Fangs of Fortune

every beginning, has an end

Wednesday 20:00, GMT +8, 20.11.2024

I just finished watching the last episode and the special/extra episodes (today's the last episode released without the VIP package on iQIYI).
 
Personally, it's quite understandable ending, even though it's not a clear HE). What matters more is that it's Zhao Yuanzhou’s choice, as he wishes to protect the mortal realm and the Wilderness. 
 
ZYZ has shouldered the guilt for so long that he doesn't wish to stay alive anymore. somehow, his meeting with his love and friends during the journey is actually a good memorable adventure for him. 

I bawled my eyes out the moment ZYZ exhaled his last breath. WX continues as the Baize Goddess, protecting the mortal realm and the Wilderness. She left her agreement with ZYZ that was stamped with ZYZ’s blood (his, isn't it? I vividly remember. I remember the ink used is another demon's blood). ZYC’s cloud light sword recognises the agreement letter, which signifies it's the last shred of ZYZ’s soul.

It's actually a good ending that ZYZ’s soul is found; this means ZYZ could be reborn (or he has to cultivate resurrect).

It's a good ending, but for me, I like it better if everyone stays alive (yes, I'm greedy).

“Every soul will taste death.”

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A Must Watch!

Brilliant! I have never liked a fantasy cdrama before. But this one changed my perspective on Chinese drama, its VFX and its production. I mean, even the makeup and costume are so meticulously well done that it left me in absolute awe! Masterpiece for sure.
I am super impressed with the actors who pulled off such great acting. I am in love with every character's gradual growth in finding their way.
I like ZYZ's confidence and his depth of understanding of every situation. The layers in his character are intriguing. Love every bit so far. His character is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The complexities are intense, but the relationship with his friends is so strong and fascinating that he may have some hope. The eventual realisation that he does not want to die, after all, is built perfectly in the story.

Overall, there are a few loopholes that I am not quite sure of, but it does not affect my 10/10 score. I just love understanding these well-written characters.

P.S.: In love with the end credits song and dance. Indeed, it is a breath of fresh air. Whoever thought of it is a genius!!!! This is the first time that I did not skip the end credits. Thank you for this

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My Most Anticipated Drama of the Year & It Landed!

What a journey! My goodness! In the 5 years since I fell into the cdrama rabbit hole, this is the first and only drama that I followed since the very first day of filming (primarily for TJR but was glad that 60% of the MJTY cast was in here too), through the grueling 5 month shoot, every day watching many of the scenes we saw being shot because unlike every other drama, it was like fans were welcome to film whatever they wanted as it was free advertising and no one cared about leaks. The multitude of costumes and that the wrap on set at the end of February to see it come to our screens in late October. It nearly got a perfect score if it wasn't for some writing and editing issues I had. This was my most anticipated drama of the year and boy did it land!

Pros: Lord, I don't even know where to begin. The CGI was phenomenal and it never felt like a computer was doing the work instead of the actors. The gorgeous costumes and sets. I wonder if this was an S++ drama because of how expensive it looked and was. Favorite character was ZYC with ZYZ coming in close second. Both of them, be it their bickering or stronger than platinum bond were such dynamic characters. Both actors are still young and for one this is only his second series to air while the other has had several but both showed tremendous growth from what I had seen from them previously; the versatility was insane. The demon hunting bureau became a family stronger together than many you'd see in real life that had to go from case to case and from tragedy to tragedy as they were being set up by asswipe camp and ZYZ's former best friend who was ridiculously misguided but gained his redemption at the end. BJ was a riot though all the shrieking did kind of get annoying after a while; that said when he was possessed by LL until nearly the end, you missed the kid. PSJ and her puppet brother were also indispensable to the team as was cheesy mountain God YL; he and BJ made a great pair. I have never seen CX act before and felt she gave a strong performance here. WX had her strong moments, being the common sense voice in the group/family and scenes of sisterhood and encouragement with PSJ.

When this thing was filmed, none of us who followed the actors—day in and day out—knew that it would have any comedy in it (it was an original IP after all) so were totally caught off guard with the first episode and onwards. It wasn't a lot but it certainly made for some interesting situations especially when BJ yanked ZYC's hair repeatedly and the sound effects, that part we actually saw filmed as in real life TJR and Lester are really close since their MJTY days and Lester turning 13 on set plus going through puberty, it made for some really funny scenes both BTS and on screen because whether in real life or not Lester/BJ clung to TJR/ZYC like crazy gorilla glue lol! One of those yanks off screen nearly pulled TJR's wig off; it became a DY masterpiece. I'm personally extremely proud of TJR as new and green as he is to show business; with now only 2 series out, 3 filmed and currently working on a 4th. He couldn't play that character any different or better; it’s mind-boggling that he only debuted last year.

