Fangs of Fortune

THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE AND EMOTIONAL JOURNEY.

This drama was so good that I'm doing a review for the first time. What I love most about this drama are the characters. Each and everyone is so unique that you can't help but love them, even the bad guys. The OST is everything. I adore the relationship between the main characters, especially Zhu Yan and Zhou Yi Chen. But be warned this is an emotional ride that will probably leave you a wreck and I don't know if I'll ever be able to find such another masterpiece. The only thing I hate about this show is that it doesn't have more episodes, cause now that it's finished what can I watch that will be on par with it yk. But I definitely suggest watching this especially if you like bromance, because trust me, it is TOP TIER. You won't regret, promise.

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Best 2024 C-drama

Cast, plot, acting, music - everything was great!!!!! undeniably best 2024 historical/wuxia c-drama. The group of main leads chemistry was good. Computer graphics looked realistic and vibrant. Plot was logical and mostly made sense. Pace was a good of fast and slow scenes. Jokes were lighthearted. I’m still slight sentimental having just finished it. Ending was very fair - emotional but ties everything throughout the building up together. Music also did its job well - setting well the scene moods, lingering in our ears, and fits the overall theme well.

SHOULD GIVE IT A GO!

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Too melodramatic with too much crying....

I am a huge fan of Edward Guo's works and Fangs of Fortune (FOF) did not disappoint. The props, styling, costume, fighting cinematography, music, lighting, choices of actors, etc were excellent and probably a bit better than his last work with "My Journey to You". I thoroughly enjoyed the first 15 episodes of FOF, and could not wait for iQIYI to release latest episodes, but then it was downhill from there. The theme got darker; the storylines got more ridiculous and I felt that the director was trying very hard to get every actor to cry unnecessarily. The last 5 episodes were especially tough to digest - all actors cried almost every alternate scene. The crying scenes were definitely overdone and there were times when I was praying for Tian Jiarui's character (Zhou Yichen (ZYC)) not to cry.

I could not accept the storyline that a demon who has lived for well over 30,000 years, and supposed to be a strong bad-ass demon could turn out to be such a weakling at the end of this drama. Similarly, how could a Goddess be so useless, and in reality a supporting cast in FOF when she is billed as the lead female of FOF. The real protagonist here is Tian Jiarui and not Neo Hou. I thought Neo Hou was much better here than he was in his last drama "Dashing Youth" as the young Liquor Deity, but was not really given the chance to shine. Zhao Yuanzhou (ZYZ) character early on was strong, witty and charasmatic. Unfortunately by the end of the drama, ZYZ was just a side character to ZYC.

Edward Guo's penchant for sad ending was evident in FOF. Some characters are bound to die, just like most characters have their own sad background stories. ZYZ had a miserable life and could not die; Chen DuLing's master and ZYC's brother/father died at the hand of ZYZ; Pei Sijing had to kill her own brother; Bai Jiu lost her mother when he was young; etc. In My Journey to You, Ai Mi's character met an untimely death. Ai Mi was a side character in FOF, and her storyline would bring tears to your eyes, and you could have guessed what ultimately happened to her character in FOF. That is just typical Edward Guo.

Cut down on crying, and this c-drama is definitely worth watching. Will be waiting for the next installment of Edward Guo's work.

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A Masterpiece That’s Tragically Beautiful – Fangs of Fortune Took Me on an Unforgettable Ride

I meant to write this review yesterday, but I needed some time to process everything. Honestly, there are no words to fully capture how incredible this show is. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Fangs of Fortune since the 1st day of filming, mainly because of Hou Minghao. And with that kind of anticipation comes the fear of being let down—especially when you have high expectations for the drama/story. As a seasoned viewer, I’ve learned to manage my hopes, particularly when it comes to my favorite genres and tropes. But from the very first episode, I knew it had been worth the wait, and honestly, it was because of HMH (I LOVE HIM SO MUCH) ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
The first episode was nearly flawless, but I still had that lingering worry—what if it goes downhill? It’s common for shows to lose their charm as the story builds toward the climax. But with this one, I can sum it up in one word: CONSISTENCY. From the pacing to the character dynamics, nothing ever felt out of place. There were no character moments that felt forced or out of character, and it maintained that quality throughout. If I tried to list everything that made this show so consistent, I’d never stop!

