Complicated
Firstly, I watch this series because of Zhang Miaoyi.After watching her in Exclusive Fairytale, When I Fly Towards You, Back to Seventeen, and Please Don't Spoil Me, I really felt the urge to watch this one.
It's all about love and hate here. Hence why it becomes soo complicated.
This drama told me that we can have more than one feeling to each other.
We can be enemies even we love each other, and any other complicated things from human relationships.
I can't say that I like this drama but the fact that every episode always engage me to watch the next episodes till the end is crazy. I never get boring once, just make it faster with 2× speed.
So, there's no any regrets after watching it. The ending is quite satisfying too.
There's no cringe scenes for me, the romance is enough too. Not too sweet but also not so plain. Everything is just make sense here.
They deserve more attention.
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This review may contain spoilers
It could have been better
Just like I said in the title, it could have been better.First of all, I didn't have that many expectations, especially because I do not like Xie Bin Bin's acting, at least according to my experience with his previous dramas.
Honestly, I don't think it's a good drama, however, it wasn't a terrible experience either. It was... avarage?
To begin with, I believe that although the plot is interesting, the silly and meaningless clichés that some cscreenwriters still insist on bringing to dramas, have made everything very lacking in content.
For me, the CONS:
- Jiang Xiu's strange relationship with his "brother" Jiang Jie: is he really his brother? I ask this because, honestly, the writers wrote a character who has many dubious actions. Although she is called the younger sister, in my opinion, she acts like a girl in love with the guy she grew up with. For this reason, I found the way she acted throughout the drama quite strange.
- The stereotype of obsessed SF: I really can't take it anymore, I just wish the writers would extinguish the second female or second lead thing once and for all, because for me it's not realistic, it's extremely irritating and, most of the time, the feelings that these characters have for protagonists are extremely unreal and unfounded in their own idealizations.
- The loss of "timing" for the couple to stay together: In my opinion, the screenwriters wasted a lot of time with misunderstandings and unnecessary nonsense. I would have liked to have seen the characters together much longer and seen them as a couple.
- Very average performance by ML: I don't like to criticize people personally, but as a viewer, I really didn't enjoy Xie Bin Bin's performance. This happened in his previous dramas, too.
- I wish they would have more "chemistry", you know?
- The kitchen part sounded amateurish, although I understand that it was probably the budget
PROS:
- A friendship between a man and a woman without a annoying crush in the middle: Finally we don't have that annoying and heteronormative cliché
- Incredible FL with dualities
- Good acting by Zhang Miao Yi
- The story is interesting, despite the script nonses
This was my review.
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Hmmm...
The story wasn't too bad, and it keep you somewhat interested for the 24 episode, I only skip through from episode 13 or 14 until end of 16, it wasn't too hard to watch, that's just where the drama is. But it was very satisfying, because my anger subsided, they did well making the one who caused the problem with the other lead, fixing it. The romance happens realllllly late, but then once together, the kisses were pretty good, and they were cute together, if the ending wasn't so rushed, then it would have been more satisfying, but it somewhat wasn't, but I still don't regret watching, it's good for a one time watch if you have nothing else.After a while I started really liking the ML sister, I usually don't pay too much attention too secondary couples, but I liked them and it's probably because the SFL has a bad girl type personality, and the SML he was really nice and very caring (especially towards FL dad) without being an idiot, they were well matched.
The acting was good, especially the FL the shows I've seen her in she didn't have this kind of personality, kind of scheming, so it was nice seeing her act this way, the ML acting was nice too, as well as the side characters, the uncle/dad did well with the twin role, i hated him as the uncle but liked him as ML dad haha.
The opening ost, and the songs in the drama were really nice. The food looked good as well.
Now this is what I did not like the romance is already slow burn, but whatever it wasn't too bad, but!!... then they give the secondary couple a more detailed and full happy ending, than the main leads (even before the drama ended), what's with these rushed ending for the main couple?!. After everything they went through, and it's already a slow burn, just to rush the ending. That's like the biggest issue I have, after everything that went on, how can you make such a fast happy ending, literally not even 5 minutes for the main lead, very disappointing.
Sooo... the show was okay, and despite the drama in the middle, they dealt with it well, but it would have gotten a higher rating from me if the main couple had a better detailed happy ending, after all they went through, my gosh even if it was at least 10 minutes more it would have been better. SMH
Anyways, still a watchable drama!.. don't pay too much attention to comments, its all from a personal perspective, I probably wouldn't have watch if i did, so take these comments and reviews with a grain of salt, and if this is your taste, then go for it, maybe you might like it more than me, maybe you wouldn't.. it's up to you.
