Many reviews have already mentioned the big age gap between the FL and the ML. I don't have a problem with that as long as the older ML, being in a power position did not pressure or trick the younger FL into a relationship. So long as they fall in love organically (within the rules of dramaland) then it is what it is.
I did like this drama, especially the beginning 10ish episodes. It was tropey with the boss/employee plot but it was done with a lot of energy and cuteness. There was also a lot of heart in the familial/friend relationships. I was wondering where the show would take us.
What I did find disappointing was that as the show progressed, it got more and more tropey and clichéd. The second half of the show just felt predictable and flat. Yes, lots happened, domineering mother, meddling 2FL, poor communications, sick grandfather, spunky half bro and more. Not that the tropes were not staple of such dramas but in this case, they felt computer generated. They served to generate a bit of angst or more likely, a bit of awkwardness but you never felt that the show was going to surprise you. I understand the show wanted to be angst lite but there were a lot of weak sub plots when a stronger focus on a couple of meatier plots would have been more impactful.
The plot became a bit rudderless once they became a couple. It just hopped from one event to the next until near the end. Promising storyline like the FL being a top chef hit a wall. A more engaging plot line would challenge the FL further as a chef and the ML supporting her through thick and thin. The awesome food porn also faded away by that stage.
The 2OTP was actually not bad, their romance was more grounded but still cute. OST was fine and pleasant. The support cast did a good job.
The tone got dark around episode 20/21 when they introduced a big revenge plot that was unnecessary to the storyline and if anything, showed most involved in a poor light. It just felt staged and cliché. After all the kerfuffle, the ML undid the whole thing and just handed back everything he won in the last episode. Yes, it paved the way for the happy ending but it also made the previous two episodes fairly pointless.
The ending was all rainbows and unicorns but a bit rushed. We are talking multiple pairings including pairs that came out of left field (the uncle's pairing?) and every wish was granted.
To be honest, the show was sustained by the OTP's awesome chemistry and their cute, sweet moments. Good amount of skinship without awkwardness was a bonus. If you are happy to watch the show for the romance alone then it would go down a treat but the rest of the fluff was a bit tedious for me.