That Summer should be read with no expectations. Yes, it is considered both "shoujo" and "shounen-ai"; but, more than those confining categories, it's very much more a slice-of-life, coming of age drama between a host of characters whose friendships and relationships (platonic and otherwise) develop in the midst of the one summer before they choose their paths.

Kim Jumi, the main lead and a female character, is wonderful. Full stop. For a series that starts with the relationship between two guys, Jumi is a breath of fresh air for those of us used to "useless," "distracting," "mean," or just plainly not well-written female characters (especially with romantic male leads). She is realistically well-written, with flaws of her own and strengths of her own. She finds herself, over the course of the series, learns who she is and grows from that. She empathizes with her friends and the two male leads, and helps those around her as well while still being far from perfect in doing so. She also places importance on her relationships with her friends, which is super nice, and reacts to them the same way any high schooler would when they're troubled with romance, fights between friends, and more. It's all her qualities and weaknesses that make her so likeable, and looking back at high school as a time that has already passed for me, I can see a lot of myself in the Jumi as a student. So, from that, she diverges from either "shoujo" or "shounen-ai" stereotypes, and becomes a person of her own.

The two male leads, Hee Bum and Yoo Won, are also something very different than what is expected in conventional shoujo or shounen-ai. Hee Bum can be sarcastic and feisty, but also sentimental, anxious, and someone who finds it hard sometimes to express himself, especially to those important to him. Yoo Won is riddled with a handful of mysteries and a half; he clearly cares about the people around him, but he also does not reveal much and prefers to be alone despite being well-known and admired. Their relationship with each other and with Jumi is much more complex than just a love triangle (and in fact, there are none of those in here, really) or two love interests vying for the girl/guy. All three protagonists become friends, but each holds separate views of each other and themselves, and that difference in relationships and relating to one another is well-developed and explored in That Summer.

There are also other characters, given their own pace and time and importance, and though they seem minor they also play important roles in the lives of Jumi, Yoo Won, and Hee Bum, and thus an important part in this story as well.

That Summer is chock-full of small events in life and big ones that ultimately make up what it really feels like to be a high school student in the summer before you "have to" move on with your life and begin a new stage. Though every chapter has a new and suspenseful revelation, and each reveal keeps you guessing at where the story will go, it's amazing because it feels just like life at that age; you will never know where it will go from there. It's full of nostalgic moments (for those old enough to have left high school behind), with fights and breakups and jealousy but also in-jokes, sweet romances, a world too big to truly understand just yet, and equal worry about both your future career and the person sitting beside you as you grab lunch together or meet each other on a bench outside at 3 a.m. to talk about everything and nothing at all. That Summer really, in the end, talks about "that summer" that everyone still remembers years on from now, and I'm sure I'll be remembering this story years from now as well.

... Last updated on May 7th, 2017, 3:29pm

Tbh I'm not a BL fan but this manhwa is really neat. I like the story, the plot, the characters. There's hate and love. For a change, the female MC isn't the type to be blushing or dying out of nervousness all the time. She's confident and strong and REALISTIC. I think this manhwa relates a lot to real life. Like how it actually works. There are characters whom you will absolutely hate and then there are characters you'll adore. That's life. You don't love everyone. You don't hate everyone. Girls don't turn tomato red around their crushes. Also Yoo Won is really hot ehehe~ he's real smooth. In addition, the translator's notes in this manhwa is something worthy enough to be mentioned. It takes the manga a step higher in humour.

First the first time, as a fujoshi, I wasn't cheering for two guys to end up together. Yes the love isn't 100% new, but it's refreshing. To see how love with grow between two guya and a girl, with the guys being interested in each other. If the love for them had deepen in any other way, I wouldn't had rooted for the female lead anymore; but she was just lovely and I just had to root for her. I love how the storyline is going and still don't know whats really going to happen if the story continues. I wish for happiness for all the character regardless and hope the story doesn't get ruined.

