ABSOLUTE GEM
Do you know he was in a car accident and has to be out for a year or something. Didn’t know if he was ever going to walk again. The director decided they will wait for him to come back. No one else can replace him for this role. Notice his eye lid has a scar. He fought his way back against all odds. Bravo to Hu Ge !NIF has all leading actors and actresses; there are no supporting. Everyone performed superbly of their roles. Each of their performance absolutely will make you BELIEVE in their struggle, love, care, goals, principle etc. their performances will draw you in emotionally and as if also physically. You’ll find your heart and breath skip the beat as you can feel their anguish, pain and happiness.
The whole story is so well coherently written and told. The plots and their exquisitely smart dialogues in each and every moment are all necessary; not more and not less …. Such perfection! The entire drama shows great respect to its audience with zero dumb or nonsense moments.
The costumes were rich, beautiful and elegant.
There’s so much depth in this drama and its pure beauty in conveying it to us make this drama 100% enjoyable watching it over and over and over again. Love it to death.
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WARNING: major spoilers below
I’m really glad I watched this; it’s definitely one of the better dramas and I can see why people like it so much. It’s not for everyone though, because it’s incredibly conversation heavy - about 70 to 80 percent of what takes place/exposition are conversations between the characters. The rest are action scenes and in one case, a military fight. This is fine with me because I am also a fan of mystery dramas and those are conversation heavy too, but this might not be for everyone.
What I liked:
I think the actor playing the main lead, as well as the entire cast did a great job in portraying their characters. I like the overall story arc as well as the smaller cases in between where they had to get rid of two princes and some corrupt officials one by one before getting to the emperor. I normally don’t like sad endings but this one fit and was satisfactory.
male centricity: This is one of the things that worried me at first. I thought this would be one of those male centric dramas that had mostly male MLs with only a handful of token strong female leads thrown in every now and then, ala Lord of the Rings. Thankfully it wasn’t like that. While there were more male characters, there were also plenty of diverse and strong female characters and they had a lot* of screen time, significantly influenced the plot and in some cases, were just as smart as the main lead.
character relationships: All the characters working with the lead were great and they seemed like one big family (regardless of whether they were related or not) who supported him. The strongest relationships in this drama were the filial ones. The relationship between Mei Chang Su and Fei Liu was like that of a father and son. He also seemed like a father figure to two of his younger friends JinRui and Yujin, who were much younger than him. It also has a strong focus on mother and son relationships such as the ones between the palace consorts and the crown princes- I really liked the relationship between Prince Jingyan and his mother Consort Jing. There is also a bit of romance although it is subtle. Mei Chang Su’s relationship with Nihuang reminded me a lot of Li Mu Bai’s relationship with Yu Shu Lien (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), except that they had far more screen time together. It also explores toxic filial relationships such as the relationship between the emperor and his sons.
What I felt undecided about:
Prince Jing. I think the actor did a great job but his role but could be very frustrating at times. He doesn’t have that many scenes until episode thirty something, and there is an entire arc where the ML gets into trouble because of him because he reacts in a way that causes a lot of trouble; this is in spite of everyone telling him otherwise. There were times when all the characters seemed smarter than him, from his foot soldier to even his mother. He is also the last to realize the main lead’s true identity in spite of supposedly being best friends with him and yet so many people, from the war general to the love interest and even (yes) his mother, figures this out earlier on. The good thing is that he redeems himself at the very end* of the drama, so I was glad to see him get a happy ending.
What I didn’t like:
There are some boring episodes…not many, but a few. I personally found the first episode hard to watch and this is the reason it took me awhile to get to this.
There were some events that were incredibly hyped but never shown. There’s one arc where they hype this debate among scholars and the appearance of a master scholar who was so wise he could end the debate…but they never show this debate. You see the master scholar arriving with melodramatic bg music…and then it cuts to after the event where they say he won and all is well now.
There’s also a major battle where they play up Prince Jing’s role as a Gandalf type figure who goes off to get some reinforcements. You don’t see him do anything at all while the rest of the characters are fighting. You get this scene were he is about to challenge his brother to a duel and then it cuts off again. The only good thing about this is that it is princess Nihuang who gets to defeat the enemy general.
Poison of the bitter flame: It’s not the illness I disliked but there is a character who reveals symptoms I found completely unbelievable…if this was a fantasy or xianxia drama it would be acceptable, but it doesn’t work here, IMHO.
