An unexpectedly good watch!!!

This is my first review so amma give a detailed one, the next ones... well let's see!!!

I’m not a fan of romance dramas. They usually bore me with their predictable plots, clichéd characters, and repetitive. I was so shocked to find that, despite the plot's seeming a regularity, it has such a distinctive execution. It doesn't contain tropes like the annoying ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend, lead separations, irritating supporting characters, or family pressure.

Things that I liked:
- The relationship: Although I wish they added more rivalry between the teams it was nice seeing the brotherhood but it would've been nice if they gradually built that. I loved how there were no weird jealous side characters, no exes, and the healthy relationship b/w the leads.
- The Cinematography/Locations: The drama is further enhanced by the director's ability to capture the beauty of the countryside. In contrast to typical modern Chinese dramas, the foreign locales offer a distinct ambiance that gives each character a distinct visual appeal and a cinematic vibe. The locations have a certain allure that distinguishes it from other Chinese dramas. The cinematography was sophisticated and impressive, featuring various shots to highlight the nuances, and the snowy vistas further enhanced the already beautiful visuals. And OML THE OSTs were chefs kiss.

Things that put me off:
- The plot: It was disappointing that Meng Xiao Dong and Lin Lin 's love story wasn't concluded until the very end.  I also did not like how Meng Xiao Dong was not present at the proposal when his relationship with the leads was so important. Additionally, I wish the drama had given viewers an explanation of the basic concepts of snooker, 8-ball, and 9-ball, because I had to literally google everything.
- Characters:  The FL was alright, I wish the FL acted maturely, she pouted way too much for a 23 and/or 27??? year old. No offense... Especially, during that fight scene, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the way she acted and then expected him to call when he hadn't done anything wrong. Like gurl... please act your age...
- Lack of communication regarding serious topics b/w the leads. They haven't communicated much or had any deep serious conversations about anything. As soon as am like finally they talking... nah they start kissing and this went on until the end of the drama, which gave their relationship no depth. During the first few eps the ml is constantly trying to touch her ... which okay they seem into each other but consent ... and she keeps running away.
 - I cannot get those hosts out of my mind, like, while attempting to present a genuine competition on an international scale, transforming an international tournament into a dating show was cringe, unnecessary, and inappropriate.

Last but not least, despite its imperfections, Amid a Snowstorm of Love is the ideal blend of romance, friendship, and healthy relationships all around. The chemistry and casting were excellent. Idk what else to while ending... Thanks 4 reading!!!!

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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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