Overview of Our Beloved Summer
‘Our Beloved Summer’ is a South Korean romantic comedy television series directed by Kim Yoon-jin with a screenplay by Lee Na-eun, featuring Choi Woo-shik, Kim Da-mi, Kim Sung-cheol, and Roh Jeong-eui in the lead roles.
This comedy romance drama follows the story of a young couple’s first love, which unfolds when they forcefully come back together due to the popularity of a documentary they shot together in high school 10 years ago. It has been an exciting journey for viewers as this dizzying romance drama ‘Our Beloved Summer’ portrays a coming-of-age story which has the feel-good quality and innate warmth that goes until the very end.
Profile
- Drama: Our Beloved Summer
- Director: Kim Yoon-jin
- Writer: Lee Na-eun
- Network: Studio S (SBS) Plan Production
- Episodes: 16
- Release Date: 6 December 2021 – 25 January 2022
- Language: Korean
- Country: South Korea
Cast
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Choi Woo-shik as Choi Ung
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Song Ha-hyun as young Choi Ung
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Kim Da-mi as Kook Yeon-soo
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Kim Sung-cheol as Kim Ji-ung
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Kim Ji-hoon as young Kim Ji-ung
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Roh Jeong-eui as NJ
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Ahn Dong-goo as Gu Eun-ho
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Park Won-sang as Choi Ho
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Seo Jeong-yeon as Lee Yeon-ok
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Jung Kang-Hee as Chang-sik
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Park Jin-joo as Lee Sol-yi
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Cha Mi-kyung as Kang Ja-kyung
Synopsis
Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik), an immature free spirit who is sincere in expressing emotions, and whose dream is to live a carefree and nonchalant life, met Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi), a well-determined person who had never lived in moderation for even one jiffy since she was born.
Though being at the opposite ends of the personality spectrum, a youth documentary in high school brings them together as the documentary crew sees them as the perfect drama pair and assumes their drama could be a chance to film two distinct people in their natural habitat.
As part of the shoot, they have to live together for a month. As destiny would have it, their hate gradually turns to friendship and then into a blossoming high school love towards the end of the filming. They were in a relationship until college. Unfortunately, Kook Yeon-soo put an end to the relationship with Choi Ung as she was obligated to prioritize her family’s financial downturn. Also, both were incapable of bridging their differences.
The break-up overwhelmed them and they carried grief over the years. At present, Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi) is a sensible public relations expert and Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) is an artist who goes by the pseudonym Go-oh.
Another character is introduced, K-Pop artist NJ (Roh Jeong-eui) who was interested in the creative artworks of Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and naturally grows a fancy towards Choi-Ung but he did not requite her love creating a love triangle with ripples of jealousy. Choi-Ung’s best friend Kim Ji-ung (Kim Sung-cheol) has feelings for Kook Yeon-soo. All of these supporting characters keep the storyline forward but are inapposite with the paper-thin material they are given to work with.
Years passed after they broke up and the documentary they recorded in high school 10 years ago suddenly started getting attention and the duo forcefully tack together in front of the camera anew.
Theme
‘Our Beloved Summer’ is a story about romance, regret and suppressed emotions instead of common family arguments and other practical issues of K-dramas. The drama revolves around the self-discovery of two different individuals with extreme personalities, and how love finds its way to them.
Despite the differences in characters and lifestyle, love blooms even in unanticipated moments. No matter how far time flies after the breakup, the remaining root of genuine affection can bring back lovers and lead to fresh starts.
Everyone is born with different circumstances. The keynote offered by the series is that self-exploration is time-consuming and it takes emotions in the process, so it is not obligated to forcefully choose a life direction. People can pursue their own timelines and pace to follow their goals.
When it comes to people who have a lot of life struggles, love is the only option that is more likely to be sacrificed, but in the end, these decisions came out to be the best out of all the possibilities.
Awards
- SBS Drama Awards (2021)
Best New Actress (Roh Jeong-eui) - Baeksang Arts Awards (2022)
Director’s Award (Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi) - Seoul International Drama Awards (2022)
Seoul Industry Promotion Agency Award (‘Our Beloved Summer’)
Interesting Facts About Our Beloved Summer
- ‘Our Beloved Summer’ is modified from the webtoon ‘Good Early Summer’ by Han Kyoung-chal.
- The two-story house with the scenic ambience is actually a coffee shop in Suwon called Hanggeung Party.
- Thirbaud Herem (French illustrator) is the real creator behind Choi Ung’s artwork shown in the drama.
- The OST of ‘Our Beloved Summer’ is magical and sweet-sounding with ‘Wooga Squad’.
FAQs
- Who is the director of the drama ‘Our Beloved Summer’?
The drama is directed by Kim Yoon-jin. - What is the genre of the drama ‘Our Beloved Summer’?
The drama falls in the romantic comedy genre. - How many episodes are out of the Korean drama ‘Our Beloved Summer’?
‘Our Beloved Summer’ has 16 episodes, and each episode is around 60-70 minutes long. - What is the Instagram ID of Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi?
