Almost perfect
Thoughts:Fantastic story of friendship, redemption, and forgiveness against all odds. This part of the story is 1000/10. I loved how friendship was THE core of the story, and it was more important than romantic relationships (which is unusual. I don't know if that's why the one romantic pairing had no chemistry, but I - for once - liked that because it meant the friendships could be center stage.) Some small things that held it back:
Dragged after the first arc ended and the plot got confusing and had some unnecessary parts - people kept coming back to life and they had to just kill them over and over again.
I loved all the man tears, yet there was still a lack of emotional depth in some characters (ok, one and a half), and there was also a need for fake tears.
Back to some positives:
I liked Tian Jia Rui's character growth. I was shocked when I started to see him smile. I don't know what triggered it, though. I would have liked a specific moment or event. Maybe I missed it? But it was out of the blue in a way where I honestly thought we were in a dream when I first saw him smile. I was like, "that can't happen, they must be stuck in a dream again."
I loved Bai Jiu. I repeat, I love him! I loved his little shrieks and his joyfulness, devotion, and funniness. However, this is clouded by [Spoiler 1 in the middle of the drama after the first arc that had to do with his character, you all know what I mean] and [Spoiler 2 in the last episode]. It tarnished what I liked about him initially.
Cheng Xiao's brother (and I don't know why. Sibling devotion trumps all?)
THE MUSIC. I WOULD GIVE THE MUSIC 1,000,000/10, especially the one for the fight scenes, the one that's famous for.
I would have put the rewatch value lower, but in the extra episode, I saw that character 2 was wearing character 3's bell in his hair, and I almost cried again. Especially after the present that character 3 gave to character 2. I think there are details like that that would make it interesting to rewatch, but I won't because of the negatives listed above.
Last complaint. Why did half the main characters need to SPOILER? Question for the audience: is this a plot point in most Xianxia?
Was this review helpful to you?
What is not to like in a drama
I just watched this moments ago and iwould like to raise up some points. Actually the storyline is quite ok. What i dont like is the absurd slowness of the drama episodes. Sometimes one scene would take up an entire episode. Lessen the dramatics a bit because it gets on my nerves. Mostly the dramatics are repeated over and over again. We know how it is and should never repeat it like we dont have a mind.I dont like the fight scenes overwhelmingly dramatics. It seemed that the villain is giving them timeout and recess for fighting. Cut out the dramatics during fights. Fights should be continous! They can have lengthy and emotional conversations AFTER a fight, not DURING a fight! Isnt it laughable that the villain is giving them such an easy time?
Go easy on the music. I get tired of hearing it even if it's not needed! They cant even have a moment of peace conversing without the music? Cut out all the crying of zhuo yichen. A stoic hero and a crybaby? Not a compatible combination characteristics. I see it that the actor cannot act so needs to have moisturizing eyedrops? I dont like it that the goddess is so helpless. Her powers are not strongly shown in this drama. I dont like it that pei siheng, the puppet, is always showing up. I thought he is already dead. The storytelling is not flowing, because of many unnecessary dramatics all over the place, i have been distracted and sometimes forget a character when he is mentioned again.
This is the only drama that i watched that made me fast forward many scenes. I usually watch dramas if they have high ratings. Thinking that this is worth a watch, i tred it and found not liking it at all. Maybe if they lessen the episodes into half( there is not much story development) and do away with all the negatives that i stated , i might give it a high rating. If this xianxia drama can be compared to an animal, it is a hell of a SLOTH!
Was this review helpful to you?
Wow this is so good!
LIKETouching bromance between Yi Chen, Yuan Zhou and Li Lun
So hilarious especially when Yi Chen was tricked by everyone - that conversation where Ying Lei commented on fishes... I died
Lots of sacrifices, love and friendship
DISLIKE
Probably Wen Xiao who doesn't contribute much
MUSIC - personal fav
Yuan Zhou De Shao Nian 远舟的少年 - Hou Ming Hao 侯明昊
Wu Xin Sheng Da Meng 无心生大梦 - Liu Yu Ning 刘宇宁
Bu Nian Bu Xiang 不念不响 - Tian Jia Rui 田嘉瑞
Chun Feng Bu Wen 春风不问 - Guo Cai Jie 郭采洁
Duan Wei Niao 断尾鸟 - Tian Jia Rui 田嘉瑞
Xiao Shi Ju 小诗句 - everyone
REWATCH VAUE
Definitely
Was this review helpful to you?
