I've heard a lot of good things about the show, but haven't come around to watching the other seasons because…
Season 4 only encapsulates two cases that should have been in Season 3 (doing this as a mini-drama is also a way of getting around the 40-episode limit, while testing the lucrative mini-drama market for this series) and can be viewed as standalone. Season 4 feels fun, fresh and retains a better air of mystery because of how the story has been told and certain elements being woven in. They clearly took into account the modern ideas of group therapy and er, female stardom. I wasn't expecting to be entertained XD
There's no spoilers for a season finale in Season 4 because there is zero political intrigue tied to the main plot of palace politics in Season 3. Season 5 is where it seems the political intrigue is inevitable. Season 4 nicely leads into Season 5, but also allows the viewer to loop back and watch Season 1.
I've heard a lot of good things about the show, but haven't come around to watching the other seasons because…
My opinion for Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty is that I recommend new viewers watch Season 4 before Season 1 for multiple reasons: The storytelling approach is stronger and more engaging in Season 4 versus 1. The emotional engagement is much higher, also because the matured dynamics of the group raises interesting questions about how did they become what they are? Their individual traits are also strongly evident in Season 4. The director for Season 4 isn't the directors of the first three seasons.
This makes the origins, unlikability and growth of each team member in Season 1 become more acceptable and appreciated. I couldn't emotionally resonate with any characters except Su Wuming several episodes in, which is why I paused SToTD for this long. SToTD season 1 is (mostly) institutionally and historically accurate, but I did not like Xijun or Lu Lingfeng until late in Season 1 even though I understood their portrayals were correct. I also found the acting for Yingtao to be wooden and one-dimensional. If I stuck all this in a review and according to what I assess, SToTD season 1 overall ratings for me is 7 to 7.5 maximum.
Where I would differ with you is only on Plot and Acting. I'd give plot 6.5 or7, and acting as 6.5 or 7.
And if you are interested in taking a look at the episode summary for episodes 8 to 12 (whereby I include certain details from the novel, Buddhism, and other little bits about Tang Lici and Puzhu): https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24006850
Happy 15th anniversary, Luo Yunxi. May 2026 bring you safe journeys and an even brighter career path. This year,…
Your tribute is beautiful.
I wish to add this video about 罗云熙出演的20部影视剧全解析，暴瘦之下的爆火！(comes with English subs) compiling his earliest efforts in the entertainment industry before the advent of his latest dramas SLY and The Truth Within, touching on 20 of his dramas and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0-e2iYUEDw
I won't lie A'Shei was not as "useless" people seem to perceive her. She was every smart, seemed to understood…
Wow. The conclusion I now have, due to someone not finishing this drama yet lying blatantly about the role and statistics of A-Shui to new viewers such as @cherryisha, while misrepresenting this drama about romance even before it aired and then creating all sorts of melodrama during the airing of the drama while attacking multiple viewers...
Lin Yun does not appear to have any good dramas or movies in her filmography, ever since she debuted in that Stephen Chow movie which made her famous. Why else would someone claiming to be a fan of Lin Yun continuously go on about the A-Shui role in such a dishonest manner on this drama page, even after this drama has finished airing for more than a month?
I must point out that A-Shui being primarily promoted as a romance target for this drama by that troll for so many weeks comes across as the ultimate disrespectful objectification of a female being reduced solely and primarily as worthy only because of a man. Is this person actually a Lin Yun fan, reducing her significance and filmography to a 7th-ranked character in a drama as a romance object, whereby this drama has no CP and no romance tag understandably because the producers said way before the airing that this is a heroism-focused drama?
I blocked one of her sockpuppet accounts after she attacked me for praising Chen Yao as Xifang Tao. I haven't forgotten the rotten eggs account attacking Jeremy Tsu's character as Gui Mudan when episode 14 aired, or the jerkopus08 account calling me names and laughably going on about Renegade Immortal while failing badly on stats. There are also other sockpuppet accounts, given how they seem to all follow a script attacking other users. I now wonder: Does MDL allow someone to use multiple sockpuppet accounts to harass other users such as myself?
I believe the troll needs to see a psychiatrist to diagnose any psychological factors, personality disorders, neurological issues and/or compulsive behaviour. Pathological lying is fundamentally unhealthy in multiple ways, such as claiming A-Shui was the most talked-about character while the drama aired when the statistics show she was mostly ignored.
If it wasn't for the melodrama created by the troll misleading others on this page while relentlessly attacking and deliberately insulting many viewers for expressing different views, there would be hardly any discussions about A-Shui on this page.
As it stands, fortunately a lot of people were clearly interested in many aspects of the drama and wonderful conversations occurred, despite the ridiculous bullying that took place over so many weeks.
That's the inspiration from the second instalment of the Star Wars franchise ie the Tatooine desert.As to A-Shui…
Zhong Chunji is one of those characters where I think the writers came to a fork in the road and decided to go for an odd shortcut. Also because A-Shui the character took up precious time while Riley Wang's plotline at the Central Plains Sword Alliance as Fang Zhou was a waste, otherwise we actually needed one exchange with Zhong Chunji and Tang Lici to make her actions seem logical (and yes, her actions would still be exasperating).
