Fate Chooses You

To be human vs an immortal

Simple story about immortal beings and the main male lead wanting to be human.

The execution is well enough for a C-drama that I'm not fussed with the story. It did kind of rush the ending a bit and well no spoilers but it kind of felt like cheating at the end but you'll see what I mean when you watch it. There is flashbacks near the end and I mean too much flashbacks so I had to skip those. There's also a lot of irrelevant closure like some characters they're so useless that's it better to not even bother talking about them later.

The antagonist, easy to tell so there was no shocking revelations.

In my opinion "The Boys" makes a better series because it goes into a gritty world and straight through the jugular. I kind of imagine if the script writer was inspired by "The Boys" this series could have been a 10/10 for me because I can only imagine how much more gritty I would make this series and explore the core concept of this series in that nature.

Overall though the story is decent enough that it doesn't sway away from the theme but a bit too light for me to fully say it's a great story. It's a predictable Chinese script.

Fighting like I'm more into Jackie Chan style which means good fight scenes. This is about immortal beings so expect sky fairy style of fighting so lots of CGI is involved sometimes it clearly is bad CGI. There's not much choreography like it's weak but the focus of this series was never about the fighting and I'm a big time action fella so I love series and movies with lots of fight scenes and how much effort the actors put in which is very tiring like Ever Night season 1 has really good fight scenes while having like powers involved.

So I give the fighting a 3/10 and this is because when you see the most powerful immortals fight it doesn't feel GRAND. I'll say anime is possibly the best to see how grand you can make fights like even Hero Academia the fight was just like making me tear up because of how well they did it even against all odds just that struggle and the grand nature of fighting a more insanely powerful individual.

In this and most c-drama it's just weak like you can't be serious and say the end fights were any good. I would even say one fight they cheap out so hard they made the same things between both of the greats that I was like wow this was so underwhelming so that's it?

Once again fighting is not the focus of this series so I gave it a big pass but if it was about like Hero Academia style of story this would have ended up a 4/10 series for me.

The acting and cast like both main leads loved them and it's not really a lovey dovey series so I like the vibe of the tease I guess. The ending is also nice too and I really enjoyed a potential setup for further season 2 if they dive in.

One thing I will say there wasn't much supporting characters I really felt attached to so I think the script didn't do much of them justice and fact is when you fail at that the whole "here's their backstory" it kind of all falls apart. There's some shows that introduce supporting characters that I feel sad when they kill them off or I'm interested in their backstory and I just didn't get that vibe here so most of the time I wanted to just see the progression of the main leads rather than all these other support cast.

I did really enjoy the story about human kind preserving knowledge like that ain't no spoiler but it reminds me of historically like countries like South Korea vs Japan and what the Japanese did back then.

Good watch, had a good time. Would have been excellent if it was similar vibes to The Boys and just more gritty and heart wrenching. Ended on a good theme and if there's a season 2 I would love to see more from the main leads.

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Interesting plot with sub-optimal execution.

Overall:
Apparently this is controversial compared to existing reviews, but this drama is only worth 6-6.5/10, in my opinion. Whilst the plot pulls you in at first, it becomes dull extremely quickly, and only pulls you back in for the ending. Truly a loss. Furthermore, quite a few characters are unlikeable – especially Xin Mei which is an issue considering the amount of screen time she is given. However, Lu Qianqiao is an interesting and easy-to-root-for character who holds much more depth than XM. He has an interesting backstory which fuels his ironclad resolve to 'fit in', somewhere or another, through whatever means possible. This motive makes it easy to follow his intentions, and even easier for the audience to reel themselves in and root for him. While his backstory is described, it wouldn't hurt to have focused more on him instead of XM. If such was possible, the rating could be much higher as the plot does hold potential.

Story/Characters:
At the start of the drama, this plot is quite intriguing and motivates you continue watching, but that only lasts until Xin Mei's revenge arc for Lu Huai ends, with the beginning of her amnesia. The revenge is refreshing and really sets expectations for what Xin Mei's character is like: stubborn in her own morals. It is especially compelling considering her introductory 'detached' character which only seeks to marry a death-row prisoner. As she goes on a killing rampage, the audience feels a need to root for her to clear out these corrupt officials who wrongfully accused an innocent man to death by a thousand cuts. But that's about as much as her character goes. With the start of her amnesia, she grows to become a dull, stubborn, selfish, and self-righteous character who centres the entire world around herself. Bold claim, perhaps, but when she is blinded by her confidence and stubborn morals, she becomes unlikeable. From injuring Lu Qingqiao because she found out about his identity as a War Ghost to lecturing the sect disciples about good v. evil, she somehow has this unwavering confidence that she is always correct, therefore others must listen to her. It is exactly this unwillingness to consider the perspectives of others that makes her unlikeable.

