Falling Into Your Smile (2021)

A True Gem that will always remain in my heart

First I'd like to start by apologizing for writing this review late. I created my account because I had to write a review for this drama and it would be a crime if I didn't. Second, I'm someone whose picky with her dramas. I'd drop a drama without hesitation if I find it dissatisfying and even if it's satisfying it takes a lot for me truly give a 10 for a drama.
Where do I start? I waited for this drama for almost a year. I watched Gank your heart and Go Go Squid and fell in love with e-sport romance dramas. But sadly there are only a few good e-sport dramas. I came across this drama while I was watching Gank your heart and have been tracking it since then. I simply believed this drama was going to be a good one and it did! I watched this drama while it was airing and you have no idea how frustrating I felt when the eps to be released the next day were postponed continuously. Basically I'm trying to tell you that this drama infected me ways beyond my imagination. I still watch ML and FL compilation on Youtube till this day.
This drama unlike most cause equally balances out the romance and e-sport. There was never a feeling like the romance was just a side thing and the e-sport was main theme or vice-versa. In terms of character, I fell in love with all the characters. The story depicted how each one of them had their own problems and sacrifices when they chose this field. And how they made it through it all together. Lu Si Cheng was a mature responsible strong character that loved to be naughty every now and then. Tong Yao is one the first female's to participate in this field and how she stumbles being a professional. The drama emphasizes on how e-sports isn't just about playing games. But instead how they had to work hard, suffered from injuries, criticism and how they bared the weight of expectations from many. It made me understand how no passion should be belittled. It terms of romance I'm speechless. This unlike the basic c drama where there's constant dazing or coincidental kissing etc. I loved that there was a different side to Lu Si Cheng that only Tong Yao saw and that Lu Si Cheng was direct with his feelings even if it meant being rejected. It felt like a realistic romance and it made me want it to be real. Lu Si Cheng is brought out as a strong stern figure through out the story but towards the end he falls. This part I truly love cause it authentically showed how that even the strongest figures could fall. The friendship between all the members made me feel envious. On top being a motivational and romantic drama it had a fair share of comedy as well. Comedy wise you will surely not be dissatisfied. As whole this drama means a lot to me that at one point I started forcing my friends watching it and playing the game as well. Will there be a second part? Do I want one? I'm not sure cause I don't how you can top of something better than this. I 100% strongly say that this drama needs to be watched by all. It would be a sin if you didn't. Lol! Anyways I might have explained it in a too elaborate way. Please bear with me. Cause like I said this drama is addicting and intoxicating that I had to pour all this out.

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Female character annoyed me!

So this drama has a great plot, you will learn a thing or 2 about esports which is actually really interesting for the fact that many of us are not familiar with such topic. Male casts were all great but what really annoyed me was the female lead. This would have hit a 10 only if the female’s acting wasn’t so stiff. Her acting is way too stiff.. I tried my best to endure through the whole drama for the great plot and casting but it was a drag on for me. When they were kissing, it seem like she wasn’t in for it. Not everyone would understand me because everyone has different opinions.

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THE BEST I HAVE EVER WATCHED!!!

I dont normally post reviews. But I have watched this drama over a million times and cant seem to move on. I watched every BTS there is as well. Im so addicted! I love the story line.. the cast... the comedy... the romance. Everything about this is just PERFECT!

This has often been compared to Go Go Squid. But this for me is 10x better cause it has everything that Go Go Squid lacks.
#1. Tong Nian is a push over.. compared to Tong Yao who is a strong female lead. But still sooo cute!
#2. The game play and team work is awesome.
#3. Too many funny scenes!
#4. The romance is not forced. It even makes me think that the 2 have something going on in real life! (I hope so... haha)

REALLY THE BEST!!!

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DON'T MISS GAMING GOLEM LORDS CONQUER THE WORLD STARRING A GIRL GAMER (INNOVATION!)

Woah. After Love Scenery, I had a huge c-drama hangover. I didn't feel like watching *any* full-length dramas—like at all. Then I remembered there was this one drama I was waiting for... or one of the dramas I've been waiting for... and here I am.

The YES:
1. No stupid-ass unnecessary breakup. YES PLEASE!

