Destinado a Amarte (2014)

this was a slog

not entirely sure why I sat through 20 episodes of this but the last two or three episodes were pretty good.
way too long for what it was frankly torturous in much of it the male protagonist treated the female protagonist so badly for most of the time I'd say trigger warning for abuse. it was painful. I felt embarrassed for wanting them to get together clearly was not healthy it was hard to enjoy. I don't want to go on and on about it but apparently this review needs to be 500 words. there were about five to six too many episodes of them just misunderstanding each other in the most mean ways possible. yes there was redemption in the end but two episodes out of 20? also the translation was a bit off-putting.

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Just finished watching the last 2 episodes and I’m in tears since both of the episodes are utterly sweet and beautiful. God, I don’t know why I’m crying like this but I’m just happy that the drama ended more awesome and beautiful than I ever imagine.

I am afraid of what’s coming since we still got 2 episodes left and they already soooo happy in Episode 18 – and having watched lots of Kdramas over the years and know how they tend to messed up especially in the later episodes/ending, I’m so glad that it didn’t become like this with this drama.

The writer and director did everything right. EVERYTHING! Jang Hyuk & Jang Nara are soooo amazing – their chemistry are really mind-blowing (and painfully beautiful) and among the very best I have ever witness in Kdramas. You can even see the sparkles in the eyes when they look at each other which I find amazing. They both are great actors that I honestly think that anyone who want to learn acting should learn just by watching their performance in this drama. Since I have watched repeatedly the same episodes over and over again, I just keep being amazed by how they really immersed in their characters – every little movement, action, tears or the tone of their speaking voice are just magic. Their performance here are simply brilliant. *.*

It is a great, perfect & flawless drama without a doubt! And I know its gonna take a while for me to find an awesome drama that can touch me like this. I don’t know what magic did they put on me to be this invested but I’m certainly under their spell.

To anyone who is watching this amazing show, I just want to note that this drama has a lot of references to other dramas which made it even more hilarious & fun. I list them here for anyone who is interested:

REFERENCES USED IN FATED TO LOVE YOU

- Successful Story of a Bright Girl references: Some of the similar scenes in Fated to Love You are intended as a reference to the Jangs’ previous drama together.

- You Who Come from the Star reference: “Do Manager” reference during Clara’s opening scene when she throw a fuss and call her manager; “Where is Do Manager?” when she refused to do the shampoo commercial ad.

- ‘Change’ by Gloomy 30’s from Slave Hunter OST is used in the scene when Gun is trying to chase away the dog using his blazer. Jang Hyuk is associated a lot with this song since this is the drama that won him a Daesang in 2010 KBS Drama Award. Even in Real Men (a K-variety show about army life), this song is played constantly during his scenes. XD

- James Bond’s Bond girl reference: Gun transformed Miyoung to an attractive and kick-ass lady (Bond girl) at Macau and this reference is also used later in the drama.

- Count of Monte Cristo reference: When both of them are locked by Miyoung’s mum, Gun sarcastically answer to Miyoung; “Then should I dig a tunnel with a spoon?” when he tried to escape from the room.

- 'Snail’ by Panic is played when Gun described Miyoung as a snail that slowly, little by little, piece by piece, get closer to its target.

- Behind the White Tower reference: “What’s with this “Behind the White Tower” situation?” comment by the baby instructor when Gun acted dramatically like he is operating a patient when he is stitching the baby clothes.

- ‘Why do you?’ by Chuli & Miae is sang by both Gun and Miyoung during the karaoke session. Gun rap while Miyoung sing and a live performance from Jang Hyuk’s days as TJ Project was briefly shown in the karaoke video.

- Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara’s past/current career reference: Gun praised Miyoung singing (reference to Jang Nara’s career as a pop singer) and Miyoung praised Gun’s rap (reference to Jang Hyuk’s short-lived career as a rapper) and Gun replied by saying; “I had to do something like that before. A project.” (Just for the lolz, TJ Project is his stage name which stand for ‘Team Jang Hyuk’).

- Pasta reference: Daniel said to Miyoung; “Eat here, I made pasta in my past.” which is a reference to his character in Pasta. Beside that, Daniel’s Korean name in the drama is Kim Taeho which is Choi Jinhyuk’s real name.

