Is It Fate? (2024)

Sweet and Fluffy Romance

Honestly, I don’t understand the other ratings cause everyone seems to have a problem with the plot although it was pretty clear what it was. Me personally, I’m a fan of these kind of clichés where the ML falls first and FL realises later. If you don’t like this kind of plot then watch something else rather than expecting something different. Then again, it’s just 1 ep so we don’t know how things might change. So far the main leads have really good chemistry and they’re some of my favourite actors so I’m not disappointed. Also, it was nice to see the guy from My Lovely Liar here as the second lead lmao?iykyk

Looking forward to the rest of the episodes ?

Okay, so I finished watching so I can give the full review. Honestly, for me it was good. If you’re looking for a sort of laid back drama with cute scenes then yeah watch it. To be honest, some scenes were a bit dragged and some stuff were going really slow but it’s fine considering it was 8 episodes. Cause normally most rom coms lose the plot after the first half so it’s good they kept it short.

Might not be for everyone but give it a try.

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A short, nostalgic cute warm and fluffy drama....

Serendipity's embrace is a short romcom about first love, second chance romance, friendship and more.

It's a drama filled with warmth, lots of cute and fluffy moments and is most definitely going to give you nostalgia from the old Korean romcoms.

It's a cute drama that balances romance and comedy and considering its short, nothing felt repetitive or draggy....

The PLOT is something you have seen before, it's cliched and troupey but definitely executed in a way that feels warm and entertaining and engaging....the pacing is decent, nothing feel too rushed or too slow..it's the perfect pacing for the eight episodes.

The CAST did a great job, I must say this is one of my most loved characters of Kim so Hyun..her character as hong Ju is fun vibrant, clumsy, cheerful but at the same time not cringe or annoying...you could tell she was having an amazing time taking on this role.

Chaejongyeop's eye acting is definitely something worth of praise..he expresses him self through his eyes and that's something you could see especially in the earlier parts of the drama where he came off as a bit unexpressive...I also loved how he wasn't the typical cold male lead but rather just quiet, calm and mature...

Other characters were also a fun addition to the overall casts and I love how we got little to no toxic characters..it felt refreshing.

The characterisation was perfect and I loved the cast chemistry and how they all complimented eachother perfectly which added to the charm of the series.

The CHEMISTRY between the leads was one of the major points of this drama, their interactions felt cute and warm and natural, I loved how their conversations flowed so naturally at times it didn't feel acted and if anything made me wish that this drama was a bit longer then it's definitely the leads interactions together which gave me lots of flutters and butterflies.

Overall this drama was amazing, something simple yet cute to watch as in to take a break from the heavy plots we have been getting recently, something to remind you of the old k romcoms that were the reasons why we became kdrama find, something funny and cute to giggle it....this drama was exactly what it promised to be, a cute fluffy ROMCOM.

Do I recommend it?

Absolutely....you will have a great time watching this especially if you looking for a short, simple yet cute ROMCOM to watch!!!!

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Sometimes I’m pro embracing mediocrity.

On paper it’s a story with depth about overcoming fear of abatement, fighting for what you feel is right, moving on from past traumas, gaining independence, fighting for your own happiness. In reality all these themes were shallow and barely elaborated on. They were introduced in a few lines and closed in a few lines. There was no real journey, but rather a TLDR version of it.

That said, there was one aspect of the writing that I was extremely grateful for - misunderstanding was not overused as a plot device. More than once the potential misunderstanding either did not happen at all, or was cleared right away through the magic of communication. What’s more, while the plot often leaded to the side of the cliches, the ending of many scenes took a refreshing turn. It balanced the feeling of familiarity with the well-known tropes with surprising small twists driven by the characters’ reactions.

Sadly, no matter how many little scenes and moments I enjoyed here and there, at the end of the day, it is a romance drama, but the romance was not romancing. Kang Hu Yeong was too good to be true, so even though it was fun to fangirl about him as I watched, there is nothing memorable about his character.

