Learn English with Kdramas | Destined with You
Watch the Youtube video above then read the transcript to gain a better understanding of words or phrases that are unclear. At the end of the transcript you can find an explanation of key vocabulary and expressions underlined throughout the text.
Full Video Transcript
In this video, we will talk about the Asian drama Destined With You, using vocabulary and grammar suitable for intermediate and advanced level English learners. Listen to part one with vocabulary and grammar suitable for intermediate learners, then listen to the same content in part two with more advanced vocabulary and grammar. In part two, pay attention to the idioms and expressions commonly used in advanced English. Okay, let’s get started.
Part 1: Intermediate
Destined With You is a 2023 fantasy romance drama starring Jo Bo Ah and Rowoon. The story is about a woman named Hong Jo who works at City Hall. She is in the Parks and Recreation department. One day, Hong Jo meets a man named Shin Yu. He thinks she can help him remove a 300-year-old magic curse. He tries to convince her to help him, but Hong Jo doesn’t believe in magic. After some strange events, Hong Jo starts to believe in the curse and tries to help Shin Yu break it. As expected, the two fall in love at the end, but many things happen before they can be together.
I really enjoyed this story because the characters were fun and easy to watch. Hong Jo was very kind and cared about everyone, even when they didn’t care about her. Shin Yu always tried to do the right thing, even if it made powerful people angry.
The story wasn’t very complicated, but the actors did a great job of keeping the audience watching. I’ve seen many Korean dramas with similar stories, so I wasn’t sure if this one would be boring or a new take on an old story. After watching it, I think it was neither boring nor exciting; it was just okay.
One thing I liked was the connection between the main characters. Jo Bo Ah and Rowoon made their love story seem real.Their emotions and actions were believable, which made their characters more interesting and their love story more engaging.
Another nice part of Destined With You was the beautiful scenery and settings. The magic parts looked great and made the show special. The places they filmed, like City Hall and the parks, were well-chosen and fit the story well. This made the show more fun to watch.
My favorite character was Shin Yu’s good friend and coworker who helped his mom when she was having a tough time. Even though he had a small role in the show, his character was very kind and caring. Let me know who your favorite character was in the comments.
The last thing I’ll say is that the writers, directors, and team, did a great job of finishing all the stories in the last episode. It really bothers me when a show ends with questions not answered. I think even if there will be another season, they should finish the current season in a way that makes the audience happy. But that’s just me.
Part 2: Advanced
In this part I will speak a little faster and a little bit more relaxed. Remember to watch out for the idioms and expressions often used in English. Okay, let's get started.
Destined With You is a 2023 fantasy romance drama starring Jo Bo Ah and Rowoon. The story is about a woman named Hong Jo who works as a civil servant at City Hall. She’s in the Parks and Recreation department. One day Hong Jo meets a man named Shin Yu who believes she can help him lift a 300-year magical curse on him. He tries to convince her to help him get rid of the curse but Hong Jo doesn’t believe in magic. Following a series of unusual events, Hong Jo begins to believe in Shin Yu’s curse and tries to help him break it. As expected, the two fall in love in the end, but many things happen before they can actually be together.
I really enjoyed this story because of the lighthearted nature of the characters. I felt they were playful and a delight to watch. Hong Jo was a very sweet and heartwarming character who cared about everyone, even when they didn’t care about her. Shin Yu had moral integrity and believed in doing the right thing, even if it meant offending powerful people.
It wasn’t a very complicated story, but I think the actors did a great job at keeping the audience engaged. I’ve seen many Kdramas with similar storylines so I wasn’t sure if this was going to be boring or a new take on a familiar story. After watching it, I think it was neither boring nor refreshing, it was just neutral.
One aspect that stood out to me, was the chemistry between the lead actors. Jo Bo Ah and Rowoon managed to create a believable romantic tension that kept viewers invested in their journey. Their interactions felt genuine and their emotional expressions were convincing, which added depth to their characters and made their love story more engaging.
Another notable feature of Destined With You was its beautiful cinematography and production design. The magical elements were visually appealing and added an enchanting quality to the drama. The settings, from the bustling city to the serene parks, were well-chosen and complemented the storyline beautifully. This attention to detail in the visual aspects of the show, enhanced the overall viewing experience and made it a pleasure to watch.
My favorite character was Shin Yu’s good friend and colleague who helped his mom when she was having a tough time. Even though he had a small role in the show, his character was very wholesome and kind. Let me know who your favorite character was in the comments.
Last thing I’ll say is that the writers, directors and team, did a great job of tying up all the loose ends in the final episode. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine when a show if left with unanswered questions. I think even if there will be another session, they should at least wrap up the current season in a way that satisfies the audience, but, hey that’s just me.
And that brings us to the end of this video, if you found this was helpful, please give it a thumbs up and I will see you in the next one.
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Key Vocabulary and Idiom Explanations
When trying to understand vocabulary and common expressions, remember that context is very important. A word can have one meaning in one context and a different meaning in another context. The explanations below are related to the context in which the word or expression was used in the content above.
Vocabulary and Expressions:
“Lift a 300-year magical curse” - In this context this expression means to remove or break a curse.
“As expected” - In this context this expression means something happened just as you thought it would.
“At the end” VS “In the end” - In part 1, the phrase “at the end” refers to the specific time when Hong Jo and Shin Yu fell in love. They fell in love at the end of the story. In part 2, the phrase “in the end” has a slightly different meaning. In this case, “in the end” refers to the results or the outcome. They fell in love as a result of the the events that happened.
“Lighthearted nature” - In this context this expression means fun and not serious.
“A new take on (something)” - In this context this expression describes a different or creative way of doing something that has been done before.
“One aspect that stood out” - In this context this expression refers to something that you feel is worth remembering or something memorable.
Chemistry - In this context, the word “chemistry” refers to the natural and convincing connection between two people.
“Invested in their journey” - In this context the word “invested” means the viewers remain interested in the story.
“Added depth to” - In this context this expression means the actors did a good job acting in a way that made their stories seem like they could happen in real life.
“Attention to detail” - In this context this expression refers to making sure to include small details that improves the overall quality of something.
“Tying up all the loose ends” - In this context this expression means resolving all the unfinished parts of the story.
Pet Peeve - In this context this expression refers to something that personally annoys someone more than it might annoy other people.
“Wrap up the current season” - In this context this expression means to finish the ongoing season of the show in a complete way.
