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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Beautiful Scenes and Beautiful Cast
Well the STORY was good.. so Im giving it a 9.5.. everything was beautiful, the story made sense even tho some scenes were abit cringe but nonetheless.. it didnt take away anythingThe ACTING was superb.. every character killed their respective roles, was it me or was the cast crying almost every second ? that amount of tears.. I mean they delivered, and carried the emotions and made it so real.. I called them the Crying Squad ?
The MUSIC was awesome.. the OSTs are still lingering in my head, the scenes and the music matched the emotions so well you just couldnt help but cry as well..
I would rewatch some scenes just to see ZYZs eyes ? that man has the most beautiful eyes.. otherwise I dont repeat dramas.
So overall we giving it a 9..
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stunning visual effects...
Ufff... this drama is easily one of the best I’ve watched this year in terms of costumes and visual effects! Not saying the story and acting were bad or anything, but the costumes and visuals, Absolutely superb.Now, about the drama itself, it’s a perfect blend of romance, ambition, and the darker side of human nature. It’s packed with love, betrayal, hate, and everything in between. The ML’s transformation from a charming but flawed character to someone hardened by ambition is so captivating, even though it’ll leave you questioning his choices. And the FL, She’s got this mix of strength and vulnerability that makes you root for her, even when things get rough.
The pacing keeps you hooked, and the production quality is on another level. The visuals, combined with a haunting soundtrack, really bring the story to life. That said, there are moments when the drama gets a bit too melodramatic, but honestly, it’s a small price to pay for such an engaging watch.
If you’re into stories that make you feel all the emotions...... love, heartbreak, and even a little frustration,,,,,, Fangs of Fortune is definitely worth your time. It’s not just about love or ambition; it’s about how far people will go to achieve their dreams and what they lose along the way. A solid watch, for sure!
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This review may contain spoilers
My Favorite Fantasy CDrama this Year!!!
The show has ended and I still haven’t gotten over the wild vibes!Guo Jing Ming’s directorial always have a set tapestry- the characters are as queer as they can and the cinematography is at another level. With sumptuous locales and luxurious settings, he always commands stories that will take up every minute of your existence. His characters are so endearing, that you wish to join them on their journeys. It could be a 34000 years old Great Demon, who is both hilarious and flirtatious, a proficient Demon Hunter from an illustrious family line, reserved and highly disciplined, a Goddess from the Wilderness, who is sweet, frail yet courageous, an erstwhile Commander of the Martial Camp whose only concern is protecting the said Goddess, a childlike physician who loves to scream and a Mountain God who loves to cook. The similarity between them- they all love each other and are a huge family. The storyline wraps these characters tightly into a bond that is unbreakable and unbelievably strong.
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/11/19/fangs-of-fortune-series-review/#more-1336
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Hou Ming Neo’s talent and vision as an Actor
Hou Ming Neo’s *Fangs of Fortune* is a remarkable drama that captivates audiences with its gripping storyline, powerful performances, and profound emotional depth. From start to finish, the drama weaves a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.The strength of the drama lies in its complex characters and their compelling relationships. Neo has masterfully created protagonists and antagonists who are layered, relatable, and memorable. Their struggles, triumphs, and moral dilemmas are portrayed with such authenticity that audiences are drawn deeply into their journeys.
Neo’s ability to immerse readers in a richly detailed world stands out. The setting feels alive, and his attention to detail makes every scene cinematic and impactful. Furthermore, the themes woven throughout the story—loyalty, ambition, and the pursuit of one’s destiny—resonate deeply, leaving readers both entertained and contemplative.
Visually, *Fangs of Fortune* is stunning, with meticulous attention to set design and cinematography that enriches the storytelling. Every frame is crafted to immerse the audience in a world of suspense, beauty, and intensity.
Overall, *Fangs of Fortune* is a testament to Hou Ming Neo’s talent and vision as an Actor. It’s an extraordinary drama that leaves a lasting impression, and it deserves every bit of the praise it has garnered. A true masterpiece!
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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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"Fangs of fortune- A tale of strength, sacrifice and heroic battle"
Why I loved it so much :1. A perfect mix of genres: The drama delivers on every front—romance, friendship, feel-good moments, thrill, action, comedy, drama, and tragedy. It’s a rare balance that caters to multiple tastes.
2. Depth in storytelling: While the pace is slow, it’s deliberate. Each subplot is crafted to fill gaps and tie loose ends, creating a deeply harmonious narrative.
3. Impressive cinematography: The framing, camera angles, and techniques used are absolutely top-notch, elevating the viewing experience.
4. High-quality VFX: The visual effects are clean, realistic, and immersive. The editing team truly deserves credit for making the fantasy elements believable.
5. Exquisite set design: The attention to detail in the sets is breathtaking. The Demon Hunting Bureau, in particular, stands out as a masterpiece of design.
6. Talented cast: Almost every actor delivered stellar performances. While one or two might not have fit their roles visually, their acting made up for it.
