KBS’s new romance drama Last Summer is here to warm up the cold season with a story that radiates nostalgia and gentle warmth. The series follows two childhood friends who can only spend 21 days of summer together each year. But an incident turns their 17-year relationship colder than strangers. Two years later, fate pulls them back together through a legal dispute, forcing them to confront their scarred friendship and the truth of their first love.
With its lush visuals set in a quiet village near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and its moving exploration of love, loss and emotional reconstruction, Last Summer promises to be one of this fall’s most memorable dramas.
The Story of “Last Summer”
Last Summer centers on Baek Do-ha and Song Ha-gyeong, childhood friends whose relationship has always been defined by fleeting summers. After Do-ha’s parents divorced, he moved to the United States, only returning to Korea for 21 days each year to stay in a duplex built by his father. During those short summers, he reconnected with his twin brother Baek Do-yeong and their neighbor Ha-gyeong, the daughter of his father’s best friend. The trio grew up inseparable, until an incident two years ago shattered their bond.
Now adults, Do-ha and Ha-gyeong cross paths again under strained circumstances. He’s a brilliant architect at the top of his field, while she’s a civil servant managing architectural projects in Patan Village. Their reunion, sparked by a legal dispute, forces them to face the secrets they have both buried, and the unresolved emotions that come rushing back like the midsummer tide.
Director Min Yeon-hong, known for Missing: The Other Side, describes Last Summer as “the architecture of the heart,” a story about emotional rebuilding and finding healing in the spaces we once shared.
Lee Jae-wook as Baek Do-ha and Baek Do-yeong
Lee Jae-wook takes on his first-ever dual roles, portraying twin brothers Baek Do-ha and Baek Do-yeong. Baek Do-ha is a gifted architect and the head of Pluto Atelier, recognized early in his career by a Pritzker Prize laureate (often called “the Nobel Prize of architecture”) for his brilliance. Nicknamed “Baek Do”, meaning “one who waits it out”, he’s known for his patience and strategic mind, even though his impulsive side sometimes surfaces when emotions run high. Behind his success lies a complex past that continues to haunt him.
His twin brother, Baek Do-yeong, stayed in Korea after their parents’ divorce and grew up cherishing the summers when Do-ha returned home. Thoughtful and gentle, Do-yeong often hides his own feelings to protect those he loves, especially when he realizes Ha-gyeong’s affection for his brother. Lee Jae-wook’s nuanced performance captures the subtle differences between the twins, portraying one as optimistic and the other as quietly introspective and mysterious.
Choi Sung-eun as Song Ha-gyeong
Choi Sung-eun plays Song Ha-gyeong, a former medical student who becomes a government architect in Patan Village, located near the DMZ. Practical and warm-hearted, she handles everything from street maintenance to local issues, earning the nickname “Dr. Song” among residents. Though she often claims she wants to leave the village, her actions prove otherwise. She’s always ready to help her neighbors. Beneath her calm exterior, Ha-gyeong carries lingering anger and heartbreak from her past with Do-ha and Do-yeong. When Do-ha suddenly returns, her carefully built world begins to crack, forcing her to confront emotions she thought she had buried forever.
Kim Gun-woo as Seo Su-hyeok
Following Kim Gun-woo’s standout performance as Kim Sang-hak in You and Everything Else, he now takes on the role of Seo Su-hyeok, the youngest son of the prestigious law firm Seo & Joo. Su-hyeok is a skilled lawyer with a 100% win rate in the court of appeals, where cases are reviewed to overturn previous rulings. However, his perfect record was broken when he lost a case involving Ha-gyeong, leaving an unforgettable mark on him. As fate would have it, Su-hyeok later becomes Do-ha’s attorney in a legal dispute against Ha-gyeong. Their reunion stirs unexpected emotions, creating an intriguing dynamic between the lawyer representing her rival and the woman who once defeated him in court.
Ahn Dong-gu and Jung Bo-min as Oh Seung-taek and Lee Seul
Ahn Dong-gu and Jung Bo-min portray Oh Seung-taek, a para ice hockey player, and his longtime girlfriend Lee Seul. Their love story offers a touching glimpse into the resilience and devotion of a couple determined to protect their relationship despite life’s hardships. The couple’s chemistry brings warmth and sincerity to the series, balancing the more dramatic arcs with grounded emotion.
A Drama of First Love, Tender Memories and Healing
Capturing both the unresolved ache of first love and the bittersweet reunion of estranged friends, Last Summer paints an emotional portrait of time, seasons and people growing together. The drama also distinguishes itself through its thoughtful use of architecture, not just as a backdrop but as a metaphor for rebuilding relationships and healing emotional wounds. With its breathtaking cinematography, soothing summer hues, and music from acclaimed artists including ATEEZ, ILLIT, Lee Mujin, Heize, Paul Kim, MeloMance and BIBI, Last Summer blends heartfelt storytelling with a cinematic feel that will surely resonate with viewers.
When and Where to Watch
Last Summer premieres on Nov. 1 at 9:20 p.m. KST. The 12-part series will be available globally on Viki and on Netflix in Malaysia, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
Will Baek Do-ha and Song Ha-Gyeong rebuild what was lost, or will the truth tear them apart again? Let us know on Instagram and Twitter/X!
Featured Image Credit: KBS Drama