Lee Hong Ju was far more enjoyable in all friend and work related setting compared to her scenes with male lead - cannot believe I’m saying it, but the romance was the most boring part of her character’s journey.

Kim Hye Ji easily stole the show for me. She was so dynamic and bright, driven, smart, loyal, but not unrealistically inhumanly perfect. Sometimes she had to work through her emotions, but the fact she actually took time to think about them and what they meant and what she truly wanted the end result of any given situation to be, without just impulsively reacting was great.

Her romance was what kept me glued to the screen. I enjoyed every second of it. It's what gave me true butterflies.

I wish we’ve got more Kwon Sang Pil. He was one of the more relatable characters with fun dynamics. I always crave more female/male best friends representation with no romantic undertones or secret one sided crushes and Serendipity’s Embrace had the chance to deliver in that aspect.

Baek Wook easily became one of my favorite uncles in the history of kdramas. What I love about his character is the fact they were able to mix him being so extra and hyped, but also professional and good at his job. They never hinted he did a bad job managing the company, he seemed to have created a good working environment. Too often someone with more energy is equated to someone dumb and messy in dramas.

Bang Jun Ho was probably the worst character and it’s not about him being the toxic ex. It’s about him hitting too many tropes simply making him boring. Similar criticism about Kang Hu Yeong’s mom who ended up being one of the most underdeveloped characters I have seen in quite some time. I hate how we got close to zero explanations about that character and her motivations.

Acting wise, I think it’s time for me to accept the fact that Kim So Hyun is unable to have romantic chemistry with any of her co-stars. There is nothing behind these eyes. She looks with more care and love at chicken than Chae Jong Hyeop. I do not claim she does not have chemistry with anyone overall - the romantic one just does not translate on screen. Maybe she should dive into other genres? Chae Jong Hyeop be giving the most romance filled glances, to receive nothing back…

About said chemistry, 2024 and we still get surprised fish kisses. What makes it even worse is the fact Hong Ju kept saying how “sexually frustrated” she is, to then Park Shin Hye her way during that kissing scene. Girl, you are and will be forever sexually frustrated if that’s your game.

Big props for the perfectly fitting soundtrack. While these are not exactly songs I would listen to outside of the drama, they fit the mood and scenes sooo well!

Wide shots were to die for - visually speaking the best part of the whole drama.

Overall, it's so basic, but from the start I knew it would be and it's kind of what made me enjoy it. How this drama just... flows like 4567486754 other rom-coms, nothing stands out, you know EXACTLY what you will get. But sometimes that's how one can relax

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A Disappointing Drag - Too Many Episodes for Too Little Plot

I had high hopes for this K-drama, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a huge letdown. From the very beginning, it was clear that the show was plagued by clichés. The storyline was so predictable that I could guess what was going to happen long before it did. The "surprise twists" were anything but surprising, and the characters felt like they were lifted straight out of a tired, overused formula.

But what really made this drama unbearable was the pacing. It was excruciatingly slow. Scenes dragged on with little to no progress, and the endless filler content made it feel like the story was just spinning its wheels. I found myself checking the time constantly, waiting for something, anything, interesting to happen. Sadly, that moment never came.

Honestly, this entire series could have been condensed into three episodes. There simply wasn’t enough substance to justify the length of the drama. Instead of a tight, engaging narrative, we got a drawn-out, tedious watch that felt like a chore to finish.

If you're looking for something fresh and exciting, skip this one. There are plenty of other K-dramas out there that offer much more in terms of storytelling and entertainment.

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Serendipity's Embrace: Mash-up of all frustrating tropes

This review just not contains spoilers but basically the WHOLE plot so ^^

Am I an adult? Yes. Am I mature? You might say so. But would I ever date the guy my bestie has been crushing on forever, who couldn’t even muster up the decency to give her a proper rejection if he wasn’t interested?Just because he liked me and wanted an opportunity to see me? Nah man, ain't cute, and that’s just not my ethics.

