Serendipity

Starts of well enough but drags and ends poorly

I was so excited to watch the show, I had just finished the show featuring the FMC which you were. She was one of many daughters that was supposed to be married. I forgot what the show was called, but I really enjoyed it so naturally, I was excited to see the actress , but it started off really well, but dragging and not having the best ending. Ending felt rushed acting corny and the plot lines towards the last five episodes no longer really made sense.

I like the MMC’s character how it started he saw some development, but ultimately the MMC never learned from his lessons the mistake he made with the FMC kind of got, repeated and replicated, and what happened when he encountered his father almost never learned his lessons to give people the benefit of doubt and grace.

I would also say think too much time was focused on who I consider the villain in his story like we didn’t eat all that

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Good story, but without soul ...

PLOT: The FL, a jewelry merchant, falls off a cliff while fleeing the "bandits" who killed her entire family. She is saved by the ML (a brilliant, poor scholar), who is also her crush. But when she wakes up, she has amnesia and must hide from the people who want to kill her (in connection with the death of the ML's mentor, who was wrongly accused). The ML then decides to pass her off as his sister, and they settle in the capital, set up a "women's house," investigate, etc.

+++ Good CL: I like Wang Zi Qi even when he paly a cold ML. Lu Yu Xiao is also an actress who play naturally.
Many reviewers have ML2 syndrome. Not me at all! The actor is good, certainly, but his character is immature, lacking depth, and lacking responsibility.
### The siblings' plot lasts too long (really, really too long) :( [until episode 23]
+++ A CL 2 (Prince Rui & his consort) that gets us out of the boredom. Very good dynamic!
+++ Good OSTs
+++ Carefully produced, with good use of a limited budget.

### The second part drags on. The series should have been shortened by at least 5-6 episodes.
### I know the two leads are reasonable characters, but their romance clearly lacks passion (even the ending :( )

=> Ultimately, the series is a bit disappointing, due to the writing style that may have respected the original story, but which missed the heart/soul of the characters.

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PLOT: La FL, commerçante en bijoux, tombe d'1 falaise en fuyant les "bandits" qui ont tué tte sa famille. Elle est sauvée par le ML (brillant érudit pauvre) qui est aussi son crush. Mais à son réveil, elle est amnésique et doit se cacher des gens qui veulent la tuer (en lien avec la mort du mentor du ML, accusé à tort). Le ML décide alors de la faire passer pour sa sœur, et ils vont s'établir ds la capitale, monter une "maison des femmes", enquêter, etc.

+++ Bon CL : bcp de comments ont un ML2 syndrome. Moi pas du tout ! L'acteur est bon, certes, mais son personnage est immature, sans profondeur, sans responsabilité.
### The siblings plot lasts too long (really really too long) :( [jusqu'à l'ép. 23]
+++ Un CL 2 (Prince Rui & sa consort) qui nous sort de l'ennui. Très bonne dynamique !
+++ Bons OSTs
+++ Réalis° soignée, avec une bonne exploitat° d'un budget limité.

### Des longueurs ds la 2e partie.La série aurait dû être raccourcie de 5-6 ép. au moins.
### je sais que les 2 leads sont des personnages raisonnables, mais leur romance maque visiblement de passion (mm la ending :( )

=> Série finalement un peu décevante, en raison d'une écriture respectant peut-être l'histoire originale, mais qui est passée à côté de l'âme des personnages.

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Revenge takes time, but when it happens it can be sweet for those who stick to it!

I went into this drama without any expectations and was pleasantly impressed, the story is well written and unlike the detractors might say, well paced, each moment is correctlyu placed into the story, without rush or radomness.

The amnesia part takes 30+ episodes, which is 1+ year as the FL says in episode 34 or 35, mirroring real life, as in real life, amnesia takes time and does not have a quick magic resolution.
The reasons for the FL revenge are relatable and understandable, correctly using the trope of family revenge to the drama's advantage.
The whole arranged marriage debacle does not feel out of place at all as it was in the perview of the dowager to do that in the real world.

Finally i have to give props to Lu Yu Xiao, she carried this drama, making me believe she felt really batrayed by her then potential husband turned fake brother and her delievery of the revenge of her character's family... Brilliant

UNDERRATED!!!

