For me, this was just one of those dramas that exists. If you don't watch it, you aren't missing much. It wasn't that bad, but it also wasn't something I'd really recommend to a friend. The lead couple didn't have any chemistry (Yi Eon had more chemi with the crown prince lol), but the friendships were nice.
Like many other people pointed out, the Tae Seo storyline deserved better and there was a lot of lost opportunities there to make this show more captivating. I've never noticed that actor before but he did amazingly well with his role.
The moment a viewer can understand the word 'kiss'.
Not sure if this comment is too late.
Honestly from episode 24 on (if I remember correctly?), there are a few intense kiss scenes and the script/acting sometimes hints at a pretty active sex life for the lead couple. As the other commenter said, you do not see them take off clothes, but their chemistry lights up the screen. So it really depends on how conservative the viewer is. Note that they do pretty much live together before getting married as well. This drama is more mature than your average high-teen drama.
Good show, but leave all logic behind for any action scenes.
Hilarious how often someone got hit on the head with a metal bat and survived with little to no problem! FYI: do not try that at home. Metal bat head-shot with the type of force they put behind those swings would likely kill someone. And getting hit with one in the stomach would most likely break your ribs. These guys took loads of hits and kept going LOL
Dropped this a little in to episode 2. I'm just not a fan of such dark themes and terrible characters. Lots of people like that stuff though, so I see why it was popular. Personally can only deal with that level of angst when there is a good guy/person/team fighting back from the beginning.
This show had potential based on the plot description …but then it just got worse and worse as it went. Such…
The fact that she thought the only way to believe he loved her was if he accepted the fact (or I guess lie) that she cheated and was having another man's baby is so incredibly toxic it blew my mind. He wasn't the nicest guy, but that was out of line and made me completely hate the FL. He was the father and would have been there for the child - so you taking the child from him and lying about it is not okay. Not to mention the emotional manipulation going on...
Urgh, I need to rewatch a good show now so that I can forget this trainwreck. lol
This show had potential based on the plot description …but then it just got worse and worse as it went. Such a ridiculously toxic relationship. I've told my friends to not waste time on this one lol
The only thing that made me finish was the ML's entertaining sister and his friend. That guy needs a lead role tbh.
Ended up finishing this show in 2 days. Loved that the couple had realistic issues/concerns to deal with, but the way they communicated and handled it all was so refreshing for a drama. Will probably re-watch for all the fluff scenes; honestly my face hurt from smiling so much in the last third of the show. Didn't give a perfect rating because I did get bored with some scenes where he was working... EDIT: just raised my rating a few days later because I can't get over this show and keep rewatching haha
Just a heads up: If you're coming in to this to watch an eSports drama, that isn't the main theme of the show. It's more of a mature romance with larger focus on dreams and careers. Gaming is pretty much only used as a tool in the show to bring the leads together. Based on comments I've read, it seems like those who came specifically to watch an eSports drama were the ones disappointed? Probably because the description only focuses on gaming, when the show is so much more than that...
Okay, so this show reminds me of those trashy romance novels (think like, Lori Foster for any readers out there) and I mean that in the best way possible LOL This might seem like I'm making fun of the show - but to be absolutely clear, I actually really enjoyed it. Appreciated that it didn't drag on at only 16 episodes. Great for a romance binge watch with lots of chemistry.
Not the greatest drama I've seen, but also not the worst. The characters and plot just didn't pull me in the way other dramas have. I actually found the flashback with what happened with FL and Song Juan Xi more interesting than anything else - does anyone know if there's a drama that has that storyline?
Like how are you going to give the audience 2 characters that have been through so freaking much and before they…
Yes, been watching for many years but just never tried this genre before - although, I guess I've seen some wuxia movies. I also watched this for the lead actors as well. Have been considering Arsenal Military Academy too, but haven't been able to make myself start that one yet as I tend to prefer modern Chinese dramas.
Like how are you going to give the audience 2 characters that have been through so freaking much and before they…
I actually ended up finishing the show. Agree that the actors did a great job with what they were given. I meant that this was my first drama in this genre (wuxia/fantasy type).
Watched this for the high rating and actors, but wow. Personally, I thought it was a train wreck lol Great acting all around and beautiful actors, but the plot and characters drove me crazy. Only finished watching because of the hilarious comments people put on Viki. Seriously never seen so many ridiculous characters in one show - and that's coming from someone who's watched a few of those 100+ episode Korean makjangs. I think I've been spoiled recently with smart and talented characters in dramas, so this just didn't do it for me.
