The Story of Mystics (2024)

Tragic beauty, sexy martial arts, tender pining and the most epic bromance of 2024!

This is not a drama you watch, it’s a drama you experience. Fangs of Fortune is a signature Guo Jing Ming piece of art with stunning cinematography, excellent music and gorgeous shots. The sheer beauty of this show is breathtaking and it is pure pleasure for your eyes and ears.

This director captures the dark, sensual beauty in his actors in a way that’s unlike anything I have ever seen. He has the skill to get the best acting out of his cast and create enormous chemistry between them with the slightest of gestures.

✔ This is a slow burn story of six individuals coming together to make a family that would live and die for each other. It’s fully character driven and focuses heavily on the relationships between this lovable team of humans, gods and demons, even sometimes at the expense of the plot. However, soon the show finds its pace and its footing and midway, gains momentum to the point that every episode is impactful.

✔The martial arts and action scenes are truly some of the best I have ever seen. They are emotional, sexy, expressive and tell a story instead of being just mindless fighting. There are so many adrenalin filled moments in this show coupled with tender emotions and powerful dialogues, peppered with excellent comedy that is always layered with undertones of tragedy. It’s really a mixed bag of feelings and after a while, you get so immersed that you are hit with every single one.

Now, let’s talk about the soul of the drama. While there are many amazing characters, the two male leads absolutely steal the show and give it life.

✔Zhao Yuan Zhou is one of the most powerful demons in the world with a deadly reputation to match. Feared by all, hated by most and condemned by many - he is a lonely soul burdened under self-hatred, guilt and a will to die.

It is this pursuit of death that brings him to the door of Zhou YiChen, the righteous, morally upright commander of the demon hunter bureau. Zhou Yi Chen is a man with many scars on his heart, a dedication to do what he thinks is right and a deep sense of vengeance that burns within the childlike purity that consumes him.

✔Even though their relationship starts off as a blood feud with one pledging to kill the other, soon it flourishes into one of the best male friendship arcs I have seen in a C drama ever. The love, silent camaraderie, empathy, understanding, protectiveness and compassion that they come to share is beautiful to watch.

✔These two make a formidable team because they are both such interesting characters in their own right. Both are damaged, powerful, with hard edges but incredibly soft hearts and their bickering, bantering dynamic together is truly a treat to watch. I mean, they were literally self-confessed soulmates - what more can you ask for?

✔The character development for both of them is excellent as well. Soon, you uncover the mischievous, cat-like goodness of the great demon and realize what a butter heart he has. You understand the pain he carries, the blood that paints his unwilling hands and you can’t help but feel for him as he finally, slowly, yearns to live instead of seeking the death that he thinks he deserves.

✔Similarly, you watch as Zhuo Yichen slowly becomes the formidable, unbreakable, full of grace man he is destined to be. He becomes a roof that shelters all. A roof that protects from wind and rain. A roof, that is home.

Both, Neo Hou and Tian Jiu Rui fully sell their characters and give out a very magnetic, ethereal performance and there is a world of chemistry between them.

✔Other than these two, the rest of the team - consisting of the loyal, endearing, food-loving God Ying Lei, the badass and resolute archer, Pei Si Jing and tiny, lovable doctor Bai Ju - is also a powerhouse of emotions. Each has their own stories, their own reasonings, their own fears and insecurities and their own amazing story arcs. All of them can be shipped with all of them and the found family arc is truly at its finest in this drama.

❌Unfortunately, the weakest character of the show has to be its female lead, Wen Xiao. There is a bland quality to her that becomes more apparent because of how magnetic the rest of the cast is. Wen Xiao is an underdeveloped character whose main job is to wax out poetic and flowery dialogues and cry atleast 49473993 times per episode. When she isn’t doing that, she is being a personal therapist/cheerleader for one of the two male leads.

❌There’s nothing wrong with being physically weak and having subtle strength, nor is there anything wrong with being all heart but honestly, Wen Xiao feels like an after thought of a character that’s definitely used as a shield to get through censorship by GJM who has been frequently ostracized for BL undertones in his dramas.

