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Romeo & Juliet - if they had no family.
Story:I was reluctant to start this drama because it seemed like it would be tragic - the tragic part was correct but the drama itself was still beautifully done. The FL & ML had impeccable chemistry to the point I just wanted them to be together and didn't care much for the plot at a certain point (lol). The way they looked at each other - it felt like they were truly immersed within one another.
The story begins with a thriller/mystery where we ask what kind of person the ML is and if he is the culprit to the crime. As the mystery unveils itself we understand the ML more and his relationship with the FL starting to change him slowly. The last 6 episodes where the mystery is finished and the relationship between the ML & FL progresses was honestly a great romance portion. They both loved each other and knew they couldn't really move past one another no matter what kind of history the other had. The ending was purely tragic but also not the worse ending possible for the 2.
Acting:
The acting by the 2 main leads was AMAZING. The way they portrayed their emotion of longing and love for one another really made me hooked and invested in their relationship. The way the ML, with a single smirk, made you question what he was thinking and if he was good or bad. The FL was perfect as well when she would glance at the ML and showed the appropriate emotions through her eyes. I can't even explain how great they did with their chemistry - it was just off the charts for me.
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From the very beginning, the tone is noticeably different from your typical romance. There’s a heaviness to it, something almost unsettling, like you’re always waiting for something to go wrong. It’s slow at times, but intentional, the kind of pacing that builds tension through silence, glances, and things left unsaid rather than constant action. If you’re someone who enjoys emotionally layered stories, this drama definitely delivers on that front.
What stands out the most is the atmosphere. There’s a persistent sense of unease that follows the characters around, and it creates a very specific viewing experience, one where you’re not just watching the story unfold, but actively reacting to it. It’s the kind of drama that makes you pause, think, and sometimes just sit there processing what you just watched.
Seo In Guk’s performance is easily one of the strongest elements of the drama. He brings a complexity to his character that keeps you guessing, making it hard to fully understand him and that unpredictability is what makes his presence so compelling. There’s a quiet intensity in the way he portrays emotions, and even when he’s not saying much, you can feel there’s always something deeper going on underneath. Plus he's never looked so hot.
On the other hand, while Jung So Min is undeniably a talented actress, this particular role doesn’t feel like it fully utilizes her strengths. Her performance isn’t bad by any means, but compared to the emotional weight of the story and her co-lead’s intensity, it can feel a bit lacking at times. Because of that, the dynamic between the leads doesn’t always hit as strongly as it could have. Their personalities, both in how they interact and how they’re presented, don’t always feel like a natural match, which can make certain moments harder to fully believe or connect with. It's supposed to make me forget their acting, but in reality their unmatchable personalities, acting techniques, no chemistry, constantly reminds me it's all an act.
That said, the drama still manages to create tension, not always through chemistry in the traditional sense, but through the situations, the emotional stakes, and the constant feeling that everything is slightly off. It’s not the kind of romance that gives you comfort; it’s one that keeps you on edge. But it's undeniable that their tension is insane from start to finish.
One thing to be aware of is that this drama can be frustrating. The characters make decisions that might leave you questioning them, and there are moments where the story seems to deliberately push you emotionally and not always in a satisfying way. It’s the kind of frustration that comes from being invested, though, rather than from poor writing. Whether you enjoy that or not really depends on your personal taste.
Visually, the drama complements its tone well. The cinematography leans into a darker, more muted aesthetic, which enhances the emotional atmosphere and reinforces the story’s themes. It’s subtle, but effective.
Overall, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes isn’t a light or easy watch, but it’s definitely a memorable one. It may not be perfect — especially in terms of character dynamics and casting choices — but it offers a unique emotional experience that stays with you after you finish it.
If you’re looking for something intense, slightly unsettling, and emotionally driven, this is worth watching. Just be prepared: it might frustrate you, it might make you question things, but it will definitely make you feel something.
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This review contains major spoilers
Okay let me gather my thoughts.......i am at a loss for words. I dont think i will be able to fully express my love for it but i dont mind giving it a try.So i dont usually write reviews( i just leave a comment) but this one is special.
