‘Our Beloved Summer’ review: Like a languid, feel-good breeze

There’s one thing very endearing, and but heartbreakingly acquainted in regards to the lead couple within the visually-pleasing Our Beloved Summer season. It takes fairly a fragile stability to make a Ok-Drama like this one click on; one which follows characters that aren’t all the time excellent, however who’re, in equal components, candy and irritating.

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Our Beloved… doesn’t simply handle to do that, however has additionally stored its viewers totally invested within the lives of Choi Ung and Kook Yeon-Soo at some stage in the present to this point. It’s across the tenth episode-mark that some Ok-dramas fall sufferer to unimaginative, insipid writing — one thing that this collection has circumvented in its 14-episode run. Issues will hopefully stay simply as spirited within the final two episodes as properly.

Years after starring collectively in a viral documentary from their faculty days, prolific illustrator Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and PR govt Kook Yeon-Soo (Kim Da-mi) are pressured to come back face-to-face in entrance of the digicam as soon as once more. This time round, their pal Ji-Ung (Kim Sung-cheol) is the one helming the documentary and he brings alongside a ton of unresolved emotions for Yeon-Soo. Additionally thrown into this combine is N.J (Roh Jeong-eui), a vastly fashionable Idol who has a rising affinity for Choi-Ung’s artwork and his quiet attraction.

Within the throwback faculty scenes, conscientious Yeon-soo’s preliminary shock at Choi Ung being the final ranked scholar quickly offers option to sluggish curiosity from each side. They’re initially virtually repelled by how totally different they’re, however that is additionally what brings them collectively. “Why does she dwell such an exhausting life? Early birds simply get drained earlier,” Ung remarks.

Because the present strikes between the previous and the current, the touches are beautiful. We see a number of parallels, be it the library books Choi Ung borrows, or how he waits outdoors her home.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Choi Ung has cemented his place amongst probably the most well-written and liked characters in Ok-Dramas. It’s a job of a lifetime for Woo-shik who embodies each single high quality, that author Lee Na-Eun infuses the character with. One can’t assist however fall in love with this shy, candy boy-next-door who may be very clear {that a} hectic life isn’t for him. He’s somebody who needs to easily laze round whereas staring on the stars and but, is immensely rooted relating to Yeon-soo, his household, buddies, or anybody else round him. Along with his sluggish, sudden smiles and heat that radiates off the display screen, Woo-shik is the right match for the function.

Yeon-Soo may be offered because the extra aloof of the 2, however there’s plenty of nuance that Da-mi brings about in her portrayal. Hers is a life that’s markedly totally different from Choi-Ung and but, there’s this chic connection we’re left cheering for. They evolve at their very own tempo, and but affect one another in the very best method. There are nonetheless two episodes to go, however right here’s to hoping Sung-cheol’s Ji-Ung is one more step in the direction of having non-intrusive, delicate and well-written second-lead characters (becoming a member of Lee Sang-Yi from Hometown Cha Cha Cha).

From Choi-Ung’s illustrations to his home and the quaint neighborhood, Our Beloved… can be a visible delight. The gorgeous OST completely compliments the present’s aesthetics with V’s soulful Christmas Tree being a recurrent function by way of all of the episodes.

What precisely is it in regards to the present that has struck a chord with so a lot of its viewers? Perhaps it’s the truth that regardless of all their battle, Ung and Yeon-Soo by no means flip poisonous. Whereas they may be battling love, angst and a number of blended feelings, they’re surrounded by probably the most healthful group of family and friends. There are not any large villains right here, and the hindrances of their relationship is simply what actuality has to supply.

The languid, unhurried tempo of the present is hardly a deterrent. Most of the time, we see romances — particularly which have grownup actors taking part in high-school college students — tread into cringe territory. Right here nonetheless, you’re simply left beaming on the small gestures, and ready for that eventual ‘large’ confession.

Over the previous couple of weeks, Twitter and Instagram have been populated with a number of memes from followers of the present about how it’s unattainable to get by way of a single episode with out turning on the waterworks no less than as soon as. Going by the previews for the upcoming episodes, we’re in all probability in for an emotional roller-coaster.

Whereas Our Beloved… can go both method with the angst, the considered not having new episodes to look ahead to each Monday and Tuesday is far more upsetting. Right here’s to hoping the conclusion greater than makes up for this predicament.

Our Beloved Summer season is at present streaming on Netflix