Evaluate: Serendipity’s Embrace – The Fangirl Verdict

THE SHORT VERDICT:

Should you’re in search of one thing brief, cute and never very deep, this mini drama may probably work properly for you.

Chae Jong Hyeop and Kim So Hyun make a cute couple, and our drama world could be very prettily shot, and has a stunning, breezy OST to attain all of it.

On the draw back, there may be little to no depth on this, and Present does appear extra inquisitive about problem-solving, moderately than basking in Cuteness, as soon as it hits its second half.

Should you’re keen to roll with that, this does work out to be a innocent little ball of fluff.

THE LONG VERDICT:

The power to go away a extremely robust first impression can actually be a double-edged sword, I understand.

This little present left a extremely robust first impression on me (I’ll discuss extra about that shortly), a lot in order that I used to be hopeful that this little present would be capable to bat above its weight, and shock us all, by being wonderful. 🥲

Sigh. That was to not be, sadly, and I’ve to admit that I used to be disenchanted about that.

Nevertheless, in the event you take away my unreasonably excessive preliminary expectations, this little present principally accomplishes what a bit of present in its weight bracket tends to have the ability to accomplish, so.. so long as your expectations are in the fitting place (extra on that quickly), it is best to be capable to take pleasure in this one simply superb?

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll speak about how one can handle your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens could be most useful.

After that, I speak about stuff I favored and didn’t like a lot. I’m opting not to do a separate part on characters and relationships, for this evaluate. Lastly, I spend a while speaking about my ideas on the finale episodes.

Should you’re inquisitive about my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the varied Patreon members’ feedback through the course of our watch, you may like to take a look at my episode notes on Patreon right here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Listed here are some issues that I believe could be useful to bear in mind, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:

1. Don’t anticipate a number of depth

I imply this each by way of the story, in addition to the relationships. Present opts to remain in shallow waters on each these counts, and I believe realizing to anticipate that, helps.

2. Count on tropes

Present is principally constructed on tropes, and I actually don’t fault it, as a result of I do really feel like tropes might be helpful narrative shorthand, significantly in brief little tales.

Embracing the tropes as a substitute of combating them, helps too.

STUFF I LIKED

Our drama world could be very fairly

One among my favourite issues, which struck me straight away, actually, is how fairly our story world is.

Every thing is superbly filmed, a lot in order that our story world kinda feels prefer it got here out of a manhwa, with the nice and cozy lighting and the Spring-Summer time colours.

Simply take a look at that fairly avenue setting above, and this quick-but-thoughtful little shot, beneath.

It feels like a small factor, but it surely was completely a spotlight of my watch. My eyes, they have been content material. 🥰

The music

One of many first issues that jumped out at me straight away, is how current the music is.

The music pervades this story world straight away, and it actually kinda-sorta reminds of Goong (evaluate right here!), in the way in which the music takes up such a key area.

It’s all very breezy and cheery, and that makes this story world really feel like a breezy, cheery place, and I favored that so much. 🥰

You possibly can take a look at the OST album that I’ve linked above, the place I discover all of the tracks very pleasing, otherwise you may like to take a look at Observe 5, Future, beneath, which I’d choose as my favourite, if I completely needed to choose.

Our story strikes rapidly

One of many issues I favored fairly rapidly into my watch, is the truth that our story strikes alongside fairly rapidly, due to it being a brief little 8-episode deal.

There’s actually no time to dawdle on issues, so we get early gratification from issues like affirmation of hidden emotions, in addition to a basic lack of misunderstandings, which might be typical in a 16-episode present about the identical story.

Issues are likely to breeze alongside fairly rapidly, with Present toggling the current timeline with flashbacks from the previous, in an effort to rapidly construct context.

I discover that very environment friendly and efficient.

It makes our grasp of our story world really feel that a lot richer, but it surely doesn’t necessitate spending a number of display time. Very good.

Chae Jong Hyeop as Hu Yeong

One of many issues I’d actually been trying ahead to, on this present, was the prospect to see Chae Jong Hyeop play a real tsundere kind, y’know, all chilly and aloof on the skin, however all tender and squishy on the within, and Present is totally giving us that.