Acting
The cast was not only incredibly skilled but also stunningly beautiful, which added to the drama's allure and made it even more captivating. But especially my favorite, Hou Minghao—he truly carried this show, Period. His micro expressions and the way he brought both Zhao Yuan Zhou and Zhu Yan to life are indescribable. He perfectly captures both sides of the character: the selfless, guilt-ridden man and the cold, bloodthirsty demon consumed by dark energy. His transitions between these two personas are so seamless literally feel the energy shift. I really wished they had showed his full potential more—he was such a powerful presence, and I was craving more intense fight scenes to see him unleash his strength.

Cinematography
Honestly, everything about this show is so well done—the cinematography, the CGI, the LED effects, and the costumes? All phenomenal. Each detail is so carefully crafted, especially when it comes to how the colors and designs reflect each character's personality and depth. It’s like the costumes aren’t just clothes—they’re part of the storytelling, showing us who these characters are without even saying a word. The way they play with lighting and angles also adds an extra layer to the scenes, making everything feel more intense or emotional at just the right moments. And the relationships between the characters? Chef’s kiss. The visuals really enhance the way they connect, whether it's through subtle glances or intense moments. It all just comes together so smoothly, adding to the drama’s overall vibe and making it impossible to look away.

The Story/Plot
The characters were so well-developed—it’s crazy how deep each of them goes. Their journeys are full of growth, and it’s both heartbreaking and comforting at the same time. The way their relationships evolve is kind of like slow-burn romance, where there’s no kissing, but the tension and connection between them? So intense. It’s all in the looks, the subtle moments, and the way they support each other. You feel all that emotion without needing a traditional romance arc. The bromance and humor also add to that—it's just perfect. Every character was so well thought out, and you could easily understand their motives.
For me, character development is a dealbreaker in any drama. I hate when a character doesn’t change at all, and then suddenly has this big shift in the last episode. The growth needs to feel earned, and here, it was so gradual yet totally believable—they nailed it.
Also, I’m not usually a fan of comedy (I'm more into the dark, angsty stuff), and in a lot of intense dramas, humor feels forced, like it doesn’t belong. But in Fangs of Fortune, the light moments actually balance the heavier stuff really well. As I said before, it’s all about consistency, and the humor here kept things fresh without ever throwing off the vibe.

Pacing
I’ve seen a lot of people say the pacing was slow, but honestly, I think that was the best choice. It really suited the story. If they’d sped things up, it would've totally messed everything up. The slower pace gave the show space to build tension and let key moments land with more weight. It let the characters’ journeys develop naturally, and the emotional beats hit way harder because they had time to sink in. It just felt like the pacing was perfectly in sync with the story’s vibe.

OST
Another thing that really helped make this show a masterpiece is the OST and score. They were mostly so well done—honestly, the show wouldn’t feel as complete without them. Sometimes in dramas, the music doesn’t match the vibe of the scene, but here, they clearly put a lot of effort into getting the score right. The instrumentals fit almost every important moment—and even some of the smaller, quieter scenes—just perfectly. There were maybe a couple of moments where the music didn’t quite land or match the tone, but honestly, those were rare. Overall, it really worked.
My favorite track was Yuanzhou's Youth by Minghao !

The Ending
I know a lot of people hated it, but honestly, I thought the ending was breathtakingly bittersweet. As much as I wanted a happy ending, especially for Zhao Yuan Zhou, it was honestly the most fitting one. If they h ad just made it so everyone survived, it would’ve felt totally off. Also, thank you for that special episode! The drama ends with a sad, open ending, but the special episode lowkey gives us the closure we needed, wrapping everything up and showing that, even with all the ups and downs, the characters' journeys came full circle.

But honestly, the whole drama including the ending, was so tragically beautiful. The way it handled its moments of heartache and triumph, the emotional rollercoaster of the characters’ growth, and the way everything intertwined—it was all just perfectly done.