Before someone jumps in and tells me I shouldn’t have watched if I find this kind of plot problematic, let me explain. The whole scenario reeks low-key weird.

Like, the girl was trying to set him up with her best friend, not just any friend, but her bestie. Sure, the ML liked the FL. Fine, no problem there. But did the FL even like the ML? That’s the million-dollar question! And not to mention she keeps dumping and rejecting him left and right when he hasn't confessed *once* properly.

It's like she had a fleeting heart-fluttering moment with him ages ago. It’s not that she doesn’t like him, but her feelings are kept under wraps and only revealed much later episodes . Meanwhile, the first few episodes are totally obsessed with how the SFL is head over heels for the ML?

And then there's this unnecessary ex, who's like, "?????????" Seriously, why, brother? Who TF are you? It's like he just entered the FL's life "FOR THE PLOT."

One moment, the SFL is going crazy over her 10-year-old crush, and the next, she's ready to sacrifice him for her friend. Cool, okay, mature. But FL, my sweetie, just because he's suddenly available doesn't mean you should grab him. I guess that's the main problem here: it consists of only 8 episodes, and the rapid developments ruined the characters with its fast pace.

It's 2024, and we still have such controlling parents, I mean THAT MAN IS 29 YR OLD, It's like, why are you still making choices for him ?

Instead of dramas about toxic parenting followed by miraculous redemption, let's make a documentary and call these types of parenting :d

The chemistry was weak, and the plot was weighed down by too much focus on unnecessary side stories, which weakened the main romance.

Overall, the drama didn't offer anything too exciting or engaging. I was really looking forward to some great chemistry because of the actors, but it fell flat. Meh

Thank you for reading my review^^

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I think the story had potential but it wasn't enough….

Although I like Kim So Hyun herself as an actress, she is always the same in all the dramas I've seen with her. This time she did not impress me with her acting. There was coldness and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, ML really surprised me. This was the second drama I watched with him and I could barely believe it was the same actor who played in Netherless. The difference between the two roles is obvious.
I think he did a pretty good job delivering some of the lines.

The overall chemistry between FL and ML was terrible. It did not feel sincere and lacked realism. They became a couple too fast… BFF just decides she doesn't like ML anymore because ML likes FL… Um… No…

I won't even talk about the appearance of ML's mother, which was completely unnecessary. It was really possible to arrange the story differently if there was a need for a fight between FL and ML. Although it couldn't be called a fight either, just a stupid miscommunication.

To tell the truth, I liked the second lead couple more.

What I liked most about this drama was the music, it really deserves all the praise. As soon as I started watching the series, I loved the music from the first minutes.

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It was good!

==Breakdown==
Background plot - 30%
Romance - 50%
Misc comedy - 20%

Background plot - Fine
Romantic chemistry - Great
Misc comedy - Good
Production value and direction - Good

This is so cute.
I really enjoyed how low stakes, sweet, and fluffy this is. If you're looking for a fun and sweet rom com with a straightforward story and chemistry between the actors, this checks that box.
In addition, there's something about Chae Jong Hyeop's performance that is both adorable but also super sexy, and that takes the drama up to a new level. I've never gotten butterflies in my stomach when a character merely smiles. His smiles are making me feel things.
Kim So Hyun is just a delight to watch. She's one of those actresses who makes every scene feel effortless. She comes across as "a girl's girl" in this one and I love her character. She's straightforward, honest, kind, and intelligent. Love her.
Also a big bonus: everything the characters do makes sense. At no point have I yelled at my screen or turned it off in frustration.
The SML and SFL's story was sorta boring at first, but it's (eventually) cute and eventually grew on me.

In summary, so far, if you're looking for a fun show to keep you engaged with low stakes where romance is the central story, highly recommend this one.

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Disappointing beyond words

* This is my personal opinion, if you think it's too harsh, then watch for yourself and make your own impression.

