Feel-good romance lacks distinctive voice and a real heart
I don't have much to say about this film except that it's cute, adorable and wholesome. Conversations are mostly backed up with whimsical music. I don't have a problem with this as the dialogues felt authentic and genuine at first. However, by the time we arrived in the second half the story became dragged and lacked the specifities I was hoping for.The shots and cinematography could have been more creative to make it memorable. The story does not try to be groundbreaking either. This is just supposed to be a feel-good movie although I would have loved if there were more touching moments to evoke emotions considering the story revolves around deaf people.
The story starts with Yong Jun unsure of what he wants to do in life. He's surrounded with philosophy books but he doesn't know what job to apply for. By the time we get to the end, nothing has changed. He's the main character but we didn't get to know much about his thoughts and background except that he instantly fell for Yeo Reum when he saw her in the swimming pool. This is the moment where the puppy love story starts to unfold. The film also noticeably shifts it focus to Yeo Reum's point of view after this part. More or less, Yeo Reum is a more developed character than Yong Jun. We digged into Yeo Reum's background and personality but only to a certain extent and here is where my main issue lies. Her character lacks a distinctive voice and is not fleshed out as I want her to be.
The storyline is fairly simple and is quite the epitome of young love. Although, one would really expect that the film could have had more earnest and compelling scenes just to fully give us that warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
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Missed Potential: Sisterhood Shines, but the Romance Misses the Mark
This film attempts to be a feel-good story, but its execution falters with a poorly crafted romance that’s hard to buy into. The male lead's story leans heavily on a problematic trope: he sees a girl, falls in love, & exhibits stalker-like tendencies, forcing his way into her life albeit with good intentions. For instance, after meeting her and getting her number, he bombards her with messages the very same day, impatiently demanding a response—an unsettling and off-putting trait that makes his character difficult to root for. Such glorified "stalker-ish" behavior feels outdated and uncomfortable, leaving the romance mismatched and unconvincing. The lack of depth in the male lead’s character arc—why he lacks motivation, for instance—only adds to the disconnection.On the other hand, the dynamic between the sisters is the true heart of the film. Their bond is heartwarming and engaging, showcasing their emotional range and potential for a much stronger narrative. Unfortunately, many of their scenes are cut short to make room for the romance, which feels unnecessary and detracts from the story's overall impact. A sismance-focused plot would have elevated this film to something truly special.
From an acting perspective, the performances were excellent. The main actors, including the male lead, did a commendable job with the material they were given. However, the script failed to explore the male lead’s arc in any meaningful way, which was a missed opportunity.
Rewatch value is low for me. There are far better stories that address themes of disability and emotional growth with greater authenticity and depth. While the sisterly bond adds charm and engagement, the overall experience left me underwhelmed.
Overall: 6/10
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The happiest 1h49min of the day
What a healing movie❤️I personally loved it and gave it 10/10. The plot is well written. The lesson is clear and the acting is on point. Throughout the movie, you learn to appreciate the hearing ability you have and sounds around you. How scary the world would be without sounds. :'(
I particularly liked how "calm" it was. Who said you need a script and words to convey messages and emotions? Everything was crystal clear through the facial and body expressions of the actors, especially Hong Kyung.
Romance wise I'd say it was actually natural and relatable. They're at a stage where they get to know each other. You can't take shortcuts in love so their relationship is slowly building up and I could feel it.
Anyways, I highly recommend it if you're looking for something healing and stress relieving.
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sweet and wholesome
I give it this rating as it’s just super sweet. maybe for some people, it has no plot but I like how it’s corny! I definitely fell for the main couple. it’s so heartwarming that he was willing to be with her no matter what.I love the acting and also how supportive the parents were especially when they first met the female lead.
I would probably recommend if you just want to relax and put on a film to chill to. Ita a quick and easy movie to watch again
- I think it’s what you call a feel good movie
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WATCH IMMEDIATELY
One of the film’s most unique aspects is its use of non-verbal communication, which draws attention to the actors’ facial expressions and movements. Hong Kyung and Roh Yoon-seo deliver believable and touching performances, and their chemistry feels natural. Kim Min-ju also shines as Ga-eul, portraying the struggles and strength of someone in the deaf community with great sensitivity. The movie is visually stunning, with beautiful scenes that capture the warmth and emotions of summer. The music adds to the experience, creating a nostalgic and peaceful mood. Hear Me: Our Summer is a heartfelt film about love and connection beyond words. It’s a great choice for fans of romantic dramas and stories about meaningful human relationships.Was this review helpful to you?
Short and sweet movie
This is what I was looking for, the movie had everything in it . The screen time between the ML and FL was bit less and they could have shown bit of their development but its fine, the movie was short and sweet. I was really really impressed with Minju's acting. I hope she gets some good drama in future.Was this review helpful to you?
