How ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ took over social media and streaming charts?

Now that the Summer I Turned Pretty has concluded, many still wonder why this love-triangle drama dominated streaming charts and sent fans into a frenzy with each episode.

The lingering question is: what was so spectacular about a show built on a young and problematic love triangle?

Was the hype really just about finding out who Belly (Lola Tung) chose that summer, Conrad (Christopher Briney) or Jeremiah (Gavin Casalengo)? Or was there more to it?

Viewer investment

Even when the show dragged mid-season, as it did in season 3, fans stayed loyal because they were invested in the characters and willing to wait for the next emotional playoff.

Weekly release strategy

While weekly releases might have risked losing viewers, for The Summer I Turned Pretty it worked the opposite way.

It allowed audiences to connect, anticipate, and rewatch episodes, which fueled public discussion and boosted its chart rankings.

Fandom & social media buzz

Social media played an integral role. The more people talked and posted, the more visibility the show gained, which ultimately turned out to be lucrative.

Moreover, Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah had taken rounds on the internet, keeping the suspense alive. Even if the episodes lacked a strong plot, viewers stuck around to see how the romantic conflicts between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah resolved.

The drama factor

Nobody would have liked to admit it, but as viewers, we are naturally drawn to drama, tension, conflicts, and emotional twists.

And this was exactly what The Summer I Turned Pretty offered. It delivered the kind of drama that kept people hooked, even when the storyline and pace felt noticeably weak.

Music appeal

Throughout the three seasons, Taylor Swift’s songs were heavily featured, which immediately hooked the Swifties globally and intensified emotional scenes.

Content strategist Junisha Dama noted that love triangles may not be realistic—but that's exactly the point.

She added that it doesn’t need to be something extraordinary; their fantasy and heightened conflict add spice, offering audiences the escape they often crave.

Dating coach Hayley Quinn shared that the show recalled a “more untainted era” of romance.

“Recalling your formative sexual experiences, and first noticing you’re being noticed, feels a lot more emotionally rewarding than the carousel of dating apps and ‘situationships’ that defines the dating lives of many women. And for those already in relationships, TSITP may also create nostalgia for a time when they felt younger, freer and full of opportunities,” she observed.

It is worth noting that shows like these proved time and again that even with average plots, the combination of good marketing, attractive leads, and fan investment can do major wonders.