Lastly
Yeah, there were some flaws, but honestly, they don’t even compare to all the amazing stuff this drama brings. Long story short, this is definitely the best C-drama of 2024, hands down. I wanna say more, but I’ve already written a lot—and honestly, this drama has a special place in my heart. I really hope you vibe with it too! It's in my top 10, and it's one of my favorite dramas for sure, especially when it comes to character growth and the way they handle friendships. The dynamic between the characters? Chef’s kiss. If you haven't watched it yet, you're seriously missing out.

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I mean it's a show.

I'm going to keep this short since it took me so long to finish this show. Yes there is spoilers. Yes I was bored by the end that I forgot all of the characters names and just gave them all nicknames. I had as much fun watching as the writers had interested in making a coherent show. This should not have been a 40min long episode and would have worked better as mini series with 20 min long episode.

Character-

🔥Female arrow
- she was okay she actually fought some making her not entirely entirely useless

🔥Grand master demon (ml)
- he was honestly not the best looking person in the show as the male lead really didn't give me much to work with if he was a vanity hire, he was kinda giving Mark from NCT and that is not a compliment.

🔥Trisha Paymetowatchthis(FL)
-she was absolutely the most useless character ever. She didn't even make it to the 3rd act character Nerf

🔥The child
- he is but a child. Also twist villain I guess. I don't know he was but a wee lad.

🔥 Mountain god
- the 2nd best looking male in the show.

🔥Cold steel (2nd lead male)
- he is cold, refined like his sword

🔥Climb like a tree
-best looking male in the show to bad they made him share a body with a child.

🔥Demons of the week
-if it wasn't for them I would have dropped the show. Honestly this would have been better if it wasn't them trying to pursue an ultimate bad guy but instead chasing down a bunch of demons, and ultimate goal of them helping humans and demons co-exist.

The music
Honestly it was giving marvel action without knowing what made marvel worked (being 2hrs for a movie and not over staying it's welcome until next movie). I can't say it's repetitive because of you honestly are making that complaint I'm curious if this is your first ever Asian drama, if so I'm here to apologize and hope you actually watch a good show.

The plot
Demon hunting bureau is trying to gain recognition, while someone stirs up trouble by destroying the demons home, along the way they meet demons who were tricked into helping who all have tragic backstories. While trying to find a Mcguffin of a token to help the goddess regain her powers. (It sounds amazing right 🤭) Now picture that instead of actually working to solve the issue the group is so inept that the demons basically just handcuffs themselves turn themselves in and still somehow end up only being stopped because they died trying to say the people that was supposed to be taking them in.

Something nice:
Th only nice thing I can say is that the actions scene were not the absolute worst thing ever. That's it that's my only compliment. Everything else legit felt like no one cared after a while but they were contractually obligated to finished the show.

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Epic traumatic masterpiece

Take with a grain of salt, as I'm criticizing a production online whereas in real life I would bow before them ?)
The last 4 episodes are very sad. I feel like there was a lot more redemption and compassion for the baddies than the good guys. I waited for the goddess to do more, after all it seemed like her life was more important to keep the balance. The extra half episode at the end is nice but I kept longing to see the great demon pushing our goddess on the swing again.
Don't get me wrong, the drama is a great one and definitely worth the watch. Neo has grown so much. If the roll requires expeessive eyes, he was the best choice. He had that skill pinned down since Back From the Brink and perfected it here. His one word spells are the sexiest scenes I've witnessed in Cdrama. Pei has the win for best choreography during the fight sceens. The jokes and teasing were refreshing.
The OST will live rent free in your head all day. It's very catchy and moving along with the little dance. Sometimes the dramatic music was queued too early. It was a slight spoiler to who would win or lose.
There was some continuity problems. I think a lot was cut during production. I would sometimes start some episodes and have to stop it and see if I skipped an episode by accident, which I never did. The costumes are divine except for the evil mastermind's robes at the end.
Overall it gets a 9. Parts of me want to rewatch it because there are things I missed or need clarification. But the ending is traumatic and the feeling of loss is greater than the win. I have important things to do in the real world that require motivation and a positive attitude but I'm left with a lingering heartache.

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Best Fantasy 2024- Great Cast, Good Story, Fabulous Visuals.

"Fangs of Fortune" is a Fantasy drama that blends romance, historical elements, and intriguing plots surrounding ambition and power. It successfully entertains with its blend of loyalty, friendship, romance and intrigue, appealing to fans of the genre. However, it could benefit from tighter pacing and more nuanced character arcs. Overall, it's a worthwhile watch for those interested in fantasy historical dramas with engaging narratives.

