Reviews

loved it but i understand why some people didn't

i didn't read the manwha so i started watching without any expectations, i actually decided to watch in support of minlee only as i've been a fan of his for a few years now.
i was positively surprised since the very first chapter. there's a lot of details i loved about the show that it'd take me a while to list, from the soundtrack to the photography and the action and nc scenes. i was even satisfied with the ending as i truly think that sun's best revenge was healing. to me the whole cast did a really good job and the couple's chemistry is even better than some well established couples (again, to me).

however, i understand the backlash regarding the way they handled certain topics and the side plots. i do think that some scenes should've been done with more care, not saying that they were done 100% terribly, but they could've been better. the scene in which jay cuts himself (specially in front of sun, who from what i understand, struggles with suicidal ideation), the pool murder, bank's life after dream ent, etc.. i feel like the show couldn't give the viewer a proper explanation as to why these scenes where important and how they affected not only the overall story but the characters as well. thus, we're left with weak scenes of impactful events that only ever felt triggering. hell, even some short trigger warnings at the beginning of each chapter would've done some of the job.
i also agree that the romance took away a bit the relevance of the other topics that the show relied on, and i wish we could've gotten more in depth developments for some characters like sky, two-o and sunny, but this is a bl drama with sun's as the ultimate focus, so im really not surprised of how things ended up.
they probably could've done a much better job if the show had more episodes, but then again i didn't read the manwha so i don't know how close to the original story that would've been, and adaptations are supposed to be as close as the original as possible.

i also wanna highlight how proud i am of min, cause after his previous roles (which were lowkey mid if im honest), i could tell how much his acting has improved and that he poured his heart, body and soul into this project. it feels rewarding to finally see him succed after trying for so long, watching people praise him and finally notice how charming and talented he is has been, for me, the best part of this journey, and i hope that from now on only better things come his way.

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I liked a side character and the final reveal. That was it.

This show is kind of inconsistent. The tone and pacing seem to change a lot; the beginning feels muddled, but by the end it does resemble a proper show. I wish I could say that salvaged it for me... but no, yet another one that I’m simply glad to be done with.

This show is FL-centric, so naturally she’s a strong and capable character. But at the beginning, she really is quite unlikeable. She’s beyond ice queen- arrogant and rude, just treats the people around her like trash, frankly kind of scary. Supposedly she is a merge of two personalities, and this is pretty unique and interesting, but unfortunately the show doesn’t really lean into this idea or even make it clear.

By the teens of episodes, she softens into the kind of FL I’m more used to- a smart and in-control character who still has some empathy. She continues to get nicer as the show goes on (not particularly explained), so really you just have to grit your teeth through the beginning.

The ML might have been interesting enough if his main defining feature were not how obsessively in love he is with the FL, and how shamelessly he pursues her. A few times we get hints of something deeper- a dying man with a flippant façade and decent schemes- but mostly he just hits on her.

I think their romance dynamic is where most of the show’s humor lies, at least based on the musical cues. Haha! Look how shamelessly in love he is! Look how cleverly she refutes him! It’s not really my style, though I did laugh a few times at her comebacks.

For the first 2/3 or so, the plot moves fast in small mini-arcs, with lots of formidable-seeming villains taken care of surprisingly quickly. Above average suspension of disbelief is required as we watch the FL sort (or sniff?) things out. It’s still vaguely interesting, but feels too messy to be enjoyable- these smaller story arcs are simply not taken seriously. Unfortunately the only main, consistent plotline is the harem of men who are obsessively in love with the FL.

It’s partly my personal preference, but I just have never been into watching a bunch of people (hot princes or not) figure out their love polygon. It’s not that interesting, plus I feel sorry for them. But it’s extra annoying here because these men are exceptionally delusional and obsessive, way beyond rationality... which honestly is just frustrating to watch. And kind of stressful too- who knows what stupid things they will do in the name of love.

So for the longest time, the only reason I kept watching was for Bu Shulin. I love her! She is really likeable and has great expressions, and her romance is the most I’ve cared about any pairing- main or otherwise- in a really long time. But she only gets maybe 1 scene per episode, so I was basically racing through most of the show at accelerated speed, just for the trickle of her scenes. It’s too bad there aren’t more- apparently some got censored for looking too much like BL (...which it isn’t even...lol. But yes, her cross-dressing is really well-done).

