Synopsis
Inspired by the ancient Chinese text The Classic of Mountains and Seas, Fangs of Fortune is a fantasy costume drama set during the Zhenyuan era. Following the unexpected death of the Bai Ze Goddess, who oversees the human and demon realms, the Bai Ze Order disappears, allowing demons to run rampant and causing a series of bloody murders in the human world.
Zhu Yan (Hou Minghao), the leader of the demons who has taken human form under the name Zhao Yuanzhou, voluntarily surrenders to the authorities and offers to help establish a demon-hunting bureau to restore order. He joins forces with Wen Xiao (Chen Duling), who remains suspicious of him, her childhood friend and skilled swordsman Zhuo Yichen (Tian Jiarui), the cold and capable archer Pei Sijing (Cheng Xiao), and the timid but talented physician Bai Jiu (Lin Ziye).
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Together, they form a demon-hunting team tasked with confronting supernatural creatures drawn from ancient Chinese mythology. As they investigate various cases, they gradually uncover the cruel truths behind the demons’ actions while confronting questions of loyalty, love, sacrifice, and the complicated relationship between humans and demons. Their mission becomes increasingly personal as they struggle to protect both realms and the people they care about.
Review
Fangs of Fortune
Stunning Visuals Undermined by an Unsatisfying Story
Fangs of Fortune delivers stunning visuals, beautiful costumes, solid performances, and heartwarming themes of family and friendship. However, its visual splendor is not matched by a strong storyline, compelling conflicts, or convincing character development. Despite its complex characters and unexpected twists, the drama becomes repetitive and gradually loses its appeal.
Good Stuff
- Stunning visuals, cinematography, costumes, and special effects.
- Solid performances and complex characters.
- Heartwarming themes of family, friendship, and humanity.
Bad Stuff
- A meandering plot with repetitive conflicts.
- Unconvincing character development and romantic relationships.
- Underwhelming action choreography and inconsistent comedy.
Following the success of My Journey to You, director Guo Jingming once again delivers a drama that bears his distinctive artistic signature. This time, he ventures into the xianxia genre with Fangs of Fortune, a series that looks breathtaking but struggles to match its visual ambition with equally compelling storytelling.
A Feast for the Eyes
The first thing that stands out about Fangs of Fortune is its extraordinary visual presentation. The cinematography, special effects, and soundtrack work together to create an immersive atmosphere that often feels closer to a feature film than a television drama.
The costumes, elaborate sets, and beautifully choreographed movements also give the series a distinctive identity. Its strong connection to traditional Chinese culture adds another layer of appeal, setting it apart from many other fantasy dramas.
The cast is another major attraction. Hou Minghao, Chen Duling, Tian Jiarui, Cheng Xiao, Lester Lin, and Xu Zhenxuan not only look the part but also deliver solid performances. The series also features familiar guest stars, including Peng Xiaoran, Riley Wang, Cheng Lei, Gulnezer Bextiyar, and Ai Mi, making its already impressive lineup even more appealing.
Watching Fangs of Fortune often feels like attending a grand visual exhibition. Nearly every scene seems carefully designed to create a striking image, from the characters’ elaborate costumes to the atmospheric settings and elegant action sequences.
Strong Performances and Complex Characters
One of the drama’s greatest strengths is its cast’s ability to bring emotional depth to their roles.
Hou Minghao and Chen Duling continue to demonstrate their acting abilities, delivering consistent performances as Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao. Tian Jiarui also takes on a character that differs considerably from the role that brought him widespread attention in My Journey to You, showing another side of his acting range.
Cheng Xiao is particularly noteworthy. Previously criticized for her restrained acting and limited facial expressions, she proves that a seemingly cold and stiff character can still convey considerable emotional complexity. As Pei Sijing, a former demon hunter whose personality appears rigid and detached, Cheng Xiao gradually reveals the layers of pain and emotion beneath the character’s controlled exterior.
The writing and direction deserve credit for allowing the actors to explore these nuances. Even the crying scenes are presented with a poetic quality, highlighting the performers’ ability to express grief and vulnerability while maintaining the drama’s carefully crafted visual aesthetic.
The character development is not equally successful across the board, however. The relationship between siblings Pei Sijing and Pei Heng is relatively convincing, while several other connections lack sufficient motivation or emotional grounding.
Bai Jiu’s admiration for Zhuo Yichen, for example, sometimes feels excessive given the limited explanation for the depth of his attachment. The central romance between Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao also fails to develop as convincingly as it could have. In comparison, the romantic relationships involving supporting characters, particularly those played by Peng Xiaoran and Riley Wang, as well as Ai Mi and Zuo Ye, often feel more natural and display stronger chemistry.
A Plot That Cannot Match Its Visual Ambition
Unfortunately, Fangs of Fortune’s greatest weakness lies in its storytelling.
