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Destined With You
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Destined With You
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Plot
Synopsis
Destined With You is a South Korean fantasy romance television series that centers on the modern-day love story between Lee Hong-jo, a resilient low-ranking civil servant enduring a solitary life filled with workplace grievances, and Jang Shin-yu, a brilliant and charismatic lawyer tormented by a hereditary curse.[4] The narrative begins when Hong-jo, during an official inspection of an abandoned house on Shin-yu's family property, discovers an ancient wooden chest containing a forbidden book sealed for 300 years, which unexpectedly draws her into Shin-yu's cursed existence.[3] This chance encounter ignites the core conflict, as the book holds the potential to alleviate Shin-yu's lifelong suffering, forcing the unlikely pair to navigate supernatural forces and budding emotions.[1] The curse afflicting Shin-yu stems from a Joseon-era tragedy involving his ancestor Jang Mu-jin, a nobleman, and Aeng-cho, a powerful shaman whose forbidden romance resulted in a vengeful hex passed down through generations.[8] Manifesting as a debilitating disease characterized by debilitating pain, hallucinations of a spectral "Red Hand," and progressive physical decline, the curse has isolated Shin-yu despite his professional success, rendering everyday life a constant battle.[3] Hong-jo, unknowingly the sole descendant capable of wielding the book's power due to her own familial ties to shamanic lineage, becomes pivotal in confronting these effects, blending her ordinary routine with eerie supernatural intrusions.[4] Central to the plot are the book's enchanted spells, inscribed by Aeng-cho, which govern elements like healing, possession, and fate alteration, profoundly influencing the protagonists' interactions and personal growth.[8] As Hong-jo deciphers the ancient text, the spells trigger unintended consequences that deepen the romantic tension between her and Shin-yu, transforming their initial antagonism into profound interdependence while unraveling layers of destiny and redemption.[1] These mystical elements serve as catalysts for character development, highlighting themes of inherited burdens and unbreakable bonds forged across time.[3] Spanning 16 episodes, the series is divided into two distinct halves: the first emphasizing the contemporary romance, workplace dynamics, and initial curse confrontations in the present day, while the latter incorporates historical flashbacks to the Joseon period, illuminating the curse's origins through Mu-jin and Aeng-cho's ill-fated tale without overshadowing the modern arc.[4] This dual structure weaves personal healing with historical resolution, culminating in a narrative that explores how past injustices shape present destinies.[8]Backstory elements
The backstory of Destined With You is rooted in the Joseon dynasty, specifically during the reign of King Hyojong (1649–1659), where social hierarchies and forbidden romances set the stage for a tragic supernatural curse.[9] Central to this narrative is Aeng-cho, a lowly shaman (mudang) skilled in ancient rituals and spells, who falls in love with Jang Mu-jin, a nobleman of high status whose family loyalties conflict with their illicit relationship.[10] Their romance is doomed by societal constraints, as Aeng-cho's low birth prevents any union, leading to heartbreak and betrayal amid political intrigue at the royal court.[11] Aeng-cho's spell book, a mystical tome containing powerful incantations, becomes the catalyst for the curse's creation. The book includes spells for benevolent purposes such as enhancing beauty, ensuring the birth of male heirs, and fostering love, but also darker rituals for revenge and manipulation.[12] Pressured by a scheming royal concubine, Aeng-cho is coerced into cursing the crown prince to clear the path for the concubine's son, though she ultimately resists fully enacting the spell; suspicions fall on her regardless, leading to orders for her execution and the burning of her spell books.[10] In a desperate act to end her suffering and evade a lifetime of torment, Mu-jin confronts Aeng-cho, who invokes a final curse: "Whoever kills me shall be cursed for eternity." He stabs her, willingly accepting the malediction to spare her a public death, thereby sealing the book's power and burying it to protect its secrets.[11][12] This curse manifests across generations, afflicting the Jang family with unrelenting misfortune, including chronic illnesses and untimely deaths that weaken their descendants physically and emotionally.[10] The supernatural mechanics draw from Korean shamanistic folklore (musok), where mudang serve as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds, wielding kut rituals and talismans (bujeok) to invoke blessings or hexes; here, the curse embodies the belief in ancestral retribution and the binding force of oral incantations that transcend time.[13] The spell book's enduring magic reflects traditional Korean myths of enchanted objects that carry karmic consequences, ensuring the curse persists until properly appeased through ritual or reincarnation.[14] Connections between the past and present are forged through reincarnation and inherited traits, with Aeng-cho's spirit reborn as the modern protagonist bearing her intuitive affinity for the supernatural, while Mu-jin's lineage carries the curse's physical toll, such as debilitating hand tremors symbolizing the stab wound.[10] This generational linkage underscores the curse's role in perpetuating cycles of guilt and redemption, influenced by Korean cultural concepts of yeon (fated ties) and the shamanic idea that unresolved spirits influence the living.[13] The sealing of the book by Mu-jin preserves its dual nature—tool of healing and harbinger of doom—awaiting discovery to potentially break the eternal bind.[11]Cast and characters
