Celebrity 
This review may contain spoilers
A Perfectly Matched Viewing
I honestly didn't expect to enjoy a series I found out about through Reddit, but I suppose there's a first time for everything. It's been a while since I've truly enjoyed nearly every single episode of a series and Perfect Match was the one that brought me out of a rut! Plus, this show was HILARIOUS. There were so many parts throughout (outside of the obvious heartbreak and hardships) where I CACKLED. Like actually CACKLED out loud at the antics. It was so much fun.
PLOT:
The main theme of the show surrounds Madam Li and her 6 daughters (5 real daughters, 1 adopted). The story develops around the seven characters, where Madam Li (widowed) and 5 of her daughters are moving to Bianjing, where Fuhui (daughter #2) lives with her family. The show displays the hardship of the Li family, of having to endure the humiliation of the Li men from other branches of the family extort and extract as much money from Madam Li. And this is where the story begins with a new life in Bianjing. They encounter hardships and heartbreak along the way.
The plot revolves around the family and really emphasizes the closeness of the sisters and the mother (which I absolutely loved). There isn't much backstabbing among the sisters; they all get along really well (even the 2 youngest have a semblance of understanding about the situation they're in) and how they all need to work together in order to succeed in life. This is the main theme of the series. It's very character-driven and shows how much each sister has the chance to grow as a person, even their mom does too (slightly) in the end.
Once the tea shop is established, the story follows each of the sisters and how they resolve the problems in their love lives. Although I usually roll my eyes at these plotlines, I truly enjoyed how this series was written (except for the last few episodes where I felt they rushed things for Qiongnu [adopted sister]). Other than that hump, the way they go into each of the sisters and their journey to falling in love was really sweet. A bit saccharine at times, but overall nice.
***SPOILER***
For Haode (sister #4) and Shen's storyline, I thought it was strange that they didn't really finish the whole subplot of his dad wanting to kill them? Maybe I missed something but I thought they were going to have some sort of reveal in the end but it focused more on Haode and Shen's relationship. Which is fine but why introduce that subplot if you weren't going to do anything about it in the end?
***END OF SPOILER***
CASTING:
I have adored Lu Yu Xiao ever since I saw her in My Journey to You and Wang Xing Yue is just too beautiful to look at ever since I discovered him in The Double (though I really TRULY wish someone would properly colour-match this handsome man! Like COME ON!! Why does he keep looking sallow in every shot?? I KNOW the makeup artists can do better). They were the first couple that fell in love and honestly, if they were dating IRL, I would be so happy! I felt their chemistry was soft and fun - obviously their characters called for it but they're so cute together.
I felt the cast did a really great job. My fave sisters were Kangning (sister #3) and Leshan (sister #5). Their cunning and Kangning's ability to spin tails was giving Sagittarius vibes, FOR SURE. This woman would be formidable in today's world. Leshan really stole my heart though. The youngest of the family, she's sheltered and pampered, and as a result of hanging with her sisters, even more cunning and ruthless when it comes to protecting them. It's funny to think about the youngest sister being the most ferocious but in way that's true (I'm the youngest). Plus, Leshan's ability to always have some sort of billy club on her when she marries into the Yang family was legendary. I CACKLED SO HARD WHEN SHE PULLED UP HER SKIRT TO REVEAL ANOTHER BILLY CLUB!!
I also have to give credit to Ni Hong Jie (Madam Li). She was the ferocious Mama Bear who goes out of her way to protect any of her kids, unless they deserved the trouble. Even though she had been widowed, browbeaten by her husband's family, she still managed to raise all of her children on her own, then when they were grown, brought them to a new city and opened a business that became successful. Plus, she was absolutely hilarious. Her expressions and her ferocity is matched by her ability to hit her children and protect her son-in-laws as well. I also loved the actress in Guardians of Dafeng though they really didn't use her artistic talent to its full potential.
OVERALL:
All in all, I enjoyed this show very much. I only gave it a 8.5/10 because there were a few plot holes but I understand that no story is ever perfect. The theme of community, of family, sisterhood, and never giving up is woven throughout the series really well. It does become a bit formulaic for each sister as the series goes on, but again, that's fine. It's not as noticeable as one might think.
