Falling Into Your Smile (2021)

Let's do better

Hello,
I'm not even sure if this is a review or rant, but I felt that I needed a place to express my love and hate relationship with this piece of work. I have read the novel and now completed the drama, and I must say that my feelings are quite a mess. While reading the drama I had this nagging voice in the back of my head that kept telling me that I was not vibbing with the power dynamic on team ZDGX and the way female v.s male characters were presented. I mean I guess I demanded a lot from the novel or the drama I wanted to be presented with a female protagonist that yes showed us the dark side of fighting and excelling in a male dominated area, without nonetheless losing her backbone or turning into another dude. But was served up with a feisty female character to everyone else but the man lead. Tong Yoa was a girl breaking barriers, who would lose all her fire in important places the moment Lu Sicheng appeared, I mean she was firm with him on matters that didn't really count. I feel that a lot of C-dramas like to perpetuate this trope that women cannot be strong and independent unless there is a man smoothing thing for them. I mean Lu Sicheng was again another typical controlling and arrogant CEO type male lead that is like the archetype of C-entertainment. Although it was somewhat toned down in the drama. To my point there is this one scene that truly made me uncomfortable while watching the drama, it's the scene where Lu Sicheng makes Tong Yao stand outside for having bitten DQ Jungler that was threatening her, that scene his uncomfortable because he doesn't actually ask her truly what happened and goes on to treat her like a kid and none of his teammates says anything simply going with it. And then later when she managed to explain, he doesn't even get spooked at the fact that she almost got assaulted but make it harder on her by being a despotic tyrant extorting the promise that she must call him if ever in the same situation. I have to asked how it is actually possible to be able to grab a phone and call him if she is ever in a situation where she is getting assaulted. Granted Tong Yao truly didnt't used her brain at the moment, since she was coming out already on the phone she should not have hang up and maybe if JingYang was listening on she would have called for help. But it doesn't erase the fact that the power dynamic is truly left to be desired in their relationship. The drama did tone down a lot of Lu Sicheng truly domeering behaviors once they got in a relationship. But still I was quite sad that even in 2021 there seems to be no desire for scriptwriters to present us with a healthy relationship on the small or big screen.

Well, that was my general rant.

But of course, the all drama was not bad, it had its good point, I mean the graphic was truly good, I really like what they did when they did that little in fight transition into the game. Also, it was refreshing to have a true sismance where both girls truly went to bat for each other, Jinyang is truly a bestfriend that anyone would love to have in their corner. As for the acting I have no big qualms maybe the actress playing Tong Yoa should have been somewhat that emote a little more, because she seemed truly bland at time serving up, at most 3 distinct emotions during the all drama.
But anyway, I was not really planning on reviewing this, it was just that I really wanted to vent my little frustration. If you are looking for a great story of overcoming the difficulties of being the exception that makes the rules this drama ain't it. But if you just want to laugh some and otherwise be on your way this may the one for ya.

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The best video-game Chinese drama released this year!!

July 28, 2021

Oh my god. This is the only video game Cdrama that I finished watching and loved at the same time. This definitely beats the other drama in terms of keeping the plot progressive and not falling into those cliches troupes that Cdramas often use.

First of all, I just wanna say how much I love this drama for not having that stupid unnecessary mid-plot break-up arcs. I also love how Smiling is such a lovable female lead. She's Independent and she ain't like those other clingy and whiney female leads. Also, I just admire how she never retorted to breaking up with Chessman but rather talking to him when they go through a misunderstanding or a problem. Second, Chessman or Si Cheng, man where to find him. He definitely executed the cold tsundere type of character without being an asshole to the female lead. Even though he was cold at first, he never did anything that I find borderline abusing or just plain rude. Also, I just love his protective and jealous side like OMG. He's also such a big flirt too like boi calm down or else 😉. AND DAMN THOSE KISSES ARE SO GOOD. LIKE IT'S NOT THE STUPID FISH-EYED KISS. IT'S AN ACTUAL KISS LIKE THEY REALLY ATE EACH OTHER. THOSE TWO LEADS ARE SUCH GOOD KISSERS. 🥵

As for their teammate and their main crew, they are all good as well. No stupid love triangle troupe where my heart aches for the second lead. Furthermore, I want a man like K. He is so fine, a bit cold, but his personality just captures me. Every time he is on-screen my eyes just always become fixated on him. As for Fatty, I feel like he has seen everything that this couple did, and honestly if I was him I would probably think the same way. Fatty always catches those two in the most awkward positions and situations that if not given the right context, you would be like omg wtff...

