We aim to provide an honest and comprehensive review, which means discussing key plot points and character development. Proceed with caution!

This short but sweet rom-com originally appeared on tvN. It was directed by Song Hyun Wook, who also directed other popular dramas such as  ‘The King’s Affection’ in 2021 and ‘Melohoic’ in 2017.

After moving to the United States 10 years ago, while he was still a high school student, a genius businessman finally returns to Korea.  And on his first day back, he runs into his former classmate and first love, in a cafe.  But she runs away before he can reintroduce himself.  Luckily for him, fate seems to be on his side when he discovers that she lives and works in the same buildings as him.  Determined to take advantage of this second chance, he hopes to win her heart.  But the scars of her own first love and a traumatic childhood will prove a difficult hurdle to overcome.

Lee Hong Ju is an animation producer who joined a company based on her passion for the art.  After her first love broke her heart, she gave up on romance.  But a chance encounter with her former classmate, Hu Yeong, begins to thaw her cold heart for the first time in a long time. 

But just when she starts to think that she might be interested in dating him, her ex shows up and says he wants to get back together. And Hu Yeong’s mother is insisting he leave Korea and come back to the U.S.  Now Hong Ju will face some difficult choices as she tries to understand what her heart really wants and what fate has in store for her future.  

Lee Hong Ju has a deep fear of abandonment that stems from a childhood trauma.  So when her first love, Jun Ho, leaves her with no explanation, it hurts even more deeply.  But Hu Yeong’s unconditional love for her will help her see that it isn’t her fault and has nothing to do with her own worth. 

Kim So Hyun’s bright personality was a nice match for this character.  The role played well into her strengths as an actress.  While I don’t think it was a stand-out performance for someone as talented as her, she played the part well.  

Kang Hu Yeong’s mom moved him to the U.S. while he was a high school student.  But he never forgot his first love, Hong Ju.  So he is thrilled when he runs into Hong Ju in a cafe on his first day back in Korea.  And even more thrilled to find that she lives in the rooftop apartment above his uncle’s house, where he will be staying. 

Now Hu Yeong is determined to make the most of the second chance fate has given him to win Hong Ju’s heart.  But although Hu Yeong is making plans to open his own business in Korea and stay there, his mother has other ideas.  

Hu Yeong was a talented student who has become a genius businessman for his family company.  He is also a dutiful son who has always done whatever his mother wanted.  But through his feelings for Hong Ju, Hu Yeong begins to realize that it is time for him to start living his own life.  

Chae Jong Hyeop is a charming young actor.  He tends to play these reserved, shy parts well.  Although we don’t see a lot of development with this character, I enjoyed watching Chae Jong Hyeop in this role.  

Baek Wook is Hu Yeong’s uncle.  He runs the Korea division of the family business.  He is close friends with Hong Ju, and rents the apartment above his house to her.  He also works in the same building as Hong Ju.  And Hong Ju’s boss is Baek Wook’s first love, although no one at either of their companys’ knows that.  

Not All First Loves are Meant to Be

So often in kdramas, we see the romanticizing of the first love.  And for Hu Yeong, that was true.  But we also get to see through Hong Ju and Jun Ho that just because it’s first love, does not mean it’s better.  I do think Hong Ju was attracted to Hu Yeong from the beginning. But she was too busy fantasizing about her favorite author to realize it.  But regardless, although Jun Ho is considered her first love, he is not her fate.  In the same way that Hu Yeong is not Hye Ji’s fate.  

Second Lead Couple

While Hye Ji’s crush on Hu Yeong was obviously one-sided and not meant to be, I really enjoyed her relationship with Gyeong Tak.  The two of them were really cute together, and the fact that Hye Ji’s father finally got the son-in-law he had always dreamed of was just icing on the cake!  Their shy, awkward interactions were endearing and I was definitely rooting for them from the beginning.

Closure With Jun Ho

I thought this drama did a nice job of resolving what happened between Jun Ho and Hong Ju.  And while it’s easy to sympathize with Jun Ho’s emotional challenges, the drama doesn’t brush off what he did or expect Hong Ju to just forgive it all.  In the end, the fault for their relationship falling apart is his.  And expecting to just show up years later and have everything be forgiven is unreasonable.  But it’s also important that Hong Ju has grown from it and she no longer carries the pain.  

No Guilt?

Obviously, it has been 10 years since high school and it’s not like Hye Ji and Hu Yeong ever dated.  But still, you would think that, at least initially, Hong Ju would feel some guilt for liking a guy her best friend had a mad crush on.  It just would have been nice if they had made it seem like Hong Ju felt bad about the way it all turned out.  They seemed to breeze by that a little too fast for my liking.  

Hu Yeong’s Mom

Hu Yeong is such a bitter, selfish character.  I really couldn’t understand her. She yelled at Hu Yeong and Hong Ju for ruining Hu Yeong’s life, while at the same time suing her own son to make him do something he didn’t want to do. And although I’m glad Hu Yeong and Hong Ju found a way to stay together in the end, I really hate it that once again, Hu Yeong is letting his mom dictate his life.  

Too Much

This drama set out to do an awful lot.  The range of characters and storylines could have easily filled at least 12 episodes.  On one hand, it’s nice to have bingeable shows that are meant to be light and breezy.  But I felt like they introduced too much and then didn’t do a complete job with with any of the characters or their stories.  

‘Serendipity’s Embrace’ ends with happy endings for most of our characters.  Jun Ho has finally made his peace with Hong Ju by telling her the truth.  And now it’s time for him to move on with his own life.   Gyeong Tak finally confesses his feelings to Hye Ji and she and her dad could not be happier.

Hu Yeong’s mom goes to Hong Ju and begs her to come to the U.S. with them, so that Hu Yeong will do what she wants.  At first, Hong Ju refuses and Hong Ju and Hu Yeong plan to just continue their relationship long distance.  But later, Hong Ju shows up at the airport with her luggage and tells Hu Yeong that she has some vacation time from her job, so she is coming with him after all, at least for the time being.

Unfortunately, the multiple storylines are also its biggest weakness.  By trying to pack so much in, we lose some of the focus on the lead couple and their growth together.  All in all, this drama makes a nice, quick watch, the characters are likable and the story is pleasant.  But I wouldn’t say there is anything exceptional about it. The pieces were there, but it just came off feeling a bit ordinary and rushed for me. I give ‘Serendipity’s Embrace’ a 7 out 10 ramen.

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