Smile Code (2024)

A VERY HONEST REVIEW ABOUT SMILE CODE

If there’s one thing this drama does incredibly well, it’s taking you on an emotional roller coaster. It’s the kind of show that keeps you on the edge of your seat, where just when you think you know what’s coming, it pulls you in a completely different direction. One moment, you're on the verge of tears, heartstrings tugged in every direction, and the next moment, you're laughing out loud at the unexpected comedic relief that sneaks up on you. It’s a rare balance that most dramas fail to achieve, but here, the tone switches seamlessly—heart-wrenching emotional moments are followed by humor that catches you off guard, creating a truly dynamic viewing experience.

A Story About the Ups and Downs of Love

At its core, this drama is a beautiful depiction of true love—and not just the romantic kind. It’s about how love can challenge you, heal you, and transform you. It’s also about patience: how true love waits and how it calms you down when the world feels chaotic. Guyi’s journey, in particular, encapsulates this theme perfectly. She learns that love isn’t always about grand gestures or instant gratification; sometimes, it’s about learning to trust, to communicate, to understand each other in silence, and to be there for one another through thick and thin. It's the kind of love that grows slowly and steadily, much like the relationship between Guyi and Liang DaiWen—it's not always smooth, but when it clicks, it feels like everything falls into place.

The roller coaster ride doesn’t stop with just the main romance, though. The show does an incredible job of keeping you guessing—just when you think you’ve figured out a character’s path or the direction of the plot, it throws in a twist that changes everything. The drama moves seamlessly between heart-wrenching emotional moments and surprising comedy, making it unpredictable in the best possible way. You’ll be laughing and crying in equal measure, and that’s part of what makes this series so engaging. The unexpected shifts keep you hooked, never letting you settle into a predictable rhythm.

A Friendship That’s Unbreakable

While the romance is central, one of the show’s best aspects is the friendship—specifically, the unwavering support that Guyi receives from her male friend, Yu Dule. If you’ve ever wished for that one friend who’s always by your side, through thick and thin, Yu Dule is the epitome of that loyalty. He’s the kind of friend who isn’t afraid to speak the truth when needed but is also a pillar of support when things go south. Yu Dule doesn’t judge, doesn’t waver, and consistently shows up for Guyi, reminding us how important it is to have someone who has your back no matter what. Their friendship was one of the series’ heartwarming highlights and served as a reminder of how powerful platonic love can be. Yu Dule is the kind of male friend we all need in our lives.

A Story About Self-Discovery

Another fascinating aspect of this drama is its exploration of alexithymia, a psychological condition that affects a person’s ability to identify and express emotions. This theme is rarely tackled in dramas, and the show does a beautiful job portraying how alexithymia can affect relationships, self-awareness, and personal growth. It’s refreshing to see such a sensitive topic handled with care, allowing for moments of profound emotional exploration. This added depth gives the story more layers and makes the romantic and personal growth arcs even more powerful.

Impressive Performances Across the Board

Now, onto the acting. The emotional highs and lows in this series wouldn’t have been as impactful without the incredible performances by Lin Yi and Shen Yue. Lin Yi is perfectly cast as the stoic yet deeply conflicted male lead. He carries the weight of his character’s inner turmoil in such a subtle way that it makes every emotional moment feel earned. His ability to be emotionally restrained, yet still convey so much, is a testament to his acting skills.

But it’s Shen Yue who truly shines in this series. Her portrayal of Guyi is nothing short of transformative. She takes this character from being a typical love interest to someone you genuinely root for, someone whose growth and emotional journey you can’t help but get invested in. Shen Yue’s chemistry with Lin Yi is undeniable, but it’s her nuanced performance that truly carries the emotional core of the story. She feels every joy, every heartbreak, and every moment of growth with such authenticity that it’s impossible not to be moved by her.

The Perfect Balance of Music and Mood

The soundtrack of the show perfectly complements its unpredictable nature. The music doesn’t just add to the emotional atmosphere—it enhances it. One moment, the OST can leave you feeling deeply moved, and the next, it’s setting the stage for a fun, lighthearted moment. The fact that the intro theme is in English makes it easy to connect with, and it somehow feels both familiar and refreshing. The music doesn’t just serve as background noise; it becomes a character in its own right, helping to carry the emotional weight of each scene.

Final Thoughts: A Series Worth Watching and Rewatching

This is one of those rare dramas that manages to capture the full spectrum of emotions—from laughter to tears, from heartache to joy. It’s an emotional roller coaster that never feels forced, and it’s a series that keeps you on your toes with its constant surprises. Whether it’s the calming effect of true love, the unpredictability of the plot, or the loyal friendship that anchors the characters, this drama offers something for everyone.

And above all, it’s a series that leaves you with a lasting impression, one that makes you reflect on what it means to love deeply, to wait patiently, and to always have someone in your corner. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a drama that mixes laughter with tears, romance with friendship, and depth with lightheartedness.

