“Fangs of Fortune,” also known as “Da Meng Gui Li” or “The Big Dream Returns,” has captivated this viewer as one of the best dramas of the year, delivering everything I adore in fantasy, suspense, and adventurous dramas and then some! This series, rooted in Chinese mythology from the ‘Classics of Mountains and Seas,’ masterfully blends a demon-versus-mortals adventure with profound emotional depth.
The cast, both male and female, delivers stunning and spectacular portrayals of their characters. It’s worth noting that the entire cast is full of gorgeous and beautiful actors and actresses, making the drama even more captivating. The villains are exceptionally cunning and powerful, escalating the chaos and challenges faced by the main characters.
The drama intricately weaves several compelling relationships. The complicated yet adorable romance between Wen Xiao (Chen Duling) and Zhao Yuan Zhou (Neo Hou) is a highlight. The admirable friendship between Zhuo Yichen (Tian Jia Rui) and Zhao Yuan Zhou warms the heart, showcasing their journey from enemies to close companions. The intriguing and mysterious love/hate dynamic between Li Lun (Yanan) and Zhao Yuan Zhou, charting their progression from brotherhood to animosity, unfolds with captivating nuance. Furthermore, the backstories of all the team members are incredibly interesting, consistently revealing new facets of their backgrounds, behaviors, choices, and emotions. The bromance and sismance among the team members are also remarkable, proving to be adorable, bittersweet, funny, and exciting.
All the characters exhibit their emotions and expressions incredibly well, forging a strong emotional connection with the viewer to their lives and fates. The humor of the characters and their chaotic energy add a delightful layer to their interactions, and the chemistry among all the team members is impeccably smooth.
The storyline is exceptionally gripping and suspenseful. The mysterious cases cleverly reveal important past stories that are interconnected with the main cast in various ways. The first half of the story adopts a lighter tone with comedic scenes, which surprisingly adds to the complexity of the characters rather than serving as mere filler. It focuses on the formation of the demon hunting team as they solve cases, navigating the initial tension arising from the inclusion of the feared great demon Zhao Yuan Zhou.
As the narrative progresses, characters initially perceived as one-dimensional gain intricate layers through well-placed flashbacks. The story delves into grey areas, exploring the nuances beyond simple good and evil. These flashbacks and backstories are crucial, containing key details that become significant later in the story.
The second half marks a tonal shift towards emotional heaviness and angst, though comedic moments are still present. The revelations of truth profoundly impact the team, strengthening their newly formed bonds. This development feels genuine and well-thought-out, allowing characters time for self-reflection and acceptance.
While the romance between Zhao Yuan Zhou and Wen Xiao isn’t the central focus, it is balanced with themes of friendship and others. Their romantic chemistry is convincing, with their scenes together being particularly heartwarming, from playful banters to heartfelt conversations, showcasing a well-executed slow-burn trope.
The gorgeous costumes, top-notch cinematography, beautiful fight choreography, immersive environment settings, and mind-blowing sound and visual effects significantly enhance the viewing experience. The OSTs are incredibly beautiful and heartwarming, with ‘Unintentional Big Dream’ adding to the excitement of eventful scenes.
The ending, including the special episode, is phenomenally executed. The unfolding series of events aligns perfectly with the story, cleverly maneuvering to a point where characters face difficult choices driven by love, friendship, brotherhood, or the responsibility of protecting others. Although the initial ending might be perceived as open or sad, the extra episode provides a happy resolution that ties in beautifully, leaving viewers with a sense of relief and hope.
Neo Hou delivers a stellar performance as the misunderstood Zhao Yuan Zhou, embodying his complex emotions from lightheartedness to profound sorrow. Chen Duling also shines, portraying both the mortal Wen Xiao and her evil counterpart with versatility and emotional depth. Tian Jia Rui effectively portrays the righteous yet soft-hearted Zhuo Yichen, showcasing significant character development. While initial impressions of some supporting characters’ portrayals took some adjustment, they ultimately contributed to the overall narrative.
Overall, “Fangs of Fortune” has left a lasting impression. It’s an enjoyable and memorable adventure with a compelling storyline and well-rounded characters that underscore meaningful themes of life, death, love, hate, friendship, family, growth, and dreams. This drama is more than just a demon-versus-mortals tale; it’s an intricately woven story about self-discovery and the acceptance and defiance of fate, encapsulated in the powerful concept of willingness. This gem of a fantasy drama is one I wholeheartedly recommend viewers give a fair chance and watch until the very end.
Original Network: iQiyi
Cast & Credits: Neo Hou, Chen Du Ling, Tian Jia Rui, Cheng Xiao
Episodes: 34
Plot: During the Zhenyuan era, the accidental death of the Bai Ze goddess, who governed the realms of humans and demons, causes the disappearance of the Bai Ze Order, leading to chaos from rampant demon beasts. In response, the demon leader, Zhu Yan, disguised as Zhao Yuan Zhou, volunteers to help form a demon-hunting bureau.
Wen Xiao, suspicious of Zhao Yuan Zhou, joins the bureau alongside her childhood friend Zhuo Yi Chen, a skilled detective and swordsman, the aloof archer Pei Si Jing, and the timid doctor Bai Jiu. Together, they confront demon beasts from “”The Classic of Mountains and Seas”” and uncover the truth behind their violent actions. As they face great responsibility and personal loss, will their friendship and the love between the top demon beast and the goddess overcome the challenges they face?
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