Embrace the Sweet Tropes in Serendipity's Embrace, A Review

 Serendipity's Embrace. We're down to the last episode of this sweet drama and I must say I still want more.

If you've been watching, you know how this drama is full of the KDrama tropes we're all familiar with, romantic comedy, high school connection and tight friendships, friends to lovers, disapproving parent. But what I like about this is that it somehow breaks all the usual tropes we see in KDramas.

Here's what I love here.

There's no toxic female friendship.

Yes, Hyeji fell for Hooyoung and had this one-sided love for 10 years. But when she learned that Hooyoung likes her friend, did she get angry? No, she was supportive, even made ways for them to be together. No hatred, not even a little. You see how her friendship is more important than her feelings.

The male lead's mother does not, in any way, cause harm to the female lead.

This is very common in KDramas. The disapproving parent even gives money so they would leave their child alone. We know from the start that she does not support Hooyoung and Hongju's relationship. But she does not do anything to Hongju that causes enough harm for her to even consider leaving. She talked to her, but she answered back. And even if Hongju did, she did not retaliate at all. We don't like her but she does not come across as the villain here.

Best clapback to the disaproving mother.#SerendipitysEmbraceEp7 #SerendipitysEmbrace pic.twitter.com/MMqwlgiTRX

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LovelyRunner (@NoonaChronicles) August 13, 2024

The beautiful, tight-knit friendship.

This was beautifully shown here, from high school till adulthood, nothing really changed between Hongju, Hyeji and Sangpil. Hooyoung went away but in those 10 years he was not forgotten. When he returned, Sangpil embraced him as if it was yesterday when they last saw each other. Awkward at first, but when everything settled down, it became better. With samchon in the mix, it was a 5-way friendship we could all hope for.

I want this friendship.#SerendipitysEmbraceEp7 #SerendipitysEmbrace pic.twitter.com/Q5TssqoMFr

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LovelyRunner (@NoonaChronicles) August 13, 2024

It's short, but the flashbacks and the present were shown in balance

It's good that they did not show too much flashbacks to the point of making viewers bored. What was shown are the most important details that influenced the present. And those memories that Hongju seem to forget but was shown to make the viewers understand what was happening in the present.

Did I mention about the chemistry? The leads have amazing chemistry. That's a given. Whenever they're together, even in high school, you see this. Hooyoung trying to restrain his feelings knowing Hongju is in love with someone else. And Hongju in love with someone else, but starting to feel something for Hooyoung that she does not seem to understand. There was something between them that I cannot even put into words even before they confessed their feelings. It was love that they did not realize they both have for each other.

Confirmed. Hooyoung and Hongju are each other's first love. 😍#SerendipitysEmbraceEp6 #SerendipitysEmbrace pic.twitter.com/m1maR8XPNp

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LovelyRunner (@NoonaChronicles) August 7, 2024

Also, the chemistry between the second couple was surprisingly all there. Hyeji and Kyung Taek, and the development in their relationship was so cute I kept rooting for them from the start. Yes, it was one-sided first but once Hyeji realized she has feelings for him, it was apparent how their chemistry became even stronger. 

And the second lead couple has kissed and said their I love yous. Hongju and Hooyoung, saranghamnida when?#SerendipitysEmbraceEp7 #SerendipitysEmbrace pic.twitter.com/6Zo72jD1YN

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LovelyRunner (@NoonaChronicles) August 13, 2024

What about Junho and Hongju's relationship? It was a mess how he left without any explanation leaving Hongju broken. But she was able to pick herself up and move on. I just like how in episode 7, it seems that Junho has already let her go. When he gave back that box of letters, it's like giving back her heart that he broke 3 years before. And I think that's good of him to do. 

What doesn't kill you make you stronger.#SerendipitysEmbraceEp7 #SerendipitysEmbrace pic.twitter.com/1HYF40mfi3

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LovelyRunner (@NoonaChronicles) August 13, 2024

So, this drama is a must-watch. It's light, it's enjoyable. And watching all these tropes but seriously enjoying each one? Embracing how these tropes make Serendipity's Embrace enjoyable will make you crave for more. 

Maybe 8 episodes will not be enough.