I also don’t like ‘the ending’ of one of the female characters; it was too ambiguous and I feel that we deserved to know what happened to her.
Is this drama like Game of Thrones? Overall no, but I can see some similarities in the wide range of diverse characters, scheming/one-upmanship ( the main lead is very good at this) and a kind of fight for the throne, in a way. But NIF is much smaller in scope. It focuses on only one kingdom, getting rid of corruption (it doesn’t really have morally gray characters/views like GOT) and has a slight ‘Count of Monte Cristo’ theme. Also, it doesn’t have magical elements in it. It’s a pretty good drama but it’s its own thing.
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Story/Script: This is not your average revenge drama. It's a story about wanting to set things right, to obtain justice for a case that was misjudged years ago and it's beautifully done. It may start a little slow, but rest assured that the pace will pick up. There are also some really funny but jokes/puns in the script which may be hard to get if you are not a native Chinese speaker, but they really add a lot to the drama.
Characters: Honestly the best part of this drama. They are complex, emotional, human characters. Unlike many other dramas which cause you to unconditionally hate the villains, the villains in NIF are just as human as the protagonists and have their own hardships and reasons.
Acting: Very well done and in character.
Music/setting: Beautiful music and amazing cinematography. The wordless opening is perfect and really gives you the feel of the drama through the use of music and art.
Rewatch: I have rewatched this a couple times and every time, I discover something new. Definitely worth several rewatches. The only thing is that the politics discussions get a little windy and so I often skip through those.
Truly a masterpiece. I understand many romance genre fans are unwilling to give this a chance due to the lack of romance, but romance is there (as is a lot of bromance), just not the main focus. The romance in NIF is a pure form of companionship/friendship which I honestly think is harder to achieve. Give it a try, and it may just top your list :)
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Becoming extinguished
Nirvana Fire - an appropriate title for this philosophical story. The meaning of Nirvana (via Britannica): Literally, it means “blowing out” or “becoming extinguished,” as when a flame is blown out or a fire burns out.Quick summary: The story is incredibly well crafted; varied and complex characters; the plot was well paced and not too long at 54 episodes; ambience of music, cinematography, and costume was effective; there was a good balance between political intrigue, wuxia, military, romance, fantasy, etc.
The first few episodes can be confusing, so a character chart and episode recaps can help. However, the show is successful introducing characters, developing them, so that viewers get a clear grasp of what's going. When, for example, we meet Lin Chen in the first episode, then he disappears for 40 or so episodes, we are still well connected to him in his return at the end of the show.
Many characters besides Lin Chen were distinct and well-presented. It was a joy to watch their depth, development, and interaction with one another. I'll highlight a few gems. Because every character was so eloquent and precise in speech, Fei Liu's stunted and grunted speech was an effective counter point. Bai Li Qi, the northern fighter, was quite enjoyable (and cute). Consort Jing was impressive - the queen of "my pieces are moving on the board, but you can't see them in the first place". Eunuch Gao Zhan was subtly humorous and the perfect counter point to the Emperor. He had an awkward, yet charming smile. I won't even praise the main cast here because you'll undoubtedly agree how terrific they were.
Besides distinct and well-presented, most characters were complex and nuanced. Grand Princess Li Yang is a model character of complexity. Despite the awful circumstances of being forced into matrimony with Xie Yu, it's obvious they've grown great affection for one another. This character also outlines the moral/philosophical crux about this show. While Grand Princess Li Yang did some terrible things, she was able to reverse her path of moral degradation and contribute to something wholesome later on. Even though the truth of the Chiyan army massacre was covered up, seeking the truth while losing face, is the correct path. Looking at modern leaders who are wholly unapologetic for their mistakes or looking to rewrite history through propaganda and social ignorance, it's a reminder that this moral push and pull in the grand societal play is persistent like a good weed.
One thing this show got be thinking about was rebirth. Not so much in the 'wait til I die and start life again in a new form sense', but rather what change or 'rebirth' can one experience within the current life span. Many of the characters go through processes of change and, are effectively, a new form of themselves. And I wonder how distinct our life embodiment is vs. shared with others and carried forward by others. Lin Shu is reborn into Mei Changsu and then is reborn into Lin Shu again; it is as if he has had 3-lives in one lifespan. People's characters, goals, values, and dreams are also 'reborn' through others. For example, Prince Qi dies, but his life spirit is reborn through Prince Jing and others. We cultivate life spirit, disperse it to others, and don't need to count on death/rebirth to 'progress' again. The idea is not to wait to improve or change one's form in the next life and simply accept what one is now. Cultivate now.