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All the makings of a great drama that unfortunately falls flat

Serendipity has all the makings of a solid historical drama: tragic backstories, political intrigue, secret identities, and a hint of romance. However, somewhere between solving mysteries and its identity crises, the drama itself falls off a cliff, gets amnesia, and never quite recovers.

What begins as a light-hearted romantic setup soon veers into a drawn out mystery plotline. The amnesia arc feels forgotten until the end while both the romance and overarching plot are hurriedly tied up in the final episodes.

The mystery angle starts off with promise as the leads navigate through a series of cases that chip away at a larger conspiracy. However, with minimal setup and even less payoff, each lead fizzles out. Just when progress is made, evidence is conveniently lost or dismissed, forcing yet another detour. Heroes and villains alike walk away from each encounter unscathed, deflating any real tension. By the time the story regains momentum, the suspense is long gone—you’ve known who the villains were all along and were just waiting for their inevitable and predictable downfall.

The romance aspect isn’t any better. While the male and female leads are individually well-developed with strong and compelling personalities, the chemistry between them never quite ignites. After pretending to be siblings for most of the show, their bond really ends up feeling more familial than romantic. Yes, they make sacrifices for one another. Yes, they go through emotional turmoil. But the dynamic lacks the emotional pull of a true love story. On the other hand, it is hard not to get second male lead syndrome as the second male lead is nearly flawless as he is charming, smart, kind, loyal, principled, and emotionally available.

As far as production and editing is concerned, I am really not a fan of episodes that cut out mid-sentence as it feels clumsy and takes away from the overall viewing experience. All that aside, I enjoyed the OST, the costumes and the props/scenery.

In the end, Serendipity isn’t a bad drama, just one that loses its way. It’s watchable, especially if you’re a fan of the genre, though it doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

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It was a good series in general. I enjoyed watching it. Unfortunately, there were many parts I didn't like. The story was already familiar. A few stories like this have been made into series. The first one I remember is "The Rise of Ning". The fact that I can't remember and that they are siblings overlaps with each other. But maybe it could be the actors in terms of the treatment. The scripts are different, the novels they are inspired by are different. There are differences but there are also similarities. I liked that series more. I gave them both the same grade. This series hit me with its emotionality. The father incident in the death of ML's father moved me. FML's father's fondness for his daughter, finding and bringing her a husband, and laying out all his wealth in front of her affected me. In the same way, Qing Zhao's family's fondness for their children affected me. However, it didn't seem realistic to me that a very treacherous and cruel prince would spread roses in front of a woman he had known for two days and hired as a maid, decorate the surroundings with lights, and make her look beautiful. It was too much. It was rushed. A lot was rushed in this series. You threaten, you say you will kill, you beat them and then I threw roses on their way. I said no. It never happened. I was surprised by what logic they thought of such things. As a result, they turned the event into melancholy and had each other killed. In other words, it was as if the lovers died together. However, they were enemies. At least the girl wanted to kill the prince and avenge her father. As a result, she succeeded. It was strange that these things were done so freely. No one said don't do it. It has nothing to do with reality. After all, you are killing the prince. For example, the soldiers gave up very easily in the rebellion. These were rushed, I did it, it happened. I didn't like it. There are more, but I gave examples. The girl's acceptance of the family was also strange to me. It opened her eyes. She doesn't remember, but saying we are your brother and mother and accepting this was also rushed. I'm not even counting the love stories that followed. It didn't happen. The leading roles didn't fit together in my opinion. Although Lu Yu Xiao was lively and lively, Wang Zi Qi was that static. She played 40 episodes with one facial expression. It's not easy. Someone told her to stop like this. The man stood with the same face against everything. The same face loves. The same face gets angry. People are killing each other. The same face watches. Someone says I am your father, the same face. The same face says I love you. Wang Zi Qi seemed like he was forced to act. Lu Yu Xiao was great. She literally dragged the series. Well done. I really liked Snow Kong. This girl has a lot of work. She will do good things. I also really liked He Qiu. Such a brave role suits her. Roy Wang is like the man of bad roles. It suits her. I also really liked the veteran actors. They especially gave their emotions very well. The series wouldn't exist without them. Their effects are too much. I wouldn't tell those who want to watch not to watch it.

