Destined

United as Husband & Wife—Destined together | Will always choose each other in this lifetime <3

I want to commence this review by saying how this drama gave me peace of mind, tranquil and warmth. I didn't exactly know how it happened at first but I later realized that it is all because this story created such a homey vibe...a feeling of security, strong bond, genuine concern and unconditional love that effortlessly resonated to its viewers which made me watch this in a comfortable and peaceful manner. I know it may sound weird, but I feel a lot kinder now. Hahaha! I would say they succeed in building a connection to their viewers on how they want them to view this drama as a whole. I believe they want people to know and understand that kindness, compassion and willingness to help can keep anyone away from worries, selfish desires and greed; and that it can become an instrument, a guide and inspiration for us to take on the right path to achieve a fullfiling and sucessful life.

I don't wanna make comparisons and I will not, however, I just wanna mention that this drama gave me the same vibe I felt when I was watching "The sword and the brocade" but this time the ML is a lot nicer and that there really isn't so much drama and scheming going on within the household. It maybe because of the story as both of the Female leads were forced into marriage but, more so, I think it's because of the FL and her gentle demeanor, intelligence and philanthropic activities to help people that made me reminisce of TSATB. All in all I love both dramas and I am really into this kind of story that highlights women and how capable they can be.

Story (Line, progression and twist) - I love how the story line focuses on the Main leads and stayed commited that way until the very end. I think this is one of those dramas who didn't get greedy in building so much side stories only to end up not using them. I also like the fact that all the supposed side stories were treated as a special scenes where we're only updated about their whereabouts just to check on how they're doing. It feels more satisfying that way because I don't really have to get stress on what will happen to them nor get bothered on whether we get an update or not. No strings attached at all! But kudos to the Writer for still keeping them in the story while casually giving us their life updates. I just also wanna add up that Luo Zishang's origin revelation is something unexpected yet makes a lot of sense to me. I never really bothered about his hatered, so when it was revealed at the end, I instead feel bad for what he went through at the same time happy that he get to meet his father as a consolation of his traumatic and tough childhood. But then again, he commited a lot of hideous and condemnable acts to get pitied. Well deserve death and a satisfying ending for him I'd say.

Overall design, CGI and Costume - The budget must have been huge because the entirety of the drama looks grand and luxurious. The wedding alone looks elegant and expensive, so what more with the other details I may have overlooked all throughout. The design and set up of each scenes are mostly intricate and it feels like the department handling this stuff made sure that eveything looks perfect the best way they can. CGI and editing are looking good too! and although I can still notice the use of green screens, I would say it's not as bad compared to other dramas out there who look straight up terrible. In regards to costume, I wanna say that they've got some good stylist with them. The choice of colors and designs for the costumes are great and I never felt that something is wrong with them. Most of the time I was even in awe on how good they're in making the costumes look beautiful and elegant no matter how simple they are. This also helped the actors/actresses to look more attractive and charming.

Lastly is the progression of the Main Leads' love story. The chemistry has always been there but Ghad! Bai Jingting and Song Yi's acting put it into another level. I love how their relationship gradually improved as time passes by because it showcased the real definition of Falling in love unexpectedly and unconditionally. I can still remember how the ML falling in love with the FL felt so magical. This story is simply so good. + I also appreciate that both of them are such mature characters who knew each other very well because it helped the story avoid unnecessary conflicts out of jealousy and misunderstandings.

Story - 10, This is such an inspiring and impressive story. I love how they're able to create a narrative that goes beyond the typical full of jealousy drama and was able to create such a strong and wonderful love story with firm foundation. Another factor that impresses me is on how they executed this drama with proper phasing even with all the timeskips that has transpired all throughout. What a Great Job!

Acting/Cast - 10, I'm very satisfied with the cast and I can never picture any other person playing the main and support roles; and as I mentioned above, the combination of Song Yi and Bai Jing Ting made this extra special and precious to me. This is also the first time where I truly appreciate and fell in love with Song Yi as an actress. Her acting is great + she looks extra beautiful here! My goodness! Liu Xue Yi did an impressive job too portraying his character, as well as the other supporting casts.

