‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Is More Than TikTok Cringe

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty is taking over the internet — and TikTok, in particular. The main reason? The series adaptation of Jenny Han’s book trilogy is truly sensational. It’s dreamy, charming, and comes with a killer soundtrack. So why are viewers dismissing it as “another YA show,” when it’s so much more than that?

If you haven’t checked TSITP out yet, it really is the perfect summer show. Without giving away too much, the series follows newly 16-year-old Belly (Lola Tung) as she spends the summer at her family friend’s beach house, like she does every summer. Except this is the summer when everything changes. There’s love triangles, first kisses, beach volleyball tournaments, and some moments that will get the waterworks going.

But a quick scroll through TikTok reveals a similar theme. Amidst all the lip dubs, glowing praise, and fan edits, almost every post starts with “I know it’s just a cheesy YA show, but…” or “It’s just a cute show for teens but…” Or the harsher posts calling the show cringey, overdone, and cliché. Sure, there are moments on the show that provoke a wince, but we’d be kidding ourselves if we said our own teen years weren’t cringey. And yes, a high school love triangle is the epitome of cliché, but so is a slow-motion walk to a fighter jet. So why is Top Gun considered a classic, but a show like The Summer I Turned Pretty is something that needs to be qualified when praised and picked apart for simply playing to its genre?

@erikaxpriscilla

Not ok #thesummeriturnedpretty

♬ original sound – Erika Priscilla

This is a trend in the media that has been around for far too long. Shows and movies that have been deemed “for teen girls” become trivialized and dismissed as impactful pieces of art. And what’s most ironic about this phenomenon is that often these “chick flicks” or “girl shows” that are some of the most widely relatable stories being told on screen.

Recent shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Never Have I Ever, Love, Victor, and Sex Education all tell stories about high schoolers, yet they have attracted audiences of all ages. And it’s not because we are all dying to go back to high school; it’s because these series are more than just cafeteria fights, making out under the bleachers, and strict parents. What these shows are really about is coming of age. It’s that feeling when one day you wake up and are suddenly convinced you know everything, simply because you now have your driver’s license. Or when growing up also means being messy and making stupid decisions.

What is most compelling about these shows is that they explore a time in your life when you felt emotions deeply for the first time. And it’s because of that universal theme that “chick shows” attract viewers from all different stages of life, and genders. We haven’t all had to survive a zombie apocalypse, drop bombs from a jet, or take on a space empire; but we all remember our first experiences with love, grief, sadness, and joy.

@andimitchellll

Idc what anyone says i was crying i love this show cringe and all. #thesummeriturnedpretty #teamconrad

♬ Beach Baby – Bon Iver

On the surface, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a show about a high school girl deciding which guy she wants to date; but when you probe deeper, it’s a show about coming into your own, and a loss of innocence. It’s about female friendship, shifting family dynamics, and figuring out who you are.

Needless to say, it’s a lot more than just a “cheesy YA drama.” And even if it was? That would be perfectly okay. It’s time to stop dog-piling onto the things young girls like. There is value in all genres of film and television: from romantic comedies to biopics, good art makes you feel something and lets you connect to the story being told. The Summer I Turned Pretty is the latest example of YA content’s power. It’s a love letter to all of life’s “firsts” and to that relationships we have all developed with our younger selves. So no need to add that “it’s great, but…” onto your TikTok. Embrace the cringe, and let’s give these shows the respect they deserve.