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Another titular drama that deeply disappoints
My boyfriend and I discuss shows while we semi-watch them. Recently, none of the dramas has been interesting or good enough for us to sit idly by and stare at the screen. Thus, when a character is introduced on screen, we often predict where his/her alliance is, what will happen to the individual and the entire plot. Based on how highly rated this drama was, we tried our best to complete it. Episodes 1-5 were downright boring, episodes 6-15 were the highlight of this drama because this is when you are introduced to the supporting cast, the rest were predictable and truly not memorable. My least favourite characters were the protagonists. Throughout the entire drama, I felt no connection nor emotions for any of the characters (Lin Chen was my favourite and he barely had any scenes). Therefore, halfway into the show, my boyfriend played it in the background while he gamed and I worked.Story:
This is probably the biggest reason why this title did not deserve so much hype. It was predictable from the beginning to the end, it did not help that the pace was so slow. The irony in this show was both amusing and annoying. The drama is named after Langya Bang, yet, it played almost no role in this story apart from setting it up. I found it irritating that the entire plot revolved around taking 'revenge', yet the protagonist is painted as a saint. The entire concept of exacting revenge on an Emperor who only did what all Kings do. It is as though this author and/or screenwriter has never had a history lesson. Despite throwing around words like 'ruthless' or 'cruel', the Emperor was none of those, he was a competent and selfish ruler, but many are. Moreover, it was clear from the beginning that the Emperor knew he had made a mistake, but one simply cannot change the past. As an Emperor, it was unlikely for him to admit he made such a huge mistake, this is normal and even common if we looked at history.
If we put aside the past, which obviously cannot be changed, Prince of Yu was the best candidate for Emperor. He was the most similar to the Emperor and hardly did anything one could deem to be too 'cruel'. It is a fight for the throne, he hadn't decapitated entire families or pillaged and raped, so what is the problem with throwing a few people under the bus for your dream job? One could argue that Lin Shu having thrown Jing Rui or the Empress under the bus is pretty much the same deal. HOWEVER, as a result of Lin Shu's meddling, we end up with Prince of Jing as the Emperor, who is just, but terrible in politics. I simply cannot imagine how he could rule. In the absence of Lin Shu, and filled with a courtroom of ministers with differing opinions, he is so inept that he would either crumble at the weight of the responsibility OR he would do what he wants (since he is so bloody stubborn), and is what he wants going to be the best for the country? One has to ask if he fits the bill of a ruler.
Prince of Jing is not very smart, he's not very good at planning or strategising, he's easily manipulated, even if by chance he was only manipulated in a positive manner by his trusted aide. If we were to boil it down to the real reason Lin Shu wants him in charge, it's mostly because of a he's-my-gay-bromance-and-a-good-guy sort of situation. Lol! It took his mother a mere couple of seconds to figure out that it was Lin Shu, and it took him well... THE REVEAL, to find out it was Lin Shu. Even as unbelievably stupid as one could be, seriously ROFL? Let's be frank, no one makes the good guy the CEO, you make the competent and smart guy the CEO. Why? Because that works. When you put all the puzzle pieces together, this is such a terrible political period piece because there was very little politics and almost no character development. Why anyone would call this title a great historical piece is laughable.
Acting/Cast:
This is the only redeeming factor. I have never seen many of the actors from this show, and one of the reasons my boyfriend and I had to rewatch episodes 1-3 approximately 5 times, is because of the lack of eye candies. We found none of the actors in this show physically appealing. Coupled with the slow pace and predictable plot, it was so difficult to focus. However, we held on and although I am deeply disappointed by the show, this cast did an excellent job. There were moments where the acting was stale or exaggerated, but otherwise, solid acting from nearly everyone.
Music:
A few decent pieces, but not crazy about the songs.
Conclusion:
A drag I had to sit through and would never rewatch. If you are into heavy plots and character development, skip this one. If you just need some decent acting because you are sick of terrible acting in C-drama, then, it's got potential. I was generous with the scoring mostly because of the acting, actors should not be penalised for bad screenwriting (or horribly misinformed authors who write mediocre novels).
