Reviews

Smart. Well Acted. Unusual

Desire is one of the best BLs I've seen, and definitely my most favorite at the moment. This series has gripped me from the first episode, even though I found it somewhat awkward. E2 was perfection in my eyes, and from then on, my love has only grown.

The theme of obsession has always fascinated me, and Desire lives and breathes it. I'm delighted by the intricate web Hua Yong has spanned; the way he pretended to be so fragile and vulnerable to get Shaoyou to finally notice him, how he used a whole insane arsenal of the wildest manipulation tactics to get him attached… and, well, it sure worked. I was skeptical at first because how can a relationship blossom when it's based on such a complete lie? Hua Youg is pretending to be a completely different person for a big chunk of the series, so I kept wondering how Shaoyou can realistically love him still when the truth is revealed.

When the reveal did happen, I found it, and all further progression, absolutely flawless, though. And nothing delighted me more than the new, honest dynamic between these two. Shaoyou really is starved for love, and Hua Yong has tons of it to give - but only to him and no one else. They are both messed up, and I love how genuine and unhinged they are at present, how they are so utterly dependent on one another. I really don't want this series to end. Also, I'm completely in love with OSTs, they are addictive.

The actors did a phenomenal job; the psychological game is the most brilliant thing I've ever seen, with every little part meticulously thought out, from the nervous twitch of Hua's hands to his epic chess game in terms of business deals.

The second couple is also fascinating. They didn't get a proper ending; the last episode was very rushed, unfortunately, but I still loved them, and I'm glad they have every chance to be happy together.

I already re-watched Desire several times, and I will keep doing it, just enjoying every second of this universe. Also, the novel is quite good, too, so I definitely recommend reading it.

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90's, IMF crisis & Pookieness

What a beautiful pilot episode. Nailed the 90's aesthetics with cinematography & detailing. Even the crockery and office setting is so on point. JUNHO and Minha are being the POOKIEST of the Pookies, fitting characters like a glove. The rise of entertainment industry vs decline of economic growth, those streaked hair, glossy pants and hardworking middle-class... Everything made sense & done so well.

This was true to 90's where parents were never your FRIENDS but you adore & respect them silently like Tae poong does. You never say, they never say anything lovey dovey. The era where the best generation was raised through thick n thin. Tae poong loves his family, friends & flowers. Total Green flag.

Looking forward to the later episodes, knowing the cast will definitely deliver a stellar performance.

Fighting.

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A rainbow of 5 colors

If you're thinking of watching this series then go ahead it's a good series overall if you can bear a few plotholes since they will be covered up by the good acting. The representation of DID is insensitive and a little disappointing ending, but the romance part was nicely done along with the comedy and cinematography.

