Love writes its own story. No one journey looks the same, yet every heart chases some version of a happily ever after, whether it lasts a lifetime or becomes a memory we carry with us. That Summer leans heavily into this theme, weaving together several lives whose paths cross on an island shaped by grief, healing, and the unexpected ways love finds us.

The story follows Lava (Winny Thanawin Pholcharoenrat), a young man sent by his mother to live with his uncle Pheng (Mond Tanutchai Wijitvongtong) in a quiet seaside village that forces him to confront both responsibility and loss. Everything shifts when Lava discovers a mysterious man washed ashore, later named Wave (Satang Kittiphop Sereevichayasawat), who awakens with amnesia and no sense of the world he came from. Under the care of Dr. Wut (Ryu Phudtripart Bhudthonamochai), and under Lava’s reluctant watch, Wave (secretly Prince Davin of Arantha) becomes the catalyst for a summer that none of them are prepared for. Supporting them is Tum (Neo Trai Nimtawat), whose mix of humor, escapism, and heartache rounds out the ensemble.

From the very beginning, this series felt less like episodic television and more like the unfolding of a novel, quiet, atmospheric, and strikingly cinematic. That impression never faded. If anything, the final stretch only reinforced how intentionally That Summer explored the storms happening inside each character, letting their romances grow naturally through conflict, self-discovery, and the courage to step into who they want to become.

In the end, That Summer became a beautiful watch, one that felt as comforting as the island it’s set on, yet as harsh and unforgiving as the sun that beats down on it. Each romance grows only after each character faces themselves first, giving the story a grounded emotional core. Even the most unrealistic elements, such as Prince Davin’s multiple bouts of amnesia and the political world he comes from, feel surprisingly plausible because the emotional stakes remain so honest.

While Lava and Wave’s romance plays center stage for the series, That Summer stands out because every love story earns its place. Uncle Pheng and Dr. Wut’s relationship feels like a conversation between generations: a reminder that coming out, choosing yourself, and loving openly is a journey that doesn’t end at youth. Their hesitations, frustrations, and tenderness give the series one of its most emotionally mature threads.

Tum’s relationship with Kratae (Mint Thishar Thurachon) is another unexpected highlight, exploring healing after a difficult past and the power of someone believing in you when you’re still learning to believe in yourself. Even Princess Anya (Namtan Tipnaree Weerawatnodom) shines in her limited screen time. Empathetic, sharp, and quietly powerful, she showcases how easily women in leadership roles can be overlooked despite their capability and heart.

And all these threads work because they reflect something real: the ways love softens us, challenges us, and shapes the versions of ourselves we’re trying to become.

Anchoring it all are Lava and Wave (Prince Davin), whose relationship evolves through clashing tempers, tenderness, and the shared ache of two boys learning where they belong. Their emotional arc, Lava confronting his grief and Wave learning to step away from a life that never truly felt like his, creates a foundation strong enough to hold every other story.

If I have one con, it’s the second bout of amnesia. Amnesia plots aren’t my favorite, but they did initially make it work for this series. However, the second “amnesia” reset felt more like a device than a necessity. Wave regaining his past without wiping away his present would have carried just as much emotional weight. Still, Winny and Satang handled the material with so much sincerity that the storyline remained affecting despite my personal preferences.

All in all, That Summer is a heartfelt, layered, and deeply human series. It balances fantasy with emotional realism, ensemble storytelling with intimate romance, and moments of pain with moments of profound softness. I loved watching these characters grow, stumble, and find pieces of themselves in each other.

It’s a story worth remembering and one well worth watching.

For a series that explores many facets of love, identity, and finding where you belong, check out That Summer now on the GMMTV YouTube channel.

Rating- 4 out of 5