❌So, Wen Xiao’s character feels purposefully diluted as a calculated creative choice by the writer. She’s not given any of the impactful scenes, her romance arc is little more than a subplot and she’s supposed to take a backseat to the bromance which is obviously more thoughtfully written. While all the other members of the squad have their own flavoring, back stories and growth, Wen Xiao is stuck in the box labeled as “pretty weak lady who can do no wrong” and is responsible solely for the visuals in the story. While all the characters have seen significant growth as the episodes go by, she is still exactly the same as she was in episode 1.

❌ As a result, she is the most uninteresting character to watch and her love story with the great demon fell flat for me. Good thing is, romance is really just a minor thing in this drama and never holds that much importance in the first place so it’s all okay.

✔As the episodes progress, the show becomes darker with many questions of morality thrown in your face. Most of them, pushed forward by its very enigmatic, very sharp, sympathetic villain Li Lun. Li Lun is an absolute menace - evil, messy, sneaky and manipulative as he is, he still has a lonely, childish, unloved heart inside and he’s a delight to watch on screen. He has to be one of my favorite charismatic villains ever. Li Lun is 100% THAT girl.

✔ Finally, I feel like the drama had a very fitting bittersweet ending. It was beautiful, part tragic, part hopeful and true to the atmosphere built in 34 episodes. While there were many tears that were shed, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Overall, this is a show to cherish slowly instead of a binge watch. It is a whole moment in time all in itself that offers complete sensory overload and that’s why, it is definitely Jeana recommended.

Enjoy!

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A mesmerizing gothic tale in Chinese version

To be honest, I’m not expecting much from FOF since I’m here only to support Neo Hou. But goodness, am I mistaken? FYI, FOF aka Fangs of Fortune is an original-script-based fantasy drama which is under the command by our notoriously controversial yet aesthetical director Guo Jingming (I’m sure everyone has known all sorts of things that he did before, but he sure knows how to make such a masterpiece). As you can see, FOF is also fighting neck-to-neck with Love Game in Eastern Fantasy and The Story of Pearl Girl (excluding Smile Code which is currently starting to flop), so it’s not that easy for it to achieve such a wonderful rating. Let’s delve into the story now, shall we?

FOF revolves around nine main characters (according to the individual posters posted in Weibo) consisting of the shameless yet loyal 1000-year-old great demon Zhao Yuanzhou/Zhu Yan, the astute Baize Goddess Wen Xiao, the cold-outside-warm-inside descendant of Bingyi Clan Zhuo Yichen, the badass female archer Pei Sijing and her faithful younger brother Pei Siheng, the timid little doctor Bai Jiu, the mischievous Mountain God Ying Lei, the green-eyed pagoda tree demon (also Zhao Yuanzhou’s former bestie) Li Lun, and most of all is the vengeful and malicious Wen Zongyu (I’m hoping to make every character arc, but it doesn’t seem to be possible since it will only lengthen my review).

In my pure opinion, FOF is not a facile and cheesy script like your typical old-school romance drama. Instead, it’s a very meticulous and stunning one, in which the scriptwriters managed to input several plot twists into that none of the watchers could predict the outcome of the show. The show not only focuses on the topic of friendship and self-growth, but also probes into the meaning of love, desire, yearning, and the pain of being betrayed, all of which are beautifully portrayed, of course. Back to Guo Jingming again, we know that he always has the tendency of producing angsty drama and FOF is not an exception. There are lots of angsty scenes in every existing episode and somehow the actors will always cry whenever something goes off or someone dies. However, these scenes don’t have much impact on me (I myself don’t understand too) so I always watch with my usual expressionless eyes as they keep crying. But, the most striking scene would probably be Ying Lei’s death and his dying wish of how he wants Bai Jiu to live well – it’s just so heart-wrenching…

Shout out to every actor from main to supporting and guest roles for acting out the multi-faceted character in an insightful way. This show will also boost Neo Hou’s popularity and he proofs himself to be a force to be reckoned with (can’t wait for his next projects). Chen Duling also acts well, but her excessive crying scenes is irking me very much. Thanks to her good acting skills, Wen Xiao is still a bearable character. This is my first time watching Tian Jiarui and I don’t have any complain about him – he does just as good as the others. Finally, Cheng Xiao is out of her comfort zone and her character doesn’t seem to be as annoying and cliché as the one in Falling into Your Smile. Lester Lin is the youngest out of the whole bunch, but he can portray Bai Jiu beautifully even when he’s in the dark mode (as the saying goes, age isn’t everything). Special mention to Yan An (Pentagon) too – he’s a K-pop idol and also a hidden gem in acting that I can’t help but keep waiting for his scenes (FYI, currently Pentagon is in a hiatus, so I hope Yan An can do more dramas until Cube Entertainment calls him again).

