This review may contain spoilers
The idea is there...
If you are a fan of arrange marriage, Cinderella or Ugly Duckling like stories..AND if you haven't seen the original 2008 one, THIS IS FOR YOU.
BUT, if you have already watched the ORIGINAL "FATED TO LOVE YOU" in 2008, it will be a love-hate feeling.
Let's start with what I like.
The CAST:
The Main Lead were cute. I like their chemistry. But I really like the guy who played Anson, the Grandma, the FL mom and the Aunt.
The Sweet Scenes. I really like how they added more scenes which shows how the ML slowly falls for the FL. I also like that they added a scene where he is assuring the FL that she is the one is choosing compare to the original one.
WHAT I DISLIKE
1. They cheated on Anna. Compare to the original one wherein it was really an accident and that everything looks it was planned by Destiny, in the 2020 version, they got drunk and had one night stand.
(Uhmm Don't use the reason that they were drunk and they don't know what they werr doing)
2. How Joe Chen portrayed the FL character is so spot on. She did look like she was a push over, you can feel pity on her since she didn't have friends, her mom and sisters only remembers her when something bad happens. At first, you don't really feel that they care about her at all. You can feel that the reason why she is a YES girl is because she wanted to be acknowledge on something.
BUT in the new version, the FL is well loved. Yes she was a pushover in the first few eps but after that, you don't feel that anymore. She has a loving mother and a Bestfriend, whereas the original she didn't have anyone except her dad who already passed away.
3. Dylan, I really love his character whether it was the Taiwan or the Korean version. I like the original that who was mistaken to be a priest by the FL. I also like that they showed the backstory of Dylan, who is looking for his missing sister and then he met the FL whi shared the same name. In the new version, it's not like that. I didn't feel Dylan's character at all (even if I'm crushin on the actor). And they even remove the part where the FL and his sister shared the same name.
4. Anna, I didn't feel any pity on Anna at all. Unlike the original version wherein, she lost her ability to dance because of an accident which she used so she can keep the ML beside her. In this version, I don't see anything that would make her want to keep the ML. The backstory and emotional trauma they used to buikd her story is not heavy enough to make me want to sympathize on her.
5. The PEN, gosh, it's one of my fave reveal. In the original, when the FL runaway because she thought that the ML didn't want her was heartbreaking. Added the fact that the ML found out that the pen that he thought was a gift from Anna was originally from the FL and she used her supposed Dowry to buy it for him. It was such a reveal that he realized he was really a jerk and decided to run after her.
But in the original, I think it was not given justice. I like that they added a story wherein it shows that the FL did a lot just to get the pen. But I felt that this was wasted.
6. The MOST heartbreaking scene was supposed to be when the FL had the miscarriage BUT I didn't feel anything. Joe Chen and Jang Nara did a great job showing despair and grief when they lost their baby. Up until now, I would cry whenever I see the the Taiwan and Korean version especially how good they show the emotion on those scene.
I just felt that the China one didn't really reach that expectation i had.
7. Tranformation. On the 2 earlier version, you can really see how they transformed from once nerdy looking woman into a confident lady.
In the newer one, there's not much at all. She has been transformed already even before she had the accident.
8. The REVELATION. In the original, it showed that the camera used to record baby Gs giving birth accidentally recorded the convo of the FL and Anna and how Anna apologize regarding the accident. The ML, his grandma and Anson saw it and that's how he confronted Anna.
But in the new one, it was like hey I know it not you its okay I forgive you. Thats all. Like it was not a big deal.
9. NO Baby G. Sad. I mean, Baby G is not a big character but still have taken part in the original story.
10. The story of the Island where the FL is from. TBH, in the new version, they can already remove it. It's like they just added it for the sake that it is part of the original story.
It is vital since in the original, the people of the island pleaded the FL to help them so they keep the factory. That she marry the ML so they can save it. It was important for me since, this gives added burden to the FL and gives her more reason to marry the ML.
I mean it's not that bad. I can see that the writer tried to make the story more realistic BUT that is why it is called YOU ARE MY DESTINY, it was Destiny who helped them meet from the accidental one night stand, and meeting again. The original version is still the best especially the story and the portrayal of the characters. I also liked the Korean version since they tried to make the story close to the original one.