Technically we need more than 40 episodes, if we are keeping all the current characters. It would still be possible to keep this story well-told within 40 episodes with strong characterisation connecting well, but some restructuring would have to happen.
IMHO, the biggest fundamental issue of this drama is having too many characters so when I finished watching this drama for the second time, this is the discussion thread which ensued after I summarised what I would alter (including two characters I would remove):
Teng Ping abandoned this novel for more than 10 years and left it unfinished because she didn't like it, and then picked it up again to finish after the novel was adapted for the drama. Here's a summary of what happened, according to Azure:
There's certain vibes that more than one viewer picked up on as per Tang Lici's behaviour, so I helpfully provided a section of a chapter from the unfinished novel (unlike the novel, the drama wonderfully fulfils Tang Lici's yearning to know a certain someone):
Finally finished it. Started on the day it was released ... Really savoured WOF lol. Love the story, costume,…
Would have loved Wanyu Yuedan and Shen Langhun to get more screentime! Puzhu and Tang Lici's interactions had me writing an episode summary for episodes 8 to 12, which also had me unsurprised and sporfling at Puzhu's thoughts in episode 35 (from 35:06 onwards). The actress for Xiaohong was quite good, which I and kwanto were impressed by because she had clearly considered her character right down to the smallest gestures and expressions while incorporating Peking opera.
The official OST with some instrumentals are here clocking in at approximately 1 hour 15 minutes (if you can access bilibili):
Hahaha it's really funny how the same girl is always being cast as the young miracle doctor
Did you enjoy seeing her help Li Hongyi in "The Blood of Youth"? XD
Having grown up in this industry, she's been trained and learning from some of the best directors across more than 10 years since she was a kid. She was 16 when she acted opposite Luo Yunxi as Shui Duopo for this drama. After that, she moved on to FL roles, including her first FL in a serious movie alongside Ao Ziyi that aired in November 2024. Her first FL in a serious drama is with Youku, which should air in first-half of 2026. She's filming for two other dramas that should air in Q4 of 2026. Viewers took note of her striking performance in "The Double" of June 2024, next to Wu Jinyan. Comedy is not something every artist can do, but she nailed it with Bai Shu in this drama.
All in all, she's earned her stripes to go from supporting cast to FL :)
Hello! Someone please help me - I really can’t stand A Shui right now - like your presence is a liability to…
I would suggest watching the entire drama first, before making final conclusions. Some of us have watched this drama twice, and I'm one of them. Tang Lici's experiences and relationships with different people help him learn many things, and how Tang Lici responds to different people (especially four different women) are quite telling.
Also, your reaction is understandably normal. You might start to question how and why certain details appear the way they do. I had to talk some people (all fellow mandarin-speakers) into continuing the drama due to the role you're going on about, because they couldn't stand what they considered to be abysmal acting and emoting, they still didn't see the point of that one's storyline and by the end of the series, remained with the same conclusions yet enjoyed the drama greatly.
Some people also like A-Shui, such as the viewer who replied to you and is still stuck at episode 21 due to not yet finishing the drama (she once thanked me for my summaries otherwise she claimed she couldn't figure out whether to finish) while using multiple sockpuppet accounts to troll this page, attack users who praise other female characters and especially mislead users into believing she has watched this drama to the end. I would like people to encourage each other to watch different dramas and explain why it is worth giving another actor or actress a shot at watching their drama. This specific viewer's behaviour has been maliciously damaging to the drama page by driving away viewers during the airing of the drama.
All the melodrama we have suffered on this drama page is because she as a diehard Lin Yun fan brought other Lin Yun fans to this page and misled them into believing in a CP and two-way romance. The rest of us have been happy to have various viewers expound on what they like, but the underhanded viciousness of elevating a 7th-billed supporting character into a lead role to mislead new viewers as the primary factor of this drama has been nothing short of ridiculous and shockingly dishonest. Ever since the drama finished airing in late November, she is mostly talking to herself on this page throughout December via her sockpuppet accounts because nobody on this page wants to interact with her except any clueless new viewers.
She also bullied at least three viewers who have claimed this drama is heroism-focused on this page way before the drama aired. She has also been presenting misleading data on this page, hence other viewers have refuted her.
Given she is someone who has been on this drama page for more than a year before the drama aired, yet unable to finish watching? I don't believe she is a Luo Yunxi fan, which she also attempted to convince others on his MDL actor page.
If it helps, the data available overwhelmingly points to the conclusion that several other characters (especially Tang Lici) are what enables this drama's success. This drama has been so successful that it smashed a lot of records, and was also nominated for CPOP 2026:
Our data master kwanto and other viewers shared many posts throughout the airing of this drama, because there were trolls trying to bring down this drama by insisting Yunhe was reliable while also misrepresenting data from other sources.
Enjoy Whispers of Fate! Feel free to ask any questions :)
Liu Ya-se is going to be solid in this.I hope she was able to do her own ADR, given I like her voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PM_jj0ega8I'm…
I saw brief scenes of LYX (as Li Si) looking serious and tightly embracing Jeremy Tsu (Zhou Zhu) in Shadow Punisher and my heart might have stopped because my brain went "Tang Lici!Ye Mo!Gui Mudan!" I was so happy they had reconciled, and then I realised it wasn't SLY :(
This is what happens with too much SLY on the brain XD
Have you seen Azure's phenomenal writeup about Worldview, Timelines and other details? https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146760-whispers-of-fate-worldview-timelines-and-other-detailsBefore…
Ye Mo definitely needed more time. Azure's train analogy was perfect, about Tang Lici. I think about his wooden carvings, and am grateful he never made them for certain people.