- ET reference: Gun said Miyoung’s sister baby looks like an ET (alien) when he is holding him at the hospital.

- Various famous people reference: Jung Joon Young radio show (JJY is a big Jang Nara’s fan and he is indirectly asking Miyoung to come to him), ‘Having an Affair’ by GG (G-Dragon and Park Myung Soo), Park Kyunglim radio show and ‘Sera Sera’ by Doris Day is played from the radio during the car scene when Gun is sending Miyoung back from the hospital.

- ‘The Princess Diaries Medley’ from Princess Diaries OST is played during the firework romantic scene by the lake side.

- Batman’s Joker reference: Gun seeing his shrink in the iconic Joker make-up when his sexual frustration is driving him nuts that he has to take a cold shower for it. :’D

- Volcano High & Successful Story of a Bright Girl reference: Both Gun and Miyoung dressed as students as their previous movie/drama (Volcano High for Jang Hyuk and Successful Story of a Bright Girl for Jang Nara). You can hear Yong called Jang Nara’s character in the drama; “Yang Soon” and ‘Love Song’ by Jo Jang Hyuk from SSoaBG OST can be heard in the background during that scene.

- A New Leaf reference: Gun wake up and having an amnesia and he asked Sera; “That thing that happens frequently in movies and dramas, memory loss, I’m in that state?” You can see Kim Myungmin amnesia scene at the side of Gun’s face.

- g.o.d. reference: Gun rapped to g.o.d.’s 'To My Mother’ – a song which he starred in a music video in 1999. He did this rap in front of John Park (a member of g.o.d. who made a cameo in this scene). Jang Hyuk and John Park is a long time friends as they once share a dorm during their rookie years.

- g.o.d.’s Baby Jaemin reference: Jaemin is the name of the baby that members of g.o.d. has to take care in their variety show. John Park is holding and recording an advertisement with 'Jaemin’ in this scene.

- 'I Can’t Forgive’ by Cha Soo Kyung from Cruel Temptation OST is played during Yong and Jiyeon restaurant scene. This song is associated with betrayal so it is purposely played during that scene. This song is also played during their meeting with Yong’s mother.

- Jang Hyuk reference: Gun speak in Chinese and pretend to be Jang Hyuk (himself) in order to stop the kiss conversation forced to Miyoung and Daniel by their friends.

- In Time With You reference: When Gun and Miyoung are conversing by messaging each other, the scenes where they sit side by side are inspired by this Taiwanese drama.

- Chinese zombie reference: Gun called Secretary Tak; 'Tak Gangshi’ when he keeps following him around.

- The Classic reference: This happens during Gun and Miyoung running under the rain scene during their visit at the botanical garden. You can hear Jatanpung’s 'Me to You, You to Me’ from The Classic OST played in the background.

- Romeo & Juliet reference: Gunmeo & Julmiyoung according to Secretary Tak. 8D

- Notting Hill reference: Due to them confessing to each other in front of a press conference.

- 'Kiss Me’ by Blink is played during the drawing scene when Gun tried to kiss Miyoung. This song is very popular in k-variety shows since they always play it during any kiss-attempted scenes.

- Dragon Ball reference: Ice and fire exchange between Gun and Yong. And in one of the scene, Dragon Ball’s song (Korean version) can be heard from the background.

- Jun Jihyun reference (Jang Hyuk’s co-star in Windstruck and two of his MVs): A play on Jun Jihyun name is made by Gun when he asked Miyoung about Jiyeon’s name; “She’s Jun Jiyeon, right? Not, JIHYUN but Jiyeon.”

- Jang Nara reference: In Gun’s dream where he seemed to have forgotten Miyoung, he mistaken her with Jang Nara.

- Terminator reference: Gun said; “I’ll be back!!1” to Miyoung’s mum when he failed to convince her to be with Miyoung the first time.

- Tazza - The War of Flower reference: Reference to Jang Hyuk’s character in his drama Tazza; “Goni” by President Park when they play the Go-Stop (Hwatoo) game in which Jang Hyuk’s character in the drama is an expert. Also, Jang Nara love to play the game irl so they show how she is an expert in the game in the drama.

