Destined with You

Great actors but the story is messy

As for the good points : rowoon and Jo Bo ah are really acting well in this serie and their chemistry is good, they gave some beautiful scenes together I loved the one in the snow it for exemple! And the music I loved it "I'll hold you tight" is really a masterpiece.
But as for the story it's really messy especially at the beginning. There are too much things going on between the other love interest and the sociopath thing we get lost. Thankfully it gets better as we go but still not as good as I expected and it's really sad because it was a great plot !
I still finished it and I had a good time its just a bitter sweet feeling at the end because it has sl much more potential!

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Not a bad drama

I'm glad I did not let the negative reviewed sway me into giving this drama a pass.
It's a good time, even without alcohol (joking).

The story was ok, leads also, and it's an easy watch without too much angst because even if some cliffhangers are nicely done, you can guess not much will really happen and no one is in real danger.
The romance was ok and it was all due to the ML and FL chemistry.

Thinking back, I think the story was told wrong, the back and forth in time was not made at the right time (or in the right episodes) so you start to understand the vision a bit later (I would have liked them to set up the premise and everything right from episode 1). Spend more time in Joseon instead of filling with some below-average side plots that were useless if I'm honest.

Still a good watch, but no rewatch value

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Swoon-Worthy Leads & A Head-Scratching Plot

I just wrapped up "Destined with You," and let me tell you, it's been quite the journey.

First off, let's talk about the stars of the show: Jo Bo Ah and Rowoon. These two? Chemistry off the charts! Jo Bo Ah as Hong Jo, our adorable civil servant, may fall into some classic K-drama tropes, but hey, she grows on you. And Rowoon? The man knows how to rock a suit and deliver those heart-fluttering lines with just the right amount of charm and sincerity. They kept me coming back episode after episode.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: the plot. Oh boy, did it take us for a spin! From ancient curses to modern-day office romance, and even a touch of thriller—I mean, talk about genre-hopping! Sometimes it felt like the writers were throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. But you know what? Amidst the confusion, there were gems of backstory and heartfelt moments that kept me hooked.

Speaking of which, episode 14—now that's a standout. We got deep into the Joseon period, and let me tell you, the cinematography and storytelling were on point. It was like stepping into a dream within a drama. Sure, the transition back to reality was a bit abrupt, but hey, that's K-dramas for you, keeping us on our toes.

Let's not forget the soundtrack. While not every song made it onto my playlist, a couple did strike a chord (looking at you, Park Won and Lyn!). The OST added that extra oomph to emotional scenes and kept the vibe just right.

And those side characters? Some were quirky and fun, others… well, let's just say they overstayed their welcome. Yura and Ha Joon brought some spice, but the rest? Meh.

Overall, "Destined with You" isn't perfect—it's got its highs and lows, like any good rollercoaster. Sure, I scratched my head at times, wondering where the plot was headed, but darn it, I couldn't look away. It's the kind of drama you watch when you need a break from the mundane, when you crave that K-drama magic that makes you laugh, swoon, and occasionally facepalm—all in one sitting.

So, would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you're up for a ride that's equal parts thrilling and head-scratching, dive in. Just hold on tight and enjoy the twists and turns!

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Another drama that I found started off with me hooked, but as it went on started losing me more and more. Lots of plot holes and things that are skipped over for the sake of the plot. Plus you know we have to have the stalker mystery that doesn't fit in at all! I think this would've been a perfect drama to make 12 episodes and have it finish on the happy end it did without all of the messy in between.

It veers away from the magic box/spells of it all and starts on a love triangle story line for most of the drama. I do not find these tropes interesting and it's not in this one. It really took away from the story in places where we could've been getting more background on Hong Jo and Shin Yu instead of shoving it all in towards the end of the series.

A lot of tropes, but the romance scenes are worth it at some points. I love Rowoon's acting and he definitely keeps you watching for the chemistry he brings. I loved his character and the charming side that he brought out in this drama. The other characters fell flat for me and the side stories weren't enough to keep me interested.

Romance scenes almost make it worth it, especially the few episodes towards the end (12-14) where their backstories are finally revealed. The rest not so much.

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Not Good Enough

Korean Drama '' Destined With You '' is a fantasy romantic comedy with some drama towards the ending.

The drama starts out quite intriguing, with the two leads displaying smooth banter between them and the comedy being subtle but enjoyable. The chemistry of the couple, in addition, was what carried the drama forward and let things progress. So, when it comes to the romance, the drama did things right.