Music - 10, Proper placement of music and I also love their choice of BGMs in every scenes. + I love that they have full control of the volume of the song and never allowed it to overshadow nor drown the scenes it was used to even a single time.

Rewatch Value - 10, This is one of those dramas I will truly watch if I have more time and lesser drama to watch. I really appreciate the entirety of this production.

Overall - 10, Do I need to say more? Everything about this feel so precious and so close to me. I love the story so much and I also appreciate how they were able to tell the story in a nice and a broad-minded way. I highly recommend this drama specially to those who love the Main Cast!

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

Read More

Destined is a great historical romantic “comedy”. It is a drama with stellar actors that did a great job bringing their characters to life. There are usual twisted palace antic, great action scenes, striking cinematography, remarkable friendships, and a strong, beautiful and steadfast slow burned romance for the leading couple. Although their great romantic scenes are at episodes 27 and 28 only, the leading couple oozed phenomenal chemistry every time they were together, even when they were bickering, just looking at each other, or planning their next strategic move. This drama might seem not well done for individuals that were looking for a great factual based historical drama with no plot holes, but for those looking for a drama on a leading couple who are perfect match in mind and spirit with great values and deep love for family, friends, and their countryman, this drama offers all of that in a very satisfying way and entertaining way, Enjoy it!

Read More

From Arranged Marriage to Unbreakable Partnership

Destined is much more than an arranged marriage romance. What begins as a reluctant union between two completely different people slowly grows into a deep partnership built on trust, respect, and shared struggles. Bai Jing Ting and Song Yi delivered beautiful performances that made Jiusi and Yuru feel real, relatable, and easy to root for.

Gu Jiusi was one of the most refreshing male leads I have seen. He started off playful, carefree, and a little immature, but he was always kind, respectful, and protective toward Yuru. Even when life forced him to grow up, he never lost his core personality. His maturity did not erase who he was. It strengthened him. Watching his transition from a sheltered young master to a responsible and dependable man was one of the most satisfying parts of the drama.

Liu Yuru’s journey was equally powerful. She began as someone focused only on securing a stable marriage because of her difficult upbringing. She lived cautiously and never allowed herself to dream beyond survival. But after marriage, she slowly discovered her own ambitions and strengths. Her growth into a confident, intelligent woman who built her own path in business was inspiring to watch. She was not just protected by the male lead. She stood beside him as an equal and often became his strength during difficult times.

What made their relationship special was their balance. They did not rely on dramatic misunderstandings or forced conflict. Instead, their bond grew naturally through shared hardships, mutual respect, and emotional support. They protected each other, trusted each other, and matured together. Their love felt steady, earned, and realistic.

The drama also stood out for its storytelling. It balanced romance, politics, family struggles, and personal growth without relying on exaggerated villains or unrealistic plot devices. The conflicts were grounded in society, war, business, and survival. The story showed how intelligence, resilience, and unity helped the characters overcome challenges rather than relying on luck or power alone.

The supporting cast and production were equally strong. The emotional scenes, lighter comedic moments, and political tensions were all handled well, making the story engaging from beginning to end.

Overall, Destined is a beautiful story about growth, partnership, and finding strength in each other. It shows how two people can enter a marriage as strangers and slowly become each other’s greatest support. It is emotional, inspiring, and deeply satisfying to watch.

Read More

Why Most Viewers Got It Painfully Wrong!

People keep repeating the same take:

“Gu Si had major character development.”

No, he didn’t.

The one who actually changed in this drama is Lui Ru, not Gu Si and the story makes that painfully obvious.

Gu Si is consistent from episode one until the end.

He’s emotionally stable, morally grounded, and surprisingly perceptive. His first interaction with Lui Ru already exposes his core traits: he judges based on what he sees, not on rumors; he doesn’t insult her back; he doesn’t hide behind excuses; and he remains steady even while the entire town trashes his reputation.

Meanwhile, Lui Ru is a walking psychological wound shaped by humiliation, instability, and constant survival mode.