So lets begin with our leads
Kim moo young is somewhat emotionless i would say or thats what everyone thinks he is. He is all lonely and messed up about everything until he meets JIN KANG She is an adorable human. Always bubbly and happy!!! Even though their relationship is a bit angsty at the start it grows into a beautiful one. She wants to make moo young a better person and lead a normal life with him. But their past has not been the best and it does play a big part in their lives.
Jin kang lives with her older brother jin gook who ADORES her sister. He has raised her all alone into such an amazing personality. He is a bit sensitive about her or overprotective but i personally found it cute. The way he tried to match her with cho rong was all too cute. I wished to see more of him with tak. And i must say he is an awesome actor. Loved every bit of him.
The side characters
Sueng ah wasnt my favourite. When her mom slapped jin kang and she didnt think that it was neccesary for her to apologize for it i felt it was rude and she wasnt really a good friend . I got eun byeol (penthouse drama) vibes from her. She was way too obsessed with moo young( I did felt sympathy for her when she died in that accident )
Cho rong was cute!! Somewhere in my heart i did ship him and jin kang together while knowing it wasnt possible.
My thoughts
I absolutely adored this one. It made me feel so many emotions. I got those butterfly whenever moo young and jin kang were together. I felt shocked when they were anounced as siblings and relief when found they found they were not. But most of all it made me cry. I cried a river ( still sobbing) it was way to painful to watch them die like that. They could have gotten a more peaceful ending but still the ending is one of the main things that make it one of the better dramas. I dont get why people are giving it low ratings just because of the sad ending. It is so underrated. APPRECIATE IT !!
(If i wrote a wrong detail about any of them feel free to correct me)
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The OST ,the Actor's and Actress and the Producer the Crews Teams I just wanna say Thanks for making this drama it's better from the Original ...the story and the plots was excellent the bestest ????????????????
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I wanted to love this
It is a loved show for so many people and i've been wanting to watch this since like it was relesead and i was sure i was going to love this, but i didnt.The cast is amazing, i love So min, Min si and In guk, the first episodes and the mystery captivated me most of the time but i didnt loved the romance, i'm not even sure why, and i was getting more and more bored by the end of the kdrama. I think it started to downfall for me when Baek Seung Ah died, it's not that i loved her character but for me after her death it started a succession of bad decisions and i was begging for this to end.
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WORST!
I got the worst... ugliest... biggest hangover of this masterpiece... i really can't start watching any kdrama as of now because i always ends up comparing it with tshlye and i really got disappointed... thats why here i am writing reviews for the nth time...This contain a bit of spoilers and few of my unforgettable moments with tshlye...
What have made me howl emotionally was the last part of the 'drawing'... that was soooo freaking beautiful... the emotions were too damn high on that one... i literally felt sick in my stomach... like a million flies rioting inside it... its too beautiful that i don't mind that they've died... i mean they should die... after all... nobody should really get too much heaven, right? They can die because they have already lived and loved to the fullest and that gave me peace of mind thank you...
I dont know if its the acting... the consistency or the perfect story i should be complimenting first... im confuse... but surely this is one he*l of a masterpiece... a stellar!
Again... cheers to the LOVE THAT SAVES PEOPLE!!!
THANK YOU to the team of tshlye!!! You've made a job well done!
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Left w/ a broken heart
What an experience.Okay forgive me as i don't really know how to properly sort out my thoughts given that things ended the way that it did but i'm going to try.
The beginning was VERY confusing for me. There were times when i was constantly questioning if i should still stick around and watch what happens next.
Moo Young was a character that was hard to understand. His decisions were mostly random, and i didn't understand majority of the decisions he made before Jin Kang.
Jin Kang on the other hand was close to normal albeit too damn nice to people.
What i loved about their relationship is that it didn't happen fast. It took time for them to realize how they felt and i appreciate that while their love blossomed, their characters developed too.
I would also like to mention Jin Gook because yes he is a very devoted brother but i could not understand his hostility towards Moo Young (things got better towards the end, but they shouldn't have made him look crazy in the middle. There was even one point where i was almost creeped out by his actions)
All in all the characters were amazing.
They were a bit hard to understand at first, but i was able to understand them as i got to know the story behind their pain and their questionable actions.
This was a good watch, albeit the tragic ending.
