I'll admit, I'm a big fan of Shen Yue and that's the reason I was excited to watch Smile Code. The clips and trailers make it look like it's a typical rom-com, but it's not. After watching 8 episodes, I can say that It has more depth and heart than almost anything I've seen lately. I wasn't sure of what was happening the 1st two or three shows. Their meeting is not a "meetcute". The lighting is dark and sometimes scary as we get to see what Liang Daiwen dreams about. He suffers from Alexithymia, a condition that renders the person unable to feel or express emotions. This is from a past childhood trauma. In the 1st three episodes we see his trauma, but you can't really tell what it is.

GuYi's life is also somewhat dark and scary. She shares a place with 3 others. Things are weird there. By the end of episode 3, it changes. Liang Daiwen moves her into his house for her safety and she gets to see his world. I've only watched 8 episodes, but I can see that there are reactions he has been showing since episode 1, you just don't realize what you are seeing.

This show has 30 episodes. It will take a while to open Liang Daiwen up, but I have no doubt that GuYi is the one to do it! Along the way, we meeting others in both if their lives. Even these don't follow the same rom-com pattern.

For Meteor Garden fans, I can absolutely see a parallel with Liang Dai Wen and Dao Ming Si. Both are lost little boys until Gu Yi and Shancai open them up. I can say this because I am watching Meteor Garden concurrently with Smile Code. I'm doing that because MG is my all time favorite and it's going away from Netflix in 2 weeks. Because I'm watching it for the 6th and last time, I can say they both give me the same feelings.

So, please don't stop watching Smile Code to early because it seems dark, scary and boring at times. If you leave early you will miss some absolutely amazing moments and storylines!!

So watch Smile Code, stick with ut when its tough at the beginning and trust that It will absolutely be well worth your time! Pretty soon, you too will be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next episode, just like the rest of us!