Oh and to be honest, I am so happy that people here got the consequences that they deserved like Smiling's ex and her stupid hater. AHAHAH I don't feel remorse for her hater especially. Thank god, they showed how so many people have such a negative opinion of gamers. Like we are in the 21st-century folks, our world is progressive. There are always new careers that will suddenly appear. I hope more people become open-minded.

Whoa that was a long review, BUT I HOPE YOU WATCH THIS DRAMA. IT'S SO GOOD. NO BORING PART AND ALL EPISODES ARE WORTH FROM EVERY MINUTE THAT THEY PUT. BTW, what were they hinting at at the end?? Please let it be a second season. I really want another season for them.

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Good halfway. Dropping after the leads get together. Boring toward the end. Abrupt Ending.

During the first 16ep, I gave this drama a score of 7.5. Then the score dropped to 6.5 up until ep28. Lastly, it dropped even more to 5.5 after I finished watching the last 3 episodes.

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(1) Plot and Script [~]

The plot and script of the first half are rational yet fulfilling and not bland. Consequently, I don't feel any dragging. But their rationality turns out to change during the latter half, for example, the security system at where the leads' team lives is pretty good in the beginning. When FL's ex and ML's blind date want to come seeing them, the security stops them at the gate, doesn't allow them to pass that point by themselves. But during the latter half, a huge bunch of media can go past the gate to wait at the building's door for the leads' team. How come they can openly pass the gate like there's no security anymore?

In the first half, the love storyline is cute and rational, too. It's not greasy or obsessed with kissing like we normally see in other Chinese idol dramas, but that changes during the latter half as well. The script after the leads get together also starts to be 肉麻 and 有土味 (tasteless/out-of-date flirtation + cheesily goosebumpy dialogue). The ML calls FL "小姑娘 (~little gal)" in a way that isn't a tease or joke... And the FL teases ML by calling him "臭流氓 (~ya gross rascal)".... Ummmm those words make them sound like they come from the 90s -- not the right word choice in a very contemporary e-sport drama at all for me.

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(2) Cast and Acting [~]

Not the best acting, but I'm satisfied with all the cast. They all create a good atmosphere in the group. I like to see when they all are together. The chemistry doesn't exist only between the FL and ML.

For the ML, he doesn't have the best acting skills to perfectly serve his role. His subtle anti-social character is portrayed only by frowning with the eyebrows without his facial muscles involved. And he's supposed to be fluent in Korean, but it's clearly obvious he can't move his mouth in accordance with the way to pronounce the words. Despite all that, he still has the vibe that seizes me to stop and look at him.

Nothing to complain about the FL. I like this type of character.

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(3) Music [~]

Acceptable but not that good. The music serves it ok for an e-sport rom-com that needs to offer a contemporary, fast-pacing, competitive atmosphere, but they don't have enough music in the stock. The background music starts to be repetitive even in the same scene. And when the music repeats itself in a scene, it makes the viewers feel that the scene is starting to be too long, so instead of generating an exciting atmosphere, the result turns out to be the opposite.

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(4) CG [+]

In the e-sport/gaming dramas, we can't not include the CG topic. This one is good. It's the drama sponsored by Tencent, the biggest gaming company in China, and it's like I can see they assigned the game creating talents from the game department to create the CG in the game competition scenes. Good job but some scenes are still too long.

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(5) Toward the end [-]

It's like the writer runs out of ideas toward the end. The storyline goes nowhere anymore and they just drag especially during the last 3 episodes. However, even though they drag the story pretty much, they can't make the story end with the same tempo. They suddenly rush the progress during the last 10 minutes and end it abruptly. It's like they're fed up with their own job and don't want to have any kind of relation with it anymore, so they half-heartedly made these last few episodes before intolerantly ditched it at the end. The ending is especially disappointing. I feel like being thrown to it without getting to walk properly to perceive each step toward the last point. I don't feel they have 'the last point' even. They rush it to the point that I don't feel the drama has a closure. The story surely ends, no more story in it, but it's still the kind of hanging end that the viewers' feelings just hang in the middle.

