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This review may contain spoilers
The Visuals Were Stunning, My Patience Was Not
Okay, I am actually sad to write this review because I really wanted to love this drama. I genuinely tried my best to push through, but unfortunately, I have reached my limit.
The chemistry, visuals, and overall vibes are what convinced me to start watching this in the first place, and I have to give credit where credit is due: the leads are absolutely gorgeous together. Their chemistry is undeniable, their performances are genuinely strong, and visually this drama knows exactly how to serve. Unfortunately, even amazing actors cannot always save a story that slowly starts sinking under the weight of its own choices.
Let’s start with the premise, which unfortunately feels painfully familiar: childhood companions/step-siblings with a complicated history, separation for several years, reunion as adults where suddenly everyone is behaving even more immaturely than they did as teenagers, and of course the inevitable romantic endgame. On top of that, we spend a huge portion of the drama watching the past before finally moving into the present timeline.
And honestly? We have seen this formula so many times that I felt like I had already watched this drama before even starting it.
However, despite my personal dislike of the step-sibling trope, I decided to give this one a chance because I really liked the pairing. And I have to admit, the beginning actually worked. The familiar formula was there, but the execution had emotional weight. The drama did a good job showing the struggles of life, difficult family circumstances, and the reality of growing up when you have terrible parents who make everything harder than it needs to be.
Most importantly, the bond between the leads felt real. The actors played that relationship incredibly well. They genuinely felt like family to me during those early episodes, which is probably why the transition into romance was such a big turning point. Around episode 8, when the dynamic started shifting, my internal alarm system definitely started going off.
Even the separation initially made sense to me. I understood why the ML pushed her away. From his perspective, he was trying to protect her and give her a chance at a better life because he couldn't see a way out for himself. It was painful, but it was understandable.
Then we jump six years forward, and the FL returns, moves back into the ML’s apartment, and honestly walks in like she’s arrived for a luxurious vacation 😂. But surprisingly? I loved seeing how much she had grown. She became confident, independent, and completely comfortable in her own skin. The FL’s transformation was probably one of my favourite parts.
The problem is... the communication between these two people is basically nonexistent.
The ML is clearly still deeply in love with her and does everything for her like a loyal puppy, but at the same time he acts like he never broke her heart. He gets jealous, feels offended that she had relationships while they were apart, and behaves like he wants the benefits of being together without actually having the conversation.
Meanwhile, the FL has returned because she clearly still loves him, but she is also pretending she doesn’t care. And yes, this is a very classic C-drama setup, but when you combine this constant push-and-pull with multiple unrelated subplots and endless emotional avoidance, the story starts feeling much longer and more exhausting than it needs to be.
What ultimately broke my remaining patience was how the FL’s character was handled. I really liked her confidence and growth, but watching her actively flirt with the ML while they are in this weird “not dating but definitely dating” situation, and then seeing her openly flirt with the SML in front of him in episode 22 was where I officially tapped out, didn't even finish the episode.
And let’s not forget: the SML is not just some random guy. He is her ex AND her boss. I know the leads are obviously endgame, but this whole situation felt so cliché and unnecessarily messy. I was hoping this drama would take a different approach, but instead, it went straight into the exact kind of romantic angst I was hoping to avoid.
So this is where I peacefully leave this shipwreck behind.
I genuinely don’t care anymore about what happens next, and that is always the sign that a drama is no longer working for me. To everyone continuing, I truly hope the emotional payoff is worth it and that the angst finally leads somewhere satisfying.
But personally? I’m done. This drama officially defeated me.
After using every ounce of my willpower to finish Never Ending Summer, seeing another drama immediately follow the exact same formula was simply too much. Same emotional wounds, same communication problems, same endless suffering.
Broooo. My heart cannot survive another round. 😭
The chemistry, visuals, and overall vibes are what convinced me to start watching this in the first place, and I have to give credit where credit is due: the leads are absolutely gorgeous together. Their chemistry is undeniable, their performances are genuinely strong, and visually this drama knows exactly how to serve. Unfortunately, even amazing actors cannot always save a story that slowly starts sinking under the weight of its own choices.
Let’s start with the premise, which unfortunately feels painfully familiar: childhood companions/step-siblings with a complicated history, separation for several years, reunion as adults where suddenly everyone is behaving even more immaturely than they did as teenagers, and of course the inevitable romantic endgame. On top of that, we spend a huge portion of the drama watching the past before finally moving into the present timeline.
And honestly? We have seen this formula so many times that I felt like I had already watched this drama before even starting it.
However, despite my personal dislike of the step-sibling trope, I decided to give this one a chance because I really liked the pairing. And I have to admit, the beginning actually worked. The familiar formula was there, but the execution had emotional weight. The drama did a good job showing the struggles of life, difficult family circumstances, and the reality of growing up when you have terrible parents who make everything harder than it needs to be.
Most importantly, the bond between the leads felt real. The actors played that relationship incredibly well. They genuinely felt like family to me during those early episodes, which is probably why the transition into romance was such a big turning point. Around episode 8, when the dynamic started shifting, my internal alarm system definitely started going off.
Even the separation initially made sense to me. I understood why the ML pushed her away. From his perspective, he was trying to protect her and give her a chance at a better life because he couldn't see a way out for himself. It was painful, but it was understandable.
Then we jump six years forward, and the FL returns, moves back into the ML’s apartment, and honestly walks in like she’s arrived for a luxurious vacation 😂. But surprisingly? I loved seeing how much she had grown. She became confident, independent, and completely comfortable in her own skin. The FL’s transformation was probably one of my favourite parts.
The problem is... the communication between these two people is basically nonexistent.
The ML is clearly still deeply in love with her and does everything for her like a loyal puppy, but at the same time he acts like he never broke her heart. He gets jealous, feels offended that she had relationships while they were apart, and behaves like he wants the benefits of being together without actually having the conversation.
Meanwhile, the FL has returned because she clearly still loves him, but she is also pretending she doesn’t care. And yes, this is a very classic C-drama setup, but when you combine this constant push-and-pull with multiple unrelated subplots and endless emotional avoidance, the story starts feeling much longer and more exhausting than it needs to be.
What ultimately broke my remaining patience was how the FL’s character was handled. I really liked her confidence and growth, but watching her actively flirt with the ML while they are in this weird “not dating but definitely dating” situation, and then seeing her openly flirt with the SML in front of him in episode 22 was where I officially tapped out, didn't even finish the episode.
And let’s not forget: the SML is not just some random guy. He is her ex AND her boss. I know the leads are obviously endgame, but this whole situation felt so cliché and unnecessarily messy. I was hoping this drama would take a different approach, but instead, it went straight into the exact kind of romantic angst I was hoping to avoid.
So this is where I peacefully leave this shipwreck behind.
I genuinely don’t care anymore about what happens next, and that is always the sign that a drama is no longer working for me. To everyone continuing, I truly hope the emotional payoff is worth it and that the angst finally leads somewhere satisfying.
But personally? I’m done. This drama officially defeated me.
After using every ounce of my willpower to finish Never Ending Summer, seeing another drama immediately follow the exact same formula was simply too much. Same emotional wounds, same communication problems, same endless suffering.
Broooo. My heart cannot survive another round. 😭
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