I am writing this review in 2024, 20 years after the show came out. On the surface, it's a classic Asian drama -- starting with a contract marriage, then just as the couple start to fall for each other, the ex-girlfriend shows up. The FL Kim Sam Soon (mostly) stands up for herself, her friends support her, she knows what she wants, and she's got a pretty rational view on life and her own weaknesses. The ML Hyun Jin Heon is an arrogant guy who at first blush appears a bit of a playboy, and not that competent, but we see pretty quickly that this image is a facade.

I liked the cooking, the amusing clips of Sam Soon's imagination, and the direct approach to talking about Korean beauty standards.

Where this show falls down, after 20 years, is in the relationship. First, everyone hits each other. Not the usual "mom with a broomstick running around the coffee table", but actual slaps and punches. Multiple times when women are on the ground pulling each other's hair, and men having fist fights and walking in with bruises. There's one scene when a guy punches the wall inches from a girl's head. Second, ML is extremely controlling, not respecting her decisions (e.g. regarding her name), saying "you can't talk to or date other men", badmouthing her, etc -- all the while when he's breaking similar rules. Frankly, this is both physically and emotionally abusive. It's no wonder that women in Korea are doing the "4B" movement.