Nirvana in Fire

Extraordinary" divine" talent AKA master strategist

This drama has been on my plan to watch for the longest time mainly because I love the dramas I watch to have romance even if its not just a little and I heard there was no romance so I was hesitant to start .I also heard its tragedy and I always avoid those type of dramas because life is already sad enough ,but I finally decided to make an exception and just start it and see what happens but now I am very glad to have made the right decision.

THINGS I loved
Script;Whoever wrote these script is so brilliant and talented.it was such an intelligent, entertaining and intimate plot that made sure you made attention to the details and it made you use several storyline which were tightly interwoven and did a good job explaining and taking care of loose ends.Flawless dialogue and delievery.
Acting; The acting of cast was amazing, there was no weak link, they all collective did an amazing job to bring to life these characters, they were so believable that I found myself completely emerged into the story.Everyone played their part well even villains, they were well matched.

Characters; I loved most of these characters,their sincerity, loyalty and uniqueness.But the characters that I loved more were:
Meng changsu(AKA Lin she); So Briliant,i fell in love with his character and his mind and his unbreakable will.this is the most intelligent male lead character I have ever had the pleasure of watching.i love how his character stayed consistently smart till the end and they didn't try to dumb him down just for misunderstanding and conflicts to drive the drama along(like we have seen in various dramas).he suffered unspeakable torture and betrayal but he did not let it break him.He plotted, persevered until his ultimate goal was achieved.i only wished by some magic that he got to finally enjoy his after many years of suffering but alas*tears*I knew right from the beginning so I mentally prepared my mind but I still not ready*more tears*
Consort jing; This was the smartest female character to me.she was so smart yet quiet, tolerant yet strategic, she always found a way to say the rights words at the right time and be so calm and settling.she did a lot of behind the scenes work that might not look like much but had a lot of impact.She was the voice of reason to the emperor.she was wise and simply amazing.
Fei lui; this was such an adorable character, any time he came onscreen I couldn't had but smile.i loved his quirks, responses and his childlike actions.Even when he beating up people ,you couldn't help but find him so cute.(its clear that I am very unashamedly biased to him).

Special shouts out to Prince Jing, very rash and sometimes unable to control his emotions but you can doubt his sincerity and loyalty and because this you can tell his going to make a good emperor(at least better than all the options presented)some one said he is the female main lead in this drama, funny but I absolutely agree.the prince who the emperor neglected and overlooked because
Commander Meng; loved him too.such a bubbly, supportive ,caring and honest friend.So loyal to the core and excellent commander.
Princess Nihaug; she is a badass character as well unfortunately she wasn't shown in enough episodes.But from what we saw she is brave, loving and strong.She would been such wonderful partner to Lin she.
Emperor:You always have emperors like this ,hardly seen any emperor I have actually liked in a Chinese drama .He was terrible, incompetent and biased to his children,I can't really say if he was the just evil or simply overly suspicious and jealous of people better than him or just an emperor that knew the evil deeds he did to us and was scared of it coming back to hunt him and it eventually did.he played his role so well and sometimes I found his throwing things when mad funny.How can the emperor know his children when he has so many concubines and children and is only concerned about being the emperor(yes I hate harem things and I know thats how things were then but it was still distasteful.
Lin chen;loyal ,funny friend
Xie yu and Xia jung were really smart villains and I am glad they got that deserved end.
There were so many loyal characters in these drama, that it was so heart warming to watch and the friendships were so beautiful.

Honestly if you are still having doubts about this drama, I am here to tell you that this drama is not overhyped, it deserved any praise and accolades given to it because it is simply outstanding, its a tough drama to beat in terms strong plot line and execution. this drama has flawless writing and dialogues.the scenes progressed smoothly and every backstory was adequately explained that I didn't have to suspend logic and reality like some other dramas.Watch this drama because they actually treated the audience as intelligent people and there was barely any unnecessary scenes but I must warn you it is really sad at the end I cried but it was full circle moment for Lin shu. Even though I know that can't help feeling sad about the main lead but I understand this is the end he wanted for himself.BUT still I blame the writers that wrote such a sad end, notwithstanding that this drama is one of a kind, bittersweet but beautiful and you should definitely give it a go.