Leia Mais

I randomly picked this up, watched 15 episodes, and here's everything you need to know :')

I came in w/o context expecting a cute drama like Love is Sweet and kind of half-slept through all the episodes because there was not much going on, until I realized what the drama strived to focus on: the characters.

Usually dramas take you on a rollercoaster - there are defined plot points. Right after they finish one plot point, they move on to the next, and the characters act within those boundaries. It's not quite like that here. It feels more like a character study, and the episodes revolve around the bonds formed from it.

They managed to nail organic interactions in an unrealistic premise (cohabitation from the most bizarre scenario, among other things)!

The characters are all flawed, but I think very rarely does modern cdrama attempt to tackle these types without playing it safe with slapstick comedy/tropes/perfect characters, or overdoing how deep it is/being pretentious, so it's a treat seeing something different.

Also I absolutely adore the casting. Many dramas tend to go for a certain appearance (ex. all cast members either have the mature look, or all look young), but this one showcases a variety of different people both in the workplace and outside. As someone who's more similar to Shen Yue than Bai Lu, I feel seen lol, especially in her scenes in her company where half embody the corporate look, while half look like interns even if they're not. This is what reality is like.

That's all you need to know unless you're like "okay so if it's not all about the plot, give me a rundown on these characters so I know what to expect??":

Gu Yi and Daiwen meet at the comedy club. He's there at his psych's suggestion to step out of his boundaries due to repressed trauma/emotions. Gu Yi moonlights as a comedian after her corporate job, as an outlet to her work stress. They get off on the wrong foot, but become friends once they sort it out.

They are youthful in appearance so it feels very pure/natural as Gu Yi treats him like a genuine person/friend, completely unbothered by his professional achievements and background. She's a very simple girl (** please don't be offended bc I too am a simple girl and can relate, literally life should be simple idk why ppl complicate things, anyway--) - she has genuine aspirations, works hard, isn't paid enough, yet doesn't see the point in bending to corporate expectations and pours her remaining time into stand-up comedy as self-medicated therapy. Very innocent, idealistic, and unapologetic.

Her friend Yu Le from the comedy club, though older, is also simple and their dynamic is great as they are similar at heart.

Daiwen, though young, is troubled, closed off, and upfront about it, but has a good heart. He's had trauma and is proactively seeking help for it. He actually understands things she doesn't - such as the intricacies of balancing relationship dynamics especially in the workplace, and he knows where the line exists when it comes to burdening someone, or reciprocating favors. However, he can't decipher his own emotions. Because he struggles to navigate anything deeper than surface-level relationships, he keeps everyone at arm's length because he sees himself as defective and doesn't want to trouble anyone.

Xing Xin, their mutual friend who is also Yu Le's love interest, is from a prominent background and is suffocated by expectations. She's chained to expectations and yearns to break free - as a result, she is stressed about the bigger picture and also contrasts Yu Le's character.

The characters are all very self-aware of their own traits. And in Gu Yi and Daiwen's case, blind to their shortcomings. This drama is primarily about two characters who are willing to step out of their boundaries to make something work, even if they have several missteps along the way.

Gu Yi seems self-serving, but because she's simple, curious, and just doesn't know when to knock it off, she's able to wake Daiwen from his suppressed emotions and memories, and pull him out of a dark place. She simply doesn't believe that things should be complicated.

This is something no one else in Daiwen's life has done for him. Because he's always been surrounded by peers similar in background, who are aware of the complexities of give and take, and see the line he's drawn, they leave him alone even though he's lonely. Most are careful to not overstep boundaries unless they see a return on investment (ex. Qingya, his boss/sponsor that he feels indebted to).

So far, it's been focusing on Daiwen's struggles with the support of his friends, but not so much Gu Yi's story. I'm guessing once he is able to reconcile his past, we'll see him able to help Gu Yi through her own.

Anyway I'm excited to see where it goes!! Instead of thinking "where is the plot headed??", I now am thinking "how will this character act/react? how have they changed from the beginning?". So if you head in with this mindset, it'll be a more interesting watch!

Leia Mais

Smile Dropped

I want to preface my review by saying, I know starting a drama after reading its plot and being prompted by the plot to go for it, you definitely watch the whole thing with certain expectations.
I expected this drama would be about a personality transformation. How the transformation would be presented and how it would unfold was the unknown.

That being said, I waited more than anything for ONE very huge moment, every new episode the ML and FL relationship was growing I was holding my breath for it and this is where I got the BLOW.
If you haven't guessed it , I was waiting for the first ...smile. The ML first smile. I mean the whole thing was about a SMILE!!!

It came, but it was not special , it didn't appear in a slow motion or a close up or unforgettable setting. I can't even tell when it happened. I just found myself seeing it appear more and more.
The first smile from the ML was drowned and was inserted somewhere convenient after some tense situation and a reunion that felt too rushed .

