Zhang Zifeng
Chen Chen
Overview
When a white lie leads to unexpected results, Chen Chen and Zheng Yuxing forge a deep friendship and must face the harsh realities of growing up.
Cast
8 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Summer That Never Quite Arrived
I keep thinking about the title—Upcoming Summer—and how it promises something just out of reach. A season that’s always approaching but never quite here. That’s the feeling I walked away with after watching Leste Chen’s 2021 drama, a film that lingers in the space between expectation and reality, between the lies we tell to protect ourselves and the truths that eventually unravel us.
It’s a quiet movie, the kind that doesn’t announce itself with grand gestures or explosive moments, but instead seeps into you slowly, like the humidity of a summer afternoon that refuses to break into a storm. Chen has made a career out of exploring the fragile emotional landscapes of young people—Eternal Summer (2006) remains his most well-known work, a film that captures the messy, unspoken desires of adolescence with a tenderness that feels almost invasive. Upcoming Summer doesn’t have the same cultural footprint, but it shares that same preoccupation with the moments when youth starts to curdle into something more complicated.
The difference here is that the stakes feel smaller, more intimate. This isn’t a story about first love or rebellion; it’s about the lies that bind friendships together and the way those lies can become their own kind of truth.
The film follows Chen Chen (Zhang Zifeng) and Zheng Yuxing (Leo Wu), two teenagers whose friendship is built on a foundation of half-truths. The synopsis mentions a "white lie" that leads to "unexpected results," and that’s as much as we get in terms of plot. But the beauty of Upcoming Summer is in how it refuses to treat that lie as a gimmick.
Instead, it becomes the lens through which we see these characters navigate the awkward, often painful transition from childhood to adulthood. There’s a scene early on where Chen Chen and Zheng Yuxing sit on a rooftop, passing a cigarette between them like it’s a sacred ritual. The camera lingers on their hands, the way Zheng’s fingers tremble slightly as he exhales, the way Chen Chen watches him with a mix of curiosity and something like envy.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 5.7/10
"A modestly engaging drama with strong performances and a slow pace that may test your patience."
The emotional depth and performances, particularly from the leads, sustain interest in the story. The slow pacing and understated narrative, though, leave it short on momentum and without a compelling payoff.
What viewers praise
- Strong performances The cast, especially the leads, gives nuanced, emotionally rich performances that anchor the film.
- Emotional depth Its exploration of relationships and personal struggles will reward fans of character-driven drama.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing The deliberate, measured storytelling can feel sluggish if you expect a more dynamic narrative.
- Understated payoff The conclusion and emotional resolution are too subdued to make much impact.
Recommended for
Fans of character-driven dramas Slow-burn storytelling enthusiasts Fans of Chinese/Taiwanese cinema
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Upcoming Summer (2021): A Glimpse Into Leste Chen’s Coming-of-Age Drama
Upcoming Summer (2021), directed by Leste Chen, is a Chinese-Taiwanese drama that blends youthful romance with the pressures of ambition. Starring Zhang Zifeng and Leo Wu, the film follows two teenagers navigating love, failure, and self-discovery against the backdrop of a high-stakes summer. While the movie’s emotional core has drawn attention, latestnetflix.com argues, behind-the-scenes details remain sparse—but here’s what we know.
The Director’s Vision: Leste Chen’s Quiet Touch
Leste Chen, known for his understated yet emotionally charged storytelling, helms Upcoming Summer as a character-driven piece. The film’s original title, Shèngxià wèilái (《盛夏未来》), translates to "The Future of Midsummer," hinting at themes of fleeting youth and uncertain futures. Chen’s previous work, including The Soul (2021), suggests a preference for intimate narratives over spectacle, and early trailers for Upcoming Summer reinforce this approach. The film’s 115-minute runtime aligns with his tendency to let performances and atmosphere carry the story.
Little is publicly known about Chen’s collaboration with the cast, but his reputation for working closely with young actors—particularly in coming-of-age projects—may have shaped the film’s tone. Rumors of on-set improvisation or script tweaks remain unconfirmed, though the final product’s raw emotional beats suggest a director who prioritizes authenticity over polish.
The Cast: Zhang Zifeng and Leo Wu’s Chemistry
The film’s central pairing, Zhang Zifeng and Leo Wu, has been a focal point of pre-release buzz. Both actors, who rose to fame as child stars, bring a mix of vulnerability and maturity to their roles. Zhang, known for her roles in Go Away Mr. Tumor (2015) and The Shadow Play (2018), plays a high school student grappling with academic failure and unrequited love. Wu, a former child actor turned heartthrob (The Long Ballad, 2021), portrays her love interest, a character whose own struggles mirror hers.
Trailers and behind-the-scenes clips highlight their dynamic, with moments of playful banter and quiet tension. One trailer, set to Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, frames their relationship as a bittersweet summer romance, complete with slow-motion glances and shared headphones. While no official interviews confirm whether their off-screen rapport influenced the film, their chemistry is undeniable in promotional material.
Supporting cast members Hao Lei, Zu Feng, and Liu Xiaohai round out the ensemble, though their roles remain less documented. Hao Lei, a veteran actress (Summer Palace, 2006), likely adds gravitas to the adult perspectives in the story, while Zu Feng (The Wandering Earth, 2019) and Liu Xiaohai (The Eight Hundred, 2020) bring star power to secondary characters.
Production and Reception: A Mixed but Promising Debut
Upcoming Summer premiered in 2021 to a modest but engaged audience. Reviews on platforms like SensCritique give it a 5.7/10 rating, citing its emotional weight but critiquing pacing or predictability. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film but lacks a critical consensus, leaving its reception somewhat ambiguous. Trailers and fan reactions, however, suggest the film resonated with viewers who connected to its themes of youthful longing and resilience.
Behind-the-scenes footage offers glimpses of the production process, including rehearsals and lighthearted moments between takes. One clip shows Zhang and Wu laughing between scenes, hinting at a relaxed set atmosphere. However, details about filming locations, budget, or challenges (e.g., COVID-19 restrictions) remain scarce. The film’s cross-regional production—spanning China and Taiwan—may have added logistical hurdles, though none have been publicly confirmed.
Unanswered Questions and Rumors
Despite the buzz, Upcoming Summer’s production remains shrouded in mystery. Key unanswered questions include:
- Script Development: Was the story adapted from a novel or original screenplay? No sources confirm its origins. - Deleted Scenes: Trailers tease moments not in the final cut, such as a dramatic confrontation between Zhang’s character and her mother. Were these scenes filmed but omitted? - Box Office Performance: While the film’s rating is public, its financial success (or failure) hasn’t been widely reported. - Director’s Cut: Chen’s films occasionally receive extended editions. Is there a longer version of Upcoming Summer?
Until more details emerge, fans are left to piece together the film’s story from trailers and reviews. One thing is clear: Upcoming Summer is a quiet, character-driven drama that leans on its leads’ performances—and their undeniable chemistry—to carry its emotional weight.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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