Fated to Love You (2014)

Funny

I am currently rewatching this Drama and I can't stop laughing!!! From the start, the Character Gun was super funny, interesting, intelligent , kind, and lovable. The shampoo commercial scene got me cracking up!
The FL was pretty funny too and really did a great job showing how simple minded she was ..

The storyline was good but some parts dragged on a bit too long.
I felt the emotions the ML & FL goes through their shared trials and their individual trials.
I love how the FL matured and how Gun changes. The OST was great too.
You will enjoy watching this. The ML is an amazing actor.

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You are my destiny or fated to love you was actually and unexpectedly a good drama.

The chemistry of the couple was unbelievable. Yes, the love triangle was not as good as it should have, which would have increased the intensity of the love story, but well, it is what it is. Plus, the mystery of the sister was interesting.

The acting, moreover, was nice and the leads were adorable. The performances were great as well.

However, even though the story was daring with that plot and theme, the drama had many cliches and it got slow towards the ending. But, the ending was more than satisfying, so seven out of ten.

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Cliched, funny, over the top.

Fated To Love you is a drama about a couple forced to marry each other after an accidental one night stand resulting in a pregnancy. I loved the cast, the characters was fun, Jang Hyuk was humour all around and Jang Nara had this sweet innocence about her. Initially her character is a little annoying because of how heavy the emphasis on her being a pushover it. But it grows on you after a point.

The first half of this drama is really interesting and good despite all the cliches, but after the ‘amnesia’ plot it gets all over the place and you might start to regret starting it a bit, because you’re already invested in it and don’t want to stop halfway. There isn’t really much of a growth in the main couple — there’s constant hot and cold vibes from the main lead towards the female lead. Certain incidents lead them to separate with the FL going after her dreams — this was a little ridiculous because we never see her into that skill she pursues and there’s nothing exceptional or eye catchy about it but since this is a kdrama, we’ll let it pass.

On reaching the final episode, I was just happy that it’s over. Fated to love you is easily a forgettable drama with few scenes living in your memory. I wish they hadn’t taken such an angsty turn and added more subplots and kept it simple because they already had a lot going.

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If you watch nothing else, watch the first 5 minutes of this show

So I came to this drama a little late, I've seen the lead actor in lots of other shows and think he's incredible so I pulled this drama off his acting credits and decided to give it a shot even though it didn't sound appealing at all from the synopsis. Everything prior I'd seen this guy in was more recent, in my mind he's a hot middle aged intelligent actor, not a thirst trap. In this show he's 100% a thirst trap. Holy god is he a thirst trap. Like I can't even believe it's the same actor level of thirst. The scene he does at the start of the first episode should just be a standalone movie by itself. /drool

Apart from the first scene, the drama went along fairly well and had lots of good comedy. The lead actress is fine, the supporting characters are fine, but the male lead really carries the entire show. He brings such intelligence and depth to his comedy, even when depicting someone shallow and superficial. It's like there's an inside joke he has with himself and it makes his performance really seem like he's a dude that has life figured out and is in on the cosmic joke of it all.

I don't think I'd rewatch this (apart from the first 5 minutes cause wtf a girl's gotta live life somewhere) simply because the story is sort of 1-and-done with not a lot of nuance to glean from future viewings. But I'm definitely glad I watched it.

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Amazing acting! Amazing chemistry!

Should you? Would you? Could you?

You should watch this one (YES! )
You would recommend this to others. (YES!)
You could watch this again. (YES, in parts)

Ending: Love is in the air!

This drama has clearly been divided into 2 Acts. The first half portrays the romance and the ups and downs of the lead pair and their lives as the outcome of their insecurities and angst. The second half shows the rise of the character development on the FL’s part. The courage she takes to change herself from the meek submissive woman to a person with self-confidence is an amazing character graph written by the writer and brilliantly portrayed by the FL.