To be clear, Chae Jong Hyeop did play a moderately tsundere form of character in Castaway Diva (evaluate right here!), so strictly talking, this isn’t his first time enjoying a tsundere kind.

Nevertheless, it’s his first time enjoying the basic tsundere chaebol prince kind, full with styling that makes him appear to be he simply stepped out of a manhwa, and I believe he does fairly properly.

Nuance

I do know I acknowledged earlier that there actually isn’t a number of depth on this story, so there isn’t actually a number of depth of Hu Yeong as a personality both, however, we do see nuance in Chae Jong Hyeop’s supply of Hu Yeong, and I assumed that was fairly nice.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. Like throughout that mistaken blind date second, when Hong Ju (Kim So Hyun) swiftly apologizes for mistaking him for another person, after which excuses herself to go to her precise blind date; you possibly can completely see the wistfulness in Hu Yeong’s gaze, and I actually recognize that.

[END SPOILER]

Restraint

On the similar time, I did recognize Chae Jong Hyeop’s restrained supply, which provides to the nuance.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. Like when Hye Ji (Kim Da Som) asks him whether or not he likes Hong Ju, for instance.

He doesn’t say something in response, however simply from the change in his gaze, you possibly can inform that the reply is “sure.”

After which when Hye Ji, understanding that his reply is “sure,” asks if Hong Ju is aware of too, he nonetheless doesn’t say something, however you possibly can completely see from his gaze that Hong Ju doesn’t know, and that he’s kinda disenchanted and unhappy about that.

I assumed that was very well achieved; so refined, but so clear. 🤩🤩🤩

[END SPOILER]

Leaked smiles

By all of it, Hu Yeong’s little leaked smiles have been one of many constant highlights of my watch expertise.

I do assume that Chae Jong Hyeop owns one of many sunniest smiles in all of Dramaland 🥰 and so, to have leaked smiles of this caliber looks like an actual deal with, and to have them leaked early, and regularly, looks like double the deal with. 🤩😁

Kim So Hyun as Hong Ju

General, I wouldn’t say that Hong Ju is a really memorable character, however Kim So Hyun does the required, by making Hong Ju very likable and cute, in order that I really feel like I can completely perceive why Hu Yeong can’t assist however smile in response to her cuteness.

That doesn’t sound like an enormous deal, but it surely’s necessary, as a result of that acquired me to root for this OTP, and this OTP is principally the purpose of this story.

I don’t have much more to say on this solo part, however I’ll discuss extra about Hong Ju, in relation to the OTP relationship – which is up subsequent. 😁

The OTP Cute in Present’s first half

Truthfully, I actually cherished the OTP Cute that Present delivered in its first half.

With how deftly Present was giving all this OTP Cute, I’d actually had fairly excessive hopes that we’d get a stable and satisfying second half as properly.

That.. didn’t fairly work out as I’d hoped, however I’ll speak about that later. 😉

For now, right here’s a revisit to all of the occasions that Present made me smile, due to this OTP. 🥰

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. It’s tropey however amusing, that Hong Ju had been the deliverer of affection letters from her greatest good friend Hye Ji, who’d had this big crush on Hu Yeong, and the entire cause that Hu Yeong hadn’t achieved something to formally flip down Hye Ji, is as a result of he really favored attending to see Hong Ju, every time she delivered a letter.

Aw. How dorky is that, sure? 🥲

I additionally like that as a result of Hong Ju by no means had a crush on Hu Yeong, she’s in no way bashful or shy or affected round him; she’s simply blithely herself. I really like this concept that Hu Yeong sees her precisely as she is, and likes her precisely as she is. 🥰

Plus, it’s admittedly moderately refreshing, that the rationale Hong Ju is so in a position to be herself round Hu Yeong, is as a result of she is totally unaffected by his cool aura and beauty, in contrast to most different women.

I’m actually fairly tickled by the reveal, that she completely remembers who he’s; she simply hadn’t bothered to acknowledge it, after they’d come head to head on the cafe.