In detail review with my opinions ~
OST: Good song by Nanon, I have listened to it a lot now even before I watched this series. And now the song has more meaning to me.
ACTING: Impressive acting by Nanon and Mind. Nanon really nicely portrayed Sun, a heartbreaker for hire who is not a hero but actually a villain in many women's lives. I was mind blown by Mind's acting, her ability to portray all five personalities where you can just tell who is who just by looking at their facial expression and body language. Junior also did really great acting here, his role really remained a mystery and then boom - there comes the twist.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: I have to talk about it. I was awe struck by the cinematography of this show. The saturated color palette and the breathtaking views and snapshots of the Bangkok city, made me feel like I was actually with them in that place, it really set the mood for the type of scenes. Not to forget that Sun's character is literally a photographer in this series so yeah that was also really well done.
STORY: Now coming to the story. GMMTV has done it again. They took a really good plot and then ruined it. Like most shows this show also suffered from the degradation of the series as the episodes progressed further. The first half keeps me interested and curious, the second half just makes me question everything, from the plot to the characters. Judging for comedy, this series was pretty good according to my standard. The romantic part was also really well done thanks to NanonMind's amazing acting. But the thriller part - oof. That is where the writers missed. There was just not enough suspense created. It looked like a thriller but it did not feel like a thriller. I have to say the plot twists were done nicely but because the suspense wasn't much they didn't land that well specifically the ending. Why did they start the the whole Kritsana plotline if they were not going to put an end to it?? Why did the villain of this story win?? This just shows that the writers were lazy to write all of that. If they had worked on that the show would have been lot better, it would have not just passed on a message of mental health importance but also of speaking up the truth by journalists and media. Turns out her mom did die for nothing.
Now talking about each character:
1. Sun: A morally grey character who did become a good person at the end. He understood, that what he did was not 'love karma', but scamming and then changed his job and redeemed his past mistakes even though they won't erase his past, but they will make him a better person. I thought that he had claustrophobia the way he reacted in that elevator, but turns out it was something else. Oh and also his nerdy look with those glasses was really cute, I loved his style throughout the series.
2. Sairung: First of all, the representation of DID was very bad. The writers didn't do proper research on the disorder and claimed that it can be fixed by "love"(there is no cure for DID yet). Sairung's five personalities were very well coordinated, I wonder if that can actually happen; they were all very interesting also, they all had a specific purpose to be in Sairung's life, and they were each on their own mission, putting together broken fragments from a mystery long buried. I also wondered throughout the series why Marnmok seemed like a leader for all them, as if she was the main personality, the show even gave her a lot of attention and her role was pretty big in the suicide plotline. But then how did they choose Sairung as the "final" personality ? Yes she has the same name as the girl but she did not hold much importance in the story. And honestly in my opinion, Marnmok and Sun had more chemistry and Sun even fell in love with her at first sight (I'm still baffled how they "chose" a "final" personality).
Dad: Oh I hate the dad. The whole problem started from him. They didn't villainize him enough. And his claim that love can heal his daughter, yeah sure go ahead boomer. He did not think much about the consequences his actions will have, and then even went ahead to fool his daughter using Sun. Worst character in the whole show. And his claim that his wife was having an affair? Haha, he deserved much more karma. He was okay in his place to back out from searching about Kritsana because of his wife and kid but his wife was also correct in her place to search about the truth and do her job as a journalist. They both were correct in their own places.
Phat: Actually, he is the only character in which I can't pick flaws. He was there for an exact reason and it was well executed.
De & Gudji: Great comedic timing by Louis and Parn. They made such a cute couple <3

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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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Great drama for the first half than it turned into American nonsense!

I have to say, "Tempest" started out incredible. I was absolutely glued to my screen. The show was packed with great action and genuine suspense, and it had this energy that was super addictive.

​The best part, hands down, was seeing Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won together. Their chemistry was off the charts! They were brilliant in every scene, and they made the whole bodyguard/spy thing work so well. I especially appreciated the plot's initial approach to global politics. It felt smart because it touched on the truth: the USA always seems to find a reason to start wars in different countries so they can profit from them, just like they've done for decades. This angle made the story feel refreshing and insightful.

​But then... what happened?
​You could feel the writing getting weaker as they got closer to the end. The scripts started getting sloppy, and that final episode with the plot twist? Borderline ridiculous. It completely undid all the careful build-up from the first half.

​Honestly, it just turned into one of those lame, generic American dramas that I can't even sit through anymore. It’s such a shame because the first half was so amazing. They had a massive hit on their hands, but the ending just ruined the whole ride. Such a major letdown.

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Not worth watching if you have been a fan of Cdrama for awhile

The chemistry between Zhao Lusi and William Chan doesn’t land. Many scenes feel stiff, overly staged. When emotional moments are supposed to hit, they fall flat because you don’t feel the connection — the tension, the heartbreak, the trust betraying. It looks beautiful, but emotionally hollow.
 The plot depends heavily on deception, secrets, misunderstandings. You always feel you watched this scene elsewhere. Every conflict seems to originate from someone lying or hiding something, rather than more nuanced issues. This creates a cycle where episodes become repetitive. It’s exhausting, because few of the emotional consequences feel earned.

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Story and black flag main character pulled me in

By how much I enjoyed following the show: 10/10
Objective 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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? “Why I Fell in Love with BL Again”

I’ve read many Omegaverse BL stories, but ABO Desire is my first live-action BL, and it truly impressed me. I had distanced myself from BL for a while because many modern shows felt overly focused on nudity, cuteness, and clichéd storylines.

This drama, however, feels completely different. Both leads have strong, balanced auras, and the romance is exciting and nuanced. The actors did an amazing job portraying their characters especially the chemistry between the main leads.

I also want to sincerely thank the Nong Jian sisters for creating such a wonderful story, casting amazing leads, and standing by them through challenges. Their support and care made the show even more heartfelt. The production, VFX, and OST were all top-notch.