I don't normally write reviews, but this time i just had to! I am so disappointed by this drama, - it feels like the produceres and staff didn't even put any efforts into it. Let me explain:
The story:
The story could have been executed so much better, but because it was only 8 episode, everything was so rushed and a lot of things happening had a backstory, but we just didn't get to see it in a good way. For example, the first time the main couple meet each other - the ML remembers the FL, but she acts like she doesn't remember him - this makes it feel like, he was the only one having feelings for her 10 years ago, but then throughout the story we see small glimpses of the FL actually also having feelings for him - it made the story feel like it was rushed and a lot of details were missing. This is not how i like a rom-com to be tbh...
And another thing, which the actors themselves actually have talked about in an interview, is the low effort in the 10 years ago flashbacks, because the actors look exactly the same. I mean c'mon not even changing his hairstyle? It just screamed low quality drama for me, compared to so many other k-dramas, with a similar plot.

The actors:
This kdrama is all over SoMe these days, and i am so happy that people are finally giving chae jong hyeop the attention he deserves because that man can act! But i felt like the story, and the FL didn't allow him to show his true acting and acting style. If you have watched "Love All Play" you would understand! The chemistry he had with the FL there, and the way he got to show many versions of himself truly let his acting shrine through. In this kdrama he was primarily the cold hearted, kinda not giving an f kinda guy, which was so boring to see.
The FL is a very popular actor, but i am sorry to say, her acting in this drama was so bad! It felt like acting, and that's not what i want to see. Her way of showing emotions is just horrible, when she's shy, happy, sad, dissapointed, excited - nothing shows! she has the same face either way - i must say tho, that i did like the scenes where she was crying, because that looked natural and like good acting.

Chemistry:
I did not feel it at all. I did not see the chemistry, i did not feel it. I did not even get any butterflies - and that says a lot when it's chae jong hyeop that's the main lead, because this man is the greenest flag! He naturally is so charming, and usually has such great chemistry with the FL (like in Love All Play, Castaway diva and in Eye love you). I think the female lead was the problem here tbh, i did not feel like this character was suitable for her.


All in all:
Very disaapointing, but i am happy that chae jong hyeop is being more seen and recoginsed, and if people liked him here, i hope that they watch his other dramas, because this one did not do him justice.
I would say if you're interested then watch it, but don't have high hopes
I would personally not rewatch this ever.


* the 7 in cast / acting is for chae jong hyeop!
* The music gets a 2 because it was so random? like the scenes are kinda slow, sad etc. and there's upbeat music in the background? i did not like that at all.

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It’s worth watching…?

I had no expectations, I just watched it for my green flag man Chae Jong-hyeop but I love it sooo much, i love this kind of rom-com ouhhh
Love the cast, they are so chaotic, i laugh so hard.
The romance is super cute and simple.
The chemistry is on top, that’s so sweet and heart fluttering, i swear i felt butterflies in my stomach while watching ?✨
Their visuals are INCREDIBLE omg ?‍??

In summary, it’s just a feel good drama, there is no bad vibes between friend and i'm here for it.


Is it worth to watch?
Yesss 100%




??????????????????

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Exploring the journey that is first love: falling, discovering, letting go, and regaining hope

Two storylines intertwine and develop into a blossoming romance, offering the realm of Korean dramas a fresh take on both juvenile and matured love. When fate offers two past students of Obok High School a chance to mend the lost pieces from their past, will their relationship’s outcome differ from how they last tied ends with each other? 2013 was the year one gained hope in starting a relationship and the other lost all hope in deepening any of his friendships. The timelines that parallel each other raise the question of whether Lee Hong Ju and Kang Hu Yeong’s second chance at love will win over their struggles in coming to terms with past heartbreak and surpass the current barriers that stand in their way, including a particularly messy breakup with a first love and boyfriend of three years; Bang Jun Ho. In this male-chases-female rom-com, 10 years after their first encounter, it’s for Lee Hong Ju to open her eyes to the destiny that awaits her and her heartbroken heart. With two people dear to the female lead back after pained departures, her choice between both will determine whether it’s our love for someone that changes overtime, or the people themselves.

