The series is about five modern women who live on the 22nd floor of an apartment complex called "Ode to Joy" in Shanghai.

[5] Hailed as China's answer to Sex and the City, the drama has been praised for its realistic story and characters which viewers were able to empathize with.

Sohu commented that Ode to Joy reveals the hardships that exist underneath the surface of shiny metro life, while also exploring different social rungs.

[6] Conversely, the series has also been criticized for encouraging the worship of wealth and leading audiences to become immersed in a world of pure illusion.

[9] The total number of views on YouTube also reached over 50 million, surpassing the record previously set by Nirvana in Fire and Princess Agents.