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Sterile mastery that needed to breathe to get the full points

Let me be honest.
Nirvana in Fire and I didn’t exactly get off on the best foot. I gave it a try a while ago, got to episode 20, and tapped out. Why? Because it felt sterile. No x-factor. Just... flat. I couldn’t for the life of me understand why it needed nearly 20 hours to build its world. That’s practically a whole K-drama length just to get going! And to me, that was too long a wait for something that didn’t feel like it was giving enough in return.

But then came a rewatch—this time with my mom—and I have to say, the experience was completely different. Watching Nirvana in Fire with someone else makes it a much easier watch. You can pass the time together, bounce theories around, and discuss the tangled web of court politics and family trees that the show throws at you. I also started following along with FangirlVerdict’s blog, which was a lifesaver. With so many characters, titles, and interwoven backstories, having a guide is almost essential. Pro tip: if you're going to tackle this drama, I highly recommend (1) watching with someone, (2) using a blog or guide, and (3) joining an online watch party or discussion forum. You’ll thank me later.

Now, even during my first attempt, I could tell Nirvana in Fire was objectively very good. The writing is sharp, the storytelling tight, and the character work? Phenomenal. Everyone is well-developed with clear motivations, and the emotional arcs especially the themes of justice, loyalty, and redemption are noble and deeply rooted. The acting is also top-tier. Seriously, some of the best performances I’ve ever seen.

But still… it’s sterile. There’s no warmth, no spark, no organic emotional pull. It's odd because it should have that as it’s got the cast, the production, the gravitas and the music but it’s almost like the script was so focused on elegance and restraint that it forgot to breathe. It’s as if the writers were so reverent of the original novel that they got scared to add any texture. And 54 episodes of that sterile, ultra-controlled tone? Whew. That’s a lot. Hence an 8 to what is a 10/10 show.

All that said, I’ve changed my stance. I used to have Nirvana in Fire on my “not worth the hype” list. But after rewatching with new context and appreciation, I get it now. It’s a cerebral, restrained, and beautifully crafted historical that takes its time—maybe too much time—but delivers in its own way.

So yes, I stand corrected. It’s worth the hype… just make sure you’re in the right mindset (and maybe bring a buddy and a blog along for the ride).

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The Poetic Genius

The origin of Nirvana in Fire is the book "Lang Ya Bang" by Hai Yan.
The author is also the scriptwriter, which is one of the reasons why the script is so thorough and in the vein of the novel.

Nirvana In Fire is a fictional story with the historical background of the North and South Dynasty period. It uses the massacre of 70,000 soldiers ordered by Emperor Xiaoxuan Liang as the basis for the story. From this massacre, General Lin Shu survives and for 12 years he refines a strategy to re-establish the truth about the reasons for the massacre.
A strategy planned from every angle. Anticipated for any unforeseen event, even if, as Mei Chang Su, the name with which he came back from the dead, says himself, no strategy is infallible.
The plot is superbly orchestrated, we are dealing with a clever character who has created a spider's web to draw each victim into.
More than a chess game, Nirvana in Fire is a hunt brilliantly led by Mei Chang Su. Manipulation from A to Z mastered with a genius rarely achieved. It may seem boring to think, well we know he's going to be the winner and who the bad guys are. But no, the beauty of this drama lies in its simplicity, we already know the endgame and yet we watch in wonder as the villains get caught up in the spider's web little by little because it's the path to get there that is captivating. Everything in this drama is finely tuned, the outcome of each attack is skilfully revealed, neither too fast nor too slow. We know the why but not the how because it's not so easy to guess in advance what's going through Mei Chang Su's head.
I have never seen a character as charismatic, relentless and formidable as Mei Chang Su. An intelligence in the service of good that marries wonderfully with his goodness and his purity of heart. He is the definition of the hero, the one who goes to the end of his mission in spite of a body that fails him, in spite of the adversaries to be put down and allies to be sacrificed.

Beyond the political strategy, Nirvana in Fire is also about LOYALTY, the LOYALTY that the fellow pugilists have towards Mei Chang Su, the LOYALTY that Prince Jing has towards Lin Shu even beyond death.
I loved the intense friendship between Mei Chang Su and Prince Jing, which started out suspicious and became solid long before the Prince discovered the truth.

If the ending isn't a surprise, I don't regret this incredible journey. The strength of this drama lies in the relational chemistry between each character from the most important to the minor role.

