Falling into Your Smile

CRINGE AND THE CAPTAIN.......

KIND OF OVERRATED CRINGE DRAMA...

​I have a kind of mixed feeling about this drama. I neither liked nor disliked it. The team spirit was good, the romantic moments were cringe, and the games were breathtaking. Though I am not fond of playing video games, the way they played the games was compelling.

​The ML, as a captain of the team, performed well, but he was a clingy boyfriend. He did have good traits, such as being protective, supportive, unbiased, and a role model for the entire team.

​The FL was professionally strong but kind of emotionally weak. She was inspirational as she was the only female esports player.

​The ML and FL as a couple didn't stand out. I would rather prefer them as professional companions.

​I would love to appreciate their entire team. It was their interactions that kept the momentum till the end. They had their own struggles and some mishaps, but they never gave up as a team.

​This drama did point out cyberbullying. They showed how fans could boost up their morale but, at the same time, destroy them.

​The perks of being a popular player were well depicted. This drama didn't only show the pros of being a popular player but also the cons. It showed that the players have a life for themselves, too.


OVERALL: Esports Glory, Romance Failure...😶‍🌫️🚶‍♀️

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Full of Sweetness!

WARNING: LONG-ASS REVIEW. START FROM THE THIRD PARAGRAPH IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE READING EVERYTHING~

The story follows our female lead, Tong Yao as a pro gamer known as Smiling, recruited by ZGDX to play professionally as the mid-laner. Her journey as professional e-sports player is not that easy, the stereotype "e-sports is only for male" is one of her biggest problems. Often underestimated and constantly faced criticism as the only female e-sports player in the industry, she worked hard to proves that the stereotype is wrong. The male lead is Lu Si Cheng, renowned team leader and exceptional marksman of ZGDX, also known as Chessman. Cold, rational, calm and charismatic are the words often used to describe his character. He will do anything to protect his teammates, and believe that he can fix everything alone. In people's eyes, he is perfect. But as the story goes on, you'll know that he isn't as perfect as people said.

Ok now is time for my opinions and reviews regarding this drama. Despite the controversies because of plagiarism and criticism from the e-sports community, me personally as c-dramas lover and enjoyer, think this drama is really worth to watch. This really broaden my perspective about e-sports. From each characters' story, we'll get to know that to became a pro e-sports player/athlete is not that easy. It's not just as simple as playing games all night and day but e-sports player must train to became an excellent player. So many amazing players out there and you need to be at the top. It's hard right?

Honestly, I love this drama. I found myself squealing and giggling thorough each episodes. The love story between TY and LSC is so sweet and cute. I describe LSC as tsundere. I think it's perfect word for him. He always appeared like he doesn't care about TY but in reality he's whipped. REALLY whipped if I must said (**that doesn't make him less charismatic as a leader tho >v<) He only shows warm side to TY. Meanwhile TY had certain opinions regarding e-sports men players bcs of past experiences... Aiya being LSC is too hard~~(≧▽≦) I feel giddy everytime watching they interact. They're just too cute!

The chemistry between teammates is amazing. NGL in the middle of the drama, I shipped Lao K with Lao Mao (**their bickering is very cute lmao) and Lu Yue with Xiao Pang. For the acting, it's my first time watching Xu Kai's drama and I must said that he potrayed the character Lu Si Cheng perfectly. As for Cheng Xiao, it's also my first time watching her drama. Overall her acting is amazing but I think she got to improve her expressions. Other actors are not bad at all but there was a time I feel awkward with their acting (**not everytime). The game scenes is very movie-like, OMG I love it! For the OSTs, the line-up is crazy. I love every single one of them, especially Everytime by my baby WayV~~ I also find myself keep humming the ending song by Xu Kai and Cheng Xiao. Oh, and I ABSOLUTELY love that each teams have their own respective songs! It's my quirk >v< The placement for each BGM/OST is fitting, eg it keeps me hyped when the BGM is playing during competitions.

The only thing I hate is the Korean dubbing. I'm sorry but it's so cringe and I always skip the scenes whenever they speak Korean...

~

All in all, I enjoyed this drama so much to the point that I feel empty when it end. In my opinions, the story of this drama is quite light; so it's suitable if you want to rewatch. This drama is recommended for girls, especially for teenagers like me. Ladies, this drama is for you! Beware of the sweetness that will ache your teeth! I guarantee that you'll want to order a boyfriend like Lu Si Cheng (~￣³￣)~

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I want season 2 and who want too like it . You don't have to waste your time in reviews just go and watch it such a great amazing drama . In my drama ranking list it is on first no. Such a great great great great great great 👍 👌 👏 😀 🙌 😊 👍 👌 👏 😀 🙌 😊 👍 👌 drama ......................................................... watch it now. It is really hood and don't waste your time in reviews and all all was very good enough think I like it and I don't hottest previous 500 words for a little word can be created a pic big attention and just go at what I can't express that it was really that you got I don't think that I have seen it before just like this

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A simple, enjoyable drama that puts a smile on your face.

