A 12-episode long drama is enough to convince me on how I should be spending my summer — striking!
First, I actually don’t have a summer break because I need to finish this masters course which ends in September, when summer in London also ends :/ But my summer strike is merely postponed to a later period. And it would actually be summer when I do have that break (hint: the southern hemisphere). I’ll be in Australia, spending my December striking from life or so Lee Yeo-reum said.
Starting a new show never seems like a life-altering decision unless it turns out that you relate to the character(s) or find yourself fixated on the plot (who is the damn murderer?!). I found myself a victim of both.
Having watched Maxton Hall, Bridgerton, Geek Girl & Derry Girl over the span of past 3–4 weeks (I just finished my exams and so have this urge to watch any on-air show known to woman), I knew I was itching to watch a show that can be my new fixation. But so comes the realisation when I’m 7 episodes in on Summer Strike that this k-drama will forever stay a part of me. Why you may ask? To be honest, it may seem nothing out of the ordinary to most, some even hinting to its mundane plotlines (what’s wrong with that! — that one show review I see you and I HIGHLY DISAGREE with you). That is exactly what I was craving! Give me simplicity, no complex plots to trick someone and pls fuck, no mind games. I want to enjoy a quiet, simple life (insert: No Surprises by Radiohead) and would very much enjoy watching a slice of life, heart-touching, making me blush from the simplicity of it all kind of show (unsolicited movie recommendation: Little Forest starring Kim Taeri).
More often than not I felt like crying with joy from being figuratively touched by some of the scenes, lines and characters. (We digress but) for me the k-drama industry has done it again. I again find myself a victim of fictional characters’ love lives that is very much not doing anything for mine. In fact, it is wrecking any hope for a real life man to romance me *cough* Ahn Dae-beom save me from this wretched world of online dating and nonchalance. I also want to be romanced by someone, preferably Im Siwan, looking at a physical map of the town to map out suitable routes for our morning runs.
Anyway, that is not the only reason for finding this drama life-changing. There’s a whole lot of character introductions and silent glances with well-timed lines that sweeps me off my feet — Ateez in my heart already making room for the characters of Summer Strike.
*Ahem* on to business now, it premises an overworked-dissatisfied-cog in the wheel sort of employee at one of Seoul’s publishing companies, where we are met with the usual ensemble of mean seniors, conniving colleagues and the lack of anti-bullying policies in workplaces (still!). BUT. Then Lee Yeo-reum actually decides to do something about it all. Say what you want but that boyfriend of hers should be given credit, for credit is due. She appeared to be a pushover who may have never fought back against all the tomfoolery happening in front of her eyes. Maybe a series of unfortunate events were much needed to act as a wake up call for her to not waste her life working herself to the bone, dreaming of a relaxing life. Because by the time she can relax there might not be a life to live (sorry auntie that was a huge shock to me, rip). Only reasonable response? packing up all her stuff that she can fit in a hitchhiking-style backpack and moving away to a little town with only her savings to get her by. A full-proof plan, if you ask me. However, what caught my heart’s attention and got me hooked was that ending scene of episode 1 where she unburdens herself and actually allows herself to rest — carefree — without a care in the world, truly! by jumping into the sea, queue *Me, the Protagonist* playing in the background. Yup, that would do it.
And it did — I’ve been listening to that song on repeat for a day now, romanticising and loving little tasks in my life. I think I like this little life afterall. Whilst sitting in a cafe doing my reading for Equity Capital Markets with a matcha in hand — I was almost in tears with how beautiful it felt and precious all these daily things are to me; just being alive :) This lingering effect made me fell in love with the show. Thank you Ahn Daebeom and Lee Yeoreum — my parents (in a distant voice somewhere “thank you, another one”).
The next 11 episodes are filled with heart-touching, slow-paced, slice of life scenes with sprinkles of murder mystery and heavy body count on the writers’ hands. Because where would we be without a touch of crime in k-dramas *says sarcastically*. I would have done with just the comforting genre of the drama but with the way it was wrapped up at 12th episode I didn’t linger on the crimes and bodies that much. I wouldn’t go in on too much detail or recount each episode word-by-word because then this piece will turn into a thesis with no end in sight and I wouldn’t want to rob you off the pleasure of actually watching this drama because YOU REALLY SHOULD.
A final few points to end on. I loved. Really loved the relationship of Yeoreum and Daebeom. The pace with which it progressed — the small gestures, the art of observing (that dinner scene where he was noticing her every need), getting an umbrella by running in the rain himself (ahem that was just day 2 of the meet up chill lover boy), the subtlety in showing love to each other (watching a movie for first time; buying a phone just to hear her voice) and then running to a whole different town cause she might leave?! I do appreciate that this was a fictional man, setting standards so high that I fear any man in existence would meet. But what’s the harm in fantasising and yearning for a soft love. He was an acts-of-service man through and through and tbf after this drama I see the particular love language in a new light. Finally, the found family trope has my heart and Summer Strike knew exactly where to strike (my poor attempt at pun, sorry). I wanted nothing more than anything for Bom, Han-eul, Yeoreum and Daebeom to be happy, satisfied with their lives (grandma you will be missed dearly). Gyeo-ul and Han-eul were one pairing that didn’t expect my heart to take on. My babies.
I cried out of happiness and so much content. I was satisfied. They were happy, I wanted them to be happy. And the murder mystery was also shocking for me this time!! I know I’ll come back to this drama sometime in the future. For now, I’ll keep watching their edits and won’t jump into another series/drama because this one left me content, bye.
P.S. a big shoutout to Lee Yeoreum’s outfits in midst of all this!!! she mothered (as her t-shirt very rightly said). I have taken a few pictures of the interviewing day skirt to hopefully recreate when I finally do pick up sewing.