She interprets everything through a broken lens. Her inability to process kindness is so severe that even on the wedding night, when Gu Si tells her she’s free, untouchable, and will eventually be divorced and returned to her lover, she still spirals into panic.

That’s untreated trauma.

And this is where her real development begins.

Her first major glow-up happens early: she realizes that Gu Si, who could’ve overpowered her at any moment and had every social advantage, chose to give her control.

He let her chase him with a sword.
He let her lock him up.
He negotiated instead of dominating.
Why?
Not because he’s weak but because he’s decent, guilt-ridden, and fundamentally good.

That moment cracks her worldview for the first time.

From there, Lui Ru becomes brighter, more confident, more emotionally aware, more capable of reading people, and eventually starts mirroring Gu Si’s steadiness.

That’s character development. That’s growth.

Gu Si?
He stays the same man the same sharp, principled, talkative, quietly heroic personality he always was.
He was never a playboy, never irresponsible, never shallow. He trained, he helped people, he searched for purpose outside the suffocating expectations of his family’s business.

He wasn’t “redeemed.”
He was misunderstood.

He was always that shiny sword.

Lui Ru was the blade without a sheath rusted, brittle, defensive.
And Gu Si became both her blacksmith and her protection.

So no, the drama isn’t about his transformation.

It’s about her finally seeing him clearl and becoming someone worthy of standing beside him and each other.

Read More

More Finance - Not Romance

While this was a pretty good series, I did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped to. The story was just mediocre and stretched out a little too long for me with no real appeal (I'm always in it for the romance factor, folks) and this one was not even a slow burn. We almost missed the romance completely! However, almost at the end when we got our PDA fix, it was fleeting at best. There were noble deaths, but characters we lost, nonetheless. I'm all about Karma, and for me, there wasn't enough development in the characters who deserved comeuppance. A couple of the storylines felt incomplete or not explained as much as I would have liked so as to get the intent and see the impact on the overall story.

The actors delivered good performances, the relationships were relatable and believable. They gave us a gamut of emotions and tugged at our heartstrings. They made us love them, hate them, grieve with them, celebrate with them. There was obvious chemistry between the ML & FL, but for me, it was a pity that there was no sizzling romance (what I look for in the dramas I watch).

But the real star of this drama was Liu Xue Yi. I like this actor a lot. I have seen him in other productions, and love when he plays a good guy. He put in a stellar performance in this drama - making it possible to despise his character and not even feel bad when he met his end. As touching as it was meant to be, his evilness was etched in my mind because of the superb acting of Liu Xue Yi.

Rewatch? Probably not. Too many episodes with not enough romance for my liking. However, this was a good series, worth watching to the end.

Read More

Sometimes the greatest strength is not ambition, but loyalty.

I don’t know why I never picked up Destined earlier, but I’m glad I finally came to it now. It’s one of those costume dramas that doesn’t hit you with big spectacle, but instead wins you over with a quieter, steady charm.

Romance & Chemistry
This was the strongest part for me. Jiusi and Yuru’s relationship isn’t built on manufactured misunderstandings but on trust and loyalty. That makes their bond believable not just in the “falling in love” stage, but across the long haul. Their chemistry is warm and steady — you actually buy into the idea that they could survive everything together.

Character Growth
Another highlight. Gu Jiusi’s arc from a spoiled young master to someone who shoulders responsibility for family and country is written and acted very convincingly. Liu Yuru’s growth is quieter but no less meaningful — she goes from cautious and reserved to someone strong, composed, and equal to him. Watching them evolve separately and together gave the drama weight.

Politics & Plot
Here’s where it wobbles. The first half kept the political intrigue tight and engaging, but the second half lost some of that energy. The plotting became uneven, and some storylines felt dragged out. Still, it never collapsed completely — the emotional throughline of the romance carried it even when the politics weakened.

Acting & Execution
Overall strong, especially from Bai Jingting, who really embodied Jiusi’s transformation. Song Yi, it took me some to warm up to her character gradually, she gave Yuru a quiet strength that grew on me. Toward the last quarter, though, there were a few moments of overacting, and some scenes felt heavier than they needed to be.