My favourite song for the entire drama is the OP《驪龍吟》by 黃子弘凡 in lyrics and sound, and the official MV for it almost perfectly illustrates why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K15ALeIyxkg
The stats have been outstanding, and kwanto was busy sharing them across so many comments that I should probably start a collection on the forum post already created:
More than a month ago, I remember someone on this page claiming Maoyan is an outlier for views, while Yunhe and Kuyun are most trusted sources. Then there were the repeated Douban claims for credibility. At least from all the earlier comments (some of which is comedy gold), people can see who knows what they are talking about versus which accounts are blowing smoke out of their asses.
As of 2 December, #4 on Maoyan’s annual chart after garnering more than 1.8 billion views within 39 days of broadcasting makes “Whispers of Fate” the fastest-moving entry of 2025 to move up the Maoyan chart. As of 6 December, exceeded 4.9 billion views on MangoTV’s front-end broadcast statistics. According to CSM data, 2.838 billion views were reached across all platforms. Despite newly-completing airing, not long after"Whispers of Fate" received nomination for CPOP 2026 (only other two dramas within these 3 years to be recognised and nominated were “Joy of Life” and “Till The End Of The Moon”).
[ Rating China (CVB), the most authoritative rating body in China has issued an article praising SLY title
A Madman and a Hero: A Fated Song of Destiny, A Game of Chess in the Martial World, and a Righteousness for All Living Beings — Why "Water Dragon Chant" Becomes a New Benchmark for Hunan TV's Costume Dramas (only capturing its performance on Hunan TV and Mango TV excluding MIGU)
Highlight: • CSM data, SLY reached 2.838 billion views across all media platforms. TTL viewing hours is 384M hours (Note the also from Rating China report from 2024 the highest was 225M hours aired on CCTV8)
• TLC is the core key to retaining the audience. Luo Yunxi accurately grasped the balance between the character's "divinity and chivalry," perfectly blending his "number one in the world" arrogance, his decisiveness in the face of enemies, and the chivalrous spirit hidden in his heart.
• SLY achieved deep cultural export. American netizens praised CGI as "comparable to Marvel," while German and Brazilian netizens were captivated by the character designs and costume aesthetics, forming a closed loop of overseas dissemination: "watching the series - researching historical facts - secondary creation."
• Age 25-44 account for more than half, other age groups is relatively balanced. Bachelor degree or above account for nearly 30%. Viewers prefer the emotional bonds and the thrill of redemption in the drama, its rigorous logic of power struggles in the martial arts world and its profound sense of destiny. ]
[ From early 2025 until now, CCTV and Rating China have chosen ONLY Shui Long Yin. In fact, SLY is their first nominated IP among drama, film, game, and other categories, is incredible. These two facts are the most authoritative and explosive. Gov officials know the real data domestic and international. After all, China Mobile, as SLY’s largest investor, has all the accurate data.
TTOETM aired when there is no traffic actor competition, SLY had 5 traffic competition at the same time, in winter of TV drama. Government realize the strength. ]
I appreciate you and others trying to share data and explain details, especially to arrogant ignoramuses. kwanto knocked it out of the ballpark, by also adding to what you, Levi_Nyein and HwaBinturong initially shared.
Thank you for lending us your insight. I really loved how they wove the schools of thought together with historical…
The directors and screenwriters are definitely aware of this section of the unfinished novel. In line with the Three Schools especially Buddhism for the ending as per Tang Lici's emotional core of 侠义, his understanding of 侠义 is his key weapon to break the shackles of fate, hence drama-Tang Lici was granted the greatest obsession of novel-Tang Lici in the drama... In a better manner.
The exchange in episode 35 was so wonderfully conveyed. I had a lot of emotional sand in my eyes because Tang Lici met the most important woman in his life, and he never wanted to let go. But she taught him why letting go was necessary, in showing him the most unconditional love of all. That is also why she is the final person whom he thought of, near the end of episode 40.
In this case, what I found interesting was not that she was a sacrificial womb, but how her son also gave her and everyone else a second chance by embodying the love she gave him.
Tang Lici was abandoned by his creator, and given a second life by the creative team of SLY. And in this second life, he gave second chances to everyone.
He wanted to believe what Fang Zhou taught, but coming to terms with certain beliefs was very difficult for him. Not growing up with a reliable mother figure tends to lead to poorer emotional regulation plus trust issues. While I was watching the drama, I picked up on his emotional growth as equivalent to an adolescent when Fang Zhou died, within the first five episodes. By the time of the drama in episode 1, I saw Tang Lici as the equivalent of an emotional teenager even if he is an adult man.
I believe I did not read Tang Lici wrongly because when I was dissecting Tang Lici and Puzhu for episodes 8 to 12, Puzhu's scenes near the end of episode 36 had me amused that my earlier dissections also partially tongue-in-cheek appeared to be on-point.
Remember Wanyu Yuedan? From Book 4, Chapter 40 (part 3):
[ “Be at ease. Master Tang has already gone.” Wanyu Yuedan bent low, clasping her hand with a steady, reassuring smile.
