This Is Not What I Expected

The events take place in a contemporary setting, with fast-paced city life and modern dining culture. The narrative centers on corporate maneuvering, high-end cuisine, and personal relationships in today's global metropolis.

The story unfolds primarily in Shanghai’s bustling hotel world, a setting of luxury, high-stakes deals, and culinary competition. It also features Lu Jin’s London office, underscoring the global reach of his business. The urban backdrop highlights the contrast between public success and private longing as two strangers navigate fate through food.

🍽️ Love & Food

Food becomes the language that forges a connection between Lu Jin and Gu Sheng Nan. The special dish that wins him over marks a turning point where romance and culinary craft intersect with business. Their relationship deepens through shared meals, subtle gestures, and the vulnerability that great food invites. The film uses cuisine to explore desire, care, and companionship beyond ambition.

💼 Power & Ambition

Lu Jin’s hotel empire and the buyout pressure drive the narrative, showing how corporate success hinges on tough, sometimes ruthless decisions. The manager’s demand for culinary excellence becomes a test of loyalty, standards, and control. Layoffs and restructuring reveal the cost of keeping an empire intact. The story frames ambition against human relationships, challenging what constitutes true success.

🎭 Identity & Deception

Gu Sheng Nan hides her role as the secret chef who fuels Lu Jin’s appetite, while Lu Jin conceals aspects of his personal life behind his public persona. The tension arises from mistaken beliefs and the revelation of hidden motives. Trust is forged in moments of vulnerability, when two people finally see each other beyond the masks. The film uses deception and recognition to explore authentic connection.