Falling into Your Smile (2021)

Cute Romance With Overboard Product Placement

FIYS features a cute romance between Ton Yao, the first female e-sports player on the team, and Lu Si Cheng, the team’s captain. The actors, Cheng Xioa and Zu Kai, had excellent chemistry together. It seriously had some of the best kissing scenes and romantic gestures I’ve seen in a Cdrama before! I absolutely adored Lu Si Cheng. While he had a standoffish personality, at his core you could see the care and attention he gave to the people in his life. Zu Kai played these attributes to perfection. I was less impressed with Cheng Xioa’s performance. She did sarcasm and pouty really well, but it got a bit tiresome after 20+ episodes. A bit more emotional range would have been appreciated. The secondary characters were all interesting and unique in their own way even if the rarely got to have their own stories outside the main plot.

As this is an e-sports drama, it included tons of game footage. I found these parts to be rather uninteresting and boring, but the animation and shots were well done. In fact, the overall production of the show was top notch. However, the slick camera shots and beautiful cinematography came at a price. Product placement is RAMPANT in this show. Full on scenes were spent with characters essentially buying something without any main purpose to the plot or story. The actors did well with those scenes - I, personally, would have laughed if I had to shoot a mini-commercial during a drama as an actor.

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A MUST WATCH SHOW

This drama was absolutely amazing from the storyline to the acting, it was incredible. I created an account just to review this drama. If you are looking for something wholesome, youthful and satisfying, this is the show to watch. I enjoyed the chemistry between all of the characters within the drama, especially the two leads. The FL and ML had one of the most unique and pure relationship that I have ever seen out of any youth type dramas. The conflicts in the drama are not exactly intense or thrilling. However I think that because this drama has a youth vibe to it that without such heavy conflicts, it does not stray away from the main atmosphere or feel this drama gives off. The OST of this drama is also really good. The FL and ML even have a song together on the soundtrack. Throughout watching this drama, it made me genuinely happy with the relationship between all the characters to the adorable storyline. I really recommend to whoever is looking for a good drama to go watch Falling Into Your Smile.

*It was so good that I hope there is a season 2 with the original cast and everything.

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Meets Expectations, Enjoyable

I immensely enjoyed this drama on a fully subjective level, however there was way too much wrong with it on an objective level for me to give it a super high rating. Just know, it's a fun, cute watch.

Some of the best aspects:
- Great friendship dynamics; I love shows that don't have an excess of irrational interpersonal conflict and instead focus on relationships growing/changing/etc
- A romance focusing on a shared interest and passion for something (my favorite kind), combined with great on-screen chemistry. Good, funny bickering/ust that never strayed into meanness or rudeness
- Main lead female character with her own story/depth

Some of the biggest flaws:
- poorly dubbed: In a modern drama, dubbing generally is a con, but this is below-average dubbing, rarely allowing me to forget that it's dubbed, which leads into the next problem:
- a lack of emotion in acting. the disconnect between between actors' facial expressions and their emotions in the scene, the static way the scenes are blocked and filmed... it all ties in with the unnatural dubbing. It's like they filmed some scenes and filled the emotion in when dubbing. There are DEFINITELY cdramas that are worse at this, and it's an idol drama filled with idol actors, so it's not like I was expecting more, but it was still a flaw.
- I just don't think it's appropriate for Xu Kai to be in these teen-centered/youth-marketed dramas. The dynamic between the characters (domineering male lead/weak female lead) made me uncomfortable sometimes knowing Xu Kai's past.
-Moments of quite explicit xenophobia/anti-Korean sentiment. I expect nationalism from any narrative focusing on competitive sports or competitions, but there are definitely stereotypes being MADE by this show, and then it tries to throw in a line or two to make it "ok"

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I gotta admit I didn’t think I would enjoy this drama as much as I did in the end. I think the first 5-10 episodes were kind of a drag for me, but the characters and the plot grew on me eventually and I loved every moment from then on. Super happy that this was a slow burn in terms of romance because the slow burns keep me engaged longer because of all the suspense. This little group of gamers has honestly wormed its way into my heart, and I was absolutely not ready to let them go at the end. There were definitely tears when the final credits rolled, I’m not gonna lie. It was a very cheesy drama in the best way possible, and I already miss the cast and the story as I’m writing this review. One of the best cdramas I’ve ever watched!