Happy drama watching :)
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A sweet story with excellent leads
First, I decided to watch this because I love Zhang Miao Yi's acting. Her acting is charming, full of charisma, and so natural, with many varied expressions. And she didn't disappoint in this series, either. She delivered both cuteness and seriousness so well that I felt her character's dilemma and internal conflicts. The lead actor, Xie Bin Bin, also did an excellent job. They have a beautiful chemistry together.I was most drawn to the main characters' connection and their journey to become top chefs. It was interesting to understand more about the chef world. The plot line was ambitious with different themes; however, it sometimes felt abrupt and unrealistic.The series could have been so much better if the story had been better written in some parts.
However, the story of the leads and their chemistry and acting have kept me looking forward to the next episode day after day. I don't mind the slow burn at all because I can feel their connection and admiration for each other throughout the series, whether they are officially together or not. I also like that all the characters in this series are not perfect and do make mistakes. That is just part of growing as humans. Finally, the overall rating for this series should be at least 8.2 or 8.3. I tend to drop a lot of series in the middle, but I was eager to follow this until the end.
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Good cooking aesthetic... But that's all! Nothing else!
I like both ml and fl that's why I started this drama, I loved the starting episodes! But then, idk where it got lost, everything felt messy! Completed it only bcz i planned to not drop any drama this year!Pros :
The cooking!!!it's Aesthetic ! It literally made me hungry, and I always eat something while watching the drama !! That's all
Cons :
One dimensional characters
Over confident fl & ml with no reaction
Ml was pathetic! Delusional
Irritating sister (i finally liked her a bit in the final episode)
The second couple... Annoying!
It's not slow burn, it was dragging
Was there even music!?? I remember none!
Plot, opening was good but second half, nah, completed last 7 epsiodes in about 2 hours!!!
Made one of my favourite character join hand with villain for DUMBEST reason
Rushed ending!!
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Linked with Layers
The leads: Their romantic connection was more so varied layers of emotional conflict that never really felt resolved and seemed rushed in the end. The FL seemed immature, misguided and slow to 'read the room' more than cute and convincing at times. The ML seemed torn, talented and tormented but too soft at the oddest of times. The storyline dynamics has been seen before; nevertheless, the execution of script and direction left it lackluster and a bit boring. The main challenge points seemed to become a backdrop to the 'romance' which was not strong enough to bring to the forefront. Some parts seem forced to prove a point while others drag for dramatic affect. (which doesn't quite work) The last episodes started to feel more like the pace from the beginning. There was no depth of consistency in the middle. It became tiring to finish. With a tighter edit, this could have been told in 20 episodes and would have landed much better. Rewatch is questionable.Was this review helpful to you?
PROS:
+ The context is weird, but relatively plausible.
+ Beautiful kitchen images.
+ handsome actors (ML & ML2)
CONS:
- poorly written story and production that lacks balance: the romance drags on with unnecessary misunderstandings, then is "botched" in a few episodes, and does not even have a satisfactory ending.
- some characters are poorly constructed: the F's father, the cousin, the sister obsessed with the ML, the ML2's sister, etc.
- Fed up with anorexic actresses: Yakisa, here, is pitiful!!! Also, NOTHING about her character is believable (๑•ิཬ•ั๑)
She seems in love with her brother/a 25 year old anorexic genius cook? seriously ?? / She's a Marie-Sue, who knows how to shoot a rifle, ride a motorcycle, is great in the kitchen, etc.
- I dislike Zhang Miao Yi's childish look and voice
=> To see to pass the time, but will not be remembered...
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PLOT: rencontre et affrontement entre 2 chefs de cuisine, par le biais d'une règle de guilde : un chef peut défier un autre. Celui qui perd la compétition, perd son couteau et ferme son restaurant. La FL (sous-chef d'1 restaurant dont le ML "a gagné le couteau"), veut venger son maître. Le ML, chef d'un autre restaurant, veut abattre le chef de la guilde, son grand-père, qui a expulsé son père, décédé ensuite.
PROS:
+ Le contexte est chelou, mais relativement plausible.
+ De belles images de cuisine.
+ des acteurs handsome (ML & ML2)
CONS:
- story mal écrite et réalisation qui manque d'équilibre : la romance traine en longueur sur des malentendus inutiles, puis est "bâclée" en quelques épisodes, et n'a même pas de fin satisfaisante.
- certains personnages sont mal construits : le père de la FL, le cousin, la sœur obsédée par le ML, la sœur du ML2, etc.
- Ras le bol des actrices anorexiques : Yakisa, ici, fait pitié !!! De plus, RIEN dans son personnage n'est crédible (๑•ิཬ•ั๑) Elle semble amoureuse de son frère / une cuisinière de génie, anorexique de 25 ans ? sérieux ?? / C'est une Marie-Sue, qui sait tirer à la carabine, faire de la moto, est géniale en cuisine, etc.
- J'ai un peu de mal avec le look puéril et la voix de Zhang Miao Yi
=> A voir pour passer le temps, mais ne restera pas dans les mémoires...
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Cute and fluffy!
