ForeverY

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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Lies, lies and private revange leading to...

This studio rarely disappoints me... in terms of “action” lackorns, we're usually well served!
Let's offer some positive criticism for these. I've often found that I have differing opinions and feelings about many average series. It must be said that not all viewers are looking for the same thing in a series.

For my part, I look for series that mix several genres in just the right proportions. A beautiful chemistry between couples, a touch of romanticism, good pacing... an interesting and fast-paced story with interesting characters.
Here I found my “perfect” balance of tones and emotions that I look for every time : we go through everything: anger, humor, frustration, sadness, gentleness, tenderness, violence, with some passages being harsh, others serious, and others lighter...

Even if there are some rather common elements in terms of plot/story here we have a quite well-crafted plot with wists and turns that are fairly well paced (never dull): you never get bored and I didn't find it dragging (the series is just the right length: not too long or too short). This is a huge plus! Because the problem of pacing in this kind of series is very common. OF COURSE it is perfectly objective!

I was also pleasantly surprised by the couple portrayed: I was expecting a more “mature” romance, I would almost go so far as to say toxic (well, their relationship was built on a unilateral lie), but no: we have a very sweet, very cute couple, an almost too naive love that feels very “school life” and/or “first love,” which is quite surprising because it contrasts greatly with the overall mood of the series. They really have great chemistry, and their relationship is frankly touching amid all the violence (gunshots, fights, blood...). Their looks, their tears, their smiles, their kisses: everything is perfect in that regard.

The characters are more or less interesting (I'm glad there are also women and that they have an important role, which isn't always the case in BL series, go figure).
Within the hospital, all the characters (especially the family) are gray (some more than others): between a totally volatile and violent father, an opportunistic sister, and an angry brother who is probably disturbed and paranoid ( felt that Jet's character was really overplayed). However, I kinda liked the subtleties of his relationship with his bodyguard, Park: you can tell that the writers didn't dwell on it (which is a shame but understandable, as it would have been a “duplicate” of the main couple).

Obviously, it's Pheem's development that carries the whole series: a character we love and “hate” at first (from episode 1, I thought to myself: “He's a real bastard, but I kinda like him anymay”, ‘cause of course he may have “his reasons”): a true manipulator and unscrupulous schemer who will stop at nothing to get his revenge, at the expense of others, hidden beneath his angelic features. He does have a “softer” and more mischievous side, but it's definitely hard to trust him at first.

Blinded by revenge for two-thirds of the series, he makes a series of decisions (particularly regarding Than) that we know he will regret. We just wait for the moment when everything comes to the surface: and although it is gradually obvious that he is “changing” through his contact with Than, it takes him a long time and, despite everything, he still shoots himself in the foot at a crucial moment.

To illustrate: /!\ spoiler
The scene where Pheem shoots Than is quite powerful: we think until the very end that he's not going to do it, but no one is surprised when he actually does. We suspect that the act is somewhat “desperate”: his “selfishness” coupled with his fear of losing one of the only two people who care about him (we too often forget his aunt, the goat) take over.

At that moment, he reaches the point of no return and his “true colors” resurface after a whole episode of tenderness, where the couple has officially come together, where we think that this is the right moment for him to “change.” His mistakes catch up with him and in just a few minutes his lies come back to haunt him. Karma? Not exactly. Justice? Perhaps.

If he is going through a rough patch, you can't say he doesn't deserve it. He's just “reaping what he sowed.” It was satisfying that no one “forgave” him so quickly.

However, he does experience a REAL redemption arc after and during “the breakup.”

Than, on the other hand, clearly embodies the pure hero: an honest, loyal, gentle, and kind character, but far from being a fool, and above all, one who doesn't let himself be pushed around. He makes all the decisions we (as viewers) want him to make. Honestly, this guy is an absolute GOAT (too perfect for this world but perfect for Pheem). He's going to suffer a lot, and let's be honest, Pheem clearly doesn't deserve him (for three-quarters of the series): we know it, he knows it, Pheem knows it, everyone knows it (it's often like that in fiction), but he has the merit of having been able to change the latter for good...

To the detriment of his career: I was very disturbed that this point, which was a central pillar in the series, was literally pushed aside. I don't know if it was intentional (the moral of the story?) or just a hole/oversight in the script. In any case, it's even more sad for Than, whose personality is partly built on that.

The soundtracks were not bad . Of course the series has a lots of minor flaws, but honestly, I had a great time watching it.

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Childhood friends to lovers to ennemies

When I impulsively decided to watch this "little" drama, I didn't bother to read the drama description as I usually do, so I didn't really know what to expect, other than a simple, historical bl drama with no censorship (what a step forward in the China industry !

This drama can be divided into two parts in terms of the story, but also in terms of the atmosphere and the viewer's feelings.
I had a great time during the first eight episodes, but the last few were really painful to watch. Whether it was the scriptwriting choices or the portrayal of the characters and their mentality.


📜 Overall, the story is very interesting and well put together (without the subtitle problem, I suppose). Between plots, betrayals, family, friendship, love, tenderness, lies, violence, hatred, misunderstanding, PLOT TWIST... we get a bit of everything! Even though the series is quite "short" (12x30 min), I found it quite "long"; the story is really captivating and poignant, and we know from the beginning that the characters are going to suffer (and so are we, for that matter).

✨️🎋 The aesthetics are pretty, the costumes are okay, the wigs... well... we've seen worse (and better), but I love Shu He's style! The OST is really nice... I think the actors are good (it's hard to judge 100% objectively).

🎎 The characters are honestly endearing at first, but very, very difficult to follow psychologically, especially in the "second" part of the drama. And that's what I think disturbed and affected me the most.

Ziang is very emotional, lovable , his devotion. and love for Shue He is so overwhelming that it hurts even through the screen.

On the other hand, I had a lot of trouble with Shu He, who (I don't know if it's because of the character himself or the actor) only shows one or two emotions: he's impenetrable, which makes it very hard to trust him (and I admit that in the end I didn't understand anything he was doing).

Unfortunately, the secondary characters are VERY secondary, between Hao Ying, who is trapped in a toxic relationship, and Shen Song, who is... just there to help everyone without anything in return (frankly, he deserves better).

In reality, my feelings are very much focused on the trope of the series which is typically a lovers-to-enemies. I've always dreamed of trying this kind of trope, but deliberately. But here, I was confronted with it without knowing it. Which is a huge shock, especially with such a sweet, tender, cute, perfect first part of the love story.

The first eight episodes are really good, the atmosphere is pleasant, the romance is so touching, a real 🍬 ! But the twist is very violent. The characters change radically. And it hurts.
Zi'ang's change (a devoted and protective brother and lover, ready to abandon his country for his beloved) is the worst: he loses all his color and literally becomes a tyrant and an obsessive "lover." The way he treated Shuhe was just as disconcerting. This is where I can only confirm my fear of toxic and obsessive romances.

Shuhe is in a way partly to "blame" (even if it's half-way understandable) : his indecision, his blindness, his relentless obstinacy for a kingdom rotten from within played heavily against him.

From the "twist" (the transition from lovers to enemies), we witness a succession of rejections, "betrayals," lies, and plots with a huge lack of communication, which gradually stifles the romance until it reaches a point of no return that makes us want to tear our hair out.

And then comes the worst part for me: the impossibility of trusting the characters. So much so that we no longer know if the scenes unfolding before our eyes are "sincere" or just another plot. It was torture. This drama is a real tragedy; the further we get, the more we know that it can only end badly.

Part 1: 9/10
Part 2: 6/10:
Overall: 7/10

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