Summer Strike Review: When Doing Nothing Becomes Everything

Title: Summer Strike

Episodes: 12

Genre: Slice-of-life, Romance, Comedy, Mystery

Main Cast: Kim Seol-hyun, Im Si-wan, Shin Eun-soo, Bang Jae-min

Streaming Platforms: Viki, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

Image Credit: IMDb

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What happens when you decide to walk away from the noise of the world? Summer Strike beautifully captures that brave choice to pause, to rest, and to rediscover yourself. This drama is a serene, heartfelt story about finding healing and happiness in the simplicity of everyday life. 

“Summer Strike” is a South Korean television series aired on ENA network from November 21, 2022, to December 27, 2022. Written by Hong Moon-pyo & Lee Yoon-jung and directed by Lee Yoon-jung & Hong Moon-pyo, this healing romance drama is available to watch on Viki and other streaming platforms.

Plot Summary 

Tired of her mundane job, Lee Yeo-reum rants to her boyfriend about her problems, but ends up getting dumped by him. On top of it, she loses her mother in a car accident, making her life completely alone. 

Burned out by these events, Yeo-reum quits her job and decides to go on a life strike by doing nothing for a year. She arrives at a beautiful, small coastal village called Angok. She rents a billiard hall in the village to spend her time off while figuring out her future. 

At Angok Public Library, she meets Ahn Dae-beom, a shy mathematical genius who works as a librarian. As time passes, Yeo-reum and Dae-beom quickly form a friendly bond with each other. Initially, Yeo-reum finds it difficult to adapt to countryside life, but she gradually starts connecting with villagers after befriending a young schoolgirl, Bom. 

Despite the bullying at school and family problems due to her alcoholic father, Kim Bom remains strong with the support of her loving grandmother and her loyal friend Heo Jae-hoon, who struggles to connect with his own family. 

Jo Ji-young, a librarian at Angok Library who has feelings for Dae-beom, dreams of living with him in Seoul after they secure jobs for both of them. However, Dae-beom begins to grow closer to Yeo-reum, leaving Ji-young with one-sided love. 

Bae Sung-min, the supermarket owner and Yeo-reum's landlord, has a long-term crush on Ji-young, and he continuously tries to pursue her but fails again and again. Meanwhile, Yeo-reum, Dae-beom, Bom, and Jae-hoon form a strong friendship with each other after spending precious time together. 

Soon after, Yeo-reum starts experiencing suspicious activities at her place, which connects to Dae-beom's tragic past. Both Yeo-reum and Dae-beom decide to uncover the truth by capturing the real culprit behind the traumatic events that occurred at the billiard hall. 

My Thoughts 

The show portrayed a sweet escape from the monotonous city life and the daily grind of a job. The cinematography of the show captures the serenity of a small town and peaceful life beside the seashore. The soft and cozy vibes, accompanied by a mysterious plot, guarantee the entertaining theme of the show. 

Performance-wise, the whole cast did well, but I would like to praise Kim Seol-hyun and Im Si-wan for their excellent acting. The chemistry between Yeo-reum and Dae-beom is SO good, and the cute romance between Bom and Jae-hoon is really adorable! 

I loved the friendship between these four, and the scene where they went on a trip together was wholesome. Despite numerous challenges, these four made it to the trip and enjoyed each other's company while creating happy memories in their youth. 

The show started off with Yo-rum's life struggle and her healing journey in Angok, where she forms a close relationship with Dae-beom. But in the latter half, the show takes a turn to a mysterious murder plot along with Bom's hardship to overcome her family struggles. 

The series skillfully blended a variety of genres like romance, comedy, healing, family drama, and mystery. This made the show a complete entertainment package, which will make you binge-watch every episode of it. 

Each character had its own struggles, and the journey of overcoming these hardships while finding true happiness is relatable to a wide spectrum of audiences. Despite the slow pace of the show and mellow romance between the leads, the series conveyed the true meaning of self-discovery. 

Honestly, this drama is a therapy in itself, and if you are struggling to find your own identity, I would strongly recommend watching it once. This series has everything in it and, of course, a satisfying ending which will inspire you to change your own life while finding happiness in the smallest moments. 

If you’ve ever felt lost, tired, or unsure of where you’re heading, Summer Strike will feel like a comforting summer breeze. It’s not a drama full of action or twists; it’s about peace, quiet courage, and the beauty of slowing down. Sometimes, doing nothing is exactly what your heart needs. 

Have you got a chance to watch this underrated drama? Share your take on the Summer Strike in the comments below. Your suggestions matter! Drop any topics or ideas for future posts in the comments. 

Do you love watching healing romance dramas? Please read my review of Welcome to Samdal-ri. 

My Rating: 8/10 

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