Summer Strike

This was the first Korean series I've ever watched (I watched it with English subs). I got into it because Netflix posted a collage of a scene in the first ep when Yeo Reum is tired of her pointless life that is all about work. It really caught my attention. After the first episode, this series was totally not what I anticipated. It was much better. It felt like a summer breeze - the scenery, the music, the characters, the jokes, just Angok itself and the (seemingly) simple, quiet lives of people living there. I wouldn't say the series was perfect, actually I think the crime parts were not very well executed, but I do understand that the plot needed something like that at that point. However, all in all this was a lovely experience. 12 episodes was just enough, but I'm sad it's over.

Summer Strike depicts the slow emotional evolution of 2 characters who are on the quiet side.

FL leaves Seoul in frustration, disgusted by scheming, evil co-workers, the monotony of her life and her inability to get ahead in any meaningful way. For young people watching this healing drama I think this will strike a chord and trigger the question "Is it worth it? Is all this study and thankless work and pressure really worth it? When do I get to live well?" I think it's a question worth asking, especially in Korea with its high female suicide rate and low birth rate.

She decides to relocate to a seaside town and re-calibrate, reboot and take a moment. And so we are introduced to the townsfolk who are kind and cruel in equal measure, some under protected and maliciously judged with few opportunities to move ahead unless they leave for Seoul.

The slow burn romance that takes place with the ML is satisfying enough but the series really shines when it depicts our strong human need for connection, whether from family or people who become family.

The murder mystery element really only comes to the fore at the end so if you are looking for a strong thriller drama this is not the show for you. Instead, its about people with their quiet desires and unmet expectations and how they deal with it.

The supporting cast is very strong and the message of sufficiency and contentment is wholesome.

Sweet, uncomplicated (and short) healing drama that showcases our human need for connection and community.

An exploited Seoul office worker played by Seolhyun faces a crisis when her boyfriend breaks up with her and her mother dies in a tragic accident. She decides to give up Seoul life and travel, on her travels she comes to a small coastal village with an underused library where she decides to stay and do nothing for a year. The librarian is played by Im Si-wan who is a maths genius but hides away from the world due to a tragic family incident. Both the main leads are shy introverted characters so the romance side is very slow burning but amusing to watch. There are great characters particularly Bom, who is played by Shin Eun soo and some interesting side stories which look at the things in life which money cannot buy. It is based on a webtoon and is beautiful story which is gently told.

This show is so adorable and heartwarming. It starts off with a somewhat cliche plot of a girl from a big city moving into a small town, but it does so very beautifully and detailed so that it didn't feel like anything else I've seen with that plot.

The romance isn't the only important relationship. The main character forms many wholesome relationships with many of the people in the town.

The characters are so authentic and I love how each one develops. Some are more evolutionary characters while others are dynamic or we just come to learn a different side of them.

This is my new comfort k-drama. It's so sweet and I learned so many life lessons. I want to see more of the characters and I honestly think that there was plenty of substance to carry on the show a bit longer. I'm a sucker for short shows, so I usually never say that, but I wish we got a little bit more.

I really enjoyed this drama. Who has never dreamed of leaving the soulless life in a big city behind and escape to the countryside and do nothing? I love seeing how the friendship develop between the female lead and people in her new town but in my opinion don't think the huge shock late in the show was necessary for the storyline. The protagonists already have a sufficiently tough life as it is and I personally don't think we needed a tragedy of such magnitude for the show to demonstrate how they survive adversity and overcome yet another hurdle. Plus it takes away time and focus from the romance, which I like even though it was very timid and of a very slow pace. The ending is fortunately not overly dramatic but believable and uplifting. In retrospect, the story only lasted the short time of a summer in our characters' lives but we are happy they found each other and came out strong, ready for the future, together.