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Hua Yong - My brilliant maniac
To be extremely honest, the only thing that made me finish this series was Eliot's character - Hua Yong. I don't know why, but for me he was the most complex character. Eliot played him brilliantly. And I think his visuals helped a lot too.Mr. Sheng was just Mr. Sheng. A perfect S Class Alpha and beautiful enough to be Hua Yong's nymph.
I liked him a lot in the last few episodes. He accepted Hua's nature very well and I really liked him when he was getting all worked up under his partner's attention.
Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the people who went crazy for the second couple. Yes, I think it was unfair that they didn't get more screen time in the final episode, but I can't say I was heartbroken over it.
I couldn't stand Shen Wenlang. In the novel, he was okay. In the series? I wanted him as far away from Guo Tu as possible.
I don't care that he had feelings for GT and did nice things for him in secret, that mouth of his brought up some incredible traumas in me. I know exactly what it's like to live with someone like Wenlang, and believe me when I tell you he's a narcissist. I don't care about your trauma as long as you're an adult and you do absolutely nothing to heal.
What does it matter that you have feelings for me and that you want the best for me when you do everything you can to make me feel miserable around you? Okay, he didn't know GT was an omega, so he didn't know he was repeatedly insulting him, but let's not forget how many times he related it to GT being poor. I don't think a friend would do that. We're no longer in kindergarten when adults told us, "Yes, he's pulling your hair because he likes you." It's bullying, Shen Wenlang.
I skipped his scenes of suffering in the last episode. They were pathetic and poorly acted. I'm sorry. I found no satisfaction in his regrets.
And Gao Tu, well, another miserable character like all miserable characters. I can understand why he stole everyone's hearts. But...
He chose to stand next to a man who hated his race, his smell, who constantly insulted him, who never showed any signs of having romantic feelings for him. He chose to torment himself emotionally and physically for a man who insulted him every time he opened his mouth. Good job, GT.
I can't say I felt sorry for him. Maybe at first. But he did it with his own hand. Until the end.
He should have shut SW up a long time ago and told him to his face that he was an omega. He would have had nothing to lose. Only years of torment.
And to be completely honest, I skipped through first few episodes, because the story bored me terribly. Too many unnecessary details, too many repetitive scenes. It only started to get interesting when Mr. Shen found out that Hua Yong is not a defenseless omega.
Well, well, well, that was it.
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Story and black flag main character pulled me in
By how much I enjoyed following the show: 10/10Objective genre based rating: 7/10
I write this review from a certain perspective: started the show without knowing the book, after ep5 I read the book and so I can't help but mourn the missed out potential, even though the book wasn't the greatest ever piece of literature.
Positive aspects of the drama:
Hua Yong character and the actor for this one, story and couple dynamic of main couple, acting of 3 of 4 main characters, some songs of the ost, world building and the strangely also the business talks (very subjective)
Negative points:
Directing
Editing (abysmal)
Pacing and order of scenes and therefore storytelling negatively impacted
Lighting (so damn bright every time, unprofessional and cheap)
Production design partly bad, although they got the expensive high class setting but too many indoor scenes and too few locations so it felt repetitive
Laughable action scenes
Changes from book IP which caused much hate:
SSYs character being less of an asshole than in the book so many viewers couldn't understand why HY was pulling all his manipulative shitty moves up to ep 9
Also changes which reduced enjoyment for me:
Making HY less violent (to himself, to others and to SSY in assault scene ep 9)
Omitting 3 years of Gao Tu's life and his struggles and his new found friends/family
Overall this is an acquired taste, if you're hooked than it's worth watching to the end and very enjoyable.