Luckily by the time Bu Shulin and her boytoy move out of the story (somewhere in the 20s of episodes), the show has become more independently watchable. The focus of the main plot has finally started shifting away from romantic entanglements; the FL and ML have become likeable enough that I could root for them; and the story has calmed down, with more cohesive and properly developed story arcs, and antagonists with proper motivation. I still didn’t really care enough about the leads to be that invested in their story, but it was watchable enough to finish.

Actually, I ended up quite liking the final arc. I saw comments where some people didn’t buy the final villain, but personally I liked where they went with it, and I was also very satisfied with the reveals at the end.

For the acting, I thought it was fine- I believed all the characters. Meng Ziyi always gets so much criticism for her acting, but I thought it was fine, I saw expressions. Fan Shuaiqi as Bu Shulin is great- maybe partly saying this because I like her character, but some of her expressions are just really hilarious.

For production stuff, no comment on fight choreo as I sped through it all. There are some really cute cats near the beginning- the cat budget was probably decent but I think it should have still been higher because they later all disappear for no reason. The styling and costumes are alright. I know it’s just a general idol show thing, but at one point the ML helps the FL out with her morning makeup by making a few perfunctory gestures that change nothing on her already heavily made up face... like, come on?

For the music, I thought the OST is decent, and sounds pretty good at 1.5X! But I especially like the BGM. I particularly love the tension-building orchestral strings piece, though there are several other nice ones that I also noticed.

Overall... well. This show had enough going for it at different points to string me along and keep me watching, but I can’t say I was that interested or invested. I might have given this a 5-6 (show I don’t really care for) if not for Bu Shulin and the nice final reveal.

ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS





This show has a happy ending. Even among the side characters, there aren’t any big sacrifices. There is a nice 4-years-later block (featuring an adorable child actor) to show us the leads settled down, that is long enough to actually get a good picture of the situation. But I was disappointed that it didn’t address the characters I actually care about (like Bu Shulin and her boytoy, Prince Lie, the FL’s sister, their subordinates, etc). And whatever happened to her cat?

MORE MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD





I can’t decide if I like the ending or not. The final villain comes very close to being one of my least favorite tropes (SML gone evil), so I personally am glad they add a little twist to it. I also thought it’s very brave to kill off the ML several episodes from the end, leaving the FL to handle the final villains by herself- how unique and realistic! (Well, also my friend just died in a car accident so personally I appreciated seeing somebody deal with loss but learn to move forward).

...but nope, the ML is brought back in the last few minutes. I wouldn’t even call it deus ex machina- there’s no machina. He just shows up. A 10-min extra gives us half an explanation by flashing briefly to his extremely haggard-looking doctor friend, whom nobody in the show seems to care about. I guess he saved him at the cost of his own health, or something.

I really like getting extended scenes that show how they’re living a happy life together, but I still think the ending fails to deliver on many things like explanations and side character follow-up.

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Overkill / overdramatic

To much OVERDONE !!!! This drama really said, “Why solve one problem when we can create ten more?” 😭
The unnecessary misunderstandings, forced angst, endless suffering, and over-the-top reactions were simply too much. Every small issue somehow had to become a life-changing tragedy. I don’t mind drama, but this was drama for the sake of drama.
At some point I stopped feeling emotionally invested and started wondering when everyone would just sit down and have a normal conversation. 😂. The premise had potential, but the excessive drama took away from my enjoyment. I personally prefer stories that allow emotions to develop naturally instead of repeatedly pushing situations to an extreme. Some parts felt unnecessarily complicated and emotionally heavy. Overall, it simply wasn’t my cup of tea.
One star from me. I need my C-dramas to have emotions, not emotional warfare.

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Overly dramatic

Sigh, another one that got glowing reviews that I just didn't really care for. I like the time travel and second chance premise but I don't think I ever really connected with it. While the chemistry does seem pretty good at times, I didn't actually buy into the romance and why they fell in love with each other; it felt sudden and forced — giving us dramatic, romantic moments without actually laying the foundation for them getting to know each other.

The actual plot feels kind of unfocused. Most time travel dramas have a main lead that's really driven towards a specific goal that they failed to achieve the first time; Armin's actions feel all over the place and I'm really not sure what he's trying to do. The main antagonist is introduced and he just feels very "mustache-twirling villain" in a way that felt really out-of-place and goofy.

