Jenny Han Debunks ‘Summer I Turned Pretty’ Death Theory, Explains Product Placement

Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty were pretty sure a major character was on the chopping block for season 3. Now, show creator Jenny Han is finally setting the record straight.

Han, 45, fielded questions about a particular scene. In it, Belly’s dad, John (Colin Ferguson), asked Laurel (Jackie Chung) for Pepcid because of his heartburn. Viewers thought this small moment hinted at something much bigger, maybe even a health scare for John.

“No, not at all!” Han told Entertainment Weekly recently. She explained it differently. The scene simply showed a couple who knew each other well. They were getting another chance together. It showed them falling back into old habits, like a little subtle nagging.

This moment, which aired in a September episode, sparked a lot of worry among fans. People on social media quickly shared their fears for John’s fate.

One X user posted, “Omg, is Belly’s handsome dad going to have a heart attack? Why are we talking about chest pain? I’m kind of scared.”

Other posts dove deeper into the scene’s supposed meaning. One person joked, acting like a doctor: “Doctor Robby. Patient’s name is Belly’s dad. Age 53. Suffered anterior chest pain while trying to get back with his ex-wife. Or maybe they’re already back together, it’s unclear. BP 137/89. Probable myocardial infarction. Don’t call Conrad, he’s too involved in the case.”

After clearing up the "heart attack" theory, Han also talked about another fan discussion. Some viewers felt season 3 was loaded with "product placement" for many brand-name items, like Apple AirTags.

Han explained her creative choice. “Many people think everything in the show is product placement," she said. "I’ll just say I really like living in a real world, in a real universe.” She added that she would never say, “Could you pass me the heartburn medicine, please?” Instead, a character would simply ask, “Where’s the Pepcid?” It’s the same for AirTags; that’s just what a character would genuinely use.

Han wanted the show to feel authentic. That means characters would mention Pop-Tarts, shop at stores like Michaels, and eat branded cereals. She believes using generic, unnamed brands doesn’t make the world feel real. “It’s all real. It’s not product placement; we just use brands,” she clarified.

The Summer I Turned Pretty aired its final episode on September 17. Prime Video later announced that the story would continue as a feature film. Before the finale, Han talked about fans who found hidden details and Easter eggs throughout the seasons.

“People always notice things,” Han told Entertainment Weekly earlier this month. “There are definitely some that people haven’t spotted. I wouldn’t talk about them until everything is out. Then, they could really search for those breadcrumbs.”

Han admitted that not all fan theories hit the mark. “I saw something today that wasn’t true,” she shared. Some things are put in on purpose, while others are not. She feels honored that people spend their time thinking deeply about the show. She appreciates the level of attention they give to her work.

Han concluded by expressing her gratitude. “It’s a privilege that people care enough to create their own theories,” she said. Viewers should feel free to watch and form their own opinions, separate from hers as the creator. She believes all those theories are valid. What you take from the show is what it gives you. So, even if something wasn’t intentional, it still holds meaning.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is currently available to stream on Prime Video.