In that approach, she completely has the higher hand right here, since Hu Yeong’s not solely fallen first, he’s fallen more durable. 😁

E1-2. The best way Hu Yeong will get Uncle (Choi Dae Chul) to get Hong Ju to take his nephew out for a day tickled me fairly a bit, as a result of right here’s Hong Ju anticipating a bit of lady (as you might know, the phrase for nephew, “조카” (joka), is gender impartial), and as a substitute, she will get Hu Yeong exhibiting up for his time out.

I used to be fairly amused by this, not gonna lie. 🤭

Their day of enjoyable is all very gentle and breezy to observe, and my favourite bit is when Hong Ju takes him to placed on hanbok in order that they will take images of themselves.

Hong Ju seems to be freaking lovely in these kingly purple dragon robes, whereas Hu Yeong seems to be very cute within the eunuch robes, hehehe.

I do assume Kim So Hyun is perhaps the cutest human being I’ve seen, carrying the purple dragon robes. 😍

Which, after all, can solely imply extra leaked smiles coming from Hu Yeong, to my delight. 🤩

In a brief little present like this, it’s not stunning (and really welcome) that we’re already getting a second of hyper-awareness, in that second when Hu Yeong leans over to shut the automotive window, and finally ends up hovering over Hong Ju, ahem. 🔥

I do love that afterwards, he’s mentally kicking himself for under managing to eke out that they need to have fried rooster collectively quickly, whereas she’s perplexed at how horny he manages to make consuming fried rooster collectively sound. Tee hee hee. I adore it. 😍

E1-2. Hu Yeong, observing that Jun Ho’s (Yun Ji On) making Hong Ju uncomfortable and claiming that she nonetheless has emotions for him, inserts himself into the state of affairs by holding Hong Ju’s hand, and telling her that she’d left her hair-tie in his automotive, the night time earlier than.

I really like that Hong Ju performs alongside with out lacking a beat, and she’s the one main Hu Yeong away, by the hand.

E3-4. We get that reveal on the finish of episode 4, the place we see that Hu Yeong had really brought about Hong Ju’s coronary heart to skip a beat, again when he’d fallen asleep on her shoulder, after they’d been trapped in that trough, and that actually adjustments everythingggg.

I really do relish when dramas do that, as a result of it gives a essential piece of context that simply makes all the things land in a different way.

Most not too long ago, we noticed that in Pretty Runner (evaluate right here!), and I additionally recall seeing this achieved in c-drama A Love So Lovely (evaluate right here!).

In each these exhibits, it had been a change in perspective from the male lead’s standpoint, however on this case, it’s a change of perspective from the feminine lead’s standpoint, and I discover that fairly refreshing.

With this little nugget of knowledge, we are able to see that Hong Ju is totally not proof against Hu Yeong’s charms, even when he isn’t really turning on the appeal.

And, it’s not exhausting to infer that the rationale she’s been so adamant about treating him like he’s nothing particular to her, is as a result of she doesn’t need to be disloyal to Hye Ji, who’s had a crush on Hu Yeong since ceaselessly.

With this piece of context in place, all the things makes a lot extra sense, in a approach.

For instance, final week, we noticed that Hong Ju had been coping with some hyper-awareness of Hu Yeong after the automotive incident, and had puzzled how he’d managed to make consuming fried rooster sound so alluring.

After that, nonetheless, she’s been conserving him at a distance in an virtually aggressive method, and now that we all know that she’s felt one thing spark with Hu Yeong up to now, it provides the present spark that she felt some context – if that is smart?

Like, ah, it wasn’t only a random spark that she felt; it’s one thing that recurs, so long as she permits herself to be round him. Which, ooh. 🔥😁

This additionally implies that as I revisit the episodes now, for these notes, all the things simply type of hits in a different way, as a result of now I do know that each time Hong Ju hastens to retreat from Hu Yeong, it doesn’t really imply that she’s utterly unaffected by him.

Actually, it probably means the other; that she could be very affected by him. That could be a thought that amuses me, as a lot because it provides me a little bit of a thrill. 😉

Poor Hu Yeong, although.

