CAST: Yang Chao Yue , Timmy Xu , Kira Shi Meng Jiao, Leo Li Jia Ming

DIRECTOR: Zhang Lichuan

Streams on Tencent Video and Viki – Remake of Korean Drama “Full House”

Tian Ran finds solace in a charming coastal residence bequeathed to her by her late architect father. However, a lapse in judgment during a night of revelry results in her granting her close friend, Xiao Qin, a power of attorney for the property. In dire straits due to her younger brother’s debts, Xiao Qin makes the tough choice to sell the house to Ze Yi, a popular idol constantly hounded by inquiries about his romantic life.

Bearing the weight of relentless scrutiny and exasperation, Ze Yi makes a rash declaration during an event, asserting Tian Ran as his betrothed. This impulsive move leads to an unconventional proposition: a one-year contractual marriage between the two. Ze Yi hopes Tian Ran’s involvement will quell the invasive rumors and unwanted intrusions into his personal affairs, while she seeks to regain ownership of her cherished home.

Despite initial clashes as they share living quarters, their interactions foster an unexpected affection. Yet, their budding romance is tainted by misunderstandings, as each wrongly believes the other’s heart belongs elsewhere. As time goes on, the truth behind their contractual arrangement surfaces, inviting further complications. Amidst the hurdles hurled in their direction, will their connection persevere, guiding them to a shared future?

In a narrative rife with trials and tribulations, Tian Ran and Ze Yi’s journey navigates the labyrinth of their emotions, while the unveiled intricacies of their contract test the authenticity of their bond. Whether their path will ultimately lead them to each other, victorious against the odds, remains a question hanging in the balance.

We acknowledge that there exist Korean and Thai adaptations of this story, known as Full House, yet we’ll solely concentrate on reviewing this specific rendition as we haven’t witnessed the others.

Evaluating Midsummer Is Full Of Love on its own merits, we’ve encountered certain issues within the storyline that appear as notable plot holes and implausible scenarios, which we find somewhat hard to digest.

The central character’s close friend is portrayed as an opportunist, selling her house and wielding the threat of unveiling their contract marriage; nonetheless, their friendship persists throughout the drama. Though there’s a hint of Xiao Qin being ensnared in a predicament due to her troublesome younger brother, this aspect scarcely receives exploration, confined to a brief scene in the concluding episode. Consequently, the continuation of Tian Ran’s friendship with Xiao Qin can come across as perplexing.

Furthermore, the manner in which Tian Ran assumes she can inhabit the house following its sale and the initiation of their contract marriage seems to teeter on illogical. This situation precedes their decision to enter a contractual marriage. While we remain uncertain about its presentation in other versions, this particular interpretation doesn’t resonate convincingly with me.

As a matter of detail, Ze Yi is handed the keys to the house as the new proprietor, even with all of Tian Ran’s belongings still intact, inclusive of family photographs. Regrettably, we struggle to discern a significant chemistry between the leads, who dominate the screen time while receiving minimal focus on secondary couples. Though their interactions possess an element of charm, it falls short of the sizzling chemistry necessary to elevate the drama. In many romantic comedies, the crux of appeal lies not in the plot itself, but rather in the chemistry between the protagonists. While the plot might embrace elements of the unreal, as seen in series like Well Dominated Love and Intense Love, the on-screen interactions between the lovers must naturally emanate a sense of romance. Sadly, this romantic atmosphere feels somewhat lacking in Midsummer Is Full Of Love.

Possibly, the acting skills of the female lead are yet to mature, contributing to this dearth of chemistry. A similar sentiment struck us when observing Yang Chao Yue’s performance alongside Xu Kai Cheng in Dance Of The Phoenix. The romantic aspect similarly appears somewhat lackluster. Her facial expressions at times fail to effectively convey the requisite emotions. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the responsibility for this dynamic rests upon both partners, who must mutually bring forth the feelings and personalities of their respective characters. Regrettably, this pairing falls short of generating that sense of a compatible couple.

Similarly, it proves challenging to develop a vested interest in the secondary couple. We are open to romances featuring an older woman and a younger man, as exemplified in my appreciation for Find Yourself. Nonetheless, the second couple’s narrative within this rom-com suffers due to limited screen time, thereby failing to foster a substantial investment from my end. Once more, beyond exuding a sense of endearment, there exists little incentive for me to rally behind this couple. While this particular flavor might not align with our preferences, individuals who derive enjoyment from quarreling couples and can discern love within moments of playful banter and competition may form an alternate perspective. For approximately 15 episodes, this couple’s exchanges seldom deviate from their bickering, yet improvement surfaces as they gradually acknowledge their sentiments and their relationship matures.

In essence, the enjoyment you glean from this drama hinges upon your interpretation of a charming couple and the relationship dynamics that align with your preferences for compatibility.

This drama brings to mind My Love, Enlighten Me, which also involves a bickering couple; however, the former boasts superior chemistry and overall acting.

If you find this type of spirited communication style appealing, then Midsummer Is Full Of Love could warrant consideration. Expect minimal instances of physical intimacy, with only a few non-passionate kisses scattered throughout the narrative. Therefore, anticipate a dearth of ardent embraces akin to those in Love Designer or even the milder ones seen in Mr. Honesty, despite the couple cohabiting in the same residence. The absence of physical closeness or fervor within their love story is difficult to overlook.

Furthermore, the narrative doesn’t particularly excel in humor, as it lacks the comedic elements seen in The Night Of The Comet 2. Moreover, the recurrent instances of the female lead departing with the male lead pursuing her might appear somewhat repetitive and predictable, which might lessen the impact of these recurring scenes.

Ultimately, the drama’s appeal hinges on your inclination toward its distinct narrative style and character dynamics. If you find pleasure in the unfolding dynamics of a tempestuous relationship and can appreciate the journey of characters evolving beyond their initial clashes, then Midsummer Is Full Of Love might warrant a viewing.

However, if you seek more nuanced chemistry, intricate character development, or a blend of humor and romance, you might find other dramas more aligned with your preferences. As with any storytelling experience, personal tastes play a significant role in determining whether this drama becomes a delightful summer fling or a passable miss.