Ah Shui froze. At those words, the world seemed to reel around her. “He… he’s already gone?”
Wanyu Yuedan inclined his head. “As soon as he awoke and learned you had led Brother Shen and Zhu Yan to storm Wangting Manor, he set out at once. Do not fear. With Master Tang there, none will come to harm.”
She stared at him.
“But… his health…” Her voice trembled.
Wanyu Yuedan raised a finger and traced a small circle beside his temple, still smiling gently. “It was merely agitation. I gave him a calming draught, and he drank the rice soup you made. Already he is better than before. Rest assured, when Master Tang is present, he will never allow anyone to be hurt. He is the kind of man who will stake his very life for others. And with his ability… tell me, what can he not achieve, once he throws his life into it?”
Ah Shui gazed at Wanyu Yuedan in a daze. How could he speak with such certainty—so matter-of-factly—when he said that Tang Lici was the kind of man who will stake his life for others?
“He…”
Wanyu Yuedan drew out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the mud and melted snow from her face. His voice was gentle as he went on,”I once knew another man who would risk his life for those who had nothing to do with him. He did so out of compassion. He was kind to everyone, wished happiness for all, and for that ideal he was willing to stake his life. A man like that is easy to love, easy to praise.
“But Young Master Tang is not like that. He risks his life for others not because of compassion, but because he is fragile.”
Ah Shui blinked slowly. Meltwater pooled at the corners of her eyes, turning everything into a blur. She heard Wanyu Yuedan’s voice, gentle as falling snow:
“He is too lonely, too starved for care. That is why he throws himself into saving others. Through saving them… he gains a sliver of fulfillment, a sense that he matters. He could not let go of Fang Zhou, nor of Liu Yan, and he fought desperately to save Chi Yun—because so few have ever truly cared for him. The ones who do, he engraves upon his heart, and he cannot bear to let them slip away.
“But few truly understand him. His emotions flare too fiercely, and most people are afraid of him. He always seems as though he alone can shoulder the work of dozens, even hundreds. As though if he exists, others need not. Yet the truth is otherwise. He is only too lonely. He needs that lofty posture… because he longs so desperately to be cared for, to be valued. He cannot live as ordinary men do.”
I… I have been so foolish all along. Tears slid down Ah Shui’s cheeks. “Yes…”
Wanyu Yuedan sighed softly. “I will say something I perhaps should not. Miss Ah Shui, you cannot go on without truly understanding Master Tang. I believe the reason he clings to you is not for any other cause, but because you… you carry within you something of a mother’s presence.”
Once again, tears spilled from Ah Shui’s eyes. She could no longer tell whether they were caused by snowmelt or sadness.
“I understand now.”
This gentle young man, seeing her for the first time, seemed able to pierce through every veil of mist. At last she understood what Tang Lici sought from her. At last she understood why he yearned for a love that would “die for him.” At last she understood why, though he treated her so well, she had never felt he loved her—and why did it always left her so disappointed.
So…
So that was it.
Only that, and nothing more.
She broke down and wept, collapsing to the ground in anguish. He had wanted only a mother who would die for him. And she—she had mistaken it all along.
She could never be his mother. And though she had cared for him with all her heart, still… still… what he longed for was only a mother, nothing else, nothing beyond.
Thank you for lending us your insight. I really loved how they wove the schools of thought together with historical…
If we look at the Hundred Schools of Thought, the Mohist school founded by Mo Di is the school that I would have considered the only possibly better option for China instead of Confucianism. The Analects of Confucius holds at least one other anecdote I don't agree with, for multiple reasons. I believe you might agree on this.
Yes, Teng Ping abandoned this novel for more than ten years and left it unfinished, before it was adapted for the drama. I question whether she had written herself into a corner with Tang Lici, because he is interesting from a psychological perspective as a protagonist. There is a section of the unfinished novel that I previously quoted much earlier on this page for more than one viewer, because they were picking up on certain vibes while curious about what possibly appears to be a one-sided romance.
Throughout the airing of this drama, I have been careful with my words when it comes to romance. I claim there is no CP, and this drama page has no romance tag. I state Tang Lici has chemistry with many characters, so you can ship whoever you want with him. I also state the producers skilfully walked a thin line pleasing three factions, including the no-romance faction which I belong to. I did not state that the no-romance faction would be satisfied because amongst such viewers, some would be frustrated at what is perceived as weakening the drama. I was satisfied because Tang Lici eventually learns what truly matters and what does not. Romantic love falls into the latter category for him.
The section of the unfinished novel which I chose not to quote until the drama finished airing is quite revealing, and actually enables the viewer to understand much better how and why certain episodes turned out the way they did, including Tang Lici's character. The directors and screenwriters were clearly aware of the unfinished material of the novel. Fans of a certain actress plus those wanting a CP and romance are not fans and will not be fans of this section (under spoiler tag below):
I won't lie A'Shei was not as "useless" people seem to perceive her. She was every smart, seemed to understood…
Considering Ye Mo's personality and the loopholes I couldn't reconcile for this version of A-Shui in this drama (which other viewers also noticed), episode 35 is the best one can do for her character. But it doesn't close the loopholes indicating her inclusion in the script is problematic and comes across as a questionable inclusion pertaining to massive edits or not even being a secondary consideration, unlike the other female characters.
