Reviews

A drama with potential, let down by lack of finesse.

The writer, Noh Ji Sul, penned the full-on, tear-stained melo, Scent of a Woman and also 100 Days My Prince (which I haven’t seen). Here we have out and out romcom for the first half and melo-drama for the last part. It’s worth noting that the genre tags are romance and drama, not romcom. It seems she likes extremes and she mixes them here in line with the current trend of fudging genres.

Being used to fixed genres it can sit uncomfortably when they are blended. A great deal of viewer enjoyment comes from having expectations fulfilled. When they are not the viewer is pulled out of the world of the story to deal with their own reactions. You can see it reflected in the comments section for this show. However, in the constant search for something new and different I can see this trend continuing and no doubt we will all adjust our expectations accordingly.

This story is set in two different time periods but the movement between them is somewhat random. Sometimes there are links via dreams, other times were are just catapulted back, which felt disjointed. Some visual/cinematic clues would have gone a long way to smooth the jumps and wouldn’t have been hard to implement. Just part of the overall lack of finesse I mentioned in the subject line.

Even in the present, the timeline was repeatedly twisted up. Once or twice will have the desired effect of increasing tension, but when used too much, you know you are being manipulated and it becomes annoying.

The plot in the past could have occupied a whole drama in itself but was rushed through. I felt the balance in the overall story was off, particularly as I spent the first five episodes twiddling my thumbs in the present time waiting for something to happen. If the writer, and later, the director/editor had decided on a more even weight and distribution throughout between past and present it would have woven a better and more compelling story.

I was puzzled in the first two thirds of the show why they should like each other at all. There were very few interactions that could build attraction and yet all of a sudden there was undying love. Later on the chemistry really worked and drew me in, becoming much more believable. But the viewer needed more ground to stand on early in the piece to give it credibility and a more clever weaving in of the backstory would have solved the problem.

The opening episodes are really at a romcom level, and the action is highly exaggerated to suit that type of presentation. But it does tend to undermine the credibility of the emotions to the point that I felt character integrity was being sacrificed for the sake of a joke. Whereas at the end credibility was sacrificed for a somewhat ridiculous stalker plot.

Rowoon has been very busy in some top-rated dramas in the last few years and he’s not stopping. Is he more than a pretty face? Well he does a decent job here, although his perfect good looks need to be ruffled a little more to really convince. I liked Jo Bo Ah’s performance better, and she is also an actor on the rise with some noteworthy performances on her CV.

In supporting roles, Park Kyung Hye gave a brilliant comedic performance as the desperate Son Sae Byeol, deliciously contorting her face like a slapped arse for most of the time. And Hyun Bong Sik oozed as the slightly sleazy manager Gong Seo Gu.

The cinematography in the historical section is beautifully done, with great use of colour and contrast. There’s some traditional fireworks and those scenes were very beautiful. I’d really love to see those myself - one for the bucket list…

What’s the line between accepted notation and cliché? Is it a matter of viewer perception? For me the accepted notations, such as flickering lights meaning spooky etc, were just too frequent not to fall into tired cliché. There was a distinct lack of imagination and freshness in dealing with the supernatural aspects which really should be laid at the door of the director. As far as the script goes, there’s not a lot of subtlety. It gets the job done rather than looking for novelty. You won’t have to read between any lines here.

Finally, it really isn’t hard to decide what season a drama takes place in. And here it was all over the place. People wearing shorts at Christmas, everything full green and verdant in the depths of winter. Talking about being cold and then hanging out outside. Just unnecessary, sloppy production.

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MY FAVORITE ROMCOM OF 2023

I'M GOING TO MISS THIS SERIES SOOOO BADLY. 😭😭

The narration is non-linear so each episode was a treat for me. I thoroughly enjoyed analyzing and trying to predict what would happen next, only to be amazed at how things are revealed.

And that was a VERY satisfying and full-packed finale.

Thank you, screenwriter and PD-nim for this masterpiece.

Thank you as well to all the actors and production crew who served their best in every episode.

EVERYONE ACTED SOOOOO WELL IN THIS DRAMA, ESPECIALLY THE MAIN LEADS!!!

Jo Bo Ah, Kim Seok Woo/Rowoon, it was a privilege watching your craft every week. Thank you very much. I love you! 💓

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Happy watching ? ☺️

I didn't know that a 2nd season of a drama can suppress the 1st season. I totally loved this season . It can be watched individual if you just know a couple of things . I loved the characters and also their acting. Well my fav character is lee rang and i am just so much happy for him. And i must say hong ju was something else !!!!!! I wish it had a feww moreee episodes 🫠🫠 I really didnt want it to end like this fast . And i am really excited for the next season . 🤗 I hope that one will be also good like this onee i am really hoping for the bestttt .
Yeah that's it i guess. I highly recommend itt !!!!!

