Images provided by Capturing Fantasy
The world of Chinese cinema has recently seen an influx of esports-themed dramas, captivating audiences with their unique take on the gaming universe. However, not all films hit the mark. Falling Into Your Smile, the latest addition to this genre, has stirred up controversy among netizens and gamers alike. Despite the star-studded cast and promising storyline, the movie has been heavily criticized for its numerous flaws, including unreasonable plot details, plagiarism scandals, and a distorted portrayal of the legendary Faker.
A Debatable Move: Selling Sex for Victory
From the moment the first episode aired, Falling Into Your Smile faced criticism not only from viewers but also from the gaming community. The male supporting character, Gian Duong, played by Trach Tieu Van, decides to flirt with the female protagonist, Dong Dao, portrayed by Trinh Tieu, and intentionally loses the game to her opposing team. In real life, such behavior would lead to an investigation and a long ban. However, the movie romanticizes this act, causing an uproar among fans who believe it disrespects the true spirit of esports.
Gian Duong boldly claims, “…If you want, I can let you win the second and third games.” This cheesy love story and the characters’ willingness to compromise the integrity of the game for personal gain has led to a strong boycott of the film.
Love Takes Center Stage: A Different Twist on Esports
One of the main criticisms directed at Falling Into Your Smile is its portrayal of love overshadowing the theme of esports. Many League of Legends fans and esports enthusiasts condemn the film for turning the backdrop of electronic sports into a mere setting for the main characters’ love story. The spirit of fair play, the relentless practice and competition for national pride, and the desire to win seem absent in the movie’s first episode, much like the original work.
Instead, the movie focuses on love stories where players from opposing teams flirt with each other. After the game, they take breaks to discuss matters of the heart, neglecting their teammates and their obligations to the team. This misalignment with the true spirit of esports further fuels the disappointment of fans.
Faker and Team WE: Misrepresentation Controversy
Adding fuel to the fire, Falling Into Your Smile faces accusations of misrepresenting Faker, a legendary figure in the League of Legends community. In the original novel When You Smile by Thanh Nuoc, Faker’s Chinese name, Ly Thuong Hach, closely resembles the character Ly Quan Hach depicted in the story. However, the film portrays Ly Quan Hach as an arrogant and contemptuous character, deviating from the real-life perception of Faker as a skilled player and an inspiration.
Furthermore, the movie introduces a fictional esports team called Team WE, which coincidentally shares its name with an actual esports team. This addition sparked controversy as observant netizens noticed the incorporation of dramatic elements and controversies surrounding Team WE that originated from false online rumors. This misrepresentation has had an unintended negative impact on the real-life image of Team WE.
Falling Into Your Smile has just taken its first steps, and it is too soon to pass a verdict. Fans hope that future episodes will capture the essence of esports that they yearn to see.
To stay updated with the latest gaming news, feel free to follow the fan page of Capturing Fantasy. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a more authentic representation of the esports world in Falling Into Your Smile.
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