What puzzles me is how more than a month after the drama finished airing and despite multiple viewers on this page having finished rewatching "Whispers of Fate" (such as you, me and suzuko_d_law), I would expect anyone who has been posting comments before the airing of this drama and throughout the airing of this drama to have finished watching this drama.
Even if such MDL users choose not to finish watching this drama and are stuck at episode 21 because they cannot handle Tang Lici having chemistry and confiding details to other female characters from episode 23 onwards, blatantly lying and misleading new international viewers is a terrible way of attempting to deal with offline issues in their personal life. Such people should take my previous advice and seek professional help.
Just watched the trailer … and I can’t express how excited I am to watch Luo Yunxi in a dark, suspenseful…
With the likes of Jiang Qilin and Liu Ya-se strengthening the entire cast, and Zhuang Xuanwei as the main screenwriter (he's known for directing this investigative crime drama: https://kisskh.at/686045-danger-zone), it's possibly going to be more than I hope for :)
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There's no spoilers for a season finale in Season 4 because there is zero political intrigue tied to the main plot of palace politics in Season 3. Season 5 is where it seems the political intrigue is inevitable. Season 4 nicely leads into Season 5, but also allows the viewer to loop back and watch Season 1.
This makes the origins, unlikability and growth of each team member in Season 1 become more acceptable and appreciated. I couldn't emotionally resonate with any characters except Su Wuming several episodes in, which is why I paused SToTD for this long. SToTD season 1 is (mostly) institutionally and historically accurate, but I did not like Xijun or Lu Lingfeng until late in Season 1 even though I understood their portrayals were correct. I also found the acting for Yingtao to be wooden and one-dimensional. If I stuck all this in a review and according to what I assess, SToTD season 1 overall ratings for me is 7 to 7.5 maximum.
Where I would differ with you is only on Plot and Acting. I'd give plot 6.5 or7, and acting as 6.5 or 7.
I don't know how we're going to put everything in there, but I'm sure you'll figure it out, when you do :)
Thank you for your dedication in always updating us about these details.
And if you are interested in taking a look at the episode summary for episodes 8 to 12 (whereby I include certain details from the novel, Buddhism, and other little bits about Tang Lici and Puzhu): https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24006850
I wish to add this video about 罗云熙出演的20部影视剧全解析，暴瘦之下的爆火！(comes with English subs) compiling his earliest efforts in the entertainment industry before the advent of his latest dramas SLY and The Truth Within, touching on 20 of his dramas and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0-e2iYUEDw
Lin Yun does not appear to have any good dramas or movies in her filmography, ever since she debuted in that Stephen Chow movie which made her famous. Why else would someone claiming to be a fan of Lin Yun continuously go on about the A-Shui role in such a dishonest manner on this drama page, even after this drama has finished airing for more than a month?
I must point out that A-Shui being primarily promoted as a romance target for this drama by that troll for so many weeks comes across as the ultimate disrespectful objectification of a female being reduced solely and primarily as worthy only because of a man. Is this person actually a Lin Yun fan, reducing her significance and filmography to a 7th-ranked character in a drama as a romance object, whereby this drama has no CP and no romance tag understandably because the producers said way before the airing that this is a heroism-focused drama?
I blocked one of her sockpuppet accounts after she attacked me for praising Chen Yao as Xifang Tao. I haven't forgotten the rotten eggs account attacking Jeremy Tsu's character as Gui Mudan when episode 14 aired, or the jerkopus08 account calling me names and laughably going on about Renegade Immortal while failing badly on stats. There are also other sockpuppet accounts, given how they seem to all follow a script attacking other users. I now wonder: Does MDL allow someone to use multiple sockpuppet accounts to harass other users such as myself?
I believe the troll needs to see a psychiatrist to diagnose any psychological factors, personality disorders, neurological issues and/or compulsive behaviour. Pathological lying is fundamentally unhealthy in multiple ways, such as claiming A-Shui was the most talked-about character while the drama aired when the statistics show she was mostly ignored.
If it wasn't for the melodrama created by the troll misleading others on this page while relentlessly attacking and deliberately insulting many viewers for expressing different views, there would be hardly any discussions about A-Shui on this page.
As it stands, fortunately a lot of people were clearly interested in many aspects of the drama and wonderful conversations occurred, despite the ridiculous bullying that took place over so many weeks.
Technically we need more than 40 episodes, if we are keeping all the current characters. It would still be possible to keep this story well-told within 40 episodes with strong characterisation connecting well, but some restructuring would have to happen.