While filming, the entire cast including the guests had to perform a certain dance in various locations and we were puzzled about how it would be used; we counted over 30 by the time filming ended. They even filmed one in the snow which was followed by an epic snowball fight that had crew joining in and GJM being lambasted by everyone as he tried rather unsuccessfully to get away. It seemed the cast was giving him payback for the extreme dieting and hours of work. That was made into an MV but when this thing premiered we realized that the dances were edited in a way to become our ending credits that would change every few episodes. It was quite smart and resourceful; because the show was emotionally heavy and the credits added that light and warm touch. So it became a wonderful combination.

All of the supporting cast were great as were the guests. So many wonderful characters to show that not all demons were inherently evil; some were born with fates they didn't want like ZYZ and Fei. And that humans could be far worse like leader of asswipe camp. He became immortal and so many had to sacrifice so much to take him down especially BJ. Losing YL and BJ were the hardest for me; I legit cried. ZYZ, you were prepared, still hard though there's hope for him returning someday. Maybe one of the characters could go into the sundial and wait until he cultivates into human form again, like WX did with the tree.

All of the OSTs and BGMs were amazing but my number one liquid fire favorite was by LYN. It was his first time doing this genre of hip hop/rock and it absolutely blew my mind. I have it and a few others now in my Spotify OST list. Maybe it's because I followed this show from the beginning but I feel like when it ended (after the special episode), it took a part of me with it. Like I'm extremely satisfied but wish we were with our characters longer.

Cons: Though this section is small, unfortunately it still was there. I absolutely did not like how the majority of the character of WX was written; (this is no reflection on the actress at all; only about the writing of the character) I don't know why GJM decided to make her so one dimensional. She spent many of her scenes for 34 episodes crying and yelling either for ZYZ or ZYC. The writing of this character reminded me of her character in MLC due to the weepiness of it, though there she at least talked and acted tougher and carried a sword. Everyone else who cried which they did often given the amount of tragedy in this had a lot of depth and you felt the weight of their tears but with her it became almost a waiting game of when will she start per episode or numerous times per episode. Even in the end, it threw a heavily emotional scene off; like stop already, do and say something else, please! So the writing threw a monkey wrench into this whole character for an actress who could handle being complex and should have been allowed to showcase that. Also could have had the good guys not lose so much when it came to asswipe camp's strategies. Felt like they were given the upper hand way too much as opposed to the push and pull that would have felt more appropriate.

Editing was off as some scenes came together very suddenly and you didn't understand how this person was there or why. Or wait did she cough up blood? When did that happen? I felt like many scenes were cut altogether which was kind of weird since the episode count actually went up and there was an extra episode to boot. It being a fantasy drama, suspension of disbelief had to be deployed a bit especially when our group was so obviously spied on and they didn't realize it at all or some characters disappeared without a trace and we didn't know what happened to them. But that's it.

Would I recommend it? 100% would! This show delivered in so many ways. The cons were nothing in comparison to the pros; writing and editing but the richness of the story, music, locations, costumes, and the absolutely phenomenal performances by the actors should give you a very satisfactory experience.

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"I hope that life give you a lot of false alarms and fangs of fortune"

"But after he left, i finally understood. It was the base color of his soul, like a broken song, vast, distant and desolate. I used to be like him, looking at a small pool of water that only reflected a lamp, the moon and my shallow hatred. I always forgot that he lived for 30.000 years while i only live for 30 years. In his eyes, i must have look like a child, waving my fist angrily in the air. Zhao Yuanzhou, i'll definitely find the shred of your soul that i extracted myself. I'll search every mountain and sea both in the mortal world and the Wilderness"- Zhuo Yichen ended his journey looking all over the world for Zhao Yuanzhou's soul and that is how we also ended the drama (As Li Susu did trying to find Tantai Jin's soul in "Till the end of the moon").

There is so much i want to say about this drama. So i will start apologizing because this is going to be long lol.

I'm going to talk first about the three negative point i got for this drama. Very little because i really love it:

-It is true that the editing in some scenes was weird. There is this one scene where Wen Xiao was going to hug Zhuo Yichen that suddenly it got cut. But it was more evident when we got Bai Jui's back and we didn't see him greet any of them besides his mom, we see him already talking to them like days have passed which created some disconnect with the viewer in a very important close arc (Bai Jui no longer possed by Li Lun).

-Wen Xiao: This character was so very badly written. It is said a lot about how little she did in all the drama that she didn't appeared one single time in episode 33, the one before last. I was able to not be bothered a lot by it because all the other character were really well developed and i was caugh up in the rest of the relationships but it is always sad to see this kind of FL.