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personally don't recommend
This was so bad. As an avid BL watcher, the story made no sense, even though it had a lot of potential. The world-building and actual designations, as well as the plot, were interesting, but the acting was terrible and turned into an SA fantasy. They also have powers that made sense to me. That was so random and they never should have had them. The best part of the entire show was the side couple whose reunion made me want to kms. Cause what do you mean they're reunited after years of not seeing each other, with a child that one of them never even met until that moment, and then they hug and the show ends? This show also contains a novel, which I also read in hopes of finding a different ending, but it is unfortunately the same. The main couple was so boring. I just wanted to skip the scenes where they appeared. They also kept using the same soundtrack that made me not be able to actually focus on the show because the music was distracting me. It was kinda fire though 🔥🔥. Hours of my life that I'll never get back and have been wasted on this show. I'd rate this show in the negatives if I could, but will give a star on acting and story for the fact that we saw an omega in heat and a 10/10 for the crappy fire music.Was this review helpful to you?
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First PROPER Omegaverse show
As someone who has watched PitBabe and was thoroughly disappointed, I expected a show like this to emerge sheerly out of distaste. The fact they were able to complete a whole show involving very accurate extended lore is invigorating. As a watcher who knows the basics of ABO presentation, Enigma entering the fray (cue Smash Ult. track) and introduce it to the world audience is cool to witness. I had a great fascination going in.That being said, this show is engaging in developing an understanding and living in this world that is also new to the concept. It is inviting to a serious plot and hooks you every episode, making you wonder will happen next. And that is a good start for a concept with such notoriety and potential...but would have faired better with more time, particularly for pregnancy arcs and Gao Tu and Shen Wenlang. I enjoyed getting to witness all of Sheng Shaoyou and Hua Yong's in their twisted and lighthearted(?) glory onscreen, however, I really would have loved more emphasis on the toll pregnancy took on Shaoyou AND Gao Tu. I'm not crazed about MPreg, but for intriguing me as a viewer with a complication in the last episode makes it feel not as important as it should be. Especially with how quickly they time jumped to "yay kids" and show ended.
Speaking of, I feel more a loss at the lack of Gao Tu and Shen Wenlang. On some days, I found a desire to read the novel and see how it ended for them, only to find they were less in the main story than in the show amd covered more in bonus content. Which is unfortunate and somewhat infuriating, as their storyline is very compelling to work with. Whether you know the genre or not, you can’t tell me an omega hiding his identity and a pregnancy for the love of a dumbass alpha isn't a draw to come back every week. But it didn't seem so to the writers, sadly, and somewhat ignores this to fuel how crazy Hua Yong is for Sheng Shaoyou. (Not that there is anything wrong witu that.)
Did I dislike this show overall? NO.
I enjoyed the story of Hua Yong and his crazed obsession with Sheng Shaoyou. Eliot Huang did fantastic with playing both omega and enigma, adding to his range and character. Though he is potentially the most exciting character of the cast in question, he made fan out of me with his performance alone. The plot dancing around Hua Yong trying to "woo" Sheng Shaoyou did keep my attention and it was fun to see the two stretch the dynamic of two high class individuals (in more ways than one) pursue each other.
In short, come for the concept, stay in hopes Gao Tu gets respect (always), and live for the crazy that is Hua Yong. A decent start to the future of this genre and many more shows to come.
I rate it a 7.5/10 overall.
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For China, it's pretty fire
I finished binging everything in like 2 days, and I've waited for this show since the pilot trailer. So, it's been about like 3 years or so since I first heard about ABO Desire, and as I waited for the show to finish airing (for the months that it aired for) I read the novel.From the novel, it was pretty close to the show, which is exactly what I expected because NongJian sisters wrote the book and oversaw the show. The screenwriting is pretty okay (because there are scenes that could've totally been cut), the acting and cast was literally amazing, and I find myself listening to half the OST. I'd definitely go back to rewatch it again because I've literally been dying for an ABO themed show (I know PitBabe was one, but it was more abt powers than it was abt actual ABO).
I liked the obsessed trope because no one can truly top the crazy brain of Hua Yong, he's planned and he's planned WELL to capture his Alpha and no one can ever tell me otherwise. Xing's acting was so good, especially with the duality he had whenever he looks at someone else vs when he looks at Shaoyu. Qiu's micro expressions were everything, like when he was in the hospital and found out he was pregnant - it was so funny but so good I was fawning for 3 minutes straight. For Heng's first ever debut role, he did so well, especially the way his eyes gloss over with pain and trying to cover it with anger for Gao Tu's resignation is just so heartbreakingly good. And then there's also Peien! I just felt so bad for his character the whole time, and he had made his voice sound so small and shaky when he called Gao Qing to tell her to pack her bags.
