Dating in the Kitchen

Dating in the kitchen or anywhere else

absolutely one of the best dramas and that says a lot because China is killing it. Korea needs to anti up, because they aren't coming close to what China is coming out with. Loved the FL and first time watching the ML and although his facial expression were dull sometimes, hers made up for it. Ying for Yang....Loved it. Although she was making me mad during the last two eps, I'm glad he was mature enough to see right through it. The Mother didn't get too much on my nerve, and the other triangle love didn't pissed me off too much. Once they saw no chance, they gave up.... Don't want to say anymore...Its a MUST WATCH.

Read More

Cute Story, Mouth Watering Food

When I got to Episode 6 where the ML fell asleep on FL's couch, I thought to myself "I've seen this plot before." I then googled this show and learned that it is a remake of the 2017 film "This is Not What I Expected" starring Takeshi Kaneshiro (an Asian heartthrob back in the 90's). Unlike the 1-½ hour film, this series was able to go in depth as to the background and personalities of all the major characters because of its length of 24 episodes. This made the show more comprehensible.

There was a lot of criticism in viewers' reviews of this series of the age difference between the two lead characters: he was 36 years old and she was 21 years old. In the original movie, he was 36 years old and she was 26-27 years old. The older female age made better sense, given the cooking experience of the female character. I believe the producers wanted Zhao Lusi for this series and made her character 21 years old to reflect the actress's actual age at the time of filming.

I liked the many references to modern western pop culture, such as Marvel's Avengers, Thanos and the Groot dolls in this series. Plus, the opening and ending songs were in English. It appears that the producers and writers want to appeal to an international global audience.

In the last episode, FL's speech to ML's mother was basically the same as the speech the FL said to ML's mother in Crazy Rich Asians at the mahjong parlor. The scenario was the same in both shows in that ML's rich mother initially did not approve of FL, but that last speech turned the mothers' opinion around and mothers then accepted the FLs.

The show also gave me a little Chinese history lesson. In Episode 19, ML's mother brought up Liu Bang and Xiang Yu to the FL. And later, ML questioned his mother as to whether she also mentioned those men's wives, Empress Lu and Consort Yu. I had to google those four historical figures to learn about them. I found that interesting.

I liked all the stars in the series, as they performed exceptionally well. The actor playing the ML, Lin Yu Shen, showed not only his serious dramatic side, but also his comedic side (making canned fruits and working in the food stall). I initially watched this show because I'm a fan of Zhao Lusi, after watching her in Love in the Galaxy and Who Rules the World. She is a great actress who can successfully take on dramatic roles as well as comedic roles.

The only complaint I have in the storyline is when FL goes against her fiance's advice and begins to hang out with ML's malicious younger brother around Episodes 21-23. What part of ML's statement to her to "keep your distance from Lu Zheng" in Episode 19 did she not understand??? To the actress's credit, Zhao Lusi posted a comment critical of her character's actions in this regard.

Nevertheless, I would watch this show again and recommend it to others, if only to view the magnificent gourmet dishes and cuisine.

Read More

Love It!

Shout out for Zhao Lu Si. Man…this girl always got a great chemistry with her lead actor. She always acted well. This drama adapted from the Movie called “This is not what I expected” and I like the movie too. When this drama came out I saw Zhao Lu Si was the main lead actress I thought it will be tough for her because the movie a little bit more ambitious and seriousness even with funny scenes and Lu Si is more cuteness and adorable. She proved me wrong. She actually played well plus with the romance…wow...even the age gap is quite big, but she got his right! :D Lin Yu Shen also showed the vibe that made you...man...he really love her with his smirk, smile, and eyes...love this drama for sure!!!

Read More

Be MY Sugar Daddy!

So this drama had a very good start and good middle. I think it kind of lost its way towards the end and turned into a corporate-drama-romance rather than a cooking-commedy-romance. But it still ended well with a hint of cuteness that it had started with. The May/December romance was very well done, played classy. Both actors did a great job and had good chemistry, while you noticed the age difference it didn’t stop you from falling in love with them as a couple. They just seemed to fit each other. Whether it was their love of food, their quirkiness, and the fact that they just seem to really understand each other. I believe that this was a remake of a Korean movie… At first I felt a sense of déjà vu since I had seen the movie two years ago. But the Chinese put their own spin on it; this is where I think it failed towards the end and turned into a corporate drama, but it was nice to see it spread out to 24 episodes as well. If you like cooking involved in your romance, with some humor, then this one will be right up your alley. You just might have to skip may be a few episodes towards the end. But I would still recommend it to someone.

