Nirvana in Fire (2015)

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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Beautifully interwoven story

This is probably the best Chinese drama I have watched to-date. I gave a 10 for almost every attributes. The acting was first class - leading and supporting actors and actresses were all impressive, besides being good-looking. There was no lull moment. The plot was very well woven. The lead characters, Hu Ge and Liu Tao had excellent chemistry. The heart wrenching and gut rending moments made me cry and I do not cry easily. If I am to find any fault is the ending left me unhappy for a couple of days. The lead characters deserved better. But that is life - not everything ends happily. Later I found out that there was actually a clip which suggested a happier ending - I would have prefer if that was chosen instead.

But there were some flaws - the appearance of the white-haired monster and the medical explanation for it was ridiculous. For a historic epic, there should be a more realistic medical case. If this is a fantasy drama, I would accept that. For this I took half a point off the story.

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Series that deserves its reputation TOP 10 History

Great epic series about power struggles, with a suspicious emperor, who kills his own sons.

PLOT: The emperor ordered the killing of Prince Qi (one of his sons) suspected of mounting a rebellion, as well as his 70,000 soldiers. Only Ling Shu, the nevew, survived, seriously injured. He returns 13 years later, as an advisor/strategist, ill and having changed his appearance, determined to clear the prince Qi's name. To do this, he must put the only non-“rotten” Prince, Xiao Jing Yan, in power.
=> House of cards.

+++ A great cast, with great actors. They make us experience this story intensely. Well done !!
+++ The production is without length, well done, with the right balance of brotherhood, shenanigans/mind games, emotions and action, a little touch of humor to lighten the hard times.
+++ The story is realistic, coherent, credible.
+++ The sets, the costumes, the landscapes, ... are superb.
+++ The OSTs are well suited. They are not memorable, but amplify the emotions of each scene.

=> It's rare that I immerse myself in a pure historical drama, without any romance, with so much passion!! I will definitely rewatch this cult series in some time.

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Série qui mérite sa réputation TOP 10 Historique

Grande épopée sur les luttes de pouvoir, avec un empereur soupçonneux, qui tue ses propres fils.
PLOT : L'empereur a ordonné la mise à mort du Prince Qi (un de ses fils) soupçonné de monter une rébellion, ainsi que ses 70000 soldats. Seul Ling Shu, le petit-fils, a survécu, gravement blessé. Il revient 13 ans + tard, comme conseiller / stratège, malade et ayant changé d'apparence, bien décidé à laver le nom de son père. Pour cela, il doit faire mettre au pouvoir le seul Prince non "pourri" Xiao Jing Yan.
=> House of cards.

+++ Un cast d'enfer, avec de super acteurs. Ils nous font vivre cette histoire intensément. Bravo !!
+++ La réalisation est sans longueur, bien menée, avec le juste équilibre de bromance/fraternité, manigances/jeux d'esprit, émotions et action, une petite touche d'humour pour alléger les moments durs.
+++ L'histoire est réaliste, cohérente, crédible.
+++ Les décors, les costumes, les paysages, ... sont superbes.
+++ Les OST sont bien adaptés. Elles ne sont pas mémorables, mais amplifient les émotions de chaque scène.

=> C'est rare que je me plonge dans un pur drama historique, sans romance, avec autant de passion !! Je reverrai certainement cette série culte dans quelque temps.

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This is one of the most intelligent, thought-provoking series I ever watch, and one of the most emotionally gut wrenching. The writing is top notch, with intricate plotting and well-developed characters. It also has a stellar core cast. Each actor deserves to be called out by name and each performance is worth a detailed analysis. This show gives viewers a lot to dissect and talk about long after the story ends.

Hu Ge, with his chiseled good looks, is the undisputed Su Zhe. I always think his face is far too thin and his shoulders too narrow, but this makes him physically perfect to play the sickly Su Zhe. He has a naturally melancholy face and a haunted look that’s almost eerie, fitting for a man coming back from the dead. The best part of his acting is his body language. You can see the subtle differences in his posture when he is calculating and determined, compared to when he feels hurt and tortured. His is a carefully crafted and deliberate performance. Credit to the director for taking advantage of Hu Ge’s strength as an actor.

Wang Kai, with his chiseled good looks, is the undisputed Prince Jing. This man is hotheaded, impulsive, and inflexible at times. He will stand by what is right even if it kills him (and possibly his followers, too). The good thing about him is that he's fully aware of his own faults and willing to shoulder the consequences of his actions. Unlike the stoic Su Zhe, the prince wears his heart on his sleeve, which is why Wang Kai is ideal for the role. Other than looking ultra-masculine, he has very expressive eyes that hint to all sorts of emotions boiling beneath the surface. In real life, a man with such a pure heart will find it near impossible to make it far in politics. But if Prince Jing ever make it to the top, you know he will make the world a better place.

