I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS A PLEASANT, CALM BREAK AFTER WATCHING A DRAMA.
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This review may contain spoilers
I truly fell in love with this series. The plot drew me in so much that I watched episodes every chance I got. I liked how all the characters were portrayed—most of them really grew on me, even the main character’s admirers, who usually annoy me. I appreciated how popularity was depicted—it’s not always a good thing. It showed the pressure they were all under, as well as how Smiling kept growing with each new game. I also really enjoyed how the games themselves were presented; it was interesting and well done.The only downside for me were the animations—I couldn’t always recognize the characters in them, and they sometimes went on for too long. I would have much preferred just a regular view of the game. Despite this, I can’t lower my rating, because I haven’t been this hooked on a series in a long time.
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This review may contain spoilers
I had a great time watching this series, even though I had seen a lot of scenes on TikTok beforehand and had already watched the Korean version (I think the Thai version was much better).The character development was excellent. The main character’s transformation through love happened naturally, not all at once. The female lead never gave up despite all the obstacles she faced. The supporting characters were very interesting—each one different, yet all engaging in their own way.
Even the main character’s mother, whom I couldn’t stand for most of the series—there were hints from the beginning that she was hiding her true self, and only in the final episode did she finally reveal it.
The only downside for some might be the violence, which was quite intense in the first few episodes.
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The plot and storyline are incredibly engaging, and they’re what created the whole atmosphere. We experience everything from beginning to end together with the characters. Just like them, we’re manipulated into thinking we know the truth—when in reality, we don’t—and we slowly uncover it along the way.
However, this is not a typical romance. In my opinion, romance played more of a supporting role here, while the main focus was on the storyline itself. As a romance lover, I didn’t mind it at all, so I wouldn’t discourage anyone because of that. The relationship between the main characters, though complicated, was beautiful. It wasn’t about the physical aspect but the emotional one. True, Qi Lian could be terrible to her at the very beginning while “caring” for “his” Jiang Xiao Yuan (it’s a pity this was brushed under the rug), but we gradually saw him change, and his care for “his” Jiang Xiao Yuan turned into genuine care for Jiang Xiao Yuan.
The character development was also very interesting—especially for Jiang Xiao Yuan. By “moving to another time,” she slowly discovered herself, her dreams, and her passions. She came to understand the meaning of true friendship, love, and what really matters in life. Not wealth or the things she once longed for, but the things she was learning and experiencing along the way. Here, the lead actress deserves huge recognition, as she portrayed all the emotions her character went through remarkably well.
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