Lu Qianqiao is an interesting character. He seeks to become human because he wishes to fit in somewhere, after living his entire life as neither this, nor that. It is exactly through this that we can understand his character and what is to be expected from him. His mother and father were spies from opposing forces who came together to create LQQ, meaning the fragmentation of his identity is inevitable. He is constantly forced to choose one side, yet he cannot, because he cannot belong entirely to one. Thus, he begins on his quest to truly become a human – it is this motivation that makes the audience want to root for him, becoming interested in the plot. What a pity that the drama decided to (arguably) give more time to XM instead, although even that was poorly-executed.

While this is disputed, I enjoyed A Sheng's character. Whilst she was not likeable, you could understand why she acted as she did, thanks to her entire backstory. This, in clear contrast to Xin Mei who has no explicit backstory aside from a couple lines about her being the only one left in her family, makes it easier to gravitate towards A Sheng. A pitiful child yet cunning child who turns the tables. Even as part of the main character group, she commits her own evils, especially towards Jin Lun, showing that she is not perfect nor does she have to be. She grew up in an environment where you either kill or get killed, so it's no wonder she's so heartless. Again, this ruthlessness and imperfection makes her character interesting. Not good, but interesting.

Overall, the plot has potential. I don't expect much depth nor nuance from idol-dramas, so this plot did exceed my expectations. The introduction of various determinants of good v. evil have the audience unsure about whose side to take. An ally today may become an enemy tomorrow, and vice versa. A clear contrast between the beginning, where the sect disciples are hunting down our main character group, and the final fight, where the sect disciples have allied with the main character group to retaliate against the final evil, the sect leader. It is impossible to fully determine what is good and what is evil, and this plot manages to touch upon that grey area. So much better than a plot where the villain is clear from episode 1, and they are evil for the sake of being evil. However, the middle of the drama drags on and the pacing is a bit odd, making them feel like filler episodes instead of actual plot. Scenes which could have progressed much faster are filled with the characters conversing, even when arguing during action/battle scenes.

Acting:
To start off with the male lead, Ren Jialun as Lu Qianqiao, his acting was fitting for this drama. He is able to accurately create the gradual change from War Ghost to human, as LQQ slowly begins to acquire a more humane understanding of the world. Whether its his childlike wonder for food, or his curiosity about the human experience, the subtleness is there and well-executed, making his character interesting. His range of emotions is the best part about his acting because he doesn't use the same expression or face for sadness, happiness, anger, fury, disappointment, disgust, etc., and actually creates some nuance. To be human is to feel multiple feelings at once, and he portrays that. While this may be the entry-mark to acting, to do so well is difficult, and the bar is considerably low nowadays.

Wang Herun as Xin Mei has absolutely no appeal. I am unsure whether this is a result of her poor acting, XM's confusing character, or both. When I watched the first episode, I had to double check who the female lead was as I felt absolutely no interest towards her; she simply felt like a guest character, no main character sentiments at all. The only time I was even vaguely compelled to focus was the shift from detachment to absolute fury XM faced when Lu Huai was unjustly killed. Such contrast created an actual incentive for me to focus on the story as we watched her unleash her wrath. However, even throughout that storyline, the actress was still lacking that final fit of rage. This feeling of lacking something continues with the rest of the drama, because it seems that she has three expressions: happy when she's with LQQ, sad when something happens, and an inexplicable overconfidence when she is lecturing others.

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A great show but..

This drama would've probably been better off a brotherhood/friendship kind of xianxia.. the females on this show ruined it for me.. From FL to supporting actresses.. i dont understand if its the directors fault making all these women has such weak characters.. im not just talking about physically. Let's start with the FL.. poor thing needs saving even when her cultivation is high.. always borderline dying.. then throughout the drama she makes these doe-eyes like bambi.. IDK what direction the screenwriters wanted her character to take.. then theres her sister.. lord have mercy.. this one is just a killing machine with zero feelings.. uses people to get what she wants.. and the screenwriters didnt even let her character redeem herself with all the people she wronged.. then theres the girl from the opposing sect.. she just does everything the sect leaders wants her to do without question.. completely clueless to the world around her.. ughhh not one female character i was happy with.. sorry.
Now lets talk about the story in general.. it was interesting and good enough to keep me wanting to watch the next episodes.. Allen Ren and the other male cast members did a great job.. the fighting scenes were incredible.. I wish they spent a little more effort on Riley Wangs character.. would've wanted more development.
Bottom line.. would i recommend it? Yes, cuz everyones taste and opinions differ.. you may like the female characters on here. Would i rewatch? Me personally probably not. It was good and that was enough for me 💜

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Ren Jia Lun’s Charm Alone Made Fate Chooses You Impossible to Stop Watching

Fate Chooses You was such an enjoyable watch for me. The story kept me entertained the whole way through, but let’s be honest—Ren Jia Lun is really the reason I clicked play in the first place. 😭

There’s just something about his aura on screen that pulls you in every time. Whether he’s being calm, emotional, or protective, he makes every scene feel more captivating. He has that effortless charm that makes it impossible not to root for him.

