‘Perfect Match’ (2025) Netflix Series Review - A Whimsical Romance with Sharp Edges

Welcome to "Perfect Match," a romantic period drama that looks poised to sweep you off your feet—and does so with a mix of flair, awkward landings, and some unexpected pratfalls. At its core, this show feels like an elaborate game of matchmaking chess, where every move leads to laughter, tension, or the occasional eye roll.

The story kicks off with Madam Li, a no-nonsense matriarch with enough ambition to light up Bianjing, moving her five daughters into the bustling city. Her mission? To run a teahouse and set her daughters on a fast track to marital bliss. Of course, as is customary in these tales, nothing about love—or business—goes quite as planned.

The daughters themselves are a kaleidoscope of personalities. There’s Kang Ning, the practical eldest daughter who looks at love with the same scrutiny she might give a household budget—logical to a fault but refreshingly grounded. She soon crosses paths with Chai An, a charming, if slightly brooding, scholar with just enough mystery to keep her defenses on edge. Their scenes alternate between crackling with understated chemistry and dragging as they exchange yet another round of meaningful glances.

The younger daughters bring their own antics to the table, from headstrong declarations of independence to schemes that could rival the wildest rom-com plots. Each sister has her moment in the spotlight, and while some shine brighter than others, they collectively create an infectious dynamic. Watching them bicker, bond, and occasionally sabotage each other feels like you’ve been dropped into a 10th-century sitcom.

One thing the series absolutely nails is the atmosphere. The streets of Bianjing burst with life, its teahouses, markets, and bustling crowds painted with meticulous detail. The wardrobe department deserves a slow clap for the stunning period costumes, which manage to be both authentic and wildly stylish. The visuals alone could sell the show, but they’re more than just eye candy—they help build the world the Li family inhabits, one that feels as chaotic and unpredictable as the daughters’ love lives.

But—and it’s a significant but—the pacing of the show occasionally stumbles. Some storylines meander so far off course that you’ll forget why you cared in the first place. There’s a stretch around the middle of the series where you might find yourself checking the time, wondering if Kang Ning’s logical heart is going to spark before you’ve aged a decade.

That said, the humor in “Perfect Match” does a lot of the heavy lifting. The comedic timing is sharp, and Madam Li’s biting quips are often the highlight of an episode. She’s not the kind of mom to wait patiently for love to bloom; she’s more likely to push her daughters straight into the deep end of the dating pool and yell “Swim.” The series thrives in these moments of familial chaos, where the love-hate balance among the Li women feels the most real.

Yet, for all its cleverness, the show can’t resist dipping into overdone romantic tropes. Misunderstandings abound, love triangles pop up like weeds, and the “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic becomes more of a repetitive loop than an enticing mystery. You can’t help but wonder if the writers are playing matchmaker for themselves, pairing up every possible combination just to see what sticks.

Despite this, the cast deserves applause for selling the drama, even when the script doesn’t quite meet them halfway. Ni Hong-jie commands the screen as Madam Li, infusing the character with equal parts wisdom and frustration. Lu Yu-xiao as Kang Ning anchors the story with quiet strength, while Wang Xing-yue’s Chai An oscillates between compelling and mildly predictable.

The series does have a way of sneaking up on you emotionally. Just when you think you’ve pegged it as a lighthearted romp, it slips in a moment of genuine tenderness that reminds you these characters are more than their archetypes. A few plot threads deliver satisfying payoffs, and the finale ties things up with just enough of a wink to leave you smiling—though it stops short of being fully satisfying.

If you’re expecting groundbreaking storytelling or subversion of the genre, you might be disappointed. But if you’re in the mood for a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously and isn’t afraid to indulge in its own over-the-top charm, “Perfect Match” delivers a delightful, if uneven, ride. It’s a romantic comedy-drama that knows exactly what it is: a little messy, a little predictable, but ultimately endearing.

And hey, much like Madam Li’s matchmaking efforts, it may not be perfect, but it’s certainly entertaining to watch.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times