The mini-series strung together untold secrets from the past into an overwhelming surge of pent-up emotion that wished to be let loose. 10 years was more than enough time for it to overflow and soon enough, the story managed to turn those unspoken feelings into the continuation of a romance that was cut short and that didn’t have the chance to bloom. It did so by reuniting the main leads once again, this time in a serendipitous encounter at a café. In the beginning, ‘Serendipity’s Embrace’, more commonly known as ‘Is It Fate?’, tells the story of two busy individuals who have cut out the romance of their lives completely. But somewhere along the hard journey they took to get from being acquaintances to being happily in a relationship, the leads’ poignant acting and chemistry outshone all else. It brought the plot to life, turning the storyline’s delicacy of reminiscence and heartbreak into an exciting race of capturing another’s heart. The actors’ perfect embodiment of character truly enabled the series to convey strong emotion to the audience.

As for the show’s few sets and choice of location, they provided a tranquil and familiar backdrop to the characters’ ever-changing relationships with one another. The show’s cozy atmosphere curated a comforting vibe, its simplicity putting on pedestals the amazing acting that brought the show to life. Furthermore, the script is simple yet well-written, with thought-provoking and comedious lines bringing many smiles to the faces of viewers; whether they be from nostalgia or out of laughter. The soundtrack was soft-sounding and felt as faint as the simple cinematography; very fitting to the show’s light emphasis on the heavy matters of self-discovery, growth, and acceptance it incorporates into its romance. Despite having many subplots, side characters and different themes, it managed to touch each with just the right amount of detail to fit it all into a well-accomplished eight-episode mini-series. Overall, the ‘Serendipity’s Embrace’ has undeniably earned itself a spot among some of the most successful releases of 2024.

The main leads are layered characters, meaning that they have more than one side to themselves: their personality traits vary depending on whether they're put under certain circumstances or in company of certain people. Their depth allows them to be capable of growth and change; providing greater room for character development. To understand their reasoning and motives behind their choice of words or certain actions of theirs, it is necessary to understand from which perspective they stand. At first, it may be frustrating to watch Lee Hong Ju be so hesitant in accepting her romantic feelings towards Kang Hu Yeong because, from the viewers’ standpoint, she’s pushing the lead love interest away whenever he flirts or tries to make a move on her. But with the show’s unraveling comes the revelation of her backstory which allows us to understand this hesitant side of hers; her fear of abandonment from past traumatic events. From her perspective, if she couldn’t stop anyone else dear to her from leaving without an explanation, why should she have faith that things would be different with Kang Hu Yeong? Furthermore, the wide range of attitude showcased during her growth as an individual gives her a more humane allure, making her more appealing to the audience.

Lee Hong Ju, the most emotionally complex character, also provides a healthy example for others going through a break-up. Instead of focusing on the sadness that follows heartbreak, the series shows the female lead as someone strong who is in control of her own emotions and capable of putting herself first. Rather than letting her emotions consume her, she tries her best to let them go instead of putting her pride down and begging for answers from her ex-boyfriend. The maturity she gains following the hard time she endured because of Bang Jun Ho’s departure is evident in her choice to end things with him, even once he comes back and begs forgiveness. Showing the emotional impact left on both individuals involved in the miscommunication problem allowed us to sympathize with them both, even before knowing whose reason it was for their break-up. Presenting the motives behind their actions gives viewers the chance to truly understand all of the characters. Because of this, there are no unlikeable characters despite the faces they put out to others. This connection between the characters and viewers enables us to root for them— not for the sake that they end up reconciling and get their happy ending, but rather that they let go, and move on from the struggles that hold them back.