Definitely a solid watch if you want something engaging, easy to binge, and led by a male lead who completely steals your attention.

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I don't like the story

It seemed that I had wasted my time watching this drama. From the very first episode, I anticipated that I was going to watch a deep and emotionally intense love story. It is true that I am a little biased toward romantic dramas, especially when my favorite actors and actresses are part of the cast. However, I was disappointed. From the beginning until the final episode, I kept waiting for the story to develop in the way I had expected, but it never did.

I honestly do not understand why Zheng Yecheng and Liu Xueyi made guest appearances in the drama. Both of them are my favorites, and I was happy to see them again after a long time. Anyway, coming back to the main point, I think their appearances might have been included to prepare for a second or third season.

Although the script was weak, I would still like to appreciate the performances of Fu Wein Luan, the Lord of the Rust Sword, and Sun Zeyuan, apart from the lead actors. Riley Wang’s character initially appeared strong and promising, but eventually became weak and underwhelming. He always seemed less powerful than A Sheng.

I especially missed the romantic development between the leads. The ending was the worst part of the drama.

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Good storyline

It was great storyline speaking about greed what humans will do to live forever even it means becoming a villan. Always do the right thing in the end. . Great casting. Romance level huge disappointment. Im fan of ren jia lun but he needs to stop doing romantic dramas since it seems like his last few romantic dramas he doesn't wanna do kissing scenes because he wants to respect his wife . Hes a great actor he can do other dramas with out romance. Even second couple was disappoinment. I honestly dont like how they xin mei strong from the start kind made her weaker through the drama. I hope wang he run gets more lead action and romantic dramas shes great actress . The leads did have some chemistry. Ending made no sense. I did like the strong female characters. But this drama was great to watch once but ill probably wont watch it again. But definitely recommend watching aleast once though

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A War Demon Seeking Humanity Sacrifices For All!!

In a world devoid of colors & warmth, you became my salvation!!

“Fate Chooses You” isn’t your normal wuxia romance, it has an intricately built world which consists of complex characters. In this vastly vivid diaphragm, we have two different individuals who come together for a common cause. Lu Qian Qiao is a half-breed War Demon while Xin Mei is an immortal cultivator. War Demons are mostly seen as jinxed creatures, who were cursed by the Five Senses Curse- they are unable to taste food, feel pain, experience warmth, or even see colors properly. Lu Qian Qiao yearns to become an ordinary human being. As such, he has been working for decades to undo this curse. In due course, he meets Xin Mei, a kindhearted cultivator who strikes an unlikely marriage deal with him. Despite having a fake marriage, in due course of time, Xin Mei learns about his true lineage. As they work together towards a common cause that helps humanity, Xin Mei grows fond of Lu Qian Qiao’s kind nature. This show encompasses an entire universe that offers a simple solution to revitalize humanity.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2026/05/18/fate-chooses-you-series-review/

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I liked it, inspite of its faults.

Best attempt for the use of poor wirework!

First, the most impressive thing I found in this drama was the bold attempt at their poor use of wirework. To note, there was a lot of wirework in this drama. The stunts and wire work used were so good, but not good at the same time. I just used my imagination to finish the attempt that was made. I have to say, if they had done a better job, this would have been one of the best dramas this year, in my opinion. I thought the flying, twists, and turns were original and impressive, but they just couldn't land on their feet. Sometimes it was over the mark or under. Oh well, I enjoy the attempt anyway.

Second, the writing and storytelling fell a little short. Lately, I find myself being disappointed in the writing of these dramas. It seems as if the writer is overcomplicating the simplicity of the story. Don’t get me wrong, I know that fantasy and or Wuxia/Xiansia are a little complex, but I want them to let the story flow into a masterpiece. This has a huge cast of characters, which is to be expected when you have sects, with demons, mortals, and immortals. So, the writers do a good job with the background on the characters. You will get to know them and like them for the most part.

Third, the fantasy element was entertaining. I enjoyed watching this drama come together. In spite of what I said about the storytelling, I liked this.

Fourth, the acting was okay. I was not disappointed with the cast or the performances, especially since there was plenty of eye candy. One thing I will say about Allen Ren Ja Lun is that he should teach a master class in looking pitiful. I felt the actors worked really well together. The ML and FL had some chemistry. However, the quality of the romance was lacking, and the hugs were a bit awkward
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THE DIRECTING & CINEMATOGRAPHY In this drama, the cinematography and production were beautiful. Not too much or too little, it was comfortable to watch. Hats off to the choreography of the actor movements and the fight scenes. The actors were quite believable, with their facial expressions, body language, and all. On a side note: Maybe a little too much blood work.

In conclusion, I would say I did enjoy this drama. As far as its faults, I just ignored them for the most part. As for the ending, you can stop at episode 38 because either it is set up for a second season or someone is stuck on stupid.

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