Su Zhe and Prince Jing do make a great team, with one serving as the brain and the other the heart of the operation. They are each other’s foil, each making up for the qualities that the other person lacks. Their friendship and their struggle give us hope that we can change the world without sacrificing our integrity and the very things that make us human. Hu and Wang is one of the greatest onscreen duo ever. Every scene with the two of them is worth watching and rewatching.

Also worth rewatching are scenes where the men engaged in a battle of wits and will: Su Zhe vs. Xia Yu, Su Zhe vs. Xia Jiang, Xia Jiang vs. Yan Que, Su Zhe vs. Emperor, Prince Jing vs. Emperor. These scenes are a thousand times more suspenseful than the bloody battle sequences. They lead you to question what kind of life is worth living, and what kind of things are worth fighting and dying for.

Romance is never the focus here. Prince Jing’s wife is barely a blip and Su Zhe’s relationship with Princess Ni Huang is sidelined for most of the series. Liu Tao really shines as Ni Huang in the last few episodes. I never knew she has such a beautiful singing voice.

The first 20-plus episodes are draggy, to the point that I almost quit watching. There is an excessive use of deus ex machina. Minor characters that you really don’t care about pop in and out of the story. A lot of time is wasted on watching people bow to each other and walk around. I get the need to properly set up the story and characters, but this is just an inefficient use of screentime.

The direction is weirdly inconsistent. It feels like there’s two different directors at work here. The acting can be “pose-y” and a little unnatural in some scenes. Sometimes the actors just stand around like mannequins on display. Maybe it’s a stylistic choice, but it’s not one that I personally like.

Despite the flaws, this series will always be a classic to me.

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Perfection

This is one of only two dramas I've seen that made me feel unworthy of its greatness (the other being Stranger). That I needed to work to deserve watching it, which manifested in the form of my full rapt attention. Everyone is a mastermind, or, at least, close to a mastermind. Each main and side character is fully utilized, with not one person being forgotten or failing to play a key role at some point. The FLs aren't reduced to stereotypes, plot devices, or trophies to be won; they are portrayed as equals who are mentally strong and can fight as well as anyone. The bromance is a slow-burn epic. The dialogue is so well-written that I would not be surprised to know each scene was rewritten ten times so as to produce perfection, plant the seeds of things to come, and fill any plot hole the viewer could conceive of with their eager but small mind. This leads me to the point that I would be falling short of my duties as a reviewer not to stress: the incredible intelligence of not only the drama but each character and plot point. It is impossible not to root for everyone, if only briefly. The antagonists, protagonists, and morally grey characters are not minds you would dare imagine battling and are helpless but to admire. They point out flaws in their plans, consider each possibility with all the knowledge at their disposal, tactfully make allies, carefully plan not only their main and strongest course of action but multiple backup plans, and plot and plot some more.

Nirvana in Fire is truly one of a kind. I can safely say it is the best C-Drama I have seen (and, for now, the 10th best piece of Asian media I have seen. Yes, it has skyrocketed to 10th place on my Absolute Perfection list).

NIF can keep you in the dark without upsetting you or being nonsensical. It doesn't try to be something it's not or pull you in different directions, nor does it lay all the cards on the table for the viewer resulting in its characters appearing foolish and unable to see the bigger picture. From the start, there is a hint of a goal that slowly becomes revealed and then worked toward in the light, with added revelations and events only solidifying it and enriching and adding more scope. The viewer only needs the patience required to allow it to unfold as it will, attempt to guess what may happen if you can, but simply: give it the attention and respect it deserves.

By the end of watching this, you feel as though a massive weight has fallen from your shoulders. And it is a relief but also terrifying to feel so unburdened.

I cannot recommend this drama to you enough. I thank my lucky stars it was recommended to ME. Yes, it is 54 episodes, each averaging 45 minutes. But I promise you, it is worth it. The only valid question to answer is if you are a dialogue junkie. Because if not, this is most definitely not the drama for you.

Side Note: And, let us not forget, this is the sexiest of Sexy Brain dramas.

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I was quite hesitant and failed many attempts to start watching this drama at first, as I have watched Nirvana in Fire 2 first because of Liu Haoran. The sequel had caused me quite amount of heartache because of the plots like false accusations, nonsense doubts, and some tragic events taken place; but luckily, it at least gave me, personally, a satisfied ending. I actually did not like the kind of drama that involves political fights and royal throne that much, but NIF2 really put me in awe. So, I then decided to go and check for its prequel which is the Langya Bang. Through reading the synopsis and reviews and all, I have found the prequel is quite more popular than the NIF2. However, at the time, I was very hesitant and did not start NIF right away until for like a year or so later after I have watched NIF2, mainly because I thought it’s darker and more heartbreaking than that of the NIF2. And I am not ready to go on another emotional roller coaster ride. Just yet.

