NLE

Your toy metaphor is overcomplicating something that is actually very simple. Tags are not random “waste of letters.” They are industry-standard markers used across MDL, iQIYI, Viki, GagaOOLala and so on, so viewers know what they’re walking into. Sure, sometimes a tag is misapplied, but when multiple official platforms all list psychological manipulation and possessive male lead, that is not an accident. It is intentional, and it sets an expectation.

If you have been in the BL community long enough, you know tags are one of the most reliable indicators of themes. For example:
If a series is tagged childhood friends, you expect a bond that began in childhood.
If it is tagged contract relationship, you expect some form of forced deal.
If it is tagged omegaverse, you expect alpha and omega dynamics.

So no, tags are not perfect, but they are absolutely not meaningless either. They exist to frame the story, and in ABO Desire they delivered exactly what was advertised.

And let’s be clear, the whole discussion here started because people were complaining about Hua Yong’s manipulative and possessive traits. That is the contradiction I called out. You even admitted you were waiting for him to drop the boring submissive part, which only proves my point further. You expected him to become manipulative and possessive, because that is exactly what the tags and the source material promised.

At the end of the day, yes, warnings are there but not everyone accepts them. Think about flying on an airline. The flight attendants demonstrate how to use the safety jacket and oxygen mask, but not everyone listens or pays attention. Then when an accident happens later, people complain they did not know what to do. Tags work the same way. They are there to prepare you, but if you choose to ignore them, you cannot blame the show when those exact elements appear.

My horror movie line was an example, not me saying every single horror has blood. If that bothers you, fine, let’s swap it: it’s like ordering spicy food and then whining that it’s hot. Same logic, same point.

And your second point? Honestly, it makes no sense.

Saying “not every psychological manipulation, possessive male lead is manipulative or possessive” is straight-up contradictory. Why even tag it that way then?

Tags like psychological manipulation and possessive male lead aren’t pretty stickers, they’re warnings of exactly what to expect.

Think about it:
If you see “vampire” you expect vampires.
If you see “time travel” you expect time travel.
If you see “love triangle” you expect three people caught in romance.

So if ABO Desire is literally tagged psychological manipulation and possessive male lead, then Hua Yong showing those traits isn’t a surprise, it’s exactly what was advertised. Complaining about that is like ignoring the label on the box and then blaming the contents.

Now I’m curious, can you tell me what novels Erha and SVSSS stand for? I kinda want to check them out now.

ABO Desire is adapted directly from Desire by Nong Jian, and that fact is plastered everywhere from the opening credits to the official synopsis, and the tags are everywhere IMDb, MDL, iQIYI, Viki, GagaOOLala:

OMEGAVERSE, PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION, POSSESSIVE MALE LEAD.

These tags are not merely decorative; they define the narrative. To ignore them and then object to Hua Yong’s characterization is contradictory.

By logic, it’s like walking into a horror movie and then complaining it has blood and jump scares. You knew the genre before you bought the ticket.

@Froehlein I completely see where you’re coming from, and I actually agree with a lot of what you said about controversial characters sparking important discussions. I don’t have time to reply to each of your points, but regarding number 1

Yes, you don’t need to read the novel first, but this isn’t some random marketing trick where people had no idea what they were stepping into. The series is adapted directly from Desire by Nong Jian, and that fact is displayed everywhere, from the opening credits to the official synopsis. Not just on MDL, but also on IMDb and the actual streaming platforms like iQIYI, Viki, and GagaOOLala, the tags are crystal clear: OMEGAVERSE, PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION, POSSESSIVE MALE LEAD. These tags are not merely decorative; they define the narrative. To ignore them and then object to Hua Yong’s characterization is contradictory.

By logic, it’s like walking into a horror movie and then complaining it has blood and jump scares. You knew the genre before you bought the ticket.

So many people on MDL and across social media are complaining about Hua Yong’s character in ABO Desire. Some call him toxic and manipulative, and many are even saying they’ll drop the series after episode 8. But this reaction overlooks what makes the story compelling in the first place. Hua Yong isn’t meant to be a simple, safe “green flag” partner. His complexity, his flaws, and even his darker traits are what drive the tension and keep the narrative alive. Without that edge, ABO Desire would just be another ordinary romance, stripped of the very conflict that makes it worth watching.

But here’s the thing:
1. They’re following the novel.
This is not some random change, Hua Yong’s behavior is written this way in the source material. This is the entire essence of the story. If you don’t like the novel or the story, it’s a bit contradictory to start watching the series.

2. If he were a perfect green flag, it would just be another bland romance.
We already have plenty of soft, healthy, slice-of-life romances. What makes Hua Yong interesting is that he’s flawed, complicated, and unpredictable. That’s where the tension and drama come from.

3. His role is designed to engage us.
He’s not meant to be a simple, safe character. He’s supposed to challenge the relationship dynamic, make us feel conflicted, and raise the stakes. If every story only gave us the “perfect boyfriend,” we’d all be bored in three episodes.

4. Reminder: this is fiction.
We’re talking about ABOs, pheromones, supernatural hierarchies, none of this is real. The toxic, manipulative traits are narrative tools, not moral lessons to copy in real life.