-I didn't found really any plot holes but i don't think i fully get what happened with the second Fei. It can not be him, because he died on episode 13 and he did it taking out his inner core so no chance to be back. So i guess this back a demonic human taking in his appereance but, hor it was his blood able to give the plague, like Fei's did? so i'm a little confused with this point but nothing too big.

Let's get on the good parts!!!:

-Ying Lei and Bei Jui: They started being the comedic relief and end up being the unseen heros. Ying Lei (Using his own free will, the main theme of this drama) decided to die yo save Bei Jui and Bei Jui did the same to save his own hero, Zhuo Yichen. We got also good backround stories from both of them, so both their deads were completely heartbreaking.

-Pei Si Jing: She is prove that this creator can make a good female character. She was fierce and badass and queen all the drama to end up being as the leader of the Hunting Demons Bureau. Her story was paintful, and all her interacctions with her brother get you to the soul, but she make her own choice too: She will keep fighting for the people, to help those who can't help themselves. She also give us one of the best fighting scene in the latest episiodes, holding more like her own against his former partner, Zhen Mei. ABSOLUTE QUEEN.

-Li Lun: I will say i consider him the character with the best development of all the drama. He was the villain (And a charismatic one at that) but, the more you know about his story, the more we could see he was not as bad as we though. He was someone broken, who saw how his partner in life choose humans before him and also lost his freedom. So, on his own free will, decide his rage to guide him. But, after all what said and done, he got the best redemption arc in the story of redemption arcs: He stop his much needed cultivation to protect Zhuo Yichen and Zhao Yuanzhou and fight with them side by side. When he saw they were all going to die, he decided to him all his demonic energy to them both (half/half) and make himself the target of Wen Zhongyou so Zhuo Yichen could kill him. When he gives the "truth eye" to Yichen and said "This was never mine in the first place. Now is yours" in my mind there was an echo of his voice saying "and him too".

-Zhou Yichen: What a fantastic character. Like i read long ago in another post he really is like Lan Zhan from "The untamed": Sheltered, unable to lie and hard to socialize with others but also a sword master and loyal to boot. His journey is probably the hardest one. Being able to understand the killer of his family, to change his black and white mindset and still being the hero the world needs. His change from human to demon give him a whole different view of things and he took it in stride with his soulmate by his side. I love, love, love him hard.

-Zhao Yuanzhou: Our dearest monkey ML demon. You know, he is probably the one that had less develoment between them. He already love humanity so much he was able to choose them before his partner in life. Even when he was blame and accused of things that happened out of his control, he still went to meet the people that hate him the most to be able to save the mortal world. He gives his all, fights tooth and nail and, in the journey, found friends and his soulmate. And he still give his life for the greater good. As a true hero will do. Fantastic ML.

-Zhou Yichen & Zhao Yuanzhou: Their relationship was the best point of the drama for me. Like a said before, a bond than trascent even the romantic meaning: Together by a blood feud that shape itself in friendships and doubts, that change completely with Yichen transformation and his completely loyalty to the great demon. The last fight was epic for a lot of reasons but the understanding between them was the most important one. That spell that give Yichen wings (This was so awesome, i can't), Yichen giving Zhao Yuanzhou all his demonic energy to kill the villain, that moment of anguish and doubt because he through he will kill him too. But, in the end, both did it. Both killed the other if that means to save the world even when their souls were breaking inside. What makes their story even greater is the parallels with the ancestors, Binyi and Ying Long. Ying Long end up being a star and Zhao Yuangzhou end up being rain. It is all amazing and beautiful and i'm grateful to have enjoy this.

So final throughts: The main theme of the drama it what moves it from episode 1 till episode 34: Free will. No matter what you are, human, demon, god, semi god, you have the right to choose your own path to get exactly to what you want to be (As our favorite ML demon will say). And we see this in all the Main leads stories but also in the supporting stories. Everything that happened is because we have free will and we used it and that is important. We can have regrets but we can fix those. There is always time (As our sword master will say).

I will recommend it? Yes. It is beautiful, it is funny, it is heartbreaking, it is exciting. It is so worth the watch.

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Fangs of fortune! Totally worth the wait!