The characters are not meant to be liked, and actually are pretty morally gray (minus Hua Yong, that guy's fully black flag), but I've fallen for them completely! Gao Tu who had told many lies, I still can't not feel terrible whenever he was on screen, Wenlang who was lied never felt love from his parents which had lead him to acting the way he does is honestly the worst thing ever. Because people who haven't read the novel won't know his pain. Hua Yong has never felt love before he met Shaoyu which got him into doing the craziest sht in the world, and Shaoyu who had slept with many Omegas (with questionable taste for the ones "untouched".) was burdened by an entire family line and his own father. Holyyyy like this show was just full of sadness and pain. But it was also so sweet I can't get enough.
And - of course, everyone must be talking about the LangTu ship (Shen Wenlang and Gao Tu), honestly, I had to dock a point for that. I'm a fan of both couples, and so I didn't find much of a problem with their screentime, considering how their story starts after the timeline of the novel and into the three years after Peanut was born. But their reunion could've had more. I honestly had low expectations, but I really didn't expect them to give LangTu like 30 seconds for their 3 year reunion.
As I'm writing this, there are no extras that have been out, and have been rumors of extras and director cuts. So I'm really hoping that LangTu gets one because otherwise I'd really be upset. In the novel, they weren't shown much of a resolution either, but honestly, I can't hate too much because they ARE a side couple.
I hope for their next 3 shows together (rumored to have 3 more shows, 2 modern and 1 historical with one already rumored to be next: Tenacious Illness) that Jiang Heng and Li Peien will get a better side couple role or even a main couple with Huang Xing and Qiu Dingjie. Or even better - if they were to both be mains.
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PREDATOR VS PREY (OMEGAVERSE)
The story follows Sheng Shaoyou, a high- ranking S-class Alpha and wealthy heir. He falls for Hua Yong, who appears fragile and submissive as an omega. However, Hua Yong is actually a rare Enigma ( a tier above Alpha) who has been meticulously manipulating Shaoyou from the start. The power dynamic flips entirely when Shaoyou, the supposed 'top' Alpha, finds himself physically and emotionally dominated by the man he thought he was 'rescuing'.###HIGHLIGHTS
The cinematography is sleek and cinematic, effectively portraying a near-future world defined by pheromones and social hierarchy. Huang Xing's performance as the 'demon shark' ( a manipulative, obsessive lead) is widely praised for its chilling elegance. Also, it's a literal 'first of its kind' for live-action, tackling complex tropes like biological imprinting and male pregnancy with surprising technical detail.
However, the show leans hard into 'Dark BL' territory. It features significant manipulation, gaslighting, and non-consensual elements that have divided the audience. Due to its ambitious content, some episodes feel heavily censored or rushed, particularly in the final arc, which utilized a jarring multi-year time skip. Also, the first few episodes spend a lot of time explaining the biology, which can feel slow for those unfamiliar with the genre.
In conclusion, ABO Desrie is a fever dream, and if you enjoy watching obsessive red-flag romances and high-badget sci-fi aesthetics, it's a must-watch.
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A Big Step for BL in China, but that's it.
As an avid BL watcher, this is a huge step for BL in general, not just China. However, I would have NEVER imagined this being a Chinese Mainland BL. That thought still sits weirdly with me. ABO becoming an on-screen trope seems insane to me; however, I think they (kind of) did a good job of capturing the main tropes and themes that go with ABO, which was a concern for me. I think a lot of people were just so surprised by this kind of show, which is why many people like it. However, as someone who has watched a lot of BLs and seen some really good ones, I was disappointed with how many gaps there were. There was a lot to the story that could have been better developed and revealed. A lot of the story could have been made more important. The characters overall were good, and truly, the chemistry between the main leads, Hua Yong and Shao You is genuinely really good. I wish the relationship and storyline were more balanced between the two couples, because the justice the main couple got would have been nice for Gao Tu and Wenlang too, especially with the fact that their relationship had way more to unpack. I think this show, like almost ALL BLs, needed more episodes to fully develop both relationships in a way that was balanced. Most of my score is going for the chemistry between Huang Xing and Qiu Dingjie (and as someone who has only seen Qiu Dingjie in 'My Lethal Man' this came as a shock) and for the ABO factor.Was this review helpful to you?