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My Favourites!!!

Firstly, I love the theme, as a fellow gamer who plays many similar games, such as League of Legends, as well as the actual game, Onmyoji Arena. If you're thinking about playing the game too, let me tell you the animations are not nearly as good as this. However, there's not that many gaming battle scenes, so if you're not a fan of those or you have no knowledge about these games, I would still tell you to give it a try.

The characters and the amazing casting. Xu Kai as their esports team ZGDX's captain Lu Si Cheng was perfect and had so much chemistry with Cheng Xiao as Tong Yao, the only and newly-joined girl in their team, who doesn't fake cute or act like she's above everyone else (as displayed in many other cdramas). Together, they're the Double C (stands for Double Carry) couple of their team, and they're just the right amount of adorable. The platonic ZGDX team chemistry was also god-tier and definitely high above any others, with my favourites being Lao Mao and Lao K, who are very underrated (take a look at episode 8 for an example). Even the other love rivals were mostly well-written, like Tong Yao's ex, Jian Yang, and the cute Korean love interest, Kun, which allowed for some jealousy from Lu Si Cheng. I would highly recommend watching some of the BTS scenes, which can be found on YouTube amongst other places, because the cast are all of similar age and get along really well, just like in the show.

The plot doesn't take much to process, but you will be constantly squealing at the cute chemistry and insane team dynamics. They're all so supportive of each other, and the plot is entertaining from the very beginning, unlike some cdramas which take a lot longer to get into.

Overall, I cannot recommend a better cdrama, and your time will definitely not be wasted! You don't understand how much you're missing out by not watching this. I'm eagerly anticipating Season 2!

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This drama is the best e-sport drama I've ever watched. The story is good, funny, and very interesting. The plot is also light and not dragging. And the characters in this drama are nice and funny.

I really like ML, Xu Kai aka Lu Si Cheng. OMG, he's so handsome lol. His acting is good and his chemistry with FL (Cheng Xiao aka Tong Yao) is very good and adorable. I like the portrayal of ML characters who are cool at first but become flirtatious and jealous when dating FL. I can't help but smile while watching the scene of them together.

The supporting characters are also good. I love the story between FL's bestfriend, Jian Yang and Ai Jia. Their chemistry is very strong and their stories are also inspiring and adorable lol. I also like the characters of e-sport players, ZDGX, YQCB, CK, etc. The teammates at ZDGX are so cute and adorable. Each character in this drama is well made, complementing each other and building a relevant and interesting plot.

And I love the soundtracks! The first time I started this drama was because I heard WayV would be performing the soundtrack for this drama. The songs are very good and easy listening. It fits perfectly with the e-sport drama.

I really like this drama and this drama is on my comfort drama list.

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That reality check but totally feelgood drama you must watch

Lets just go through some basics and ratings:
Acting from ML. 10/10 FL 8/10(maybe 6/10 she wasn't consistent).
The rest of the crew were on point most of the time so Id give it 9/10.

Before the showering of compliments of the story, lets talk about the some things that made it not get a full score:
1. The BFF of the FL was really off the chart wtf? Most of the characters had some, even small, kind of background story connected well with the story, except the BFF which also had A LOT of screen time.
2. When in Rome... There are plenty of Korean-Chinese speaking actors, yet, they failed horribly with this. Nuff said.
3. Ep 27 was a really tough filler episode I wish I didn't even watched.
4. TBH, apart from the topic about female gamers (pro gamers even) the FL was really bland in general. Everyone else outshone her in both character and acting.
5. The overall pacing was decent but the last 8 or so episodes felt rushed and all over the place
6. Brand cars... I get it, it was to empathize the characters being rich and all, but cmon! Where is the common sense?
Or was it a product placement thing? Even if you are rich and all that, you would still NOT, especially under those situations drive an Aston Martin car.
7. Speaking of money; Unless you are Elon Musk, even in the esport industry, you cant just buy-out a team over a night.
I get it, fiction and all that but it was really out of place.