I have been waiting for months and months until the release of FOF! And it was totally worth it!
I knew that some of the cast members of My Journey to You was in this drama but had no idea that practically everyone from MJTY was in the drama except for the main leads of MJTY.
The FOF drama has a good mix of everything! Mystery, thriller, comedy, horror and they have managed to keep it just right without overdoing it. Zhu Yan and Yichen make a great duo, each trying to throw the worst possible insult at the other lol, but also secretly value their friendship just as much. The friendship between the Goddess and Ms Pei is adorable, and our Mountain God and doctor duo makes the tragic scenes a bit more bearable. Somehow all the characters on the team fit really well together!
I love that each of the demon-human cases and storyline in the drama have a good screentime. It doesn’t drag on, and the episodes cover what's necessary without glossing over the details too much.
Neo has perfectly mastered the Great demon serene all-knowing look and you really feel like he is thousands of years old! The Great demon and Goddess do have a certain aloofness about themselves which adds to their character really well. Afterall they aren't human, and Zhu Yan has limited bandwidth where emotions are concerned. Some people might think the pacing is a bit slow, but tbh I think it really fits the theme and asthetics of the drama!
The only thing they could have cut down on was too many OSTs in between episodes, sometimes simple bgm could have worked as well. But overall 10/10 from me!
Give this drama a try! You won't regret it!

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Finally finished watching!

After watching the special extra episode I know for sure the Director had BL in mind but had to add in FL storyline to avoid censorship. The fact that Wen Xiao is waiting for Zhu Yan in the Wilderness but even his last shred of soul sought Yichen who was searching for Zhu Yan in the mortal world says it all. With his last breath Zhu Yan was looking at Yichen and not his crying gf. You can't tell me its not BL.
Both Neo and TJR have amazing chemistry. Sure Wen Xiao and Zhu Yan have cute moments, but all the moments with heart breaks, love-hate relationship, the one or nothing, sacrifice for each other, belong to the Zhu Yan and Yichen duo. They went through thick and thin together and oh the dialogue delivery was flawless when Yichen got a glimpse at Zhu Yan's self inflicted wounds. The fact that Li Lun being his best friend for thousands of years didn’t completely understand Zhu Yan, but 30 yr old Yichen could hear and understand Zhu Yan's heart says it all. They were born to be each others soulmates. And in cdrama you know what soulmate actually means 😅 This is another version of Untamed, Spirerealm and Word of Honors moments mixed together. The drama was a masterpiece and even its comic moments were good.
Although I do feel that Jiu getting burned in the barrier was unnecessary. His mother could have saved him and everyone would have been happy with it. The last 4 eps really take a toll on your heart 🙁 I was bawling so hard when we get to the part of Yinglei sacrificing himself for Jiu. It was the saddest main character death for me. We were reminded time and again that Zhu Yan was ready to die throughout the drama, but Jiu and the cute Mountain God dying really broke my heart.
I'm just a tiny bit happy that we got a somewhat open ending. At least I can console my poor heart that Zhu Yan is still there somewhere waiting to reunite with his soulmate Yichen after hundreds of years ❤️ I'm probably going to rewatch all the happy moments of FOF 😭 I already miss this cast.
Fingers crossed Neo gets a happy ending in next drama. After Dashing Youth and FOF my guy needs some cute ML and FL live happily ever after moments.

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''The past has already been bid farewell, and old friends have departed."

I can't express how deeply this drama has touched me. It's truly astonishing, and I still find it hard to move on. As a devoted fan of the characters and actors, I can say that everyone involved delivered exceptional performances. The male and female leads were not only incredibly talented but also strikingly gorgeous, making the drama all the more mesmerizing and utterly captivating. In short, this is undoubtedly the best C-drama of 2024 and an emotional rollercoaster that stole my heart.

Everything about this show is flawlessly crafted—the cinematography and costumes are visually stunning, and the relationships between characters are perfectly portrayed. The blend of teamwork and romance evokes a myriad of feelings through powerful actions and expressions, with moments of bromance and humor that are just delightful.

Neo Hu and Tian Jia Rui exceeded all expectations with their chemistry and dynamic as both allies and adversaries. Plus, Chen Duo Ling delivered a standout performance as Wen Xio, showcasing a depth of emotion that's truly remarkable. I can't rave enough about how much I adore the characters and their journeys. This drama is an absolute gem!

Neo Hou as Zhao Yuan Zhao
Neo Hou brilliantly brings to life Zhao Yuan Zhao, our beloved yet kind-hearted demon who faces endless suffering and sacrifice. He consistently puts his friends first, showcasing an indescribable love for his best friend that truly tugs at the heartstrings. One can't help but wonder what drives this man. His feelings for Wen Xion are absolutely intense—it's captivating!