Main roles
Lee Hong-jo, portrayed by Jo Bo-ah, is a dedicated level 9 civil servant at Onju City Hall's Greenery and Landscaping Department, known for her resourcefulness in handling civil complaints despite constant workplace challenges.[15] Her discovery of an ancient sealed box containing a forbidden book during a routine inspection propels her into the central narrative, as she becomes the key to unlocking its secrets tied to a 300-year-old curse.[16] Throughout the story, Hong-jo evolves from a skeptical and self-reliant individual dismissive of fate to someone who embraces destiny, particularly through her deepening romantic connection with Jang Shin-yu, driven by the book's mystical influence.[17] Jo Bo-ah, who debuted in 2013 and has earned acclaim for her versatile performances in romantic and dramatic leads like Forest (2020) and Military Prosecutor Doberman (2022), brings emotional depth to Hong-jo's transformation.[18] Jang Shin-yu, played by Rowoon, is a highly competent and charismatic lawyer from a prominent family, whose life is overshadowed by a debilitating family curse that causes progressive physical decline and social isolation.[15] Desperate for relief, he pursues the cursed book after learning of its potential to break the hex, leading to intense interactions with Hong-jo that unravel historical secrets and foster their romance.[16] Shin-yu's arc highlights his internal battle against loneliness and vulnerability, evolving from a polished professional to a man willing to confront his fate for love.[19] Rowoon, formerly a member of the K-pop group SF9, transitioned to full-time acting in 2023 after gaining recognition in roles like the male lead in Extraordinary You (2019), leveraging his idol background for expressive on-screen presence.[20] Kwon Jae-kyung, enacted by Ha Jun, serves as the mayor's advisor and a charming colleague at City Hall, positioning him as a rival suitor to Hong-jo with his kind demeanor masking deeper personal scars.[16] His advisory role draws him into the plot's supernatural elements, as he supports Hong-jo amid the book's revelations, complicating the central romance while highlighting themes of unrequited affection.[15] Ha Jun, who debuted in 2013, has built a career in supporting roles across genres, including the historical drama The Book of Fish (2021), infusing Jae-kyung with nuanced emotional layers.[21] Yoon Na-yeon, brought to life by Yura, is an interior designer and Jang Shin-yu's devoted fiancée, whose involvement stems from her concern over his curse-induced suffering, creating tension in the love triangle.[22] As the narrative progresses, her interactions with the cursed book's legacy test her relationships, underscoring loyalty and jealousy amid the protagonists' destiny-bound journey.[17] Yura, a former member of Girl's Day who debuted as an actress in 2012, has appeared in romantic comedies like Radio Romance (2018) and Forecasting Love and Weather (2022), adding vibrant energy to Na-yeon's complex emotions.[23] The main characters collectively propel the plot forward through their entanglements with the cursed book, which not only links Hong-jo and Shin-yu across time but also influences Jae-kyung's advisory insights and Na-yeon's personal stakes, weaving personal growth and romance into a tapestry of fate and redemption.[19]Supporting roles
The supporting roles in Destined With You enrich the narrative through secondary characters who populate the bureaucratic world of city hall and the professional and familial sphere of Jang Shin-yu, driving subplots related to workplace tensions, family legacies, and supernatural investigations.[24][25] At Onju City Hall, where Lee Hong-jo works as a low-level civil servant, the ensemble provides comic relief and highlights the challenges of administrative life. Lee Bong-ryun portrays Ma Eun-young, the ambitious section chief of the Greenery Division, a divorced career woman who returns to work with renewed determination after her husband's scandal and navigates potential romance with her subordinate.[26][24] Hyun Bong-sik plays Gong Seo-gu, the stingy team leader known as "Stingy Team Leader," a dedicated single man caring for his ill mother whose resentment toward Hong-jo stems from a past bribery report, adding layers of workplace rivalry and humor.[27][24] Park Kyung-hye as Son Sae-byeol, a cunning 8th-grade employee, shifts difficult tasks to Hong-jo out of jealousy and allies with superiors to isolate her, amplifying themes of office politics.