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I want to play this game .... Sweet Sweet Sweet!!!

I'm a fan of drama's like these... although there was only 1 that was like this... not similar ... however. Have to admit .. a better story line. That's ok... it's been years since Love O2O.
It's nice to see how these type of games bring in different aspects of understanding among the older generation and the difference of stereotyping.
There was a few wake-up calls to those who assume you have to understand the game in order to be involved with someone who plays it. It was a pleasant surprise that there was a bit of education regarding that type of stereotype. Also letting those crazy fans out there with a few brain cells know that their actions are not only uncalled for ... but to focus on their own life before trying to become dictators of someone's life you have no rights too.

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Sweet, light-hearted

I enjoyed this cdrama a lot. I was watching the newly released raw episodes just because I was eager to know what happened next. It's not like the story was very deep or intense, I was just curious. It's just what I needed after a long day of school or work.
The acting was good, what really irked me were the voiceovers, especially in the Korean ones because they did not match the actors at all, but this dabbing thing is a problem of Chinese production overall.
What really surprised me was the great music. The playlist features stars like Seventeen and WayV, and of course many more artists FROM THE CAST. The music was the best I've heard from a Chinese drama so far.
I would rewatch the drama for the music and sweet moments definitely. There is no gian plottwist without which the drama isn't enjoyable, so that's great.

Overall a very sweet and easy watch.

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One of a kind

Whilest at first glance, the story may not seem that original, in the world of a c-esport-dramas, this story is completely different to others majorly. for example, the two leads in this show are e-sports players whereas in a phenomenon such as Gank your heart or go go squid, its just the male who is the professional e-sports player. There is not a boring moment at all and if your looking for a drama that will give your butterflies, just watch it.
Cast
This show is casted very well. Xu Kai, plays his characters really well and his eyes are just beautiful. whilst there was controversy on cheng xiao's acting, (lack of expressions), i think she played her character very well and thats why we all got so invested in her journey.
i have rewatched this show so many times, i wish i could start to watch it again with no memories of the show so i can get butterflies again.

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Binge-worth fluffy e-sport drama with a bickering main couple

I think I alrady said it all in my title.

The story has nothing special at all. A professional e-sport team hires a girl as their midlaner and the team captain is extremely hot, badass and smart. I think everyone knows what's gonna happen but how it happens is superb.

I loved the FL and the ML, they are both three dimensional characters who are perfect together. I laughed a lot on their hilarious bickering, it was sooooo lifelike.

The sidecarachters are all really likeable and funny (especially Fatty, the team's support). The real antagonist here is social media and fans who can't separete their idol's personal and professional life.

I really like e-sport and gaming dramas because of their settings:
- a main goal to reach: winning the championship
- a lot of interesting sidecharacters: the teammembers and member's of other teams
- easy to create a badass ML who is better then everyone else
- exciting fights

I know, the gaming parts and the portreyal of a professional gamer's life is probably not realistic at all. Even this drama mentioned how hard is to be a pro, because they have a lot of practise (10+ hour a day), just didn't show it. And in my book this is not a problem at all, I wanted to see a fluffy romantic story with some gaming elements and I got what I wanted so I am a happy girl right now.

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Big no for romance fans, try if an e-sports fan. Forced, boring, zero chemistry romance!

To me this is quite overhyped. Overall, "Falling Into Your Smile" falls short for romance enthusiasts, but could be a hit for e-sports fans. The romantic aspect feels forced and lacks chemistry, making it a letdown for those seeking a love story. As someone more inclined towards romance, it proved to be a disappointment.

The series shines in its portrayal of the e-sports world, delving into the lives of pro gamers, their personal struggles, industry dynamics, and fan pressure. Romance serves as a subplot, attempting to add intrigue, but it fails to deliver due to the absence of genuine connection between the leads.

Personally, as a non-e-sports enthusiast, this show may not have been the best choice from the start. Despite high ratings and positive reviews, I found it difficult to connect with the characters. Even after persisting for ten episodes, I resorted to fast-forwarding.