The Blood Moon scene featuring Zhao Yuan Zhao was exceptional, perfectly continuing the storyline of him locking himself away. The moment when the Malicious Zhao Yuan Zhao says, "give yourself to me obediently like you did before" has an unexpected allure to it! Neo Hou is absolutely nailing this role! The Malicious ZYZ exudes a compelling charm, and the vocals in "ZY's Youth" are both stellar and emotional. Combining his striking looks, impressive singing, and acting skills makes the moments where ZY battles the malevolent energy incredibly powerful and resonant. His spellbinding word captivates irresistibly. 'BREAK'. he also doesn't forget to make us laughhhh.
in the end, he sacrificed himself for the world to be a better place, leaving our hearts a thousand times ripped.

Chen du Ling as Wen Xiao
Our beautiful baize goddess, who has experienced the loss of her beloved people time and time again, still manages to have a soft spot for demons, no matter the circumstances. It's this enduring compassion and strength in the face of tragedy that makes her truly admirable.
Even though she might not have any technical skills and isn’t the one stepping up in fights, she’s absolutely essential to the crew. She’s the moral compass, the glue that keeps everyone together. Her compassion for both humans and demons is something we all need. Without her judgment, the group would be lost. I get why WX makes ZYZ want to stick around; when you feel unworthy, having someone who understands you and values you is an incredibly special gift.

The Relationship
the hate to love yet, Wen Xiao seized the rare stillness of the yellow sun and dedicated three hundred years to restoring Baize Ling. With Baize Ling's power, she was able to awaken Zhao Yuanzhou, who had been trapped in a cycle of violence.

When Zhao Yuanzhou finally opened his eyes, he couldn't help but kiss Wen Xiao. Their playful banter about how "one day feels like three autumns apart" held a deeper truth, as Wen Xiao truly felt the weight of their three hundred years apart.

The emotional bond between Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao is undeniably the heart of this drama. Their connection goes beyond simple romance; it weaves a complex tapestry of fate that links their past lives to the present. As childhood sweethearts who have faced life-and-death situations together, their love has withstood the test of time, emerging not just intact but even more profound. It’s this depth of emotion that truly captivates and moves the audience, drawing us into their unforgettable journey. You won't want to miss the powerful dynamic of their relationship!
In many films and television dramas, kiss scenes serve as powerful emotional climaxes. While Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao don’t share a direct kissing scene early on, their feelings are conveyed beautifully through subtle movements, meaningful eye contact, and hints in their dialogue. This nuanced expression allows viewers to deeply sense the profound emotions between them, heightening anticipation for where their relationship will go next.

For instance, when Zhao Yuanzhou kisses Wen Xiao at the Bingyi tribe, it’s a pivotal moment that showcases his love. Even though he’s not a fan of pushing swings, he does it for her, highlighting the depth of his feelings. These small, yet significant details paint a vivid picture of their connection and keep audiences eager for their emotional journey to unfold.
The ambiguous atmosphere surrounding Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao is a defining feature of their emotional journey. Whether it's Zhao Yuanzhou’s unintentional acts of concern or Wen Xiao’s shy withdrawal, the subtle emotional tension between them is palpable. This tension is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating, allowing viewers to witness the purest and most touching aspects of love—the gradual process of two hearts inching closer together. It captivates us, drawing us into their evolving relationship and leaving us eager to see how their connection will deepen.

Tian Jian Rui as Zhao Yi Chen

Tian Jiang Rui masterfully portrays a character who has endured deep emotional trauma for years. His father and brother were tragically killed by a great demon, igniting a profound hatred within him. This powerful backstory adds depth to his performance, making it all the more compelling.
His friendship and chemistry with Zhao Yuan Zhao are exceptional, effectively showcasing the complex emotions of hatred and confusion. However, by the end, he recognizes the importance of his best friend’s presence and the incredible sacrifices made, which truly highlights his character development. The playful banter and moments of rejection with ZYX resonate with me, making me aspire to share a similar bond. He harbours an unrequited love for Wen Xiao but struggles to express it since she sees him only as a best friend and a brother, while her heart belongs to Zhao Yuan Zhao. Additionally, he maintains strong relationships with other characters, often presenting a cold, stone-hearted facade. Yet, as his friends make him feel special, his heart begins to soften, allowing him to reveal his true kind-hearted nature as a demon-hunting descendant of the Bingyi Clan.

In the end, he ultimately comes to terms with his loss, yet he continues to search for his best friend. Overwhelmed by emotion, he finds himself crying for a long time, lost in memories of their shared past and the moments spent with other friends. The depth of his longing and the pain of nostalgia highlight the strong bonds that have shaped his life.

Other characters
i want to mention many other characters like Li lun and our little mountain god and the scaredy cat Bai Ju, also our fearless cold archer yet bear a massive guilt. Every character in this story has their own hidden tale filled with deep-seated hatred and emotional struggles that hit hard. These backstories aren’t just there for show; they shape how the characters act and react, making it easy to sympathize with what they're going through. When you dig a bit deeper, you realize that their pain and battles make them relatable and compelling. Connecting with these characters goes beyond just watching their stories unfold; it’s about feeling their struggles and understanding the complexity of being human. So, let’s embrace their journeys.