Now to all the goodies:

It was a lovely lovestory; it had sugar, it had sweet n sour, it had salty and to my surprise, the spice was chef's kiss.
Most of the things within the topic of the drama was realistic; the issues (money, family, the tourments, the fan-issues, the papparazzis, housing, even the injuries, sponsors etc), the pace, the background and cultures and even the game is not a nonsense gimmick but actually a real game. The same with most of the teams, they are irl teams, so I was really stoked about it (sure, the on screen team players were actors but not all).

I loved the parents here, all of them; from the good and the bad ones.

I loved the directors and everyone on the crew paid such attention to the even tiniest details; the commitment was amazing.

The flirting was solid. Im weak for such type of stories but even weaker for good acting on top of that.
Xu Kai aint ugly, but among many other Chinese actors, he aint the prettiest and most handsome; what he however lacks in looks (as per hunk-standards) he makes up with everything else. I kept telling myself how I was practically falling in love with him as the episodes went on. It was a slowburn til I couldnt even get enough and wanted more.
Then the intimate scenes came and it even made my **cough** maiden heart flutter and my face to blush.
I even felt some jealousy towards the FL, that bad.

But it wasn't just ML and FL's hot scenes that was aced, the second couple, to my surprise was as spicy and juicy.

In the end, what I loved most with the drama was that it was mature.
Young adults but not the kind of gullible nonsense post-teen newly popped from Uni kinda inmature grown-ups often seen in Asian dramas and movies, no, it was like..real?
The friendship and their teasing of each other, contract talking and a lot of things just felt adulty and relatable even for a non-gamer.

I think the story was good enough that it could perhaps even have a sequel and if done the same way, it would still be as good.
This is also one of the few dramas I even recommend for a re-watch.
It has enough elements that it doesnt make it naggy or too tiresome.

If not for the few aspects I mentioned first, Id give this a hard rock10.

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Felling into your smile

Felling into your smile merupakan film yang sangat baik, mulai dari cara aktingnya, karakter yang diperankan oleh setiap aktor dan aktris dari para pemain felling into your smile sangat sesuai dengan judul flem yang diperankan, dan Cimisteri dari kedua peran utama sangat bagus. Dan berharap flem felling into your smile memiliki season 2.karena peran dari kedua peran utama sangat cocok dan sangat bagus. Dan pemeran pendukung juga sangat baik dan bagus. Film felling into your smile sangat baik, karena dengan karekter Tong Yoa yang memiliki semangat untuk menjadi pemain internasional yang baik meskipun dengan adanya liku-liku kehidupan yang hadapi nya dalam drama namun tidak membuat Tong Yoa untuk berhenti berjuang menjadi pemain E-sprot yang baik dalam memperjuangkan impiannya

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I really enjoyed watching this light and fluffy romantic gaming series. It was fast paced, didn’t drag and the leads had good chemistry. I’m not a gamer but I was able to feel the stakes for the characters every time they had a challenge, won a game or suffered a loss in their tournaments.

The ML/FL were adorable. I think this might have the funniest ML I’ve ever seen in awhile. He had this way of cracking a joke, insulting someone or being very sweet towards the FL with this deadpan expression which made the situation really funny. The FL was even more expressionless but it didn’t bother me; I think it’s because it made her seem calm and in control when she was gaming…and also because she had many funny scenes herself and her blank face made it more laughable. The other team members were also very likable and had good interactions with the leads. It’s great how there were episodes that focused on some of them and their back stories; it fleshed them out better.

There’s an OW here but what I like about this drama is that it doesn’t create annoying situations where the other party fakes something which causes unnecessary angst, separations and stupid decision making from the leads. ML basically tells her point blank that he isn’t into her and she respects it, which is how it should be. There’s also an OM at some point but it’s mostly played for laughs and all the characters are very respectful to each other.

One criticism I have is that the gaming is a bit confusing because the camera doesn’t zoom in enough and when it does, there’s no indication who is playing which character. They make use of characters from a real game called Onmyouji Arena, but the thing is that the characters here tend to look similar…it’s not like Street Fighter where the characters look distinctive. One remedy for this would have been showing a small picture of the real player when a character appears.

I think I might like this even more than LoveO2O but I liked that one as well, for different reasons.

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