A feel good, comfort movie
If you're looking for a movie that feels like a comforting hug, Hear Me: Our Summer is the perfect pick. Directed by Cho Sun-ho, this 2024 South Korean romantic drama gently pulls you into its world with a quiet, heartfelt story and characters who’ll stay with you long after the credits roll. It’s a remake of the Taiwanese classic Hear Me, but it’s got a charm that’s all its own.
The story revolves around Lee Yong-jun (played by Hong Kyung), a 26-year-old delivery guy working for his parents’ snack shop. Yong-jun doesn’t exactly have his life figured out yet—he’s drifting, not sure what his next step should be. But everything changes when he crosses paths with Seo Yeo-reum (played by Roh Yoon-seo) during a delivery to a group of deaf swimmers.
Yeo-reum is a fiercely supportive sister to Ga-eul, an aspiring Olympic swimmer who is hearing-impaired. From the moment Yong-jun meets Yeo-reum, he’s captivated—not just by her beauty but by her warmth and resilience. And here's where the film deviates from the usual tropes: Yong-jun already knows sign language. There’s no dramatic “learning to communicate for love” arc because he’s been using sign language in his everyday life, and this feels refreshingly natural. It allows their connection to develop organically, without any heavy-handed gestures or over-the-top romantic clichés.
What makes Hear Me: Our Summer truly special is its atmosphere. It’s a warm, feel-good movie that doesn’t rush or try too hard to tug at your heartstrings. Instead, it lets the small, quiet moments do the work. A lingering glance, a shared laugh, or a simple gesture speaks volumes. The chemistry between Hong Kyung and Roh Yoon-seo is understated yet electric—they don’t need dramatic proclamations or grand gestures to make you believe in their story.
Roh Yoon-seo is especially captivating as Yeo-reum. She has this effortless way of pulling you into her world, making you feel her joys, struggles, and quiet determination. Hong Kyung, as Yong-jun, is equally endearing. He perfectly captures that aimless, slightly lost feeling so many people in their twenties can relate to, and his journey toward finding purpose through love and connection is deeply satisfying to watch.
The film also deserves credit for its respectful portrayal of the deaf community. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into ensuring the representation feels authentic and meaningful. The use of sign language isn’t treated as a novelty or a gimmick—it’s just a natural part of the characters’ lives, seamlessly integrated into the story. This authenticity adds a layer of depth and sincerity that sets the movie apart.
Of course, no film is perfect, and Hear Me: Our Summer has its flaws. The pacing in the second half slows down a bit, and some viewers might find themselves wishing for a little more drama or tension. But for others, that’s precisely the point. This isn’t a movie about big, sweeping moments; it’s about finding beauty in the everyday, in the little things that make life—and love—worthwhile.
Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography leans into soft, natural tones that perfectly complement the story’s gentle, comforting vibe. Scenes of summer days by the pool, quiet evenings lit by golden-hour sunlight, and simple yet meaningful settings like Yong-jun’s family shop add to the film’s intimate charm.
If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming, feel-good movie that doesn’t demand too much of you but still leaves you with a full heart, Hear Me: Our Summer is a lovely choice. It’s the kind of film that reminds you of the simple joys of human connection and the power of just being present with someone.
By the time the credits roll, you might not feel like you’ve watched a life-changing masterpiece, but you’ll feel like you’ve spent two hours wrapped in a cozy blanket of warmth and understanding. And really, isn’t that exactly what we need sometimes?
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This review may contain spoilers
A light-hearted romance and touching sibling bond
The romance started a little too fast, especially with the love at first sight concept, but I guess that is expected given that the entire plot needed to be filled in 01 hour and 49 minutes. I was a little surprised when I found out that they were playing the roles of 26-year-olds because the overall concept of the drama felt like a teenage love story, but all in all the movie was a cute and romantic movie to watch.I have to say that the acting of the three main leads was phenomenal. Hong Kyung did an amazing job playing the role of Yong Jun. The way he expressed every emotion through his expressions and his body language as the shy guy falling for a girl, at first sight, was exceptional. He effortlessly managed to bring the character of Yong Jun to life and managed to stay consistent to his personality throughout the movie.
Roh Yoon Seo as Yeo Reum was a commendable choice. With little to no words throughout the movie, she managed to convey every single one of her emotions with just her expressions. She and Kim Min Ju, had great chemistry as sisters in the movie and I loved every single scene of them together. Their scenes made me so emotional and I couldn't help but bawl my eyes out, watching the love, care and support they have for each other. Watching Yeo Reum, live just for her sister's dream, and Ga Eul working hard to achieve her dream so that her sister would be proud, was so heartwarming to watch.