I can’t emphasize enough how incredible the cinematography in this drama is—it’s truly phenomenal! Every scene is a visual masterpiece, and the outfits are not just stylish; they’re carefully designed to reflect each character’s complexity and personality through their colors. Just like in "My Journey to You," director Edward Guo and costume director Huang Wei really knocked it out of the park! They’ve created a stunning visual experience that enhances the storytelling and makes the characters even more relatable. If you appreciate art in film, you’ll definitely want to dive into this drama. It’s a combination of beauty and depth that you don’t want to miss!

Music
This drama boasts an impressive lineup of 13 soundtracks, and that alone is worth celebrating! Each character even has their own theme song, which adds a remarkable layer of depth and emotion to the story. The music beautifully captures the essence of their journeys, allowing us to connect with them on a deeper level. When you pair those unforgettable melodies with the captivating visuals, it creates an immersive experience that you won’t want to miss. If you love dramas that combine stellar storytelling with a phenomenal soundtrack, this is a must-watch! Trust me, the music will stay with you long after the credits roll!
1. Zhao Yuanzhou's song "远舟的少年" or "Yuanzhou's youth"
The song opens with the poignant line, "A boat drifts between the world, the heart is bitter and sweet." This reflects the emotional turmoil experienced following Zhao Wan'er's death, suggesting deep emotional pain. The lyrics convey, "the past has already been bid farewell, and old friends have departed," illustrating the inevitable passage of time and loss. Further emphasizing this theme, the song includes lines like "The years are filled with grievances," "No idle wishes, no hope for eternity," and "Struggling repeatedly, endless suffering."

At the edge of the dreamscape, there lies a yearning heart, softly calling for a past that cannot be reclaimed. Zhao Yuanzhou grapples with a desire for redemption, knowing that the past is unalterable. "The years are filled with grievances" speak not only to his own misfortunes but also to the pains experienced by those around him.

The phrase "No idle wishes, no hopeless longing for eternity" may symbolize his desire for release from his burdens, perhaps through the promise made to him by Zhou Yichen in episode 2 or his pivotal conversation with Zhao Wan'er in episode 6. This suggests a deeper inner conflict, hinting at his overwhelming wish to dismantle "what the goddess is meant to protect."

2. Wen Xiao's song "春风不问" or "Spring Breeze Does Not Ask"
Even amidst the nightmares conjured by her father's illustrations, she found solace in her sleep.
"The person in the dream is silent, moving forward cautiously, hesitant to leave or turn back."

This lyric likely alludes to Zhao Yuanzhou, who frequently haunts her dreams. As he expressed earlier, when she experienced that dream shared by Ran Yi, "it was not a dream; it was simply a memory." This connection emphasizes the blurred line between her dreams and the lingering presence of cherished moments from the past.
He often remains silent, patiently waiting for her, fully aware of the depth of their connection, even as he promised she would one day see him again. In the memories that linger, he stands by her side alongside Zhao Wan'er in the Dahuang.

"At the heavy door, who waited so foolishly? Reluctant, not asking, unreconciled, unwilling." This verse powerfully captures her years of waiting, a testament to her unwavering hope for Yuanzhou’s return—a return that tragically never materialized. The line "unwilling to ask" reveals her fear of confronting the truth, perhaps regarding his true identity or the reasons for his prolonged absence.
Moreover, "unwilling to accept" articulates her heartache over the reality that he could not fulfill the promise he made to her. Another profound lyric states, "Behind the heavy door, whose youth is it? Reluctant to leave, unwilling to ask, unwilling to accept." This moment embodies the bittersweet decision she faced when she finally departed, whether from her adoptive father's home or as she parted ways with the Wilderness after her teacher’s death. A fragment of her youth clings to that place, serving as a poignant reminder of who she once was. Although she feels a deep reluctance to leave her past behind, she realizes that to grow and embrace her future, she must find the strength to move forward, despite the weight of her memories.

3. Zhou Yichen's character song "不念不响" or "Do not Yearn or Make Noise"
"The bell is shaking unintentionally, there is nowhere to hide."
In episode, Yichen elaborates on the significance of the bells woven into his hair. During a conversation with Bai Jiu, he reveals, "He (my brother) was afraid I’d get lost, so he tied many bells on my braids. As long as he heard the sound of the bells, he would know I hadn't gone far." This poignant detail highlights the protective bond between siblings, illustrating how love manifests through these simple yet meaningful gestures.

