The Fourever You series has been an absolute joy to watch, and Lately, It’s Winter Season is a genuinely good finale for a franchise that has continued to capture the heart while building unforgettable friendships and relationships.

Adapted from the novel Lately, It’s Winter Season by Howlairy, the series follows Tiger (Pie Saranvut Nittayasuthi), the lonely youngest son of a powerful family, whose life changes after meeting his classmate Dueannao “Nao” (Golf Pasatorn Lertsathitwong) during football tryouts. What begins with clashing personalities gradually becomes an unshakable friendship, leaving Tiger wanting something more while Nao slowly discovers where his own heart belongs.

From an unforgettable friendship to Tiger’s one-sided love before Nao finally realizes his own feelings, Lately, It’s Winter Season takes viewers on a journey through family, healing, and a romance that grows from the warmth of unwavering support. While that’s fairly easy to break down, what this series, and every installment in the Fourever You franchise, has done so well is build an ensemble cast that leaves just as deep an impression as its leads.

I love how well the families surrounding these characters are developed and portrayed. Nao’s twin brother Dannue (Earth Nanthawat Phaiboonphattana) and their mother, along with Tiger’s older brother Singha (Aong Sittan Supakriangkrai), aren’t simply supporting characters. They’re essential parts of Tiger and Nao’s lives, helping shape the people they become. The friendships Tiger and Nao make are just as important, and everyone in the cast did a phenomenal job bringing those relationships to life in a way that felt genuine.

Which brings me back to Pie and Golf as Tiger and Nao. Not only was their chemistry electric, but they also handled every emotional high and low with remarkable sincerity. Nao’s optimistic innocence is as much a way of protecting himself as it is a way of pushing both himself and his family forward. He’s a literal light despite the darkness he, his twin, and their mother endured through years of abuse before their stepfather disappeared. Tiger, on the other hand, has spent his life surrounded by violence and loneliness because of his family’s ties to the mafia, leaving him afraid to trust or let anyone get close. Until he meets Nao. Pie and Golf captured that contrast beautifully, making every step of their relationship feel earned.

The same goes for Bas Hatsanat Piniwat as North. Even though he isn’t the lead in this story, he deserves special recognition for being the one character who plays a pivotal role throughout every Fourever You story. He’s the thread that quietly ties each series together, and Bas never misses a beat. He fills North’s shoes with a dedication that’s both inspiring and genuinely fun to watch.

Now for the cons. As much as I adore the Fourever You series and enjoyed getting lost in the lives of these characters, it’s undeniable that the final stretch felt rushed. Tiger and Singha’s father’s death is mentioned almost in passing, Nao comes to terms with being in love with his best friend far more quickly than feels believable, and the happily-ever-after arrives before those emotional moments have enough time to breathe. I’ve also seen criticism aimed at some of the supporting performances, but I honestly don’t think the acting was the issue. I think the script simply wasn’t strong enough to give many of those secondary characters the material they deserved.

Even so, the cast accomplished something remarkable with what they were given. They created a world filled with friendships, family, and love that was easy to become invested in, and I don’t regret watching it for a second. I’d be genuinely excited to see every member of the Fourever You cast take on future projects because this series proved just how much talent this ensemble has.

For a Fourever You finale that takes a beautiful friendship and lets it grow into an equally heartwarming romance, check out Lately, It’s Winter Season, now streaming on Tencent Video/WeTV.

Rating- 4 out of 5