The first half: These episodes show the immense love the lead pair both grow to have eventually towards each other. They fall in love slowly bound by the child they created. His illness creates a rift. He sacrifices for her good but doesn’t realize that she is his strength. The loss of their child adds to the angst and that is the final nail in the coffin. She leaves with her hope shattered and heads towards a newer pasture.
Second half: These episodes show her transformation! The meek “post-it” girl is no longer that but a confident young woman with a mind of her own but infused with the same gentleness as before. Lots of enjoyable banter between the two ultimately leading to a happy end.

The main leads are phenomenal in their roles. His eccentricity (that laugh) and her insecurity and gentleness are a perfect foil to each other. Their chemistry is amazing! I like the way we can literally see it built up along the story. And their angst!!!! Oh, the angst....... it ropes you in and makes you sympathize and empathize with them. It makes you shed a tear or two because you realize where it is coming from. This is probably the first drama where the angst is so brilliantly portrayed by the characters of the main lead. These are 2 amazing actors. The story while could be just another story but I don’t think could come live without these two.
And this is perfectly complemented by the brilliant acting of “the neighborhood oppa” as played by Choi Jin Hyuk as Daniel. His support to the FL is just what one would seek in life if one is needing a best friend and mentor. He falls in love with the FL but is mature enough to realize that her affection for the ML will never wane. He accepts being her friend for life even when she sweetly rejects him.

The OTP is haunting and doesn’t stop you from humming it throughout the day.

The character of Gun is given a wealth of dimension by Jang Hyuk’s madness (that laugh, the pitches of tone he uses, and the quirky hairstyle in the first half). His expressions are flawless. I love the way they have portrayed the character of Gun as a cold character but as you ride along with the drama, you get exposed to his gentleness, his love, his calm. His interactions with Mi Young show his response to her gentleness. It’s not possible for anyone to react to a person who is so sweet in looks and nature. It's just not possible to be mean to her. I don’t think anyone else could have played the character of Mi Young so effortlessly other than Jang Na Ra. The character of Mi Young is so simple and sweet without any complexities. She is just a nice sensitive soul who can do harm to no one. Her gentleness comes across in the way she speaks, her eyes, her entire demeanor. I have never liked a character so much. When you see the Lead pair together, there is such magic and chemistry between them. Their banter is just electric. While certain scenes try to portray her as a doormat, she is essentially a woman with a sense of pride and can hold her own when the need arises.

The drama wouldn’t be complete without a special mention of Mi Young’s mother. Her character is so well defined too. A strong woman whose soft side is shown when the ML frequents her diner every day for the three years that the lead pair is apart.

Just see this one for great acting and super chemistry between the lead pair. You won’t regret it.

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just want to say

just want to say How much i enjoyed this drama all the cast was great the acting was great, still need to find out what HAMO HAMO IS i hope its not a bad word it made me laugh and cry. the male lead was so so caring and considerate. Now i did read the previous review about the ANNOYING LAUGH but honestly YOU GET USED TO IT as we go along and in the second to last episode we find out WHY. over the course of the six years i love the male leads hairstyles lol. and the female lead is pretty . i did smile each time the said DANIEL PITT and not brad , hahaha

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Different path to Romance

8.5/10 is my rating. A 2014 South Korean television drama spanning 20 episodes ~60 minutes/episode). Kim Mi-Young (Jang Na-Ra) is an unassuming young woman who has a one night stand with a wealthy heir, Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk). She becomes pregnant.

Leading up to their sexual encounter the two leads had several chance encounters with a lot of comedic events surrounding them. They were not the type either would have considered for each other but a mix up lands them in the same room each thinking the other was someone else. It is further complicated by Lee Gun was on the eve of proposal to his long time love.