This was such a fun watch. I am new to chinese dramas, and I honestly just wanted something sweet and romantic. Boy, did this deliver. The chemistry between the main leads was so good, and Lu Si Cheng, had me swooning over him. The romance was paced well and not too fast or slow. Once they get into a relationship though, omg. I can't handle it. They. Are. So. Adorable. The ML especially, he is so cute I don't even know what to do with my self. This is the first drama of Xu Kai's I have ever seen but ajhdgsjdsl. He is so swoonworthy. Apart from the main leads, I adore absolutely all of the side characters. Especially those on the ZGDX team. The team dynamic and character interactions were just so fun to watch.

Plot wise, there is nothing ground breaking or revolutionary, but it was entertaining. I did speed through some of the gaming scenes because I just honestly couldn't understand some of it, but there weren't too many so it was fine. I do wish, they would. have delved a little deeper and developed the some of the characters back stories that we say. It would have added an interesting flair to the drama, but considering this is a fluffy, slice of life drama I can't complain much.

The music was good, not too memorable but enjoyable.

I could definitely see my self going back to watch some of main couple's cute scenes when I need a pick me up or am in the mood for some nice fluffy romance.

A good watch for those days where you just want something simple, fun, and doesn't require a lot of brain power. It's a nice relaxing drama that is sure to put a smile on your face

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Enjoyable, low-stress rom-com

The one-liner: Falling into Your Smile is an enjoyable rom-com that is mostly low-stress and emotionally pleasant.

Pros: Both leads are enjoyable to watch. Xu Kai is a little predictable, playing the ML, Lu Si Cheng, as the same sort of 'cold, stoic, super-competent CEO' role that he has played in multiple dramas. Even though he's technically NOT a 'CEO' of a company in this drama, the type of character he plays is basically the same. Nothing new there and while that might seem a criticism, Xu Kai does play it well. Chang Xiao, as the FL, is a different sort. Her character is very reserved towards other characters, guarding her emotions carefully, though inwardly very sensitive. She only shows her emotions strongly to her best friend and, as their relationship grows, to Lu Si Cheng. Otherwise, she holds a straight face towards almost everyone else. This sets up the irony of her in-game call-name because while in real life, Tong Yao rarely smiles, in the game she is always Smiling. Among support characters, the FL's parents and the ML's mother are all wonderfully played in short appearances by veteran actors - especially both moms who each eat up the scenery when on screen. Alas, neither is on screen enough. The plot of the show is fairly straightforward, similar to any sports-competition type drama: The characters work together over a long season of ups & downs towards a goal of winning a championship, overcoming many different types of obstacles along the way. The competition portrayals are fun and exciting. The shift into 3d-animated portrayals of the game events is fun and exciting to watch.

Cons: The behavior of a lot of the supporting cast is cartoonish. The various e-sports gamers, despite mostly being young men in their mid-to-late 20s, are portrayed as having the maturity level of 5th graders. This is supposedly humorous but mostly looks insulting to real-world e-sports competitors who are mostly rational adults. The plot is, as I said, mostly fine, but does lean into the 'noble idiocy' drama trope in a few of the episodes and that's annoying. Also, the show writers commit two glaring ethical sins that really bothered me. Early in the drama, for drama effect, they have a character commit what is objectively a very serious criminal felony - striking someone from behind with a whisky bottle on the back of the head. The sin is that later, this is completely whitewashed and forgiven as if he had done nothing more than give someone a mild shove. Instead of the character being in prison, he is welcomed back to the team with open arms. This is absolutely ridiculous and could have easily been avoided by the writers. If they had simply had the character do nothing different _except_ simply push the guy hard, then everything else written in the show would still have worked without feeling like a whitewash. Then, later in the show, there is a scene where one of the competitors from one of the other teams, isolates Tong Yao in a hallway alone, physically restricts her and threatens her. She has no way to escape the situation other than to bite the guy on the wrist to break free. Later, instead of acknowledging her situation AND HER RIGHT TO DEFEND HERSELF, the writers have Lu Si Cheng scold her for freeing herself and insisting that the only right thing she should have done is to call for Cheng. He even locks her outside of the base for hours and hours as punishment. But this is ludicrous. Cheng simply was nowhere to be called to for help. Lu Si Cheng was completely in the wrong for demanding this behavior of her and for punishing her for 'doing something wrong'. Because she did not do anything wrong. This is victim-blaming and does not reflect well of the ethics and morality of the writers.

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Hilarious and kissing moments

First half of the drama was focused on introduction to characters and e-sports which I like.
My favourite part is the second half of the series when the ML played by Xu Kai has made his relationship with FL public. There were plenty of lovey-dovey moments which show great chemistry between ML and FL. They had to face strong reactions from the fans who were jealous of such relationship, which is normal in real life but still unpleasant. I feel anxious for the couple.
There were plenty of funny banters amongst the teams which I also love, especially when they started to be suspicious of the relationship between their captain and their female team member. The incident in their gym was so funny that I was laughing out loud until I had tears in my eyes.
Xu Kai is my favourite actor. He is so dreamy! His kissing scenes were super delicious ☺️ he played this role very well, and I suppose that’s a credit to the screenwriters as well.
The FL is super cute. She was not clingy which is a great bonus and has made it easier to watch. She showed strong character despite her young age. She was actually the strength and super glue for the team that held the team together in challenging times.
The ending seemed a bit rush. I was hoping to see the ML and FL tying up the knot, but am still quite happy of where they got to in their relationship and career.
Overall, this drama is quite entertaining from beginning to end. With 31 episodes, I managed to finish watching it in 3 days, it would have been sooner if I didn’t have to work during the day 🙂Unlike some dramas where I had to stop watching because of bad storyline or acting, I highly recommend you watch Falling into your smile.

