요망한 여름 (A Bewitching Summer), a full-length novel by Eunzipil, has officially launched on Ridibooks under the Unive label. The youth romance set in the 1980s is available in two editions: the original 19+ version and a revised 15+ version, both exclusive to Ridi.
The story follows Mok Yeon-ho, a countryside orphanage resident who ranked No. 1 nationwide on the mock exam, only to become the study companion of Ahn Tae-ha, the son of a wealthy family in the big city of Muwon. An emotionally charged push-and-pull relationship and the nostalgic atmosphere of the summer of 1980 form the core of the narrative.
Quick Summary
- Korean title: 요망한 여름
- Romanized title: Yomanghan Yeoreum
- Unofficial English title: The Bewitching Summer / A Bewitching Summer
- Format: Web novel (full-length novel)
- Status: Newly launched on Ridibooks (Ridi exclusive)
- Episode count: approximately 60–61 episodes (15+ revised edition)
- Author: Eunzipil (은지필)
- Publisher/label: Unive (유니브)
- Cover illustrator: Ikeu (이크)
- Official platform: Ridibooks (exclusive)
- Genre: 1980s youth romance (청춘로맨스)
- Main characters: Mok Yeon-ho (목연호) vs Ahn Tae-ha (안태하)
- Main premise: a nationwide No. 1 student from the countryside becomes the study companion of a rich family's son
- Story elements: 1980 nostalgia, first love, healing, sweet and pure romance
- Rating: 19+ (original edition) and 15+ (revised edition)
- Reader rating: 5.0 on Ridibooks
- New material: official cover + launch event
- Official English edition: not yet announced
- Official Indonesian edition: not yet announced
- Webtoon/drama adaptation: not yet announced
A New Unive Title Built on 80s Nostalgia and Youth Romance
요망한 여름 officially launched under Unive as a Ridibooks-exclusive work, with the 15+ revised edition listed on the platform around mid-August 2026. The cover prominently displays "80年代 청춘로맨스" and "08 1980," confirming the story is set in the summer of 1980.
The official synopsis introduces Mok Yeon-ho — a brilliant student who ranked No. 1 nationwide on the mock exam — leaving a rural orphanage to become the study companion of Ahn Tae-ha, the son of a wealthy family in the big city of Muwon. From that meeting, an emotionally tense relationship unfolds between the two.
The Summer of 1980 and the "Mok Yeon-ho vs Ahn Tae-ha" Dynamic
The cover explicitly states "목연호vs안태하," signaling that the dynamic between the two leads is the axis of the story. The contrast between a countryside orphanage student and a big-city rich heir creates tension across class, pride, and emotion.
The 1980s setting delivers a nostalgic atmosphere: a pure, warm, slow-burning youthful love that feels like reminiscing an old memory.
The Cover Features a Short-Haired Girl and a Red Lollipop
The official cover illustration by Ikeu (이크) shows a young woman with short black hair and brown eyes, resting her cheek on her hand while holding a bitten red lollipop. The background is a bright blue sky, and she wears a floral-patterned outfit.
The composition emphasizes a fresh, sweet, yet alluring summer mood — matching the title "요망한 여름" (A Bewitching Summer). The red banner at the top reads "19세 미만 구독 불가," marking the original edition as adults-only.
A Sweet, Pure, and Healing Romance
Reader reviews on Ridibooks praise the work as "fresh and sweet," "healing," "pure," and "emotionally nostalgic," with a charismatic male lead. The reader rating stands at a perfect 5.0.
The combination of 80s nostalgia, youth romance, and the push-and-pull between the two leads is the novel's main attraction.
Why This Matters
1) Strong premise: nationwide No. 1 vs rich heir
The meeting of two different worlds — a rural orphanage and a wealthy urban family — through a "study companion" arrangement immediately creates curiosity and conflict.
2) Heavy 80s nostalgia
The August 1980 setting delivers a pure, warm retro sensibility rarely seen in modern romance.
3) Two rating editions: 19+ and 15+
The existence of a 15+ revised edition allows a broader audience to enjoy the story according to their preference.
4) A fresh, alluring cover
Ikeu's illustration of the red lollipop and blue sky instantly represents a sweet yet bewitching summer.
Novel Information
Key details currently known:
- Official Korean title is 요망한 여름
- A full-length novel by Eunzipil
- Published under the Unive label with cover art by Ikeu
- Exclusive to Ridibooks
- Original edition rated 19+, revised edition rated 15+
- Approximately 60–61 episodes (15+ revised edition)
- Main characters: Mok Yeon-ho and Ahn Tae-ha
- Premise: a nationwide No. 1 student from the countryside becomes the study companion of a rich family's son in Muwon
- Official cover features a short-haired girl with a red lollipop against a blue sky
- Official pages available at Ridibooks (19+) and Ridibooks (15+ revised)
- Launch event available at Ridi event page
- Announcement available at COZE X account
- English and Indonesian editions have not been announced
- Webtoon or drama adaptations have not been announced
Closing
요망한 여름 brings an 80s youth romance premise to Ridibooks as an exclusive title. The relationship between Mok Yeon-ho and Ahn Tae-ha, the nostalgia of 1980, and the sweet yet bewitching atmosphere form the core appeal of the novel.
The series is available legally on Ridibooks in both the 19+ and 15+ revised editions. Further details about future developments, bonuses, or adaptations remain unannounced.
