Reviews

Review based on Episodes 1–12 episodes

**Never Ending Summer** starts with a premise that promises far more than it is ultimately willing to explore.

For a brief moment, a confrontation between mother and daughter makes it seem as if the series is about to leave behind its conventional coming-of-age romance and evolve into a revenge thriller built around abandonment, resentment, and emotional manipulation. Unfortunately, that never happens.

Instead, the drama retreats to the safest possible route. The family conflict becomes nothing more than fuel for the romance, while the story repeatedly falls back on misunderstandings, emotional blackmail, repetitive relationship drama, and conflicts that could be solved if the characters simply had an honest conversation.

The biggest disappointment isn't the romance itself. It's the wasted potential. Every time the series finds a genuinely compelling conflict, it immediately steps back and returns to the familiar cycle of "together, apart, together again." As a result, nothing ever feels truly irreversible, and the emotional stakes gradually disappear.

The mother-daughter storyline had the potential to become the heart of the drama, but it ends up functioning as little more than another obstacle for the main couple. That decision makes the entire narrative feel surprisingly predictable despite having all the ingredients for something much more psychologically engaging.

In the end, **Never Ending Summer** feels less like a character-driven drama and more like a classic melodrama dressed up as a modern youth romance. There is certainly an audience for this kind of storytelling, but if you're expecting the series to fully embrace the darker emotional implications of its own premise, you'll probably come away feeling that its greatest strength was also its greatest missed opportunity.

Background entertainment. Perfect to leave on while doing housework.

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Sweet and heartfelt story but nothing to eagarly return to.

I’ll start off with some questions…
1. Am I a picky eater? Yes
2. Has my palette changed as I’ve gotten older? Somewhat
3. Am I interested in trying new ethnic cuisines? Yes
4. Was I hoping to walk away from this show with a list of recipes? Maybe
5. Will I? No.

There wasn’t much in the show that made me salivate. Their kitchen, more than anything, was the most exciting. And it wasn’t even a big kitchen. But I live in a small apartment with a small kitchen; space is limited and design is unimaginative. I always incorporate a game while watching KDramas and the game for this was “Would I eat that”. There weren’t many ‘yes’. Like I said, I’m a picky eater.

Now I was shocked when I discovered that these episodes were only 30 mins long. Happy, but shocked. I kinda thought all
KDramas aim for hour long episodes. I come from an American mindset of 20 min sitcoms with a healthy amount of plot, jokes, and emotion. It seams that the KDrama world can also accomplish this.

This was my first KDrama that wasn’t a RomCom. I was nervous about how melodramatic it would be. I love to laugh more than cry but I was content to watch a melancholy show so long as the plot was substantial. And… it was. I think the writers could’ve told more of Da’s history (she claims in one episode that she loves to cook but we never see her cooking past or present) or show us more of the tension between Kang and Da as they were nearing divorce (for all we know, she made a decision about publishing his work he didn’t like and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back), but if the point of the story was to see a family make amends over food, mission accomplished.

I really wanted to watch his for Jin Ho Eun. He’s a favorite of mine. While this was not an award winning performance, its proof he’s on to greater things. And I also enjoyed Yang Kyung Won. This guy… always bringing a dash of joy and spirit to each episode.

“Recipe for Farewell” need only a hearty pat on the back.

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Not worth your time

Now, I knew this show did not come with high praise. I was expecting a lousy show.
I watched it simply cause I watched one of the side characters in another drama and swooned for the guy. #SueMe

The show could’ve improved if it had either more plot or better pacing. Can’t decide. One of the side characters planted a seed of romance turmoil and then that was never addressed again. The main character tried to have us (audience) believe that she was deeply falling in love but the relationship, as viewed through script and lens, was just bad. Nothing happened in this show. Except...

...a sweet gesture of comfort. When a side character is heartbroken, a friend picks them up and drives them to the carwash, where a canopy of soap and suds provides enough privacy for a much needed cry. That moved me.

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this was just…bad.

the story was a mess. just when it almost got better, they ruined it even more with a bunch more nonsense.

the characters were so poorly written. they were so shallow and had zero depth, I couldn’t feel any connection to single character.

Phumjai was SUCH A poorly written character. I understand he is supposed to be silly and childish, but tbh he behaves like a 10 year old. and his obsession with Tammy feels a bit too ridiculous 🥲 i was cringing pretty much every time he was on the screen, which is sad because i really like Offroad😭

Phojai’s constant fear of “what if people find out about our relationship” for no apparent reason is so infuriating.
(no, “Phumjai is going through a lot” is NOT a good reason to keep hiding their relationship, especially when it’s obvious how much this is hurting Ohm). I lost it when he rejected the necklace saying people are gonna find out if they wear a couple’s necklace. like???? aint nobody checking under your clothes to see what necklace your wearing 😭😭again, this makes me sad , because i like Ngern🥲

the last two episodes were a whole another level of shitshow. what even was the point of all that?!?

overall, this was a complete waste of time. I watched it for DaouOffroad, but even they couldn’t save this for me🥲

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PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE IM LITERALLY ON MY KNEES PLEASE WATCH THIS!!!
Okay okay I've always been a sucker for a flashback type of movie or show, but this one had me laughing, crying, and kicking my feet all at the same time. It's a perfect summer movie where you can eat your ice cream while watching it in the living room.
The character development was insane and the things he did for her had me in tears.
I love how the production allowed us to see how she was still a big fan of her Idol and the realization that he kept his promise years later. They have my whole heart T^T