Maybe it's just me, but I find there was no chemistry between the main leads. For me, a crucial element in romance is the slow-burning development of feelings, which gives depth to relationships. Like, why they fell for each other? Yeah there were some situation, events where they came close, but to me, it felt like a forced one. Regrettably, this crucial phase felt pointless and stretched over 20 episodes without generating the expected spark. The confession and first kiss were underwhelming, lacking the emotion one anticipates. The female lead's expressionless acting further detracted from the experience, leaving much to be desired.

The confession was quite interesting, and straightforward and does match the characteristics of the ML though but i wouldn’t mind if it took place in earlier episodes, but After 20 episodes, it felt like a rushed one. And the first kiss!!! OMG, this was the worst forgetful one ever. I would say it's cute if it were any casual one, but it's the FIRST KISS damn it, it suppose to have some emotion associated. What made things worse was the expressionless acting of the FL. Her drastically poor performance was enough to drag the whole thing down. She looks cute but pouting and making her eyes big and wide is the only expression she gives, it was torture to watch her like this. The funny part is the title says “falling into your SMILE”, but she hardly smiles bro!!!

Ironically, though I am not a sports lover, but rather a romance fan, these gaming segments were the only thing that motivated me to keep going. Surprisingly, as a non-sports fan, I found myself more engaged in the game segments. Some matches were genuinely exciting, and the in-game scenes were visually impressive, largely thanks to the graphics.

On the bright side, the series avoids unnecessary misunderstandings and lacks a prominent villain, maintaining a light tone throughout. It does offer a decent dose of friendship and bromance, although depth is lacking in both areas. The show exudes a warm vibe, with some genuinely enjoyable and funny comedic moments. Those inclined towards frequent kisses may find this aspect appealing, though the emotional intensity remains lacking.

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Fell in deep with a chessman and his friends

Read the full review on my blog here: https://bit.ly/3itwnWf

Let’s go back to two summers ago when my obsession was another little e-sports Chinese drama called Go Go Squid. Talk about OBSESSED. Fast forward to the present when another e-sports team is wrecking my life in the best way. I didn’t expect FIYS to be THE drama to captivate me the way it did. Especially with all of the things that annoyed me about the show, which I will get into.

As far as stories go, this one is pretty straightforward. Girl gamer trying to make it pro and prove herself. Along the way she falls in love, some slight obstacles but overall there were no major dramas. Overall, this drama was pure fluff and I was here for it. What captivated me the most, which tends to happen with ensemble casts, the chemistry between the team was really great. The ZGDX team felt like a real team and their interactions were the source of comic relief more often than not. The show had set up some problems that could have happened when Tong Yao joined the team. But they were quickly resolved and completely forgotten about. It was clear, that is not what this show was going to be about. The biggest conflict that I picked up on was how these gaming celebrities dealt with the media and the policing of fans. At one point Lu Si Cheng basically told the world that he’s thankful to his fans but they ain’t about to rule his life. I was like FINALLY, someone talking back to the toxicity of these fans! Wish that happened in real life.

Anyway, let’s talk about our leads for a second. Lu Si Cheng, played by the amazing Xu Kai, captivated me from the beginning. He was presented as your usual cold exterior male lead and became a bowl of mush throughout the series. And I’m a sucker for a male who is subtlety showing his feelings to the female lead through small actions and cryptic messages. He did ALL that. To be honest, I’m surprised his shoulders aren’t hurting from carrying the chemistry of the couple. Yes, chemistry happens between more than one person but Ms. Cheng Xiao had me wanting to smack the shit out of her multiple times. My biggest complaint is how can you have a main character with the name smiling and the bitch NEVER smiles?! But for real, if it wasn’t for all the behind the scene clips and pictures I’ve seen, I would be sure Cheng Xiao was a robot. The only time she came alive was when Lu Si Cheng was obsessively kissing her. And I ain’t mad at it. Xu Kai can give some good lip service.

Aside from the typical romance, the show had a heavy gaming aspect that actually didn’t annoy or bore me to tears. My favorite parts were when they were playing and we got a 3D vantage point of them playing. Another point I really liked about the show was the inclusion of the other teams in the show. We got to see more than just a nuclear view of the show. Our lead even had other relationships with other characters too and it was nice to see different dynamics.

