351
401
66
11
8
23
3
2
54
37
48
38
13
9
65
12
6
6
20
7
3
2
12
31
29
6
14
74
96
78
26
A delicious enemies-to-lovers romance, bloody bites and all.
How fast does it take for an arrow to reach its target?
In the hands of a master? Seconds.
That is also how fast loyalty seems to shift during times of unrest in our drama, Fated Hearts.
Susha and Jinxiu are rival kingdoms. Just as the Feng Battalion of Susha is about to win the key battle of Pingling city in Jinxiu, the first prince of Susha, Feng Suige, gets gravely struck down by the infamous red-clad archer and general of Jinxiu, Fu Yixiao. A singular arrow is all it takes to miraculously turn the tides of war. With Feng Suige's life hanging in the balance, the Feng Battalion has no choice but to retreat. However, instead of celebrating this victory as a national hero, Fu Yixiao finds herself fleeing for her life a day later, pursued by a swarm of assassins. What happened? Who is after her? And why do they want her dead? Fu Yixiao isn't quite sure. She is injured and alone. She has no trustworthy allies and no memories of the events leading up to this moment. In order to uncover the truth and survive, Fu Yixiao reluctantly agrees to an alliance with the man she tried to kill, Feng Suige.
The tension. The violence. The chemistry. Just wow. Dare I say, Fated Hearts is one of the best enemies-to-lovers romances of 2025? Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige didn't just start off hating each other — they were out for blood. It was honestly difficult for me to watch the first few episodes because of all the whipping, kicking, punching, slapping, and biting (especially the biting!) Ironically enough, the brutality was also what made the story so compelling for me. It sparked my curiosity, and I wanted to know how two people who despised each other this much could possibly ever fall in love. I guess the writers knew exactly how to hold my interest, because they delivered just that. Only through a series of shared life-or-death experiences did Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige began to trust and eventually respect each other. It was so delicious to watch unfold, because as our protagonists fell in love, so did I with their unhinged characters — and I say this with admiration.
Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige shine brightly as individuals, but they are absolutely magnetic together. They are strong, selfless, loyal, and petty. So petty, they take the phrase "an eye for an eye" literally. They are each other's equal, and I appreciate this so much in a story like this. I've seen so many fierce male leads in dramas before, but none of them can compare to Feng Suige. What a man he is. His commanding presence and sass are uniquely his own. His charisma is so captivating, I couldn't keep my eyes off of him every time he walked into frame. Chen Zheyuan effortlessly brought Feng Suige's intimidating and softer sides to life, and he really impressed me in this role. And Fu Yixiao? She is just as wonderful a character. She carries herself with such believable confidence that I never once questioned her abilities as a battle-hardened general. I admire her sharpness and discipline. Even though she used her cold exterior as a shield, her kindness peeks through, and I couldn't help but root for her from the start. Li Qin's acting is mesmerizing in this role, I am officially a fan.
Fated Hearts' exploration into family, betrayal, and second chances is nothing new, but did I still enjoy it? Yes. I have a soft spot for stories involving close family units — whether they are blood-related or bonded by choice — which is why when the loyalty of some characters was tested, I took their betrayals personally. The fallouts were sometimes predictable, and yet, they still succeeded in making my blood boil and my stomach turn. After all, how can humans be so selfish and let their desires break even the strongest of bonds? I don't know the answer to that question, I don't know if any of us do. Although, I am glad that characters weren't completely written off just because they've made mistakes. They were allowed the chance to reflect on their actions, grow, and change their fate — if they chose to do so. Some of my favorite moments came from characters I had misjudged. I was completely surprised by some of the choices they made in the end. I liked that the protagonists' relationships with the supporting cast were just as important as their relationship with each other.