It felt like I watched the whole drama about someone who couldn't express himself emotionally and once they got "unblocked" and cured that part was not special anymore. It was ordinary.
Once he became unblocked all the new emotions appeared all at once so the transition just killed the drama for me.

I have to be honest after episode 30 , the show was over. I fast forwarded the last 4 just in case something special happened but I could have stopped and it would have been perfect.

The acting was good. Was it extraordinary ? Some parts yes, especially in the beginning for Lin Yi. Chemistry between the 2 actors didn't work for me. I would put them together as siblings or very good friends but their cute moments with the FL smiling for no reason all the time annoyed me a bit. She felt surprised most of the time by him kissing her, and it felt weird and unnatural to me. Lots of kissing but most fell flat or unnecessary.

This drama was very promising but the storyline got lost somewhere and the smile became irrelevant.
That was my disappointment.

Leia Mais

Interesting concept

The plot of this drama is truly interesting and different. I have never seen a drama with this storyline, however, it did get boring at times. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad drama, just boring sometimes and it was exhausting watching Gu Yi fall in love with Liang Dawn. I don't think I will be able to keep loving someone who has no emotions. It hurt me to see how much pain she was in but I did enjoy the growth that he had because of her.

I do love both Shen Yue and Lin Yi. They are the best choices for this drama. They match perfectly well and they are a cute couple. And I have always loved Shen Yue's smile, so watching her smile to bring warmth into the lonely Liang Daiwen's life is refreshing.

Like I said the drama itself is really good, just boring at times. I did end up ffwding a lot of the episodes. What I loved most about this drama is the Great Meixia. She was a fresh of breath air and she truly did love both Gu Yi and Liang Daiwen. Her advice to them was also heartwarming. She did not want to force them to be together and she knows that if they were not meant to be, it was okay to wish everyone well and go on their separate ways. I loved how she bonded with Liang Daiwen.

The scenes with her mother towards the end of her life was really sad. I cried a lot. My mom is my rock and I don't know if I will be able to let her go either. I felt her pain and cried with her. I really do appreciate the fact that Liang Daiwen was there to comfort her even when it was hard for him. I also really like Xu Guanri. He wasn't overly pushy and respected her decision. He wasn't the overly obsessed second male lead. He was there for her when she needed him to be but he also knew that she liked someone else.

I rated this an 8.5 because of the fact that I spent a lot of the time ffwding some of the scenes that were boring and I feel that the editing of the drama wasn't that great. It was choppy and I had to go back to make sure I didn't miss anything since the editing didn't make sense at some episodes.

Leia Mais

Story Lags But A Fresh Concept

Shen Yue and Lin Yi did a marvelous job with the drama. Specially, how Lin Yi, acted here. We could see his character transform, see him gaining feelings. The chemistry is not like the most top notch I've watched but its definitely good. I also think that this concept is fresh and really good. The supporting actors also did a really good job.

One thing however I must say is that instead of dragging the timeline and making it boring, they could've gone with lesser episodes.

However, its a good drama and I definitely recommend. (I might not rewatch it tho )

Leia Mais

Best one of 2024

The drama starts at a slow pace but gradually grips the viewer's interest. The male character's acting made the initial episodes seem dull, though it wasn’t his fault—he was playing a role that required him to portray a character struggling with emotions. Some of his scenes felt repetitive, but I promise, the overall experience was worth watching.

The acting was phenomenal, and the music was equally captivating. I particularly admired the female lead's mother. The way she hid her illness and spent her final days with her daughter without revealing her secret was deeply moving. She held back her emotions, made all necessary arrangements for her daughter’s future, and only revealed the truth at the very end. This allowed her daughter to grow stronger and accept the harsh reality that death is inevitable.

I also enjoyed the subplot involving the other pair's love story. Though it was brief, the male character's decision to take things slowly to avoid repeating past mistakes was admirable. His approach gave their relationship time to develop, which felt realistic and heartfelt.

However, two or three episodes were undeniably boring. That said, I would still recommend this drama to those who enjoy soft, emotional storytelling and are willing to be patient with its pacing.

Leia Mais

Senyum dan kebahagiaan yang harus di gambarkan

ok kita mulai dari segi ost nya yang sangat baguss pengambilan gambar yg bagus dan tema yang bagus sesuai dengan apa yang di cerita kan,dalam serias ini sangat baguss saya benar-benar suka sekali untuk para pemain yang cocok dalam memerankan series ini,dari pemeran utama wanita yang memiliki senyum yang indah dan pemaran cowo yang memiliki trauma tidak bisa menggambar emosional nya terutama dalam tertawa dan tersenyum mereka benar-benar terlihat sangat sesuai untuk saling melengkapi satu sama lain,saya rasa hanya itu yang bisa saya berikan untuk seri cerita ini sangat bagusssss🔥✨

Leia Mais