A Gripping Tale of Friendship. Fate, Power, and Redemption
It's visually stunning with gorgeous costumes and beautiful cinematography. The OST is moving and memorable. The fight scenes are elegant and well executed. But above all else, we have a team of endearing and interesting main characters we can root for to overcome all obstacles thrown their way.You will either love or dislike this drama, because like all dramas out there it has its flaws. Whether you can ignore the flaws and enjoy the drama is subjective.The biggest flaws in this drama for me were the lack of explanation regarding some important details as well as some illogical choices regarding the plot.Did those flaws ruin the drama for me? No, not at all. It left me with questions and a head shake here and there, but overall I still enjoyed this drama immensely.
"Meeting you all was like a wonderful dream... but dreams must end"
Was this review helpful to you?
moral ambiguity done right
I put this on just because recently I've been interested in Hou Ming Hao's work, I had the expectation that this drama is just about hunting demons, friendship and that it will be a comedy. Damn was I wrong and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Although it definitely is about friendship, they do hunt demons and there is humor, it is much much more deeper than that.I'll start with my favorite part which is that finally moral ambiguity is done right. Most of what I've seen, xianxia/costume dramas have this boring/simplistic framework where good is pure, righteous; evil is demonic, corrupt and redemption is love fixes everything lol. This drama established from the start that humans can be cruel; demons are capable of love, loyalty and sacrifice, and evil is a consequence of suffering, fear and survival not identity. Humans and demons are treated as fundamentally equal - capable of the same kindness and the same brutality. That alone makes the story feel far more mature than most dramas in the genre.
Because of this, I genuinely consider Fangs of Fortune a masterpiece. The way the characters are written carries the story more than any romance ever could. In fact, I do think the drama falls short on the love aspect, and initially I wasn’t particularly keen on Wen Xiao’s character. But the more I thought about it, the more it clicked: love is intentionally secondary here. Wen Xiao is meant to feel insufficient. I think I am conditioned by dramas to expect love to heal trauma, redeem pain and provide emotional resolution. This story refuses that comfort. Love doesn’t fix everything and because of that, Wen Xiao feels incomplete, limited and sometimes frustrating… but also human.
I have to single out Zhao Yuan Zhou's character, he is neither hero or antihero. He is someone who has lived far too long, is tired and sees the world with clarity. He does not distinguish between humans and demons morally. He understands that suffering is systematic, that compassion is rarely rewarded and that goodness does not triumph simply because it exists. He is not softened into a romantic archetype. Instead, he remains exhausted, self-aware, and principled in his own quiet, devastating way. Characters like him are incredibly rare in dramas.
You don't watch this for twists, surprises and salvation, this story is for watching how tragedy unfolds and why characters make the choices that they do.
The humor worked so well, too. It didn't break the immersion and it felt like people coping, not just like writers inserting jokes haha, it was so well done.
also have to mention that the music was hauntingly beautiful
an absolutely fantastic atmospheric watch
💔
Was this review helpful to you?
Beautifully painful
I gave everything a 10 except for rewatch value because of how much crying there is. If you're looking for an uplifting watch, this is not the show for you.There is pain on pain on pain; almost every episode is a slow burn of tears rolling down cheeks. There's very little relief for the heart.
That being said, the production is beautiful and ensures that each character is loveable and has their own developed arc.
The cases that the crew tackle all illustrate great storytelling, are rooted in creative mythology, and all make sense when woven into the bigger picture.
10/10 drama
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Must-Watch Drama in 2024
I started watching this drama because of Cheng Xiao and Minghao—two of my absolute favorites! Initially, I thought the main couple would be Cheng Xiao and Minghao, but it turns out that's not the case. Cheng Xiao plays a supporting character, but she completely nailed her role and shines just as brightly as the leads. Honestly, her performance is so captivating that she steals the show at times.The drama has already secured a spot in my top 5 favorites list, right after The Love Game in the Eastern fantasy. It’s currently in 3rd place! My all-time favorite remains Dashing Youth and The love game in Eastern fantasy in 2024 but this one definitely deserves its ranking.