- Secret Garden reference: This happens during the exercise scene when Gun and Miyoung are doing sit-up trying to impress Miyoung’s mum that he is healthy.

- Emergency Couple reference: At the end of episode 19 when we see them running in public to their wedding ceremony.

- Men in Black reference: Both Yong and Secretary Tak acting as secret agents when they tried to recreate the Macau incident.

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*Cue Maniacal Laugh*

I'm not crying - you're crying. I'm crying happy but sad tears that this drama has come to an end. I started this drama with the thought that I was in a k-drama slump and I just needed to click something and watch. After a few minutes I thought I made a mistake again as I was immediately bombarded with weird characters and cliché plot lines, but as I kept trudging through, I fell in deep and I fell in hard with this drama and its characters.

Lee Gun - let's just say oh my god. This dude is an absolute character. And Jang Hyuk does a marvelous job. The weird, maniacal laughs out of nowhere threw me off at first, but I grew to anticipate and treasure them. He made me laugh so hard with his goofy and insane, yet loveable personality. And his therapy visits while Doctor Moon just sits there like "wtf is happening, what is my life" are just one example that drove me to tears with laughter. This character is an enigma of contradictions that just work.

I found Kim Mi Young less favorable, but she was not without character growth. In the beginning, it really ticked me off how often she let people walk all over her and how she would be blamed for what ultimately weren't her decisions. And the whole she-turns-into-a-beautiful-goddess-when-she-takes-her-glasses-off trope bugged me also. But I liked how with her growth she still kept her soft heart but didn't let people trample all over it. And Jang Na-Ra acted beautifully as well.

As for the side characters: usually I could care less and I find myself skipping over them, but in this drama the side characters had personality and loveable traits of their own.

This is a shorter review and if I had to name everything that I loved it would spoil the whole drama and there would be no point in you watching. So if you're reading the synopsis and reviews and you're wondering if you should give this drama a chance - I am begging you, give it a chance. You will laugh. You will cry (sob). You will scream. And you will have so much love for this drama.

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Funny

I am currently rewatching this Drama and I can't stop laughing!!! From the start, the Character Gun was super funny, interesting, intelligent , kind, and lovable. The shampoo commercial scene got me cracking up!
The FL was pretty funny too and really did a great job showing how simple minded she was ..

The storyline was good but some parts dragged on a bit too long.
I felt the emotions the ML & FL goes through their shared trials and their individual trials.
I love how the FL matured and how Gun changes. The OST was great too.
You will enjoy watching this. The ML is an amazing actor.

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You are my destiny or fated to love you was actually and unexpectedly a good drama.

The chemistry of the couple was unbelievable. Yes, the love triangle was not as good as it should have, which would have increased the intensity of the love story, but well, it is what it is. Plus, the mystery of the sister was interesting.

The acting, moreover, was nice and the leads were adorable. The performances were great as well.

However, even though the story was daring with that plot and theme, the drama had many cliches and it got slow towards the ending. But, the ending was more than satisfying, so seven out of ten.

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Cliched, funny, over the top.

Fated To Love you is a drama about a couple forced to marry each other after an accidental one night stand resulting in a pregnancy. I loved the cast, the characters was fun, Jang Hyuk was humour all around and Jang Nara had this sweet innocence about her. Initially her character is a little annoying because of how heavy the emphasis on her being a pushover it. But it grows on you after a point.

The first half of this drama is really interesting and good despite all the cliches, but after the ‘amnesia’ plot it gets all over the place and you might start to regret starting it a bit, because you’re already invested in it and don’t want to stop halfway. There isn’t really much of a growth in the main couple — there’s constant hot and cold vibes from the main lead towards the female lead. Certain incidents lead them to separate with the FL going after her dreams — this was a little ridiculous because we never see her into that skill she pursues and there’s nothing exceptional or eye catchy about it but since this is a kdrama, we’ll let it pass.

On reaching the final episode, I was just happy that it’s over. Fated to love you is easily a forgettable drama with few scenes living in your memory. I wish they hadn’t taken such an angsty turn and added more subplots and kept it simple because they already had a lot going.