In the end, do I regret falling so deep into this show? Not at all. Was it the best show I’ve seen this year? Again, not at all. However, it was a good time and really opened doors for me to watch more things with these actors and even explore more e-sport dramas. But the biggest gain was Xu Kai now to my list of drama base.

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Wonderful story and great acting

I took a break from drama's for a few months, my first drama after my break was Ancient Love Poetry, it was amazing, after watching i wanted more of Xu Kai lool.. so i decided to watch this drama especially since it had high ratings. I've seen other drama's from Xu Kai but never a modern one, this was my first seeing him in a role like this and my goodness as always, he did not disappoint, i love this drama as well because usually the cold ML is always so mean in a way, but his coldness was followed up with sweetness, he was never mean or aggressive and that was just so satisfying to watch.

I'll give the entire cast a 10/10 tbh, no one annoyed me, everyone did their roles so perfectly, i felt so entertained and invested.

This drama is definitely on the top of my list of cdrama, well modern cdrama, it's literally my favorite modern cdrama, and I don't use that statement loosely, I've seen so many modern cdrama but this drama takes the cake and here is why.

Cast: This drama is filled with so many handsome and beautiful people, and there looks isn't for show, everyone had there own personality, no two were the same, even with so many male actors in it as well. The acting for the ML was amazing, there chemistry was spot on as well. There wasn't any scene where i felt cringe, usually when there is comedic moments its kinda cringey, but it was just so good in this, i laughed and was happy rather than being cringed.

Story: I've only seen go go squid that was about e-sport, and though love 020 had gaming as well i have to say that i did not thin this story was like either of those, it has its own essence. I cannot compare them, nor can i say that it reminds me of either as well, and that why i love this story, it was nice and fresh, it was different. Even the gaming scenes was sooo good to watch, i didn't skip any of it, very entertaining.

Romance/Relationship: What i love most about this drama were all the relationships and bond. The MC started off as team mates, and gradually became good friends, then lovers, that's how i saw there relationship development, as the episodes go on, you can slowly tell when they begun to fall in love. the FL she didn't chase the ML and she wasn't one of those annoying fan girl either, she was pretty cool. The ML his personality was one of those cold man, but he was literally the sweetest ever, he loved his teammates and he loved the FL genuinely, he was never cold and mean, his exterior however was like that, but his personality i love how they made him col with lots of sweetness and not one of those ML who are cold, mean and aggressive, that was different and i love Xu Kai he plays that type of role soo good. the chemistry between the leads was a 10/10, and those kissing scene, phew!! hahah sweetness overload. The friendship of the teammates and closeness as pretty great as well, it was so much fun watching them.

Overall, this drama is a must watch in my opinion, it filled with friendship, love, dreams, hardship and victories.

oh yeah, another thing i loved in this drama was the fact that they showed us a glimpse of how public figures lives are, in regards to there fanbase. How they can be bullied, and how they live there lives knowing they're in the public eyes, as more... you'll see what i mean when you watch it. i love how it was showed in this and how it was dealt with as well and al the remarks from ML regarding fans and idols. it was really great seeing that part of the story as well.

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Smiling or kissing while losing the esports plot

If its an esports romcom for this period, this is really decent. The ML and FL got that chemistry going and there are alot of intimate scenes all of a sudden once they are together. Its to that point that where they behave like a real couple with the kisses.

However the esports scenes in this series is kinda weak and different in class from king's avatar, gank your heart, cross fire etc. Its like no explanations are given for the various heroes and just alot of the 3d animations of the game while they are playing the game. The animations are decent but really I rather watch the acting and facial expressions with the animations in game.

The players in this esports scenes also really act like kids, giving kills for love or getting into fights irl etc. The drama then becomes very childish like and unconvincing.

Happy ending in this series and the relationship drama is low, no flip flopping or frustrating 3rd party and misunderstandings or ntr etc. The FL did well and was convincing thru out as an esports gamer, the same can be said of the ML. Costume and scene set was also on point with the colors and modern futuristic sets.

Personally I wouldnt rewatch it but I did enjoy this series as it is a lighthearted watch with some funny moments.

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