However, after I have watched “Joy of Life”, I then finally have the courage to start the series. NIF really is one of the masterpiece. The storyline is very well-written and the casts are very portrayed, acted, and immersing. To achieve the goal of uncovering the bitter truth of the past false accusations, the main character meticulously planned each step and carefully studied the political environment in the Capital and across ministries. The processes and events to uncover the truth is very well carried out and each plot makes so much sense and very logical. There are so many aspects of the drama that makes me feel so attached including the emotional attachments among the characters creating a perfect world for the drama to exist. The OST are also very emotional and very well reflect the storyline of the drama itself. Overall, this drama is superb, fantastically great in every aspects that the writer, the director, and the actors intend to offer to the viewers; in comparison to the dramas I came across so far.

I highly recommended you to give this drama a try, as it will not only bring you to an exciting and emotional journey, but offers you some excellent life lessons as well.

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One word to describe this drama. Great!
This was a phenomenal drama.
I will admit I was skeptical about how good this drama was. I was watching it waiting for the shoe to drop, but my head is still intact and I completed the drama. I was truly amazed at how well written and acted this drama was.
Pros:
1. This was a drama about the throne without the 'drama' of the throne just the 'game' of the throne.
2. Although you knew the ending of the drama by episode 10 you still could not predict what would happen and the ending still surprised you.
3. Brains will always win.

Cons: There was no romance of any kind! I repeat! no romance even though there were marriages.

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I haven't read yet the novel, so I don't know if it's a reliable adaptation, but the production, the actors, the background and the music are stunning and it deserves a watch. Excellent leading characters that made the story come to life. I recommend this drama for all those who like political dramas, with little to no break from the main plot of the story, which I'm telling you, this happens very rarely in Chinese dramas! Very satisfying end for all characters and it makes me re-watch and re-watch. Also, I loved the fact that the romance was very limited, almost non-existent in this drama! It would have taken from the good story-line that is more based on brotherhood, family, revenge and the desire for the truth to be known by the population. Also, the brotherhood of this drama is off the charts!! I have re-watched it multiple times and I'm seriously not getting bored at all! The OST is gorgeous and the fact that the main song is sang by the main character makes it even better. If you ever decide to watch Nirvana in Fire, you will need to watch maybe around 3 episodes to catch exactly what is going on, since at the 1st episode there are many characters introduced which are all important to the final plot.

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I never write reviews or comment on anything. But I just literally finished the last episode of this amazing show. I searched and searched for a good Chinese Historical Drama show and came across Nirvana in Fire. I was very impressed by the ratings and reviews, but I was a bit hesistant to watch it, very much like you, right now!

I don't know where to start. So I guess I will talk about the storyline, which in my opinion was one of the best storylines for a TV Show, I am not Chinese but I absolutely loved this show, because the story had a deeper meaning to it, it felt as if we were part of it or as if it had happened to us somehow and that was made possible due to the brilliant cast.

The story makes me feel a sense of despair and agony, it always feels like as if this could be happening right now in this present day and age. I do not want to mention anything about how the story progressed or what the relationships were between the characters, it would be best if you watch the show and not do any extensive research to avoid such dismay.

I don't want to write a lot and raise your expectations but I do want to mention that this show has taught me a lot of life lessons. It taught me how important family ties is and how we should all be treating each other. It taught me to never judge or make assumptions, how important virtue is, showing respect, trusting people, patience and integrity. This could go on but I should stop. Have patience and wish me luck with the post-series depression, I really wish I could start over.

Why do great shows have to be so short. I wish there's a prequel to this show, it would make this story even more sweeter. But overall absolutely brilliant cinematography, fight choreography, storytelling, acting, music and soundtrack and lastly casting.

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Il est malade et faible mais il les tient tous dans sa main...

Alors là, dites vous bien que j’ai adoré !!! 