2. No chase. No lead really chases the other. You slowly see them fall in love with each other. There's no pestering either. It happens slowly but very clearly. It's the tiny moments you see as the viewer who knows they both like each other, while the characters are coming to the realization they like one another. It's very refreshing.
2a. The confession. Every drama usually wants to go with the super dramatic approach (fireworks, etc) when confessing. Not here. It was like a breath of fresh air seeing them just simply sitting there and have the conversation like adults. While dramatic confessions are great (don't get me wrong), this was—once again I say—very refreshing.

3. No cluelessness. It was subtle, but I loved the fact that the ML read the sign from the FL when she said that she didn't want him to go meet with his "blind date" partner for the *last time*. She said this when she thought he couldn't hear her. He did hear her, and I just love the fact that he read that signal. Usually, in c-dramas, I see people acting so delusional when signals are clear—and I hate that.

4. The lips moved. I repeat—the lips moved. That's it. It wasn't super out there, but they moved. And I'm loving these new dramas with lips moving. So less frustrating. Innovation!

5. E-sports/gaming drama! I love how many e-sports/gaming dramas there are. From veterans like Love O2O to zoomers like Love Scenery/Go Go Squid!/The King's Avatar, I've not met an e-sports/gaming drama I did not like! (Well, uh, *cough*, except for Gank Your Heart. I hated that. With a passion. Pei Xi punching me though is still on the table.)

6. The fact that I can say "you should watch this" and not have a solid "but" after. I'll explain. A lot of dramas I've also rated 8.5 stars, I can say "you should watch this, but [blank]." For this one, I can't think of an unarguable "but", except for the 1st and only point in "NO" section below... but even that, I'm playing devil's advocate. Like Go Go Squid!, I would say "you should watch this, but the first few episodes are so hard to get through you just need to push through." Another 8.5 rating that has a "but" is Intense Love. I love that show.... and "you should watch this, but the FL is very overly dramatic and childish at times." The only "but" I could find is quite weak and not a lot of people would mind it, so that's why I'll consider this "no buts". .... Actually, after about a week or two, I've decided that this definitely deserves a 9, c-drama wise. The fact that I keep thinking about this drama... and the *amazing* soundtrack... just proves how much I love this.

7. Can we talk about the soundtrack though?? Why did most of the songs slap so hard?? Unexpected, but very much welcomed surprise.

8. Team chemistry. All of it. All the members, even the substitute MID, the ex-MID and the glorified nanny.
8a. I feel the need to add in the totally amazing fucking scene as a point of YES. The scene... oh man, when they started singing during the last match... I fucking love the chemistry. I love it. Periodt.

9. I'm adding this on after my second re-watch... Hierophant can literally like slap me in the face, and I'd still beg. Like why do I fan-girl like a twelve year old every time he comes on screen? HUH?? HE'S TOO GOOD-LOOKING TO BE KEPT ALIVE. If there was any "antagonist" ever (if you can consider him one), he's literally my favourite ever. Like he's fucking everything. Hoping to see Wang Yi Jun starring in a drama eventually. I would eat that shit up right away.

The NO:
- I guess to be pretty nit-picky:
1. After they got together. The romance part felt sweet, yeah, but... Okay, so I know romance dramas tend to want to appeal to younger girls like pre-teens or you know, that demographic, but I wish it was more mature. I would probably say "eh" if these characters were like say in high school or early university, but these characters were fully graduated adults in a workplace.
1a. After my second re-watch, I want to say the "after" part actually feels very good. Like I actually love it, so really, you can discard the "NO" section—it doesn't exist.

Conclusion:
1. Chinese dramas are always so great at building up romances, so it's usually the execution of the romance that falls short. I guess this followed the trend in that way. (Edit: I WAS BRAINDEAD OBVIOUSLY WHEN I WROTE THE EXECUTION FELL SHORT. IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY FUCKING GOOD, AND I'M SORRY I EVER THOUGHT OTHERWISE.)
1a. But I'd still totally recommend this to anyone who wants an e-sports/gaming romance. 100%.