[27][24] Mi-ram depicts Yoo Su-jeong, a gossip-loving colleague who reluctantly participates in ostracizing Hong-jo while showing interest in higher-profile figures like Kwon Jae-kyung.[27][24] Other key figures include Ahn Sang-woo as Na Jung-beom, the obsessive president of a landscape firm tied to city projects, who aids Hong-jo with expertise but reveals unsettling fixation; Lim Hyun-soo as Park Gi-dong, a legal team officer who initially sabotages Shin-yu at work before developing conflicted feelings; and Yoo Soon-woong as Oh Sam-sik, an elderly public laborer under Hong-jo's supervision who appreciates her kindness while raising his grandson alone, contributing to heartfelt moments amid bureaucratic chaos.[26][24] In Jang Shin-yu's professional and family circle, characters deepen the exploration of his curse and vulnerability. Lee Pil-mo plays Jang Se-heon, Shin-yu's father and CEO of Bau Construction, who believes in the family curse and conditions his inheritance on Shin-yu's marriage and children, fueling conflicts over land development and legacy.[27][25] Jung Hye-young portrays Song Yun-ju, Shin-yu's mother and a retired actress, who cherishes time with her son amid tensions with her husband and dreams of a fresh start, revealing Shin-yu's emotional isolation.[27][25] Lee Tae-ri as Kim Wook, a fellow lawyer at Law & High and Shin-yu's close friend from school, offers lighthearted support and empathy for his struggles, providing comic balance to intense legal subplots.[27][25] Kim Hye-ok embodies Eun-wol, an elderly shaman who has practiced for decades and guides Hong-jo on returning the cursed book, connecting modern conflicts to ancient supernatural elements during her hospital stay.[27][25] Additional supporting figures like Na Jung-beom and elements tied to Bau Construction escalate tensions around land disputes and curse investigations, portraying antagonists who exploit bureaucratic and corporate greed.[24] These characters collectively advance subplots by exposing Hong-jo's loyalty in enduring workplace bullying and Shin-yu's hidden vulnerabilities through family pressures, while their interactions underscore the protagonists' growth in navigating romance amid external conflicts.[24][25]Special appearances
The special appearances in Destined With You include brief roles by established actors that provide episodic flavor to the legal and corporate subplots, often emphasizing themes of power dynamics and ethical dilemmas without impacting the central romance or curse narrative. Yoon Kye-sang, known for his lead roles in dramas such as The King and I (2007–2008), makes a cameo as the CEO of Lawfirm Law & High in episodes 1 and 2. In these scenes, he intervenes to suppress a sexual harassment scandal involving a senior lawyer, underscoring the firm's internal corruption and Shin-yu's professional frustrations.[27][3][8] Kim Kwon, recognized from series like The Princess' Man (2011), appears as Lee Hyeon-seo, the CEO of Haum Construction, in episode 1. His role involves a confrontation related to a construction dispute at the abandoned Jang residence, adding tension to the early supernatural setup and Hong-jo's civil servant duties.[27][3] Yoon Jung-hoon portrays Do Min-hoon in episode 1, a minor figure in a civil complaint scene that highlights Hong-jo's everyday challenges at city hall, injecting light humor through bureaucratic absurdity.[27][3]Production
Development
"Destined With You" was developed as an original production for JTBC, with the screenplay penned by No Ji-sul, the writer behind the historical romance "100 Days My Prince," and directed by Nam Ki-hoon, known for his work on "Oh My Baby" and "Voice 3." The project entered the public eye in early October 2022, when reports emerged of casting negotiations for the lead roles, marking the official announcement of the series as a JTBC drama.[28] The creative vision emphasized a fusion of contemporary bureaucratic and legal elements with Joseon Dynasty folklore, drawing on motifs of inescapable fate, ancient curses, and personal redemption to craft an "irresistible" fantasy romance narrative. This blend was inspired by the discovery of a mystical, forbidden book sealed for 300 years, which bridges the modern world of civil servants and lawyers with supernatural historical ties, allowing the story to explore how past injustices influence present-day relationships.[15][29] Development progressed steadily after greenlighting in 2022, culminating in the completion of the script in time for the first table read in July 2023, where the cast gathered to bring the fantasy-romance elements to life under JTBC's mid-tier production framework typical for Wednesday-Thursday dramas.[30]Casting