Intriguing Plot - The storyline revolves around themes of ambition, love, hope and treachery, keeping viewers engaged. The twists and turns add excitement and keep the audience guessing and waiting for the next episode, certainly binge worthy watching. Comedic elements subtly spread throughout, nicely executed.

Cinematography - The production quality is high, great CGI, with beautiful sets, costumes, great makeup and cinematography that captures the senses and the historical essence of this fantasy perfectly.

Character Development - Great casting. The characters are well-crafted, with distinct personalities and growth arcs. The protagonist's journey often resonates with viewers, making them relatable - morals, ethics, judgments… walking in someone’s shoes.

Cultural Insights - The series incorporates elements of Chinese culture and tradition, providing viewers with a view of mythological beliefs, the values and practices from the world beyond.

Shortcomings

There were some Pacing Issues - At times, the pacing felt uneven. Certain episodes seem to drag on, while others rush through crucial developments.

Of course there were some Clichéd Tropes - Some plot elements relied heavily on common tropes found in many dramas, such as love triangles and betrayal. This may deter viewers seeking originality.

Underdeveloped Side Characters - While the main characters were well-explored, some side characters could have used more depth and development to enhance their importance to the story.

For me this ranks in my top three of Chinese Fantasy Drama. Certainly worth watching and rewatching.

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A Feast for the Eyes: Visually Gorgeous Drama That Leaves a Lasting Impression

After several days of pondering, I finally decided to give my final rating and write a review of this drama. I have to admit that I was torn between giving it an 8.5 or a 9. At first, I gave it an 8.5, but after a day or two, when I realized that the series had left a deep impact on me and I couldn't stop listening to the OST and thinking about the characters, I bumped it up to a 9. There are many aspects of this series that I liked: the cast and interesting characters, the OST, special effects, well-choreographed fight scenes, and overall high production value and beautiful aesthetics. On the other hand, the main criticism is about the plot itself. I'm not even sure what was missing, but the fact remains that the story didn’t manage to intrigue me to a great extent. Here and there, there were certain interesting elements of the plot, twists and turns, but the main storyline didn’t offer anything revolutionary. What the plot lacked, the interesting characters, their relationships, and interactions made up for. The bond between Zhu Yan and Zhou Yichen, Bai Jiu and Yichen, Bai Jiu and Ying Lei, Zhu Yan and Li Lun, the Pei siblings, and their group friendship altogether, is what truly elevates this drama (along with its visual perfection).

Speaking about the characters and their relationships (which I liked), one would expect that their tragic fates would emotionally hit me. However, that didn’t happen. This is the main reason why I can't rate this drama higher than 9. On the surface, it seemed like it had all the elements for success, but in the end, during the actual viewing of the series, I didn't feel any emotional impact. I believe that part of the reason for this is the way many parts were slow (filmed in slow motion?) which caused me to become frustrated with the drawn-out scenes instead of immersing myself in the events and the tragedy. However, I think this was a personal issue of mine, as I see that most people didn’t have this problem. Only later, while listening to the OST, did I begin to reflect more on the characters and their tragic lives, and only then did I fall even more in love with the story.

When it comes to the OST, I have to say that, alongside the visual elements, it is one of the best aspects of this series. I would personally compare it to the OST of The Untamed, which I was obsessed with for months and listened to wherever I could. The fact that many of the songs are sung by the actors themselves further impressed me. In the end, I must also praise the actors. Chen Du Ling, Lester Lin, and Tian Jia Rui were familiar to me from before, and I considered them good actors even before this drama, but I’m glad I discovered Neo Hou, who beautifully portrayed the character of Zhu Yan. I personally LOVE characters like him—formidable and powerful, yet at the same time pitiful and tormented. All the supporting actors did a great job in their roles as well, and I’m happy to see that there were no "weak links" in the cast that could have ruined the overall impression with their bad acting , which occasionally happens in some of these dramas :')

In the end, would I recommend this drama? BIG YES. Despite some 'personal issues' I had with it, I still think it's one of those dramas that you shouldn't miss, because the hype is definitely justified.

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