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If you watch nothing else, watch the first 5 minutes of this show

So I came to this drama a little late, I've seen the lead actor in lots of other shows and think he's incredible so I pulled this drama off his acting credits and decided to give it a shot even though it didn't sound appealing at all from the synopsis. Everything prior I'd seen this guy in was more recent, in my mind he's a hot middle aged intelligent actor, not a thirst trap. In this show he's 100% a thirst trap. Holy god is he a thirst trap. Like I can't even believe it's the same actor level of thirst. The scene he does at the start of the first episode should just be a standalone movie by itself. /drool

Apart from the first scene, the drama went along fairly well and had lots of good comedy. The lead actress is fine, the supporting characters are fine, but the male lead really carries the entire show. He brings such intelligence and depth to his comedy, even when depicting someone shallow and superficial. It's like there's an inside joke he has with himself and it makes his performance really seem like he's a dude that has life figured out and is in on the cosmic joke of it all.

I don't think I'd rewatch this (apart from the first 5 minutes cause wtf a girl's gotta live life somewhere) simply because the story is sort of 1-and-done with not a lot of nuance to glean from future viewings. But I'm definitely glad I watched it.

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Amazing acting! Amazing chemistry!

Should you? Would you? Could you?

You should watch this one (YES! )
You would recommend this to others. (YES!)
You could watch this again. (YES, in parts)

Ending: Love is in the air!

This drama has clearly been divided into 2 Acts. The first half portrays the romance and the ups and downs of the lead pair and their lives as the outcome of their insecurities and angst. The second half shows the rise of the character development on the FL’s part. The courage she takes to change herself from the meek submissive woman to a person with self-confidence is an amazing character graph written by the writer and brilliantly portrayed by the FL.

The first half: These episodes show the immense love the lead pair both grow to have eventually towards each other. They fall in love slowly bound by the child they created. His illness creates a rift. He sacrifices for her good but doesn’t realize that she is his strength. The loss of their child adds to the angst and that is the final nail in the coffin. She leaves with her hope shattered and heads towards a newer pasture.
Second half: These episodes show her transformation! The meek “post-it” girl is no longer that but a confident young woman with a mind of her own but infused with the same gentleness as before. Lots of enjoyable banter between the two ultimately leading to a happy end.

The main leads are phenomenal in their roles. His eccentricity (that laugh) and her insecurity and gentleness are a perfect foil to each other. Their chemistry is amazing! I like the way we can literally see it built up along the story. And their angst!!!! Oh, the angst....... it ropes you in and makes you sympathize and empathize with them. It makes you shed a tear or two because you realize where it is coming from. This is probably the first drama where the angst is so brilliantly portrayed by the characters of the main lead. These are 2 amazing actors. The story while could be just another story but I don’t think could come live without these two.
And this is perfectly complemented by the brilliant acting of “the neighborhood oppa” as played by Choi Jin Hyuk as Daniel. His support to the FL is just what one would seek in life if one is needing a best friend and mentor. He falls in love with the FL but is mature enough to realize that her affection for the ML will never wane. He accepts being her friend for life even when she sweetly rejects him.

The OTP is haunting and doesn’t stop you from humming it throughout the day.

The character of Gun is given a wealth of dimension by Jang Hyuk’s madness (that laugh, the pitches of tone he uses, and the quirky hairstyle in the first half). His expressions are flawless. I love the way they have portrayed the character of Gun as a cold character but as you ride along with the drama, you get exposed to his gentleness, his love, his calm. His interactions with Mi Young show his response to her gentleness. It’s not possible for anyone to react to a person who is so sweet in looks and nature. It's just not possible to be mean to her. I don’t think anyone else could have played the character of Mi Young so effortlessly other than Jang Na Ra. The character of Mi Young is so simple and sweet without any complexities. She is just a nice sensitive soul who can do harm to no one. Her gentleness comes across in the way she speaks, her eyes, her entire demeanor. I have never liked a character so much. When you see the Lead pair together, there is such magic and chemistry between them. Their banter is just electric. While certain scenes try to portray her as a doormat, she is essentially a woman with a sense of pride and can hold her own when the need arises.

The drama wouldn’t be complete without a special mention of Mi Young’s mother. Her character is so well defined too. A strong woman whose soft side is shown when the ML frequents her diner every day for the three years that the lead pair is apart.