IMHO, the biggest fundamental issue of this drama is having too many characters so when I finished watching this drama for the second time, this is the discussion thread which ensued after I summarised what I would alter (including two characters I would remove):
https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24390346
Teng Ping abandoned this novel for more than 10 years and left it unfinished because she didn't like it, and then picked it up again to finish after the novel was adapted for the drama. Here's a summary of what happened, according to Azure:
https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24292802
There's certain vibes that more than one viewer picked up on as per Tang Lici's behaviour, so I helpfully provided a section of a chapter from the unfinished novel (unlike the novel, the drama wonderfully fulfils Tang Lici's yearning to know a certain someone):
https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24289410
The official OST with some instrumentals are here clocking in at approximately 1 hour 15 minutes (if you can access bilibili):
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1B61ZB3EJC/
Tracklist:
[ 《水龙吟》影视原声大碟
00:00 张靓颖/刘宇宁 - 不沐春风不遇你 (主题曲)
04:24 黄子弘凡 - 骊龙吟 (片头曲)
07:14 苏见信(信) - 临风吟 (插曲)
12:00 Faye 詹雯婷 - 从此以后 (插曲)
16:11 严艺丹 - 与你发烫的时光 (插曲)
19:53 黛青塔娜 - 春声碎 (插曲)
24:31 者来女 - 于何处 (插曲)
28:19 吴翊之 - 念水谣 (插曲)
33:01 都智文 - 与你 (插曲)
37:05 萨吉 - 与你 (插曲)
41:09 罗云熙 - 一往 (唐俪辞人物曲)
45:28 肖顺尧 - 留半 (沈郎魂人物曲)
49:17 敖子逸 - 江湖此时 (池云人物曲)
52:58 方逸伦 - 难言 (柳眼人物曲)
56:24 包上恩 - 烈风吟 (钟春髻人物曲)
01:00:15 陈瑶 - 夭夭之花 (西方桃人物曲)
01:04:19 林允 - 不说 (阿谁人物曲)
01:08:30 徐正溪 - 何谓人 (鬼牡丹人物曲)
01:11:55 谢彬彬 - 如果我说我没错 (余负人人物曲) ]
Enjoy!
Having grown up in this industry, she's been trained and learning from some of the best directors across more than 10 years since she was a kid. She was 16 when she acted opposite Luo Yunxi as Shui Duopo for this drama. After that, she moved on to FL roles, including her first FL in a serious movie alongside Ao Ziyi that aired in November 2024. Her first FL in a serious drama is with Youku, which should air in first-half of 2026. She's filming for two other dramas that should air in Q4 of 2026. Viewers took note of her striking performance in "The Double" of June 2024, next to Wu Jinyan. Comedy is not something every artist can do, but she nailed it with Bai Shu in this drama.
All in all, she's earned her stripes to go from supporting cast to FL :)
Also, your reaction is understandably normal. You might start to question how and why certain details appear the way they do. I had to talk some people (all fellow mandarin-speakers) into continuing the drama due to the role you're going on about, because they couldn't stand what they considered to be abysmal acting and emoting, they still didn't see the point of that one's storyline and by the end of the series, remained with the same conclusions yet enjoyed the drama greatly.
Some people also like A-Shui, such as the viewer who replied to you and is still stuck at episode 21 due to not yet finishing the drama (she once thanked me for my summaries otherwise she claimed she couldn't figure out whether to finish) while using multiple sockpuppet accounts to troll this page, attack users who praise other female characters and especially mislead users into believing she has watched this drama to the end. I would like people to encourage each other to watch different dramas and explain why it is worth giving another actor or actress a shot at watching their drama. This specific viewer's behaviour has been maliciously damaging to the drama page by driving away viewers during the airing of the drama.
All the melodrama we have suffered on this drama page is because she as a diehard Lin Yun fan brought other Lin Yun fans to this page and misled them into believing in a CP and two-way romance. The rest of us have been happy to have various viewers expound on what they like, but the underhanded viciousness of elevating a 7th-billed supporting character into a lead role to mislead new viewers as the primary factor of this drama has been nothing short of ridiculous and shockingly dishonest. Ever since the drama finished airing in late November, she is mostly talking to herself on this page throughout December via her sockpuppet accounts because nobody on this page wants to interact with her except any clueless new viewers.
She also bullied at least three viewers who have claimed this drama is heroism-focused on this page way before the drama aired. She has also been presenting misleading data on this page, hence other viewers have refuted her.
Given she is someone who has been on this drama page for more than a year before the drama aired, yet unable to finish watching? I don't believe she is a Luo Yunxi fan, which she also attempted to convince others on his MDL actor page.
If it helps, the data available overwhelmingly points to the conclusion that several other characters (especially Tang Lici) are what enables this drama's success. This drama has been so successful that it smashed a lot of records, and was also nominated for CPOP 2026:
https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146888-shui-long-yin-whispers-of-fate-3weeks-post-svip-finale-achievements
The latest is China Rating (CVB issuer) 2025 year-end drama review, on Shui Long Yin, based on this article:
China Video Big Data (CVB) 2025 Domestic TV Drama Ratings Report
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YFpPRPj8Cn9dTc1wT7Skgg
Here is kwanto's explanation: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24601830
Our data master kwanto and other viewers shared many posts throughout the airing of this drama, because there were trolls trying to bring down this drama by insisting Yunhe was reliable while also misrepresenting data from other sources.
Enjoy Whispers of Fate! Feel free to ask any questions :)
https://asianmoviepulse.com/2019/10/series-review-mpd-psycho-2000-by-takashi-miike/
Hope the BGM will be tasteful (meaning at least key the suspense to max, and don't OD on songs).
