Est-ce le destin ? (2024)

The tried and true kdrama formula

This drama is proof that you can take all the formulaic kdrama tropes — first love meet again, disapproving parent, ex returns — and still make an incredible show.

The first thing this drama got right was the vibes; it felt extremely cozy throughout and hit the right spot between being a melodrama and a rom-com.

I think the leads had amazing chemistry and I felt like both of them were given subtle but ample character development and backstory. It's interesting because this drama only had eight episodes, which I'd normally consider too little, but I felt like everything was paced perfectly and the short length actually worked to the shows favor. There wasn't time for misunderstandings to be drawn out or for traumatic backstories to drag everything down. Everything was just the right amount.

I'm also impressed with the friendships in the show. A lot of short dramas stumble into the pitfall of only having enough time for the main romance and not for any other characters or any friendship scenes, but this show didn't have that issue at all. We had the amazing main couple but we also got scenes of our main characters having heart-to-hearts with their friends and supporting each other. It really helped in making everyone feel well-rounded.

The only part I'm iffy on is the two side ships. They had some good moments but overall I just didn't care much for them. It's not too bothersome because they also don't take up a lot of screentime, so I would still fully recommend this drama for the main couple.

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Not the best... not the worst either. Just something simple and refreshing. ^^

I've been trying to finish all of Kim So Hyun's dramas and so far, this is one of the decent dramas she had. The good thing about this drama is it's simple, nostalgic, and short. If the story were extended up to 12 or 16 episodes, this would drag the beauty and simplicity of this story.

This is my first time seeing Chae Jong Hyeop's (Kang Hoo Young) drama. I was not that impressed with his acting, good thing I did not have a lot of expectations regarding the acting and its overall production. His visual is good, too, but not my type, tbh. His chemistry with Sohyun is great, tho I kinda expected it since Sohyun has always had good chemistry with her co-actors. Sohyun's acting meanwhile, it's still a bit disappointing to me. While I did not have any high expectations regarding the acting skills of the male lead and the other characters, when it comes to Sohyun, I always have higher expectations and hopes that "Is this it?" or "Will I finally be able to see again the true potential of the Kim Sohyun when it comes to acting?"... but unfortunately, this is not it. I've never been moved by her acting here, I was actually moved more by Kim Da Son (Kim Hye Ji) and Yun Ji On (Bang Jun Oh) with their skills here, or maybe because I did not know them that much, I only saw Ji On once from 'My Lovely Liar'. Overall, the acting is pretty decent, not overly dramatic, and not also that bland.

Unexpectedly, it's the supporting characters that added more to this drama. Without them, I would have dropped this already around episode 3 or 4. This is one of the few instances where I loved the supporting characters more than the lead ones.

Its OSTs are the best here. Well, I guess when it comes to OSTs, Korean dramas do not disappoint most of the time. The OSTs here fit the atmosphere of the drama, they give you a feeling of cozy and nostalgic feeling.

My favorite character: Kwon Sang Pil (he's adorable!)

Is this highly recommended? Not really.

Is it worth to watch? It depends. If you just want to take a break from dramatic, heavy, and complicated stories, then give this a try.

For you to enjoy watching this drama, DON'T EXPECT TOO MUCH. Again, this is just a very simple romantic comedy drama.

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I enjoyed the first 6 episodes, sure it's been a bit lukewarm & nothing unique or out of the norm, but at the very least the drama is relatively free of annoyances up to that point & it`s still somewhat funny with acceptable chemistry between the leads & decent-ish acting. The second FL is also really funny, though I always liked Dasom before..

Unfortunately the final 2 episodes are similar to what we usually get in 16ep dramas. Meaning it`s complications leading to an arbitrary separation culminating in a 3 minute long happy ending, if this is even that.. I always hated that formula, here though it's even worse, since having 2 trash episodes out of 8 has twice the impact.

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Cute but cliché

Rich boy meets girl at school, has no guts to tell her about his feelings and has to move.
He comes back, still has the love for this girl and this time he gets his girl.
That's the short version of this plot. It has not much substance and the end is more disappointing then I excpected otherwise it was enjoyable to watch. Why does a woman has to follow the man? Some minutes before she told him, she could not follow him because she still has dreams, but I guess she fulfilled them? We have no clue.

One side couple has an arc, the second side couple is much too short to know what has happend in their past. And then there is a poor loner who only gets the misery if one of his friends is in a slump.

I'm not a fan if actors have to play their version 10 years ago, it brakes the believability. So to have similar but younger cast for such scenes would have been much better. Overall it puts a smile on your face watching it even with such a weak plot. So for me it's a bit above average because the acting was very good.

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3 Reasons you can skip Serendipity's Embrace

The eight episode mini series Serendipity's Embrace recently ended on a happy note. The Jong Hyeop and So Hyun starrer made quite an impression ever since it went on air. But the charm left visibly in the third episode.

Here are 3 reasons why you can skip it.
1. The shallow plot

Who does not love childhood friend turned lovers. It's one of the favourite genre of Asian story. And this one is no different than that. However, given the writer is taking the favourite theme of audience special attention was necessary for the narrative. Keeping the FL naive and ML too loyal made it cliche and unconvincing. The over supportive best friend and light interested second ML was only water on the fire.

2. Thin twist line

When Hye Ji falls for Mr. Son it not only gave frown to Hye Sun but also us. Just why? If her love for Hoo Yeong was that shallow and meaningless, it should not have been dragged till the date. She also never tried her luck with anyone. Why all FL and ML are trying this hard to be pious and thus making themselves appear unconvincing.

3. Smallest story ever

Right episode series.....this is too much. Korean dramas are reducing episode number every year. But eight episode chronicling life from school days to present time is too much. Lack of time is another reason for the poor story frame. Neither characters nor plot got time to get a shape to keep audience hooked.

If you love childhood friend turned lovers there are bunch of beautiful stories out, go and check them. You can start with Casteaway Diva and Love alarm ;)

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LOVED ITTT

i was gonna give it a 9.0 but that last episode was soooo cute and soo perfect i loved it sm i had to give it a 9.5 overall. i loved the ending actually, it was nice to see the FL doing her part too to keep the relationship and not just the ML always doing the most in relationships, for me it just showed that truly they both loved each other and it really was fate and not just coincidence, especially that last scene omg i kinda was speechless cuz how it all happened was just pure fate😭 also their chemistry was soo good, i was giggling in every scene😖 mr.son and hye ji were so so cute too but i wish they has more scenes😣 their scenes is this ep were so so cute omg i think i love them as much as i love the main couple lol, anyway totally recommend if you’re a sucker for fated romance🫶🏼🫶🏼👍🏼👍🏼

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