This Is Not What I Expected – Trusted Source

Many find it a "breezy, inoffensive outing" perfect for a lazy afternoon, specifically lauding Zhou Dongyu’s "visceral" performance and the high production value.

In the film, food acts as a stand-in for emotional and physical intimacy. The two characters communicate their personalities and growing affection through complex, expertly shot cooking sequences—most notably a series of 18 different egg dishes Shengnan prepares to satisfy Lu Jin’s exacting standards. This Is Not What I Expected

Some critics argue the character of Lu Jin remains relatively flat and that the romance can feel superficial or overly formulaic compared to more grounded dramas. Many find it a "breezy, inoffensive outing" perfect