Interview with Jenny Han About Her Young Adult Romance “The Summer I Turned Pretty”

It’s certainly been a banner year for writer, showrunner, director, executive producer Jenny Han as her highly-lauded television series The Summer I Turned Pretty based on her New York Times bestselling novels, concludes, Han made her directorial debut in the highly anticipated third and final season, which quickly became a global cultural phenomenon. Building on the series’ momentum, a feature film adaptation is now in the earlay stages of development, with Han set to co-write and direct.

Han shares her insights into the origins of her beloved novels in a candid conversation with Creative Screenwriting Magazine.

Were there specific moments in your life that compelled you to write these books?

I was a nanny at the time, and the girl I was nannying for was thirteen years old. She was definitely coming into her own in that typical adolescent way. I cared about her deeply, and we spent a lot of time together. We used to go to Cape Cod together with her family. I was really close to her family; they are like my family. I still keep in touch with them. I think being in that beautiful place, with its warm summers and endless beaches, combined with watching this young girl navigate her own teenage trials and tribulations, felt incredibly inspiring to me. It was a big part of the inspiration for writing the series. During those years, I spent a lot of time on the beach, soaking in the atmosphere and reflecting on those emotions.

It took around ten years to bring the novels to the screen. Can you share how the story evolved during that time? 

I approached adapting the books with the mindset of telling the story in that moment. I wanted to look at them with fresh eyes. I think of books as snapshots in time. They reflect not only who I was as a writer at that moment, but also what the world looked like around me. When I revisited the story in 2021, it felt like a chance to tell it anew. The characters are not the same, I’m not the same, and the world has changed significantly since I first wrote the trilogy. That’s what really excites me about coming back to older work — it can evolve and reflect new contexts and perspectives.

Jenny Han. Photo by Victoria Stevens

Let’s talk about the main character, Belly, played by Lola Tung. What distinguishes her from other nearly 16-year-olds in similar YA stories? 

In many ways, Belly is somewhat sheltered. She feels safe, cozy, and completely comfortable in Cousins, the beach house where she spends her summers, surrounded by her family and friends. When we first meet her, she hasn’t ventured too far outside of that protective bubble. Her journey is about stepping more and more into the world beyond her comfort zone, culminating in the third season when she is finally out on her own in Paris. She’s never been apart from the people she loves, and this separation forces her to face new challenges and emotions. To me, it’s really about that journey of self-discovery and growth that is essential to her character.

Let’s bring in the brothers — Conrad and Jeremiah, portrayed by Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno, respectively. How do you view that love triangle dynamic?

The love triangle is a much-discussed aspect of the story, but it’s so much deeper than that. When we first meet Belly, she is only fifteen, and by the end of the series, she is twenty-two. We see her grow up before our eyes, which adds layers to her relationships with both brothers. She experiences love and heartbreak in ways that only a young person can before diving into adulthood. She feels deeply; there’s an innocence in how she approaches love at that age. When you haven’t yet experienced the pain of loss or heartache, you tend to approach love with a full heart and an open mind.

If Belly were perhaps a decade older, how might her experiences and perspectives on love differ?

Meeting Belly at twenty-five instead of fifteen would showcase a very different person. At twenty-five, she would likely be more guarded and protective of herself when she encounters Conrad again. By that point, she would have experienced more of life’s complexities and heartbreaks, leading her to approach relationships in a more cautious way, whereas, at fifteen, she dives in unreservedly.

I think part of why I’m so drawn to stories about young people is because you haven’t really had that experience of having your heart broken yet. I think I’m innocent in those ways, and then as you get older I think it’s just a different experience.

Taylor (Rain Spencer), Belly (Lola Tung), Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), and Conrad (Christopher Briney) Photo by Erika Doss/ Amazon Content Service LLC

The series generally follows the books, but during that period before production, were there additional storylines or embellishments you explored that were not part of the original writing?

I can’t say there is a definitive answer to that because I truly took the existing books and adapted them for the series. Many of the moments you see on screen reflect what I felt was crucial from the books. However, the years spent in the adaptation process allowed me to think about how the characters could grow and develop in new ways, considering the context of a contemporary audience. It was exciting to weave in those nuances and create dialogues that resonate with both the essence of the original narrative and the realities our audience faces today.

I wanted the show to feel like pressing on a memory as you’re watching it. You already feel nostalgic for a moment that hasn’t even passed yet. You’re already missing it even as you’re in it.

Can you describe Belly’s emotional growth throughout the series?

Belly’s emotional growth is essential to the entire story. She experiences the exhilaration of first love, the pain of heartbreak, and the thrill of self-discovery. These experiences shape her character into someone who learns how to navigate her feelings and the complexities of relationships, not only with her love interests, but also with her family and friends. There’s a profound weight to her experiences, and it brings a level of relatability to the audience. The ups and downs she faces mirror what many people go through as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.

It’s getting to a love of self and a forgiveness of self. That’s really what the show is about. And Belly grappling with mistakes she’s made in the past and with shame she feels for hurting others and a fear of being a bad person and whether or not she’s worthy of love. Until she can really love herself, I don’t think she’s capable of being in a relationship with somebody else.

Belly is a character who yearns for so much. And then everything starts to happen for her suddenly. And it’s also a case of being careful what you wish for.

Taylor (Rain Spencer) and Belly (Lola Tung) Photo by Stephanie Branchu/ Amazon Content Services LLC

Do you see your own personal experiences reflected in Belly’s story?

Many aspects of Belly’s journey mirror my own experiences as a teenager. I remember navigating the excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes confusion that comes with young love. It was a deeply personal narrative for me, and writing it was a chance to explore those emotions that everyone faces at some point.

Audiences often connect with Belly’s authenticity. Her struggle with identity, love, and the pressure of growing up are universal themes. Many people remember their own summers filled with first loves and heartbreak, making her experiences relatable. Her emotional honesty truly resonates with anyone who has navigated the tumultuous waters of adolescence.

I hope audiences walk away with a sense of nostalgia and recognition after watching the series. Growing up is messy, complicated, and filled with those moments of heartbreak and joy that define who we become. I want them to remember their own summers and the emotions tied to them. Through Belly’s journey, I hope they see the beauty in both the triumphs and heartbreaks of life.

Talk about the grand finale.

Belly is in Paris with Conrad. Jeremiah is with Denise. She’s not going to have them both. Then we see her return to Cousins. To me that is a big part of that journey of forgiveness. I think staying away from Cousins was her feeling that she didn’t deserve forgiveness to be there and seeing her return to self and what she loves.

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.