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Just right

What stood out most to me about this movie is how well-balanced it is in virtually every aspect. Although it has a moody tone with some heavy subject matter, it's never overly weepy or dramatic or dark. There weren't really any surprises in a good way - there was clear set up and payoff throughout; nothing too traumatic happens, and it wasn't too abstract or vague. Sometimes movies go over my head when they get too conceptual, so I appreciated that this presented its story and themes in a more straightforward way while being subtle enough that it didn't feel like it was spoonfeeding me everything and insulting my intelligence. The performances from Baba Fumika and Minami Sara were great and I loved how naturally their characters' bond developed, which is a testament to their chemistry. It's a decidedly subdued take on female friendship and what it means to love someone, and I really enjoyed it!

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A Palate Cleanser of a Show.

I just wasn't overwhelmed with this show. Should you watch it? Sure! If you need a simple story with a variety of characters, this will do.

Was every episode good? No. Did I hate it? Not really. Will I rewatch? Only certain portions and there weren't a lot.

I have complaints but I would have to go full Story-Theory-Mode and analyze the dickens out of this. And this show isn't worth that.

I watched for Tian Xi Wei. She personifies the girl who doesn't care about society's expectations. She fit this role very well. This was my first exposure to Bai Jing Ting and I look forward to seeing him in other things. I wished the show focused more on them and less on the gaggle of girls who wanted to start a restaurant. That was interesting to a point, then it just felt preachy.

I think the script had a hard time focusing on the 'newness' in this 'new life beginning.' A script should provide our characters with some break from a constant supply of new circumstances. I understand, it's in the title, but why couldn't some characters grow out from a 'newness' hurdle before another 'newness' hurdle begins? Why couldn't the wind settle before it picked up again?

The show was not dramatic. It was lighthearted and fun. I would label this as a palate cleanser show. Watch it between other shows to recalibrate your mind.

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I don't usually write reviews, but I genuinely felt the need to write one for this drama because I cannot believe I spent 36 episodes watching it.

If you're watching for romance, lower your expectations immediately. The main couple does not get together until the last few minutes of Episode 36. Not the last episode in general—the last few minutes. After spending the entire drama apart, they don't date, don't get any meaningful couple moments, and don't get any real development as an actual relationship. The drama skips straight to their engagement and marriage, and then it ends. That's it. After 36 episodes, the payoff is practically nonexistent.

What makes this even more frustrating is that the female lead spends over half of the drama chasing the male lead's best friend. Instead of building up the actual romance, the story focuses on a one-sided pursuit that goes nowhere. Most of the interactions between the leads consist of the male lead liking her while she sees him as a brother. It became increasingly difficult to stay invested when the drama seemed more interested in delaying the inevitable than developing the relationship people were actually watching for.

The side couples aren't any better. The female lead's best friend spends most of the drama with her boyfriend, only for them to break up and for her to end up marrying a completely random man. The male lead's best friend also had a romantic storyline that didn't end with the couple staying together. So if you become attached to any of the side relationships, don't expect satisfying conclusions there either.

To make matters worse, one member of the friend group literally leaves early in the drama and is never seen again. He gets on a train and essentially disappears from the story. It felt like the writers simply forgot he existed, which honestly reflects the overall quality of the writing.

By the end, the entire drama felt like it was rushing toward the finish line while somehow also dragging itself out. Storylines went nowhere, relationships lacked payoff, and almost every ending felt unsatisfying. I genuinely don't understand how this drama has such a high rating. People can enjoy what they enjoy, but for me, this was a frustrating experience from beginning to end.

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Exclusive fairytale is one of my first Cdramas, its defintley a fluffy comfort watch for when life gets rough.
It's pretty much your average childhood sweethearts, Chinese youth drama; despite the cliché storyline, they were able to deliver a total masterpiece that carries the air of youth and young love perfectly; even the slight details were done and written perfectly.

As much as I don't like the overused Fl personality, I've got to admit that Zhang Miao yi perfected the role of Xaoi Tu without making her an overbearing pick me.

I would've hoped that Wenjun gave us a bit more in terms of acting. I can't blame him too much because his personality is quiet and carefree.

Their college days were probably my favorite, it had the perfect mix of young-adult life, roommate bonding, and romance.

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A Chill kind of a Drama

I’m rating this drama strictly based on comparisons to other Japanese dramas. If you come expecting a strong in your face FL, you will rarely find them in J-drama's. Modest, passive females are part of the Japanese culture, politeness and courtesy is heavily influenced in the dramas. I do not see these J-drama's as less then any other types of drama's, but I respect and come to expect it as part of the charm of J-drama's. It's an enjoyable show if you are just looking for something light and easy to watch. This is the kind of 'no-brainer' show to me that you can enjoy when the day was tough and just want something easy to watch after work that will not require tears or tension on my part.

I enjoyed this Japanese drama because it features adult behavior with no silly, immature, child-like FL's. It has a solid plot, good acting, characters that support each other and grow with each other, plus it’s not dragged out with unnecessary filler scenes. I recommend it if you are looking for a sweet love story you can finish in three hours, with a predictable happy ending , that will leave you with a sense of calm and no tension.

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