most well written drama I've seen this year
this the first time I've watched the wuxia genre and this show did not disappoint,things i liked:
1. world building
because this is the first time watching this genre i was afraid i wouldn't understand anything but even though this show didn't have an opening explaining all the lore the characters explained the world to other characters that didn't know ,which informed us the viewer which i really appreciated which really showed the effort the writers put into the world building of this show and also how much they respected the viewer to let us figure it out and by the end of the show i was really emersed into the world they build over the period the show aired.
2. cohesiveness
everything in this show fit together really well, the costuming fit every character really well and showed their personality without seeming out of place. something that i also liked is that the outfits repeated, in some dramas they would be changing the characters clothes every scene but the repeating of outfits further shows that there is a bit of realism in this unrealistic world. another thing that made the show a masterpiece is the Ost and score these were so well done the show wouldn't feel whole without them, in some dramas the music doesn't fit the emotion or scene but in this show they put so much effort into the score making it the Ost's instrumental and also it fit every important and even the insignificant beats of the story. the ost also brought out all the emotional parts of the story and amplified them making me go back and rewatch some scenes.
3. direction/cinematography
this show is so beautiful to look at i was speechless the scenes in the wilderness where breath taking and the way the show was directed is so well-done the crew did such a good job and it shows through out the entire body of work.( I'm trying to keep this review spoiler free so i wont go into too much details on this).
4. the characters/ the story
every character was well thought out and all the motives of every character were clear and most important thing for me when watching a drama is the character development because i hate it when a character remains stagnant throughout the whole show and then suddenly they change in the last ep, to do it well the growth has to be slow but apparent. i saw this in the second leads the way pei si jing developed throughout the show was so well written. and imo the best written character is zhou yi chen if you watch the show you see how much he changes and develops and a person, moreover the motives of the villains where clear and you as the viewer understand them its not like they were doing evil because the show needed and antagonist we knew the reason why they were doing these evil acts and we could anticipate them too which i liked, also on the topic of villains i liked that not everything was black and white and there where some grey characters like li lun who i understood why he did what he did and his character development throughout the show was so well-done you can see the confliction in him every time he did anything to zhao yuan zhuo. the supporting/background characters were also well written every time they showed a story the writers wrote them so well that you could even cry over them and also under stand their motives too and it the show all connected in the end in a way where every thing showed contributed to the ending so nothing was unimportant to the story.
5. the pacing
even though i saw many people say that the pacing of this story was slow paced, i think that was the right decision because i think that the pacing fit the story, because if it was any faster i think that i would have trouble following it and the pacing made the important beats of the story more impactful.
6. consistency
the biggest problem when watching comedy genres in dramas is that they always are super funny at first but when the climax of the story comes they become super melancholy and lose the shows initial charm but in this show they didn't the comedy remained throughout the show even after the sad parts and i very much liked that. and the found family and the dynamics between the characters were also consistent nothing happed that was out of character for them which i also really liked.
things i didn't like:
1. the female lead's character was a little neglected i could tell in the beginning of the show and i thought i should give the show more time and they did try to flesh her out a little more but i think they could have done a better job with her because in felt that the supporting characters were written better than her which is sad because she is the main lead.
2. the romance was lacking
i know some people would disagree with me but the main leads didn't have enough screen time together i felt the love between them but we didn't have enough time with them. and something else is that every body has so much chemistry with everybody i was getting confused at times like if you watched the show you could see it.
overall this may be the best drama I've seen this year the way it was created felt so well thought out and some people may not have liked the ending but I'm pretty content with it.
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I think i will go sit in a hole and cry now
wow. just wow. I don't even have any other words than that. This has to be one of my all time favorite shows i have ever watched. The acting is incredible. and the amount of times i cried while watching this show should be criminal. All the characters were so complex and so many of them I just felt for them. I just finished this show 5 minutes ago and im still crying my eyes out.If you don't like sad endings, then I probably wouldnt watch but it really is a masterpiece, so please give it a chance.