Like how are you going to give the audience 2 characters that have been through so freaking much and before they…
I have to agree with you. Honestly I'm speed watching on Viki with the comments on and lots of alcohol because that's the only thing that makes this at least seem funny. Some of the hilarious comments there make it worth how terrible the story is becoming. The editing of day vs night is also pretty horrible - but I don't know if that's normal in these types of dramas because this is the first one I've tried. Lol
The ID is taken from a retired player that she considered to be the best. My understanding is that she took the name to keep it on the leaderboards in recognition of that player.
This is also why she says Chessman is one of the top 3 players - the neighbour (Hierophant) is just as good, and the original "Smiling" rounds up the top 3 in her opinion. They really should've explain this in the show haha
I don't even know if I'm going to watch this yet, but had to reply because this is the funniest comment I've seen in a long time. Thanks for the laugh!
Overall a very enjoyable drama with great chemistry between the characters. There were a couple of frustrating parts, but I also understood why the characters acted the way that they did. The message in the drama about being a fan of the player and leaving their personal life alone is super important in society these days. I honestly feel sorry for famous people (specifically in countries like Korea, China and Japan - doesn't really happen much in NA) who worry so much about dating because of how certain "fans" will react.
Anyways, I'll probably come back and rewatch this when in a slump just for the cute and fluffy parts. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed. Might have been better to add an extra episode or two.
Side note: I saw a lot of comments on Viki about how her name is Smiling but she doesn't smile much LOL The reason for the name is explained in the novel but not the drama - it has nothing to do with her personality/expressions. They probably should've included that in the show...
I came back to this after dropping before because people on the DT Appledog's Time thread kept saying this is better lol
Agree with many of the comments below about the FL and flashbacks. I skipped probably 50% of the show because there were just too many flashbacks and so much yelling in the script. The FL was so embarrassing (especially at the beginning) and I personally hate second hand embarrassment - so skipped some of those parts too hahah. After all that though, their relationship was very cute in the second half and this show had a really nice wrap up for the ending so I do appreciate that.
Like many other people pointed out, the Tae Seo storyline deserved better and there was a lot of lost opportunities there to make this show more captivating. I've never noticed that actor before but he did amazingly well with his role.
Honestly from episode 24 on (if I remember correctly?), there are a few intense kiss scenes and the script/acting sometimes hints at a pretty active sex life for the lead couple. As the other commenter said, you do not see them take off clothes, but their chemistry lights up the screen. So it really depends on how conservative the viewer is. Note that they do pretty much live together before getting married as well. This drama is more mature than your average high-teen drama.
FYI: do not try that at home. Metal bat head-shot with the type of force they put behind those swings would likely kill someone. And getting hit with one in the stomach would most likely break your ribs. These guys took loads of hits and kept going LOL
Urgh, I need to rewatch a good show now so that I can forget this trainwreck. lol
The only thing that made me finish was the ML's entertaining sister and his friend. That guy needs a lead role tbh.
Just a heads up: If you're coming in to this to watch an eSports drama, that isn't the main theme of the show. It's more of a mature romance with larger focus on dreams and careers. Gaming is pretty much only used as a tool in the show to bring the leads together. Based on comments I've read, it seems like those who came specifically to watch an eSports drama were the ones disappointed? Probably because the description only focuses on gaming, when the show is so much more than that...
This might seem like I'm making fun of the show - but to be absolutely clear, I actually really enjoyed it. Appreciated that it didn't drag on at only 16 episodes. Great for a romance binge watch with lots of chemistry.
Great acting all around and beautiful actors, but the plot and characters drove me crazy. Only finished watching because of the hilarious comments people put on Viki. Seriously never seen so many ridiculous characters in one show - and that's coming from someone who's watched a few of those 100+ episode Korean makjangs. I think I've been spoiled recently with smart and talented characters in dramas, so this just didn't do it for me.
This is also why she says Chessman is one of the top 3 players - the neighbour (Hierophant) is just as good, and the original "Smiling" rounds up the top 3 in her opinion. They really should've explain this in the show haha
Anyways, I'll probably come back and rewatch this when in a slump just for the cute and fluffy parts. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed. Might have been better to add an extra episode or two.
Side note: I saw a lot of comments on Viki about how her name is Smiling but she doesn't smile much LOL The reason for the name is explained in the novel but not the drama - it has nothing to do with her personality/expressions. They probably should've included that in the show...
Agree with many of the comments below about the FL and flashbacks. I skipped probably 50% of the show because there were just too many flashbacks and so much yelling in the script. The FL was so embarrassing (especially at the beginning) and I personally hate second hand embarrassment - so skipped some of those parts too hahah. After all that though, their relationship was very cute in the second half and this show had a really nice wrap up for the ending so I do appreciate that.