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A Healing Fantasy Where Love Wins Without Endless Suffering

After months of emotionally devastating xianxia and historical dramas where love is measured by sacrifice, death, and endless misunderstandings, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy felt like a refreshing reminder that a compelling romance does not need to be built on relentless suffering to leave a lasting impact.

At first glance, the drama presents itself as a lighthearted fantasy romance inside a game world. However, beneath its playful premise lies a carefully written story about healing, forgiveness, family, identity, and the courage to choose love over fear.

The greatest strength of this drama is its pacing. Unlike many fantasy dramas that spend too much time establishing the world before rewarding viewers emotionally, this series understands exactly when to introduce comedy, mystery, romance, and emotional conflict. Every arc naturally builds upon the previous one without feeling repetitive. Even the frustrating bracelet arc—which admittedly tested my patience—ultimately served a meaningful purpose by reinforcing one of the drama's central themes: genuine love cannot be erased by external control. One of my favorite symbolic moments was when Miaomiao, despite being manipulated by the bracelet, unconsciously wrote that she wanted to marry Ziqi instead of Zhao Ruoshi. It beautifully suggested that while the mind may be deceived, the heart always remembers.

The romance between Ling Miaomiao and Mu Sheng is undoubtedly the heart of the series. Rather than relying on exaggerated misunderstandings or dramatic sacrifices every few episodes, their relationship grows through trust, vulnerability, and gradual emotional healing. Their chemistry feels effortless because every confession, every protective gesture, and every quiet conversation is earned. Watching Mu Sheng slowly lower the emotional walls he built around himself became one of the most satisfying character journeys I've seen in recent fantasy dramas.

Mu Sheng easily stands among the strongest male leads in recent years. His strength never comes from overwhelming power alone, but from his emotional restraint, quiet devotion, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty. He carries unimaginable guilt throughout the story yet never allows bitterness to define him. Instead of seeking revenge, he constantly chooses compassion, even when it demands personal sacrifice. His love language is protection, but more importantly, he learns that allowing himself to be loved is just as important as protecting others. That emotional evolution is what makes him unforgettable.

Ling Miaomiao is equally impressive. She never remains the typical transported heroine who simply reacts to events around her. As the story progresses, she becomes emotionally mature, courageous, and willing to face difficult truths instead of avoiding them. Her love for Mu Sheng gradually transforms from curiosity into complete understanding. She does not merely save him emotionally—she helps him rediscover the life he deserves.

The supporting cast deserves equal recognition. Mu Yao, Liu Fuyi, Zhao Ruoshi, and even the antagonists all contribute meaningfully to the narrative instead of existing solely to support the main romance. Each character reflects a different response to grief, guilt, responsibility, and forgiveness, making the world feel emotionally complete. Their relationships create a genuine sense of found family, one of the drama's most touching qualities.

Perhaps what impressed me most is how the story balances emotional weight with optimism. It never ignores tragedy or trauma, yet it refuses to romanticize suffering. Instead, it argues that healing is possible, forgiveness is powerful, and love should inspire growth rather than endless pain. In a genre often dominated by repeated sacrifices and tragic separations, this perspective feels surprisingly refreshing.

My only real criticism concerns the ending. While emotionally satisfying, the modern-world epilogue felt far too brief. After investing so deeply in the characters and their journey, I wished the reunion outside the fantasy world had been explored more thoroughly. A few additional scenes showing their lives together would have elevated an already excellent conclusion into a truly unforgettable one.

Overall, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy is more than just a romantic fantasy. It is a story about breaking cycles of hatred, embracing vulnerability, and proving that the deepest love is not measured by how much people suffer for each other, but by how they help each other heal.

It is the perfect palate cleanser after countless heavy-angst dramas—and ironically, that very choice makes it stand out among them.

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I don’t know what to think! (I’m all cried out)

SPOILERS AHEAD!!


Honestly this drama was very good up until the last maybe 4-5 episodes. The writers could have went an entirely different direction with this drama around those episodes!

I will say you WILL get attached to the main lead Zhang Wansen very fast like I did and seeing his death and seeing him upset as many times as it happens will CRUSH you!! It crushed me so bad!! For like 3-4 episodes in the middle of the show I was absolutely bawling my eyes out like I had been shot!! I was completely devastated!