5. If we start calling out every toxic and manipulative character, the list would never end.
Not just in BL, but everywhere.
In Western dramas, we have Walter White (Breaking Bad), Joe Goldberg (You), Cersei and Littlefinger (Game of Thrones). All manipulative, toxic, but brilliant to watch.
Even in BL, characters like JaeMin (Secrets Relationships) or Vegas (KinnPorsche) are manipulative, yet fans loved the complexity.

Hua Yong is written the same way, as an enigma, as a dangerous yet magnetic figure. That’s the whole point of this story, not to give us comfort but to make us question, react, and feel. Just because viewers watch a character who is toxic and manipulative doesn’t mean we should support it. No one watches a serial killer drama and says, “hey, I want to do that.” These dramas are meant to challenge us, not guide us.

Fiction is where we confront uncomfortable truths.
We explore trauma, redemption, and the darkest parts of humanity, not to glorify them, but to understand their impact. That’s the point of storytelling: it creates tension, challenges empathy, and holds up a mirror to society’s ugliest sides.

Fiction isn’t meant to give us perfect men, it’s meant to give us complex ones. Hua Yong embodies that complexity, and that’s what makes this story worth watching

Thank you! I haven’t read the novel, just sharing my thoughts while watching episode 8 😊
I can’t wait until he finds out

Huo Young to Sheng Shaoyou is everything gentle
a partner who makes homemade soup
who carries burdens with quiet strength
who devotes himself as though nothing else exists

But Sheng Shaoyou does not know
that behind the tenderness lies power
Huo Young is the strongest of them all
a man who commands countless lives with a single word

That night, Sheng Shaoyou returned home
pressed himself into Huo Young’s embrace
and whispered softly
‘I ran into a lunatic today’

Little did he know…
the lunatic was his own Huo Young
the same man who quietly orchestrated everything from the shadows
the same arms that held him close
were the ones weaving ruin behind his back

When truth tears away the veil
love will bleed into betrayal
and the man he thought was sanctuary
will shatter his heart as the cruelest storm

For devotion and destruction
were always one in Huo Young’s hands

the first couple in episode 1 and 2 now have their own series call The Nameless Season, 6 episodes on Youtube
https://kisskh.at/797144-the-nameless-season

Thank you for this! Very helpful.
I watched Close to You a few months ago, and if you hadn’t mentioned it I wouldn’t have remembered. They were one of my favorites in episodes 1 and 2, so I’m really happy they’re getting a full 6 episodes. Hopefully the other 3 couples from Close to You will get the same treatment.

Crazy how these short 10-minute episodes are more entertaining than some full 50-minute ones. Can’t wait for the next one

Thank you

Unlike you, I’m educated enough to know the difference between having a preference and being insulting. If I don’t find an actor attractive, I don’t resort to calling them “ugly” because that’s just plain disrespect. For example, there are plenty of actors who aren’t my type, but I just say they’re not my preference or focus on their acting. Having opinions is fine, but tossing around the word ugly shows a lack of basic respect. And please, don’t lecture me about “pretending to be a saint” when you’re the one throwing cheap insults at people’s looks.

So basically you’re admitting you only watch shows for looks? That’s pretty shallow. A good series is built on story, acting, and chemistry, not just who you personally find handsome. And for the record, Ping is not ugly, he’s objectively attractive. If you’re only here for eye candy, maybe you really should go outside instead of pretending to care about the show.

Sure, fan shipping isn’t always for everyone and that’s fine. But saying Ping is “ugly” is unnecessary. If the ship doesn’t work for you, move on. No need to drag down an actor who’s tall, handsome, and clearly loved by plenty of fans.

Describing Ping (the actor who portrayed Kosol) as ugly is just lazy. He’s tall, muscular, hot and handsome and easily someone people would line up for. He and Nut already proved their chemistry in PitBabe, which is why they’re back together here. And let’s be real, Nut is the one stealing every scene. If you’re only watching for who’s “pretty,” you’re missing the actual spark that makes this show worth it.

He was absolutely stunning in Obsessed — easily one of the most memorable and passionate love scenes I have ever seen on screen. His physique was perfection, every line and detail sculpted beautifully, and his confidence made it even more captivating. And honestly, that perfect body combined with arguably the best butt in cinema? Completely unforgettable.

I’m enjoying the series too. Honestly, it was supposed to be my favourite Japanese BL of the year, a solid 10/10.

But after that disappointing scene, I’m dropping it to a 9/10. Four episodes left, so let’s see if they can deliver and bring it back up to a perfect 10 for me.

We’re heading into episode 9 and this isn’t just about being “spoiled” over NC scenes or kisses. It’s about payoff, consistency, and respecting the emotional journey we’ve invested in. Even before the first episode, these two had known and liked each other since high school. We’ve seen years of feelings, watched them grow into mature adults, working as adults, dating, and loving each other so deeply. Episode 8 made it crystal clear they both wanted to take that next step and they even stayed overnight. If you’re going to give us an NC scene, then give it to us properly. Don’t tease us for weeks only to serve something half-hearted and rushed. I’d honestly rather get nothing at all than be left with this kind of disappointment. This isn’t about wanting fan service for the sake of it. It’s about delivering the moment we’ve been building toward for eight episodes, a moment that should have been charged with everything they’ve been through. They deserved that. We deserved that.

My point is, in episode 8 both leads clearly wanted to do it, they even stayed overnight. If you’re going to give us an NC scene, then give it to us properly. Don’t half-do it. I’d honestly rather get nothing at all than end up feeling this disappointed.