‘Our Sweet Summer’ Review: Like a Dull, Pleasant Wind

There’s something so sweet, and yet heartwarming, about the lead pair that’s visually pleasing our sweet summer, It takes quite a delicate balance to make K-drama in such a click; One that follows characters who aren’t always perfect, but who are equal parts sweet and depressing.

Read also | Get ‘First Day First Show’ our weekly newsletter from the world of cinema delivered to your inbox, You can subscribe for free here

our dear… Not only does it manage to do so, but it also keeps its audience completely invested in the lives of Choi Ung and Kook Yeon-soo for the duration of the show so far. It’s around the tenth episode-mark that some K-dramas fall victim to unimaginative, monotonous writing—something that the series has sidelined throughout its 14-episode run. Hopefully things remain equally upbeat in the last two episodes.

After years of starring in viral documentaries from their school days together, prolific illustrator Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and PR executive Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi) are forced to come face-to-face in front of the camera. is done. once again. This time, his friend Ji-un (Kim Sung-cheol) is directing the documentary and he brings along a ton of unresolved feelings for Yeon-soo. The mix also includes NJ (Roh Jeong-ee), a hugely popular idol who has a growing affinity for Choi-ung’s art and his cool charm.

In throwback school scenes, Honest Yeon-soo’s initial shock of being Choi Eun-soo’s last-ranked student soon gives way to slow interest from both sides. They are almost attuned to how different they are at first, but that’s what brings them together. “Why does she lead such an exhausting life? The early birds are already tired,” remarked Ung.

As the show moves between the past and the present, the touches are lovely. We see many similarities, whether it is the library books that Choi Ung borrows, or how he waits outside his house.

It will be no exaggeration to say that Choi Un has cemented his place among the most well written and favorite characters in K-drama. For Woo-shik it is the role of a lifetime that embodies every single virtue, author Lee Na-eun influencing the character. One can fall in love with this shy, lovable boy who is pretty clear that the stressful life is not for him. He’s someone who just wants to hang around staring at the stars and yet, when it comes to Yeon-soo, his family, friends, or anyone else around him, his roots run deep. With his slow, sudden smile and warmth that pours out of the screen, Woo-shik is a perfect fit for the role.

Yeon-soo can be presented as the more distinct of the two, but there are many nuances in Da-mi’s portrayal. Hers is a life that’s quite different from Choi-ung’s and yet, it’s the sublime relationship we’re excited for. They develop at their own pace, and yet influence each other in the best possible way. There are still two episodes left, but here’s hoping Sung-cheol’s Ji-eung is another step towards non-intrusive, sensitive and well-written second-lead characters (joining Lee Sang-yi). hometown cha cha cha,

From pictures of Choi-ung to his home and quaint neighborhood, our dear… there is also a visual pleasure. Perfectly compliments the aesthetics of the show with the soulful of the stunning OST V christmas tree Being a recurrent feature through all episodes.

What is it really about this show that has struck a chord with so many of its viewers? It’s probably the fact that despite all their struggles, Ung and Yeon-soo are never toxic. While they grapple with love, anger and mixed feelings, they are surrounded by the best of friends and family. There are no major villains here, and the only stumbling block in their relationship is what reality offers.

The show’s sluggish, fast pace is hardly a deterrent. More often than not, we see romances—particularly those in which adult actors play high-school students—walk into troubled territory. However, you’re just left smiling at small gestures, waiting for that final ‘big’ confession.

Over the past few weeks, Twitter and Instagram have been flooded with several memes from fans of the show about how it’s impossible to get through an episode without turning on Waterworks at least once. According to previews for the upcoming episode, we’re probably in for an emotional roller-coaster.

Whereas our dear…can go with anger either way, the thought of not having new episodes to look forward to every Monday and Tuesday is pretty troubling. There is more to this plight than to conclude here.

Our Sweet Summer is currently streaming on Netflix