ABO Desire reminded me why I fell in love with BL in the first place balanced, engaging, and full of strong, memorable characters.

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Lazy Writing: Tyrant to Softboy Overnight

Everything from romance, character arcs to plot was underdeveloped. The idea that she could cure illnesses instantly with food makes no sense. The tone swings from serious to comedic with no warning.

A plot that wandered off course. Premise vs. Delivery.
The show begins with a compelling setup: King Yi Heon is introduced as a tyrant, the consort is a villain, and palace enemies. The promotional material including the trailer and official synopsis clearly paints him as a dangerous ruler: " She’s forced to cook for an infamously temperamental tyrant, King Yi Heon, a ruler with a killer palate and a deadly temper.” But after just a few episodes, his personality and plot direction flips. He becomes a softboy with barely any explanation. The show tricked viewers into watching! Expecting a slow-burn romance and emotional unraveling through food, only to deliver a rushed character rewrite. The show shifted direction fast, abandoning the premise.

A plot that feels like three different dramas stitched together.
1) Political danger, cold tyran king etc.
2) Then: Sudden romance shift. The king becomes a softboy. The Ming cooking competition begins and drags on.
3) Almost near the end: Whiplash back to political rebellion, betrayel, romance THAT DID NOT get explored.
Final episodes: tries to tie everything together in a rushed way.

Romance sucks, then "I LOVE YOU." all of a sudden
This drama is barely a romance. It teased a gradual emotional connection, her capturing his heart through food. Instead he falls too fast. Her perspective is glossed over, and she acts like a frozen robot pretending to be into it. There is no buildup.

Female Lead: Very hard to connect with.
Despite being the protagonist, she rarely showed emotional depth and wasn’t layered at all. She stops questioning her surroundings, doesn’t act on her knowledge. She was passive in romance scenes, often reacting with blank expressions or minimal dialogue. Was that the actor’s fault, or the script’s? Both. An actress who CAN NOT express emotions in a real way. Her character arc lacked growth: she didnt evolve, reflect,

Lacks depth: dilemma and his trauma.
The fl knows the historical consequences. She’s aware of the bloodshed and the villains. Her dilemma—whether or not to tell him—is a an important conflict. But the show forgets it.
The Ml trauma about his mother, his complicated relationship with the queen, and the palace enemies are not explored meaningfully.

The Ming Cooking Competition:
The Ming storyline did NOT fit in the story and dragged out way too long. Four out of twelve episodes—one-third of the entire drama—were wasted on a subplot that barely moved the story forward

This drama promised tension, emotional depth, and a romance. It delivered none of that.

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Tudo isso... para nada!

Sinceramente, gostei muito do início do drama, mas os dois últimos eps foram difíceis de engolir.
Em primeiro lugar, as regras para trocar de corpo são bem fracas, mas eu estava relevando completamente até o tal plano final. Pra ser honesta, não faz muito sentido, e faz menos ainda que a tal lua vermelha apareça tantas vezes assim.
E no final, um rolê tão grande para absolutamente nada. O casal seguiu pleno, e o amigo seguiu sofrendo, só que agora mais intensamente pela possibilidade que surgiu ali e ele perdeu. Aliás, mudou algo apenas para a que começou tudo, pois só a vida dela mudou para muito melhor. Olha, terrível.

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Not as tempestous as I was hoping to be...

Big hopes for this one when I found out it had Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won as leads. Did it deliver? Not as much as I would have hoped but it was still a good series. I love a political/espionage drama. It's so exciting, action-packed, and full of drama and intrigue. This one had all of that. I liked the fast-paced story-telling . Stereotypical and controversial political issues were plentiful in this drama as well. The cast did a great job - acting was top-notch, especially by the main leads. The twists kept you guessing and thinking. And the actual villain was a surprise but with how they explained it, it did make sense. It is a short series so if you are looking for a good suspenseful, mystery drama with a side of romance (think The Bodyguard), this is for you.

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Most romantic Xianxia ever

Where do I even start with When Destiny Brings the Demon? I honestly went in with no expectations because there wasn’t much hype when it was released, but it completely blew me away. It’s easily one of my favorite releases this year. This was my first time watching such a romantic xianxia, and wow, it delivered. The amount of intimacy and PDA was out of this world — something we rarely see in historical or fantasy dramas. Usually, we might get one kiss at the end, but here the chemistry was constant and electric from the very first episode. It was funny, sweet, and had me hooked immediately.