I kept on questioning why they had to end it they way that they did, but i don't think it could've ended any other way after everything that happened.
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heartbreaking, stunning, beautiful, very very sad. but somehow peaceful, at the end too.I am a sucker for happy endings at any circumstances no matter how impossible it may seem, so even though I was slightly...quite a bit disappointed (hoping against hope is my forte?!),
but it was still ok..they could not be-not be together, so its ok..since they were Together. And it was Beautiful!
The acting was Amazing, stunning, knock you off your feet art, and the music scores suiting and incredibly soothing.
I knew the story ..it always was a little strange, and thereby all the more nakedly true to Humanness, to the very basics of it.
The Japanese one with Kimura Takuya (kakkoi and unquestionable talent and performances always!)
& this with Seo in Guk ( stunningly translucent his performance was, looking so effortless ..outstanding ) & Jung so Min ( she is exponentially evolving as an actress with each drama; absolutely remarkable and breathtaking acting by both, ..and they had truly a very captivating and imposing chemistry with each other here),
looking at the ending, were both beautiful on their own;
And in my humble opinion, tried to tell the story of something much more than what was on the surface, hid a special undeniable depth and beauty, beneath the layers, that of human emotions, tendencies, factors going into making who we are, our limits, hope, self preservation, internal struggles with selves, temptations and internal urges to deal with temptation fighting tooth for tooth even if wrong- this continuous struggle, .. evolution of a heart gone numb facing all the utter injustices, nonsensical atrocities of human behavior from day to day back to being alive and human, the very natural pull of Life and perhaps its inherent goodness?! And the pull of human-ness and healing, basic instinct of our hearts recognizing and trying to protect our loved ones-even if needed from our own deteriorating faults, trials to self betterment, failures,
HOPE-like the dimming light at the end of a tunnel-beckoning us back to life, with what is Pure.
what pushes us to the edge, what keeps us sane, but amongst the most Love. Just Simple (Untouched from all the mess beneath it all) LOVE
In the context of it all the title fits, ..you never do realize life's simple gifts and the astonishing beauty of the Hundred Million Stars in the night sky until you are ready to see it all with naked honesty in its simple truth, and when finally you do you may just feel ..that they might fall and envelop you, and ..perhaps just save you, if they possibly could.
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You hate it, you love it you get annoyed and the best thing about it is that you have no idea where the hell the plot is going. Is totally unpredictable. Yet you can't take your eyes off of the screen, it glues you and makes you want to watch more and more. I congratulate the writer, this is art.
Hm the cast. Amazing, the main couple, I absolutely love them both. InGuk ? What to say, is always a pleasure be with him for some days and enjoy his acting almost perfect. He can make you hate him and disgust him and feel sorry for him at the same time. And SoMin, I've always liked her acting. She doesn't over do it, like many many korean actresses do.
The OST. I'll download it, is amazing.
The Photography takes you to the right mood instantly, and is incredible how they think about everything.
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Loved it and hated it
The main leads were perfectly cast. The chemistry between them was perfect and I would love to see them together again. You could feel the angst and love between them.The brother was a bit annoying. He spent years looking for the ML and them decided to stab him. wtf? Who does that?
I couldn't believe that ML shot the CEO, but with all her evil mind play and manipulation she deserved it.
I prefer a happily ever after ending, so both of them dying was not how I wanted it to end. Other than that I did enjoy it.
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The acting, the way the story was told (the dialogues!), the music, the production – this is beyond great.
The only problem: the plot is paper-thin if you look at it from a distance. It doesn't bother you while watching the series. The drama is so well made that you are longing for more and more ... But after finishing it, you really wonder why it had to be like this. Why certain things happened. You feel like it could have been avoided all together.
It seems this series is a remake of a Japanese drama. They changed a very important part of the plot and I feel like if they hadn't done that, the plot would make more sense. I don't want to spoil, but the motives and the behavior of the brother of the female lead made no sense. They tried to explain it later on, but it didn't convince me at all.
Overall this drama is too great to not rate it very high. I watched it until the end and didn't skip a scene. I even plan on watching it again, just to enjoy Seo In Guk's great acting. His co-star was good too, of course. Jung So Min always delivers. I would love to see those too again in a drama.
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