Hello, everyone! How are you all doing? Today, I’m excited to delve into the drama Our Beloved Summer, a series that has won hearts globally on Netflix. It’s a beautifully constructed romantic comedy focusing on second chances, personal development, and the intricate nature of adult relationships.
Our Beloved Summer made its debut on SBS TV on December 6, 2021, airing Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 (KST) until January 25, 2022. The show consists of 16 episodes, each lasting about 60 minutes. Available for streaming on Netflix, it has received international praise for its mature approach to romance and its visually stunning storytelling.
This elegant romantic drama delves into themes of healing, artistic fervor, and the bravery to love anew through well-crafted characters and genuine relationship dynamics. Set against the modern backdrop of Seoul, it skillfully blends humor and drama while tackling real-life challenges faced by young adults chasing their aspirations.
The plot centers on two former lovers who are unexpectedly reunited when a high school documentary they created gains sudden fame, compelling them to collaborate again despite their painful history and unresolved emotions.
When Past Encounters Present
Our Beloved Summer focuses on ex-lovers who vowed never to meet again, yet find themselves back in front of the camera due to the viral success of their decade-old documentary. The story highlights Choi Ung, a laid-back illustrator turned successful webtoon artist, and Kook Yeon-su, a driven marketing expert who excels professionally but finds personal satisfaction elusive.
Years after their high school documentary goes viral, two quarrelsome ex-lovers are drawn back to the cameras and each other’s lives. The series cleverly uses the documentary format both as a storytelling tool and as a metaphor for the contrast between our public personas and true selves. As they reconnect, old scars and undeniable chemistry surface, along with unresolved emotions.
Choi Ung (Choi Woo-sik) – The Free-Spirited Artist
Choi Woo-sik delivers a subtle portrayal as Choi Ung, an illustrator who seems carefree but possesses deep artistic dreams and emotional depth. His character embodies a creative spirit who has learned to shield himself from hurt by keeping emotional distance, yet cannot completely escape his past or his feelings for Yeon-su.
Woo-sik’s performance encapsulates the struggle of a young artist balancing commercial success with artistic integrity while dealing with the complex emotions of seeing an ex-lover again. His chemistry with Kim Da-mi lays a convincing groundwork for their intricate relationship, highlighting both the comfort of familiarity and the tension of unresolved issues.
Kook Yeon-su (Kim Da-mi) – The Driven Perfectionist
Kim Da-mi stands out as Kook Yeon-su, a marketing expert whose perfectionism conceals deep insecurities and a fear of being vulnerable. Her character is portrayed as being at an unexpected juncture in life five years post a harsh breakup, having achieved professional triumph but wrestling with personal relationships and self-acceptance.
Da-mi’s acting beautifully depicts the internal battle of a woman who has erected defenses around her heart while longing for true connection. Her character’s journey from guarded and controlling to open and vulnerable forms the emotional core of the story, showcasing Da-mi’s exceptional acting range.
Choosing Love Over Fear
The series reaches an emotional high when Ung plans to study abroad and invites Yeon-su to join him, presenting her with a crucial decision. The climactic episodes explore whether both characters have matured enough to overcome the patterns that ruined their initial relationship.
The concluding episodes don’t provide easy solutions but instead depict the realistic challenges of choosing love while maintaining individual growth and artistic integrity. The series expertly addresses whether people can change and if love can transcend fundamental differences in life philosophy and goals.
Supporting Characters – A Diverse Ensemble of Growth
The supporting cast, including Kim Sung-cheol as Kim Ji-ung and Roh Jeong-eui as NJ, creates a vibrant setting around the main couple. Ji-ung, both Ung’s best friend and a successful documentary director, offers an external perspective on the central relationship, while NJ embodies a new wave of confident, independent women.
Adult characters, including family and mentors, add depth to the narrative by showcasing varied approaches to love, career, and life decisions. Each supporting character contributes significantly to the themes of growth, second chances, and the intricacy of human relationships.
Success on Netflix
Despite underwhelming ratings on domestic TV, Our Beloved Summer gained tremendous international popularity through its availability on Netflix. The drama debuted with a promising nationwide rating of 3.2% and experienced fluctuations during its run but found its true audience globally via Netflix. The series has been lauded for its mature narrative, exceptional cinematography, and remarkable performances by the lead actors. Its international success underscores the universal appeal of its themes, like second chances, personal growth, and the courage to love again, combined with its refined visual style and authentic depiction of modern relationships.
For those who appreciate mature romantic dramas exploring second chances, personal development, and the intersection of art and love, Our Beloved Summer is an ideal series to binge-watch on Netflix. This beautifully crafted tale will restore your belief in the power of healing and the possibility of love that strengthens over time.
Our Beloved Summer offers a sophisticated and emotionally rich exploration of love, growth, and second chances, proving that sometimes the most rewarding relationships are worth fighting for twice.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 16 Platform: Netflix Rating: 8.2/10 (IMDb) Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy, Slice of Life Main Protagonists: Choi Woo-sik (Choi Ung), Kim Da-mi (Kook Yeon-su) Supporting Cast: Kim Sung-cheol (Kim Ji-ung), Roh Jeong-eui (NJ), Park Jin-joo