> The Smile Has Left Your Eyes is so 2020 ; hence i saved to watch it on Dec 31st 2020 . Finished it at 11:05 31st Dec 2020; don't watch it if your heart can't take some hits.

This drama is not like other romantic dramas, this one is suspense, thriller and romantic at the same time. This is a dark series. And not "dark" in comparison to most Korean dramas, dark as in real life, traumatic dark. It's no surprise that this was originally a Japanese series but I'm glad it was adapted nonetheless as it was magnificently made with no holding back with the subject matter, tone of the series and ending.

PLOT
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The story will grow on you and will stick with you, the story of this drama would make you question morality and whats right and wrong. It tells how life is unpredictable and goes according to its own plan. That a man has many shades to him, if there is a darker side of him then there must be an entirely opposite and sweet side to him. That every action of ours no matter how small it is have consequences, even if you think that you are doing a good deed it may not necessarily yield the result that we want.

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' from the very first episode presented itself with a protagonist who has very little inhibitions or care about the people around him.
[spoiler]
We may look at the romances as some palate cleanser to all the darkness surrounding it but as we delve deeper into both Moo Young's relationships with Seung Ah - a fun, freeing relationship albeit a one sided one - and Jin Kang - a healing one and a hurtful one, we learn that it's too destined for a terrible ended. Ill- fated love is definitely a main theme that 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' explores. 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' is an excellently developed series with twists and turns that are all plausible and done in such a thrilling yet harsh way. You'll get hooked from scene one and might actually regret it at the end.
[/spoiler]

I do feel it slightly lost some spark towards the climax due to the script demanding misunderstandings (don't we love those?). Many conflicts could have been avoided if there was better communication amongst the characters. I suppose this can be said for virtually any drama, but it especially applies in this case. It doesn't help that some of the situations aren't fully concluded. I do also feel there were just a tad bit many plot devices used to progress the story. Some character actions just make little sense, and there was either little or no explanation to them afterwards. I at often times felt frustrated by many of these actions, but fear not; it shouldn't detract much from your entertainment, as the overall execution and the story itself are quite beautiful.


CAST
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The cast was excellent and while at sometimes, character disappear and we never see of them again or we are treated to very limited appearances from said character, it never detracts of the main story that's built around the main three (maybe add Jang Young Nam's character, So Jung in on that trio as well).

Seo In Guk plays his first antihero role in Kim Moo Young, and he truly delivers.Seo In Guk is gripping with his scenes and how he delivered his lines in such a way that captures the character's emotions perfectly while actually doing very little. His character is sharp, mysterious, and conflicting, and much like Jin Kang, I could not help but be drawn to him, wanting to figure out his character, questioning his motives and actions. Moo Young's dialogue was also quite intricate in that viewers and characters alike could draw multiple meanings from his words. I think this was one element the drama and In Guk pulled off especially well.
How he interacts with Jung So Min is both heart-warming and heart-breaking ; Same with Seo Eun Soo ( Seung Ah) actually.There relationship is a one that could've made us, the audience, turn against the character, but they were able to portray the complexity of the situation and their relationship real well.

Jung So Min plays Yoo Jin Kang, a rather strong willed woman who is also very kind, forgiving, and sympathetic. Jin Kang's strength as a character is not what I would classify similarly to a strong female lead, but she is strong because of her ability to endure everything she has experienced, accept it, and move on. Jung So Min conveyed Jin Kang's emotions so vividly well, the emotional pain is visible through her interactions. So far I loved Jung So Min in all her shows :heart_eyes:

Park Sung Woong nails his role as Jin Kang's brother, Yoo Jin Gook, as well. Jung So Min and Park Sung Woong were great together. Bonded like Brother and Sister should be. He portrayed the shifts in emotion as the drama progressed very well. I do however, wish his character was better written. The inconsistencies in the character [spoiler]like not wanting the both of them to date due to the possible past connection hinting an incest ... stabbing him out of the blue .. then suddenly caring for him after calling him monster earlier[/spoiler]
Park Sung Woong and Seo In Guk's characters were the opposite but intertwined at the same time. There was a lot of subtle to it. Both had light and darkness. That speaks volumes to their performances.

I'll end with this; the main three should've won some awards for their performances.

As for the supporting cast, their performances were stellar as well. Seo Eun Soo pulled off a very convincing girl blinded by love in Baek Seung Ah. Go Min Shi as well with the complications in her character, Im Yu Ri. Special mention Kim Ji Hyun whom played Jang Se Ran. She annoyed me to the death ; might be her character or her acting ..something rubbed me the wrong way. Cho-Rung was an annoying rookies cop but he reminded me of Ji Sung

MUSIC
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The music in this drama was synced flawlessly. If I had to compliment any one thing about the drama, it would absolutely be the soundtrack. The eerie, sinister themes added so many elements of suspense to drama. Sorrowful, yet calming and somehow uplifting music complemented the melodrama and romance all too well, especially 'Lost' by Ahn Ji Yeon. 'Someday' by Yi Sung Yol was the perfect song to end off many of the episodes' suspense, while leaving you craving for the next. And I can't forget 'Star' which was a beautiful addition sung by none other than the 2 leads Seo In Guk and Jung So Min. I feel this song greatly reflects their relationship in the drama.

RECOMMENDATION
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It gives the vibes of HELLO MONSTER , HEALER ,COME AND HUG ME , KILL ME HEAL ME .

VERDICT
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Overall this is easily one of my new favorite dramas ever, the story is a pretty dark one, but it's not without light moments and scenes that made me smile and swoon. This isn't exactly a sweet romance, but there are plenty of moments to satisfy romance fans. There may not be much action for crime thriller fans, but I think the suspense around characters and the story makes up for that. If you are the type of person who prefers stories about happy people living happily ever after, then you may want to skip this one, but I think you're missing out.

Definite a recommend from me if you're looking for a melodramatic romance with thriller and mystery! Just take note that this does happen to be a tragedy.

P.S : [spoiler] This would have had an happy ending if Jin Gook could just reveal the truth to consenting adults (30+) and Tak didn't stop him multiple times .[/spoiler]