Spoiler ? I liked this one perhaps more than its average level of review. It was very funny in many parts but you better also have tissues handy if you are one that feels the emotions along with the characters. There is a 2nd guy that is so wonderful to her you almost want to see her with him instead. Some say this was too formulaic for them but I feel like there were enough twists and turns in the story that any formulaic aspects were background. Besides, with love stories, the reason there is a formula is people like it. Same with every other genre there is a general "formula" that people tend to like and watch. I had my doubts but my friend had reassured me it ends well and it did. And it also ended nicely with loose ends tied up. I can deal with sad sandwiches (happy beginning and ending with sad in the middle) or even a sad pie (I made that one up sad at the base - the crust - but the rest is happy). But if it is sad soup (sad the whole way through) or Greek tragedy (it all goes to hell in the end) I am not interested. And even in the middle the sad thing cannot be so devastating that I never recover. And this one dodged all of that and just had some sad parts that didn't kill the story for me. I feel in love with Mi-Young's character for her incredibly sweet and nice nature. I really liked that she underwent a transformation and kept that at her core but grew confidence and the ability to stand up for herself. Very enjoyable and worthwhile watch.

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This was one of the first k-dramas I watched, and oh boy did it get me hooked. I can't really pin point WHY I loved it so much (and why I'm considering re-watching it only a month later (I did already get lured into revisiting specific episodes), but so far it's been my absolute favorite. The story itself isn't all that original and new, but they way it was written, the characters, the cuteness overload, and yes, even the often illogical (and infuriating) choices the characters made... it all added up to a brilliantly flawed piece of TV.

The actors, and the characters they portrayed, were superb. Jang Hyuk... my gosh, how did I live without hearing that laugh (that could have been obnoxious in another actor, but he's just.. it works 100%) Not only that, but his character was endearing in his care for Mi-Young and his more emotional scenes were spot on. I also adored Jang Na-ra as the leading lady, though it seemed at the beginning she would be way too shy and nice for my taste, and even if she was all those things, she was too lovely for me to take it as a fault, which made me really feel for her. Their chemistry was insane.

Anyway, would recommend this to everyone and anyone looking for an equal(ish) balance of heavy feels and cuteness overload.

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I am so grateful to the people who recommended this drama to me. At first, it caused my head to spin, however, with each episode, I began to fall in love with the storyline, the character's the music and the messages this drama was sending. "That if you are meant to be with a person, eventually, you will find your way back to them." and " No matter what is going on in your life, what sickness or disaster you are fighting, you can't hide the truth. Those who truly love and care for you will find out" and lately " Never stop living because the world might end. Live life to its fullest until your very last breath." The relationship between Gun and Mi Young was like riding on a roller coaster and I kind of figured out Se Ra and Daniel before more was revealed. From start to finish, this drama was filled with laughter, sorrow, pain, love and so many emotions that half of the time, I didn't know if I was crying or the tears were coming from laughing so hard. I congratulate the cast for an outstanding performance, one that is also memorable. I kind of want to watch this Drama all over again just to listen to Gun laugh.

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My favorite kdrama, by far (and I've seen a dozen great ones). I laughed and cried more in this drama than any other, and it's not even close. There was a point in the latter half of the series where I was basically crying every episode, which was surprising because the first few episodes were almost entirely comedic. Not saying the drama is sad, not at all. In fact, I laughed like an idiot throughout the series, because story and male lead was incredibly funny.

Jung Na-ra was exceptionally cute and angelic in this series, and I won't ever forget Jang Hyuk is maniacal laugh....mwahahahaha. The supporting cast weren't bad, but it's a story about the main cute couple, whom you'll fall in love with.

The story is awesome (happy overall but with quite a few points where you'll be sobbing). The music is honestly the best in kdrama after maybe Man From the Stars. It's best if you've never watched this story previously (it's adapted). Sometimes a bit cliched, but what kdrama isn't? Overally, highly recommend if you like romance/comedy/melodramas.

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Updated Review 2023:

I just finished my first re-watch of this drama (and I say first, because I will certainly be re-watching Fated to Love You many more times in the future), and oh my goodness. This drama is even better than I remembered.

I believe I watched this as it aired (probably on Dramafever), but I can't be sure as MyDramaList had some sort of glitch or something at some point, and a bunch of my completed dramas now show themselves as completed in 2016, this drama included. (I definitely did not watch the number of dramas in 2016 that MyDramaList says I did.) Regardless, I greatly enjoyed Fated to Love You the first time I watched it, although I had some complaints as well.

