Just WOW - the hype is real

I'm quite late to the bandwagon, but am so glad that I gave this masterpiece a chance! I've watched many dramas over the years and I have to say this is probably one of the most well written dramas I've seen. The acting and storyline are amazing! I'm very pleased with the cast because they really brought the characters to life.

Mei Chang Su is the most beautiful tragic hero, and is a someone who I could not stop admiring episode after episode. His wit and intelligence never failed to amaze me. Despite the mental, physical and emotional pains he had to endure, he is blessed to have loyal and loving friends and comrades. The highlight of this drama is definitely the relationship between Mei Chang Su and the rest of the main characters. The BROMANCE is real yall. I love his bond with Fei Liu, Meng Zhi, Jingyan, Li Chen, etc. There is a bit of romance, but that was not the focal point of the drama (which I very much appreciated). Honestly, the story would have done well even if they decided to forego the romance.

I will say that this drama will require time and patience to watch because it is a slow burn with lots of details, so your full attention is required to really appreciate the story. The rewatch value would be high because I'm sure I missed a few details the first time watching. My only complaint was the way the last episode played out, as there were some things I would have changed (e.g. the filler scenes). Otherwise, I really enjoyed it.

Nirvana in Fire will definitely go down in history as a classic. Thank you to the writer, cast and crew for such a beautiful series.

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It’s the journey, not the destination

What a journey it has been for our main characters! It was one full of laughter, tears, love and friendship. The main cast did a spectacular job portraying characters whom I loved so much. You have equally strong male and female leads who stand strong on their own, but together, are unstoppable. The supporting leads were the cherry on top that made the story extra vibrant with their individual quirks and growth.

As much I was invested in the series, there were definitely parts that were lacking. Considering the strong introduction and plot development in the beginning, it fell short towards the latter third of the series. I was disappointed with the slow pacing of some scenes, anti-climatic showdowns, and lack of character development (i.e. Li Tong Guang). They could’ve scrapped some filler scenes and used that time to focus on what was more important.

After watching the last ep in full, I can accept the outcome for what it was. I interpreted it as RY and the fab 5 dying for the greater good with their heroic sacrifices, and reuniting in paradise. They all achieved what they set out to do and died without regrets, and so, it was a HE in its own way. However, they could’ve done a much better job wrapping up the series. They completely glossed over clearing NYZ’s brothers’/friends’ names, which was the main reason NYZ accepted the task in the first place. This deserved a whole scene where the names are cleared publicly.

I have my gripes about the show, but overall, still love the series very much. The mature love story, brotherhood, beautiful martial arts choreography and acting made this journey memorable.

Shoutout to the lovable characters:
Ru Yi - LSS never disappoints with the action scenes, love a badass FL who is strong and intelligent, defying the expectations of women in the era
NYZ - LYN did a great job in his first leading wuxia role. His character really set the bar too high for men, he is the dream man, almost too perfect. I love the mutual understanding and bond he shared with RY and the bros.
Shi San - Prob my fave character in the series. He made me laugh so hard and I always looked forward to his scenes. Definitely way better than the actor’s other role in The Long Ballad, which allowed him to showcase his potential. This is a great example of a secondary role that shines despite not being the main lead.
Yuan Lu - The happy vitamin of the group. It’s not hard to see why everyone adores him. His positive outlook in life and wisdom beyond his years was what made his character so wonderful.
QZ - The master of the RBF and side eye. Despite his stoic nature, his eyes really speak. He also seems to know all the gossip. The stark contrast between him and Shi San made it even more humorous.
Sun Lang - Fluffy and cute just like the animals he adores. A bit dense in certain matters, but his pure nature is what makes him adorable.
YY - The character with the most wonderful character development. She was a diamond in the rough who really shined. This is my first time watching this actress, and she did an amazing job! I can only see her continuing to amaze viewers with her range in acting.
LTG - The character who had the most potential yet fell to the back burner. I did not mind him being fixated on RY, in fact, his unwavering love/obsession was quite impressive. However, I wished they had fleshed out his character more as he could have had a bigger role in the main plot. Very unfortunate.

To conclude, I recommend this series if you want a good wuxia drama packed with action and romance/bromance. A great drama to end the year of 2023.

