Ecleveland

One of the most delightful BLs I’ve watched in a long time.

It’s over… and I’m feeling so bittersweet, honestly!
It’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to Mondays with this much excitement—and now it’s gone, I already miss it so much.

Forget the haters and their discouraging comments. The drama might not be perfect, but it’s without a doubt one of the most delightful BLs I’ve watched in a long time.

And to those who called the romance inappropriate, forced, or meaningless—ironically, that was the very reason it was all worth it.

The soundtrack is gorgeous, the couples are adorable and so talented.

The production struck the perfect balance between drama, friendship, family struggles, gentle touches of comedy, meaningful life lessons, growth, passion, and love.

It’s hard to let it go, but I know that someday I’ll watch it all over again—just for the pure joy of feeling this happy.

I couldn’t recommend it enough.

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Tags enganosos

Este é um daqueles momentos em que me pergunto: Até onde as críticas altamente positivas me levam a continuar um drama? Juro que não sei...
Estou aqui por Leo Wu e Zhao Lusi, é fato. Gosto muito de ambos os atores e, lógico, a tendência natural é ir atrás do que eles produzem.
Mas, confesso, este drama é decepcionante em vários aspectos. Aí, muitos diriam, apenas no início e fazendo um comentário destes?!
É, deveras frustrante, eu sei.
Um início promissor. Inúmeros tags propagados, poucos desenvolvidos de modo satisfatório. A parte histórica é vaga, a parte política ruim, a parte estratégica cheia de buracos e falhas de execução. Uma protagonista que , por mais inteligente que se dizem, nada ou pouco convenceu. Cenas de desenhos nos clímax de ação que, para muitos, foi uma grande jogada de marketing e, para outros, uma forma econômica para mascarar a falta de recursos, para mim, foi apenas broxante. Falhas de continuidade com sumiço, por várias cenas, de personagens principais e coadjuvantes. Personagens coadjuvantes mais interessantes, porém pouco desenvolvidos.
Se quer o talento impecável de Leo Wu teve significado até aqui. Tudo isto sem falar nas cenas de crueldade com os cavalos, provocadas inclusive pela própria protagonista “inteligente “.
Assim sendo, numa ultima tentativa de não derrubar, me vejo obrigada a passar algumas cenas, compensando assim, a sensação de tempo perdido. Sorry, galera fã!

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More than once, I've found myself fighting back tears.

Sometimes we write an early review based solely on our first impressions, only to realize later how wrong we were. That's exactly what happened to me with Smile After Tears.

At first, I thought the acting was stiff and emotionally restrained. I couldn't see how the performances fit the story the drama was trying to tell. Looking back now, I realize I was too quick to judge. The actors aren't perfect, but they bring an honesty and vulnerability that gradually found their way into my heart.

This isn't a flawless drama, nor does it try to be. Its greatest strength lies elsewhere. It tells its story with a quiet originality that is both heartbreaking and deeply compelling. It gently reminds us that life isn't always fair or beautiful, but it can still be meaningful. It portrays pain through a mature lens, while never losing sight of hope, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward.

The soundtrack deserves special praise. It's hauntingly beautiful, and every time it plays, it leaves a lump in my throat. More than once, I've found myself fighting back tears.

So, I'm here to take back my first impression.

If you're willing to look beyond perfection and allow the story to unfold at its own pace, Smile After Tears is a drama well worth watching. It surprised me, humbled me, and ultimately moved me far more than I ever expected. I genuinely hope it touches your heart as deeply as it touched mine.

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