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Serendipity: When Brooding Meets Noble Nonsense ???

Our brooding male lead strikes again! 😐 This man has the emotional range of a houseplant—except for that one rare moment when he almost smiled… we were shook. 😂 Still, he nailed the role like a true drama veteran.
The FL? Absolutely stunning and acted her heart out. 👑 But the writers? Hmm... they gave her the “overly self-sacrificing martyr” script and dragged it over THREE WHOLE episodes. 🫠 Like girl, no need to throw yourself under the angst bus for love!Episodes 34–40 were the slow-mo version of a breakup that didn’t need to happen. No major misunderstanding, just a lot of noble nonsense. ML never gave up though—bless his poker face. ♠️❤️
Despite the dragging, it’s a fun mix of laughs and serious feels. Bit dramatic, a tad long, and romance is sweet but soft—think longing stares, not steamy scenes. 😳👀If you can survive a senseless breakup arc and a FL who needs to stop overthinking, it’s totally worth the watch! 🧃📺

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O drama é interessante. São várias histórias paralelas ao longo dos 40 capítulos. Na reta final, após Jian Ming Shu recuperar a memória, perde um pouco o brilho, mas logo em seguida ganha um novo fôlego. São muitos os personagens gostáveis, até o segundo protagonista (que costuma ser uma pedra no sapato do casal principal, era muito fofo. A finalização deixa a desejar, apesar de ser um final feliz, as cenas não emocionam, a cena de Song Qing Zhao escrevendo as cartas foi mais emocionante que o final. Depois de cumprir um luto de três anos, finalmente, os protagonistas se casaram, mas o seguimento dos demais personagens durante esse tempo não é mencionado, como por exemplo, a mãe de Lu Chang, será que ela continuou sozinha ou desenvolveu uma relação mais próxima com o general? E o novo imperador e sua esposa, tiveram um príncipe ou uma princesa?
O elenco é bom. Gostei bastante do personagem Lu Chang, mas senti que faltou um pouco de brilho na atuação do ator Wang Zi Qi, certamente, não é a melhor atuação dele, em alguns momentos, parecia que ele estava desconfortável na pele de Lu Chang, talvez, isso seja por causa do ator de voz (dublador), pois nem sempre a voz correspondia as emoções expressadas pelo ator Wang Zi Qi. Uma dublagem deficiente pode estragar o trabalho árduo de um ator e, o diretor precisava ter mais atenção quando a voz não reflete as emoções do ator em cena (melhor seria a voz do próprio ator).
O figurino é bem elaborado e bonito. A trilha sonora é agradável.

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Surprisingly, I loved Serendipity. I usually struggle with slow-burn romances, but this one just worked for me in a way I didn’t expect. As I looked into the series more, I discovered that the screenwriter, Cheng Ting Yu, also wrote Princess Wei Young and The Sword and the Brocade—two dramas I already love or have on my completed list. That definitely explained the familiar vibes: slow-burn romance, hidden identities, first loves, and a cold, emotionally guarded male lead. It's clear that her storytelling style just clicks with me.

What I Loved:

1. The Side Couples Steal the Show
One of my favorite aspects of Serendipity was the supporting characters and their storylines. I adored all the couples, especially Prince Rui & Yin Shu Jun and Su Tang Li & Prince Yu. I might be in the minority here, but Su Tang Li and Prince Yu were the couple I looked forward to the most! Their relationship was messy, toxic, and deeply emotional—I was totally here for the drama. I knew they’d end in tragedy (both dying with each other’s knife at their throat), but that intensity was what made them compelling.

Also, shoutout to Yang Shi Ze as Prince Rui. He’s really grown on me lately, and I’m loving
everything he’s in. Can’t wait to see more from him!

2. Pacing & Binge-Worthiness
Again, I’m not typically a fan of slow burns, but when the pacing works and the storyline draws you in, it’s so easy to lose track of time—and that’s exactly what happened here. I binged through this series whenever I could. I did skip most of the political scenes (not my thing), and just focused on the relationships, which were the heart of the show for me.

3. Lu Yu Xiao as the Female Lead
Another cast member I’ve come to really enjoy is Lu Yu Xiao. I’ve watched quite a few of her projects in the past year, and she continues to impress me. She brought a subtle, emotional depth to the role that made the character relatable and easy to root for.

