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Decreed by Fate chinese drama review
Completed
Decreed by Fate
2 people found this review helpful
by 10katie01
May 13, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 6.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 2.0

An enjoyable light drama that I would recommend if you have some time to waste.

Episodes 1-9 : Fun romantic comedy that progresses well.
Episodes 10-15 : Feels like watching a cliffsnotes version of a plot. The story is edited so quickly it is just barely cohesive, and it feels like any comedic moments were left behind on the editing room floor.
Final episode 16 : Returns somewhat to a normal story-telling pace to have a rounded out ending, seemingly setting up for further story in a second season...

...the problem being I can't find any news of a second season. If that was what the production crew was aiming for, they really shouldn't have rush-edited eps 10-15, and dropped the comedy out. Honestly the added comedic moments/acting were what really made it shine in the first half. The lack thereof, with the addition of the rushed editing, made the second half bland to watch.

Music : nothing much to remember. Neither nauseating, nor attention grabbing. 5.

Rewatch value : If they revised this originally released version with the second half better fleshed out, or if there was news of a second season release, yes. Otherwise no. Score a 2 for the outside chance of a second season - though given the rushed editing of the second half of the first season, I think a second season unlikely.

Acting/Cast : Generally a 10. They were all entertaining to watch with no off notes.

Story : The story itself could've been fairly high score, if not for that cliffsnotes feeling the rushed editing of the second half gives. 9.5 for first half. 5 for the second half. (9.5 + 5) / 2 (for the average) = 14.5/2 = 7.25. 1 point off for the cliched crazy hermit medicine man. It's more the fact he's a cliched character than the acting, hence the point taken is from story, not acting/cast. I've seen this type of character a number of times in cdramas now and while it was fun the first time or two, its become more than a little tired to watch. Particularly when the overall editing of the story is so rushed. If you're going to have a crazy side-kick, at least give them enough screen time for the viewer to actually get immersed by them. Final story score = 6.25 rounded to 6.5.

Despite my overall score of 6 not being particularly high, in the end I would still recommend it as a watch to friends, if they have some time to waste on their hands and aren't fussy.
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