Read More

DATING IN THE KITCHEN SYNDROME

Yes, I will admit its kind a hard for me now to watch other drama.. I am now suffering from what you call DITK syndrome..hahaha.. been watching it over and over again from episode 1 up to the last... everything in this drama are daebak! I love Zhao Lusi and Lin YuShen.. its just this ia my first time to make a drama review here at MDL.. hoping for season 2.. I've seen so many CEO and simple girl drama, but this one is different.. Lin YuShen is perfect for the role, not a typical pretty boy that we always see from other drama but has an overflowing charisma that really make a women's heart flutters to the highest level!!.. This drama replaced coffee prince as my super favorite drama for 13 years..Dating in the Kitchen is highly recommend to watch.. This is now on my number 1 on my most favorite drama..

Read More

Cute and hot but unexpected turns at the end

I liked this drama a lot. That's saying a lot since I normally don't really like C drama!!

The story was entertaining and it wasn't boring at all. The characters were quite realistic and the drama covered a lot of aspects such as communication problems in relationships and differences in status.

Pros:
1. HOT SCENES. Now it wasn't rlly fast-paced but there was always this tension in the air. It was amazing. They were rlly lovey-dovey but also hot but bantered a lot too

2.All the side stories like the childhood friend, the colleague in love with Lu, the grandpa, the uncle, Celine (bff) and her financial and love life all of these were rlly entreating especially Lu Zheng in the last few episodes he was rlly entertaining

3. The last episode was amazing!!! Lu Zheng's change was rlly good and Nan nan's near-sacrifice shows how much she rlly loves him.

4. I loved how Lu Jin didn't just let everyone especially his mother walk all over his girlfriend and humiliate her. He had is bad moments but overall he was rlly protective and supportive later on in the show. Also he GENEROUS with his driver friend, like damn we all want a friend like that :))

5. Episodes weren't long at all. I enjoyed that a lot

6. The music was rlly nice as well

7. THE FOOD WAS LITERALLY SO NICE LIKE I WISHHHHHHHH

Cons:

1. I didn't like the lead actress that much for some reason. I liked the character most times but idk...she just annoyed me sometimes.. She was rlly childish at times like whining and shouting etc...

2.The FL character was, in the beginning, a very strong FL but she suddenly turned into a dense and innocent girl who is unaware of what everybody's planning. She wasn't working at all and just followed Lu Jin everywhere for no reason?

3. There were some plotholes like FL's parents? and after the hospitalization, the grandpa just disappeared? She suddenly didn't have to go to the hotel to work and didn't have money problems? like how?!

4. Some dramas rlly make the business aspect entertaining and explain everything, they make it relevant to the story. This drama was not one of them. It was rather boring with that.

5. The ML & FL while rlly cute and all are rlly at different stages. One is a millionaire nearly retiring tbh and the other barely had a job.... :/

Read More

The Best and Most Lovable Rom-Com of my Lifetime!

Words are not enough for my review here.
Everything is Perfect! Main Leads, Casts, Crews, and Storyline!
"This is the Most Lovable Rom-Com of my Lifetime!"
My salute to Shen Lin, one of the best C-actor, and Zhao Lu Si, my first time to watch her! They're the Best Couple!
Its storyline conveyed an important meaning for all of us . .
"People fall in love with a Person, not their Age".
As long as you are in love and for the right reasons, your relationship can work. We truly can't help with whom we fall in love. Love doesn't care if someone is older or younger, as long as one is honest and faithful to his or her feelings for one another.
*** This is such a beautiful and excellent drama.
I strongly recommend it to everyone!

Read More

Estragaram do meio pro final!

Gostei tanto do começo, tava fluindo tão bem, e apesar da diferença de idades, achei o desenvolver do amor deles tão fofo. Mas aí a roterista decide cagar tudo do meio pro final. NÉ POSSÍVEL!

Eu amei o início, a briga entre eles, o fato da Prota ser uma mulher forte. E quando os dois percebem que estão apaixonados decidem enfrentar tudo e se entregar a esse amor. No começo, apesar de ser mais jovem, ela aparentava ter uma mentalidade forte. Contudo, quase chegando no final parece que mudaram de pessoa, a infantilidade dela estava me deixando com agonia!

Os dois não estavam sabendo lidar com as adversidades, estavam duvidando um do outro. E isso para mim estragou com uma história que estava sensacional.

E o que me deu também muita raiva foi o fato do Prota só acreditar de fato nela depois de clandestinamente olhar seu celular sem permissão. Ele não poderia ter tido uma conversa mais madura com ela e tentar mostrar o verdadeiro lado do seu irmão? Isso na história me deixou um pouco incomodada.