The series ambitiously builds the complex ABO system on screen, including the biology, the social hierarchy, and the use of suppressants. For those of us who are fans of the genre, it is a delight to see tropes like pheromone attraction brought to live action.
The tension between Hua Yong and Sheng Shao You is palpable. Their interactions are charged with power and desire.
If you like BL dramas with a high production value, themes of toxicity, psychological manipulation, and are interested in seeing one of the few live-action Omegaverse adaptations, give it a chance.
If you prefer healthier love stories, with consent and a fast pace, ABO Desire might be a frustrating experience.
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A huge step for Omegaverse and Ch BL but with room for improvements
As a smut-o-meter-judge, I judge this to still reach a good decent level of quality intimacy scenes.I know you all thirsty out there want that tea :P
That said, don't expect Hollywood or other high quality series/movies level of delivery.
It is still withing that kinda B-level of fake kisses and comical bed shake humping experience.
But I still feel they made it flow, it wasn't horrible to watch and enough believable.
The story wasn't all about just relationship and romance but they did squeeze in some typical corp wars.
Sure, it was all in a ridiculous fake level, that at times it felt more as a decor than part of the story, but when we enjoy things, we tend to become temporarily blind right? That's how I felt with this drama.
All B and C-level budget and fake stuff could be ignored because the story had a flow.
Now to spoilers part:
This is why I went from a 9 and almost dropped to a 6 in grade for this; the ending was so so horrible, I wish I never saw it.
They did not just cut corner, they jumped off a cliff without the hanger. They skipped such a huge portion of the story and rushed an incomplete and mumbo-jumbo ending.
It did not only left us hanging in what happened but it twisted a good story into something cheap, especially the second part of the last episode.
I personally felt betrayed af and robbed of the SL CP. Their story has been like a teaser the entirety of the series and just as many of us was hoping for some screentime, some closure in the last episode, it became instead worse. We never got to see past the revelation meeting and the timeskip just made it worse.
As for production, acting and scenery, I'd still give it an A+
I loved the Enigma take and how they chose to portrait it.
Chinese censorship did not only took vacation, I guess it went afk for unforseen time.
Eliot aced his role and easily became an actor (and character) I loved to hate, the biatch that kept me craving for more.
The scenery of the houses and building, cars and clothes...daim, wth budget did they have? It was kind of insane for a BL.
I've seen Thai BL splurge, but this felt bit more.
The music fitted and wasnt too much or too little. Kudos for that.
To summarize:
It is a drama worth to watch but beware the last episode.
It is a love drama but I'd say it is more a romcom.
Not too hard too watch, smut is just on PG level really and it is more the semi kinky suggestive scenes and the makeout that makes it a little NSFW. If you ignore a lot of nonsense, you will enjoy it a lot.
For a Chinese BL this brought me so much joy (or rather, HOPE) that I now keep longing for more Chinese BL and that Immortality might be released..
This is how I feel about it, others might might not agree.
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A new experience for me it was and the best part is I LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT!!!
Story - So the story actually seems to be well plot and every bit of it is actually well understanble. Every character has it own story to tell in the series. The love between Hua yong and shen was actually from childhood makes the story more cute and wholesome. The first initial episodes and the last four eps will hooked you to the screen and will definitely a enjoyment for the audiences. The story between Wen lang and Gao tu should have been in more detailed and shown have been shown more. The last scene that they had should have been shown more after WenLang hugged Gao tu but they didn't showed us after what happened.Acting- Hua yong actually did phenomenal job with his calm , charismatic and bold personality that how the character is. I loved every act of his. Wen lang and shen was okay whereas Gao tu too did an awesome job in terms of acting.
