Serendipity's Embrace

우연일까? ‧ Drama ‧ 2024
Completed
saseum
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 15, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Short, and sweet

A breath of fresh air amidst suffocating dramas that are either about vengeance, power struggle, and the likes.
The story is of typical plot, but what makes it an "easy" watch is that it only has eight (8) episodes, so the pacing is continuous.
Like a warm cup of cocoa on an autumn day, Serendipity's Embrace hugs you with the feeling of nostalgia that can only come from those sweet, sweet days with your besties, and your special friend.
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Completed
Thalia Rosemere
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 17, 2025
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Where first love becomes the final destination

This drama is like a warm embrace in story form—quiet, tender, and deeply comforting. From the very first episode, it wraps you in a gentle atmosphere that doesn't try to rush or impress. It simply invites you to feel. The pacing is steady, never too fast or slow, allowing every connection and every unspoken emotion to bloom naturally over time.

What moved me the most was how every character learned to let go. Lee Hongju is surrounded by some of the most supportive friends I've seen in a K-drama. Even when Kim Hyeji realizes she likes the same person as her best friend, she doesn't hold on selfishly—she steps back, knowing that Hongju and Hooyoung are meant for each other. The same goes for Kwon Sangpil, who quietly lets go of his own first love, Hyeji, because he sees how much happier she is with someone else.

They each let go of their first loves. And in doing so, they all find something softer and brighter fate they never expected, but one they deserved.

People often say "trios never work." But here? They do. Because love isn't treated like a battleground. It's a space for growth, acceptance, and quiet courage.

The red string theory runs through this story in the most delicate way. Not just between lovers, but between friends, between people who once hurt each other, and between past and present selves. It's not used for drama—it's used for healing.

Serendipity's Embrace isn't flashy. It doesn't demand your attention, it earns your affection. A true comfort drama. Warm, thoughtful, and filled with a love that doesn't have to shout to be felt.

I'll carry this one gently in my heart for a long time. 🤍

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Completed
Emma30
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 18, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 2.5

.

its a good drama to watch when you just want a cute and lovely watch. The romance is easy and fun to watch and the characters are interesting.
I loved the coincidence/ serendipity ( 우연) concept with the romance and the whole first love thing.

also the second lead couple was fun too, different from the usual second leads you usually see.

But It's good that it had only 8eps, its really good and interesting at first, but those last few episodes turned a bit boring, the drama was useless and the characters lacked some meaning in their actions.
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Completed
Sinasina
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 23, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 3.0
This review may contain spoilers
I enjoyed the first 6 episodes, sure it's been a bit lukewarm & nothing unique or out of the norm, but at the very least the drama is relatively free of annoyances up to that point & it`s still somewhat funny with acceptable chemistry between the leads & decent-ish acting. The second FL is also really funny, though I always liked Dasom before..

Unfortunately the final 2 episodes are similar to what we usually get in 16ep dramas. Meaning it`s complications leading to an arbitrary separation culminating in a 3 minute long happy ending, if this is even that.. I always hated that formula, here though it's even worse, since having 2 trash episodes out of 8 has twice the impact.

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Completed
Eliot_Rulez
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 13, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers

Cute but cliché

Rich boy meets girl at school, has no guts to tell her about his feelings and has to move.
He comes back, still has the love for this girl and this time he gets his girl.
That's the short version of this plot. It has not much substance and the end is more disappointing then I excpected otherwise it was enjoyable to watch. Why does a woman has to follow the man? Some minutes before she told him, she could not follow him because she still has dreams, but I guess she fulfilled them? We have no clue.

One side couple has an arc, the second side couple is much too short to know what has happend in their past. And then there is a poor loner who only gets the misery if one of his friends is in a slump.

I'm not a fan if actors have to play their version 10 years ago, it brakes the believability. So to have similar but younger cast for such scenes would have been much better. Overall it puts a smile on your face watching it even with such a weak plot. So for me it's a bit above average because the acting was very good.

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Completed
Sunshinewrits
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 20, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 4.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 5.5
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

3 Reasons you can skip Serendipity's Embrace

The eight episode mini series Serendipity's Embrace recently ended on a happy note. The Jong Hyeop and So Hyun starrer made quite an impression ever since it went on air. But the charm left visibly in the third episode.

Here are 3 reasons why you can skip it.
1. The shallow plot

Who does not love childhood friend turned lovers. It's one of the favourite genre of Asian story. And this one is no different than that. However, given the writer is taking the favourite theme of audience special attention was necessary for the narrative. Keeping the FL naive and ML too loyal made it cliche and unconvincing. The over supportive best friend and light interested second ML was only water on the fire.

2. Thin twist line

When Hye Ji falls for Mr. Son it not only gave frown to Hye Sun but also us. Just why? If her love for Hoo Yeong was that shallow and meaningless, it should not have been dragged till the date. She also never tried her luck with anyone. Why all FL and ML are trying this hard to be pious and thus making themselves appear unconvincing.

3. Smallest story ever

Right episode series.....this is too much. Korean dramas are reducing episode number every year. But eight episode chronicling life from school days to present time is too much. Lack of time is another reason for the poor story frame. Neither characters nor plot got time to get a shape to keep audience hooked.