Try not to binge everything within a week :p
This is what happens with too much SLY on the brain XD
My favourite song for the entire drama is the OP《驪龍吟》by 黃子弘凡 in lyrics and sound, and the official MV for it almost perfectly illustrates why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K15ALeIyxkg
The stats have been outstanding, and kwanto was busy sharing them across so many comments that I should probably start a collection on the forum post already created:
https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146888-shui-long-yin-whispers-of-fate-3weeks-post-svip-finale-achievements
More than a month ago, I remember someone on this page claiming Maoyan is an outlier for views, while Yunhe and Kuyun are most trusted sources. Then there were the repeated Douban claims for credibility. At least from all the earlier comments (some of which is comedy gold), people can see who knows what they are talking about versus which accounts are blowing smoke out of their asses.
As of 2 December, #4 on Maoyan’s annual chart after garnering more than 1.8 billion views within 39 days of broadcasting makes “Whispers of Fate” the fastest-moving entry of 2025 to move up the Maoyan chart. As of 6 December, exceeded 4.9 billion views on MangoTV’s front-end broadcast statistics. According to CSM data, 2.838 billion views were reached across all platforms. Despite newly-completing airing, not long after"Whispers of Fate" received nomination for CPOP 2026 (only other two dramas within these 3 years to be recognised and nominated were “Joy of Life” and “Till The End Of The Moon”).
I have to quote some of these details from kwanto's amazing summary (full details at the original comment): https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24438088
[ Rating China (CVB), the most authoritative rating body in China has issued an article praising SLY title
A Madman and a Hero: A Fated Song of Destiny, A Game of Chess in the Martial World, and a Righteousness for All Living Beings — Why "Water Dragon Chant" Becomes a New Benchmark for Hunan TV's Costume Dramas
(only capturing its performance on Hunan TV and Mango TV excluding MIGU)
Highlight:
• CSM data, SLY reached 2.838 billion views across all media platforms. TTL viewing hours is 384M hours (Note the also from Rating China report from 2024 the highest was 225M hours aired on CCTV8)
• TLC is the core key to retaining the audience. Luo Yunxi accurately grasped the balance between the character's "divinity and chivalry," perfectly blending his "number one in the world" arrogance, his decisiveness in the face of enemies, and the chivalrous spirit hidden in his heart.
• SLY achieved deep cultural export. American netizens praised CGI as "comparable to Marvel," while German and Brazilian netizens were captivated by the character designs and costume aesthetics, forming a closed loop of overseas dissemination: "watching the series - researching historical facts - secondary creation."
• Age 25-44 account for more than half, other age groups is relatively balanced. Bachelor degree or above account for nearly 30%. Viewers prefer the emotional bonds and the thrill of redemption in the drama, its rigorous logic of power struggles in the martial arts world and its profound sense of destiny. ]
And one more thing about CPOP, also from kwanto: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24449484
[ From early 2025 until now, CCTV and Rating China have chosen ONLY Shui Long Yin. In fact, SLY is their first nominated IP among drama, film, game, and other categories, is incredible. These two facts are the most authoritative and explosive. Gov officials know the real data domestic and international. After all, China Mobile, as SLY’s largest investor, has all the accurate data.
TTOETM aired when there is no traffic actor competition, SLY had 5 traffic competition at the same time, in winter of TV drama. Government realize the strength. ]
I appreciate you and others trying to share data and explain details, especially to arrogant ignoramuses. kwanto knocked it out of the ballpark, by also adding to what you, Levi_Nyein and HwaBinturong initially shared.
The exchange in episode 35 was so wonderfully conveyed. I had a lot of emotional sand in my eyes because Tang Lici met the most important woman in his life, and he never wanted to let go. But she taught him why letting go was necessary, in showing him the most unconditional love of all. That is also why she is the final person whom he thought of, near the end of episode 40.
In this case, what I found interesting was not that she was a sacrificial womb, but how her son also gave her and everyone else a second chance by embodying the love she gave him.
Tang Lici was abandoned by his creator, and given a second life by the creative team of SLY. And in this second life, he gave second chances to everyone.
He wanted to believe what Fang Zhou taught, but coming to terms with certain beliefs was very difficult for him. Not growing up with a reliable mother figure tends to lead to poorer emotional regulation plus trust issues. While I was watching the drama, I picked up on his emotional growth as equivalent to an adolescent when Fang Zhou died, within the first five episodes. By the time of the drama in episode 1, I saw Tang Lici as the equivalent of an emotional teenager even if he is an adult man.
I believe I did not read Tang Lici wrongly because when I was dissecting Tang Lici and Puzhu for episodes 8 to 12, Puzhu's scenes near the end of episode 36 had me amused that my earlier dissections also partially tongue-in-cheek appeared to be on-point.
Remember Wanyu Yuedan? From Book 4, Chapter 40 (part 3):
[ “Be at ease. Master Tang has already gone.” Wanyu Yuedan bent low, clasping her hand with a steady, reassuring smile.
Ah Shui froze. At those words, the world seemed to reel around her. “He… he’s already gone?”
Wanyu Yuedan inclined his head. “As soon as he awoke and learned you had led Brother Shen and Zhu Yan to storm Wangting Manor, he set out at once. Do not fear. With Master Tang there, none will come to harm.”
She stared at him.
“But… his health…” Her voice trembled.
