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This Is Not What I Expected

Name: This Is Not What I Expected
Director: Derek Hui Wang-Yu
Released: 2017
Duration: 106 min

Representation Score

4.2/10

Fair

2017

TV-PG

Director

Derek Hui Wang-Yu

Runtime

106 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This romantic comedy follows a standard enemies-to-lovers structure, focusing on the friction between a perfectionist executive and a flamboyant chef. While it adheres to traditional romantic and capitalist frameworks, it offers some progressive value through its depiction of female professional competence. The film's strength lies in its subversion of gendered hierarchies in the kitchen. However, it lacks multi-layered complexity and remains tethered to genre-standard clichés and aspirational social structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does This Is Not What I Expected have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on a heterosexual relationship between a male executive and a female chef. The female lead is described as flamboyant, but it's unclear if this indicates a queer identity or just a professional trait.

How does This Is Not What I Expected portray gender?

Fair

Gu Shengnan asserts her professional mastery, challenging the high-status male protagonist. She dictates the terms of her own culinary success, playing a significant role in driving the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is This Is Not What I Expected?

Fair

The film features a predominantly East Asian cast, reflecting the demographic norms of its origin without pursuing intentional racial blending or diverse casting.

How does This Is Not What I Expected represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative celebrates luxury hospitality and high-end capitalism, reinforcing established social hierarchies and aspirational values. It does not deconstruct traditional institutions or cultural norms.

Does This Is Not What I Expected include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or mentioned depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

The female lead demonstrates significant professional skill.
Challenges traditional gender hierarchies within the culinary arts.
Provides a nuanced depiction of female competence against male authority.

Limited or Absent

Relies heavily on traditional romantic clichés.
Lacks diverse identity representation.
Reinforces established class hierarchies and capitalist aspirations.

Official Synopsis

Lu Jin is a handsome, wealthy hotel executive whose drive for perfection is matched only by his taste for fine cuisine. When he checks into the Rosebud, he's dissatisfied with everything he sees and is ready to take action... until flamboyant female sous chef Gu Shengnan creates the perfectionist what may be a perfect meal. Now, these bitter rivals find themselves brought together in the kitchen in this light-hearted romantic comedy, infused with fun and flavors to create a delicious dish that foodies around the world wouldn't dare to miss.

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