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A journey led by choices and fate

After a year of waiting in anticipation, we finally get to see the result of the choices (or perhaps lack thereof) made by our beloved characters. Will they achieve their ultimate wish/goal, or will fate lead them to a different path? Or perhaps, will fate lead them to a path where they will always be destined to make the same choices?

From S1 to S2, we follow XY and CX’s journey together along with TSJ, XL, FL, AN, etc who accompany them along the way. We come to understand how they are shaped by their experiences, their traumas/struggles, their expectations and goals. 

My personal thoughts:

The lows:
As someone who has read the novel, I will say that S2 (technically part 2) had several disappointing changes that ultimately left me wondering how they could possibly undermine the strong plot and character development from S1 (which was pretty faithful to the original). While it is understandable for adaptations to have some tweaks due to a variety of factors, the inconsistencies and choppy editing left things feeling lacklustre. Whether you’ve read the novel or not and no matter who your favourite character (or ship) was, the changes downplayed the complexities of each character and their relationships, and the meaning behind the entire theme of lovesickness/losing someone forever. I think it is fair to say that all the characters were impacted and got the short end of the stick. It is unfortunate that LYF was one of the many victims of such changes (due to censorship or other reasons). It would have faired better by being a bit more faithful to be main events and the essence of characters in the original. I think a good 30 eps would have given viewers more context to follow along with a conclusive storyline.

The highs: 
The actors really carried the show, and I thank them because they really did their best with the script they were given, which helped me pull through in S2. They have a good grasp of their characters and executed the array of emotions beautifully. ZWY and YZ (also TJC) absolutely SHINED this season - their acting range and calibre are some of the best I have seen in a while. I am so happy they were casted and can only hope they collaborate again in the near future. That level of chemistry should definitely be utilized again. In fact, all the cast members did an amazing job! They pulled my heartstrings and are the heart of the series.

Although there were some questionable and illogical changes, they did include some scenes that were not part of the novel, which added onto the storyline and the characters’ POV.

Also, shoutout to the supporting cast: Grandpa, Haoling Emperor, Lao Sang, Ru Shou, Mao Qiu (Chubby) who made the drama that much more vibrant.

Overall, the drama as a whole was still very memorable with many meaningful life lessons touching on life, love, and loss. The detailed discussions and analyses you see in MDL reflect just that - the deep impression the characters have left on the viewers. I still recommend this series and highly recommend the novel if you haven’t already checked it out. 

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A lotus in full bloom

This is a story about a hero who once stood at the top of the world, before his whole life changed overnight. Through his journey as a wandering physician solving mysteries and closing the lose ends of his past, he forges everlasting friendships with two if the most unexpected people. This drama was a meaningful one as it illustrated various life lessons stemming from human desires, resentment, loss and letting go.

Although the first chunk of the series is relatively slow paced (and a bit dry), the story unfolds to reveal events that are intertwined allowing the viewer to appreciate the first few cases that set the stage and tone for the main plot.

From the amusing bromance/friendship between the main leads to the beautifully choreographed martial arts scenes, this drama leaves a deep impression that was only strengthened by Cheng Yi’s elegance and good grasp of his characters. Not all heroes wear capes and wield swords. Some carry a heart of the lotus in full bloom.

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My thoughts

My thoughts on the ending…(from watching 46 episodes and peaking through the last two)


POTENTIAL SPOILERS YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
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Things I loved:
- The brotherhood between the characters from FJM&DX, ZY&HS which were one of the standouts in the show, even above the romance
- Action and cinematography = amazing, it’s been a while since I’ve seen action scenes that don’t just rely on special effects
- The talented and intelligent main leads, and their teamwork (which is refreshing because I’ve watched a lot of dramas where the Emperor/Crown Prince are not the smartest people)
- MVPs: Lang Huan, Mu De Qing, Yuran, Aunt Su, Shaozi, Youdu, Jifeng crew (giving some love to the supporting characters), definitely pillars of the main leads’ success
- Chemistry between the leads (I personally liked Yang Mi and William Chan’s chemistry)
- BTS VIDEOS = the actors are hilarious
- Previews that sometimes tricked us and were not fully predictable
- OSTs (Zhang Bi Chen and Zhou Shen —> cannot go wrong here)
- This FORUM and discussions!

