The Summer I Turned Pretty, created by Jenny Han, has drawn attention for its cultural significance and romantic dynamics. At its centre is Conrad Fisher, portrayed by Chris Briney, who has emerged as a rare embodiment of female romantic ideals.
Alongside him, the series highlights Asian representation through Lola Tung’s lead role, a predominantly Asian family, a non-binary cousin and diverse love interests. While critics note Han’s tendency to pair Asian women with white men, the programme remains recognised for broadening representation on screen.
Conrad Fisher and the Female Fantasy
Despite mixed reviews of the show’s love triangle, Conrad Fisher, played by Chris Briney, has become a cultural phenomenon. In an era marked by gender divides, incel culture and declining trust in dating, Conrad embodies qualities rarely seen in male characters: he attends therapy, bakes, studies to become a doctor and takes accountability. His imperfections aside, he is portrayed as the ultimate romantic ideal.
By contrast, Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno) shows traits associated with the female gaze — openness, queerness and affection — but viewers largely interpret him as manipulative, immature and untrustworthy. This reflects a growing cultural awareness of red flags in male behaviour.
The actors’ public personas reinforce these perceptions, with Briney viewed positively and Casalegno less so. The popularity of Conrad reflects a wider trend towards celebrating emotionally vulnerable «men who yearn». Belly, the protagonist, serves as an audience stand-in, embodying the fantasy of being desired by contrasting men.
The success of The Summer I Turned Pretty illustrates how media reflects evolving views on love, gender and representation. Conrad Fisher’s prominence signals both rejection of toxic archetypes and a desire for male characters who demonstrate care and accountability.
Kursiv also reports that Prime Video has confirmed that its hit series Fallout season 2 will release before the end of the year.
