Hand of Fate (2025)

A beautiful idea but wasted potential

Even in their best attempt at writing an intellectual plot, Chinese writers just can’t give up their obsession with creating shitty characters. This one was a pitiful endeavour to pull off an Inception-like concept, but I’ll still give credit for the boldness ... at least the writer tried something challenging in a world where most Chinese dramas revolve around mistresses and concubine politics.

Still, I can’t defend .., in fact, I hate .... their choice of dramatis personae. If you have the cognitive ability to pick and enjoy such a heavy plot, you’ll most likely get irritated by characters like the ML’s female student. What a pain in the @$$ existence she is ; third-class acting, fourth-class looks, and a completely unnecessary addition to the plot.

Despite its flaws, the drama was fine. At some point, I couldn’t even tell if it was a dream or reality ~ but maybe that’s the whole point.

As for the cast, apart from Li Jiu Lin, everyone else was mediocre. Luna Hu (as Li Meng Wen) was a particularly horrible choice —~~ let’s be real, she looked like an ajumma doing a school uniform cosplay instead of a student. I don’t know which sick-in-the-brain director thought casting her was a good idea.

In the end, if you enjoy non-traditional, confusing, brain-twister plots, give it a try. Otherwise, just skip it.

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Only for Li Jiu Lin

This mini drama was a mind f and a half. Did he or didn't he? Is she or isn't she?

There was a lot of bouncing around between what was a dream and what was supposed to be reality.

The ending was a HE (or was it? The bracelet that she gave him that's supposed to tell him if he's in a dream or reality was blinking)

If you want something that doesn't make you scratch your head and go huh almost every episode then skip it there are better dramas out there.
However, Li Jiu Lin looked gorgeous in this (but doesn't he always?) so if you're a fan of his and just want a little eye candy give it a watch.

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