Never-Ending Summer: Great Romance or Bad Mutilation?

The heat index in the 2026 romance market just hit its peak. Premiering today, June 16, 2026, on Mango TV and iQiyi, Never-Ending Summer also known as Zhui Luo is officially here. Adapted from the viral internet novel Zhui Luo by famous author Tian Cu Yu, this 29-episode drama promised a raw, heavy-angst “fake love turned real” redemption story.

Directed by Hsu Chao-jen and Huang Chang-zo, the show pairs visual breakouts Bao Shang En and Daniel Zhou . However, immediately following its launch, it has ignited a massive flame war online. In this comprehensive Never-Ending Summer review, we take an honest look at the premiere to see if this summer drama is a must-watch or a scriptwriter’s disaster.

🎬 Never-Ending Summer: Drama Details

📖 The Story: Explores Lies, Guilt, and a 10-Year Separation

Never-Ending Summer follows Zhou Wan (Bao Shang En), a seemingly fragile but fiercely stubborn top student who is driven to desperate lengths to pay for her terminally ill grandmother’s surgery. She devises a cold, calculating plan: she intentionally targets and seduces Lu Xixiao (Daniel Zhou), a rebellious, wealthy heir who happens to be her estranged mother’s stepson, hoping to manipulate her mother into paying the medical bills.

Lu Xixiao, an untamed bad boy fighting his family’s suffocating golden cage, falls headfirst into her trap. Even when he realizes she is pulling a scheme, he willingly enters the game. Just as their fake dynamic turns into intense, genuine love, a massive misunderstanding rips them apart. Ten years later, they cross paths in the corporate world, working together to uncover a dark workplace cover-up while reigniting a toxic, revenge-fueled flame.

🎭 The Cast: Youthful Chemistry vs. Acting Limitations

The Never-Ending Summer cast is drawing heavily divided reactions from book purists and casual viewers alike:

• Daniel Zhou (as Lu Xixiao): Following his acclaimed performance in Sniper Butterfly, Zhou Keyu brings sharp physical presence and intense screen magnetism to the screen. While fans praise his natural, un-greasy bad-boy charm and deep micro-expressions, critics note his acting occasionally relies on standard idol tropes.

• Bao Shang En (as Zhou Wan): Serving “school beauty” visuals, Bao Shang’en plays the calculating academic lead with quiet gentleness. However, audience members have complained that her line delivery feels flat when balancing the heavy burden of her character’s hidden guilt.

💥 The Verdict: Biggest Novel Adaptation Drama

The internet response to Never-Ending Summer has fractured into two completely extreme camps on social networks and review boards like Douban.

👍 The Praise: A Visual Aesthetic Dream with Electric Tension

Casual romance fans are thoroughly enjoying the quick pacing and beautiful atmosphere. The cinematography embraces warm, sun-drenched summer tones, utilizing gorgeous lighting and a nostalgic soundtrack that makes it a perfect, cozy escape. Viewers love the thrilling “forbidden pseudo-siblings” tension and the absolute satisfaction of watching a rebellious bad boy willfully walk into a trap set by an intelligent, quiet girl.

👎 The Critique: “Total Destruction of the Original Characters”

On the other side, dedicated book purists are furious, calling the script a “魔改” (complete script mutilation). Audiences have slammed the screenwriters for writing cringeworthy, logic-defying cliches that completely destroy the original novel’s identity.

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For example, a heavily criticized opening scene shows Lu Xixiao breaking a school water pipe during a rally, soaking his classmates while background characters mindlessly swoon—a moment critics labeled “utterly brainless and detached from reality.” Furthermore, book fans are angry that the drama stripped away Zhou Wan’s gritty, low-income background (such as erasing her arcade job line), reducing her into a flat, generic romance heroine.

🏆 Final Thoughts

Never-Ending Summer functions as a highly addictive, beautifully shot modern idol romance if you completely turn off your brain to the source material. If you can accept standard drama cliches and want to enjoy top-tier youthful aesthetics, the intense chemistry between Zhou Keyu and Bao Shang’en makes it a fun ride. But if you are a hardcore fan of the original book Zhui Luo, you might want to skip this one to protect your sanity.

Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Did you watch the premiere of Never-Ending Summer today? Do you think Zhou Keyu fits the iconic bad boy image of Lu Xixiao, or are you disappointed by the massive script changes? Drop your raw thoughts in the comments below!