Story: For the most part, I actually really liked the plot and storyline. Parts of the plot arcs follow some usual drama tropes, such as family secrets and corporate political struggles, but a lot of the characters didn't fall into cliche roles and Fen Qing and Ting En have a very strong, healthy drama relationship (mostly). The show starts out making it seem like Ting En and Fen Qing are in a teacher/student type dynamic, but they very much challenge each other as individuals. A significant part of the relationship between Ting En and Fen Qing is about how Fen Qing doesn't need a man to protect her or fight her battles for her, though she could use some support. The only reason I wouldn't rate the story higher is because of those last few episodes where it feels like the writers couldn't figure out how to resolve some loose ends and decided to create chaos instead.
Acting/Cast: Mixed feelings on this one, but I ended up rating it high because of the three aforementioned actors. Chris Wu gives Ting En a charming maturity and depth. He and Ivy Shao as Fen Qing have great, bantering chemistry. Ivy Shao also does a great job of balancing Fen Qing's youth and naivete with her strong personality. But Lawrence Liu as Peng Xiao Bin, Ting En's best friend, is the scene stealer whenever he's on screen. His expressions and comedic timing are excellent and give this show life! While these three actors were all great, I thought Suan Wang as Meng Ru Xi was robotic, which was unfortunate because she got a ton of screen time and her character was actually pretty decent for a rival love interest.
Music: That opening song is so catchy!! It makes me think of rainbows and sunshine and summer breezes and my day feels brighter whenever I hear it.
Rewatch Value: Very low. I would fast forward to just watch some of the cute interactions between Ting En and Fen Qing. The rest of it is skippable.
Overall, this show is enjoyable for the most part with minimal cringe factor and some steamy kissing scenes, but lacks an addictive hook or a compelling finish.
Was this review helpful to you?
Improvement need
The story can be better! From unknown to know, from crushing to fall in love each other and the part that they separated, really make me feel so broken hearted for both of the couple. It should have shown ending with a wedding ceremony not just kissing. A proper proposal and wedding.Can have part 2 the perfect match.
Was this review helpful to you?
Story was much better than the reviews!
I am so glad I was not swayed to drop this Taiwanese drama after episode 16-17 after I read a number of the reviews. So many viewers thought that the perfect ending should have been episode 16 but I disagree. Episodes 17-22 added more richness to the story. I thought the male leader was so natural in this role and was so convincing. The development of the female lead was seen throughout but especially towards the end. I usually watch mostly kdramas. I learned so much about cooking, the cuisine and the restaurant business. This was only my third drama from Taiwan and because I enjoyed Perfect Match so much, it will most definitely not be my last.Was this review helpful to you?
So Cute then drags to finish
UGH! I was really enjoying where this story was trying to take us and midway it did this slow limp towards the finish. When there are scenes and situations that seem unnecessary to the main point of view, it takes the interest away. The actors were okay. Yet some of the cheesiness seemed thrown in and felt unnatural. I liked the dynamic of story and backstory, yet the character development with the FL was a bit trying at times. It has promise. This could have been a solid 20 episodes with better editing for the storyline flowthrough.Was this review helpful to you?
I wanted to know all about the characters and what transpired to make him kiss her like that. I will not reveal anything more. This was my first Taiwanese drama so the language felt strange to my ears. But the acting skills and cuteness level of the characters and scenes kept me going. 22 episodes is too long for a romcom, it could have ended a lot sooner. But it was a pleasant watch and educational, as both the leads are chefs and they share many interesting tidbits about the ingredients and cooking methods. Side characters are sweet and actually contribute to the story rather than being evil and selfish, which was a plus. This drama is atmospheric and takes you into a different world. There are the usual cliched scenarios which are cringey and over the top, i especially disliked the exaggerated ridiculous sleeping habits of FL, the ML's best friend who tries too hard to be funny, and few other forced-live in incidents where the mothers act really ridiculous.. but there is the feel of a genuine love story underneath it all which makes it worth the watch. I will possibly rewatch this for their sweet chemistry and the smooches! BGM is appropriate and couple of them are catchy. Give this one a try for a glimpse into the Taiwanese world - the close-knit lives of night market food vendors and the pressures and problems faced by the truly wealthy.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This Taiwanese Rom-Com is worth watching. Quite entertaining with lots of laughs in the first 10 episodes. The story line is very similar to 'My Fair Lady' as it was also referenced in one of the episode. I did very much enjoyed the English version of My Fair Lady. I would say although there were similarities between the two but there were also differences which made it enjoyable to watch.Chris Wu the main lead actor was very convincing and the maturity he brought out in his acting made it very enjoyable to watch. However, I like his sidekick more which brought out the funny side to the whole story line. Keeping the whole show grounded.