Wanyu Yuedan raised a finger and traced a small circle beside his temple, still smiling gently. “It was merely agitation. I gave him a calming draught, and he drank the rice soup you made. Already he is better than before. Rest assured, when Master Tang is present, he will never allow anyone to be hurt. He is the kind of man who will stake his very life for others. And with his ability… tell me, what can he not achieve, once he throws his life into it?”
Ah Shui gazed at Wanyu Yuedan in a daze. How could he speak with such certainty—so matter-of-factly—when he said that Tang Lici was the kind of man who will stake his life for others?
“He…”
Wanyu Yuedan drew out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the mud and melted snow from her face. His voice was gentle as he went on,”I once knew another man who would risk his life for those who had nothing to do with him. He did so out of compassion. He was kind to everyone, wished happiness for all, and for that ideal he was willing to stake his life. A man like that is easy to love, easy to praise.
“But Young Master Tang is not like that. He risks his life for others not because of compassion, but because he is fragile.”
Ah Shui blinked slowly. Meltwater pooled at the corners of her eyes, turning everything into a blur. She heard Wanyu Yuedan’s voice, gentle as falling snow:
“He is too lonely, too starved for care. That is why he throws himself into saving others. Through saving them… he gains a sliver of fulfillment, a sense that he matters. He could not let go of Fang Zhou, nor of Liu Yan, and he fought desperately to save Chi Yun—because so few have ever truly cared for him. The ones who do, he engraves upon his heart, and he cannot bear to let them slip away.
“But few truly understand him. His emotions flare too fiercely, and most people are afraid of him. He always seems as though he alone can shoulder the work of dozens, even hundreds. As though if he exists, others need not. Yet the truth is otherwise. He is only too lonely. He needs that lofty posture… because he longs so desperately to be cared for, to be valued. He cannot live as ordinary men do.”
I… I have been so foolish all along. Tears slid down Ah Shui’s cheeks. “Yes…”
Wanyu Yuedan sighed softly. “I will say something I perhaps should not. Miss Ah Shui, you cannot go on without truly understanding Master Tang. I believe the reason he clings to you is not for any other cause, but because you… you carry within you something of a mother’s presence.”
Once again, tears spilled from Ah Shui’s eyes. She could no longer tell whether they were caused by snowmelt or sadness.
“I understand now.”
This gentle young man, seeing her for the first time, seemed able to pierce through every veil of mist. At last she understood what Tang Lici sought from her. At last she understood why he yearned for a love that would “die for him.” At last she understood why, though he treated her so well, she had never felt he loved her—and why did it always left her so disappointed.
So…
So that was it.
Only that, and nothing more.
She broke down and wept, collapsing to the ground in anguish. He had wanted only a mother who would die for him. And she—she had mistaken it all along.
She could never be his mother. And though she had cared for him with all her heart, still… still… what he longed for was only a mother, nothing else, nothing beyond.
And she… she could never be his mother. ]
Here are two sites: https://qianjiemei.wordpress.com/2025/09/05/chapter-40-brokenhearted-unto-despair-part-3/
https://mydramanovel.com/shui-long-yin/chapter-40-heartbroken-to-the-point-of-death-03/
I also share the mandarin link: https://www.kanunu8.com/book5/1000jiemei/17467.html
As to details pertaining to Gui Mudan and Liu Yan and the server, I'll answer your other comment for several details.
I was also a bit surprised to find such interest in Mohism on Medium, but it's a good surprise: https://medium.com/time-chronicles/mozi-the-radical-philosopher-who-challenged-ancient-chinas-status-quo-d006756a369c
Yes, Teng Ping abandoned this novel for more than ten years and left it unfinished, before it was adapted for the drama. I question whether she had written herself into a corner with Tang Lici, because he is interesting from a psychological perspective as a protagonist. There is a section of the unfinished novel that I previously quoted much earlier on this page for more than one viewer, because they were picking up on certain vibes while curious about what possibly appears to be a one-sided romance.
Throughout the airing of this drama, I have been careful with my words when it comes to romance. I claim there is no CP, and this drama page has no romance tag. I state Tang Lici has chemistry with many characters, so you can ship whoever you want with him. I also state the producers skilfully walked a thin line pleasing three factions, including the no-romance faction which I belong to. I did not state that the no-romance faction would be satisfied because amongst such viewers, some would be frustrated at what is perceived as weakening the drama. I was satisfied because Tang Lici eventually learns what truly matters and what does not. Romantic love falls into the latter category for him.
The section of the unfinished novel which I chose not to quote until the drama finished airing is quite revealing, and actually enables the viewer to understand much better how and why certain episodes turned out the way they did, including Tang Lici's character. The directors and screenwriters were clearly aware of the unfinished material of the novel. Fans of a certain actress plus those wanting a CP and romance are not fans and will not be fans of this section (under spoiler tag below):
What puzzles me is how more than a month after the drama finished airing and despite multiple viewers on this page having finished rewatching "Whispers of Fate" (such as you, me and suzuko_d_law), I would expect anyone who has been posting comments before the airing of this drama and throughout the airing of this drama to have finished watching this drama.
Even if such MDL users choose not to finish watching this drama and are stuck at episode 21 because they cannot handle Tang Lici having chemistry and confiding details to other female characters from episode 23 onwards, blatantly lying and misleading new international viewers is a terrible way of attempting to deal with offline issues in their personal life. Such people should take my previous advice and seek professional help.