[09/04/2023]
On my third re-watch (whoops) I have more things to say:
1. This drama really touched on the public/fans aspect in a way that explained media today. The fact that you're in the public eye doing a craft you're good at suddenly means fans are allowed to form parasocial relationships with you? Demand apologies? Demand you not have a personal life beside gaming? No. That's extremely toxic, and you think these things about anyone in the public eye—you're not a fan. This drama tackled parasocial relationships well, in that yes, the artists appreciates your support and it's helped them achieve what they have, but you don't have the right to critique their personal life (relationships). The drama also demonstrates the power of social media. You could be completely in the right (ie. someone making up a fake story about you) but since you're the public figure, you're automatically assumed to be the worst. Tong Yao faced this frequently, and it's truly not fair. Once again, this ties back to the parasocial aspect.

You are not in the celebrities life. Leave them alone. You don't know them.

2. While I did learn about the huge controversy behind this drama, how Hierophant was made to be a real life LPL player, Faker, and how he was made to be the villain in the drama... I mean, I loved Hierophant. I don't think he was portrayed poorly in any way in the drama. I don't watch LPL, so I can't comment on the accuracy, but I do watch esports (Valorant specifically) and I do agree that it must suck to see your career dramatized, but at the end of the day... it's a c-drama. Huge respect to Faker.

3. Yes, I enjoy esports. Yes, I have certain Valorant pros I love to watch. But do I think I have a right to bash them online if they do badly? Do I think I have a right to bash their choice in relationship partner? No. I support them because I enjoy watching them play. Boundaries are clearly an issue for people these days due to social media, but it's important for fans to sit their ass down and be humbled. Shoutout to PRX! They lost in the finals, but I didn't hear any fans bashing them. I still love them and still do the fans. PRX something even apologized. They don't owe us anything but to play their best. #WGAMING.

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This is the first drama that makes me watch it all over again every time that an episode is finish I just want to continue watching it or else I would be really curious on what will happen next! This is the first ever drama that I've been addicted. The story is really amazing it is not just about the game and love but also it includes friendship and trust. I really really like this drama to the point that I can stay awake just to finish this drama. This drama is so addicting to watch plus all the characters are really good especially cheng and yao the chemistry they have is very addicting to the point that we don't want to end it and i demand that this drama should have a season 2

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Inspiring Love

Love the drama, good chemistry between actors. e-sport love.
Passion, friendship, trust, and sincerity are beautifully described in the story. I haven't reached the final episode, but I love how the directors captured the emotion and tense in the e-sport games. At the same time the message on cyberbullies, also been presented in a way where you can see that the professional players were being stalked by their fans to the extent of invading their private lives. I love the quotes by Cheng the lead character when he said: to the fans, if you are really our fans, you better have interest in our games and be at the site during our match but keep a distance of our private life.
Respect the stands and give them the freedom to breathe.

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Eh. Could be better, could be worse.