Overall
Destined isn’t flawless — the political plot could have been sharper, and the pacing dips in the later part. But what it does get right, it really gets right: a romance that feels believable, characters who grow in satisfying ways, and a tone that manages to stay serene yet hopeful throughout.

Why Watch (or Skip)

🙘 If you appreciate character-driven stories and slower pacing, you’ll find a lot to love here. (If you’re only in for non-stop plot twists, this probably isn’t for you.)
🙘 A romance built on trust and loyalty rather than contrived angst.
🙘 Strong acting and a couple with believable, long-term chemistry.
🙘 Satisfying character growth, especially the ML’s transformation.
🙘 A hopeful, serene tone that lingers even when the politics wobble.

If you value solid character work and a couple that actually feels like a team, this one is worth your time.

Read More

Strong start and fizzled into the the most pointless story in existence

I wish I could review this show in each of its arcs because if I could, the strength of the initial Yangzhou arc would've made this a 9/10 show. 9 stars only because every time they moved away from the main couple, I was antsy to get back to them. Which probably should've been a sign of the problems inherent in this show: not understanding its strengths (the main relationship, containing the stories to the family, acting), side characters without depth, nonsensical over-the-top villains... which ended up being the rest of the show!!! Honestly, I was with the show until about episode 25, because by that time, it was really digging its heels in with the emperor/palace/political plots. And then suddenly, we're dropped into the court plotting and IT WAS POINTLESS. WHY ARE WE SUPPOSED TO CARE ABOUT THIS KINGDOM? WHY ARE WE SUPPOSED TO THINK THESE OTHER CHARACTERS MATTER?????????? The ENTIRE last 10 episode arc did not need to happen because the only reason it happened was Luo Zishang being wrong about his entire motivation for revenge -- WHICH COULD'VE BEEN RECTIFIED BEFORE THAT ARC STARTED.

I'm getting pissed off thinking about this all over again.

Bless the actors for making the most out of what was clearly nonsense in that script, particularly Liu Xue Yi. Let's get you some better scripts, my dude.

At least we'll always have episode 9...

Read More

Good Fathers Absent (the drama wouldn't have happened, otherwise)

A reckless, indulged son of wealth and position took offense at Liu Yu Ru, the unfavored daughter of a businessman, and bullied her in thoughtless prank, which caused misunderstandings that led to their engagement and marriage. On their marriage night, he made his feelings known and promised her a divorce as soon as it was practical. The playboy and the puppet had to learn to work together to survive the impending chaos the country found itself embroiled in.

The character growth of both leads was enjoyable to watch: silly boy into a meticulous, thoughtful man and timid, careful girl into a capable, competent woman. I especially enjoyed watching their relationship grow from reluctant allies to friends and to lovers. ML learned his wife wasn't a manipulative schemer but a powerless pawn who had been forced to her way of life in order to survive. FL learned her childish husband was decent and intelligent, but his pampered upbringing had left him few aspirations with no one having expectations of him. Their relationship was the highlight of this drama. Once they were on the same page, they never deviated; they always believed in one another, they had no nonsensical misunderstandings, and they were a true partnership.

Once the ML was sent away to work on the dam, the story suffered. The drama needed the leads to be together to work well and keep my interest. The story shone brightest when it was involved with regular townspeople and the main couple; it dimmed dramatically as soon as the stage was shifted to the palace and court issues and away from our one true pair.

As an "historical" drama, the writers indulged heavily in intellectual fallacies, assigning today's morality and culture to the past. An Emperor with a troublesome dowager Empress and princess should have quickly found a solution to dealing with them (Empress banished to the Cold Palace; princess married to a far land). As for women in large businesses and as generals, those would have been exceedingly rare, also. However, I'm sometimes relieved to have the past sanitized for me: it was personally shocking to see a cockfight depicted.