Bai Jiu, in turn, shares his own nostalgic memory of playing hide-and-seek with his mother, recounting how he would also tie bells in his hair so she could always locate him. This shared experience not only deepens their connection but also emphasizes the importance of being found and cared for. Together, these moments speak to the universal need for security and belonging, reminding us that even in the vastness of life, we are never truly lost when there is someone listening for the sound of our bells.

"It is hard to make friends with one lonely wing."

In episode 6, his brother remarks, "one wing is hard to keep, but with two wings, you are able to soar." This metaphor beautifully captures the essence of companionship and support—without someone by your side, it becomes challenging to navigate the complexities of life. The symbolism of wings signifies not just freedom, but also the collaboration needed to truly thrive.

Interestingly, his second character song is titled "Broken-tailed Bird," further underscoring the theme of fragility and the longing for connection. This title serves as a poignant foreshadowing to the scenes depicted in the MV trailer, hinting at struggles yet to come. Together, these elements weave a narrative about the importance of unity and the difficulties faced when one attempts to fly solo. It becomes clear that to reach new heights, we must learn to cherish and nurture the bonds that allow us to fully spread our wings.


i want to explain more but I wrote a lot yet this drama hold special place in my heart and hope u enjoy it also it's in my top 10 list and one of my fav couple as well as favourite friendship drama all the time.

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Best Cdrama 2024

For me the absolute best drama this year.
Really a masterpiece. Excellent executed on every aspect.
From cast, acting, plot, storylines, character development, music, songs, costumes, pacing, editing, cinematography, effects, fight scenes, to dialogues.
There isn’t one little thing I could criticize….mhmm maybe the cast was too good looking 😗😉😅🫠😍I mean those slow pacing close-ups….❤️‍🔥
The main cast was brilliant. I laughed and cried so many times.
I also liked how you have adventure, fantasy, lovestory, friendship and also bromance. The drama is really heavy in this one, but they always gave us those funny little moments.
My heart ached at the end….but hey nothing really ends, right 🥹😉

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This is an absolute masterpiece!

The only set of people who won't like this drama are those who aren't into this kind of dramas. It's an absolute masterpiece, though started slow but it was ignorable. Definitely a must watch!
Every characters managed to shine in their own way. And of course, Zhao Yuanzhou shone the brightest. The character managed to carry to show from the beginning till the very end. Truly remarkable 👏. I love Wen Xiao's character too even though everyone hates her for being weak but that's the point of the ml being stronger. There's absolutely nothing wrong with her character.
Then there's Zhuo Yichen and Pei Sijing...the actors did so well with the roles. Our Baby Baijiu was a complete character but the actor did so well ...then Yinglei who didn't deserve to die 😭..
There's Li Lun whom I still hate but his final scene managed to elevate some of my hatred for him.

The drama is highly recommended but if you aren't into this kind of drama, it's not for you.

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One of the best dramas in 2024
The production and direction got me like damn.. the dark vibe and slow motions.. the fighting scenes.. those slow motions depicts the emotions of every character in a descriptive manner. Though we all expect the ending it was still eye catchy to watch last few episodes. Rather than being a romance centric story it really shows the shades of humans. How people make mistakes, how people redeem themselves from guilt, how people love , overlove , hate , overhate people.. All those human emotions were taken into a nice picture through this drama. Zhu Yan , Zhou Yichen , Li Lun these three demons really defines the powerful screen appearance again and again. specially with zhu yan that is no joke. Guy knows how to captivate every single scene.
And also the supporting cast from fei , qingeng to yinglei , peisijing , pei siheng, ying lei all of these people were soo soo amazingg.. everyone has their own reasons to do everything but deep down they all were simply lost ones. and our won goddess wen xiao, i think she is the one who endured most of the trauma in this story after zhu yan but she still remains pure and kind. she really is the baize goddess.
And Bai jiu.. that child actor.. damn boy the way he acts.. literally "director said act; but he heard slay" moment

And finally shout out to the director GJM.. this drama is unparallel for me in many ways.. one of the best directions and scripts i hv seen after untamed..
P.S. Love all the ships in this story

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Fangs of Fortune: A Masterpiece That Heals the Heart

I had been waiting for Fangs of Fortune for a long time, and with such anticipation, there’s always the fear of disappointment. However, from the first episode, I knew my patience was worth it. This drama has been the most incredible piece of media I’ve experienced in a long time. As someone who loves cinema and is often let down, this show exceeded all my expectations—it’s the best I’ve ever seen.