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Best Esports drama there is

Falling Into Your Smile is simply the best esports drama i've seen. This drama had it all and in good taste. The classical rom com with an amazing gaming twist. Clearly made in collaboration with Onmyoji arena and FNATIC, a real gaming team.

STORY:
Falling into your smile is about love and gaming. The story follows Tong Yao, an amateur gamer who fell in love with onmyoji arena while dating her now ex boyfriend, professional esports player from team CK, Jian Yang. Then one day Tong Yao gets an invitation from ZDGX's manager to join their team as the first female esports player. Tong Yao agrees and we get to follow her journey to the top. As a girl she gets a lot of hate but also admiration. She is labeled as Mulan of esports.

Our main leads, Tong Yao and Lu Sicheng are a bickering couple. Their love story was so cute that i wanted rewatch the drama right after watching it. Lu Sicheng is the best boyfriend and a really nice fresh character. Lu Sicheng loves to tease Tong Yao for everything she does,but when she is feeling down, he comforts her and when she is having period cramps, he takes care of her even though he himself is sick. When Lu Sicheng got jealous over Tong Yao, he never was overbearing. He always was respectful towards Tong Yao in that way. He did joke about her "Collecting stamps" and having "something against team captains" when he noticed that in many teams like FNATIC and CK, other boys started to notice Tong Yao's charms.

The story itself is pretty simple but it was so full of comedy and cute moments between the leads that it's a must watch for those who love rom coms or esports- or both. Not just the main leads but all the side characters are amazing, for example the whole ZDGX team, Tong Yao's best friend Jingyang and Ai Jia, her professional esports player boyfriend from team YWCB.
The gaming montages are everything in this drama. It was so high quality and fun to watch!

CAST:

Cheng Xiao as Tong Yao aka Smiling, i feel like she was an okay pick. She is cute and petite but i felt her facial expressions little lame. She didn't have many expressions and was pretty much a little bit dull. She did a good job but i would have wished for a little bit more spice from her.

Xu Kai as Lu Sicheng aka Chessman, Xu Kai is the master of facial expressions and is funny just by looking at the camera with a serious face. When he fell in love and became this needy cute teasing boyfriend, his facial expressions shined even more. He did an amazing job as always.

others that stood out for me were

Sun Kai as Xiao Pang aka Pang/Chubby, even though i sometimes wonder why do the "chubby" characters must make their whole personality all about being "chubby". I was laughing a lot for his scenes. Especially when he was always the one seeing Tong Yao and Lu Sicheng together to eventually getting them caught for dating. He was the cutest character and Sun Kai is truly a fine actor.

GaoHan as K, I love Gaohan's acting in this. He is this cold and hard to approach but deep down really soft and caring person. Many funny moments with the whole team teasing ZDGX were some of his best scenes.

MUSIC:
The ost album i really good and i especially like the one where Xu Kai and Cheng Xiao sing the ost.


Highly recommended to watch this one if you are looking for some soft rom com to cheer up your day.

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Not your basic Cdrama

I loved this drama because I felt they were real and tried to portray the situation with honesty and reality. I liked that all of the situations or problems in the series had some lesson to teach and they did it very well; not skimming over the problem and solving it with improper ways (like the power of friendship). The main leads have good chemistry, it does get a bit weird sometimes but it's okay. Xu Kai did an absolutley amazing job in this series. He fit his character to perfection, he was cold and cocky in front of everyone else but with her he was playful and sweet. The romance was properly built and it makes sense that the characters fell in love with each other. Despite this, I think the series was a tad milked out. They made it too long by longating scenes or events that weren't that important: fillers. Also, things that could have been interesting to the series like the love rival were kept short and i feel like they missed some chances of potential. Would definitely recommend to watch, you learn about gaming, see amazing chemistry and fall in love with xu kai.

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Entertaining till the end

The first time I picked up this series I gave up by the end of the first episode because both the FL's lack of facial expression and the game's graphics put me off. However, I kept noticing the MDL high rating and after almost a year I decided to give it another try, prepared with a high tolerance for the FL and game component. It was really worth it and if you have been put off by the same elements, I can tell you that even though the FL's suffers from lack of expression, her character is actually great and the games are well done with amazing anime parts that easily pull you in the fights. The side plots are well integrated into the main plot, are varied, and are dealt with within a certain number of episodes, making the whole thread fairly satisfying. I also quite liked the secondary couple which for me is rare. I am really glad I gave it another try.

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