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The real meaning of YOUTH

when i first started to watch this drama i was not very much moved by this but when i read the discription and i thought that maybe me as a viewer can relate by this so i continue watch this till i realised that it is vey much realistic, I really loved watching this drama so much i feel emotions like confusion, friendship, envy, attachment, hope and the main is LIFE GOAL or MOTIVE and MEANING

according to me, i really love the character of "YU CHENG EN" as "CHEN JIN" the reason behind me liking Chen Jin is whenever Luo Qi Qi is in trouble or somehow she got stuck in between hesitation he will come as light in Luo Qi Qi's life and helped her to find the path on her own not by forcing or something just saying some words and by his actions Chen Jin is like a guide in Luo Qi Qi's life

and here now comes with "AFFECTION" in this series there are only two emotions shown mostly 1st is affection and 2nd is envy
The affection between Qi Qi and Xiao Bo for each other, cares for each other like there is a connection between them and this shows that even blood relations get fades if you don't show love and support with your family. Qi Qi and Xiao Bo have unbreakable bond and they care for each other that makes my heart flutter; this shows they both are nothing without each other this kind of care says all ^^
and in the last 2nd ep i fell in love with Zhang Jun especially when he follows her step by step and let her misunderstand that he is Xiao Bo so that Qi Qi can move further
ost is as good as drama don't need to say more

Last but not least i would say the production team of "STAND BY ME (2023)" nailed the show what they wanted to show i.e. the emotions the attachment the jealously the envy the sadness all the ACTORS come it to life and make a GREAT SHOW

lastly i would like to request for season 2! its hard not to see them at the end standing beside each other i was expecting them to meet at that river side ㅠㅠ
THANK YOU :)

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A good one with touch of a real life feeling

I liked it. It was a story of a couple getting together and how their relationship grows. There was less drama and unrealistic plots, it was more like what could happen in real life and how people feel things for real. Of course this series had its own share of not so great scenes so it wasn't perfect but enjoyable enough.

The plot handled different type of issues that were mostly solved within one episode. And most importantly the couples talked about issue not just being a drama qeen and being several episodes apart just because of some idiotic misunderstanding that could have been solved in seconds if they only have talked each other.

If you like more drama and anxiety this may not be your favorite but for others it's a nice and relaxing series to watch.

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Destined or Delivered?

The beginning concept of this series is interesting. Yet, how it is executed is quite touch and go. You can see where the story gains momentum in explaining the links of the past and present closer to the last episodes. However, the spell book and alternate spell book really could have been left out. (or a different link reveal could have worked better) The point of the Shaman explaining the box in retrospect makes the 'destined' feel more 'delivered' to deploy unknown possibilities. Besides that, the comedic parts of this romcom were entertaining and worth the break from all the seriousness of the storyline. The 'crazy' people throughout the series kept you guessing and asking 'why' such angst against the FL (which never was quite explained but just assumed) The overall drama is a solid watch of a unique mix of romance, comedy, mystery and drama.

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A Rollercoaster of Romance and Mystery definitely a Must Watch

So, I just finished watching the last episode of "Destined with You" today, and I've got some mixed feelings about it. The ending left me a bit torn because it started out all intense and scary for like 15 minutes, and then bam! It was all hearts and happiness for the next 45 minutes. I was kind of hoping for a bit more of a thriller element, but it turned out to be a swoon-worthy, feel-good drama.

Rowoon, oh my goodness, that man knows how to deliver those cringe-worthy lines with so much charm! My heart couldn't help but skip a beat when he was being all cute and straightforward with his lovey-dovey dialogues, even though he thought he was under some kind of love spell. The embarrassment that followed was just adorable.

The characters, Bo Ah and Rowoon, are like two peas in a pod. When she's feisty, he's feisty, and when he's all cute, she's just blabbering out those cheesy lines. Their chemistry was undeniably cute, and the romance was on point, but like I said, I was hoping for a bit more of a thriller to balance it all out. Maybe my expectations were just too high in that regard.

All in all, it's a must-watch K-drama, and I only started watching it because of Rowoon, but I'm definitely going to check out "The Matchmakers" because of him. I loved "Destined with You." Though I have to admit, the bloody hand and the gardener were a bit creepy, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The curse explanation was really well done, and I appreciated the flashbacks to the past to help us understand everything better.
The character development was a nice touch, too. And let's talk about Shin Yu – he went from being a perfectly made-up doll to a real live man. Loved it! ❤️❤️❤️ This drama really stood out for me, and I might just rewatch it someday.

On the flip side, I have to agree that the addition of new twists and plotlines every week got a bit overwhelming. It seemed like they introduced more mysteries before solving the previous ones, and I was left scratching my head. The whole Red Hand haunting Rowoon one moment and then disappearing was a bit confusing, and the sudden introduction of a stalker was unexpected. But what really gave me the "ick" was the whole past life lovers from the Joseon period plotline. It felt overused, boring, and repetitive.