Music - Some music actually suited the scenes in the series and you could literally find yourself vibe to it.
Overall - These series was based on OMEGAVERSE, something which was completely new to me and i have never heard of it too. But after knowing and researching about it , it actually interests me and now i think i need more of OMEGAVERSE stories. I loved this drama and i would definitely recommend everyone to atleast watch it once coz it won't make you bored.
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A Missed Opportunity: When Poor Pacing and Dark Clichés Overshadow Potential
I’ll be honest—I watched this series to broaden my horizons and form my own opinion.After seeing some promos, especially featuring the actors who seemed likable, I got curious—especially about a series that touches on a sensitive topic and is ripe for debate (what better way to unwind than to debate?): the OMEGAVERSE.
Far be it from me to enjoy the Omegaverse for obvious reasons: rape culture, fetishism, the glorification of Alphas who think they can walk all over everyone and claim Omegas for themselves, and so on.
Of course, it all depends on the author and how the characters are written, but this is the pattern we see regularly...
So there are sometimes exceptions (like the Pitbabe series, which manages to shake up the clichés a bit or avoid featuring the detestable, immoral characters we often see in these types of stories), I even suspect that sometimes the Omegaverse is added to a story solely as a “fantasy” element to provide the opportunity for same-sex couples to have children (just a guess, since I don’t have much experience with this genre).
Some alternatives sometimes incorporate the “Enigma” type, which introduces a different turning point, particularly in the “hierarchy.”
Based on the synopsis provided by ABO Desire, I wondered if this series would be one of the exceptions (I must admit I was amused by the idea that, for once, an Alpha wouldn’t be the “predator”).
The final verdict is rather mixed.
In and of itself, the series had potential, but we’re left with a very bitter taste because of a CA-TA-STRO-PHIC final episode (rushed, incoherent, and clearly sloppy) that literally ruins everything. Ending on such a note is never good for the overall impression. The result: viewers are left frustrated. That’s how I feel.
Honestly, overall, this series isn’t bad at all: there are plenty of positives, but unfortunately, there are also many negatives that weigh heavily in the balance. The most surprising thing: it’s not even just because of the “omegaverse” aspect. In fact, if you take out a few scenes (some unnecessary because they drag things out, others just shocking and unfounded...), the series is really interesting and the four characters are even endearing (IN THEIR OWN WAY): neither all black nor all white.
- The actors did a great job and deserve applause for their performances (especially Huang Xing as Hua Yong).
- The OSTs were really nice, and I really liked how the lyrics perfectly matched the characters on screen at that moment.
- The cinematography was nice: like most Chinese dramas, it’s very polished and aesthetically pleasing, whether in terms of the visuals, sets, costumes, or makeup, etc.
- The plot started off pretty well, offering two interesting initial storylines based on two “double crosses”: an Enigma pretending to be an Omega to please his obsessive crush, and an Omega pretending to be a Beta to save his own skin (and not “bother” his childhood friend/crush/boss).
But while the first “double game” was well-developed in and of itself (thankfully, since it’s kind of the main point), this is unfortunately not the case for the second one, which the script completely butchered at the end (even though the potential of the second couple was clearly equal to or even greater than the first).
You want to keep watching to find out how all these secrets and misunderstandings will be resolved. The problem: the plot is too tightly wound, and the resolution is poorly executed (or non-existent).
- Fortunately, then, we could count on the first couple:
Sheng Shao You’s character is my biggest surprise: a gentle, kind Alpha who’s certainly very proud and has a bit of a “Casanova” side, but is generally a “Green Flag.” He’s a far cry from the typical rapist archetype often associated with dominant Alphas. Very cute.
Hua Yong is, of course, the most interesting and complex character in the series: he captures the viewer’s full attention with his mysterious air, his double-dealing, his “acting,” his schemes, his power...
Of course, his obsession—which is certainly open to criticism—was sometimes taken to extremes. His behavior is clearly not normal (not to be replicated at home), but one can be somewhat moved by his unprecedented devotion.