The ending was a bit abrupt; I would like to see the main lead actress struggled a bit more when she took over the cooperation. It did not made sense in that someone without the right training is able to lead a major cooperation that easily, even with Xiao Bin's help.
Not the best music score though.
Was this review helpful to you?
Should have stopped at 17 but...
I rewatched this drama recently as I was drama-less lately. Food+idol drama is for me the perfect match indeed. I like also Taiwanese drama as they are less cheesy than the Korean ones. The chemistry between the first leads is evident and I really loved to watch them bickering and falling in love at the same time. The heroine is witty, strong and opinionated which is a nice change. Huo Tingen respects her and also falls in love with her because of that. They really are perfect partners.I second the bromance as well which is really fun and looks quite organic as well.
Now the show indeed drags up after the 17th episode but hey, watching these two interacting is still worth it. There is no story anymore but who cares! I was in for the love...
Was this review helpful to you?
SPELLBOUND KISSES
Hadn’t watched too many Taiwanese series, but I was drawn to this one. My favorite episodes were 9 & 17. I wasn’t familiar with Chris Wu, but am a fan, now! Thought Ivy to be a great actress and she played a strong female lead—a little quirky, but intelligent and smart. I have watched a lot of Korean and a few Chinese, Japanese and of course, American movies/series. I thought I’d seen the best kiss, by Yoo Yeon-seok, in “The Interest of Love, Ep. 10, I believe…Until Chris Wu’s kisses! OMG! He doesn’t just passionately kisses Ivy’s character, he romances her lips-slowly gliding from top to bottom, never breaking contact, until the kissing had ended. Then slowly pulls away, remaining relatively close to her face and confesses his love (Ep. 9). Ep. 17 was similar. I’d never seen that in all my many years of movie watching. The thing is, I’m tired of watching supposed “romantic” movies, with no romance. Would loved to have seen them finally get together (and really be together), while they were in their pretend engagement period, just to see how Chris’ character would have accomplished that! Overall, enjoyed the camaraderie of the street market “family,” the goodwill of the grandmother, and the friendship of the manager. Great show!Was this review helpful to you?
Loved it
Lovely show... great chemistry between leads likable side characters. Just enough drama but bot enough to be annoying. Would watch again. Had a decent ending I find a lot af asain dramas endings seem rushed or idk not satisfying but this one was ok.I did feel like the male lead had a mantantrume that was a bit unnecessary... but I guess that was juat the story line and they had to do something I guess for a bit more drama.
Apparently my review has to be at least 500 characters to submit but I cant rhunk of anything else to say blahhhh
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
A food-lover's drama
This was a very good show. Loved the main characters together. Loved all the cooking/food. LOVED the restaurant manager!!! The restaurant manager added a lot of comedy to the show, and he really felt like someone you would want to be friends with. Kissing scenes - wow! Though the big breakup and the reason behind it was very weak, it was powerful to watch, they both did a really good job. She was awfully slow to confess, (which they tend to do a lot in Asian dramas. Why? Just to make it last longer and have more episodes?) and I thought she relied on her guy friend too much, especially since she HAD to know how he felt...Was this review helpful to you?
Such a letdown at the end....
I read all the reviews that said this was good until episode 17, well, it was correct !!While the story was "ok", I mean nothing really spectacular... the actors and their chemistry/ dynamics really carried this drama.
I love everything "Food" related and this in parts did not disappoint, but to be honest, this whole drama could have been shot in 12 episodes. Many episodes dragged and I had to fight not to fast forward through it.
You get good doses of noble idiocy which completely ruins the final episodes. Instead of feeling good, smile and enjoy you get annoyed, sad and confused... not the best of feelings when watching something that was so quirky in the beginning.
Can't give this more than 7 (although it really is a 6)
Was this review helpful to you?