Miscellaneous meanderings: I wonder what happened to that smart beggar boy who kept an eye on the streets for the ML. What happened to FL's stepmother, youngest stepsister, and little stepbrother? And, wow, in that scene of moving rocks at the dam, skinny Bai Jing Ting had great arms. Until I read the credits, I didn't realize the charismatic villain was Liu Xue Yi, the bald monk of The Blood of Youth. What range he has as an actor!

Read More

From Innocence to Influence

I wasn’t initially drawn to Destined: the cast didn’t grab me at first, and the synopsis seemed fairly standard. But finally giving it a go turned out to be a surprise in a good way. I found myself invested more than I expected.

🧾 Synopsis / Setting

The story begins with Liu Yuru, the legitimate eldest daughter of a cloth merchant family in Yangzhou, who has endured mistreatment from her father’s concubine. She ends up in a forced marriage to Gu Jiusi, a wealthy, carefree young master from Jiangnan known more for his playboy lifestyle than ambition.

From that starting point, the drama shifts into business, marriage dynamics, personal growth, and societal status — all against a backdrop of merchant families, politics and ambition.

🎭 Acting & Characters

When it comes to characters, Destined really shines 🌟. Every major and side role seems to have its own story, transformation, and emotional rhythm — that’s what made me enjoy it the most.

👩‍🦰 Liu Yuru (宋轶) — At first, I honestly didn’t like her. She felt too timid, too bound by the image of the “perfect wife-to-be” — her entire life goal was to marry her friend’s brother, which made her look small-minded and dependent. 😒 But as the story unfolded, I started respecting her. The way she endured humiliation, learned to survive in a man’s world, and eventually built her own business empire 💼 — it was such a satisfying evolution. She grew from a caged bird 🕊️ to a woman who could stand tall in any crowd.

👨‍💼 Gu Jiusi (白敬亭) — He began as the typical spoiled young master 🏯: wealthy, playful, charming but irresponsible. Yet his journey is what made me stay — watching him slowly shed his carefree arrogance and take on real responsibility, both in his marriage and the world outside, felt genuine. When he eventually became a chancellor ⚖️, it wasn’t just a title — it symbolized the man he grew into. His love also matured from shallow attraction to quiet respect and deep partnership ❤️.

🤝 Supporting Cast — One of the most impressive things about Destined is how even the side characters get proper arcs. Every person, whether friend or rival, changes with time. I especially liked how the illegitimate son — once disregarded and powerless — ended up becoming the emperor 👑. It gave me the feeling that everyone’s destiny was truly in motion, like ripples spreading from one decision to another.

🎬 Performance-wise, both Song Yi and Bai Jingting delivered emotional authenticity. Their chemistry wasn’t explosive but steady, like two people learning to grow together — which fits the tone of the drama perfectly. The villains (especially Liu Xueyi 🖤) were complex — I loved and hated him equally, which just proves how well he played his part.

🧩 Story / Plot & Structure

The first arc, centred around business and marriage setup, really hooked me — I enjoyed the merchant world, the humour and the budding dynamic between FL and ML. But I’ll admit: my patience wavered in parts.

The beginning was strong: fresh premise, business dealings, clever manoeuvres.

Then, after marriage and as the plot moved into politics and court intrigue, I felt the momentum sometimes sank. “great first half, less engaging second half.”

The strengths lie in development: characters don’t stay static — but sometimes the transitions felt a little loose; motivations could use heavier emotional weight.
Still: because I was invested in the characters and their paths, I kept watching, and many of the arcs rewarded patience.

🎵 Music & Production Value

I found the music and production side to be very appealing. The setting (merchant halls, court scenes, marriage ceremonies) feels authentic and immersive.

The OST complements the mood: business bustle, emotional turning points, quiet triumphs — all with appropriate musical framing.

Visually, costumes and sets are strong: the shift from humble merchant beginnings to grander court interiors reflects the journey of characters well.

💭 My Emotional Take

I entered Destined with low expectations and ended up pleasantly surprised 👍.

It’s not flawless: the second half dips a bit, some motivations could’ve been stronger, and at certain points I wished for tighter pacing. But the journey is what sold it for me.