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One of my guilty pleasure this year
When I first heard of this drama, it had a lot of negative feedback. But I gave it a try because of Neo and Chen Duling, Dudu being I rewatched MLCB. I was blown away by the production and the beauty of the two main leads. However, as the story progressed I got captivated by the whole cast, they are a great actor. I’m ngl, the story is kind of mediocre but they are excellent actors so it got carried. I enjoyed this drama immensely. I laughed, I cried, I got super pissed, I felt so much giddiness between ZhaoYuanZhou and WenXiao, the bitterness because it makes me sad at the end. Some folks are bashing FoF because it only has 34 episodes and that it ended abruptly because of the low rating however the other drama w/c they comparing this with ended at 32 episodes. I am not sure about the rating but I will believe IQIYI, that it is popular and some sites that I will not be naming here, that it did well in China and received lots of love.With all this long review, I can only say that it was worth it and I rewatched it yesterday. I paid for the early access btw that’s how hooked I was in FoF
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Chef's Kiss??♥️
The story, acting, cast, background music, plot, and CGI—everything about this drama is absolutely outstanding! Each element is crafted to perfection, blending seamlessly to deliver an unforgettable experience. The acting is phenomenal, bringing depth and emotion to every scene, while the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish. The background score elevates the atmosphere, and the CGI is top-notch, adding stunning visuals. Love the drama Truly the best drama, a masterpiece in every sense!♥️Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Impressive Drama
I have really loved watching Fangs of Fortune, especially the characters played by Neo, Tian & Yanan. Their presence and chemistry was incredible. The child actor was also excellent and is a true talent. The only slight downside is that I didn’t really warm to the female leads, but that didn’t detract from my overall experience.I won’t spoil the plot for those who are yet to watch it, but suffice to say this story has a much deeper meaning about choice vs fate and because of that this drama will stay with me for a very long time.
The OST was beautiful, the script was incredible & impeccably executed and I laughed & cried in equal measure. For those who want to catch a deep drama with light and shade, this is for them.
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The most beautiful visuals
What a great watch, my eyes were so satisfied with this drama that I had to reflect before writing a review.Let's start with what I liked:
- the drama was filmed in such an amazing way the storyline became secondary. You can turn of the sound and just watch. The visuals were simply breathtaking. I liked especially the way the malicious energy was portrayed
- the actors are the definition of handsome. Every single demon was stunning.
- it was funny at moments and sad at others, I laughed and cried,
- some storylines are really beautifully sad, I do like that
- nothing to do with the drama, but I loved watching the cast dance at the end of the episodes, I always watched them until the end
But what did I like less?
- the storyline was just inexistant. The idea was great, with the demon seeking death teaming up with the demon hunters to save the wilderness, but no, it wasn't convincing at all. For example, whenever there was no issue someone came up with a line such as "ok, it's the end... but I heard of this item in that dangerous area, if we retrieve it we can save the situation", and they all went to get said item. It was just like in a video game, they got to fullfill missions and staggered along a plot without consistence.
- the tears were overdone. A tear, okay, people crying, all good, but during the last episodes it was just rivers of tears. The effect only lasts this long.
- I didn't like the OST that much, but that's just on me.
I can't say anything about the acting as the visuals did so much, I'm unable to say if it was the actors or the directors and his crew.
All in all, it's a drama I highly recommend, even though I didn't rate it that well. But those visuals are absolutely worth it!
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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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Wen Xiao, The Most Useless Main Lead
Spoiler alert: The plot of this drama is crappy and generally a mess. They killed the useful/enjoyable members of the gang and saved the useless main lead goddess. Wen Xiao could have stayed at home to avoid being liability and she's not even exceptionally smart. She's the most useless main lead I've witnessed by far. All she ever did is cry and cry and cry instead of helping her friends.Opinion: the main lead are Zhu Yan and Zhou Yi Chen.
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Worth to watch. The best cinematography and CGs.
I have been waiting for this drama since its trailer is released. The actings are superb especially Neo, ML. He is so different in here as he always acted bubbly characters. So it’s refreshing to see his another side. All actors and actresses have chemistry. No one is left out.As the story wise, FL is so weak (who doesn’t possess power if she doesn’t have tool) except her goddess identity, I don’t think she deserves FL position. She has her good points tho. She is calm, rational, doesn’t always stay on the side of humans, empathize on some good demons, not blinded by emotions and knows how to handle love and hate. Maybe that’s why she became FL. Love the actress tho. It’s Chen Duling’s acting skill that FL is not hated and too annoying to watch.