The story and characters are exceptionally well-written, with every detail pulling you into the drama’s world. At first, I thought it might be a BL/GL drama because they emphasize not just the couples' chemistry but also the connections between Cheng Xiao and Chen Duling, as well as Minghao and Jiarui. Honestly, I’m obsessed with the dynamics between Jiarui and Minghao and love their chemistry even more than the actual couples (Minghao and Duling)!
This drama stands out with its strong performances, stunning visuals, and an intriguing plotline. It’s one of those shows that keeps you hooked from start to finish, and every character feels so alive. Definitely worth watching if you're a fan of complex relationships and beautiful storytelling!
Was this review helpful to you?
A Mesmerizing World, Unforgettable Cast, and an Unmatched Plot
Fangs of Fortune has truly set a new standard for fantasy dramas. The direction is absolutely incredible, with every scene feeling perfectly crafted to bring this mesmerizing world to life. The cast is ethereal – each actor brings an authenticity and depth to their role that is genuinely refreshing. They’re not just performing; they’re embodying their characters, and it shows in every glance, every word. The plot is AMAZING – it’s an intricate, fresh storyline unlike anything I’ve seen before. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, twisting in ways that keep you guessing and craving more.The architectural design and visual style are simply *breathtaking*. It’s like being transported to an entirely new world, rich with beautiful scenery and meticulous detailing that feels like a dream. I’m totally obsessed! And let’s talk about Tian Jiarui – they are such a pretty crier, capturing emotions in a way that’s both moving and real. Plus, having Chen Duling as a main character is beyond exciting – she brings such grace and intensity to her role. I haven’t been this invested in a drama in a long time!
Was this review helpful to you?
Moving onto the characters, they all speak in this gentle, slow voice and it kinda gets annoying to listen and watch. Especially Zhu Yan, I've never read the book, or whatever this show's based off but Zhu Yan is overly confident and arrogant. Dude believes he's the main character which he quite is, but he's super self-centered. I don't really have a big issue with anyone else, except they all talked really slowly and gentle which takes forever. But I did like Bai Jiu.
In terms of the actors, I've seen Chen Duling's acting skills and she's pretty good. She's a natural. I've only seen Tian Jiarui's "My Journey to you" and his acting skills was super good, so I'm glad to see him playing a different role to see his acting skills. I cannot with Huo Minghao. I've seen him in "In a girl like me" and "Back from the brink" funny to say I did not have good experiences with either dramas. He looks fine, and there's nothing wrong with his appearances it's the acting. I feel like he's always playing as the "gentle self-centered man". Like this dude cannot act in my opinion.
Was this review helpful to you?
Must try this drama, very exciting
Okay, first of all, I've been waiting for this drama.When the trailer came out it was really wow, and when the first episode was released it was exactly what I was waiting for.
I didn't follow MJY before because I don't really like dramas that are too convoluted, but it's good. I'm not surprised the director is the best
The story is interesting and different, I really hope there is a drama that is different and not boring like this. At least it doesn't revolve around political issues, bullying, zombies or things that are not Rational. Well, unless it's a fantasy genre.
So far this drama is really my type, because I often watch anime and action adventure movies. Wow, I'm amazed by the graphics, the soundtrack is really cool like an RPG game
Was this review helpful to you?
This is ridiculously bad
What a waste of time. Lets start with the positives-- beautiful environment, costumes, sound, special effects with some fights scenes. Apart from that its virtually hollow and empty. Annoying camera work and pretty characters that cant seem to act. Dark tone with melodramatic doom and gloom. Terribly boring pacing and story. Super annoying medicine kid.Maybe I came into this series with high expectations from the trailer but what a total disappointment. This is the case where the bad completely destroyed the good part of this series.
Was this review helpful to you?
Just couldn’t get into the story
If you’re into fast pace storytelling with a multitude of characters and twist then this is for you. Personally I prefer a steady storyline backed by an emotionally impactful soundtrack. The little kid is so distracting I’m not sure what the purpose other than a comedic role. My telltale sign when I can’t focus on a show is when I’m fast forwarding to parts that makes the story cohesive. And that’s just to tiring for me. Again, for those who likes briefs bursts of stories I can see why you would love this, it’s not just for me.Was this review helpful to you?