I especially loved the female lead. Some people criticized her for not being the typical strong, independent “modern woman,” but I found her incredibly relatable. She perfectly represents those of us tired from the corporate grind — all she wanted was to eat, sleep, and relax, and honestly, same. I loved how genuine and down-to-earth she was. If I ever got pulled into a fantasy world, that would be me too.

The male lead, CFY, was amazing as always. I already liked him from Lighter & Princess, but I think he really shined here — more expressive, more talkative, and much more romantic. His dark character had depth and reason, which made him even more compelling. The chemistry between the leads was impeccable. Their banter, emotional connection, and love scenes felt real and passionate. The supporting cast was solid too — though their storylines were smaller, they added nice balance to the main plot.

Visually, the costumes were stunning, especially CFY’s outfits. The designs suited him perfectly. The female lead’s looks and performance also deserve praise — she was gorgeous, expressive, and handled multiple personalities effortlessly. She brought each version of her character to life beautifully. The ending was another highlight. I was worried it would be sad, since time travel or reincarnation plots often end that way, but it wrapped up perfectly. I just wish we had seen a bit more of them in the modern world. Still, the way their love spanned across the three realms — immortal, demon, and mortal — then modern was brilliant.

Not everything was perfect, though. Episodes 23 to 29 were a complete mess — chaotic, confusing, and repetitive. I honestly stopped caring what was happening during those episodes. The drama repeated certain tropes too often, like amnesia and multiple deaths. It made me feel a bit exhausted by the end, even though the final explanation tied it all together. The CGI and cinematography could’ve been better — not terrible, but below the level of the story and acting. I also wish the second couple had a stronger arc or appeared again in another lifetime. Some viewers criticized the female lead for not being “strong enough,” but I think they missed the point — still, it shows the writing could’ve better balanced her growth in the fantasy world.

When Destiny Brings the Demon is a romantic, funny, and emotionally satisfying xianxia that gives you everything — mortal, modern, immortal, and demon worlds — all in one drama. It’s not perfect, but the chemistry, humor, and heart make it unforgettable. If you love romantic fantasy with strong leads and deep emotion, this is absolutely worth watching.

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In a League of its Own

There are so many wonderful and beautiful moments in this drama. One of the most effective lines for me began in EP 2 where the female lead, played by Zhao Lusi, says, "Only by staying on the starting line will I get the chance to run." How incredible is this, especially when we see Xu Yan constantly being pulled and pushed off the starting line to make way for someone else. She just wants a chance to Shine Brilliantly.

I love how this drama doesn't dump Xu Yan's backstory all at once. We watch it woven into many scenes, the build up both impactful and memorable. We become entangled in the FL's scheming rooting for her and nervous as hell she may get discovered.

In EP 4, I cried halfway through, especially when she confronts her father's decision to keep her from taking the entrance exam. Once again, she is pushed off the starting line to make room for her sister. Her crying was gut-wrenching. Zhao Lusi doesn't just shed a few tears, she sobs, hiccups, and can barely catch her breath trying to get her point across. This was such a phenomenal performance.

Episode by episode, the flow between serious situations and humor is seamless. Both Zhao Lusi and William Chan are beautiful together. Whether they are deceiving each other (and themselves), being brutally honest, divorcing, reconciling, groveling (mostly on Mr. Shen's part), half in their cups, or madly and deeply in love, their chemistry explodes into breathtaking fireworks. They give their characters life, not just with lines, but with heartfelt emotions.

I also appreciate how problems are resolved quickly and scenes don't get stuck on filler conversations. Every moment builds upon the other. There are twists are turns, just like life. There is an element of unpredictability that keeps you guessing on what's going to happen next.

I would also give a standing ovation to the OST. Both the beginning and ending scores are perfect for this drama.

Overall, Love's Ambition is a marvelously crafted drama that will remain in a league of its on for a long time. Every episode delivers intense conflict, sharp dialogue, brilliant humor, and stellar performances, with no weak links in storytelling or execution. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and production on delivering one of the best dramas of 2025.

Note: Those who have only watched the trailers and are writing reviews for this drama based on the trailers, are doing a great disservice to the drama, the actors, the crew, and the production.

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