I know there are readers who are just looking for BL or shoujo, but I hope you can disregard the genre (step out of the box for once) and just try it out. Before reading, I was honestly expecting this to head in one direction or the other like a typical webtoon/manga. Its actually kind of unpredictable, and as a result, very fun to read. Rather than focusing on developing one romantic relationship, the story is spread out and appropriately divided in developing each main character and their relationships with each other/side characters. A character that initially seemed rude/sassy becomes pitiful or one that was mysterious/manipulative turns out to be greatly misunderstood. I tend to read more shounen ai or BL, but I can say for sure that I'll be satisfied with whatever outcome in this webtoon. At this point, I honestly want it to be a polyamorous relationship because either route will leave me with fists clenched.
Usually, I leave a lot of critiques in my reviews so I can remember details, but I'm surprised that I have nothing bad to say about this webtoon.

Edit: I'm coming back after finally finishing this webtoon, and I am very pleased with the outcome. It was a delight to read, and I loved all of the characters so much. This is the type of webtoon that I wish would be adapted into a k-drama.

... Last updated on January 22nd, 2021, 12:05am

Gosh!! this manhwa is so new to me, i mean, all the plot development is new to me (at least, i don't recall to have read something like this before) is so sweet, the drawing, and the relationship between the characters. I only hope that this doesn't end bad. Up to now, i think it's so pretty, i recommend this one to shonen-ai's fans, it's not the usual lovey-dovey thing we read on yaoi mangas. I think that's why i like this much >.< . Anyway, give this manhwa an oportunity if you like this genre, i think you won't regret it (i hope not to fail it hahah :') )

... Last updated on November 19th, 2016, 9:21pm

I've read countless of stories, this one is definitely different! It was definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions, I can't predict the ending. I love the three characters— i think I'd be happy regardless of whoever ends up with who.

PS. Please support the author's new series, Shine Star or follow her social, Kim Hyun

First of all, this is not a BL, while it does exist as a subtext the focus is on relationships in our adolescence. I really loved all the characters, they had personalities full of duality and the relationships with friends, lovers or aquaintances were explored in their facettes.This depth of portraying definitely made the story come of as realistic and natural. Though the plot device may have been too dramatic, it's the actions and development of the characters that were in the foreground, which let us have many beautifully written monologues. There were some subplots and side-characters which I felt were unnecessary and have only been there to add to the drama. A definite plus are the unusual MCs, not eccentric, not cliched, but weird in a realistic way and they work together. Whatever outcome I may have wished for, the ending couldn't have been resolved any more beautifully, even if the path was painful, filled with fluff and yet again painful. All in all it's a story I can relate to. All those thoughts and worries discussed in here, were definitely a topic at least once, when it was around the time of graduation. Choices concerning your future, becoming independent, letting go of friends and setting priorities. The answers are uncertain but just like in "That Summer", even after we have made a decision there a still endless possibilities.

TL;DR: this was such an emotional ride y'all and I'm willing to ride it again; I want them to be happy forever!!!

... Last updated on November 30th, 2020, 9:38am

As mentioned by several comments below- this story is neither a typical BL nor shoujo story. What it is though is an amazing slice of life manhwa with compelling and multi-layered characters, the kind of situations that are meaningful and realistic with characters behaving as normal people would (except for YW's handsomeness, very few other characters are hotties, the main leads are not hot-shots, i-get-top-marks-in-everything kinda people but regular ones like us who have to struggle through life's ups and downs.
A must-read!

This webtoon gives off a coming of age vibe even though it only spans one summer of these characters' lives. The first 10 chapters are interesting and leave the reader wanting to know more, but afterwards the pace really slows down (which gives off the slow, lazy summer vibe but sometimes it just felt too slow). The shounen ai aspect is the catalyst that starts everything, but it's not the main focus of this webtoon. It's more about the reader witnessing a friendship form among the main characters, and it's always a breath of fresh air when a female character is not villianized in a story that involves boyxboy. It's not the most interesting or newest of stories but all in all, I liked it. (Did I mention the friendship is hella cute? Cuz it's hella cute.)

... Last updated on April 1st, 2017, 4:47pm

I just finished reading it& I can’t stop crying; not because it was sad( the ending was amazing) but because I enjoyed reading it😭❤️I got used the characters, I can’t bid farewell. The main characters development are awesome, you love them all. Pretty art, great story not cliché. You’ll never feel bored rather you will go through an emotional amazing ride😭😭❤️❤️You’ll cry, laugh get angry sometimes. Ahh I wanna read again😭I hope it got licensed in English🤲🏻