This review may contain spoilers
I've probably watched this drama more than I can remember. When I first saw its trailer, I thought it was a movie given the quality (setting, acting, action scenes, etc.) and cinematography. I've long anticipated what was to happen when the drama was nearing its end but there's just this stubborn thought and a constant hope that the ending wouldn't be what the drama was pointing at since the beginning. Some say that it resembles the plot of Count of Monte Cristo but I would suggest that you keep that thought off of your minds. Nirvana In Fire is a different league on it its own. This drama is definitely one to watch. And to the hopefuls like myself, here's something for you: https://talesofathirdworldnurse.wordpress.com/2018/02/26/the-unofficial-nirvana-in-fire-ending-youve-never-seen/
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The story revolves around an old frail man who is a thousand steps ahead of everyone else, who has his own ambitions and ultimately will see those ambitions come through no matter how costly it is to himself.
The casting was excellent. WK played his role beautifully. The action and sword play was very exciting to watch and although watching a seemingly old man start flying around like a young Jet Li seemed a bit much, you do have to suspend disbelief somewhere.
It was a solid start, enough to keep me interested with the usual meddling in the middle and a very somewhat predictable race to the finish. For fifty odd episodes, a drama has to stay interesting for the viewer to want to come back and this one did enough to do that. It took a total of two months on and off to complete.
I did feel that the writers dropped story lines in the sense that characters who I thought were going to be big players turned out to be one and done. It was to help the main plot go forward but there weren't any subplots to latch on to because of it. There is a romance element that is very discreet. You could argue that it was never really there in this timeline but the strong sense of bromance is in full effect if that's your liking.
All in all, a good drama to get away from the real world. If the ending seems bleak, I prefer the alternate one that's out there and really is the true ending.
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This review may contain spoilers
Justice, Revenge, and Lasting Friendships
A well planned and executed scheme to shed light on past injustices.Watch this for the well written script, seasoned acting, and virtuous friendships.
1. Story
Certainly a drama where watching a second time would make things more clear. I admit the first 10 episodes were slightly dull to me being that it is more heavily on script than others. Though the story actually builds momentum gradually throughout and never slips until the ending, which is how dramas should be.
Its definitely not everyone's cup of tea but besides the exceptional leads and supporting cast, it also had some of the best war scenes without too much CGI used I have ever seen.
2. Characters
Mei Chang Su's chemistry with all of the cast was outstanding but the obvious is with Prince Jing. They shared an authentic connection and engaged viewers through their relationship.
Princess Ni Huang (Tamia Liu) also had fantastic chemistry with Hu Ge but it wasn't the main focal point, though I wish somehow they would have allowed more moments between them cause the chemistry could have rivaled other romantic dramas.
There were many supporting characters to like in this drama so its too much to list them all, however there were a few intriguing characters that maybe you could have sympathized with.
(1) The Emperor -- towards the end where Xiao Shu entered the palace to plead the Emperor to re-investigate the case, they shared a moment which I thought was very interesting. Their relationship seems to be complicated.
(2) Prince Yu -- once you learned about his story then its entirely appropriate to sympathize with him. He was another actor who played his role perfectly.
(3) Xia Jiang -- one of the main culprits in this drama yet you could find reasons to sympathize with him. The scene when his Son was revealed to him as still alive was very touching.
3. Romance
More friendship than romance but again, if this story had been a romantic drama between Xiao Shu and Princess Mu Ni Huang, then no question their chemistry would have been off the charts.
4. Costume / Music
An exceptionally moving soundtrack yet was only sparingly played throughout. Its one of those times where I felt the soundtrack actually did not play enough but when it did, it made an impact. Costume and wardrobes were average, the drama had an old feeling about it, also not to mention this drama is very hard to find to watch in HD.
Soundtrack -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4US7gLYPEJk&list=PLA-Ut9mBTLeIM4dJIeSvpT5m6sbaUHm5X
5. Ending
Very tragic ending though lightened by the directors by not directly showing the tragedy, it was a fairly quick wrap up. Perhaps they felt it was unnecessary to extend such a sad moment.