If you're ever in the mood for a sweet romance that centers around women helping women, of outsmarting the men around you that they have to form an alliance to counteract your schemes, and hilarity, I would definitely recommend Perfect Match! It satisfied all of my C-drama cravings. The worst part is.... now I have to find a new show to watch! *cries in too many options*
PLOT:
The main theme of the show surrounds Madam Li and her 6 daughters (5 real daughters, 1 adopted). The story develops around the seven characters, where Madam Li (widowed) and 5 of her daughters are moving to Bianjing, where Fuhui (daughter #2) lives with her family. The show displays the hardship of the Li family, of having to endure the humiliation of the Li men from other branches of the family extort and extract as much money from Madam Li. And this is where the story begins with a new life in Bianjing. They encounter hardships and heartbreak along the way.
The plot revolves around the family and really emphasizes the closeness of the sisters and the mother (which I absolutely loved). There isn't much backstabbing among the sisters; they all get along really well (even the 2 youngest have a semblance of understanding about the situation they're in) and how they all need to work together in order to succeed in life. This is the main theme of the series. It's very character-driven and shows how much each sister has the chance to grow as a person, even their mom does too (slightly) in the end.
Once the tea shop is established, the story follows each of the sisters and how they resolve the problems in their love lives. Although I usually roll my eyes at these plotlines, I truly enjoyed how this series was written (except for the last few episodes where I felt they rushed things for Qiongnu [adopted sister]). Other than that hump, the way they go into each of the sisters and their journey to falling in love was really sweet. A bit saccharine at times, but overall nice.
***SPOILER***
For Haode (sister #4) and Shen's storyline, I thought it was strange that they didn't really finish the whole subplot of his dad wanting to kill them? Maybe I missed something but I thought they were going to have some sort of reveal in the end but it focused more on Haode and Shen's relationship. Which is fine but why introduce that subplot if you weren't going to do anything about it in the end?
***END OF SPOILER***
CASTING:
I have adored Lu Yu Xiao ever since I saw her in My Journey to You and Wang Xing Yue is just too beautiful to look at ever since I discovered him in The Double (though I really TRULY wish someone would properly colour-match this handsome man! Like COME ON!! Why does he keep looking sallow in every shot?? I KNOW the makeup artists can do better). They were the first couple that fell in love and honestly, if they were dating IRL, I would be so happy! I felt their chemistry was soft and fun - obviously their characters called for it but they're so cute together.
I felt the cast did a really great job. My fave sisters were Kangning (sister #3) and Leshan (sister #5). Their cunning and Kangning's ability to spin tails was giving Sagittarius vibes, FOR SURE. This woman would be formidable in today's world. Leshan really stole my heart though. The youngest of the family, she's sheltered and pampered, and as a result of hanging with her sisters, even more cunning and ruthless when it comes to protecting them. It's funny to think about the youngest sister being the most ferocious but in way that's true (I'm the youngest). Plus, Leshan's ability to always have some sort of billy club on her when she marries into the Yang family was legendary. I CACKLED SO HARD WHEN SHE PULLED UP HER SKIRT TO REVEAL ANOTHER BILLY CLUB!!
I also have to give credit to Ni Hong Jie (Madam Li). She was the ferocious Mama Bear who goes out of her way to protect any of her kids, unless they deserved the trouble. Even though she had been widowed, browbeaten by her husband's family, she still managed to raise all of her children on her own, then when they were grown, brought them to a new city and opened a business that became successful. Plus, she was absolutely hilarious. Her expressions and her ferocity is matched by her ability to hit her children and protect her son-in-laws as well. I also loved the actress in Guardians of Dafeng though they really didn't use her artistic talent to its full potential.
OVERALL:
All in all, I enjoyed this show very much. I only gave it a 8.5/10 because there were a few plot holes but I understand that no story is ever perfect. The theme of community, of family, sisterhood, and never giving up is woven throughout the series really well. It does become a bit formulaic for each sister as the series goes on, but again, that's fine. It's not as noticeable as one might think.
If you're ever in the mood for a sweet romance that centers around women helping women, of outsmarting the men around you that they have to form an alliance to counteract your schemes, and hilarity, I would definitely recommend Perfect Match! It satisfied all of my C-drama cravings. The worst part is.... now I have to find a new show to watch! *cries in too many options*
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