This review may contain spoilers
Updated Review 2023:I just finished my first re-watch of this drama (and I say first, because I will certainly be re-watching Fated to Love You many more times in the future), and oh my goodness. This drama is even better than I remembered.
I believe I watched this as it aired (probably on Dramafever), but I can't be sure as kisskh had some sort of glitch or something at some point, and a bunch of my completed dramas now show themselves as completed in 2016, this drama included. (I definitely did not watch the number of dramas in 2016 that kisskh says I did.) Regardless, I greatly enjoyed Fated to Love You the first time I watched it, although I had some complaints as well.
I remember finding the amnesia and everything around the Gun's illness after his bout with amnesia to be really frustrating. It was the same old noble idiocy trope all over again, and for what felt like no reason. After re-watching, however, I have completely changed my opinion. I think I (and many other Kdrama lovers) had grown over-tired of amnesia and noble idiocy and forced separation tropes in dramas, and that affected at least my feelings about the drama. But Gun's fear of his illness rearing its ugly head and hurting the ones he loves is a very believable, and understandable, fear. Especially as he experienced that exact thing with his own father. The story also addresses, towards the very end, how his choice to run away was actually the wrong one, and he shouldn't live his life afraid of what might happen but rather enjoy his life in the here and now. So after this re-watch, I have a fuller appreciation for what the drama was doing.
Another big complaint that I've completely 360'd on is my thoughts on Mi Young in the second half of the drama. In my first viewing, second half Mi Young and first half Mi Young felt like totally different characters, and I disliked how different they felt. I LOVED first half Mi Young with all of her tenderheartedness (and super cute fashion sense), and second half Mi Young seemed to have lost that. But re-watching has given me a far better understanding of second half Mi Young, and I have to admit that I was completely off-base before. Jang Na Ra did a truly impressive job with Mi Young, showing this timid, shy, easily pushed around woman who goes through real tragedy and comes out the other side a woman who has been through pain and loss but has also grown exponentially as a person and has not lost any of her kindness despite what she's been through. She's merely gained an inner strength. I'm still sad that her wardrobe became somewhat boring and less colorful, but I guess you can't have everything you want in a drama, lol.
Finally, if you read to the bottom, you'll see in my original (very short) review on this site that I was disappointed by the finale. I now think I was completely bonkers for ever feeling that way. The finale made me happy, happy, happy!
There are only two things, TWO, that I found a little frustrating with this drama in my second viewing. When their marriage contract becomes known to the family and the company's board, Gun doesn't stand up and say 'I made a mistake, and I regret it. I don't want to get divorced anymore. I love Mi Young and want to stay together.' I don't know that there would have been a way for the writers to have him say these things and then make the subsequent amnesia and Gun deciding to let her go due to his own fear make sense, so I recognize, from a writing perspective, why they didn't have him speak up. But it was frustrating to watch him not defend their love.
And lastly, grandma's conspiring in the finale (with Gun's Secretary and faux brother) to get Mi Young pregnant on the honeymoon when Gun expressly told her he wanted them to have 6 months together as newlyweds before they think about kids. The resulting pregnancy didn't end up being upsetting for Gun or Mi Young, but I think grandma had it in her to be patient the 6 months.
I 100% think this is the best version of this drama out of all the versions out there. I'm currently watching the Chinese version (ep. 25 as of this review), and I've seen both the Japanese and the Taiwanese original (the Taiwanese was my first drama). This version did something none of the other versions have done. It put meat on the story's bones. It created livable, breathable characters, a romance with legitimate reasons to root for it, and it didn't give us unnecessary drama but instead gave us real tragedy and heartbreak and real joy and happiness. Fated to Love You is a romance, and a story, worth watching and loving. And I hope everyone does. (Future Edit: I forgot there is another version out there of this story, and I have not seen it, but at this point, I think this version will still be my favorite once watch that version.)
Original Review:
SO. MUCH. BETTER. THAN. THE. ORIGINAL! Complaints? Not as addictive, still suffered from mid-quarter shenanigans (like most dramas), finale episode was weak and disappointing. But overall, a much more satisfying story.
