The Perfect Match

The Perfect Match is the first Taiwanese drama I finished on Netflix (and finished quickly because it is enjoyable to watch). A love-romance comedy crossing a high-end restaurant chef and a girl selling curry at the night market.

As a foodie myself, I was drawn initially to the food (the Taiwan night market is already unique by itself), but I enjoyed the plot that is executed at a good pace and at the right level of details that goes into ingredients and running of a restaurant. Conflicts within the riches' families do not make much sense to me other than as comedies, but unlike most Japanese dramas that may build multiple arcs but only finishes the main one, The Perfect Match did the few well justice.

Romance dramas are usually filled with beautiful actors and actresses and this is no exception. Lead actor Wu Kang-jen is seasoned and lead actress Ivy Shao was having a break-thru year in her acting (and singing) from her first major role the year before (Back to 1989). You will fall in-love with her by the end of the drama.

Charming and unusual romcom with a culinary/food theme. The upscale vs food cart theme sets up a wonderful dynamic that delivers an unusual and entertaining story totally original and fun.

Some of the comedy scenes like sleeping in the tent and the repartee between the chef and grandma are sweet and fun.

I laughed like crazy at the supercute scenes w the chef and his grandma. The romantic leads are quirky and their odd romance turns out to be an acquired taste for both of them, like some foods, LOL.

You will enjoy this if you like uplifting romcoms that are positive and uplifting. Also you'll pick.up some cooking tips!

This drama is mainly a romance, but a little bit of several genres was squeezed into it. The plot is quite unrealistic, but the character growth, family bonds, and romance was quite fun to watch.

The show does a good job foreshadowing and hinting at events through the entire show. There's very little guessing involved with the plot; but that ended up building the anticipation when the event you're expecting finally happens. The characters are likeable, so you end up rooting for them to accomplish goals.

The secondary couple was very cute. The romance and kissing scenes are all well done. There is a single INTIMATE scene, which is uncommon in these types of dramas. It was done very well: Despite having no nudity or obscenity, it managed to be very sensual. Both couples looked great together.

There were several episodes dedicated to a backcourt politics "arc", which was extremely funny.

So a top level high society Chef just happens to be wandering around a night market and samples the cuisine of a female cook who is using his name to draw attention.

In the real world his lawyers would have been first on the scene and demanded they remove his name from their advertising on pain of prosecution.

But no - that would have obviated the chance for them to fall in love.

And this is where the elephant in the room lumbers in.

The girl he is attracted sexually to is the living image of his dead sister - she even has her mannerisms.

Distasteful? Much?

Why wouldn't the writers make her the image of his ex girlfriend or his high school first love?

The usual tropes apply - enemies to lovers - disapproving dominant parents - the jealous third parties etc ad nauseam.

And I haven't even mentioned the bizarre dance routine at the beginning of this series.

I wasn't impressed by the looks or the acting of the entire cast - a definite miss for me.

The undeniable charm between the two main characters make this romatic comedy a sweet moment to help you take the hardship of the day.

We all have a past and how we want to handle our past is what would make or break your future relationships.

This cute couple have a heavy past, but together they overcome it and try to go foward not letting it and anyone get in the way. There's everything that a respectful drama needs... great characters, anoying girl that think she can get everything she wants, overbaring mothers and so much more.

And the food looks absolutely delicious. Makes me even want to take up Chinesse cooking.

Ofcorse it wasn't all perfect, there were a few borring moments with the scheaming mother and the jealous shrew that just wouldn't stop. But luckily there was one of the most thrilling and heart-pumping kisses I have ever seen.

All in all this drama was fun and sweet.