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Perfect Match, starring Lu Yu Xiao, Liu Xie Ning, Wu Xuan Yi, Ke Ying, Huangyang Tian Tian, Chen He Yi, Wang Xing Yue, Huang Sheng Chi, Liang Yong Qi, and Winwin, is trending on Netflix predominantly in Asian countries, namely Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others.
It has also ranked third on the Guduo popularity index ranking list of Top 20 trending web dramas, as of January 27.
Perfect Match tells the story of the Li family, who during the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, traveled to Bianjing in search of good matches for the family's four daughters. Widowed Madam Li seeks the help of her second daughter, Fu Hui (Wu Xuan Yi), who married at a young age and settled there.
Life in Bianjing is challenging, and the Li family has no choice but to work together, starting a business while gradually seeking virtuous and talented husbands for the girls.
Despite its popularity, Perfect Match has its fair share of negative reviews and criticism.
Note: The following text contains spoilers. Read at your discretion.
Perfect Match was marketed as a light-hearted family comedy, but its storyline leaves much to be desired. Chinese netizens criticize the drama's plot as being illogical and lacking depth, and the plot twists as abrupt and poorly developed.
The characterizations feel shallow, and the motivations behind the character's actions often come across as baffling. It's clear that the writers intended to highlight female independence and charm by giving each of the five sisters in the Li family a distinct personality. For instance, the eldest daughter is composed and a bit cold, the second daughter is fiery yet tender, the third is clever and straightforward, the fourth is honest and adorable, and the youngest is playful and tough.
However, as the plot unfolds, the entire family starts to give off an impression of being "hard to deal with." The daughters are always ready to quarrel, and so is their mother — almost everyone in the family is loud and combative, which detracts from the intended appeal of their personalities.
Viewers also particularly criticize Wu Xuan Yi's portrayal of the second daughter Fu Hui. Her character embodies a fierce "tigress" persona, but when her family from her hometown comes to visit, she refuses to let them in. Her reasoning? She's worried that her "domineering wife" image might harm her sisters' reputations. But everyone already knows she's part of the Li family, so this argument comes across as illogical.
Ni Hong Jie's character Madam Li is criticized to be overly exaggerated. When her second daughter sends someone not to let them enter her house, one would expect her to either worry about her daughter's well-being or be puzzled by her behavior. But, the first thing she does is complain about the large amount of dowry she spent on her marriage. It gave the audience the impression that marrying off her daughter was more like a financial loss.
Moreover, the male characters in the show are portrayed almost entirely in a negative light.
Take the third son-in-law-to-be, Chai An (Wang Xing Yue), for example. He's wealthy and powerful, but his values are skewed. Knowing full well that his cousin is already married, Chai An still doesn't go hard on his cousin's flirtatious behavior. When Fu Hui confronts him about it, he tells her, "A jealous wife is not a good woman," completely dismissing her concerns.
In another instance, despite being aware that the group opposite him consists entirely of women, including an elder, he deliberately kicks a ball their way, almost injuring someone and even breaking the third daughter Kang Ning's hair comb in the process, highlighting the male characters' lack of manners and decency.
The second son-in-law is portrayed as a classic "wife-fearing" man, clearly lacking ability and a sense of responsibility. Yet, instead of reflecting on his own shortcomings, he shifts the blame onto his wife, accusing her of being too fierce and jealous.
As for the fifth son-in-law-to-be, Yang Xian (Winwin), he's the typical spoiled rich kid who relies on his privilege to bully others.
The writers may have been aiming for bickering couples dynamics, but with male characters spying on, harassing, and acting unreasonably toward the Li daughters, netizens criticize, "What message does this send? Are these marriages supposed to highlight the Li sisters' ability to tame their husbands?"
It's precisely because of issues like these that the show's reputation has been overwhelmingly negative in China. However, Perfect Match also has its plus points. The show's light-hearted comedy and the playful dynamics between the characters keep viewers engaged. Moreover, since the drama is only in its early phases of airing, it's too quick to judge how it will fare in the future.
Perfect Match releases new episodes every day. The C-drama is available to stream on MGTV and Netflix.
Source: Baidu