So, I went into this show for the sole reason of supporting one actor Yalkun Merxat (Yu Ming). I will preface this review by saying that I do not like romance dramas, so I did expect to drop it after the second episode. But I did finish the show, so I will honestly review it. I really enjoyed the e-sports side of the drama, but I am upset that they basically spoiled the ending of the show (winning the championship), so I went into the show knowing no matter how many downs they had, and the fear of them disbanding they would prevail and win the game. Which took the tension out of watching the show. I do watch LoL streams for fun, so watching the games was like that. I did not like the CGI bits of them characters fighting since I want gameplay and not that, but that's whatever.
The two leads personalities were not to my liking. Normally I will tolerate them but their arrogance and the inconsistencies of their character development disappointed me. Cheng-Ge was a warm and caring person before Tong Yao joined the team, but he seemed to be cold after Yu ming retired. There was no actual reason for why that was a thing, but his development made no sense. I do think Cheng-Ge is a caring person, he cares a lot for Yu Ming (you can see it in the first episode, I am not lying), so everyone saying "he's cold and heartless" was so weird. Even after Tong Yao joined the team, you can see the way Yu Ming and Cheng-Ge talk to one another and he SMILES and LAUGHS with Yu Ming so that cancels out the cold and heartlessness. But once Tong Yao takes more lead in the team, he becomes closed off and acts like he shows no emotion, which is wrong. I could go off about my dislike for the Tong Yao character. As a female who games, she came off as a "pick me girl", and that rubbed me the wrong way the first episode. I understand that females are not respected in the gaming world, but the way she carried herself is what made me annoyed with her most of the time. I am a huge fan of strong female characters who do not change once they find love, and I felt like her development was also stagnant at times. They called her out for being abrasive and that never really changed.
The supporting cast is what made the show for me, and if it was not for them I would not have continued. Yao Chi ( Lu Yue) and Kevin Xiao (Lao Mao) stole my heart and really were the scene stealers. They had perfect comedic timing, played off the other wells and were able to show their range of acting with emotional scenes.
Now the plot, I must admit I skipped all the couple scenes having to do with the main CP if I knew the conversation did not lend itself to the plot. Even by doing it I understood the entire plot and the progress of their relationship. I would have enjoyed if the show actually opened up more about the team's backstories. A lot of them mentioned that their parents do not support them and Cheng-ge and Tong Yao have the privilege of having supportive parents while the others seem cut off from their parents because of this career choice. In retrospect, ZGDX is found family for those people. Yu Ming, Lao K and Lao Mao all mentioned they did not have a supportive family and they essentially ran away from home. ZGDX was a brotherhood before Tong Yao joined, and it was still evident when she was there. The members hung out without her and Cheng-Ge (he is a loner it seems during the course of the show except for the first 2 episodes) and you can tell how close they are. I WISH we could get a show that is pre-Tong Yao era (this is not a diss at her, but rather I want to know the dynamics of the previous team Yu Ming-era). It feels like everyone has their own cliques but we as viewers do not know why, we know why they are close but why? Why are Lao Mao and Lao K basically a couple? Why are Yu Ming and Lu Yue that close with one another? Tong Yao was only on the team for 6 months, and while they cherish her as a friend and a teammate I feel like the bond that is there for the remaining ZGDX team minus the main CP is extremely strong.
I think the plot touched on a lot of e-sports things that can happen, but kind of glossed over the nitty and gritty bit about actually being a professional sports player because they wanted to add the romance and the light-hearted moments. Overall, I would not watch it again. I think that it is what it is. An e-sports, romance drama. Maybe too much romance for me. Xu Kai and Cheng Xiao did well with what they had, but I know Xu Kai can do better acting-wise, and for Cheng Xiao's first role it was not the worst but I was not a fan of her acting. I frankly did not see a romantic connection between the two when it came to the romance scenes. I preferred them when they bickered as friends rather than as a couple. But I think the support ZGDX team stole the show. Yalkun Merxat, Yao Chi, Kevin Xiao, Gao Han, Sun Kia and Cui ShaoYang stole my heart in their respective roles.

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This drama is just romance and an invented game badly done

I tried to give this drama a chance but somehow I felt like this drama was made more for money than actual interest in acting, gaming and the plot in general.

The representation of the game is badly done, the game is suppose to be LOL kind which im familiar and the way they reprersent the game is pressing a bunch of keys which 1 its impossible cooldown and mana exist so no you dont type randomly and sorry people try and excuse the bad represention of them game by saying " its for entertainment" if they cant even represent something as easy as how are keys are meant to be pressed in a GAME then what a shit quality. Also they never explain what the game is about so this is why many people that rate this drama just ignored the gaming side and just love the romance. If you watch this drama for the actual esport which this is the main theme, you wont like this drama.

FL & ML acting

FL is bad a actress and then again people excuse it saying shes a newcomer actress. why is a newcomer actress playing lead role? her whole character , face and expressions are stiff , emotionless and has a meh face 24/7 . ALL THE DRAMA. I just couldnt like her character as much ,she was just boring. she would just make a gesture and then bam back to meh face again and again. I understand if IDOLS want to become actors but of course its dissapointing when they get lead roles and dont play a part properly just shows how the drama itself its just about money instead of finding the right person to fit and play the character perfectly. Xu Kai acting is good if watched him since The Legends and Arsenal Academy and he is a good actor and I know his character is meant to be a cold guy but I couldnt buy it. His cold guy version is just another meh face 24/7 the only thing that saved this two where the cute tropes and love scenes. Atleast for me the perfect representation of a cold guy is Le coup de foudre male lead. he is cold and acts perfectly as cold guy but sweet in the inside but Xu Kai just seemed bored and his corean speaking is bad and I blame the director for not even bothering on telling actors to atleast know the basics instead of just doing a voice over while Xu Kai is babbling nonsense and IT SHOWS.