Each actor involved in the series fit their role perfectly and I very much enjoyed watching the behind-the-scenes cuts where their interactions with one another expanded to beyond the script. As expected from rising-star Chae Jong Hyeop, his acting was so good that I could not imagine any other actor taking on Kang Hu Yeong’s role. It takes a certain level of talent to play a character who, even when expressionless, still has emotion dancing in his eyes. Kim Da Som, who played Kim Hye Ji, also had a remarkable performance as a side character who provided the female lead with ten years of best-friendship.

The realistic unraveling and outcome of the side storylines amplified the magical and passionate romance that Lee Hong Ju and Kang Hu Yeong effectively shared through the screen with their convincing chemistry. Each character’s relationship with one another presented a different shade of love—from unconditional yet complicated familial love to heartbreak and everything in between; including the one that shows up unexpectedly and the one that comes back, giving us a second chance. Rather than the side characters’ storylines taking away from the main one, they enhanced it by giving insight into the struggles faced by others among the lead’s mostly perfect and unrealistic romance. Their stories were all in touch with themes of decision-making and self-discovery and either presented through grappling feelings of love, or learning to let go. This enabled the side characters and the leads’ storylines to merge as one big lesson of growth and renaissance instead of the different plots veering off into their own direction and being an annoyance.

Although the show's angst, anger, and sadness is derived from miscommunication, it doesn’t dwell on the matters that bring negativity to the female lead’s life. When these emotions prevent her from moving on, she lets go, that new empty space in her heart leaving room for growth. Lee Hong Ju’s way of refining her negative feelings into an opportunity to improve herself enhances the show’s light and hopeful vibe. Not only is this beneficial for the series’ overall lightheartedness, but it also stops the angst from being a nuance to the plot, which manages to stay quick-paced throughout all eight episodes. Rather than holding the characters back and stopping them from developing, the angst is what pushes them and their storylines further. The series connects with its audience by using the universal experience of heartbreak to create a sense of relatability between the characters and viewers.

The open-ending stayed true to the series with its sweet and lighthearted hopefulness. The last few scenes were nothing big or spectacular, but rather realistic—just like the rest of the series, which builds up on small, random moments that may seem insignificant on their own but of which have slowly led up to the leads’ passionate romance. With its strong female lead, ‘Serendipity’s Embrace’ puts up a conclusion that affirms it is indeed possible to let go of your adoration for your true love, though the moment you fell for them will always remain in your heart. The male lead represents second chances, and his unwavering loyalty and dedication for Lee Hong Ju are a testament of true love.Together, both ended up fulfilling each other's dream. Through Kang Hu Yeong, whose first love was Lee Hong Ju, the female lead got a second chance to experience the magic of a successful first love. Kang Hu Yeong, whose direction in life depended on his controlling mother’s choice, felt the success of his dream job as an animator through Lee Hong Ju. This gives new meaning to an earlier scene with his girlfriend, where he pauses the movie as the credits play to admire her name among the others in its production team. Instead of portraying this as a cute moment between the couple, the series focuses on him alone, emphasizing his acknowledgement of her success, which in a way, was also his.

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A Very Cute and Cozy Watch for Romance Lovers

This was a good show. It was fun and cozy. Kim So Hyun ,Kim Da Som, Lee Won Jung as well as other actors shined here. They're very talented actors. The OST was unforgettable and perfect. The chemistry was amazing. What I didn't like was the endings of some of the characters. Sang Pil had such a bad ending. He deserved so much more! He wasn't happy with his career and he was envious of his friends who are all dating except for him. He deserved love from his parents who barely cared about him as he said and a person to stay by his side in his hard times. And what about Jun Ho? He looked so sad at the end. It seemed like Hoo Young was Hong Joo's first love, not Jun Ho. Her heart raced for him sometimes and she looked very happy each time she saw him, but they didn't point that out although it seemed obvious. The show was good overall, although it had some plot holes.

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