Things I wasn’t crazy about:
- The weak one-sided villains —> very anti-climatic. I would have appreciated a more layered villain (one big bad guy, no need for two villains here) since all the characters are relatively intelligent and wise. A more complex scheme/battle would have been more suspenseful (and honestly they had the time to do that in the series)
- Tilan’s love line (I like her and DX individually, but am not crazy for their romance. The time spent on them could have been used to develop other parts of the story and lack of ZYxZL)
- DX's expressions were sometimes a bit exaggerated, still gave me a good laugh though as the character is endearing at times
- I feel like there were a few minor loopholes that could’ve been flushed out more by removing some filler scenes or flashbacks

No story is perfect as everyone has their own vision of how they wish the events of the story would take place. But enjoyed this journey!!! I will miss them all.

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Sword Snow Stride - worth the watch!

I just finished the series and have to say, wow, I was pleasantly surprised. At first I thought this would be a hardcore wuxia series packed with action and fierce martial art techniques because of the title. However, it involves more intellect and wit.

If you're looking for complex/amazing action scenes or romance, this may not be the drama for you. However, I highly recommend it to those who enjoy seeing intelligent characters outsmarting each other with their tactics. The plot was a slow burn, but was well written for the most part (minus some of the action scenes, which relied a lot on special effects). I was in awe with how intelligent and witty the characters were - smart yet quirky. The highlights of the drama definitely include the tactics, loyalty of the people in Beiliang, brotherhood and family. I personally think they did a good job with the cast - they suited their roles and had great chemistry.

Although it's only season 1, they wrapped it up nicely without leaving a terrible cliffhanger. Not sure if/when they'll film the subsequent seasons but hopefully soon with the same main cast (please don't change any of them)!!!

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A beautiful love story - The Yin to her Yang

For a xianxia, this was quite an easy watch due to the simple plot that did not involve too much angst or unnecessary misunderstandings. I loved our amazing female lead Shen Li, a strong, courageous woman who never wavers in sticking to her beliefs, principles, and always fighting for her people. I loved the dynamic she has with XZ, who was the yin to her yang.

There were definitely moments in the drama that felt a bit slow, with too many flashbacks - I think they could've easily made this drama to 30-35 eps. But overall the acting, chemistry, solid soundtrack, cinematography and special effects made this a memorable series.

When it comes to ZLY and LGX's acting and chemistry - you just cannot go wrong. It was nice to see them work together again as more mature and seasoned actors, bringing their characters to life, and bringing out the best in each other as actors. I can only hope they work together again in the future!

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A hit fantasy drama series of 2023!

WOW, I'm so glad I gave this drama a chance. I typically avoid fantasy/xianxia genres because they follow a similar storyline, and are usually a miss imo. However, the plot and characters were very refreshing. I know that adaptations never follow the original stories 100%, but I'm glad that this drama follows closely to the novel (so far from what I've seen), from the main plot to the essence of the characters.

The actors truly brought the characters to life - Yang Zi, Zhang Wan Yi, Deng Wei, Tan Jian Ci - they did superb! Besides YZ, the actors were all new to me and I was very impressed with their ability to convey emotions and micro expressions. The chemistry is great and they are the reason behind the drama's success. The cinematography and special effects were superb - definitely a high budget series. The OST soundtrack also complements the different scenes and characters' POV.

I am hoping that season 2 delivers well. I've heard rumours about scenes/episodes being cut due to regulations, and am praying that is not the case as this would really ruin the drama's success. Looking forward to season 2 and the rest of the story. Definitely going to finish reading the novel - highly recommend!

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Finding the light in darkness

This is a story about a Dragon King who was cruelly betrayed and dismembered by his love and a girl who was expelled from her cultivation sect. Unknown to them, their fates have been intertwined from long ago. Their fateful meeting leads them on a journey searching for his lost body parts, while maintaining the light in a world that has been clouded by evil and darkness.

Highlights:
- The main leads: I watched this drama mainly because of HMH and ZY. They literally look like they walked straight out of a manhua with beautiful aesthetics and chemistry. Those who are like me may find themselves shipping the two like Bai Xiao Sheng (haha). The actors were perfect for their roles, and the characters they portrayed were endearing. Among the many xian xia's I've watched, Yan Hui is one of the few female leads I admire - for her courage, compassion, and for being true to herself from the beginning to end. It was refreshing to see a female lead who plays the protector. The development and love story between the two was what kept me engaged in the series. I appreciated the more 'mature' relationship illustrated by Yan Hui and Tian Yao, especially with the way they navigated the trauma Tian Yao carried. They were each other's pillars of strength in their most vulnerable moments. Their relationship is a great example of how two people can bring out the best in each other. I hope to see HMH and ZY in another series one day!
- The OST: This drama had a solid soundtrack. You just CANNOT go wrong with Zhou Shen and Liu Yu Ning. I also really liked HMH's OST, he has a beautiful voice.
- The themes and lessons in the story: This drama touches on how each person has both light and darkness in their hearts, and which parts we nurture is ultimately our choice. We get to see this theme illustrated through each character's journey, as well as, through their relationships with others. It was touching and meaningful.

