e dar beijinho na testa um do outro. Eu realmente amei acompanhar os dois núcleos.

No fim das contas, não é um 10… mas tá ali no topo do coração, sabe? Daqueles que você lembra com carinho, mesmo que não tenha sido perfeito. não muda sua vida, não reinventa o mundo BL, mas dá pra sentir que foi feito com coração. É uma daquelas histórias que você termina pensando: “é, eu gostei de estar aqui”.

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Perhaps I'm biased towards Thatsummer, since Winny and Satang are my favorite couple – and my comfort zone. But, for me, there's absolutely no way I wouldn't give this production a 10/10. Everything fit together perfectly, as it should. Some points are debatable, but overall, they delivered everything they promised and even more. Thatsummer is the kind of BL that leaves a cozy feeling in your heart – even after making you cry a little – and the desire to watch it again and again.

First, I want to praise the impeccable acting of ALL the actors: none of them behaved like doormats, they all portrayed their characters very well and embodied their pure essence. Winny was incredible; at the beginning, everyone expected a bad boy for no apparent reason, but little by little we understood the character, and his construction and development were surreal, both in his complex personality and in the way he represented "real people" with a real body, a real personality, and family and personal problems. Satang was literally a prince; I found his character development incredible, both personally—it was beautiful to see how he evolved as an actor over the years—and as a character. Wave (Nava Mahasamut) and Davin were different people, and Satang's gaze showed that difference between them. But overall, Wave's growth throughout the story was beautiful, going from someone totally dependent to a young leader. Davin, on the other hand, was a giant in choosing his own path.

The secondary couples charmed me. The two parents of the year: Uncle Peng and Dr. Wut, and the charismatic and funny Tum and Kratae, who represented typical young love. Both couples had a beautiful love story that made me very happy, a relief from the inevitable that was to come. I loved how this BL didn't leave any loose ends (except for Arantha's storyline, which, for me, is the only point that could be improved). We had development regarding Tum: his love for Kratae and his dream of being an influencer! And what about Lava: her mother and also her father's motorcycle. These are points that worried me in the middle of the BL about how they would be addressed, but I was very happy to know that we had resolutions.

The highlights of the BL are MANY, but I can't fail to mention: when Wave realizes he loves Lava and declares his love (literally), when Uncle Peng and Dr. Wut get married, and when Prince Davin comes out to his parents! The BL in general is beautiful: it's visually pleasing and lovely to watch, the music makes the whole plot more engaging and enjoyable, the acting, for me, is 10/10. In short, a perfect score because some things can be overlooked and because it was clear how much Winny and Satang dedicated themselves to the entire production.

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Sob Céus Cor de Mel, O Amor Desenhou Seu Próprio Lar

“That Summer” é aquele tipo de BL que chega devagar… e de repente te abraça por completo. Desde a primeira cena, eu fiquei simplesmente apaixonada pela cinematografia cada enquadramento parece uma pintura, cada cor conversa com a emoção dos personagens, e o verão vira quase um personagem próprio, quente, suave e cheio de memórias.

Os atores entregam tudo: química natural, olhares que dizem mais que diálogos e uma sensibilidade que deixa cada momento carregado de significado. É impossível não se envolver com a jornada deles um romance que nasce aos poucos, cresce com cuidado e se transforma em algo maior do que eles imaginavam.

Mas o que torna “That Summer” realmente especial é algo histórico dentro dos BLs: foi a primeira vez que vi um casal protagonista vivendo uma história de amor e… criando uma filha juntos. Esse detalhe não só emociona, como amplia toda a narrativa, trazendo um toque de realidade, responsabilidade e ternura raríssimos no gênero. A dinâmica dos três é de derreter o coração afeto, descoberta e aquele sentimento doce de “família encontrada”.

No fim, “That Summer” não é só um BL; é uma experiência sensível, visualmente impecável e profundamente apaixonante. Um amor de verão que fica para sempre e que mostra, sem pressa, que o amor gay também pode ser sobre lar, futuro e escolhas que florescem além do romance.

Se você busca um BL bonito, envolvente e marcante… esse aqui é para guardar no peito.

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Um gostinho de quero mais.

No 10º episódio de That Summer, a série entrega um dos capítulos mais intensos e apaixonantes até agora. Os protagonistas finalmente começam a se abrir por completo, deixando cair as últimas barreiras e mostrando sentimentos que estavam escondidos desde o início. Cada olhar demorado, cada toque sutil e cada conversa cheia de emoção revelam o quanto a relação deles se fortaleceu. É um episódio que mistura doçura, maturidade e aquele friozinho na barriga que só um bom BL tailandês consegue trazer. Para qualquer fã, é impossível assistir sem se envolver totalmente e ficar ansioso pelo que vem a seguir. 🥰❤️

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