What makes it so special? Everything. The acting, the plot, the characters, the visuals, and the music all come together to create a masterpiece. The themes—dreams, guilt, forgiveness, responsibility, and friendship—are explored with such depth and sincerity. At its heart, this is a story about love: romantic love, friendship, and selfless love. It captures how bonds can form from nothing, grow into something unbreakable, and sometimes fade despite years of affection. The characters’ journeys of growth and understanding are both heartbreaking and deeply comforting.

This drama also stands out for its maturity and the philosophical reflections it inspires. It delves into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and moral dilemmas in a way that feels natural and unforced. It invited me to reflect on my own dreams, regrets, and capacity for growth. I loved the balance of emotional depth and entertainment which I don't see often.

The world-building is phenomenal. The writing makes the world feel vast and real, and the production and cinematography bring it to life. From starry nights to deep waters, every scene is a visual treat that draws you in completely.

The acting is another standout. HMH’s performance as ZYZ left me in awe. He masterfully portrays two sides of the character: a sensitive, determined man burdened by guilt and a ruthless, bloodthirsty demon controlled by malicious energy. His transitions are so convincing that you feel the shift in your bones. The rest of the cast also delivers amazing performances, bringing their characters to life with depth and authenticity.

The romance in this show deserves a special mention. Some viewers may find it too soft and understated, but to me, its subtlety makes it even more powerful. It doesn’t rely on grand declarations or over-the-top drama; instead, it shines in the quiet moments and at the most critical points of the story. The love portrayed here feels real, sincere, and deeply moving.

This drama took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. The comedy made me laugh, the action scenes kept me on edge, and the emotional moments brought me to tears. It’s rare to find a show that balances all these elements so well, but Fangs of Fortune does it effortlessly.

Even though no one involved in the production may read this, I want to say thank you. Watching this drama felt like healing—it was a balm for my heart. This show will stay with me for a long time, and I can’t wait to watch it again.

If you’ve read this far, don’t hesitate to give it a try. It’s worth every moment, and I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.

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One word: BRILLIANT

Tl;dr: I highly recommend, especially if you're into the demons and magic fantasy. Amazing frames, exceptional soundtrack, incredible mood setting.

As per usual, I expected something quite different, based on the teasers (I don't really read summaries, if I do, I forget what the drama is about lol). I thought it would be a great demon bewitching regular people with fever dreams, a storyline composed of multiple single stories. I do LOVE what they did with this drama.
First thing hitting me in ep. 1 were the incredible frames and environment. The huge, huge spaces of the Demon Hunting Bureau, where you feel so small because it is so huge and yet so big because it looks like inside a mini copy of a city. The gardens, the rooms, the exteriors, just wow.
The color grading of the frames. I have seen quite many c-dramas by now, but I have not seen any drama do such exceptional mood setting for each and every frame. Some parts are warm tones because they are funny or uplifting, the other parts are grey and dark because there's action and drama. Just genius work.
The soundtrack??? I'm not an OST person, but this OST really hits home for me. This is the second drama where I really like the soundtrack and can immerse into the lyrics and music. This drama has in fact my most favourite soundtrack so far. It sounds so grand, so emotional, just really, really beautiful.
The casting. I will always prefer to watch Neo Hou as a thousands years old demon/god/mythical creature in a human form. His facial features are ageless, he can make his face very soft and also very sharp. He was a fantastic casting option. From the rest of the cast, I have seen Chen Du Ling and Gulnezer Bextiyar before (I knew also Yan An and Cheng Xiao, just have not seen them in dramas before). I love that Chen Du Ling is a very strong FL here. Gulnezer Bextiyar is forever a goddess. I absolutely adore the rest of the cast too, everyone is so good in their character.
The comedy. I really did not expect this drama to have comedy, I totally expected just darkness without a glimmer of hope. The comedy element was very refreshing. Bai Jiu's screams, Ying Lei's personality, Zhu Yan's pranks, really really loved it.
I'm currently at ep. 26, we are having a little Team Crisis™ since ep. 23. I'd have preferred a smooth sailing, but I guess it would have been boring. There are twists and turns in the plot, they are never out of character. There is usually a small foreshadowing. I hope that the ending will be satisfactory to me. Even if it won't be, I think won't be mad (I'll add an ETA when I'm finished).
This is the first drama (correction: fifth) where I put a 10/10 for rewatch value. I'd rewatch it for the soundtrack and aesthetics especially and pretty much everything I wrote above.

ETA after finishing, in case anyone wanted to read it: Personally, I did not quite like the ending, because I like a certain type of endings (not going to say which because I'd spoil you). From an unbiased point of view, the ending was on brand with the title of the drama (advice: get your tissues ready). There is an extra episode after the official last episode. I think the creators could've added this extra episode within the final episode and make one more extra episode. Despite me not really liking the ending, the 10/10 rating still stands.

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