English Title: You Are My Destiny
Korean Title: 운명처럼널사랑해 [lit. like fate I love you]
Director(s): Kim Hee-won & Lee Dong-yoon
Screenwriter(s): Joo Chan-ok & Jo Jin-kook
Studio: Number Three Pictures Released: 2014
Runtime: 20 episodes, ~1h each.
Starring: Jang Hyuk, Jang Na-ra, Choi Jin-hyuk, Wang Ji-won
My Verdict: Remake of the 2008 Taiwanese series. Tries to be quirky as well as tragic. Drags on for too long. Annoying male lead. Avoidable.
● This is a remake of the 2008 Taiwanese series Fated to Love You (命中注定我愛你) and neither is to be confused for the 2008 Korean series You Are My Destiny (너는 내 운명). Please note that this reviewer has not seen the original Taiwanese series.
● Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk) is rich as his family owns a large company. Kim Mi-young (Jang Na-ra) is an office worker, hardworking and meek. By accident and the malicious actions of others involving drugs, the two, somewhat carelessly, end up in bed with Mi-young getting pregnant.
● The premise obviously takes some inspiration from fairy tales. Although it is presumably intended to be a little quirky, it is too implausible given the way it is executed. In any case, the series ultimately follows Mi-young’s struggles.
● Gun is supposed to be engaged to Kang Se-ra (Wang Ji-won) and he thought Mi-young was Se-ra. He had no intention of cheating, let alone take advantage of someone like Mi-young. Although understandably reluctant, he is willing to marry Mi-young.
● As Gun and Mi-young get to know each other, there are certain social difficulties but Mi-young handles them well enough. It is obviously an attempt at social commentary and to evoke sympathy for Mi-young without resorting to her getting hit by a car too early in the series.
● Gun obviously develops some feelings for her but he, quite understandably, wavers since he still loves Se-ra. Also, as he is in a position to materially provide for Mi-young without marrying her—which, to his credit, he is willing to do—he considers such an approach. Unfortunately, this wavering goes on for too long and the series simply drags despite a time jump in the narrative.
● The other main weakness is that Gun is simply an annoying character. Jang Hyuk, presumably under director’s orders, plays him as an obnoxious loudmouth with an obnoxious laugh. If this is intended to be comical, then it fails. Totally. Add his character’s indecisiveness to the mix and it is impossible to feel any sympathy for him.
● Jang Na-ra really sells the “diminutive and meek Cinderella”, something she does very well. Choi Jin-hyuk plays a professional artist who befriends Mi-young. Like some of his other roles, he plays it straight-up cool. Ultimately, Jang Na-ra and the usual curiosity for the ending are the only reasons that may keep one watching.
● Unless one is obsessed with this sub-genre, this series is avoidable—one is not missing out on much.
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