Love of Nirvana

JUST WATCH IT.

I am so beyond picky with historical cdramas, and I don't know how to express in words just how much it takes for me to actually get through one. Even with ones I like, I can't help but skip through and watch the parts that only stick out to me more. With Love of Nirvana, this was not the case.

I have some criteria that really determines whether I watch or not. The most important, is the characters. I am impressed with all three of our main leads in this drama. Truly, the actors did a phenomenal job as each was complex, flushed out, and most importantly, real. They aren't "perfect" people, which I tend to see in a lot of dramas. That makes it hard to connect with the characters but in this case, its clear that they are driven by their own motivations, conflicted, and so human I can actually sympathize with them all. Their intentions are not always clear, sometimes are questionable, but it makes it all the more intriguing to watch and remain captivated.

The FL is such a breath of fresh air. I really can't stand spineless characters as it just makes the show too draggy and I get impatient. While I do love a really badass FL too, sometimes cdramas fixate too much on that element which really washes out the character. Our FL has her strengths and weaknesses, but is overall quite clever and cheeky. I really love her character, and how she develops through the story.

Even our ML. Initially, I found him questionable but as the story unravels its interesting to learn more about him. Additionally, the progression of the relationships with this drama are more realistic and natural which makes them more believable. The side characters too are enjoyable. Sometimes cdramas focus only on the main cast, making the rest of the world more 2D but all the characters in this show played a role making the world feel more real.

Now the plot. Generally, I find it hard to really care and engage with the world in historical cdramas. Usually whatever is happening only processes on a very superficial level for me as I am more interested in the character dynamics and chemistry (which this drama definitely has). This drama keeps you on your toes. Along with the characters, things are unclear and only later revealed it just makes you want to keep watching. Scheming, plotting, unclear motivations, puzzles and mind games executed with characters who play the role just right. Some themes are heavier which I prefer especially when they are executed so brilliantly as in the case of this drama.

Even the music. Usually, I don't notice it but this drama did well in coupling the right music with certain scenes (seriously, I never really give this attention but this drama managed to make me notice).

Anyway, just watch it. I'm impressed with how sucked into the world I got with this drama. My watch style really doesn't mesh well with historical dramas as I find their plots to be too much effort and too lengthy to involve myself in. This drama really just hooked me though.

The only complaint I have is that it does start out stronger than it ends (I enjoyed the first half more than the second half).

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He's tried to kill her until he couldn't anymore.

This is a lovely drama. It's one of those dramas that hook you in each episode.
The FL and ML met by chance during an assassination attempt, which immediately turned them into enemies. He failed to kill her three times because she was simply too witty. Their relationship grows slowly throughout the story, and every encounter tugs at the heartstrings. The way they gradually develop feelings for each other is something to truly look forward to. The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. Don’t get me wrong—the story is very good—but as a fan of happy endings where the leads settle down together, I hated how it concluded with the ML dying. It's one of those stories when I want to get into the movie and prevent the leads from dying.

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What truly sets this series apart is the exceptional performance by Ren Jialun as the male lead. He masterfully proves that a deeply moving romance does not rely on excessive physical intimacy. Without overly dramatic or frequent kissing scenes, he delivers a love that feels restrained, mature, and profoundly emotional. His subtle expressions, controlled emotions, and quiet intensity create a connection that is far more powerful than surface-level romance.

Equally impressive is Li Landi as the female lead. She brings depth, vulnerability, and strength to her role, complementing the male lead beautifully. Their chemistry is not loud or exaggerated, but rather built on emotional understanding, mutual respect, and unspoken feelings. Together, they create a relationship that feels genuine and layered, drawing the audience deeply into their journey.

The storyline is another strong pillar of the drama. It is well-paced, with a balance of political intrigue, personal sacrifice, and emotional conflict. The plot does not rely on clichés but instead develops its characters thoughtfully, allowing their motivations and growth to unfold naturally. The themes of loyalty, duty, and love are woven together in a way that feels both realistic and impactful.

Overall, this drama stands out for its refined storytelling and powerful performances. It is a reminder that true chemistry and meaningful love can be conveyed through depth, restraint, and sincerity rather than overt displays of affection. A truly memorable watch.

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A masterpiece

Love of Nirvana is a brilliantly acted drama that delivers depth, suspense, and emotional impact from start to finish. Ren Jialun’s portrayal of Wei Jiao is outstanding—his stoic strength, inner conflict, and sharp mind make him unforgettable. But what truly sets this drama apart is how every main character shines. Jeremy Xu commands the screen with his presence and strategy, giving his role a quiet intensity that's impossible to ignore. Li Landi brings intelligence, grace, and fierce determination to her character, proving she’s no damsel—she’s a force. The mental duels and emotional tension among the three are so well-balanced, it’s impossible to say who outshines the others. All are brilliant in their own right, making this drama a masterclass in storytelling and performance.