You get hope towards the end, but I’m sorry that ending was HORRIBLE!!! What do you mean the last time we see him with her face to face is when he says “I like you” before she gets taken back to her reality!? And something that makes ZERO sense is that throughout the entire drama Lin Beixing was changing her fate into something different every time she went back to her high school days (like failing the college entrance exam, and then passing it with flying colors on another try), but nothing was being changed in her original world. Yet at the end she “saves” Zhang Wansen and gets brought back and he’s magically there at the end!? Or who we can assume to be him since we NEVER SEE HIS FACEEE!!!😤
They give us all that emotional damage and then they can’t even give us 10 MINUTES OF THEM AS A COUPLE IN THE REAL WORLD!? That genuinely makes me so mad!!

I heard the movie has a better ending so I’m gonna give it a watch, but as for the drama, the ending is sh*t!

It was still a phenomenal drama tho! I don’t regret watching it at all! I could never watch it again though because I don’t ever wanna sob as much as I did ever again!! It’s been a very long time since I cried like that!




UPDATE!!
I watched the movie and that sh*t was even worse than the drama!! Everyone who said the movie was better and picks up where the drama left off straight up lied, cause 1. You don’t see it pick up where the drama left off till the last 5 seconds of the movie and 2. it made me even MORE mad and confused!!

It’s literally the exact same concept except the roles are reversed and it’s a different storyline! If they were gonna make a movie they should have kept the same story and just added a plot twist to it with a good resolution at the end, not whatever THAT was.

Goodness gracious…😑

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a chaotic masterpiece that knows exactly what it is

the penthouse season 2 is honestly one of those dramas where you know it’s completely insane, but you just can’t stop watching. it’s dramatic, messy, over the top and sometimes you’re literally sitting there like “there’s no way this is happening” 😭 but somehow it still keeps you hooked.

season 2 definitely brings the revenge, betrayals and shocking moments harder than the first season. the story isn’t realistic at all, but i don’t think it’s trying to be. it’s pure makjang chaos, and if you go into it expecting logic you’ll probably get frustrated. but if you accept the craziness, it becomes really entertaining.

the biggest strength is the acting. the cast absolutely carries this drama, especially the villains because they make you hate them while also making you want to keep watching. the emotions, anger and desperation feel so intense that even when the plot gets ridiculous, the performances make it work.

that being said, the writing can be too much sometimes. there are moments where the twists feel endless and some things feel dragged out just for shock value. some characters also make decisions that will have you questioning their choices. but honestly, that’s kind of what makes the penthouse the penthouse.

overall, season 2 is not a perfect drama, but it’s addictive, entertaining and unforgettable. it’s the type of show you complain about while watching but still click “next episode” immediately. if you like revenge dramas with crazy twists, rich people drama and intense characters, this is definitely worth watching.

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a chaotic masterpiece that you’ll either love or hate

the penthouse season 1 is honestly one of those dramas where you know it’s completely insane, but you still can’t stop watching. the story is over the top, dramatic, and sometimes you’ll be sitting there thinking “there’s no way they just did that” 😭 but somehow it works because the pacing keeps you hooked.

the biggest strength of this drama is the acting. the cast absolutely carried the show, especially with how intense and emotional their performances were. the villains were so easy to hate, the characters were messy, and everyone brought so much energy that you couldn’t look away.

that being said, the drama is definitely not perfect. some plot twists feel unrealistic, some characters make frustrating choices, and the amount of revenge, secrets, and betrayals can get exhausting. you really have to accept that this is a makjang drama and just enjoy the chaos instead of questioning every single thing.

the music was good and matched the dramatic atmosphere, but it wasn’t the main reason i kept watching. what really makes the penthouse memorable is the suspense, the shocking moments, and the feeling of wanting to know what happens next.

overall, season 1 is a wild ride. it’s not a realistic drama, but it’s entertaining, addictive, and impossible to forget. if you like revenge, rich families, intense drama, and crazy plot twists, you’ll probably enjoy this. it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but for what it’s trying to be, it does a great job.