The 'meh':
- The storyline: As much as I love the main leads and their love story, the plot was not anything unique. The plot fillers, cheesy scenes, and flashbacks were sometimes a little too much. Some parts felt draggy and uneventful. After reading snippets of the novel, I can see why some people commented that they had watered down the characters and the storyline. It's unfortunate because I would love to see the darker and more complex story come to life, but can understand the limitations due to censorship and other reasons (simplified for the viewing experience). However, I did not want to be too nit picky this time around because I watched it mainly because of the actors - just to have a simple 'easy' watch. If you don't focus on the details and just come for the love story between the leads, then it is still enjoyable.

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Act from your heart

I want to preface by saying that I came to this drama without any knowledge of the novels or the sequel, TBOY. This drama illustrates the main message of acting from/following your heart, and we see that through BLDJ's journey. Here is a summary of my thoughts.

The highlights:
- Amazing CGI effects (this must've been a high budget series), great aesthetics, and enough eye candies to keep you distracted
- The OSTs are probably one of my favourite things about this series, I've literally had them on repeat (nice to know that one was a solo track by Neo Hou and another by 5 of the main cast)
- The bromance and friendship between BLDJ and YDZ was just so touching and the anchor of the show. It was beautiful because their bond never faded even with time and distance. BLDJ was the one person who trusted and believed in YDZ until the very end (even when YDZ's love of his life, YWJ, didn't have enough faith in him and their relationship). It was tragic because you always think of what could've been if YDZ never lost his family and the two friends could grow up together
- The bromance between BLDJ and all of his seniors and SKCF was also great - their quirks and antics kept me going. I wish they fleshed out some of the characters more and their background story. I would totally enjoy side stories for each of them. I didn't have a hard time remembering all of them (there were SO many characters in this series) because they all had their own unique traits.
- I think everyone can agree that BLDJ's shifu NGCS is a fan favourite for a good reason - loved him. I can see the actor getting many love calls after this series
- The last 10 eps with the more engaging events of political strife and buildup

The lows
- As good as the CGI effects were, they were also overkill. Considering that this is supposed to be a wuxia series where the everyone is constantly emphasizing their passion for martial arts in almost every episode, the action scenes fell flat. There were barely any scenes with actual martial arts choreography. It was 95% talk and most scenes would end before they could even begin. The way they would name their moves was very cheesy at times.
- The timelines and convoluted series of events
- The romance. I didn't feel any sparks for the main couples - even between BLDJ and YY (who had more scenes together compared to YDZ and YWJ) felt lukewarm. They could've done without the romance or even glossed over it since there was a lack of foundation and proper development (especially between YDZ and YWJ).
- The female leads. I like YY's character and the actress conveyed her elegance very well, but I question the importance of her role. White YWJ was a plot device/catalyst of the main events, YY was diminished to just being BLDJ's companion for majority of the series

Overall, the drama would have done better if they had fleshed out some of the main characters, relationships and main events more. If you don't focus too much on the details, you can still enjoy the series.

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Beautiful love story - 2 amazing leads

I usually avoid XianXia genres because they always follow the same type of storyline. While Immortal Samsara was no different in terms of depicting a love transcending different lifetimes and all the emotional angst, Yang Zi and Cheng Yi really carried the show with their acting and chemistry. I loved that they played characters that can stand on their own (both are equally intelligent and talented), and are unstoppable as a team. I appreciate that the characters remained consistent from beginning to end, with some growth and development. There was no damsel in distress or weird shifts in characterization midway through the series.

This drama definitely had its flaws. There was choppy editing and too much focus on the side characters (and their love stories). They could have used that time to focus no the main couple and plot.

Overall, I enjoyed the series (had a good laugh too at times). A beautiful love story between YingYuan and YanDan!

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