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drama of two halves

I have mixed feeling about this as the last two story arcs were comparatively poor. Up to this point the plot unfolded at a modest but gripping pace that allowed the viewers to understand the different complexities of the main characters. Jiang Ci and Wei Zhao changing relationship from antagonism to love felt credible for the most part, spurred on by Jiang Ci understanding of the impact of Emperor Liang's genocidal policies on WZ and the Zhengrong residents but I have reservations about the Stockholm syndrome aspect of this relationship. The second half of the drama is disappointing. The third arc involving the Shifu was trite and cliched and did a disservice to the development of complex characters in the first half of the drama. The final arc dragged and was predictable and involved too many flashbacks,
Generally, the actors portray the main characters well. But Ren Jialun’s acting is still a bit underwhelming and Ji Landi portrayal of J CI does not really convey the “free spirit” of the character, which is a big part of why J Ci opts for WZ not Peil Yan. On the other hand, Xu Zhengxi delivers a great performance as s the ambitious and manipulative Pei Yan. Still, it is one of better new costume dramas of 2024 (i.e. excluding season 2 /3 dramas), which have so far been disappointing.

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A long, long journey filled with hardship yet unwavering loyalty

To give some context, this was by no means a drama I was super into since the beginning. Actually, I was very close to dropping this drama. I was just so bored; the pacing was painfully slow. However, something deep inside me made me pick it up and tough it through- curiosity of the schemes and how the drama would redeem itself story-wise. I'm glad I did, it was worth watching for me. I cannot say the same for others, though. It definitely will not be everyone's cup of tea, so I strongly recommend the decision to watch, of one's own accord. If you do decide to watch, tough it out through the first 15 episodes, and it will get better.

Story: I think the story had potential. The characters were beautifully written. I appreciate how every decision the characters made was true to themselves. The schemes took time to build up and unravel, but were engaging enough for me to tough it out. I honestly find 40 episodes for this plot to be ridiculous. It should have been 36 episodes, max, and that is pushing it. I docked off 3 stars for the misuse of flashback scenes (too many and some were repetitive), pacing (some side characters were unnecessary and contributed minimally to the plot; talking scenes could have been replaced with more action scenes). My issue with this drama was the inconsistent pacing: painfully slow in the beginning, improved in the middle, dragged again, picked up again near the ending. If there wasn't a 1.5x button, I very well may have dropped this drama.

That being said, the scenes that did matter portrayed hardship and didn't shy away from suffering, tragedy, and obstacles. I do appreciate the themes in this drama- undying loyalty, friendship, family, love, and difficult, difficult decision-making. The characters showed us all sides of these, and there were numerous moments when even I myself couldn't even process how a decision could be made. It was deep with lots of challenging decision-making moments (What do you do when you're caught between your loved ones, the right thing to do, and the consequences? What truly matters most in that very moment?)

Regarding the romance- yes, the romance was there and was worth watching. Jiang Ci and Wei Zhao's chemistry was unexpectedly so good. It was also just the perfect amount of romance in between all of the dark schemes. I would say it was about 40% romance.

The ending was sad and tragic, but it actually wrapped up everything in the drama well. This is much better than those happy endings that are so forced that they leave you feeling empty and unsatisfied. The ending made sense. Realistically, if the emperor is your enemy, you're bound to sacrifice/die in return for your lifelong wish, if you're lucky.

Acting/Cast: This was the show's saving grace. The strongest backbone holding this drama together was the cast and their acting. The acting was PHENOMENAL. The cast really brought every one of their roles alive. They were fully immersed in their characters, it was impressive to watch. Not a single flaw. To top it off, everyone was good-looking. No one was miscast.

Ren Jialun was dashing, and every time he showed up on screen, I couldn't take my eyes off him. He was incredibly charismatic and charming. He was the perfect person to play Wei Zhao. This was my second drama of Landy Li (loved her acting in The Starry Love, but chemistry was a bit lacking on her side), but this time she pleasantly impressed me. Her acting was so different from her role in The Starry Love. She was the perfect Jiang Ci. Her chemistry with Ren Jialun on screen was off the charts. In the beginning, I didn't see any chemistry at all, but throughout the drama, I was thoroughly convinced by their love and loyalty towards each other. Despite everything, Jiang Ci couldn't abandon Wei Zhao, and he did everything in his power to keep her safe while constantly restoring her freedom, only for her to come back for him. Neither of their decisions were to blame, it aligned with their natures. Jeremy Xu was amazing as always. He was the perfect Pei Yan. I hated him the most in the beginning, but after his mother was out of the picture, his character truly grew into the hero he was meant to be. The growth was incredible.

Music: I loved the music. It came at the right time, had the right vibe, everything was appropriate, and served its purpose.

Rewatch value: I personally would not rewatch it. It took me longer than usual to finish this drama since I really had to push myself, so I would not rewatch it. It was a one-time watch for me.

Overall, I can't say I would recommend this drama or if it was worth watching for others- it's really not everyone's cup of tea. I struggled through it, but it was worth it for me. Heavy on the politics, an appropriate amount of romance, and probably the most complex, top-tier level acting ever. It has its pros and cons. Not a perfect drama, but if you want to give it a try after reading all of the above, then it may be worth watching.