If I were to summarise my emotional curve: 😀 intrigued → 😊 engaged → 🧐 sometimes critical → 🙂 satisfied.

Read More

Another Bai Jing Ting beloved drama.

This is Bai Jing Ting's year! I fell in love with him in You are my Hero and pretty much any drama he touches turns to gold. I want to say, his dramas are a little hit or miss for me. I think it's because sometimes I don't fully jive with the story.

I haven't seen a drama Song Yi has been in, so I was excited to see if I would fall in love with her. She's very tiny and pretty and at 33, I know she is taking care of her body, she looks so young!

The drama started out a bit slow, but good. There's that enemies to lover romance which I'm not too fond of, but since it's a Bai Jing Ting drama, the ML can't be that horrible and he wasn't. I appreciate how light the drama started and pretty much 1/3 in, you realized this is a drama, not a rom-com and I was okay with that. I wanted to see more dramatic scenes and see where the story will take me.

I like that the main couple stayed together and basically it was a story of a slow burn romance. I appreciate that they respected each other before falling in love.

The drama started to fall flat for me towards the second half as it got more into court drama and less about the main lead's love story. I can't tell you high much I get tired of palace angst if the characters aren't playing royalty.

Overall, I understand the high ratings. I love the actors and I appreciate the night time scenes (the actors were in "PJ's" and their hair was down), so hair and make-up was totally on-point. But I just found it boring at times.

Read More

Amazing drama, engaging plot and great characters

Characters are constantly evolving and circumstances that befall them are shown to have an organic impact on their worldviews. Both characters are written with clear flaws and shows convincing growth throughout the drama. The drama allows the two main leads to develop from enemies to friends to lovers, instead of prematurely planting in 'romantic' scenes right after they were forced together by a series of coincidences. The narrative is not afraid to truly challenge the characters, and it is rewarding to see them persevere even as the odds are stacked against them.

Side characters such as the Emperor and the main character's servant are also written to be realistic human beings instead of caricatures, and the narrative ensures that no character is left with just the bare minimum.

On the diversity front, the drama does well in showing a variety of female characters who excels in various traditionally masculine roles.

Plot is pretty enjoyable. Not sure whether it's really realistic on the historical front, but in my opinion there's no significant plot holes that destroys the viewing experience. Interpersonal conflicts are motivated by real differences in perspectives or unfortunate circumstances forcing people's hand, instead of people being idiots. The main villain is nothing too special but he's executed rather well.

I feel like the drama kind of stalls near the end. The main leads developed the habit of long conversations into the night, which gets boring quick but unfortunately contains vital information. Some of the development becomes...contrived. But it's not too bad, and by this time everything that's good about the drama has more than convinced me to watch to the end.

Read More

The drama started out strong, with a formidable female character who is as resourceful as she is kindhearted. I enjoyed Song Yi as Liu Yu Ru and initially assumed that she will be a pushover due to her dainty appearance, but she held her own despite the circumstances surrounding her family. With a twist of fate, Yu Ru got herself hitched to the male lead, despite her fervent adoration for another man.

For his part, Bai Jing Ting portrays Gu Jiu Si with all the playfulness when he was a delinquent and with all the seriousness when he became a high-ranking official. The two leads ooze enough chemistry to make their sham marriage believable. However, I almost gave up mid-way through this drama as it dragged through politics but I was interested enough in Gu Jiu Si's character development to continue.

I also liked the secondary characters, especially the brotherhood between the two kings and the friendship among the young group who were supportive of each other despite past grievances. Jiu Si and Yuru's benevolence knows no bounds, that it sometimes becomes a detriment to the show. Perhaps the message is to forgive those who wronged you, and people who make mistakes can get a second or a third chance. But just because it's a noble thing to do, doesn't mean that people should get away with murder and still be able to live their lives without consequences.

I feel that the final episodes were a bit anti-climactic for me and the drama lost some of its steam as it tries to wrap up some loose ends. But all in all, a decent offering, if you take a break or two,

Read More