Summer Strike is the K-drama fix you need this week

Being an introvert can be exhausting in a world that encourages hustle, toxic positivity, and an emphasis on constant energy and patience. And when you, the introverted person, are hurting, it can be harder to move on and act as if you are part of the rat race of life. In most cases, this healing occurs much more slowly for the person concerned. Now what if you brought two such people together in a sleepy, remote town in what is now South Korea? Summer Strike in a nutshell.

The Korean drama starring Kim Seol-hyun and Im Si-wan – co-written by Hong Moon-pyo and Lee Yoon-jung – is a sweet, thoughtful series about how Lee Yeo-reum’s (Seol-hyun) characters and Ahn Dae-beom (Si-wan) find each other after going through some heartbreaking and traumatic events.

After Yeo-reum loses her mother and her relationship within a short period of time, she decides to quit her tired, soul-sucking job and move to another place where she will finally be freed from her pain. There she crosses paths with Si-wan’s character, Ahn Dae-beom. Dae-Beom has severe anxiety issues and most likely struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With this in mind, we are treated to another young love story of two school-age teenagers who are also looking for companionship but don’t really know how to ask for it.

The chemistry and dynamic of the main characters is wonderful and warm. First the hesitation and then the realization that they like each other and want their relationship to develop further is explored in an organic and novel way. There are no flowery declarations of love, just some happiness the two find in each other to explore art, writing and running.

Aside from its romantic aspect, “Summer Strike” also effectively manages to show that it’s okay to sit back and ask for support when life gets difficult and becomes too hard to handle alone. Strike from work, leave behind what is familiar and what is broken, and look for a new path, whatever that may be in the future.

The picturesque, tranquil locations in Korea’s rural areas complement the peace that the K-drama’s characters long for and (spoiler alert) ultimately find. The lovable dog, the well-meaning but somewhat devious local shopkeeper, the cold neighbors taking the time to get used to a new resident – all the elements of Summer Strike come together and sing a harmonious tune.

But what “Summer Strike” shows even more effectively is its depiction of grief. How it can appear in a person’s normal life, suddenly appearing unannounced and attacking just as you’re trying to build yourself up. How it comes in strong, threatening waves and seeks to destroy your world as you know it. But then life goes on and people somehow find their way back to each other, sometimes by asking the right questions and sometimes by just moving forward without expectations.

There’s also a crime thriller approach that seems a little inelegant considering that overall Summer Strike is a moving picture full of grace and poise. It could have been toned down or avoided entirely, but the creators somehow manage to pull it off. Well, not everything can be perfect, and this one comes pretty close.

Summer Strike is available to stream on Netflix.