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I rarely write reviews

My Take on Love of Nirvana

I went into Love of Nirvana expecting a strong, character-driven journey with emotional payoff—and while the show absolutely delivers in some areas, it falls short in others that matter just as much.

Let’s start with what worked.

The strongest element of this drama is, without question, the evolving dynamic between Wei Zhao and Lord Pei. Their relationship is layered, intelligent, and deeply respectful, even when they stand on opposing sides. There’s no petty rivalry—just two capable men who recognize each other’s strength and carry the weight of their choices. Watching their mutual understanding grow, especially in the final episodes, was far more satisfying than the central romance. Lord Pei’s confrontation with the Grand Prince was a standout moment—bold, earned, and reflective of real character growth. He didn’t just change internally; he acted on it, and that made all the difference.

The show also excels in its themes. It explores the tension between power and morality, loyalty and justice, and what it really means to lead. It doesn’t give easy answers, and I appreciated that. The emotional weight is real—the war, the losses, the suffering of ordinary people—it all hits hard and lingers.

But where the show loses momentum for me is in its female lead, Ci Jian’e.

She starts off as a bright, witty, free-spirited character—someone who feels capable of navigating the world on her own terms. But as the story progresses, that spark fades. Instead of adapting to the harsh reality around her, she becomes increasingly reactive and emotionally driven without translating that growth into meaningful action. She feels the weight of the world, but she doesn’t use what she learns to gain agency within it.

And that’s the core issue: her intentions and her actual influence never fully align.

Compared to a character like Second Lady Jiang in The Double, the difference is stark. Jiang evolves visibly—she learns the system, adapts, and begins to shape outcomes. Ci Jian’e, on the other hand, endures more than she transforms. She remains morally grounded, which is admirable, but without strategic growth, she often feels overshadowed by the men around her.

At times, she comes across less as a driving force and more as an ornament—someone the story revolves around, but not someone who actively moves it forward. And that’s frustrating, especially because her character wants independence and agency. The show just doesn’t consistently allow her to claim it.

The romance also didn’t land for me. It felt secondary for most of the story, then suddenly pushed forward near the end without enough buildup to make it fully satisfying. Wei Zhao, in particular, comes off awkward in these moments—not in a charming way, but in a way that highlights how underdeveloped the romantic thread is compared to the political one.

Overall, Love of Nirvana is a strong drama with compelling themes, emotional depth, and excellent character work—particularly on the male side. But its slow pacing and lack of satisfying growth for its female lead keep it from reaching its full potential.

Final rating: 7.5–8/10
A story I respect and appreciate—but not one I fully loved.

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The usual mix of good and silly told differently

Good that it didn’t have the usual unrealistic fluffy romance but it overdid it for me as the first 15 episodes were devoid of any sparks. How the SML turned obsessive was nothing new but I appreciated that he didn’t stay that way. How he and the FL and ML worked together in the ending episodes were the highlight for me.

The epitome of silliness for me was when the group of bad guys were sent in to kill the beggars that were locked in a compound. This beggars were starving and could barely walk. After slaughtering some of them, the bad guys heard the good guys coming and said that they should stop killing and just take the remainder beggars away… It takes less time to drag people who could barely walk then to use their sword to strike them down?

Lots of little things like this that don’t make sense but I laugh it off then continue as I love the FL. So carefree and not lovestruck. ML was good enough for me and excels (naturally?) at showing a puzzled-dumbfounded look during some of loving moments. A bittersweet but fitting ending.

The other couple involving the SML’s advisor was lovely yet sad as they were both realistic and knew things would not work out for them. Glad to have this instead of some unbelievable love conquers all romance which most dramas are fond of doing.

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a hero to people that matters

I just finished ep40, cried so badly.

I think this show has quite a good balance of political and the slow burn romance. in addition, the political setup was not boring and flows very consistently.

i felt this has to be one of RJL’s best works in recent years after One and Only. he’s just brilliant in historical dramas.

I love Wei Zhao. his character is layered and complex. from a villain, to a hero (to Yueluo and his close comrades), he went through A LOT. he went through physical and emotional hurdles, had to face his enemy everyday, always be alert, help the Yueluo slaves, this guy didn’t rest at all. like Yu Lian said, he’s someone who doesn’t feel pain at all. he’s numb to it. it’s saddening to see a young promising guy like him endured such a life.

I thought his death served the purpose. because he fought all his life for one thing - to free Yueluo from all the slavery and policies put on them. he learnt from his father that ultimately it’s protecting the lives of people in Yueluo that matters the most.

Ci is the light to his darkness. a light that shines on the path he took so he wouldn’t be lonely. she’s always there for him. never left. Ci is smart and independent, and she’s also emotionally strong. she lost people in her life yet she’s resilient living her life.

Pei Yan is such a interesting character BUT why the show wasted on him being love brain most of the time? him working together with Wei Zhao was one of his best highlights and him siding with Yueluo, is just so amazing!

overall it was a really nice show.

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