With the summer sun shining brightly, some of us would want to recall pleasant memories from the season. Month after month, K-drama romances have exceeded themselves, and we are confident that this will be the genre that controls K-dramas this year. So, if you’re not sure where to begin, start with Netflix and TVN’s Our Beloved Summer. Apart from the perfect title, its calm directing, superb story, genuinely sympathetic characters who are all the more loveable for their shortcomings, and, of course, the nemesis to lover’s cliché make it all the more unforgettable.
What happens when you make the top of the class shoot a documentary alongside the bottom of the class in senior year of high school? Kook Yeon-su and Choi Ung are in the same boat as they unwillingly agree to shoot the same thing, hardly tolerating one other. The relationship develops as the documentary unfolds, but years later, not only are they estranged, but they also find themselves in a same predicament when their old video goes viral, necessitating a reshoot by a shared friend, Ji-ung.
The comedic gathering, conversation, and obvious chasm between the two make it all the more entertaining to witness. The spectator may watch a fascinating dynamic as bottom-of-the-class Choi Ung develops into a critically regarded artist and Yeon-su develops into a marketing specialist. While Ji-Ung seeks to get his pals together for a documentary that would determine his career, Yeon-su tries to onboard Choi Ung in a humorous attempt to save her pride.
We find ourselves resonating with Yeon-dilemma, su’s after observing Choi Ung’s success, concerning once being excellent and now feeling stagnant in comparison to Ung, who blossomed into his field with distinguishable talent, as we find ourselves absorbing well-written characters and their struggles. Ji Ung’s battle with family and Choi Ung’s struggle with acceptance are mirrored in our society’s young adult issues.
Our Beloved Summer will take you through a refreshing notion of youth and romance while mildly touching on notes of reality and elucidating profoundly on growth, acceptance, and healing. Comedic intoxicating, nostalgic with flashbacks, and briefly melancholic, Our Beloved Summer will take you through a refreshing notion of youth and romance while mildly touching on notes of reality and elucidating profoundly on growth, acceptance, and healing. Another aspect to love is the documentary-style cinematography.
Our Beloved Summer is a refreshing watch that takes the best bits of traditional K-drama cliches and blends them creatively to create a visually and emotionally satisfying experience. We also get to see Kim Da-mi (Kook Yeon-su) and Choi Woo-shik (Choi Ung) on screen together for the first time, and this time they don’t try to kill one other.