I admit I was afraid that the “making the Alpha his Omega” aspect would condemn the series to remain forever in that relational imbalance typical of the omegaverse—based on enslavement, domination, and submission—(whereas for me, the whole point of this series was to “turn the omegaverse on its head”). Fortunately, in the end, we don’t end up with that imbalance. One of the series’ rare successes in terms of storytelling!
“Obsessive” characters are always intriguing in their own way, but also detestable. Here, the series managed to make us warm up to the character by the end (despite certain aspects...) because he manages to transcend the dynamic of submission.
Spoiler:
The scene where Hua Yong literally “rapes” Sheng Shao You for no reason in episode 9 at Hotel X was clearly unnecessary. We could have clearly done without it; it adds nothing to the story, except to darken and tarnish the character of Hua Yong, who had so much potential... sure, he makes amends, apologizes, etc., but why perpetuate the clichés of the omegaverse?
His unwavering devotion and unconditional love shouldn’t be overlooked: we’re talking about seduction taken to the extreme here. Okay, it’s clearly not the best example of romance, but in the end it was still a bit touching, especially when Hua Yong explains all his motives to Sheng Shao You and the latter calls him a crazy fanboy—it’s funny, and it really captures his personality.
I’ll admit that Shen Wen Lang and Sheng Shao You’s remarks about Hua Yong are pretty funny and retain a certain realism: it’s as if the series itself ironically condemns this kind of behavior!
- Unfortunately, we can’t ignore what I consider the series’ biggest flaw (which leads to all the others): its pacing.
I don't understand what the writers were thinking: the story got off to a quick start but took forever to develop, especially the second plotline. There are significant lulls and repetitions around the middle and in the second half, and a final episode where everything is crammed in—revelations, attempts at reconciliation, reunions—just to wrap up the series. Such a shame. It’s clear that the series was more focused on the first couple/plot, which was very poorly combined with the second (even though there was a clear desire to give scenes to this second couple).
At the same time, there are a lot of unnecessary missteps, quite a few inconsistencies or contradictions in the dialogue or certain scenes, and problematic situations.
Gao Tu is very endearing, but of course, like all omegas, he is unfortunately the victim of the entire series. Financially exploited by his father (and consequently his friend), he constantly endures Shen Wen Lang’s (the man he technically loves) clumsy reprimands and gratuitous indirect insults toward Omegas, not to mention the health issues he suffers precisely to hide his nature as an Omega. It’s a real shame he’s the type to bottle everything up and retreat into stubborn silence: the scenes where Shen Wen Lang FINALLY tried to do something to “help” him were all pointless because he rejected them. How many times did I wish he’d finally spit out the words that were choking him...
Shen Wen Lang is the most frustrating character, and it’s not at all because of his Alpha nature (a solitary Alpha who doesn’t care about Omegas or anything romantic/sexual: no rapists in sight, great!).
At first he’s funny: clumsy with his words, though capricious, he has no malicious intent and is a good subordinate/friend/boss.
But the fact that he remains so out of touch, paranoid, and blind (toward Gao Tu) right up until the end ruins his potential.
By the end, his character is completely destroyed by his denial and stupidity, and the final episode ruins everything.
Why, when he’d maintained an image of a “good alpha” throughout the series, does he start to completely lose control and discredit himself?
Of course, the distressing lack of communication surely plays a role here (where would the drama be, you might ask). The problem is that when you stretch a rubber band too far, it snaps: we lose all interest in the second couple because after 15 episodes, there’s still no progress (literally nothing happens).
In my opinion, the second couple was ruined by all the things left unsaid—things that could have saved us... 15 episodes?
Spoiler:
because yes, the “secret” of the second couple isn’t revealed until that moment. It’s all a bit over the top.
It’s really a shame because I’m convinced this couple had enormous potential.
In short: well, a series with a lot of potential that could have redeemed the dreadful image of the omegaverse by giving it a better dimension, shoots itself in the foot several times with terrible pacing and the repetition of dark clichés.
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