I just felt that the newer version is a bit dragging. But I still would recommend especially if you haven't seen the Taiwanese one.
The original is more ROM COM, slapstick comedy which I think it's charm.
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This review may contain spoilers
Finally finished watched this drama after long waiting time. So excited seeing Xing Zhao Lin and Liang Jie in drama again. Their chemistry always so good... :)But toward this drama turn out a little below my expectation. Yes this drama makes me laugh & cry. But somehow i feel this drama not bring me the feeling that i hope. Hard to describe it...
Maybe what can describe my feeling is like cnguyen1031 say in her/his review. When i read cnguyen1031 review yeah now i know what lack from this drama... I think the drama should be longer so the character can develop more perfectly...
What i love:
- How JX change herself from a pushover to very confident and mature women.
- Zhen Zhu grandma & JX's mom who stand up for JX.
- Dylan for not being stupid man who only want to have JX but really care about JX feeling & happiness.
The most funny scene is ep 5 where Xi Yi (XY) find out about JX pregnancy & he got punish by JX mom. Really make my stomach hust from laugh... :D
What lack:
- When anna became the first Asian ballet that dance at paris why no news at all at China... In reality it's supposed to be the big news for china. Yeah maybe the writter don't want the attention more to Anna than to JX....
- The focus of the story only JX and XY, so Anna feeling toward her decision and everything is not develop enough, we can't understand her feeling only feel she's a selfish woman who only want everything for herself. We often forget she's a victim too afterall.
- It's seems no climax and anti-climax. Even when the accident happen or when XY & JX know Anna who responsible for the misunderstand between them or even when they get back together at the end. No climax there just something supposed to happen happen.
Re-watch: Hm... I think 1 time is enough for me
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Good chemistry but acting could have been better
Likes: Xing Zhao Lin + Liang Jie being paired up together again. The heart fluttering kissesDislikes: Zhao Lin's acting could have been a lot better in the emotional scenes. The last 4 or 5 episodes felt out of place...they should have wrapped things up earlier.
This is a remake of Fated to Love You. I've only seen the Korean version prior so it differs a bit story wise but the premise is the same. This is probably the ultimate OTP as this will be the 3rd out of the 4 times they've paired up for a drama. They have loads of chemistry together so I can't help but ship these two for eternity!
The main let down though was the acting, particularly Zhao Lin. While I think he's super cute, looks like a great kisser, and liked him in other dramas, in this particular one I could feel the limitations in his acting. The emotional scenes felt so forced that it was almost painful to watch. Good thing there weren't too many.
I also thought this drama was too long. They should have wrapped things up earlier instead of dragging it out in the last 4 or 5 episodes, but overall I enjoyed the drama.
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The Real Happy Ending
This drama is a drama that is quite heavy in terms of the premise and storyline. because 1/2 of the play is focused on the relationships and problems of parents - children and 1/2 is focused on problems of divorce and unintentional love. Even though this drama still has some shortcomings, but watching it made me realize that this is the type of drama that suits me personally. because there are many dramas that I have watched, even though they have happy endings, I usually keep crying and make me lose my mind for days. it's just this drama that really gives a happy happy ending. This drama seems to say "I'm done, thank you for watching me" and it makes me touched because this drama is a type of drama that is really sincere and willing to release the audience after the drama is finished, unlike some dramas that stay in mind until days and even weeks and occasional torture. This does not mean it is memorable or easily forgotten, but this drama is very memorable and very good because it does not want to torture the audience after watching. because there are some dramas that after watching it even though it was a happy ending but there were also some impressions left behind. different from this drama, which it left is really all about happiness which makes me really like this drama even though there are still many shortcomings in terms of the division of the story phase, plot hole and conclussions.Was this review helpful to you?
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strong start, great leads, good supporting cast, but ending seemed rushed.
Opinion for this drama will vary depending on if you've seen the original and the other adaptations. I have never watched the other adaptations and only vaguely remember the plot of the original. I did watch the original when it first came out and got about halfway through the series, but because of the wackiness and dragging drama, I stopped.The only reason why I started this drama is because of the two main leads who are also the main couple in The Eternal Love series. I had just started The Eternal Love and learned that they were also in this drama, so I watched both alongside each other, and they are one of those perfect couples who fit so well together. Their visuals, their chemistry, their scenes--just perfect. (Their real voices too! Always appreciate it when cdrama actors get to use their real voices.)