Where, however, failed was with everything else. As the drama progressed, the story started being random. The love triangle got messy and confusing, the fantasy element was simply out of hand, and the last episodes tried to wrap up everything and fill two hours with spontaneous scenes of domestic bliss.

At least the performances were enjoyable till the very end.

So, overall, four out of ten.

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Watch it for Rowoon's visuals

Destined With You is okay, but I have a few issues with it. My biggest complaint is why the second female lead has to be an insufferable, cartoonish villain. Similar to 'She Would Never Know', the second female lead has to be the villain of the story to make the audience admire the female lead. Why deprive the audience of a serious moral conundrum? I think the drama would be a little better if Na-yeon (Yura) were a likable character.

It is easy to pair Shin-yu (Rowoon) with Hong-jo (Jo Bo-ah), not because of the destiny thing they tried to pull, but mostly because the other alternative is a horrible human being, a bully. I also feel that Jae-kyung's (Ha Jun) character is underutilized. The saving grace of this show is of course Rowoon and its cinematography and the beautiful scenery. Even though it is sometimes heavily edited, it still gives the show an ethereal feel.

All in all, it's not that bad.

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light and entertaining

Past and present collide in this rom-com about a city lawyer with a mysterious ancient curse and a civil servant with whom he shares an "unseverable destiny". If you are undecided on whether to watch a modern or costume drama, this show will deliver both.

While there are all the usual ingredients of a rom-com, this show is more entertaining than average. There wasn't the usual shy, denial of feelings, but rather a full on "Sorry - Not Sorry!" head first dive into love. Shin Yu believes he is under a love spell cast by Hong Jo and struggles to fight it. "You're not pretty, but you are to me!" It's a funny internal battle between a newly awakened heart and a seasoned analytical brain. A few scenes were too slow but, before you get too bored, the story manages to move along with hints into previous lives, dark magic, murder and suspense. However, the draggy scenes were during the modern portion of the show and I felt more time could've been spent on the historical back story. Rowoon and Jo Bo Ah change pace smoothly and maintain their chemistry between the two settings.

The overall cast is very funny and work well with each other. However, it was almost uncomfortable seeing Park Kyung Hye being very over the top; she has had better roles. The comic timing between the 2 ML's as they compete against each other in 1 of 2 intersected triangles is spot on. It's also nice to see two decidedly unglamorous people in their own romantic story arc; it counters the expectation that only young and beautiful people can fall in love. Rowoon, noticeably freakishly tall (his height is mentioned several times), is good at comic scenes and his fans won't be disappointed. He is maturing into a decent dramatic actor as well.

If you're not looking for anything too profound, this show is light and entertaining to watch.

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Nothing Life-Changing, Still a Decent Watch !

First of all, let me make this **easy** and clear: this is **not** the kind of drama that will change your life, heal your soul, or make you rethink existence. Easy. Calm down.
But at the same time—it’s **not bad either**. Easy watch, easy vibe, easy entertainment.

Now about the story… the writer definitely chose the **easy route**. I mean, how the hell do you fall in love by drinking a **glass of water**? 😭 Easy love? Instant romance? One sip and BOOM—feelings unlocked? Okay, I get it, it’s fantasy, but still… that was *too easy* to digest, even for fantasy standards.

The acting had some **easy flaws** here and there. Their chemistry could’ve been **a little more spicy**, not this *easy-going simmer*. It felt like a slow burn, but not the delicious slow burn—more like the **easy microwave kind**.

BUT—and here comes the easy plot twist—I still **enjoyed it**. Despite the gaps, despite the “easy explanation for everything,” the drama somehow kept giving me **interesting vibes**. The cast was **easy on the eyes**, the rituals were **easy to appreciate**, and some plots were actually **addictive enough** to keep me watching till the end without skipping.

So overall?
It was **easy fun**, easy entertainment, easy watch.
Not groundbreaking. Not unforgettable.
But if you want something **easy, chill, and mildly addictive**, then yeah—**you can easily give it a try** 😉 A Tiny Poem for This Drama

One glass of water, love so easy,
Fantasy logic feeling cheesy.
Not life-changing, not too deep,
But somehow fun enough to keep.
Flawed, slow, odd—but vibes were nice,
An easy watch, I won’t think twice.