What truly amplifies the emotional impact in this story for me are the beautiful cinematography and unforgettable osts. I've seen some criticisms for the loud background music, but personally, I didn't mind it. I don't know how many times 'Raging Waves' by Lars Huang played over a crucial scene, but I know that every time it did, it moved me to tears. I distinctly remember the scene where Fu Yixiao was surrounded by enemies, and she had to surrender her only weapon in order to de-escalate the situation because someone she cared for was held captive. The enemies decided to attack anyway, and Yixiao thought all hope was lost... then Suige suddenly appeared. The camera panning from Yixiao's shocked face to Suige's protective gaze and the emotional surge of 'Raging Waves' playing in the background added so much depth to this scene. It was the very moment I started to ship the main couple, because it gave me chills. And there were so many instances in the drama that were just as touching to me for the same reasons.
I would've gave Fated Hearts a perfect rating if it weren't for the issues I had with the antagonists. I like complex antagonists as much as the next person, and I don't mind time being dedicated to fully flesh them out, but their origin stories and motivations must make sense to me. Unfortunately, most of them failed to convince me here. There are no grievances they suffered in the past that could possibly justify all the evils they committed in retaliation. The extremity of their actions felt a bit out of place. Almost like the cartoon villains you see in children's shows. It didn't help that instead of slowly easing us into the antagonists' backstories, the writers decided to hit us with them all at once. It made those episodes incredibly slow for me to sit through, and for a second, it even made me question if I should continue. Thankfully, a few of the antagonists did grew on me (against all odds), and all of them got the consequences they deserved by the finale. Too many times do heroes forgive and forget and leave the villains go unpunished. That wasn't the case here, and it was so refreshing. Their satisfying endings made suffering through the draggy episodes worth it.
I was in the middle of a drama slump when I started watching Fated Hearts and I was really hoping it would be the one to pull me out. Thankfully, it did just that, and I became addicted. Fated Hearts might not have been perfect, but I was completely engrossed in this world and I became emotionally invested in the lives of Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige. Did I learn something new and life-changing that I didn't know before? No, but this drama gave me something exciting to look forward to everyday. Plus, the drama's take on the importance of family, the value of loyalty, and the gift of second chances were nice reminders, even if they were a bit generic. For that, Fated Hearts is one of my favorite enemies-to-lovers romances of 2025. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all fans of this genre. Sit down, buckle in, and enjoy the emotional rollercoaster ride.
In the hands of a master? Seconds.
That is also how fast loyalty seems to shift during times of unrest in our drama, Fated Hearts.
Susha and Jinxiu are rival kingdoms. Just as the Feng Battalion of Susha is about to win the key battle of Pingling city in Jinxiu, the first prince of Susha, Feng Suige, gets gravely struck down by the infamous red-clad archer and general of Jinxiu, Fu Yixiao. A singular arrow is all it takes to miraculously turn the tides of war. With Feng Suige's life hanging in the balance, the Feng Battalion has no choice but to retreat. However, instead of celebrating this victory as a national hero, Fu Yixiao finds herself fleeing for her life a day later, pursued by a swarm of assassins. What happened? Who is after her? And why do they want her dead? Fu Yixiao isn't quite sure. She is injured and alone. She has no trustworthy allies and no memories of the events leading up to this moment. In order to uncover the truth and survive, Fu Yixiao reluctantly agrees to an alliance with the man she tried to kill, Feng Suige.
The tension. The violence. The chemistry. Just wow. Dare I say, Fated Hearts is one of the best enemies-to-lovers romances of 2025? Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige didn't just start off hating each other — they were out for blood. It was honestly difficult for me to watch the first few episodes because of all the whipping, kicking, punching, slapping, and biting (especially the biting!) Ironically enough, the brutality was also what made the story so compelling for me. It sparked my curiosity, and I wanted to know how two people who despised each other this much could possibly ever fall in love. I guess the writers knew exactly how to hold my interest, because they delivered just that. Only through a series of shared life-or-death experiences did Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige began to trust and eventually respect each other. It was so delicious to watch unfold, because as our protagonists fell in love, so did I with their unhinged characters — and I say this with admiration.
Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige shine brightly as individuals, but they are absolutely magnetic together. They are strong, selfless, loyal, and petty. So petty, they take the phrase "an eye for an eye" literally. They are each other's equal, and I appreciate this so much in a story like this. I've seen so many fierce male leads in dramas before, but none of them can compare to Feng Suige. What a man he is. His commanding presence and sass are uniquely his own. His charisma is so captivating, I couldn't keep my eyes off of him every time he walked into frame. Chen Zheyuan effortlessly brought Feng Suige's intimidating and softer sides to life, and he really impressed me in this role. And Fu Yixiao? She is just as wonderful a character. She carries herself with such believable confidence that I never once questioned her abilities as a battle-hardened general. I admire her sharpness and discipline. Even though she used her cold exterior as a shield, her kindness peeks through, and I couldn't help but root for her from the start. Li Qin's acting is mesmerizing in this role, I am officially a fan.
Fated Hearts' exploration into family, betrayal, and second chances is nothing new, but did I still enjoy it? Yes. I have a soft spot for stories involving close family units — whether they are blood-related or bonded by choice — which is why when the loyalty of some characters was tested, I took their betrayals personally. The fallouts were sometimes predictable, and yet, they still succeeded in making my blood boil and my stomach turn. After all, how can humans be so selfish and let their desires break even the strongest of bonds? I don't know the answer to that question, I don't know if any of us do. Although, I am glad that characters weren't completely written off just because they've made mistakes. They were allowed the chance to reflect on their actions, grow, and change their fate — if they chose to do so. Some of my favorite moments came from characters I had misjudged. I was completely surprised by some of the choices they made in the end. I liked that the protagonists' relationships with the supporting cast were just as important as their relationship with each other.
What truly amplifies the emotional impact in this story for me are the beautiful cinematography and unforgettable osts. I've seen some criticisms for the loud background music, but personally, I didn't mind it. I don't know how many times 'Raging Waves' by Lars Huang played over a crucial scene, but I know that every time it did, it moved me to tears. I distinctly remember the scene where Fu Yixiao was surrounded by enemies, and she had to surrender her only weapon in order to de-escalate the situation because someone she cared for was held captive. The enemies decided to attack anyway, and Yixiao thought all hope was lost... then Suige suddenly appeared. The camera panning from Yixiao's shocked face to Suige's protective gaze and the emotional surge of 'Raging Waves' playing in the background added so much depth to this scene. It was the very moment I started to ship the main couple, because it gave me chills. And there were so many instances in the drama that were just as touching to me for the same reasons.
I would've gave Fated Hearts a perfect rating if it weren't for the issues I had with the antagonists. I like complex antagonists as much as the next person, and I don't mind time being dedicated to fully flesh them out, but their origin stories and motivations must make sense to me. Unfortunately, most of them failed to convince me here. There are no grievances they suffered in the past that could possibly justify all the evils they committed in retaliation. The extremity of their actions felt a bit out of place. Almost like the cartoon villains you see in children's shows. It didn't help that instead of slowly easing us into the antagonists' backstories, the writers decided to hit us with them all at once. It made those episodes incredibly slow for me to sit through, and for a second, it even made me question if I should continue. Thankfully, a few of the antagonists did grew on me (against all odds), and all of them got the consequences they deserved by the finale. Too many times do heroes forgive and forget and leave the villains go unpunished. That wasn't the case here, and it was so refreshing. Their satisfying endings made suffering through the draggy episodes worth it.
I was in the middle of a drama slump when I started watching Fated Hearts and I was really hoping it would be the one to pull me out. Thankfully, it did just that, and I became addicted. Fated Hearts might not have been perfect, but I was completely engrossed in this world and I became emotionally invested in the lives of Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige. Did I learn something new and life-changing that I didn't know before? No, but this drama gave me something exciting to look forward to everyday. Plus, the drama's take on the importance of family, the value of loyalty, and the gift of second chances were nice reminders, even if they were a bit generic. For that, Fated Hearts is one of my favorite enemies-to-lovers romances of 2025. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all fans of this genre. Sit down, buckle in, and enjoy the emotional rollercoaster ride.
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