The premise is an old one, of course, since it's an adaptation, but it's been modernized to fit the times. The absurdity of some scenes and characters from the original was toned down and so everything felt more logical and more realistic. For example, there's a scene when a character accidentally goes viral on the internet, making her into a meme, and revealing the truth about her situation. That part was hilarious but also too real in today's times where anything can go viral.
I love the main leads. I love Wang Xiyi. I think in the original, he was more of an asshole, but in this one, he felt like a realistic guy. I never felt like he was a complete douchy guy, but just a guy trying to deal with a complicated situation. From the very first episode, it's shown that he has a cold exterior, but is a pretty kind person on the inside. So, that made him so much more likeable in this version and made me care about him.
I love Cheng Jiaxin so much. She's a bit old fashion and has low self-esteem, but so kind and caring. She's a good person and her growth into a confident person, though painful, was very good to see.
Unfortunately, for the supporting characters, other than the family figures, I didn't care too much for the supporting characters like Dylan, Anna, Anson, and Liu Siqi.
The problem with Dylan, as much as I liked him as this gentleman type, is that he makes very little appearances and his backstory and his plotline is sidelined until the end. So, it felt lopsided. I was interested at first and then didn't care very much.
Anna: decent at first and I did feel bad for her, but of course, later on, she was just too much. And then barely faces the consequences of her actions, so. Really didn't care for her, sadly.
Anson and Liu Siqi: they're the funny side couple and I do enjoy that dynamic, but they felt a bit too extra. Anson felt too much like a comedian, especially, that it was too hard to take him seriously when he's in love. Liu Siqi was chill, but since her storyline was tied with Anson, I had a hard time caring.
These four characters seemed like they were just filling in the archetypes and the plots rather than being fleshed out characters.
The best side characters are the family figures like the grandmother, the aunt, the cousin, and, especially Cheng Jiaxin's mother. The true MVP is Jiaxin's mother. One of the best relationships on this show is Jiaxin and her mother. The portrayal of a mother and daughter, a parent and child, is so good and complex and just really well done. The grief, the ache, the love--it's all there and acted so well by both of them. Their scenes are some of the best on this show.
As some other reviewers had mentioned, the last maybe eight episodes start to get a bit clunky. So, my recommendation is to enjoy the beginning and middle of this drama and then when it starts to get annoying later on, just fast-forward.
Overall, I still enjoy this drama very much, a lot more than I thought I would since I typically don't watch modern dramas. I really loved the main leads and the familial members. I also appreciate all the the info about pregnancy because, truly, people don't think about how much of a toll it takes on the mother and how much support she needs. I'm so glad that this drama continously emphasized how important it is for a pregnant woman to have support and good health and didn't praise a father/husband who was only doing the minimal work. Fathers/husbands need to step UP!
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I really enjoyed watching this show it had its up and downs, angered me, made me throw my phone but I still enjoyed it. The story is quite fun and light and we got a side couple. The side couple was definitely the best and at times I shipped them more than the main couple. The storyline is so confusing - yet makes sense.Anna is definitely very pitiful - she never really did anything and I guess that was also her weakness. I was so happy to see Jiaxin develop to become such a strong character and that was one of the most enjoyable parts. The main leads helped each other out to become a better people.
The one thing I am upset about is the ending - it feels rushed but doesn't at the same time. I feel like its just missing something other than that it was a great show.
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A 2020 Must Watch !!
If you've watched any of the other remakes or the original Chinese version with Ethan and Joe then you can really pick out the stark differences.The few changes made though didn't affect the overall storyline and I am by no means disappointed in this remake.
I greatly enjoyed the lead female role and just like when watching the original I really was overwhelmed when she lost the baby. Dry heaving sobs and all, I really believe she pulled her role off.
With the main male lead, in my opinion, Ethan was more jerkish and they really downplayed that aspect with the new one. Ethan was just more cold and harsh to me.
Like with the MCH kiss spin off's you can have really good or really bland remake's and this drama def passed the remake test.