7. Memorable background music: The combat music and other tracks are beautifully composed, reminiscent of the enchanting vibes from Love Between Fairy and Devil.
8. Dancing in the ending soundtrack .. I know I am weird to like a show for this ..but seriously it was quite refreshing to see the cast dancing to their show's soundtrack ... The steps were easy I am dancing you should try it as well ;)
About the cast
Neo hou as Zhao yuanzhou:
Neo Hou is the one who introduced me to the world of C-Dramas, starting with Being Back from the Brink, my very first Chinese drama. He has never let me down. His charm, brilliant acting, mischievous expressions, spot-on comedic timing, and calming smile—everything about his character in this show was a delight to watch.
Zhuo Yichen : a warrior who is strong-willed, righteous, kind, compassionate, funny, and deeply tragic. Tian Jia portrayed this fascinating character with remarkable justice.
Li lun: more of an anti-hero than a villain, carries a strong sense of justice and a deep kindness for his people. This character added significant depth and complexity to the leads' role .. and the actor (yan an) playing it was more beautiful than the FL herself ? ? ❤️❤️ I am in love with him.
Pei Shijing: the Demon Huntress, is a character with a tsundere quality that suits Cheng Xiao’s poker-face expressions perfectly. Watching her evolve as an actress has been impressive. From her flat expressions and character in Falling Into Your Smile to portraying a compassionate, graceful fighter in this drama, Cheng Xiao has truly come a long way.
Bai jiu : a timid, funny and cute kid ..played by lester lin ... This child actor is so damn talented he played two completely contrasting characters ( bai jiu and li lun) so effortless.. very impressive ..it hard to believe he delivered such outstanding performance at the age of just 13 years old
The parts where this show lacked appeal
1) Wen Xiao : I don't like lame/sickly/weak/useless/low IQ FLs at all I mean I can’t think of a single thing that would have changed if she weren’t part of the story. She was utterly useless—couldn’t fight, fall before someone even slapped her.The so-called goddess was the biggest liability—completely useless—while so many others died, one after another, paying the ultimate price to save the world. I hated her character even more after jiu died. Even a child gave his life heroically to save the world, yet she selfishly clung to her life like
it held more value than anyone else’s. While others bore the weight of impossible choices,sacrificed themselves in secret, including the child who quietly fulfilled his duty and died
,she had the audacity to pretend she’d do the same. All for what? So others would stop her, convince her to live, and throw their lives away instead. She wasn’t a goddess; she was a parasite, feeding off the heroism of those who deserved far better.
Not up my alley ...SORRYYYY !!
2) tiresome climax and depressing ending . . If the outcome is going to be as the past (like that of ling long and bingyi's) why would you write a new story in the first place. I kept anticipating they will bring a different outcome but .. well!! I don't know what else to say.
3) actress playing FL is good ..her acting was amazing but in some episode I felt like she is looking too mature for the role for example when they went to kulun episode 15 .. though her demoness was quite seducing and bold I liked her more in that role.
The show is worth every praise and more .. is the reason why I write such a comprehensive review.
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too dama slow
the speed of this show is unwatchablw slow. very nice costumes and pretty actors, but the pace of their conversation or plot is ridiculously boring. good luck to whoever can stay awake. please write a recap. i would gladly read it than watch on tv.sigh. i cant submit a review without 500 words. what i like about the show is the costumes. the main fl outfit is so pretty. her martial arts is basic, yet she is highly regarded in the buraue of demon hunting. the main male lead moves his finger and everything either explode or falls down. the second me lead has a puzzle look on his face all the time, not much emotion from his cheekbone. the sexond female lead looks fierce and awesome, its just she doesnt do anything fierce or awesome. nice combat costume though. the prodigy med kid stole the show with his funny stunts and scene. he would doqell with a show of his own.
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2024 cdramas endings are just....too soul shattering!
"Fangs of Fortune is a captivating fantasy historical drama that follows Zhu Yan, an age old demon as he joins the demon-hunting bureau to help capture the various demons that have escaped into the human realm. This chaos ensues after the disappearance of the Bai Ze Order, which was responsible for maintaining the balance between the human and demon worlds following the tragic death of the Bai Ze goddess. With demons now running rampant, the formation of the demon-hunting squad becomes crucial.
Throughout the story, Zhu Yan meets a diverse group of characters, and together they confront the challenges posed by these escaped demons. The plot is intriguing and exciting, and I appreciate how the narrative weaves multiple storylines without spoiling the overall experience. Each subplot contributes to the main narrative, introducing a wealth of interesting characters along the way. The acting is good; most of the characters have managed to deliver subtle yet impactful performances that enhance the overall storytelling.
The interactions among the characters are fascinating to watch, showcasing their amazing chemistry. I particularly enjoy the random comedy moments sprinkled throughout the show; while they might seem off-putting to some, I find them timely and essential for lightening the mood. The drama itself is visually stunning, with beautiful aesthetics, impressive cinematography, and captivating CGI. The costume designs for the various characters are equally remarkable. All of this is complemented by upbeat soundtracks and soothing background music that enhance the viewing experience."
