Summer Vacation (2026) Episodes 1–2 Review: Watch or Skip?
The Binge Team- October 28, 2026
This dark fantasy romance gem has been a long time coming! When Summer Vacation (여름방학) finally premiered on October 26, 2026, my weekly watchlist was already crazier than it had been in years, in the best possible way. After sitting on the shelf since it was filmed back in 2023, this K-drama opened my eyes to something I hadn't expected at all.
The story immediately plunges us into the life of Kim Ha-Yeon (Cho Yi-Hyun),, a high school student whose life is anything but happy. Her mother emotionally neglects her, constantly insults her, and lets her brother get away with everything. Her so-called friends are no better, walking all over her whenever they get the chance. Desperate to escape her miserable life, Ha-Yeon finds herself in a small village with her family because of her father's work. There, she crosses paths with Jo Yoo-Gyeom (Jung Jin Young),, the disciplined eldest grandson of the village head's family, whose own life is controlled by his family's strict rules and expectations.
This is the school drama for you if you enjoy a story packed with secrets, sudden twists, toxic relationships, and slow-burn tension. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys intense teen mysteries like Blue Birthday. It's full of mystery, with enough supernatural shenanigans to keep my brain buzzing every minute of the day!
Summer Vacation Episodes 1-2 Review: What I Loved
Episode 1 starts much like a typical youth drama before taking a turn into darker territory. I wasn't sure if I was making too big a deal out of the first episode, but the show wastes no time establishing just how suffocating Kim Ha-Yeon's life is. Her family and fake friends constantly put her down, and I was so mad at them that I found myself screaming at the screen, "Why don't you say something to those witches?"
From the moment Ha-Yeon meets Jo Yoo-Gyeom, things get wild, and they get wild fast! It all leads to a surprising dive into the ocean and an unexpected kiss that feels like a reckless move but is also irresistibly alluring. Then I remembered that he already has a girlfriend, and I immediately found myself hoping this wouldn't turn into another cheating drama.
Then Episode 2 takes the craziness up to eleven! Yoo-Gyeom is already a walking red flag to me. He asks Ha-Yeon to meet him only at midnight, yet he remains adamant that he won't break up with his girlfriend, Sung Sae-Ryeong (Hong Ye-Ji). What exactly does he want from Ha-Yeon? I'm seriously side-eyeing this guy.
The biggest shock in Episode 2 comes when we learn that Sae-Ryeong isn't the daughter of a high-ranking politician, as everyone believes. Instead, she's the abandoned daughter of a gambler who has been pretending to come from a respectable background. That revelation completely changes how I see her. I also felt sorry for Na-Kyeong after learning about the bullying she has endured at the hands of Sae-Ryeong and her clique.
I got chills down my spine when Sae-Ryeong showed just how far she was willing to go in Episode 2. Still, I can't say I was surprised when she turned on Ha-Yeon. When Sae-Ryeong tries to attack her, Ha-Yeon fights back in self-defense and shoves her away. Sae-Ryeong hits the wall and collapses, unconscious from the impact. Her head is bleeding badly, and the whole scene leaves me wondering if things are about to get even darker.
Given that this drama is tagged as fantasy, I can't help wondering if Sae-Ryeong's fall is more than just an accident. Did she survive? Or is this where things take a supernatural turn? I'm only speculating here, but that ending has me questioning everything!
Summer Vacation Episode 2: Shocking Cliffhanger
After just two episodes, I've already made up my mind about one thing: these audacious cliffhangers aren't letting me look away!
Episode 2 ends with the whole story hanging in the balance. The final moments are such a massive cliffhanger that I'm desperate to know what happens next. Yoo-Gyeom's panicked reaction to his girlfriend's condition is especially bizarre, given his questionable behavior and his involvement with Ha-Yeon. The way everything spirals out of control toward the end left me staring at the screen.
So, did Sae-Ryeong's gruesome fall mark the end of her story, or is it the beginning of something much bigger? I'm honestly not sure what to make of Ha-Yeon shoving her. It was self-defense, but the consequences could be devastating. I'm curious to see how the next episodes deal with the accident and whether there's more to this incident than meets the eye.
Summer Vacation Review: My Verdict After Episode 2
I went into premiere week without any expectations, but Summer Vacation has already taken me from a quiet village setting to an adventure filled with toxic relationships, shocking secrets, and a mystery that keeps getting crazier by the minute.
Cho Yi-Hyun portrays Ha-Yeon as a passive young girl who struggles to stand up for herself, while Jin Young gives Yoo-Gyeom an amazing screen presence as a toxic, morally gray character whose intentions I still can't figure out.
Grab your popcorn and come along with me on this crazy adventure! After those first two episodes, I'm already hooked, and the mystery is only getting started.
✦ Watch This If You Loved
If dark school romances with unexpected twists are your thing, Summer Vacation could be one to check out.
Looking for more dramas like Summer Vacation? Check out our similar picks below:
Drama Info
TitleSummer Vacation (2026)
Total Episodes10 (Ongoing)
Review
1-2 Episodes
1-2 Episodes
CountrySouth Korea
GenreRomance · Fantasy · Mystery
Release DateOct 26th to Nov 24th · 2026
StreamViki
Viki
Main Cast
Cho Yi-Hyun
Cho Yi-Hyun
Jung Jin Young
Jo Yoo-Gyeom
MAB Score (For Episodes 1-2)
8.5/10
Overall Rating
Story
Acting
Chemistry