Links to my reviews for the other versions:
https://kisskh.at/profile/OhSoEnthusiastic/review/22006
https://kisskh.at/profile/OhSoEnthusiastic/reviews/75009
https://kisskh.at/profile/OhSoEnthusiastic/reviews/274737
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Easiest 10/10
4 years after finishing the Thai-Adaptation of the original Taiwanese drama of the same title, I finally checked out its Korean counterpart too. I adore Jang Hyuk’s and Jang Nara’s take on the characters! The ML is so snarky and the FL had a smooth transition from being a country bumpkin to a big time artist! Speaking off, I’m happy to learn they featured an actual artist for Elle Kim’s entire gallery. In episodes 19/20 I think, they featured the artist’s name (Youk Shim Won) on the wall where we can see her merchandise on display.The second leads were great choices too. Choi Jin Hyuk is forever Jang Nara’s second lead🤣. Wang Ji Won (Se-Ra) is a ballerina herself and married to a ballerino! No wonder she looked beautiful dancing on her toes.
The OST was great too! Ailee’s Goodbye My Love is a song that I’ve heard so often in the internet and to finally watch the drama its inspired by, omo!🙈
The first half of the drama literally made me smile ear to ear, not a single miss😭😫 Might I also add seeing familiar faces? Kang Haneul in one of the advertisements is so endearing. He’s thrice as popular now! Veteran actors as well such as Kim Yong Gun who quite literally bodies a chaebol father😎
Next stop will be the original version😉
Was this review helpful to you?
:-) DON'T MISS THIS DRAMA! :-) IT IS BETTER THAN ORIGINAL TAIWANESE VERSION OF 2008! ;-)
Was this review helpful to you?
Some might say that the storyline is cheesy. (Which kind of is, that's why I love it) But that doesn't mean that the Drama is boring to watch.
The chemestry between the actors is perfect and that makes it believable. On top of that, the cast is just great. I can't wait to watch more Dramas and Movies of Jang Hyuk! (and of course Jang Na Ra)
The music is beautiful, too. The only thing about it is that they play it over and over. Even at moments where they don't really match the story. (By that I mean that the lyrics of the songs don't match with some situations of the drama) Other than that I think that the songs are beautiful.
Over all I really loved to watch it and I'm sure I will watch it again, some other time. This drama is really romantic. It made me laugh, and it made me cry.
I really recommend it!
Was this review helpful to you?
bellissimo dramma!
Dramma davvero molto carino e divertente piacevole da guardare e molto coinvolgente.Si merita a pieno un bel 9.5 per la storia e per come è stata raccontata.La storia racconta del solito ricco ereditiere e di lei,una ragazza semplice e troppo gentile.Un sfortunato caso fa che finiscono per passare la notte insieme senza nemmeno rendersene conto,le cose si complicano quando scopre di essere incinta e da lì innumerevoli problemi che però pian piano li farà innamorare,poi le cose si complicano di nuovo però alla fine le un happy ending come si deve per un dramma così romantico.Non è un 10 solo per quelle parti esasperatamente esagerate della risata di lui e certi comportamenti e atteggiamenti strani,va bene sono momenti comici e divertenti ma sinceramente troppo esagerati.Comunque vale davvero la visione,ottimo dramma.
Was this review helpful to you?
The characters are on the extreme end. A rich successful and prideful Lee Gun and poor normal office worker with big heart but pushover Kim Mi young. Lee Gun character is supoose to push the limits of theatrical and over the top n hence the trademark laugh which you either love or hate. What really works is casting Jang Hyuk and Jang Na ra. I almost couldnt imagine anyone else. They reunite and showcased brilliant chemistry and ooze feelings both spoken and unspoken. In fact Jang Hyuk said his character was hard to potray and it wouldnt have worked if he didnt stare opposite to Na Ra.
Back to the story the middle parts meander into melodrama territory. Again i never really like the noble high roads male otps take to spare their heroine and ended up giving more heartache and noone is happy. Ep 17 to 20 picks back up and gives me all the good feels.
I really love the press conference scene. It is my favorite. It also showcased how much growth Mi young have to be brave and speak in front of the world. If you watch it you will know what i mean.
Again i pity the second male lead. But i also love when they are not selfish. I dont care about the second female lead and am thankful her scenes arebt too much like the Taiwanese version.