The ending to me was foreshadowed Ofcourse I didn't expect the writer to go on a killing spree but I sort of saw it coming...that aside...this drama was good.....the plot, the acting the visually appealing cast, the characters and the bonds and chemistry between the characters the visually appealing aethestics...the cgi and more..this drama was a whole package but the ending traumatized me.
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This review may contain spoilers
???
One of my many reason why I watched thus drama is because like the actors. Most of my fav actors acted in this drama, like Zhang Miao Yi, Cheng Xiao and Tian Jia Rui. At the start, I felt like it was a comedy show, but later on, the plot started to reveal itself and it had become clear it’s a BE. Not to disappoint, it is a BE? starting from ep 8-9. I was CRYING because of how sad the brother and sister relationship and sacrifices. At the end, bai jiu sacrifice himself and so the zhao yuan zho? I WAS BAWLING MY EYES OUT BRO. THE ACTING OF CRYING WAS SO TOUCHING????? I would say I would rewatch it if I want to watch it sad show?. The visual of the case is so good too! MUSIC IS ON TOP! I learned the dance to it!!! BE is better then OE so I’m not complaining but I really wished it to be a HE. The title of this drama also revealed the ending would be a BE. 大梦归离，the Chinese top translating it means “big dreams belong end” explaining that zhao yuan zhous big dream has to come to an end. The lovelyness of being with a huge group of friends felt like a dream. This isn’t a dream but feels like a dream, sadly whatever that has to do with dreams belongs to an end. This is predicting a BE… (HE meaning is Happy ending, BE means Bad ending/Sad ending, OE means opening ending)Was this review helpful to you?
Original and Fresh
I just finished the last episode of Fangs of Fortune and I wanted to write this quickly before everything in my head melted away. This is one of those dramas that will remain in my head for days. I loved almost everything about this drama. I gave a lower score on the story because I think the movie got caught up in relationships and moral messages more than actually completing any real "overall objective". There was purpose to each action, but the story tended to stray a bit into several story lines. I am not complaining. Each story had a relevance of its own. The acting was so flawless. Everyone of the actors, even a few that had outlandish personalities, remained solidly in there character; enough to make it somewhat truthful to the audience. Actors, costumes, sets, sound, CGI.... everything top notch. The music was better than any other C production I have seen, including all genres. It wasn't that I was a fan of the style of music, but that if fit each scene perfectly. It matched the mood of each scene. Whoever wrote most of the songs chose perfect lyrics as well. The only thing I would like to have seen a bit less of were flashbacks. Whever something "emotionally charged" happened on screen, we see flashbacks of poignant times they had with each other. I liked a few, but sometimes they went on for 5 minutes of screentime. I think it was to "wrench our hearts" even more than they were.I am not sure what the directors were hoping to achieve, but they made a movie that I will remember for a long time. I am sure I will go back and watch it again at some point. It is an emotional, thrilling, dazzling production. I would like to make a note that none of the crew mentioned under "cast and crew" took writing credits. I would love to know who wrote the drama and I will keep my eyes out for other works. I think they deserve credit for their wonderful effort. Please producers: I wouldn't be unhappy if you decided to somehow make a sequel. (he he)
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One of the best if it's your taste. ✨
I am willing to gloss over the awkward transitions and the somewhat rushed plots when it came to fixing the "stuffs" it all felt like plot convenience. The overly used illusions were somewhat tiring to watch but they did well to explain the difference between each occurrence though it was to us viewers just ... Same. ?When it comes to the usual criticism. I don't mind the quite whispering as a slow talker myself the slow talking didn't bother me Q.Q The overly used soundtracks were sometimes overwhelming but I quite like them so it's a pass. Well when it comes to the Female lead I was not annoyed nor displeased with her though some what frustrated with her passiveness in some scenes.
Point deduction for the visuals came from the ?? fight sequence which had pretty inconsistent quality compared to the other fight sequences. It was end game it should have been the best. To anyone who says that the entire drama's CGI is lacking I have no words maybe I am easily satisfied and this is visually just normal (can you see the sarcasm ?)
Another point is the filter they used kept changing so by the end of the drama all flashbacks have different filters on. ?
The low acting score is cut for the early episodes where baiju and ying lei were really animated. As the show went on it slowly shifting though. Furthermore out villain actor at end game was meh but maybe it's just his character being a meh character. Usually older actors I tend to praise as they tend to do better.
Finally I just want to say that. This drama is about:
Humans, demons, mortals, immortals , hot, cold, weak, strong, burdened and unburdened forming a bond each one different then the other. Each villain's story tells a tragic tale. Each episode draws the group of seemingly different individuals together. Forming a family and I love it with my dear heart. Surely gonna miss this one. I ain't asking for a second session cause the ending was enough for me. ❤️??
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