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Only for Jo Bo Ah

Only for Jo Bo Ah, If you are not satisfied in this drama you can watch her in Tale of the Nine-Tailed
The story is not complicated
But the director, screenplay makes it complicated
Actor and actors are done their best
As usual [ Jo Bo Ah ] her cute acting in screen presence is mesmerising to me
First 7 episodes you must be patience from 8th episode the drama becomes interested
Thankfully Drama has happy and good ending
May be part 2 for destined with you if there is chance
So don't worry worth to watch
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Keep clear

I'll keep it very short. This drama is sht. I don't know why it has such a high score....
Plot-driven story. Everything happens because the writer intended for it to go exactly that way. And in order for it to happen, the characters do dumb things, act in strange way, otherwise the next step in the story wouldn't be possible. And even more weird, new plot elements are introduced and dropped later without any real reason. So basically the story is dumb and it gets cluttered with extra stuff, for no real reason. Beside that, cringefest. Lots and lots of cringe moments. Probably that was supposed to be comedy. Well, it missed.
Next, character development. Too few and not where it should've been. The chemistry is ok, mostly because of the ML. The FL tries too hard. Even her acting is a little bit off (and the "sexy" scenes are cringe and used only to boost the viewing numbers). I've seen her in other series and she wasn't this "bad". Of course, a lot of it can be blamed on the script and maybe even the director, but still.
What else? Annoying soundtrack. The production value is decent. The pacing is awful. Well, you get the idea. Give it a wide pass. The ML made all the heavy-lifting ( I even suspect some improvs from him, to make the scenes a little bit sweeter), coupled with some of the supporting cast. But not even the cast should make you curious about this one. Clearly the people who gave this drama a high rating did it only because "Omg I like X actor/actress. I'm so happy I got to see them again" or something like that.
Have a lovely evening.

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In the past life and in this life.. I love you.

Thumbs up from my mom to Rowoon for being handsome ahaha

Might not be a big hit, but it was a good drama.
I started watching not expecting much, I'm new to these actors, the story might not sound new, but I don't pay too much attention to pointless comparison these days, since everything depends on actors and production team and they managed to keep me interested and the last half I simply binged. Strictly speaking there are always hit and misses, but speaking truthfully it's not as horrible as some people say.

What I considered to be good.
Acting. I had no idea who Rowoon was before watching and I must say he has the face and skills for you to remember him on the screen. What can I do, who doesn't like handsome guys. Oh! And so far the only actor I've seen who could act drunk so well ahaha like honestly when it comes to drinking or being sleepy many actors don't look drunk at all. You can put a ton of blush on their faces, but they can't do it, but his scenes were on spot ahaha. Same for Bo Ah. Although it wasn't her fault there was so much emphasis on her acting shy at the beginning, which was later dropped, but overall she did a good job with her role. I noticed he acted with actresses older then him in several dramas? :)
All other actors did a good job too.

Romance. I'm not against characters having prior relationships. It's not a bad thing having a character who is not a blank piece of paper when it comes to love/relationships. This is why I found the initial entanglement interesting. After all the mistake Hong Jo made gave a strong sense of "fate". And from initial almost enmity they came to love. Tbh those episodes when he couldn't control himself were quite funny, because we could see the rational and emotional sides clash constantly. Eventually her life was filled with him and his life with her and their feelings shifted in the direction towards each other. On screen chemistry was great :)

As for the storyline. You need to watch it completely to see the writer's idea. I think the story would have tasted really different if the backstory (past life) would have been dumped from the get go. Basically, we as viewers get the glimpse of the past life together with the characters themselves, which was quite fine. And if someone says something about sub-plot.. *sigh* don't you see why it was brought up. If not this it would have been something else because what should have happened must come, don't forget the settings of the curse after all. I try to speak spoiler-free as much as possible and keep things vague.

PS: The only thing I couldn't get was actually HongJo's co-workers. They acted vile and I couldn't wrap my head around why. You can justify it by saying that because she reported Gong, who in return kept mentioning her, they might have accumulated negative feelings towards her, but this was the part that felt fake to me. Maybe because despite justification I couldn't get why they acted like that, so it felt forced.

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A wonderful surprise

I wanted to watch it because of Rowoon whom I had seen in other dramas before and whose performance I always admired .
The beginning of Destined with you is slow and Rowoon 's part of an upright , haughty and stiff lawyer , who 's always sour looking did not inspire confidence . I thought it might be a rom com but there was little evidence of that . But then the plot developed into a thrilling , engaging , intense love story , with suspense , compelling supernatural mystery , which had me on edge until the end when everything is very well tied up together . it has a happy ending and I would say well deserved for the main characters after all they went through ! I would watch it again .

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