Je me suis laissée embarquer sur ce fleuve tumultueux, foisonnant de personnages  variés et cachant plus ou moins d’obscures intentions, ou de sourdes ambitions, mais sans en oublier l’humanité pour autant et la recherche persévérante et ardue de la justice éclatante. 
Les 54 épisodes (45 mn chacun) passaient à toute vitesse à chaque fin je disais « Déjà ! » et j’enchaînais sur le suivant ! 
Les personnages sont d’une richesse incroyable : intelligents ou retors, ou les deux, généreux ou ambitieux, ou les deux, empathiques ou antipathiques, ou les deux !  La cour impériale foisonne d’intrigues, de jalousies larvées (plus ou moins)  où chacun essaye de tirer au mieux son épingle du jeu, par des moyens plus ou moins clairs. 
Mais le pivot de l’histoire, le personnage qui tient en main tous les fils de la tapisserie, c’est le génial Mei Chang Su interprété par le non moins génial Hu Ge qui sait parfaitement rendre le fond mystérieux du stratège, homme de l’ombre dont on découvrira peu à peu la réelle identité, puis le but principal et secret de ses actes. 
En face, l’empereur, à la méfiance aiguisée, à l’orgueil immense, mais pourtant d’une intelligence lucide assez remarquable pour un homme devant qui tous tremblent ! 
Le prince Jing, soldat d’une droiture sans faille, se trouve par là même tenu à l’écart, mais il n’échappe pas au regard aigu de Mei Chang Su.
Autour d’eux se déploie le ballet des Généraux, des princes et princesse, de l’impératrice et des consorts (concubines) avec leurs différents rangs, plus les eunuques, les soldats , la garde impériale, les sociétés secrètes et les autres… 
Tout cela peut sembler bien confus, mais pas du tout, je m’y suis tout de suite retrouvée, Mei Chang Su est le fil directeur de l’histoire, et de plus il est dune classe et d'une beauté incroyables ! . 
Il y a la politique, la gouvernance, l’ambition, la corruption, l’amour mais sublimé par le Destin qui se joue des personnes, (très belle romance discrète mais prenante entre la princesse et le stratège)la trahison, puis l’accomplissement mais à quel prix...
Le drama est historique, mais il porte aussi une atmosphère de légende, avec la secte des Arts Martiaux et ses hommes aux gestes d'une techniques stupéfiants, qui peuvent voler, de bizarres poisons aux noms étranges et aux effets inattendus, et des plantes aux pouvoirs presque magiques… 
Comme nous sommes à la cour impériale, tout est géré par une étiquette rigide qui contrôle toutes les attitudes et le comportement des personnages. Cette apparente raideur non seulement ne gêne pas mais renforce les émotions qui sont contenues et que les acteurs savent très bien transmettre par leurs regards, ou la tension corporelle que l’on peut sentir. 

Les acteurs sont tous excellents, les effets spéciaux très bien (on remercie l’invention de l’usage des câbles)il n’y en a que ce qu’il faut pour créer ce climat particulier.  De même les combats (pas si nombreux non plus), sont remarquablement bien filmés et ce n’est vraiment pas plus sanglant que nécessaire, le principal de l’histoire se passe dans la tête.
Et que dire de la beauté somptueuse des décors et des costumes ? Grandiose, éblouissant, magnifique sont les mots qui viennent à l’esprit. Le tout servi par une sublime musique à la fois de goût classique, ou typique (j’adore la flûte de bambou et le gémissant violon chinois) . Les quelques chansons sont très belles (l’une d’elles chantée par Hu Ge lui-même) et pour une fois j’ai apprécié les paroles surtout celle à la fin du dernier épisode, elle en souligne parfaitement l’émotion, racontant la vie de Lin Shu telle une chanson de geste (c’est le prince Jing, Wang Kaï qui la chante!). 

Alors, moi, je vous le conseille, JE VOUS LE CONSEILLE, MAIS JE VOUS LE CON-SEIL-LE !!!

 

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If you have watched dramas like Joy of life, Story of Ming lan etc. you will like it but wont enjoy it as much as enjoyed them.
This drama gives the exact feeling which you get while watching Game of the throne you start watching LOTR. You understand that this drama started the trend of cunning plot genre with badass characters. You will be lucky if this is included in the first few C dramas you watched but if if you have already watched later dramas which were inspired from Nirvana in Fire than you will not get that same joy.
Points that were best in this drama
Acting- specifically the guy who was playing the king, I watched his scenes many times on repeat he is such a good actor. Although I didn't like the acting on only character which was mother of Prince Jingyan the consort Jing and annoying chinese dubbing made it more unbearable.
Plot- Plot is the main thing in this drama which is the reason it inspred many other later dramas.
No Romance- I liked it that creators dared to make a drama with barely any romance in a time where Romance was very important part in the dramas.

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Obra Maestra

Esta serie es una auténtica pasada. Las tramas, los misterios y las estrategias te mantienen totalmente enganchada a la serie, que evita los estereotipos y clichés en gran medida. Me encanta ver mujeres guerreras. Es una obra maestra y si estas leyendo esto, no dudes en empezar a verla.

Además, es una serie con muy buena ambientación, un vestuario precioso y una música muy reconocible y característica.

Está completa en Viki aunque la traducción a español es bastante mala. Al principio te lías con los personajes porque se llaman muy parecidos.

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