In the end, "Destined with You" had its moments of greatness, but it also stumbled along the way with a messy plotline and too many twists. Nevertheless, it's still a drama worth checking out for the romantic moments and some fantastic character development. Just be prepared for a rollercoaster ride of plot twists.

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Venturing into Love with You

The live-action series ‘If It’s with You’ (君となら恋をしてみても) opens with the allure of Enoshima—a meeting place for local hearts and global souls, now the setting of a high school duo’s fated encounter.

Enoshima isn’t just scenery; it’s where cultures blend and youthful hearts collide. As tides whisper, Enoshima cradles the budding emotions of our young heroes in its gentle embrace.

A whimsical cat plays cupid, weaving fate with a light paw, although the live-action dances a slightly different tune than the manga.

Japan’s age of consent casts Amane in a mature light, a fresh breeze in the usual high school BL narrative, hinting at unchartered waters ahead.

‘If It’s with You’ (君となら恋をしてみても) is more than a narrative; it’s a poetic journey. With Enoshima as its silent muse, the tender yet earnest unfolding of affection between Amane and Ryuji paints a heart-tugging tale right from episode one.

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Edited With A Machete

This is drop-worthy unfortunately. I finished because I really like the 3 leads and some of their friends. Acting for some tough scenes was really well done! The chemistry of the main CP was pretty good.

Story wise it was a mess. You can tell they edited an insane amount of things out. Especially towards the end they leap from scene to scene with no context of how you get there. Characters we haven't seen or cared about in 10+ episodes show up for no great reason. Despite this drama clearly being chopped down to 34 episodes it still felt too long.

I still give it a 7 because of leads and I could see where there was some potential.

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Good acting but a very poor plot

I found the drama, and esp. the ending disappointing. I think the writers patched up Chef's relationship with Bong Sun. I hated that in the end Bong Sun turned into Soon Ae. The high pitched voice was awful and made her seem as fake as the ghost when she was trying to seduce the Chef. Bong Sun lost her own personality and warmth that we've seen in the beginning of the series. Even though the Chef cares for Bong Sun from the start and finds out that she's the author of his fav blog, he never does anything to actually get to know her. With Soon Ae he knew all her likes and dislikes, he planned to take her out to every single place she wanted to go. We had several episodes of their dating even though plot-wise 20 minutes would be enough. Alas, he never asks Bong Sun what she likes. Actually, he never takes her out to a date once she tells him about the ghost girl. He tells her he always liked her but he fell for the ghost, and that's the end of their talking about their relationship. It's like he doesn't really care about Bong Sun, and stays with her because it's the only viable option, while she's so desperate to be loved by him that she turns into Soon Ae, because she knows she's his second choice. Moreover, watching the series I really didn't expect it'd come to that. Bong Sun is an introvert, but her personality seems more interesting and mysterious than that of the outgoing Soon Ae, who has nothing interesting going for herself except for lumps of confidence. I really hoped the Chef, who himself used to be a timid boy in his youth, would be willing to do the work and get to know the real Bong Sun. Sadly, that's not what's happening. The ending was sad and disappointing. I'm going to rate it 4/10.

Oh, and to be sure. His relationship with Soon Ae sucked even more because it was fake from the start to the end. It was based on lies and deception. Soon Ae pretended to be someone she wasn't just to get laid. And even if she developed feelings for him in the process, she never really showed to him her real self. We've watched the series so we know that the ghost girl with blond hair and the ghost girl with brown hair were two different personalities. Unlike Bong Sun the ghost girl repeatedly lied to the Chef without a blink of an eye. She didn't care for the consequences because she was going to leave anyway. The ghost girl the Chef dated was just a fiction. It was a very poor choice to show us so much of the fake relationship and so little of the real one.

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Beautiful Love Overcoming it All

This series is a melodrama that delivers. The ML and FL were very good in the dynamic changes and challenges of their roles. Their chemistry was heartwarming and at times heartbreaking. However, the supporting cast was solid in conveying the storyline without things seeming forced. The emotional difficulties coming from traumas mental and physical was displayed quite brilliantly. There are parts where the storyline starts to drag a bit and feel repetitious. Yet, the ending received after all the ebb and flow of life tribulations and relational demands made it all worth it. This is a solid watch.

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Wonderful drama

This drama is really wonderful. You feel that you are in a roller coaster ride of emotions. I love the characters of ML and FL and also you will feel the love of both actors. As they are really in loved with each others. I really feel the sweetness of ML and FL. Their crying scenes especially Cheng Yi, when he cries you will truly feel his emotions and cried with him too. I really love Chinese Drama because there are always lessons that you can learn when watching. Like these one. If someone makes mistakes there are reasons why do people do those things. There is something that triggers them why they do that. You will understand them and forgive and move on. I highly recommend this drama. I watch these a couple of times already especially if there are no new episodes I binge watched them. I truly love this wonderful drama. Kudos to all the actors and actresses. ❤️

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