Winter Is Not the Death of Summer but the Birth of Spring – Series Review

Jed is an aspiring filmmaker who struggles to fund his movie. He's buried in debt and tangled in legal battles for years. After being caught for committing cheque fraud, he's sent to spend a night in prison until his bail is arranged the next day. The experience overwhelms Jed, as it's his first time in such an environment. He's crammed into a tiny cell with numerous other inmates. Harassment from others, a lack of privacy, and the shared use of a communal toilet make the night especially difficult for Jed.

Bible, a young prisoner on volunteer duty, is tasked with guiding new inmates. When he notices the others picking on Jed, he steps in to defend him. Jed struggles to sleep, but Bible offers him a shoulder to lean on. Feeling grateful, Jed finally drifts off. The next day, he wanders around the prison alone, occasionally crossing paths with Bible and exchanging subtle glances. Jed develops a slight crush on the kind inmate who helped him through the harsh night. When Jed's bail finally arrives, Bible bids him farewell, urging him to never return to this place again.

Unfortunately, Jed's past catches up with him, and his cheque fraud leads to a longer jail sentence. He now faces a year as a prisoner. Jed reunites with Bible, who initially seems cold and distant. Bible plays several pranks on Jed, pushing him to toughen up and adapt to the harsh environment. Over time, Bible's attitude softens, and the two start getting along. Jed also befriends Kheuan, who offers to handle chores and other favours in exchange for money.

Jed still struggles to adjust to prison life. He eventually falls ill, developing a nasty cough. Bible steps in to care for him, taking over his workload and accompanying him to the prison clinic. To Jed's surprise, the doctor at the clinic is Kong, his ex-boyfriend, who now works there. Their breakup ended on sour terms. While Kong wants to reconcile, Jed is reluctant to engage with him. After taking medication and getting some rest, Jed becomes healthy again.

Over time, Jed adjusts to his new routine in prison. He spends his days reading and working. He grows closer to Bible, whose positive attitude brightens even the harshest moments of their environment. Kheuan notices their bond and asks Jed if he has feelings for Bible. Kheuan encourages him to confess. Jed is inspired to write a heartfelt love letter, hoping that Bible might be open to love.

Winter Is Not the Death of Summer but the Birth of Spring has a unique selling point. A prison romance is an unconventional idea for the BL genre, which typically sticks to familiar settings like schools or workplaces. The storyteller doesn't simply glance at others and copy their homework. Instead, this series dares to be adventurous. It requires research and imagination to create a tender love story in the gritty realities of prison life. The concept alone already makes Winter Is Not the Death of Summer stand out from many generic projects.

This series is most fascinating when it explores life in jail. For most of us, this environment is unfamiliar, so the story offers an eye-opening perspective. Jed must adapt to challenging experiences, such as sharing a cramped cell, using a communal toilet, or being cut off from the outside world. The first few episodes emphasize his helplessness as he struggles to adjust, making viewers sympathize with him. Winter Is Not the Death of Summer reminds us how much we take our privileges, privacy, and security for granted. It tackles thought-provoking themes you won't find in other lighthearted or fluffy BL dramas.

Despite a unique premise, Winter Is Not the Death of Summer fails to explore its full potential. After a while, the storylines become frivolous. Jed wants to arrange a singing contest and film a music video with the inmates. WTF!? Am I watching My School President? These extracurricular activities belong to a high school club, not a prison drama. The lighthearted plots feel out of place, undermining the gravity of imprisonment. Why is the series not tackling grittier material? I'm frustrated because it misses the chance to address more mature and meaningful topics.

Early on, Bible helps Jed adjust to prison life. While it makes sense that Jed grows attached to him, his crush is too abrupt. The two leads just met each other and only interacted a few times. I want more depth in their relationship before they develop feelings. The tone also seems jarring. When Jed writes a cutesy love letter to Bible, the scene is suited to a high school BL drama. The sweetness doesn't match the gritty style of a prison romance. The series could have taken a more mature, realistic approach, exploring deeper emotions and complexities in their bond.

While I'm disappointed by how the romance develops, Jed and Bible still win me over as a couple. A prison love story is so rare that the series benefits from its novelty factor. I can overlook the awkwardness and just enjoy these two inmates hooking up. They have sex outside by the clotheslines, an encounter unlike anything I've seen in other BL dramas. It's iconic! I adore Bible's actor (Art), who looks sharp on camera and brings effortless charm to his role. His co-star (Mark) does a fine job capturing his character's anxiety, but he can improve on emoting persuasively.

I hate that Winter Is Not the Death of Summer has a heartbreaking ending. The love story is sweet and tender, so it feels jarring to suddenly tear the couple apart in the final episodes. Even if the series wants a poignant conclusion, it should've built up the events better and prepared viewers emotionally. Instead, it drops a random bombshell, making the outcome feel contrived. The awful finale destroys much of my goodwill. While I still appreciate its unique setting, this BL drama underachieves in many ways. It doesn't deliver what I'd expect from a compelling prison romance.