I Can't Stop Thinking About This Drama
Time for my first review! And of course it has to be for this masterpiece.
Fated Hearts is a fast-paced drama from the jump. Right away, we're introduced to the seemingly irreconcilable enmity between the generals of two warring states. The show literally starts with our FL shooting our ML with an arrow and it does not slow down after that.
Which brings us to our leads, Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige. These two abduct, fistfight, whip and bite each other all within the first few episodes. This is a couple that embodies the enemies-to-lovers trope, but not in a toxic or unnatural way. The love that unfolds between them is tender and based on mutual understanding and respect.
What this show does best:
- badass FL. Yixiao is strong, compassionate and loyal. She's a force to be reckoned with, even when injured. Rather than always needing to be rescued by her man, she and Suige save and protect each other
- the depiction of Yixiao's memory loss. Honestly, this is one of the only usages of the amnesia trope that I didn't find annoying. It didn't hinder the plot or create unnecessary angst and, although Yixiao has amnesia, she never becomes weak or gullible
- no miscommunication trope. Yixiao and Suige don't do that annoying thing where they break each other's heart "for their own good" or have some stupid misunderstanding. They communicate and don't keep things from one another
- a well-written SML. Lately, I've been really annoyed by the trend where the SML appears harmless at first but devolves into a crazy bastard constantly coming between the main couple and doing horrible things because of his so-called love. But here, Xia Jingshi's infatuation with Yixiao does not take up too much screen time or cause dumb conflicts between the leads. He has his own goals and desires completely separate from Yixiao, and is willing to sacrifice her to get what he wants. Don't get me wrong-- he's a vile person. But as a villain, he's well-written and although he has a traumatic backstory, Fated Hearts doesn't use that to excuse his actions like other series with obsessive SMLs do
- Feng Xiyang's glow up. I'll admit it, I reached a point in the show where I was actively rooting for her downfall. Like I cheered as she suffered in Jinxiu. But once she comes to her senses in the second half of the show, Xiyang became a strong, compelling character who I began to really like
- Xia Jingyan. As an emperor and as a man, he is horrible. But even though his actions were in some ways worse than his brother's, I still felt the sympathy for him that I did not feel for Jingshi. Both Xias are huge red flags, but at least Jingyan can love. As toxic as it was, I really was rooting for him and Xiyang
- the ratio of action to romance. There are plenty of fight scenes and plenty of sweet moments between our leads. This balance is perfect
- Yixiao and Suige's relationship. How can I end this list without mentioning it? This couple complements each other incredibly well-- they truly do feel fated
Although Fated Hearts had some minor flaws (like a brief storyline for Suige in episode 31), these were greatly outweighed by the countless things the series did right. Just watch it! I certainly will be doing that again.
Fated Hearts is a fast-paced drama from the jump. Right away, we're introduced to the seemingly irreconcilable enmity between the generals of two warring states. The show literally starts with our FL shooting our ML with an arrow and it does not slow down after that.
Which brings us to our leads, Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige. These two abduct, fistfight, whip and bite each other all within the first few episodes. This is a couple that embodies the enemies-to-lovers trope, but not in a toxic or unnatural way. The love that unfolds between them is tender and based on mutual understanding and respect.
What this show does best:
- badass FL. Yixiao is strong, compassionate and loyal. She's a force to be reckoned with, even when injured. Rather than always needing to be rescued by her man, she and Suige save and protect each other
- the depiction of Yixiao's memory loss. Honestly, this is one of the only usages of the amnesia trope that I didn't find annoying. It didn't hinder the plot or create unnecessary angst and, although Yixiao has amnesia, she never becomes weak or gullible
- no miscommunication trope. Yixiao and Suige don't do that annoying thing where they break each other's heart "for their own good" or have some stupid misunderstanding. They communicate and don't keep things from one another
- a well-written SML. Lately, I've been really annoyed by the trend where the SML appears harmless at first but devolves into a crazy bastard constantly coming between the main couple and doing horrible things because of his so-called love. But here, Xia Jingshi's infatuation with Yixiao does not take up too much screen time or cause dumb conflicts between the leads. He has his own goals and desires completely separate from Yixiao, and is willing to sacrifice her to get what he wants. Don't get me wrong-- he's a vile person. But as a villain, he's well-written and although he has a traumatic backstory, Fated Hearts doesn't use that to excuse his actions like other series with obsessive SMLs do
- Feng Xiyang's glow up. I'll admit it, I reached a point in the show where I was actively rooting for her downfall. Like I cheered as she suffered in Jinxiu. But once she comes to her senses in the second half of the show, Xiyang became a strong, compelling character who I began to really like
- Xia Jingyan. As an emperor and as a man, he is horrible. But even though his actions were in some ways worse than his brother's, I still felt the sympathy for him that I did not feel for Jingshi. Both Xias are huge red flags, but at least Jingyan can love. As toxic as it was, I really was rooting for him and Xiyang
- the ratio of action to romance. There are plenty of fight scenes and plenty of sweet moments between our leads. This balance is perfect
- Yixiao and Suige's relationship. How can I end this list without mentioning it? This couple complements each other incredibly well-- they truly do feel fated
Although Fated Hearts had some minor flaws (like a brief storyline for Suige in episode 31), these were greatly outweighed by the countless things the series did right. Just watch it! I certainly will be doing that again.
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