As an elder sister myself, watching how Yeo Reum lived her life to support her sister and parents was very relatable. When her mom asked her to start living her life for herself, I couldn't stop my tears from falling out because those were words that many of us elder siblings needed to hear.
I did hope to see a little bit more development on Yong Jun's and Yeo Rum's careers and life but unfortunately, there wasn't really much focus given to that. I guess it was kind of expected since the movie's main focus was on the romance of the main leads, but it would have given a good closure if they had touched on that aspect.
I would give this drama a good rating because it was a really homey and cute romance drama. The cast did a really great job with their roles as well. The love between the sisters was really moving and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted drama to watch.
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Personal opinion
Really loved it , it was relaxing , romantic and peacefull i can watch a full 16 episodes series of this and not get bored by it .It washes away your troubles and your fatigue like it's nothing , and when you finish watching it you will see a smile on your face beacuse while you can't hear most of their worlds their voices appear in your mind because of the amazing portrayal by the cast .
I really loved the acting by the cast but Roh Yoon Seo's performance blowed my mind so does her beautifull and innocent appearance.
It was like Love me , Love my voice a chinese drama no rivarly , no break up (except a little one) , just pure and light romantic comedie
The music isn't 10 just because it's not a movie that is music has a big impact but the backgroung music the calm and romantic one was perfect for it
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Wholesome but lacked something
The romance was sure wholesome and the the use of using sign language for communication was surely unique but the plot was really lacking...The sister of the main girl was very important character mainly because of her large amount of screen time. Her story that she is a girl who likes swimming but feels pressured by her sister to do really well (go to the Olympics). Despite all of that her story felt so badly executed cause the fact that it took her nearly dying in the fire and a couple of days of separation and a 5 minutes talk to fix all of that was annoying. I felt like it was sooooo rushed to give time for the romance.
And yes the romance was cute however I felt like they didn't explore the main leads at all. Because the main guy and girl's personality felt so dry to me, there was nothing much I could even type about them apart from the fact they are adorable.
Random but why has Korean television have such a hatred for main characters having a physical disability, because it either instantly gets cured / eventually or it was just a 'misunderstanding'.
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has its cute moments, but offers nothing new
I haven't watched the original film they based this on, but it seems to have a very simple plot. I feel like stories like these would have been more charming in the early 2000s, but all of it now is predictable. It didn't have anything particularly unexpected that set it apart from other romance films already put out. What could have made it better for me was if they showed more of the characters' nuances and thoughts.. and fleshed out their relationships. What made the ML truly care about the FL so much? What connection did they build from those surface level interactions? I like the actors in this film, but I couldn't really root for their characters because we're not given a chance to understand their intentions.. they didn't even know much about each other?Visually, this film is so pretty! I wanted to take a screenshot of every scene.. it is all so pleasing to the eye.. god knows I WIIIISH the story was a bit better 😭
Final verdict: It is a cute little lighthearted film to watch on a slow day. It offers nothing much else though.
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Hong kyung in this movie looks like that sad hamster meme <\3
Overall, I liked the movie.It has this chill vibe and makes you reflect on people with hearing loss. Most of the film is in sign language, which I thought was amazing.
Yong Jun (played by Hong Kyung, an incredible actor) is such a lovable character—I absolutely loved this guy.
Seo Gaeul (Kim Minju, who I just discovered today after watching this movie) is such a supportive and lovely sister! I loved her character.
- A few critiques -
I didn’t like how Yong Jun was the only one who showed interest and concern for Yeo Rum (Roh Yoon Seo, who’s an amazing actress, by the way). It felt like the feelings weren’t mutual.
Also, what she said to him after the fire kinda rubbed me the wrong way... Like, she told him it wasn’t his fault, but then immediately said he was exhausting her and she didn’t want to talk to him anymore? That didn’t sit right with me.
I thought Yong Jun’s love confession to Yeo Rum was beautiful, but it lost some of its meaning with the plot twist that Yeo Rum was actually a hearing person.
The scene where he puts on noise-canceling headphones showed how much he wanted to understand Yeo Rum better, but... she was hearing. 😭
I think the plot twist could’ve been something else—it would’ve worked better.
I really liked the part where Seo Gaeul (Kim Minju) argued with her sister about her dreams and how she felt. It’s a wake-up call for people who tend to forget about their own lives to prioritize someone else’s.
There should’ve been a deeper explanation of how Yong Jun spoke sign language so fluently. For most of the movie (up until this super shallow explanation near the end), I was left wondering how he was so fluent.
The "secondary couple" that only officially met in the post-credits scene felt unnecessary. They should’ve developed them more or just left them out entirely.
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