The best point is the scenes! This kind of cinematography, using dark tone is rare to see in Chinese dramas. CGs are so amazing.
The story is fast pacing, not boring and fun to watch. But a little hypocrite from the side of humans.
Recommended to watch this.
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Best drama I have watched so far
Everything about this drama is soo amazing , the ost is masterpiece, especially the ending OST . I love it so much that I listen to it on loop. Moreover the dance to the ending OST is choreographed by Cheng xiao herself , another reason to LOVE THISSSSSSS !!I love the story and the plot , at first I was reluctant but finished half drama over 2 days, the story kept me engaged throughout. The cinematography of the drama is WILDDDDD GUYSSS .
This drama should DESERVE THE HYPE , because it's damn good.
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it's a beautiful tragic history
The ending was very good, every detail extremely beautiful, I think it was very well placed and poetic. It didn't disappoint me. In the end I think the drama is 8.5/10, it was very good to watch and I liked that they didn't focus on romance but on a tragic story with remarkable characters.The bells part and the yichen and jiu arc were the most significant for me.
I think it was one of the best dramas this year and done very well. If you're looking for a story to get emotional, I recommend it.
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A feast for the eyes, epic tale not without flaws but worth it for the journey it will take you on
I was expecting a lot from this Chinese Wuxia drama : the fact that Tian Jia Rui had one of the main role in a series directed and written by the very talented director Edward Guo really hyped me. Overall, it successfully managed to keep up with my high expectations and likely set the bar super high for any other future Chinese wuxia drama I would watch.I loved the story thematic with the narration focusing a lot on the concept of dream and reality, it was truly an epic tale supported by an impressive production value. In the middle of a lot of action, mystery and investigation, the heart of the story is foremost about companionship and found family, as well as different kind of love. The evolution of the relationships between the characters (especially between the two main male leads but also with some of the secondary roles) was probably my favorite part of the show.
The costumes and the cinematography were impeccable. A real feast for the eyes, with a lot of details and superbly impactful. Every set felt so real, rich and purposeful with a minutiae that I rarely encountered. You can really feel the director vision and specific touch when watching the drama and that's something that completely fascinated me.
The acting was another strong point : the cast was pretty good with a great dynamic with each other. This for that matter can be witnessed in the ending generic of episodes which consists of them dancing together on a choreography on one of the main song of the drama. I was once again super impressed by Tian Jia Rui : he got even better than in "My Journey To You" despite the challenges inherent to his role, from "Didi to Gege", very different from his debut one. I got very attached to the main characters (and even some of the more minor ones) and it is a proof of the overall good performances of the ensemble cast. In addition to Tian Jia Rui, I will keep an eye on the future work of Neo Hou and Yan An. The acting of this trio was on point, together or separately in addition to be such eye-candy.
Of course, the series is not without flaws. I wish the lore and powers were more consistent and that there had been less magical objects conveniently appearing for the sake of the plot. I also found the shift in tones a bit jarring: especially in the introduction arc, there is some over-the-top humor that felt a bit flat and strange in the middle of the angsty parts. It fortunately got smoother and more balanced as the story unfolded. The script also took time to set up the stakes, with some situations and storylines being a bit repetitive in the first part of the series.
Other than that, some of the fight sequences lacked of rhythm and dynamism: they were all beautiful but sometimes to the detriment of the pacing (or even the logic) of the conflicts. Editing could also have been better regarding transition between scenes or even between episodes. The OST was quite good (with maybe one of the song being overused) but music was a bit abruptly inserted into some sequences. I'm pointing it out because all the remaining of the production was so flawless that those minor flaws were even more striking.
I would recommend this to people looking for a Chinese Wuxia drama with a super strong cinematographic vision and high production value, good acting and gripping story featuring different kind of love. Shift in tone was a bit unbalanced at first and introduction arc could have been better paced, but once the set up of the relationships between the characters is done, you are in for a captivating journey that will tug at your heartstrings.
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