Mùa Hè Năm Ấy drama faces backlash over character recasting

The Vietnamese drama series ‘Mùa Hè Năm Ấy’ has sparked significant social media controversy following a major time jump in its plot. After a decade-long separation where the character Khánh (played by Long Vũ) went to prison to protect Phương (played by Lưu Ly), the show introduced new actors to portray the characters in their adult years.

Viewers have expressed disappointment regarding the recasting of the lead roles. The new actors, Tô Dũng and Minh Thu, have faced criticism for a lack of physical resemblance to the original cast, with some commenters noting the characters appear much older than the ten-year gap suggests. Additionally, the performances and dialogue of the new leads have been criticized for lacking the natural chemistry and emotional connection established by the original actors.