I remember finding the amnesia and everything around the Gun's illness after his bout with amnesia to be really frustrating. It was the same old noble idiocy trope all over again, and for what felt like no reason. After re-watching, however, I have completely changed my opinion. I think I (and many other Kdrama lovers) had grown over-tired of amnesia and noble idiocy and forced separation tropes in dramas, and that affected at least my feelings about the drama. But Gun's fear of his illness rearing its ugly head and hurting the ones he loves is a very believable, and understandable, fear. Especially as he experienced that exact thing with his own father. The story also addresses, towards the very end, how his choice to run away was actually the wrong one, and he shouldn't live his life afraid of what might happen but rather enjoy his life in the here and now. So after this re-watch, I have a fuller appreciation for what the drama was doing.

Another big complaint that I've completely 360'd on is my thoughts on Mi Young in the second half of the drama. In my first viewing, second half Mi Young and first half Mi Young felt like totally different characters, and I disliked how different they felt. I LOVED first half Mi Young with all of her tenderheartedness (and super cute fashion sense), and second half Mi Young seemed to have lost that. But re-watching has given me a far better understanding of second half Mi Young, and I have to admit that I was completely off-base before. Jang Na Ra did a truly impressive job with Mi Young, showing this timid, shy, easily pushed around woman who goes through real tragedy and comes out the other side a woman who has been through pain and loss but has also grown exponentially as a person and has not lost any of her kindness despite what she's been through. She's merely gained an inner strength. I'm still sad that her wardrobe became somewhat boring and less colorful, but I guess you can't have everything you want in a drama, lol.

Finally, if you read to the bottom, you'll see in my original (very short) review on this site that I was disappointed by the finale. I now think I was completely bonkers for ever feeling that way. The finale made me happy, happy, happy!

There are only two things, TWO, that I found a little frustrating with this drama in my second viewing. When their marriage contract becomes known to the family and the company's board, Gun doesn't stand up and say 'I made a mistake, and I regret it. I don't want to get divorced anymore. I love Mi Young and want to stay together.' I don't know that there would have been a way for the writers to have him say these things and then make the subsequent amnesia and Gun deciding to let her go due to his own fear make sense, so I recognize, from a writing perspective, why they didn't have him speak up. But it was frustrating to watch him not defend their love.

And lastly, grandma's conspiring in the finale (with Gun's Secretary and faux brother) to get Mi Young pregnant on the honeymoon when Gun expressly told her he wanted them to have 6 months together as newlyweds before they think about kids. The resulting pregnancy didn't end up being upsetting for Gun or Mi Young, but I think grandma had it in her to be patient the 6 months.

I 100% think this is the best version of this drama out of all the versions out there. I'm currently watching the Chinese version (ep. 25 as of this review), and I've seen both the Japanese and the Taiwanese original (the Taiwanese was my first drama). This version did something none of the other versions have done. It put meat on the story's bones. It created livable, breathable characters, a romance with legitimate reasons to root for it, and it didn't give us unnecessary drama but instead gave us real tragedy and heartbreak and real joy and happiness. Fated to Love You is a romance, and a story, worth watching and loving. And I hope everyone does. (Future Edit: I forgot there is another version out there of this story, and I have not seen it, but at this point, I think this version will still be my favorite once watch that version.)

Original Review:
SO. MUCH. BETTER. THAN. THE. ORIGINAL! Complaints? Not as addictive, still suffered from mid-quarter shenanigans (like most dramas), finale episode was weak and disappointing. But overall, a much more satisfying story.

Links to my reviews for the other versions:

https://mydramalist.com/profile/OhSoEnthusiastic/review/22006

https://mydramalist.com/profile/OhSoEnthusiastic/reviews/75009

https://mydramalist.com/profile/OhSoEnthusiastic/reviews/274737

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