Romance
atleast for me the romance between them was very random. She just enters the team and somehow bam xu kai likes her no scenes , explanation no reason? no friends first. nope he just randomly likes her and what creeps me a bit is his comparisons to the female lead to a child. why?idk unnecesarry? YES. Their romance scenes are pretty basic, hims grabbing her asleep , she trips and he grabs her, accident kisses all the basics combined.

I believe what made the drama watchable atlead for me is all the side characters, the second couple , the friends , the team . the funny scenes I loved everything but the main couple. The gaming scenes did not make me wow I have to play LOL. Also from the start I knew the bad news of the drama being a copy of a another copied book and also stolen stories from other players and they didnt gave permission to be used so I wasnt as excited from a start.

Like I said Gank your heart is the best gaming and romance drama and The Kings avatar is more esport oriented and well done gaming drama but this drama is just romance and an invented game badly done and to represent a game is so easy by knowing the basics and show how it should be used shows the lack of interest the director had on representing gamers and clearly shows why LOL was not originally shown in the game. The director knows nothing of games.

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Confused on the high ratings

This drama has been surprisingly highly rated and I am a bit confused on what aspect. I have not read the online book and maybe my opinion could be a bit different. In terms of story it is not too unique, it is a gaming drama which I have seen quite a few already. I actually get a bit bored on the gaming matches, the only nice thing about it is the 3D graphic when they are battling. But other gaming drama is much more unique it it's own way such as crossfire and Love 020. In terms of romance, Cheng Xiao is just a really bad actress. If it weren't for Xu Kai I would've drop this drama long time ago. Xu Kai does make up for her bad acting but the story and the romance doesn't. I can see Xu Kai being cold at first and shes somewhat interested in him but then afterwards she plays hard to get. It is just really confusing because she shown so much more interest in him initially and then afterwards she act like she doesnt' like him at all. It also doesn't make sense why Xu Kai all of the sudden likes her, theres not really a strong build up on that point. Besides shes the only female gamer? A few other things I don't like about this is that the recap is not at all that exciting, the music is dull, and the dubbing of the actors are horrible. I do not feel the excitement when there are cutsy love scenes, or wanting to watch the next episode. I think the director could've done better for this drama.

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E-sports doce

Um ótimo drama de e-sports que abordou assuntos reais da vida de alguém que joga não só por prazer mas como profissionalmente, e as questões como jogadoras femeninas que é um assunto muito polêmico entre jogadores masculinos, que ainda hoje há preconceitos em relação as mulheres ( que na minha opinião é ridícula) e as famosas polêmicas com fofoca e vários haters.
O romance bem fofo do começo ao fim do jeitinho que um dorameiro gosta!!!! hahaha amo de mais os trabalhos do xu kai e da cheng xiao então esse dorama foi ótimo com a presença desses dois, fora os personagens secundários que foram perfeitos e engraçados

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Women Power and Cutest Cats

First of all: THIS SHOW HAS CATS SO CUTE THAT IT WILL CAUSE YOU DIABETES !!!!!!!!

Now, let’s get it started. It was my first time watching a e-sports show and i must say the graphics were so damn beautiful, and once they actually explain the rules you kinda of understand what’s going on. Although i must admit that I’m really bad at games so.

The important thing here was definitely the woman power, Tong Yao character is so rich and full. She’s so strong and her character development is brilliant. She showed everyone that games don’t have genders. Girls are as much powerful as boys, and games are for everyone.

The main couple is adorable, although in my opinion it took them so many episodes to finally be together, i understand that the point was probably to grow their feelings and learn more about their love, still for me who’s an anxious person, it was tooooo much timeeee, just kiss already.

The team work was also so precious, Tong Yao has everyone wrapped around her little finger. Her best friend is so supportive and i loved her character so much. Lao K, Yu Ming, Xiao Rui, Xiao Ping and Lao Mao are the best teammates and friends everyone could ever asked for. Lu Sicheng is so green flag, goddamn i need one like him. Both the character and the actor please. Lu Yue and Lao Mao are the absolutely funniest people ever.

Overall this show is amazing and it’s really worth watching, you are definitely going to fall in love with everyone. There are some parts that you can “skip”, if you are not into e-sports/games.

………Last but not least: shipped Lao K and Lao Mao so hard, they are soulmates so bad.

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