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Xiyi and Jiaxin Relationship
This story is the best version I have ever seen. Even though the plot is slow in the final episodes and the portrayal of each character's character changes quickly and unexpectedly. For example, Wang Xiyi is seen as a responsible person, giving freedom and encouraging someone like Chen Jiaxin to be more confident. Like on a cruise ship. However, when his wife became the assistant director and put forward his idea through a proposal, Xiyi rejected it quickly. Chen Jiaxin is described as forgiving, but she changes after her miscarriage. Despite the slow pacing and shocking and hateful portrayal of the characters, I still can't get over the good. The first thing is, for example, the interactions and relationships between JiaXin and Xiyi are funny, sweet and annoying which sometimes stress the audience out. It is the relationship between Jiaxin and Dylan that people can misunderstand and give rise to hidden conflicts. The chemistry between the players is good. They can describe the characters as well as possible, so as to create a logical and unique interaction. Both depictions of conflict are clear and emotions are not exaggerated. For example, when Jiaxin was found out to be pregnant and her mother was angry, Xiyi appeared and ended up being held by Jiaxin's mother, making Jiaxin want to abort her fetus, but Xiyi stopped her and the conflict was over. The most obvious conflicts are conflicts related to divorce papers and accidents that cause miscarriages. The two depictions of the conflict are very clear, but I feel that the resolution is very complicated and not well resolved. If I were Jiaxin I would try to find a way to let Xiyi know the real reason behind the accident that caused Xiyi to lose our unborn child. Even when Xiyi filed for divorce I would not sign it right away but also read it first. After all, I was annoyed at the fact that until almost the end of the episode Xiyi didn't realize that his divorce papers that his wife received had been forged by Shi Anna by exchanging the original for a fake.Was this review helpful to you?
WE WANT SEASON 2!!!!!!!!
We would just love to know what happens next as how does Wang Xiyi deals with Anna after he said that it isn't over yet .....I haven't watched the original drama but I would love to see Xing Zhao Lin and Liang Jie back in this kind of setting again.....SEASON 2 PLSSS!!!!!!!!.....LOVE YOU XING ZHAO LIN ...I have watched all the the version except jap
This version has to be the BEST! Every details, characters, ost , it’s just amazing..
And no words for their chemistry and acting
Loved the Taiwanese version but Chinese one has just blew my mind away
I love the fact how they didn’t make a jerk like other version..loved xiyi’s character..
I have laughed cried with every episode..waiting for the new episodes.. First of all, out of all the versions of this drama, this one had the best couple in my opinion since I've seen their chemistry in The Eternal Love 1&2. While watching though, I couldn't help but compare it to the first and original Taiwanese version (I rewatched this 4 times already).
Characters: I liked the characterisation of the male lead better in this version because he made up his made earlier on and he wasn't a complete jerk like in the Taiwanese version and blamed everything on the female lead. This was also because he wasn't drugged by her relatives so he couldn't blame it on anyone. However, since he was portrayed as a better character, that also meant that Anna was portrayed as more of a bad person. Of course, I liked how his aunt and cousin were also portrayed to be not as bad as in the Taiwanese version but this also meant that there fewer complications that give the drama some depth. Dylan as the second male lead was more significant in the Taiwanese version and had a deeper connection with the female lead since she always went to him for relationship advice. He also backed her up more and gave her justice by exposing the truth prior to the car accident scene. I watched SO MANY like literally hundreds of c dramas bruh and I can say the chemistry between the leads is unmatched. It's too good hmm maybe too believable LOL. I can vouch that if one or both of these actors were replaced this drama would have probably done a lot worse. If y’all go to the deep side of the c drama lists ur gonna find some pretty bad acting, acting worse than a 5 year old lying to their mom. Let's talk about the plot next. Yes, this plot is definitely cliche and gives me a mix of a lot of diff versions of other dramas that I have watched but that is exactly what makes this drama enjoyable. It’s like you and the drama are connected thru telepathy or sum shi cause u know damn well what's gonna happen next but even after having this massive juicy brain and knowing what’s gonna happen, you just can’t help but to continue watching. You start to crave the dramas’ happy moments, heartwarming moments, and even the most painful and heart wrenching moments. This drama might not really spark your interest because of the plot's clicheness and I totally 100% get that. But what separates a shitty cliche drama to a successful cliche drama is how its able to evoke the audiences’ emotions. I can’t even believe I'm saying this but yea even during their happy moments I cried. During their painful moments I even uGLY CRIED. I’m already ugly enough and I mf ugly cried. That’s when you know it's good. Now speaking of the og “You are my Destiny” dramas. I only watched the Taiwanese version and not the other 3 adaptations so idk if my opinion is valid here. Compared to the Taiwanese version the Chinese adaptation was less painful to watch. Now that I look back at it Taiwanese ML was such a scum, he literally belonged to the streets but my 10 year old self couldn’t even comprehend that. But because ML was such an a$$ (more than Chinese ML could ever be) that was what made the Taiwanese version even more heart wrenching and emotional and that is why those who have watched the Taiwanese version are so emotionally attached to it (yea im calling u out) and thats why SO many people are complaining about the Chinese version not standing out/boring. In addition bruh, when you repeatedly watch 4 adaptations of the SAME plot with the same characters you are bound to feel uninterested with a 5th adaptation. It is literally like same essay different font.