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SCI/FI OMEGAVERSE -ish

*Affinity (2026): The Omegaverse Drama That Refuses to Call Itself Omegaverse*

When *Affinity (2026)* premiered, many viewers focused on its romance, science-fiction premise, and psychological tension. Yet as the series unfolds, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore one question:

**Why isn't this categorized as Omegaverse?**

For fans familiar with the genre, *Affinity* checks an astonishing number of boxes. While it never explicitly markets itself as an ABO (Alpha/Beta/Omega) story, it borrows many of the genre's defining concepts and repackages them within a science-fiction framework built around genetics rather than fantasy.

## The Alpha and Omega Dynamic Is Front and Center

The most obvious clue is that the series openly discusses **Alphas and Omegas**. Rather than treating these as metaphors for personality types, the story presents them as genetically influenced biological classifications that determine instinctive attraction and compatibility.

That alone immediately evokes the core premise of Omegaverse fiction.

Instead of relying on supernatural lore or werewolf mythology—as many early Omegaverse stories did—*Affinity* grounds these dynamics in genetic engineering, making them feel like a plausible product of future science.

This approach doesn't reject Omegaverse.

It modernizes it.

## Instinct Over Choice

One of the defining characteristics of Omegaverse is the tension between **biological instinct and personal agency**.

Throughout *Affinity*, Wu Nong Yu and Xie Xin Xu repeatedly question why they are drawn together despite logic telling them otherwise.

The synopsis itself highlights:

> "Their inexplicable attraction."

That wording is remarkably familiar to longtime Omegaverse readers.

Rather than falling in love through traditional romance tropes, the characters appear driven by something encoded deep within their biology something neither fully understands nor can easily resist.

This conflict between instinct and emotion is one of the genre's most recognizable themes.

## Genetics Replaces Fantasy

Perhaps the show's biggest innovation is replacing pheromones, heats, and mating instincts with **genetic science**.

Instead of saying:

*"They're destined mates because they're Alpha and Omega."*

The series essentially asks:

*"What if genetic engineering created humans whose biology naturally compelled them toward certain partners?"*

This shift transforms what would normally be fantasy into speculative science fiction.

It's an elegant adaptation that allows mainstream television to explore many of the same concepts without invoking the Omegaverse label, which still carries niche and fanfiction-associated connotations.

## Why It Probably Isn't Marketed as Omegaverse

There are several reasons why the creators may have avoided the label.

First, "Omegaverse" is still strongly associated with online fanfiction communities, particularly Boys' Love (BL) and explicit romantic fiction. Marketing a mainstream television drama under that banner could create preconceived expectations that the production may not intend to fulfill.

Second, Chinese media regulations often encourage creators to frame speculative concepts through science and technology rather than overtly sexual or socially controversial genre conventions. By presenting Alpha and Omega traits as genetic phenomena, the series fits comfortably within a science-fiction narrative.

Third, *Affinity* appears more interested in exploring questions of identity, free will, and human evolution than reproducing every traditional Omegaverse trope. It borrows the framework without necessarily embracing all of the genre's conventions.

## Is It Actually Omegaverse?

That depends on how one defines the genre.

If Omegaverse is viewed narrowly as stories involving heats, mating bonds, pheromones, knotting, and hierarchical reproduction then *Affinity* only partially qualifies.

However, if Omegaverse is understood more broadly as fiction centered on biologically determined Alpha/Omega dynamics, instinctive attraction, and the struggle between genetics and personal autonomy, then *Affinity* arguably belongs within that family.

In many ways, it resembles what might be called **"hard science-fiction Omegaverse."**

Instead of magical biology, it offers engineered biology.

Instead of destiny, it offers genetics.

Instead of fantasy, it offers speculative evolution.
Final Thoughts

*Affinity* occupies an intriguing space between mainstream science fiction and Omegaverse storytelling. It retains many of the genre's philosophical foundations—biological compatibility, instinctive attraction, Alpha and Omega classifications, and the conflict between nature and free will—while translating them into a more scientifically grounded narrative.

Whether the omission of the "Omegaverse" label is a marketing decision, a response to cultural expectations, or a deliberate attempt to broaden the show's appeal, the similarities are difficult to dismiss. For many viewers familiar with ABO fiction, *Affinity* feels less like a departure from Omegaverse and more like its evolution: a version refined for a wider audience, where genetics replaces fantasy but the emotional and biological questions remain strikingly familiar.

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