Song wise the ost of the taiwanese one is actually better. Here the korean one is ok. But not as addictive or emotional.
When i have time i may rewatch the good bits but not high on my list.
Was this review helpful to you?
Perfect (for me)
I can't say that this drama was perfect, and maybe if I had watched it at a different time I wouldn't have enjoyed it this much, but it had me seated for all 20 episodes and made me go through all sorts of emotions. I already loved Jang Nara from other works, but it was my first time seeing Jang Hyuk... and what a discovery! The chemistry between the leads was flawless, but he's the backbone of this drama.Like I said, it's not flawless by any means: there's the surprise pregnancy, arranged marriage, doormat fl and eccentric chaebol ml, too good to be true sml, sfl who can't give up his ex and pretty much every cliché in the book. Still, Jang Hyuk is ridiculously charismatic (and hot, with all three hairstyles imo), Jang Nara's character is so! adorable!, there was comedy, but also drama... ugh!!! It's become my favorite kdrama and I'll cherish it forever.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Rich Man/Poor girl story with hilarious moments
Likes: Jang Hyuk's eccentric portrayal of the character that made me burst into laughter. Jang Nara's natural acting. One specific prenatal class that had me ROFL.Dislikes: Jang Hyuk's middle hair part about midway through the drama. It drove me CRAZY. I just wanted to push his hair to the side.
So this story will feel familiar as it's been remade in so many countries and is similar to a lot of marriage contract rich man/poor girl dramas with the exception of 1 thing...Jang Hyuk's weirdness. hahaha. His eccentric take on this character was so interesting and funny that I would burst into laughter at his weird laughter. He's so weird and a bit awkward..but I liked it. It made me laugh and brought interesting layers to his character.
Jang Nara brought the heart to the story. She plays meek and kind very well. When she cried, I cried. The odd pairing works and the roller coaster that these two go through will bring laughter and tears. I have to confess though, I did speed through some of the side stories to get back to the OTP.
Oh and Ailee's OST is awesome!
Was this review helpful to you?
The Crazy Laugh Aged Well!!
What I thought was just a rom com was actually a well thoight oit emotionally intelligent romp. It stays true to being a rom com but still hits some hard and heavy themes of pregnancy loss, grief and heartbreak. The drama has aged really well and other than the OST which kinda shows it age, this remake surpasses the original Taiwanese series.The Overlock God, the snails, Dr Octopus, and all the tiny little characterisms from the ML lend a real polish to tile story. And "the Laugh" - it will make you laugh and cry when you find out the backstop to it. I would love to see this character revived once again in another remake.
The FL matches that same energy as ML. I usually can't stand weak FL's but she is a powerhouse working through her fragility without apologizing for who she is. (Love her glowup) The connection between the two is believable.
This was a random weekend binge when I started but it's become a front runner on my watch list. Kudos to the writers for a well crafted story. Bonus points to wardrobe and makeup department for all the evolving looks they created for the whole cast as the narrative progressed. Chefs kiss!
Was this review helpful to you?
Incredible!
This is the greatest series I ever watched, I fell in love with the main character easily due to his acting, I was completely involved from the first episode. I actually have returned to watch this series 5 time already! Incredible story and the music was also fantastic, I regularly enjoy the music and think about this series. It was definitely the acting plus story that hooked me from the start. I watched on Netflix with English subtitles, would strongly recommend. Lots of laughing, crying, and you will be emotionally moved.I must say again, the main male lead was fantastic, excellent acting and got me completely involved and caring about his character. Female was also very good.
Was this review helpful to you?
I'll admit, the first episode I wasn't automatically gripped, but by the 3rd, I was so absorbed! The story in its entirety has everything I have been so badly searching for in a k-drama. I love how it ended as well. You know how when shows end, a lot of the time it seems really abrupt and you'd like to know more about what happens? Well this one left me fulfilled.
I laughed at this show, a k-drama first for me. While other shows Ive seen are silly and cute, this one made me crack up sometimes.
This show also made me cry and cry hysterically, and so genuinely.
I love these characters in this show so much. I almost don't know if I'll be able to find one to top this, and it makes me scared ha.
Was this review helpful to you?