I hold fascinated about that second, these episodes, when he’s so discouraged that he mutters that she’s rejected him so many occasions, when he hasn’t even managed to admit his emotions but. 😅

If he solely knew!! 🤭

Like when she asks him when he’s going again to the US, for instance.

On my first viewing of the scene, it had simply appeared like she was making dialog in a clumsy second, however on second viewing, I really feel like I detect a cautious be aware of wistfulness in there, like she half doesn’t need to know, as a result of she would like that he keep. 🥲

E3-4. From the way in which Hu Yeong drops all the things to hurry to the hospital, not even caring about his lugging, to the way in which he grabs Hong Ju’s hand and places it to his coronary heart in order that she will be able to really feel how briskly it’s beating due to her accident, it actually looks like issues are transferring into place for a extra significant connection between the 2 of them. 🥲

ALSO. We do get a sign that Hong Ju isn’t immune in any respect, to Hu Yeong’s presence, like how she asks the physician to solely test her coronary heart price after Hu Yeong leaves – ie, if he’s round, Hong Ju’s coronary heart is more likely to be racing. 😉🤭

I additionally actually favored that Hong Ju’s accidents imply that Hu Yeong has the right excuse to be round her and handle her, though Hong Ju’s advised him to maintain his distance and cease being flirty.

However due to Hong Ju’s accidents, we get to see Hu Yeong being considerate and caring, AND, due to Hong Ju not being so in a position to stroll, we get to see Hu Yeong scooping her up in a princess carry greater than as soon as, and I squeed a bit of inside every time, not gonna lie. 😍

With all this occurring, I actually can’t blame Hong Ju for having an attractive dream about kissing Hu Yeong, y’know? 😁

And this isn’t but counting the truth that he cooks for her. For some cause, that basically melts my knees. 🫠🫠

Like, how candy and homely is Hu Yeong, when the chance arises?? 😍😍🥰🥰

E3-4. I’m actually type of thrilled to listen to Hu Yeong inform Hong Ju that he’s really type of comfortable – that her relationship failed, and that he’d like her to get better rapidly, each by way of her foot, AND her coronary heart.

After which he slowly leans into kiss her – and she lets him. Eeeee!!! 😍😍😍

[END SPOILER]

STUFF THAT WAS OK

The tropes within the writing

Earlier than I began my watch of this present, I’d heard the web rumbles, that fairly just a few folks have been dissatisfied with this present, saying that it’s overly tropey, bringing nothing new to the desk, and subsequently fairly boring.

So, shade me shocked, after I clicked on episode 1, and located myself sinking fortunately into this story world, straight away. 🥰

Principally, I’m of the opinion that, sure, you possibly can actually spot a number of tropes on this present, however that doesn’t imply that it’s not pleasing to observe. 😁

Sure, generally it didn’t work in addition to it may have, which is why that is on this part.

The tone of the OTP relationship in Present’s second half

Primarily, I really feel like writer-nim didn’t know what to do with our OTP, as soon as the sentiments have been formally on the market.

Bear in mind after I stated earlier, that there’s no time to waste, in a mini collection like this?

Nicely, I really feel like Present did waste a while right here, first with minting the OTP, utilizing Hong Ju’s reluctance, after which conserving the OTP aside for foolish nonsense causes, after they’ve been minted.

On prime of that, I really feel just like the vibe between our leads turned a bit of extra.. awkward and stagey, in comparison with the OTP pre-minting, thus making for OTP interactions that felt fairly shallow and hole, if I’m being brutally trustworthy.

Sure, Chae Jong Hyeop and Kim So Hyun are nonetheless fairly to take a look at collectively, however I believe that conserving the OTP chemistry at a really cutesy, bubblegum form of degree, very a lot restricted the precise OTP feels that we acquired. I’m unhappy about that. 😭

Nevertheless, the second half isn’t with out its silver linings, and I point out them subsequent, on this spoiler part.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-6. We do get a little bit of OTP cuteness, earlier than the connection is confirmed, after they play collectively on the seashore.

Nevertheless, I’m unhappy to say that I discovered this particular spot of Meant Cute, moderately hole and try-hard.

