The KBS2 weekend drama Last Summer reached its conclusion with the release of its final episode, episode 12, on December 7 . Fans who have followed the complicated journey of childhood friends Baek Do-ha and Song Ha-gyeong were given a quiet, hopeful ending that focused on healing and moving forward from a shared, painful past.
The series followed the story of twin brothers separated by their parents’ divorce. Baek Do-ha, raised in the United States, returned to his South Korean hometown for 21 days every summer. His neighbor, Song Ha-gyeong, grew up next door to Do-ha’s father and brother. Over the years, their constant childhood fights slowly developed into deeper, unspoken feelings. The drama explored their turbulent adult reunion, complicated by guilt, unresolved emotions, and the long shadow cast by the fate of Do-ha’s twin brother, Baek Do-yeong.
What Happened in the Final Episodes
The final episodes focused on resolving the central emotional conflicts. After seasons of hesitation, Ha-gyeong finally ended her relationship with lawyer Seo Soo-hyeok and admitted her true feelings for Do-ha. The couple then began dating, making up for lost time by skipping work and enjoying simple moments together.
A major plot point involved the Patan High School observatory project, which was Do-ha’s dream to complete. The project faced public criticism and sabotage from business rivals Jeon Nam-jin and Chang-joo, who were later arrested. With help from Ha-gyeong and the local village group, the project was finished, serving as a tribute to Do-ha’s late brother.
The story reached its emotional peak during a winter stargazing trip, which mirrored their childhood summers. During this trip, Ha-gyeong and Do-ha finally confronted their shared guilt and grief over Do-yeong’s death, choosing to connect through their wounds rather than be chained by them.
The Finale: A Birthday, a Misunderstanding, and a Wedding
Episode 12 began with Do-ha and Ha-gyeong living together, their relationship settled but still navigating daily life. Do-ha was upset that Ha-gyeong remembered the birthday of their friend Su-bak and even the house, but had forgotten his own birthday. Ha-gyeong secretly planned a surprise, trying to find out his favorite things by calling people close to him.
Her plan was interrupted when Do-ha’s parents unexpectedly arrived at their home. Despite the initial disappointment, the group spent time together, with Ha-gyeong also sharing a moment with her own father. The episode then introduced a key misunderstanding: Do-ha found an ultrasound photo and, filled with excitement, assumed Ha-gyeong was pregnant. He began taking extra care of her, a change noticed by his coworkers.
“He even suggests that they all should get married on the same day.”
It was later revealed the baby picture belonged to the secondary couple, Lee Seul and Seung-taek, who had reconciled after a difficult breakup. Do-ha, inspired by their reunion, immediately proposed that he and Ha-gyeong get married alongside them. Lee Seul and Seung-taek declined the joint wedding but decided to hold their ceremony at Do-ha and Ha-gyeong’s house.
The series ended with that wedding. In a symbolic moment, the bride’s bouquet landed in Ha-gyeong’s hands. The final scene showed Do-ha and Ha-gyeong sharing a quiet, hopeful kiss, signaling a positive future for their relationship.
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The Core Meaning of the Ending
The ending of Last Summer was not about dramatic twists, but about emotional release and acceptance. The observatory, a project to rebuild and see clearly, stood as a symbol of preserving memory without being controlled by it. For Do-ha and Ha-gyeong, their relationship only became possible once they stopped running from their past and chose to accept it together.
The resolution of the twin brother’s storyline was handled with a focus on healing rather than sensational tragedy, allowing the main characters to finally move forward. The finale tied up major storylines for the main and secondary couples, providing clear closure.
Cast and Characters
The drama featured performances from several notable actors:
- Lee Jae-wook played the dual roles of Baek Do-ha, the architect grappling with guilt, and his twin brother Baek Do-yeong.
- Choi Seung-eun (also credited as Choi Sung Eun) played the lead role of Song Ha-gyeong, a woman dealing with abandonment and her own guarded heart.
- Kim Gun-woo played lawyer Seo Soo-hyeok, who formed a complicated love triangle with the main leads.
- Jung Bo-min played Lee Seul, whose relationship with Oh Seung-taek provided a secondary emotional storyline.
Will There Be a Season 2?
Based on the narrative conclusion, a second season of Last Summer appears unlikely. The story closed its major threads, with the main couple’s relationship reaching a stable point and no cliffhangers suggesting a new arc. The drama was not based on a multi-part source material and was structured as a complete story.
How to Watch Last Summer
Last Summer aired on KBS2 in South Korea. Internationally, all 12 episodes of the series are available for streaming on the platform Viki.
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