However, one thing that lacked was the explanation or showing of what happened to the other supporting casts. Though the story was based on Mei Chang Su, I was very curious about the other characters and how they ended up.
A drama that deserves a re-watch to fully grasp indeed for some.
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A slow burn
It took me a long time to get into this — I rarely watch historical dramas, much less something so heavy, so I had a lot of trouble with the character tree and not really understanding what the backstory was.About 25 episodes in, however, I really started to hit my stride. I was really interested in how the different plots would unfold, and especially in the tension between the main characters Mei Changsu and Jingyan as we gradually got a few identity reveals — none of them disappointed.
Overall, I ended up really enjoying this one and would probably enjoy it a little more had it not been for the ending, which I understand thematically but still feels tacked on. It always feels kind of underwhelming when a drama adds a mini plot after the main one is over. It feels unexplained and rushed, and I really will just…pretend it doesn’t exist, to be honest.
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Sadly boring and slow
Sadly I can not see what the hype was about, I found this series slow and boring over time. Have to keep track of what is going on. Some of the characters are fun and the acting is good for the most part but there are some points in the storyline that feel repeated and slow and not needed while other moments I wish they gave more details, not for everyone.Was this review helpful to you?
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It represents all characters to have their own characters, like when I saw this main character, I could understand what he or she think and do. It makes me feel that everyone in the drama is real, doesn’t like other drama that some characters look no life. And I like the pattern how the director tells the story. It’s mysterious and sad at the same time. Also every scenes and camera are so beautiful. I really love it!!!
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sorry
How should I start? Since a long time and I heard about this Nirvana in fire and how “Great” it isI mean the rate itself being 9 out of 12k users says alot 🤷🏻♂️
so I started it .., and suddenly surprised that it was a revenge story disguised in political battles
The worst kind of any revenge stories in my opinion
because that’s will minimize the political weight and its moral impact over the nation
you don’t see a political battle or ideology
you see a man disguising himself just to revenge on his nation
this premise disappointed me
the other thing is the storyline of his revenge story and how it unfolds .., he will keep coming to the weakest to the strongest in order
so the story is already predictable from the start and you just wait and see how each character will die.., this is also what was bugging me so much about it
it reminds of a harem dramas where the main female character going against other females harem to defeat them until she wins
but here it’s a male version
the characters are okay .., the acting was not it sorry.., he gu character without any emotions so I couldn’t emphasize with him
the things I loved in the drama
the mind games between the characters.., it was fun ngl
the ending music
the females characters and their stories
“not that great”
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I'm not sure this would fall under "mystery" but there are aspects that make it mysterious and keep you guessing the outcome. Very unexpected.
I enjoyed Hu Ge in this series, as well as his "bromance" with the other characters.
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This review may contain spoilers
Word Nirvana
If this drama change name to other name beside word nirvana than the rate would drop so much. I think buddhism become more calm over the years and keep low profile. What is nirvana? western want to know badly and come to see what it is? than they see sick man seek revenge instead. nirvana is ultimate place of buddhism promise. the promise land which it cure all disease and immortality and peacefulness. when nirvana has fire? sad day for ignorance chase fame and ruin a day.The story didn't involve with nirvana or even a little. it talk about a general who throw himself from the cliff and seek justice to his family. Karma didn't exist and sin didn't occur in nirvana. Hate, revenge, want, love,etc doesn't exist in nirvana. how this drama name nirvana and also add fire. it is completely look down on the entire buddhism.
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Snail's pace and straight-laced
Looks guys I really tried, ok. On paper, I should've loved Nirvana in Fire. Political intrigue + costume drama + solid acting = yum yum yum. But unfortunately, I never got pulled in the storyline.None of the main characters provided me with an emotional hook. This was further exacerbated by the plot hinging so much around serving justice for a dead guy who we barely see on-screen. While there were little bits of moral ambiguity sprinkled throughout, I think our protagonist and his allies were just too straight-laced for my liking. Lawful good type characters paired with some incredibly slow pacing meant I had well and truly lost interest in events by halfway through.
Consequently, this ended up being a really good show to put on in the background while at the gym. I could do a whole set and watch the TV during my breaks. My biceps have grown a lot bigger in the time it took me to finish off this series lol
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