Destined With You: Mini Spoiler-Free Review
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Title: | Destined with You (2023) |
Platform: | Netflix, TVING |
MDL & IMBD Rating: | |
Genre: | Contemporary Fantasy Romance |
Episode Count: | 16 |
Parental Guidance Rating: | MA: Violence, Language, Smoking, Intimacy, Minor scary images. For more info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27974068/parentalguide/ |
Starring: | Jo Bo Ah (Tale of the Nine Tailed) Ro Woon (Tomorrow) Ha Jun (Missing: The Other Side) Yura (Forecasting Love and Weather) |
RBTS Rating: | 3.75/5 Stars (A magical, but sometimes edgy mystery, with a fun office setting and inherited angst)  |
Synopsis:
Lee Hong Jo, a low-ranking civil servant, always does her best despite constant complaints and a lonely personal life. One day, she comes into possession of an old wooden chest and the key to lift a curse affecting Jang Sin Yu. Jang Sin Yu, a smart and handsome lawyer, suffers from a mysterious illness tied to a centuries-old family curse. As his condition worsens, he becomes desperate to break it, leading to an unexpected connection with Hong Jo. @MDL
Stay Tuned: Full Review Still to Come!
Spoiler-Free Mini Review:
Destined With You is an engaging fantasy mystery with plenty of shamans, curses, and reincarnation. And city hall. The pacing was uneven, but actually got better as the narrative moved along. The story has flashbacks to Joseon times, which were my favorite, but I wish they connected more to the present.
The romance was was good, but not great in my book. I wish they had made the 2ML a little less perfect at the start. As for the side characters, Kong Seo Gu and Son Sae Byeol were the stand outs. I wasn't really invested in the 2nd couple relationship, but it was refreshing to see it go to a couple of a more mature age. As for another couple which I will not name... sometimes divorce is a good option lol.
Jo Bo Ah (FL) has never felt like a strong actress to me in any of the dramas I've seen her in; she's not offensive by any means, but she has never broken out of the "Idol" acting club. She did cover her bases here, though she achieved nothing memorable. But you know, sometimes that's a win. And I loved her hair. Ro Woon did a fantastic job with the Male Lead role, especially since he's not a character you are necessarily intended to like all the time.
The magic and mystery pulled me in, and Ro Woon and the City Hill kept me watching. Parks and Rec has trained me to love some city beaurocracy. A great (albeit more edgy) watch for those who enjoyed See You In My 19th Life. There are some horror adjacent elements, but they fizzle out as soon as they appear.
Story=3.75, Acting=3.75, Production Quality=4, Ending=3.5 (?), Enjoyability= 4, Would I rewatch= Maybe
Trailer:
Director: #NamKiHoon (Confidence Queen, Tunnel)
Screenwriter: #NohJiSul (100 Days My Prince)
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