This review may contain spoilers
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.
________________________________________
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
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.
________________________________________
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
Was this review helpful to you?