The drama includes numerous twists and turns that keep the audience guessing. Its episode endings are also frequently effective, cutting off at moments of tension that encourage viewers to continue watching. These are qualities that initially make the series engaging.
However, the conflicts eventually become repetitive, with certain storylines seeming to circle back on themselves rather than develop meaningfully. The characters’ responses to the central threat are also occasionally baffling. With both the human and demon realms facing destruction, their reactions sometimes make the danger feel far less urgent than it should.
The problem extends to the development of the main characters. Despite being introduced as a powerful and experienced demon, Zhu Yan does not receive enough convincing moments to establish his superiority. His power is not always clearly distinguished from that of other characters, particularly Li Lun, whose presence can make Zhu Yan seem less impressive than the story intends.
Wen Xiao, meanwhile, has considerable potential as the new Bai Ze Goddess, but her character development feels insufficient. The drama does not explore her divine abilities as thoroughly as it could, leaving an important aspect of her identity underdeveloped.
Zhuo Yichen also struggles to leave a lasting impression. Although he is portrayed as an honest and principled individual, his characterization often feels monotonous, preventing him from becoming as compelling as he might have been.
These shortcomings are especially frustrating because the drama has so much potential. Its mythology, ensemble cast, and central conflict provide ample material for a gripping fantasy story, yet the narrative does not always make the most of these elements.
Beautiful Action Sequences That Sometimes Frustrate
The action choreography is another area in which the drama’s artistic ambition occasionally works against it.
Fangs of Fortune features visually striking combat sequences, but their execution can be underwhelming. The frequent use of slow motion sometimes feels unnecessary, stretching out scenes that would have been more effective if they had moved at a natural pace. Rather than heightening the tension, these moments can test the audience’s patience.
This is disappointing because the drama already has several memorable elements that could have made its action sequences more satisfying. Zhu Yan’s distinctive one-word incantation, Bai Ze’s commands, and the Bing Yi Clan’s sword are all striking details that leave an impression.
Yet the choreography often prioritizes visual elegance over the impact and momentum of the fights. The result feels less satisfying than the action in Guo Jingming’s earlier series, My Journey to You, which delivered a more compelling balance between artistry and combat.
Comedy That Does Not Always Land
The comedy is another inconsistent element. Some jokes work well, but others feel awkward or out of place, particularly in a drama whose overall presentation is so elaborate and artistic.
Part of the problem may be the dialogue’s reliance on cultural references and wordplay rooted in Chinese language and humor. Some of these jokes can lose their intended meaning when translated into subtitles, making the comedic moments less effective for international viewers.
When the humor misses the mark, it can disrupt the atmosphere established by the visuals and the more emotionally resonant character interactions. Fortunately, the drama also contains thoughtful dialogue, with several lines carrying enough weight to be remembered as memorable quotes.
Meaningful Themes Amid Uneven Storytelling
Despite its narrative weaknesses, Fangs of Fortune succeeds in exploring the beauty of relationships that transcend differences between species.
Its themes of family, friendship, loyalty, and compassion are among its most appealing qualities. The drama shows how bonds between humans and demons can become more meaningful than the divisions that separate them. These themes are often relatable, giving the story an emotional foundation even when its main conflicts falter.
The antagonists also benefit from a degree of complexity. Rather than presenting every villain as purely evil, the drama gives several of them understandable motivations and human qualities that help explain their actions.
Some relationships are genuinely moving, particularly those built around family ties and friendship. These moments demonstrate the emotional potential of the series and provide a reason to remain invested in its characters, even when the overall plot becomes frustrating.
An Extra Episode Offers Some Closure
As the series progresses, however, its weaknesses begin to take their toll. I gradually found myself becoming bored, and watching the final episodes felt more like a chore than an eagerly anticipated experience.
What kept me going was my concern for the characters and my enjoyment of their appearances, costumes, and interactions. The cast’s visual appeal and the care put into their styling helped make the viewing experience more bearable, even when the story struggled to maintain my interest.
Fortunately, the drama provides an extra episode that offers viewers a greater sense of closure while leaving room for the possibility of a second season.
If the production team decides to continue the story through another season or a spin-off, it should focus on strengthening the narrative. The conflicts need more purposeful development, the characters’ reactions should feel more logical, and their relationships need clearer emotional foundations. The comedy would also benefit from relying less heavily on dialogue that may not translate effectively across cultures.
Fangs of Fortune has the ingredients to become a memorable fantasy drama. Its visual artistry, talented cast, complex antagonists, and touching themes give it considerable appeal. However, its weak plot and uneven character development prevent it from fully realizing that potential.
Ultimately, Fangs of Fortune is a beautiful drama to look at, but its aesthetics cannot entirely compensate for a story that too often fails to deliver the same level of satisfaction.
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