FOF is indeed an S++ drama, every set is done aesthetically and every scene is taken intelligently to ensure its quality. As I mentioned in the title, FOF has a gothic vibe akin to those in historical Europe sites, but in Chinese version. I particularly like Bingyi Forbidden Area, which reminds me of a domain in Genshin Impact. A user also reminds me that the ancient runes in Kunlun Peaks is similar as Paimon’s when she is summoned.

I think I’m going to rave about the OST especially Liu Yuning’s hip-hop/rock song – it’s my first time hearing him rapping lol. I also like Xu Zhenxuan, Yan An, Cheng Xiao, and Lai Weiming’s OSTs. If it hadn’t been for these songs, the OSTs would’ve been particularly meh.

Would I recommend this show? AN ABSOLUTE YES! As you follow their adventures, you’ll be enamored by their witty dialogues, gorgeous and impressive sets, and the heartbreaking OSTs. Don’t hesitate to watch this masterpiece because your every second is worth it. Good luck and happy watching!!!

P.S.
There is a BL-like vibe between Zhao Yuanzhou, Li Lun, and Zhuo Yichen. Unfortunately, they have to tone it down a bit to fit the shitty censorship, otherwise we'd get another BL show. Also note that Wen Xiao may play a pivotal role in protecting the Wilderness, but she's only there so that she can have a love line with Zhao Yuanzhou (to make sure FOF isn't banned like Immortality, Winner is King, Eternal Faith, and so on). Still, you can enjoy their scenes and feel the bromance between them tho.

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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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Ho pianto…ma allo stesso sono felice di aver visto questo drama davvero fantastico che non essendo il mio genere proprio per i protagonisti (questi demoni davvero bravi e bellissimi)le musiche sono fantastiche. L ambientazione i costumi e gli effetti speciali e La storia…davvero applausi !! è entrato nella mia top ten … in alta posizione .. davvero!! Ogni puntata è stato un viaggio nel viaggio in noi stessi sulle nostre credenze il libero arbitrio i tradimenti le sconfitte l’amicizia nata e l’amore in ogni sua sfaccettatura .. mi ha commosso complimenti davvero 🧡per me un capolavoro !

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Epic traumatic masterpiece

Take with a grain of salt, as I'm criticizing a production online whereas in real life I would bow before them ?)
The last 4 episodes are very sad. I feel like there was a lot more redemption and compassion for the baddies than the good guys. I waited for the goddess to do more, after all it seemed like her life was more important to keep the balance. The extra half episode at the end is nice but I kept longing to see the great demon pushing our goddess on the swing again.
Don't get me wrong, the drama is a great one and definitely worth the watch. Neo has grown so much. If the roll requires expeessive eyes, he was the best choice. He had that skill pinned down since Back From the Brink and perfected it here. His one word spells are the sexiest scenes I've witnessed in Cdrama. Pei has the win for best choreography during the fight sceens. The jokes and teasing were refreshing.
The OST will live rent free in your head all day. It's very catchy and moving along with the little dance. Sometimes the dramatic music was queued too early. It was a slight spoiler to who would win or lose.
There was some continuity problems. I think a lot was cut during production. I would sometimes start some episodes and have to stop it and see if I skipped an episode by accident, which I never did. The costumes are divine except for the evil mastermind's robes at the end.
Overall it gets a 9. Parts of me want to rewatch it because there are things I missed or need clarification. But the ending is traumatic and the feeling of loss is greater than the win. I have important things to do in the real world that require motivation and a positive attitude but I'm left with a lingering heartache.

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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 anything

The 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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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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