ABO Desire EP. 9 - Reaction

For this episode, I wanted to take a moment to share some of my thoughts on Desire ABO. After episode 9, I actually left a long comment under someone else’s reaction, and I realized it summed up my feelings about the characters pretty well. So I’m bringing part of it here again—just to explain where I stand on the story so far. Of course, this is only my personal take, nothing more.

First of all, Shen Wenlang is not a “green flag” to me. As I explained in my comment, a real green flag wouldn’t use manipulative lies—like suggesting an omega is being “used” by multiple alphas—just to get under someone’s skin. And he definitely wouldn’t speak about an omega in such a degrading way, especially in front of Gaotu, whom he believes to be dating one. That isn’t teasing, it’s cruel, and it shows how self-centered he is. Yes, he sometimes does nice things for Gaotu, but to me it feels more about proving he’s “better” than the omega he thinks Gaotu loves, rather than true selfless love, even if he does it unintentionally.

Then there’s Hua Yong. Honestly, I’ll never understand how he thought violating someone and disappearing afterward was a good plan. Even if his rut clouded his judgment, once he realized what he’d done, he should have stopped with this idea of “sacrificing himself” for Sheng. Instead, he left Sheng to carry the weight of being abused, of his father’s illness, the company’s collapse, and Hua Yong’s sudden disappearance. Claiming to love someone while destroying them like this isn’t love—it’s toxic obsession. And that’s exactly what makes his character both infuriating and fascinating. I actually want the story to make Hua Yong face the full consequences of this choice, because that would keep the series honest rather than turning trauma into romance.

This is what I really appreciate about Desire ABO: from the very beginning, it has been unapologetically dark. It doesn’t sugarcoat manipulation, obsession, or possession, but shows them as they are. I know not everyone enjoys that type of storytelling, but for me, it’s refreshing to see a series that doesn’t pretend these dynamics are “romantic comedy” material.

Finally, there’s Sheng. He’s far from perfect, but I genuinely believe in his capacity for change. That’s what makes him so compelling to me—his redemption arc feels real, even if it doesn’t erase his past actions. He isn’t the same man he once was, and Pin Ming notices that. Ironically, Hua Yong, who has been watching Sheng the longest, is the one who can’t see how much Sheng is ready to give him. His insecurities blind him, and that makes their dynamic even more tragic.

And that’s exactly why I find this series so fascinating. The characters are messy, contradictory, and deeply flawed. They’re not safe, not pure, not idealized—and that’s what makes analyzing them so interesting. A lot of people dismiss the show for its darker themes, but for me, that’s where its strength lies.