The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

This is a story about two beautiful, good people who adore one another and just want to be left alone; but of course it's a drama, so that isn't going to happen. And the resultant themes that drive the narrative are as ancient as storytelling: secrets, love, sex, jealousy, class, revenge, manipulation: and especially the sins of the fathers (and brother) landing straight on the heads of the children who deserved none of it.

Writing, direction, and cast are all excellent, though I did shave off a point because there are some questionable plot decisions. That said, the series belongs to SEO IN-GUK who is extraordinary. This is one of the best Korean series I've seen, and he is an incredibly gifted actor--now one of my favorites, because as superb as the cast is, Seo In-Guk is working on a different level that no acting class can teach: he simply becomes the character and breaks your heart. For as one commenter wrote, this drama is not for the faint of heart: it is a complex, mature story that will cause both joy and anguish in viewers--will steadily pull in every emotional direction, right through the conclusion, where I sat stunned. But I was grateful for the experience of this drama.

I didn't know anything about this show before watching it, not even that it is a remake of a Japanese drama. I am glad because I was genuinely surprised by the ending. I don't want to spoil anything if you're interested in this show. Just know that it is not a romantic comedy and the actors are fantastic, especially the male lead. He really brought his character to life with such mastery that it gives me the chill. Highly recommended if you are looking for a love story that comes with more than a thrill or two.

I don't understand why this drama did not receive the spot light it should have. It's based on a Japanese drama, except that the plot took a different ending. I loved it, the actors, the suspense to it, the traumas, everything! I enjoyed the psychological aspect to it too, just make sure that you have a box of tissues next to you watching this.

Where to begin?

Someone wrote boring. Boring???!!!!!!!!

Upon reading other reviews, I thought I'd come here after watching episode 13, as some people said it was the moment when the story started to drag. Most KD drag indeed, because of the 16 episode frame. I wanted to write that I wouldn't mind it if only trash came after episode 13, for I was already satisfied, mesmerized, elated, and I knew nothing would change that.

I think I know why some people were dispappointed. After episode 13, the genre goes abruptly from thriller to romance. Except that for me, it was no disappointment at all. The story actually got deeper, more touching, and surprisingly enough, more thrilling. I sat on the edge of my seat, holding my breath/tears/heart.

The mysteries. Nothing is what it seems. I thought I knew. "Oh, so obvious, I figuered everything out, already!" Or did I?

Their love. Is one of the most beautiful in KDland. I liked the contrast between the fake relationship with fireworks, money, precious vases getting shattered... and the genuine one, so ordinary, so down-to-earth. They needed only to be together, like all lovers. I kept thinking OMG they're so cute! It's never about chemistry or urges, or lust, it's all about feeling good together, belonging with each other. Simple as that. Even making love, is like eating or sleeping. Natural and easy.

This makes me feel very thankful and admirative towards the director. I couldn't help but notice the hard and clever work. There is this scene, it occurs twice. The main character is treated like garbage, but he's used to that and doesn't care, right? Then we see him from a distance as he goes down the street. We can't really see his face, but he wraps himself tight in his shirt and crosses his arms. This means. I feel like naked, vulnerable, miserable, hurt. I want to cry. Wow. What can be said with just a shirt!

Also, the actors'performances. Jaw-dropping. I love the main actress ever since "playful kiss". She's so cute!! Seo In-Guk is the one who (accidentally) brought me there though, right after watching "Doom at your service". I could compare his performances and I realized that, once again, the director must have been genius-strucked. SIG is un-believable in this drama. Gosh.

I edited to add this part: THE ACTING. OMG, OMG! The male lead, OMG, he plays with every last bit of his body. I'm watching for the second time and, knowing the character's true colors, I can focus on the performance that brought him to life. "Out of this world", someone wrote. This is it. Pay attention to the guy's fingers, legs... He acts with his whole body, kissing the girl's hair, stroking her shoulder with the back of his fingers, swallowing heavily or beathing deeply. WOW.

The music. Someone compared this to Romeo and Juliet. The music, the piano, especially in the last episode, matches this impression. But it wasn't only the music that was perfectly accurate. Stuff like a bird shirping. I noticed a bird shirping at the worst possible moment, irony. Even the silences were meaningful, masterfully used as story-telling enhancers.

Every detail was thouroughly crafted. I usually nitpick about plotholes, but couldn't pinpoint a single flaw. I liked how people kept saying that KMY wasn't human, because he didn't have a heart. And I liked that, in the end, we realize that he was exactly that. A boy who someday lost his heart and set off to seek it.

The endind. Kind of killed me. I stayed still for a while, with my hand over my mouth, in shock, speechless.

I think this drama is my number one out of fifty.(scratch that, number one out of 85, I counted)

PS: I wanted to say that this drama is not depressing, at least it wasn't for me. Quite the contrary. I felt high for two whole days after watching. Two weeks later, it still comforts me, the warmth. All the sad parts evaporated to leave me with the beautiful, endearing memory of their love. Every time I think about them, I smile. It feel like... I went to church and found that God was actually there. (you'll know what I mean when you watch;) I am very grateful for that feeling. That's why I decided to watch it again!

I've never seen such a beautiful love before.

An intense drama with a heavy plot this one. The story has so many leyers that sometimes it wasn't easy to keep up. However, the many twists and the drama from the past were really entertaining. This drama follows the japanese original closely, but add it own touch to it, with the final ending similar and yet very different. Actually, the ending was a shock and it suited the relationship overall, the later being a very well presented one, as the two actors had chemistry. There were two things however that I didn't like about this drama : they left some things unconcluded and unexplained (a); Jin Kang was sometimes annoying as a character (b). But, overall, it was a great drama, so 8 out of 10.