Se não fosse esse desenrolar eu teria achado o enredo perfeito! Amei a química do casal e do contexto em si do Dorama. Pena que não souberam desenvolver até o final!

Read More

Zhao Lusi is the Queen of Comedy. Highly recommend First Half (Eps 1-13).

The first 13 eps are entirely preciously hilarious and had me wheezing constantly on the floor - PEAK COMEDY. Zhao Lusi's acting and perfect comedic timing and expressions + her character's fine cooking (the FOOD ahh!!) are the centre focus and that's what I was sold on and am here for. 10+ for the first half as I will certainly rewatch for a pick-me-up! Solid pacing and solid acting from her as well as the supporting cast (mostly her group/fam) here.

When it comes to the second half, however, we get to see less ZLS and her shenanigans, and more of the ML and his family's corporate/office drama, all of who I found entirely too annoying. It reached a point at which nothing about this drama interested me, as it did such a turn so fully we get to see neither ZLS' FL cooking much, nor the fun that was constantly served in the first half. This bait and switch was not a good choice.

ZLS for her part did all the chemistry and acting for the main otp throughout~ the ML left me completely cold and stiff - which is essentially doom as this second half of the plot focuses on him and the FL being subjected to ridicule and problems because of his family and their relationship. Also throw in a couple love triangles. Look, you CAN have a reserved/cold ML character to STILL be interesting (**looks at Leo Wu's performance as the ML in LOVE LIKE THE GALAXY**)!

Even if the plot is bland, the chemistry would have been able to redeem this drama for me if that was better (**looks at LEGEND OF THE FEMALE GENERAL**). Age gap is not an issue for me, but the ML's lack of acting is.

Overall, fully recommend watching the first half (eps 1-13) are entirely worth it, and skip the second half altogether (probably just watch or skim the final ep/scene). After averaging, this one gets a 7.5/10 (Zhao Lusi really IS the Queen).

~~~

Just found out that this drama's director - Cheng Chang - have also done LIE TO LOVE (Luo Yunxi, Cheng Xiao), NOTHING BUT YOU (Leo Wu, Zhou Yutong), AS BEAUTIFUL AS YOU (Xu Kai, Seven Tan/Tan Songyun), and the recently premiered LOVE'S AMBITION (Zhao Lusi, William Chan). Already have all of these on my tbw except NOTHING BUT YOU which I've already watched and enjoyed~ Also it would be interesting to see if William Chan will be able to hold his part up in as the main otp with a large age gap.

Read More

Kitchen, Age Gap and Cliches

"Dating in the Kitchen" follows the trope of the rich guy falling in love with a poor girl.

The show has a good start with enough comedy and flirty moments to keep you entertained, but this is lost quickly following old tropes that end up making no sense and indicating that there was no character development at all. They only start "dating in the kitchen", but this is left behind from mid show when the story changes to family drama and company scheming.

This is yet another show where they do not honor the title. You may believe that the most relevant from both main leads is the girl because she is the chef, but the final plot is all about the business man male lead winning the fight against his brother to save his company.

Misunderstandings and love triangles will be present across the whole story with at least three love triangles. One for each main lead until half the show, and a completely unnecessary last love triangle between the male lead, female lead and male lead's brother, where the female lead makes all classic mistakes of allowing too much from a guy that she just met versus the boyfriend that is supposed to be truly in love with.

The show can be a funny and cute rom com, but the story is all around the place and lacks character development. This is yet another show where you just don't understand why the male lead wants to be with the female lead, but I guess is fate.

Watch it for the fun, and feel free to skip or risk dropping the show.

Read More

Age gap? no fear

Age never matters to me. Some fails to deliver good result but some surprise you like this drama. Having 18 years of gap in real life but no awkward between leads , this is win for this drama.

All dishes would definitely make your saliva come out from your mouth. Cinematography was WOW. If you are a cook you would want to make some of them dishes.

I have watched many dramas of rosy zhao. A clumsy, emotional girl she has portrayed perfect for this role. What surprised me is that lin yu shen acting. Goddd why I didn't know this man. His expressions were really great. Team has done a superb job by casting him

Spoilers: There are so many kisses.. Some edited out otherwise it would be perfect decorated dessert to us.

There is a flaw. No development in FL character. She was dump till the end so ML's brother could easily fooled her. How could there be someone who is so foolish. Even at the time with ML secretary she acted foolish.

Otherwise whole drama is good. My overall rating - 9/10

Read More