If you love childhood friend turned lovers there are bunch of beautiful stories out, go and check them. You can start with Casteaway Diva and Love alarm ;)

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Completed
yzxuwm
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 13, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

LOVED ITTT

i was gonna give it a 9.0 but that last episode was soooo cute and soo perfect i loved it sm i had to give it a 9.5 overall. i loved the ending actually, it was nice to see the FL doing her part too to keep the relationship and not just the ML always doing the most in relationships, for me it just showed that truly they both loved each other and it really was fate and not just coincidence, especially that last scene omg i kinda was speechless cuz how it all happened was just pure fate😭 also their chemistry was soo good, i was giggling in every scene😖 mr.son and hye ji were so so cute too but i wish they has more scenes😣 their scenes is this ep were so so cute omg i think i love them as much as i love the main couple lol, anyway totally recommend if you’re a sucker for fated romance🫶🏼🫶🏼👍🏼👍🏼

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Completed
atleeing
0 people found this review helpful
May 14, 2025
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Not a coincidence

Summary: This short but loveably sweet mini series captures the heart with unshakable devotion between the two main characters. I like that the storyline was straightforward (with easily solved misunderstandings), tying the past to the present in a way that builds retention for the audience. Love the soundtrack as well. And surprisingly, no blatant ads? Amazing. An easy re-watch, if you want some simple entertainment.

Something that irked me though is that the Viki synopsis is totally off; it was not a heartbroken crush for the female lead as was described. In fact, it was the other way around.

Details: Let’s just be clear. The real reason Lee Hong Ju was “deeply skeptical when it comes to everything love-related” wasn’t because Kang Hu Yeong, it was because of someone else. I wished that was captured in the synopsis because it changes the color and expectations of the story. That aside, I found this drama an enjoyable mini series, which I’m starting to think all Asian dramas should be (like eight episodes or less, lol).

There were funny bits like Lee Hong Ju’s heroic stance on fighting for global warming vs. her own love llfe; and when she forced Kang Hu Yeong to do ancient Korean dynasty cosplay dress-up, with her as the king and him as the servant. Lol. Also, the plot development reminds me of that classic Hallmark formula in which their fates are tied together wherever they go - nothing is a coincidence. XD

I got a bit antsy at the last episode because they literally left less than 10 minutes to resolve a plot twist. But they did it, and they even had time to fill in more of the backstory as well. Impressive. I’m happy with this show. :)

Side Notes:
- Episode 1: I was annoyed by the unrealistic dialogue between Kang Hu Yeong and his friend who was harassing him about “dumping” a blind date. It was one date and it’s HIS life to make those kind of decisions.
- Episode 1: I found it strange and cringy when all the other supporting characters spoke better English than the main character, who supposedly lived in the U.S. for several years. It irks me when filmmakers create a storyline but don’t use people with matching skills for the scenarios. Why even write that type of scenario then? They could have faked it much better with him having gone off to some other country (like Singapore or something).
- Backstory throughout: The way that Lee Hong Ju came at Kang Hu Yeong in high school was straight up harassment and bullying. I get that she was simply protecting her friend but he totally had the right to ignore the situation rather than give an answer, if that’s what he preferred. He shouldn’t have to be humiliated while doing P.E. or attending class or trying to do research in the library or…
- End of Episode 8: Realistically, if someone broke their foot, wouldn’t they be on the ground in excruciating pain instead of being able to walk away? I’m surprised Kang Hu Yeong didn’t even make a face, and that Lee Hong Ju didn’t try to help him but just stood there.

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Completed
TipsyTok
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 13, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10

I call it my own masterpiece. This drama is much better than I anticipated.

This drama is honestly amazing. It is a drama that warms the soul and brings to mind memories from the past. I've heard of comfort drama many times but now I finally experienced it. Kim so hyun and Chae Jeong Hyeop thank you for bringing this to my soulless life. This drama remains a special memory to me and I will always cherish it.
My only regret is that it's too short.
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Completed
teacatt
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 25, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 2.0

aesthetically wrapped up 'love the taste of nothing'

I was actually relieved when I saw this drama is only 8 ep because I think kdrama romcoms are usually too long.
but this drama feels like the writer was doing their thing writing the story and suddenly found out in the middle of ep 8
that they need to wrap up everything in 30 minutes.
???

and to think I was actually enjoying the main couple's story until the last couple episodes..

aeshetics 10/10 and the OSTs very cute and romcomy though. but except for a couple moments mid-show this did nothing to satisfy my kdrama-romance craving.
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Completed
Calismum
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 28, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Short but sweet

I liked this but it didn't bowl me over, mainly because it seemed too short. It would have been nice to have 12 episodes - with more dialogue. I would like to see part 2 because I liked the characters and the actors.
Adapting from a webtoon means the plot seems to a formula but if an apprentice was writing, they have to start somewhere.
More romance and passion? ( Liked the two teacher romance!)
It was competing with two popular series so just have to grin and bear it cast and crew.
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Completed
TinyToesT
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 13, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Serendipitous romance

Really enjoyed this romance. With 8 episodes, it was straightforward without too much filler. The cast was lovely to watch. Loved both first and second romances. It reminded me a little of the film Serendipity which also had 'destined to be together' type clichés which I love. He fell first and harder is always a win for me. I laughed, I cried, I swooned at the first kiss! A favourite moment was right at the end of episode 8 which felt like a huge pay off for all their chance meetings. Finished it with a big happy smile on my face.
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Serendipity's Embrace poster

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  • Score: 8.1 (scored by 20,483 users)
  • Ranked: #2054
  • Popularity: #414
  • Watchers: 43,266

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