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this drama overrated
I found out this drama not as good what people said .. kind of boring a bit, fast forward quite a bit. I even didn't watch it for 3 days before continuing. May be because its to much for a matter about Huge sickness, No way to re watch this drama. Huge is great though but the rest just ok.. The story is good , but the ending not that good. I planning to watch the 2nd season, but not for now. I am sorry if my honest review is not like others, but it is my own opinion. It is overrated.I found out this drama not as good what people said .. kind of boring a bit, fast forward quite a bit. I even didn't watch it for 3 days before continuing. May be because its to much for a matter about Huge sickness, No way to re watch this drama. Huge is great though but the rest just ok.. The story is good , but the ending not that good. I planning to watch the 2nd season, but not for now. I am sorry if my honest review is not like others, but it is my own opinion. It is overrated.
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The execution of the story is truly remarkable, layers upon layers of the character's story woven into one big plot that was the main reason this story exists. The script is always spot on with getting the audiences engage in the story. And the directing as well as, the production of the drama is one of the best things this show has got to offer. The costumes, places, castings, cinematography, is top notch. Even though there are moments of editing that could be improved but those details were easily overpowered by all those I mentioned.
The casts all have their moments, especially towards the end. The revelations and the way they did it is just epic. It would surely hit you right in the feels and that is the reason why this show is so popular.
The women in NIF is one of the best aspects of the show as well.
In the end, just watch it !!!!!!!!!!
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Other than that the costumes and the character development of male characters were pretty darn good. Also acting is also pretty good. Loved the fighting and the martial art scenes though there were very handful.
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I could talk about this all day but there is no better judge than yourself so go watch it. The pilot was good, you might be overwhelmed with the number of charters introduced in the first episode but you'll eventually get a hang of it. By the second episode, I was already hooked with the story and invested on the characters. If you are still not convinced, at least give this a shot till episode 12. By then if your still not invested then i don't know what to say anymore. :))
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Since the beginning the plot is fast paced and keeps interesting all the time, building tension continuously I felt restless to know about what was happening. The plot never falls.
When there are so many intrigues and plotting characters its all about who can win over the enemies, and of course a great point about this drama is the fact that there are plenty intelligent characters and there is no weak point in the argument, everything is perfectly logical during the 54 episodes. You will enjoy this more if you like political dramas and palace conspiracies.
Of course this show is not all about fighting for power, beyond that there is one of the most emotional stories I have seen. This show is about revenge and the seek of justice, those two are important elements which set a clear goal to look for. But the drama is also about friendship, loyalty and morality, these things are important for the individual character development, but also for the relationships between them. But not everything is this highly mood, there are relieving moments and characters too, I got captivated with Fei Niao, he´s so cute.
Of course the characters are the core and all actors are exceptional. As I have said before, this drama is emotionally deep and every character portrays perfectly the situations around them.
The songs in Nirvana in Fire are a perfect addition to the general mood of the story, check out the lyrics they´re so perfect and emotional.
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Excellent Revenge Story
After watching "The Princess WeiYoung" I was desperate for another period drama with a strong revenge plot and deep romance to move me to tears and give me a satisfying feeling. I scoured websites looking for similar shows, and this show was recommended to me. So I started watching. This was very different from WeiYoung because there was minimal romance, the main character was a man, the drama was way more believable, and less annoying and the revenge was a slow moving magma. It took me a while to get into, but slowly but surely the plotting was on. The schemes were taking hold and they wouldn't let go. By the end of the show I was in tears, and begging for more! Tears of joy, and sadness, and satisfaction. I'm disappointed there wasn't more romance, but honestly... I have to say that's about my only disappointment.At first I wasn't impressed by the main character as I couldn't get a good feel for him, and found him way too cold and cavalier. He didn't have that burning passion that most main characters do. But Prince Jing Yang made up for it I suppose, and the main character eventually gets a bit fiery. The music was nice, I enjoyed the ending theme. I really love that the intro and the outro don't give anything away like most Chinese drama's do. The acting was A+! really pulled me in and had me getting the feels. Story was amazing. Took me a while to put the entire family tree together and piece it together with the story but that's minor.
By the end all those long episodes came together rather nicely, and I didn't even notice the slowness anymore. I was racing through all the episodes by the time things started taking shape. The revenge is sweet and the ending is sweet with a hint of bitter. But it's worth it. I wouldn't rewatch anytime soon because I prefer faster moving stories, and I am also not one to rewatch shows. But maybe one day many years from now I might. HOWEVER, if YOU are reading this and are curious about whether or not you should invest your time? I have two words for you: WATCH. IT.
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