Like, it felt fairly random that Hong Ju would instantly be all pleasant to Hu Yeong, whom she’s been studiously avoiding, and because of this, the entire thing felt fairly stagey and compelled, to my eyes.

That stated, I really did benefit from the second that our OTP confirms their relationship.

I really feel unhealthy to see that Hong Ju will get nightmares, and that her nightmares are principally round being deserted and left behind by the individuals who have been necessary to her: her mom, her aunt, after which Jun Ho.

It’s no marvel Hong Ju appears to place up a defend round herself, and shies away from courting.

On this dream, although, as he prepares to go away, Dream Hu Yeong asks if she received’t maintain onto him, and I’m glad that Hong Ju takes this as a nudge to a minimum of let Hu Yeong know that she doesn’t need him to go away.

I do love that Hu Yeong places apart what he’s doing, turns round, and tells her with a delicate smile, that he’s not leaving.

After which it’s actually candy and cute, the way in which Hong Ju tells him that he can’t take it again – earlier than she seals it with a kiss – which solely will get swoonier, when Hu Yeong leans in, cups her face along with his fingers, and kisses her proper again.

Ahem. I swooned and flailed, not gonna lie. 🔥🫠

I additionally do like the way in which Hu Yeong’s so unabashed about liking Hong Ju.

Like how he simply likes to take a look at her, after they’re collectively, after which, the way in which he tells her over the telephone, that he likes her.

There’s additionally the way in which he tells her, on the artwork gallery, that he likes listening to her say his identify, a lot in order that he worries his coronary heart will come out of his chest. 🥲

YES PLEASE, I really like unflinching, undaunted heart-eyes, and all the things that goes with it. 🥰

I’m simply disenchanted that we don’t get extra of that. 😭

[END SPOILER]

The secondary love line

I favored the thought of this secondary couple very a lot, really.

I discovered Hye Ji endearing in how open she is, about exhibiting Trainer Son (Hwang Sung Bin) that she wish to spend extra time with him, and I favored how stiffly endearing Trainer Son is; he’s acquired no sport, however is so very earnest and honest in his emotions for Hye Jin.

This could-be couple appeared like a shoo-in for a spot on the “Stuff I Favored” record, sure?

..Besides that Present simply took too lengthy, and took too many incorrect turns, in minting this secondary OTP.

All of the Early Cute within the first half of our present, provides approach to a ridiculous quantity of gaffes and blunders, as Trainer Son retains stumbling over his personal ft, as he and Hye Jin attempt to get nearer to one another.

I actually wasn’t too fussed about this at first, however Present drags all of it out for thus lengthy, that I ultimately began facepalming my approach by way of this loveline; it simply stopped being humorous, y’know? 🤦🏻‍♀️

General, although, I’m glad that this secondary OTP lastly does get minted, which is why it’s on this part.

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

Bang Jun Ho as a personality

At first, I discovered Jun Ho midway fascinating as a personality, due to the nuance that Yun Ji On injects into his supply, and the distinct layers of wistfulness that we hold seeing, in Jun Ho’s gaze.

Nevertheless, I misplaced my endurance – and my goodwill – pretty rapidly.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Primarily, all the things about his arc needed to do along with his “poor me” pity occasion, when he’d been the one to ghost Hong Ju, again after they’d been an precise couple.

Even on hindsight, he fails to see that he’d harm Hong Ju along with his habits, and might solely give attention to the truth that he’d been struggling the disgrace of author’s block, and couldn’t bear to face her.

Not solely that, he’s fast accountable Hong Ju for absolutely anything, like how he begins yelling at Hong Ju after he finds out that her accident had delayed the assembly – by no means thoughts that Hong Ju had gotten harm in stated accident. UGH.

With all that as context, I simply didn’t really feel any sympathy for him, as he tried, time and time once more, to get Hong Ju to think about taking him again. 🙄

[END SPOILER]

Uncle Wook’s bickering reference to President Bae

Over and above our two different lovelines, Present teases a possible third loveline between Uncle Wook and his old flame, President Bae (Yoon Jung Hee).