This was a cute and fluffy watch! It had some of my fav elements, like a nice slow burn, a couple that actually gets to know each other before dating and has something in common or shared passion / common goal that they can work towards together, which I think just adds so much to the chemistry and believability of the pairing. Zhang Miao Yi was really good, I haven't watched either lead in anything before but she was fun to watch, chemistry queen in this drama, and I thought she was great at portraying the happy/light moments too! Xie Bin Bin and her had good chemistry which is what I look for in a romance drama. The pacing and plot in terms of the romance I really loved, people shouldn't go into it thinking it's a high budget drama but I think it's quite sweet and genuineI could tell from the get-go that I didn't take the alliance stuff too seriously, the concept and plot are more a frame to carry the romance and personal relationships around it, also I thought the corporation plotting bits that arose later on in the drama were actually fun. It's a tv show - I look for something that will entertain me and also remind me of all the cute bits of romance, which it definitely did! And props to the actors for acting each character on point, very believable and I'm happy I watched it! :)
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I Was Enjoying it, Until I Wasn't
Right off the bat, this drama felt mid-sized budget. I don't know, I'm not an expert, but it just kinda of gives that vibe.Story for the first 10 episodes, I was genuinely enjoying it, BUT I did notice from time to time that there are some sketchy things in the writing that would feel very off to me. For example, its pacing is weird sometimes, and the way the dialogue exchanges is sometimes a bit off, though it wasn't deteriorating my enjoyment. It's just a minor thing that's there. Then as you go deep into the series, those small cracks that I noticed would slowly creep in and would start getting bigger and worse as you approach the ending.
The story beats feels so disjointed, there were a lot of ass-pullings everywhere, but it somehow still made sense, if you can puzzle it all together. I feel like the writer or producer, whoever is in charge in that department, must've had good(or cliche) ideas and chucked it all in without considering how to make it all flow well. Also, I feel like this drama, even though I'm thankful that it's just 24 episodes, could've benefited from the 30-40 episode runtime. You see, there are not that many fluffy scenes, they just get on with it with whatever they want to show and a lot was built up, but couldn't explore it all because of the time constraint (and maybe budget as well?). Although kudos to them, because even though it had flaws, it was still entertaining enough for me to finish it.
As for the Characters, I think they are the hard carry in this drama. Without them, I would've dropped this mid-way. The characters are not perfectly written, but they are still dynamically funny. I loved the bantering. The chemistry of the couples is good. I must say, I think the 2nd couple stood out to me, though their beginning was such a mess, the writing of their relationship gets better as the story goes on. The first couple was all right, they were cute but felt vanilla. Since they've built it up that there were seven families in the alliance, but because of the time constraint they couldn't explore them all one by one.
I thought "Is it just me?" but I looked at the comments mid-series even when I was trying my hardest not to look at it because I'm still not finished with the drama, but yeah... it wasn't only me.
Overall, it was a decent drama. You could give this a watch, but just look at it from an entertainment standpoint and you'll enjoy it, but if you use too many brain cells, then you're probably gonna end up hating it.
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Should definitely watch once!
The plot or the story of the drama is unlike other chinese dramas. Its not only about the romance between Jiang jie and Li nai. It gives you an insight to the chinese cuisine and how hard chefs work. Not spoiling too much, it makes one go through an emotional rollercoaster. The actor who played the role Jiang jie was excellent. He was the one who stood out among all for me. The only thing which i didnot like was the romance development between the main leads. It was clear that jiang jie liked li nai from the very beginning but through most of the episodes it felt as if li nai treated jiang jie just as a friend. So sudden confession was felt a bit off. Them being in a relationship was very sweet and pure. Kiss scenes were hot. Over all, truly worth it to watch once!Was this review helpful to you?
A pretty good show
I was hesitant watching the show even though I was so excited to watch it when it first came out as I like both the ml and the fl. But after reading a couple bad reviews I wasn’t sure but I’m glad I still went ahead and watched it. I thought the story was actually pretty good and I the chemistry was definitely there. And normally I don’t like slow burn romances but it really worked for this show. If there was one thing I would complain about is the ending seemed quite rushed. I would have liked to have seen a more in depth ending of all the characters but other than that it was still a pretty good showWas this review helpful to you?
Very creative story with a unique plot
I think this drama had a really lovely story and plot. It was quite different and very interesting from other dramas, it is also quite short (24 eps that are only about 30 mins long). The story is about taking revenge on the bad people and how the leads do that together. It's pretty fun to watch and very very entertaining. I especially loved the second lead couple cause their story was soooo good! I loved their story soooo much. The acting of the cast is also very good in this drama, I think all the actors and actresses have done a really good job at presenting this drama as entertaining as it was. The music was lovely with some lively beats and really nice bgm that suited the storyline of the scenes, so it complimented the scenes very well. Overall, this was a truly lovely story with an entertaining cast and a unique plot. 🔪👩🏻🍳💕🧑🏻🍳🔪Was this review helpful to you?
