Analyzing the 'Controversial' Inclusion of Taylor Swift's 'Snow On the Beach' in the 'Summer I Turned Pretty' EP

Summer I Turned Pretty fans are now getting the explanation they've been waiting for about why a particular Conrad and Belly moment did not include the expected Taylor Swift song. Jenny Han, the show's executive producer and the author of the book series that inspired it, has shared her reasoning for saving Swift's "Snow on the Beach" for a later moment in season 2.

Fans were hoping to hear the Midnights track during a flashback with Conrad and Belly at Cousins Beach, but Han decided to use the song “Invisible String” from Folklore instead. Han, 43, shared with Entertainment Weekly on December 7th that the episode was controversial because fans had expected to hear "Snow on the Beach" instead.

Han eventually integrated the 2022 track four episodes later when Belly experienced an emotional whirlwind upon finding herself torn between her feelings for both Conrad and his brother, Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). The moment led to a tense confrontation where Belly and Conrad finally addressed the reasons behind their breakup.

Lola Tung (Belly), Christopher Briney (Conrad) Courtesy of Prime Video

Han observed that the second beach scene had a bittersweetness to it, with the sadness of their perfect moment being followed by the reality of their distance. He explained that the sound of the bells at the beginning of "Snow on the Beach" evoked a distant memory, a reminder of the last time they were together before they were worlds apart, making it a natural fit for episode 6.

Director Sophia Takal also discussed the challenge of bringing that heart-wrenching conversation to the screen.

“We looked at certain aspects from the episode 2 scene, but with different emotions. The emotional dynamic of the scene is completely different. I believe there had to be that cleansing feeling that comes from this conflict and also the moment when Belly understands how much has shifted,” she explained. “Jenny and I had extensive discussions with the actors about that realization that things could have been different, but they will never be the way you hoped, and making that feel authentic.”

Christopher Briney, Lola Tung and Gavin Casalegno in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’. Courtesy of Prime Video

The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime Video follows Belly and her brother, Steven (played by Sean Kaufman), as they spend the summer at a beach house owned by their childhood friends, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly's feelings become more complicated when she realizes she is developing a crush on Jeremiah, after initially being interested in Conrad.

Han, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, has talked about how the show's soundtrack was influenced by its viewers.

“I find it really meaningful to be able to give that moment to the book fans as a fan myself, because if you’re a fan of The Summer I Turned Pretty, I’m pretty sure you’re a fan of Taylor Swift,” she expressed to The Wrap in June 2022. “So many fans have requested to include her music on the show, and I never knew if we would be able to do that. When we were able to, I was just beyond belief. It was probably the most excited I’ve been in the whole process, and the fact that we got like five songs in total, which I’m really excited for the fans to see, because it will be like, I think maybe unexpected at certain big moments.”

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Check out this deal! In Season 1, Swift's discography provided the perfect romantic soundtrack for Belly's crush on Conrad. Songs like "Cruel Summer," "Lover," "The Way I Loved You (Taylor's Version)," and "This Love (Taylor's Version)" helped set the scene as the characters fell in love.

The hit series' second season, which debuted in July, heightened the excitement with almost double the amount of Swift songs. The lineup featured popular tracks such as "August," "Sweet Nothing," "Delicate (Taylor’s Version)," "Bigger Than the Whole Sky," and "Exile."