First things, first.
I had put on hold The Smile Has Left Your Eyes,the Korean version, for very long time.Ive watched few episodes a year ago but for a reason it didn't pull me in.And i remember being really annoyed by the Female Lead.Cherry on top,by accident ive watched the last scene in youtube and that was the final bummer.

Recently i have discovered Kimura Takuya and his talent,he is my latest obsession and iam watching his works back to back.So while searching another Drama with him starring in,i found this one.And hit me hard because a year ago i didn't notice the Korean was a remake and this was the original.So without any hesitation -did i mention the word obsession?-i started watching it.Finished it in 2 seats and of course iam so happy i found it,im even thinking give another try to the Korean.I must put more faith to Seo In Guk and Park Sung Woong!

The things i loved was obviously the story and the acting mostly.

Kimura was simply amazing and i liked the 2nd Ml's acting as well.
As for the ladies here, Shibasaki Ko(who co-starred with Kimura in other dramas too) was great, but the rest didn't really impress me.


Honestly what i really didn't like was all female characters!Lol.Yes i have an issue of how writers write the female roles and i can't repeat it in every review i write!So i stop here.
Poorly written from the main FL to all the rest,although every single character was crucial to the story.
It would be better to be few episodes more and give us more detailed characters.

The Detective character has flaws too and i mostly "blame"him for all the mess and the path the story took..But of course if he was more clear and honest with his sister and didn't keep all those secrets, there would not be a story, so yes..bear with him!

As for the main Ml,if this role hadn't played by Kimura it would be just a good character.His performance took it to another level and iam saying this because i have few complains too about this character.Although many said he is a true monster,a manipulator and evil as hell,i totally disagree.There was not one single moment i hated him or cursed him or saw him like an evil char.I loved his dark soul.Loved all his pain.His cold face and heart. His past molded him.He built all those walls to defend himself.A natural mechanism. Self-preservation.For me all the women in his life actually took advantage of him and not the opposite! I was supporing him,truly wanted him to find peace and the love he deserved.He just took a glimpse of all these.This character broke my heart into a million pieces.

My only complain is that i wanted to present this character with more depth and give us more insight of his true feelings.His past and his story was rushed too.Id prefer to gradually built up during the whole drama and not revealing just in the last eps.

So the story is dark and twisted.Darker than you can imagine.Prepare yourself for a ride straight to abyss and back.
The ending was the most appropriate one.It could't be otherwise.It was the saddest perfect ending this story could have.A Catharsis,in a way..
I know the Korean version is the most popular(i will definetely rewatch it because iam curious to compare now that ive watched this).
If by any chance you haven't watched the Korean,start with the original,cause the story will stay with you for a long time.If you have watched it,still give this a try,especially if you like the more dark version,as the Jdramas are always more twisted!

Anyhow,enjoy!