Just see this one for great acting and super chemistry between the lead pair. You won’t regret it.

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just want to say

just want to say How much i enjoyed this drama all the cast was great the acting was great, still need to find out what HAMO HAMO IS i hope its not a bad word it made me laugh and cry. the male lead was so so caring and considerate. Now i did read the previous review about the ANNOYING LAUGH but honestly YOU GET USED TO IT as we go along and in the second to last episode we find out WHY. over the course of the six years i love the male leads hairstyles lol. and the female lead is pretty . i did smile each time the said DANIEL PITT and not brad , hahaha

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Different path to Romance

8.5/10 is my rating. A 2014 South Korean television drama spanning 20 episodes ~60 minutes/episode). Kim Mi-Young (Jang Na-Ra) is an unassuming young woman who has a one night stand with a wealthy heir, Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk). She becomes pregnant.

Leading up to their sexual encounter the two leads had several chance encounters with a lot of comedic events surrounding them. They were not the type either would have considered for each other but a mix up lands them in the same room each thinking the other was someone else. It is further complicated by Lee Gun was on the eve of proposal to his long time love.

Spoiler ? I liked this one perhaps more than its average level of review. It was very funny in many parts but you better also have tissues handy if you are one that feels the emotions along with the characters. There is a 2nd guy that is so wonderful to her you almost want to see her with him instead. Some say this was too formulaic for them but I feel like there were enough twists and turns in the story that any formulaic aspects were background. Besides, with love stories, the reason there is a formula is people like it. Same with every other genre there is a general "formula" that people tend to like and watch. I had my doubts but my friend had reassured me it ends well and it did. And it also ended nicely with loose ends tied up. I can deal with sad sandwiches (happy beginning and ending with sad in the middle) or even a sad pie (I made that one up sad at the base - the crust - but the rest is happy). But if it is sad soup (sad the whole way through) or Greek tragedy (it all goes to hell in the end) I am not interested. And even in the middle the sad thing cannot be so devastating that I never recover. And this one dodged all of that and just had some sad parts that didn't kill the story for me. I feel in love with Mi-Young's character for her incredibly sweet and nice nature. I really liked that she underwent a transformation and kept that at her core but grew confidence and the ability to stand up for herself. Very enjoyable and worthwhile watch.

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This was one of the first k-dramas I watched, and oh boy did it get me hooked. I can't really pin point WHY I loved it so much (and why I'm considering re-watching it only a month later (I did already get lured into revisiting specific episodes), but so far it's been my absolute favorite. The story itself isn't all that original and new, but they way it was written, the characters, the cuteness overload, and yes, even the often illogical (and infuriating) choices the characters made... it all added up to a brilliantly flawed piece of TV.

The actors, and the characters they portrayed, were superb. Jang Hyuk... my gosh, how did I live without hearing that laugh (that could have been obnoxious in another actor, but he's just.. it works 100%) Not only that, but his character was endearing in his care for Mi-Young and his more emotional scenes were spot on. I also adored Jang Na-ra as the leading lady, though it seemed at the beginning she would be way too shy and nice for my taste, and even if she was all those things, she was too lovely for me to take it as a fault, which made me really feel for her. Their chemistry was insane.

Anyway, would recommend this to everyone and anyone looking for an equal(ish) balance of heavy feels and cuteness overload.

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I am so grateful to the people who recommended this drama to me. At first, it caused my head to spin, however, with each episode, I began to fall in love with the storyline, the character's the music and the messages this drama was sending. "That if you are meant to be with a person, eventually, you will find your way back to them." and " No matter what is going on in your life, what sickness or disaster you are fighting, you can't hide the truth. Those who truly love and care for you will find out" and lately " Never stop living because the world might end. Live life to its fullest until your very last breath." The relationship between Gun and Mi Young was like riding on a roller coaster and I kind of figured out Se Ra and Daniel before more was revealed. From start to finish, this drama was filled with laughter, sorrow, pain, love and so many emotions that half of the time, I didn't know if I was crying or the tears were coming from laughing so hard. I congratulate the cast for an outstanding performance, one that is also memorable. I kind of want to watch this Drama all over again just to listen to Gun laugh.

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