It doesn’t take up an enormous quantity of narrative actual property, however Present retains bringing it again into focus, like some persistent, lingering shadow.

To my eyes, it actually looks like one potential loveline too many, for a bit of present like this, however I additionally assume it’s probably as a result of the comedic beats round it really feel moderately aggressive for my style, and subsequently land as being fairly try-hard.

I want Present would have achieved away with this, and used the additional display time for precise OTP stuff as a substitute.

A few of Present’s narrative choices

I believe the large mistake that Present makes, is that it tries to really be a condensed model of a 16-episode drama.

To be clear, I used to be fairly pleased with Present’s first half, so my comment solely applies to Present’s second half.

Usually, we are likely to get an OTP affirmation of types, by episode 8, after which when episode 13 or so rolls round, we get a season of angst, earlier than we head into our finale.

The issue right here, is that Present tries to try this, though it doesn’t have 8 episodes to play with, however 4.

Consequently, as soon as we hit episode 5, though we’ve actually solely simply had our OTP relationship minted literal minutes in the past, we’re already on the penultimate stage the place battle and angst sometimes rear their heads. 😅

One of many issues that I needed Present would have given us, is an efficient, stable quantity of display time for newly minted OTP happiness, the place it’s all cuteness, rainbows and blushy sweetness, earlier than the arrival of any angst.

I personally really feel like that’s the large lacking piece, in our second half.

As a substitute of attending to soak in some good OTP feels as soon as the OTP will get minted, we’re being hit within the face, with varied sources of angst.

This was not enjoyable, and I needed that Present may have dealt with itself in a different way.

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E7-8. In fact, all’s properly that ends properly, on this little drama world; I by no means doubted it for a second.

And, fortunately, I did take pleasure in these closing episodes a bit greater than the episodes prior, so Present does reserve it, considerably.

On the finish of episode 6, Present brings Hu Yeong’s mother (Kim Jung Nan) again from the US, to throw a spanner within the works, and she or he does – till she doesn’t.

Which, I’m actually not too shocked by, since we’d like a contented ending, and Present doesn’t have a number of time to get us there.

I assumed it was a moderately refreshing twist, that Mother would find yourself inviting Hong Ju to go to the US with Hu Yeong.

This fashion, Hu Yeong could be availing himself of the profession alternatives within the US, which Mother feels is tremendous necessary, and on the similar time, Hu Yeong and Hong Ju wouldn’t be aside, which is what Hu Yeong desires.

On the similar time, it is smart to me that Hong Ju wouldn’t really feel prepared to only up and go away her complete life behind, significantly since she and Hu Yeong have simply began courting.

After which, simply as I used to be resigning myself to the cure-all time-skip that so many dramas make use of, Present provides us a unique twist.

As a substitute, whereas Hu Yeong prepares to go away and be other than Hong Ju for an indefinite time period, Hong Ju finally ends up selecting to shock Hu Yeong on the airport, by lastly utilizing all her saved up trip time, to go together with him.

So no, she doesn’t uproot herself from her complete world for love, however she does discover a approach to go together with him, and be with him for period of time, which works out to a really good compromise, for my part.

This fashion, they get to be collectively, with out her having to go away her life in Korea, and ultimately, Hu Yeong plans to return to Korea anyway, as a result of that’s the place he’s at all times felt he belonged. 🥲

That’s a reasonably good comfortable ending, I’d say.

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Not unhealthy total; had potential to be higher.

FINAL GRADE: B

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The subsequent drama I’m masking on Patreon, instead of  Serendipity’s Embrace, is Cinderella at 2 AM [Korea].

You possibly can take a look at my episode 1-2 notes on Cinderella at 2 AM on Patreon right here.

Right here’s an outline of what I’m masking on Patreon proper now (Tier advantages are cumulative)!

Basis Tier (US$1): Leisure Drop (Sundays) + the primary set notes of all exhibits lined on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Entry (US$5): +Cinderella at 2 AM [Korea]

Early Entry Plus (US$10): +Love Subsequent Door [Korea]

VIP (US$15): +Your Honor [Korea]

Associated