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Lovely start, draggy anti-climatic ending!!
Let me start by saying, that I loved this drama so much until episode 25, when all the misunderstandings started. I could have dealt with it, if they had not lengthen the misunderstandings until the last episode.Story:
The overall storyline is great, I really do believe that this story is way better constructed and more logical than the Taiwanese and Korean versions. The main complaint I have and the reason why I grade it so low is, as mentioned before the minimal time spent in the happy ending, because it did not resolve all my feelings of anger and felt too rushed. This left me with a very bitter taste, because the happy ending lasted at most 10 minutes. I feel the ending is too rushed and the misunderstandings kept for way too long, to the point where you question the great "love" the main female character has for the main male character.
The strength of this story lies on it being more real, and on us seeing the main male character falling in love, unlike the Taiwanese version, where I believe the main male character realizes his love when the main female character has the accident. But this version makes the main female character too prideful in her denial of her love. I mean in the last episode she already knew all that he went through the past 3 years and how much he loves her, he's been literally begging her for another chance, and she still keeps her intention of leaving?? WTH??
Acting/Cast:
This was so great, I've got no complains there. Xing Zhao Lin and Liang Jie have great chemistry with each other and literally shine when they are together. I love the rest of cast, especially the Grandma and Mom of the main characters. Anson was a surprise, I know his character is to provide comic relief and he did his job very well. This is the version where Anna, is the most obnoxious and terrible human being, with so little self-esteem that she wants to be with someone who patently does not love her, but that was the way the character was written, so the actress did a great job. Dylan in this version was lovely and not at all pushy in his love for Jia Xin, unlike the Taiwanese version.
Music:
It was the best!! I love the rhythm and the lyrics, so appropriate to the story and the characters. To this day, I still listen to them!!
Rewatch Value:
For me is close to non-existent, because of the lengthening of misunderstandings in this version and the very poor wrap up off the whole story at the end. I will not put myself up for that kind of torture again, I may watch some sweet and funny scenes again, but never the whole drama. Which is a shame because it started so well, grounded the drama in so much "reality", unlike the cartoonish Taiwanese version and the sometimes cringy Korean version, but this Chinese version left me feeling so much anger and hopelessness!! If they had at least added one more episode, to give the viewer sweetness overload after all the bitterness we swallowed, it would have been the greatest version of them all.
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Not worthy of your time
If I am being honest I finish it but skipping like the last 5 eps before the finale.I had high expectations it sounded great it was something new but it sucked the beginning wasn't that bad except that they are expecting a child coming from an affair , the dramas was too much hated the 2FL even though her apparition was during the last episodes if we don't count the flashbacks, calls etc. ML was annoying he was to confusing I am mad at the fact that he didn't tell his gf about the baby even though he had chances of coming clean even if it was from a call and how he lead the FL and make her feel bad from time to time apart from him starting to date the FL without properly breaking up with the 2FL, I think what triggers me the most is that he continued being friends with 2FML after everything I get if he forgiven her by what she did but he continue being FRIENDS .
it is kind of off annoying the FL was presented as not strong after wards she became more strong but still, the communication between the leads was a mess.
overall it was to frustrating and exhausting I tried to make these review with the least spoilers possible and this is just my opinion.
Lets not forget that this drama is not 20 ep or so it is 36 eps almost 40 of about 40 min each i felt like i lost so much of time.
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