Cho Yi Hyun and Jin Young are set to lead the upcoming teen romance Summer Vacation, and SBS has released the first look at their characters’ very awkward first encounter. The new stills, shared on October 26, 2026, show the two leads standing face-to-face in a rural village, with Cho’s character wearing Jin Young’s white shirt after getting soaked. The drama premieres later today, October 26, on Wavve in South Korea and will be available on Viki for global viewers.
What Happened Previously: Two Teenagers from Different Worlds
Summer Vacation follows Kim Ha Yeon (Cho Yi Hyun), an ordinary 18-year-old high school student who feels stuck in a boring life. Ha Yeon dreams of something dramatic happening to her, like a prince on a white horse or a secret wealthy family appearing to change her fate. During her summer break, she travels with her father on a business trip to the rural village of Upo, hoping for a break from her routine.
Jo Yu Gyeom (Jin Young) is the son of the village landowner and the eldest grandson of a traditional family. He has striking looks and is an exceptional swimmer, but his life is tightly controlled by old-fashioned family rules. Yu Gyeom follows a dull, predictable daily routine, trapped by expectations he never chose.
The two have no connection before they meet. Their worlds collide by accident at a beach in Upo, and that single encounter changes the course of their summer.
The First Encounter: A Wet Shirt and an Awkward Silence
The newly released stills capture the exact moment Kim Ha Yeon and Jo Yu Gyeom meet for the first time. The two stand against a backdrop of lush green foliage in the countryside. Ha Yeon is wearing Yu Gyeom’s white shirt, and she is still wet from the water, hinting that something unexpected happened before this moment. Yu Gyeom stares at her with a blank expression. Ha Yeon lowers her eyes, clearly embarrassed.
The scene is designed to show the contrast between the two characters. Yu Gyeom is reserved and controlled, while Ha Yeon is out of her element and visibly flustered. The production team explained what this moment means for the story.
“Episode 1 features an intense yet innocent encounter in which Kim Ha Yeon, who has come down from Seoul, and Jo Yu Gyeom, the eldest male heir of an ancestral household, leave a lasting impression on each other at first sight. Please stay tuned for the story that unfolds between the two amid the lush scenery of midsummer and the fresh on-screen chemistry they will create.” — Summer Vacation production team
A Love Triangle Forms
The romance is not simple. A teaser released earlier introduced Sung Sae Ryung (Hong Ye Ji), Yu Gyeom’s girlfriend. Sae Ryung is not happy about Ha Yeon’s arrival, and she makes her feelings clear. The teaser shows Sae Ryung threatening Ha Yeon and declaring that she will take Yu Gyeom away no matter what.
Ha Yeon refuses to back down. The teaser ends with her declaring that she will be the one to save Yu Gyeom, and that he will save her too. The tagline for the drama hints at the weight of their meeting: “This summer, I met you as if by fate.”
The Cast and Characters
Cho Yi Hyun plays Kim Ha Yeon, a high school student who dreams of a more exciting life. Cho is known for her roles in All of Us Are Dead and The Matchmakers.
Jin Young, a member of the K-pop group B1A4, plays Jo Yu Gyeom, the heir to a traditional family who feels trapped by his responsibilities. Jin Young has appeared in Love in the Moonlight and You Are the Apple of My Eye.
Hong Ye Ji plays Sung Sae Ryung, Yu Gyeom’s girlfriend who becomes Ha Yeon’s rival. Ryu Hae Jun and Han also appear in supporting roles.
A Drama Three Years in the Making
Summer Vacation began filming in 2022 and wrapped production in 2023. The release date remained uncertain for years, leaving fans waiting to see the finished project. The drama is a 10-episode series that blends teen romance, mystery, and fantasy elements. The story is set in the fictional village of Upo, a rural setting that contrasts with the busy city life Ha Yeon comes from.
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Release Info for Global Viewers
Summer Vacation premieres on Monday, October 26, 2026, on Wavve in South Korea. The drama will also air on the Lifetime channel in Korea.
- USA: Streams on Viki with English subtitles.
- UK: Available on Viki.
- Canada: Available on Viki.
- Australia: Available on Viki.
- India: Available on Viki.
- Global: Viki carries the series in most regions outside Korea, with subtitles in multiple languages.
The drama has 10 episodes in total. New episodes are expected to follow a weekly release pattern on Wavve, though the exact schedule for the full season has not been fully detailed by the platform.
For more K-drama premieres and first-look updates, keep reading VvipTimes.
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