Initial casting reports for Destined With You emerged in October 2022, with SF9 member Rowoon and Jo Bo-ah in talks for the lead roles of Jang Shin-yu and Lee Hong-jo, respectively. Rowoon's selection highlighted his transition from idol to leading man, leveraging his visual appeal and dramatic range to anchor the fantasy romance following his roles in Extraordinary You and The King's Affection. Jo Bo-ah's involvement represented her return to the screen after a period of selective projects following Military Prosecutor Doberman.[28] In January 2023, the main cast was confirmed, with Ha Jun and Girl's Day's Yura joining as the second male lead Kwon Jae-kyung and the antagonist Yoon Na-yeon, respectively, completing the core quartet. To ensure on-screen synergy, the production team conducted chemistry reads for the leads, Rowoon and Jo Bo-ah, which were praised for their natural rapport during the first script reading in July 2023.[29][30] Supporting roles were filled by seasoned performers, including veteran actress Lee Bong-ryun as Ma Eun-yeong, whose extensive experience in films like Okja and dramas such as Crash Course in Romance added depth to the ensemble. The inclusion of idols Rowoon and Yura was a strategic decision that enhanced marketing efforts, drawing in younger demographics through their established fanbases from SF9 and Girl's Day, respectively, while broadening the drama's appeal beyond traditional viewers.[15] This casting approach emphasized ensemble chemistry, with no major recasts or controversies reported during production, allowing focus on the actors' collaborative dynamics to shape character portrayals.[30]Filming
Principal photography for Destined With You commenced on October 27, 2022, and concluded on May 26, 2023, covering the production of all 16 episodes over roughly seven months.[31] Filming primarily took place across various sites in South Korea, with significant exterior shots captured in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Pohang City Hall served as the stand-in for the fictional Onju City Hall, representing the administrative workplace of the lead characters.[32] Other notable Pohang locations included the Space Walk in Hwanho Park, used for a fake date sequence in episode 8, and the Igari Anchor Observatory for a New Year's sunrise scene in episode 11 featuring the protagonists.[32] Romantic night scenes, such as a pivotal date between the leads, were shot at Yeongildae Maritime Pavilion overlooking the sea.[33] Additional sequences were filmed near Seoul, including interior and casual meeting scenes at cafés like Ohnunone in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, for a rendezvous in episode 9, and Now Here in Incheon's Jung-gu for a group discussion in episode 6.[32] [34] Many interior sets, including those depicting modern offices and historical flashbacks, were constructed and shot at SLL CJeS Studios in Seoul.[35]Release
Domestic broadcast
Destined With You premiered on JTBC on August 23, 2023, airing every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 p.m. KST, with the series concluding on October 12, 2023, after 16 episodes.[36][37] Each episode ran for approximately 70 minutes.[1] Promotion began in July 2023 with the release of teaser posters featuring leads Jo Bo-ah and Rowoon, highlighting the fantasy romance elements of the story.[38] A main poster followed on August 1, 2023, emphasizing the leads surrounded by magical lights to build anticipation for the premiere.[39] The campaign included tie-ins with Netflix, where the series was made available in select regions starting from the premiere, contributing to global hype alongside the domestic broadcast.[36] JTBC slotted Destined With You into its established Wednesday-Thursday 10:30 p.m. KST time for prime-time dramas, succeeding Miraculous Brothers and preceding Queen of Divorce in the lineup, as part of the network's focus on engaging romance-fantasy series.[2]International distribution
Destined With You became available for international streaming on Netflix starting August 28, 2023, in select regions including Southeast Asia, the Americas, and Europe, offering subtitles in multiple languages such as English, Spanish, French, and others.[40][1] The drama achieved notable popularity in Southeast Asian markets, particularly Indonesia and the Philippines, where it frequently ranked in Netflix's weekly top 10 non-English TV shows, sparking widespread fan engagement and online discussions.[41][42] English subtitles remain the standard for international releases across platforms, with no official dubbed versions or remakes announced as of November 2025.[1][43]Reception
Viewership ratings
"Destined With You" recorded an average nationwide viewership rating of 2.613% across its 16 episodes, according to Nielsen Korea measurements.[44] The series peaked at 3.122% for the finale, marking its highest rating, while the lowest was 2.009% for episode 3.[45][42] The following table summarizes the nationwide ratings for each episode:| Episode | Air Date | Nationwide Rating (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 23, 2023 | 2.912 |
| 2 | August 24, 2023 | 2.393 |
| 3 | August 30, 2023 | 2.009 |
| 4 | August 31, 2023 | 2.774 |
| 5 | September 6, 2023 | 2.801 |
| 6 | September 7, 2023 | 2.565 |
| 7 | September 13, 2023 | 2.851 |
| 8 | September 14, 2023 | 2.946 |
| 9 | September 20, 2023 | 2.588 |
| 10 | September 21, 2023 | 2.553 |
| 11 | September 27, 2023 | 2.046 |
| 12 | September 28, 2023 | 2.092 |
| 13 | October 4, 2023 | 2.213 |
| 14 | October 5, 2023 | 3.070 |
| 15 | October 11, 2023 | 2.875 |
| 16 | October 12, 2023 | 3.122 |