4. The Love Triangle That Actually Makes Sense
I usually dislike love triangles because they tend to be frustratingly indecisive. But in Serendipity, it felt more grounded. The female lead clearly knew who she loved—her heart chose him early on, and she often dreamt about him. So even with second lead syndrome, I didn’t mind it here at all.

What I Wish Was Different:

1. Sudden Revenge Arc
The female lead’s drive for revenge felt a little abrupt. I get that Su Tang Li might have had some impact on her, but it didn’t feel like their bond was strong enough to justify how extreme her actions became. That emotional shift was hard to buy into, especially in the last few episodes.

2. Choppy Edits & Rushed Plot Points
Towards the end, I noticed some weird editing and rushed transitions between scenes. Maybe I skipped too much, but I found myself rewinding a few times just to make sense of the plot. The flow started to break down near the finale, and it made the ending less satisfying.
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Final Thoughts:
Serendipity definitely has its charm. If you’re into slow burns, layered relationships, and the “she fell first but he fell harder” trope, you’ll probably love this drama. Despite a few flaws, it had the kind of storytelling and character dynamics that kept me emotionally invested. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did—but that’s the beauty of serendipity, isn’t it?

7/.5/10 for me

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A watchable costume drama, but it would be better with 30-35 episodes instead of 40. Too draggy.

Serendipity is a costume drama starring Wang Zi Qi, Lu Yu Xiao as the main CP, and Snow Kong and Yang Shi Ze as the 2nd CP. The 2nd CP had better onscreen chemistry than the main CP.

The story revolves around the relationship between Lu Chang and Jian Ming Shu as he rescues her from a family massacre that left her with amnesia. He protected her and helped solve, and eventually took revenge for her family massacre.

It is watchable at a good pace; however, the drama could have ended in 30-36 episodes. The last two episodes were particularly unengaging, even though they had a happy ending. The deaths of Su Tang Li and Prince Yu should not have ended that way. Su Tang Li should not have died; she killed Prince Yu to take vengeance on her family, but her character should not have resulted in death.

Synopsis: Jian Ming Shu, the daughter of the Jian family, survives a family massacre after accidentally falling off a cliff and losing her memory. Rescued by her love, Lu Chang, they journey together to the capital for exams. As Ming Shu investigates her mysterious origins, she faces challenges but is secretly protected by Lu Chang. Through shared trials, their bond deepens, and they ultimately confirm their love, deciding to spend their lives together.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 6
2, Script: 7
3, Music/OST: 7
4, Production Quality: 7
5. Cinematography: 7
6. Rewatchable: 6
7. Onscreen Chemistry: 6

Overall Rating: 6.5

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Sigh, what a ride despite me not watching it till the end.
Coming into this drama without any expectation, the story failed so hard to make me engaged. More to be exact, is not interesting. It just medicore at best.
The production team seems confused of how to balance the romance and conflict aspect, causing either of each not well expanded.
ML is have good IQ but low EQ, to much immaturity to the point he is basically a pushover. He is confused whether to became good person or bad person. He is good at scheming but act and talk like upright person. That is hypocrite.
Only FL character that seems good enough here, specially since she forgotten her memory, her showcase as innocence little capable girl is good.
But the romance is not unfolded naturally. The way thing end up is just to rushed, causing the chemistry not presented. It's different when they still in sibling phase, which build up slowly and naturally.

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Love This Drama

Actually ALL the characters in this drama blend together to make a very entertaining watch. The only flaw is how obscure the ML, Wang Xi Qi, is coming across. His facial expressions and his eyes do not reflect his feelings for the FL, Lu Yu Xiao. I am definitely a fan of hers. Her acting is superb, she is beautiful and the subtle expressions that run across her face are what makes her character so adorable. The second ML, Wang Hong Yi, is definitely out shining the ML. I wish that the ML and 2ML were reversed. I believe Wang Xi Qi should perhaps stick to modern dramas where is handsomeness shines brightly and his acting seems more real. I love Snow Kong's character and she is so beautiful in this drama. There are definitely funny and humorous parts that keep me watching this drama happily.

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