If I have only one drama to recommend, even if you don't like political conspiracies, even if you don't like historical dramas, even if you have preconceived ideas about Chinese dramas, I would say, this one is worth seeing over and over again.

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Spectacular! Nirvana in Fire has set the new bar for drama series!

As a good [limited] movie and drama series fan, I find myself fond of quality of story, plot-line, casting & acting, and of course all supporting elements for the quality such as the production detail such as costumes, music, culture, exterior/interior design., etc.

Nirvana in Fire is a very rare gem I found years after it first airing in 2015.
A story about classic politic intrigue & battle of wits with minor touch of action, all blended with a superb directing.
What makes the story very attractive is 'mission of the mission' presented in well-balanced pace by the main character played superbly by Hu Ge and perfected by all supporting actors/actresses. Yes! I wrote all actors/actresses, they are just brilliant and really animated their roles.

In watching drama series, sometimes I could skip a few episodes or even a season (of many) due to the dragging story or the plot suddenly seems irrelevant, lost the way or the twist was just 'too twisted' which makes the early 'nice flavor' become sour or tasteless. Nirvana in Fire is way beyond those substandard series. In Nirvana in Fire, almost each episode treat us with something new and interesting surprises plot. There is no unnecessary scene, no teenager puppy-love and no unnecessary acting. No nonsense!
All aspects of the movie, even just a minor supplement touch scene really suited and enriched the story, really smooth. The pace is excellent, make me really enjoyed, immersed & excited by this phenomenal drama series.

Last but not least, the soundtrack really represents the soul of the story. It is about everything one's might face and endure in this mortal world of suffering and beauty.

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One of the greatest shows of all time

I almost didn't watch this show because of a few things.

1. Dub. Yes, the whole show is dubbed by the original or other actors. I understand it's because the language is very rich, intricate, and subtle that everything needs to be clear, but at first it almost made me turn it off. I got used to it.

2. First few minutes I thought the setting was going to be in regional and mountain areas but 90% of the show takes place in the capital city of the empire.

3. The exaggerated martial arts. It's actually pretty nice and fun to watch but can take a while to get used to.

4. This is my first Chinese series. It had so many names and locations that at first was hard to keep up with but eventually it was easy.

Now that I got that out of the way:

The show's story is what sets it apart. Layers upon layers and very beautiful setups that make the show work. There's really not much more I can say without giving it away but if you want a nice story with a great plot, this is the show.

The actors and cast. Everyone was excellent and really complemented each other. They'll grow on you.

Overall, I loved the show and although it was 54 episodes, it didn't feel like it dragged on or felt too long or too short. It was just the right amount.

If you have doubts about watching, like I mentioned above, just watch a few more episodes. You'll see how good this show can be.

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It's the best Chinese Drama that I watched

If you watch barely any Chinese dramas but want to try one, then don't wait for more. This drama would always remain at the top of your list & it is not an exaggeration. It is one of those dramas that you always plan to watch but push it back (due to the length) & when you finally sit down to watch, you are left spell bound.

It has all the elements that a viewer wishes to see : An intricately woven story, well written dialogues, spot on acting, beautiful cinematography, lovely landscapes, great themes like loyalty, justice & selfless love.

The drama pulls you effortlessly into itself. All the characters seem real, have their own motivations, values and back stories which are wonderfully executed. I was emotionally invested into more than one character & found myself celebrating, crying for a fictional character after a long time.

There is romance, bromance, mother & child love, friendship, sibling rivalry, political rivalry, the tension in a father & son relationship, and many other aspects of human relationships which are portrayed by the actors with a rich palette of emotions.

The drama has a good pace and flow without any fillers & the ending is near perfect with even the smallest of the nuances tied up brilliantly. Each scene, setting and character costume is breath takingly good.

The chess game between the two sides is interesting to watch & is unfolded layer by layer almost like a blossoming flower. This master piece cannot be justified with mere words. It can only be experienced.

This drama is definitely worth all the hype.

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Maybe considered spoiler, so anyone who don't even want to know a single hint about this drama, don't look any further.







After I finished this drama, what I like about it is there are no scenes that make me feel heart-wrenching anger (bad kind) or agonizing pain (also bad-kind) [that is if you exclude the main reason of the whole drama]. You can just enjoy how he strategized so brilliantly and completely, letting you feel the anxiety of whether his plotting will succeed or not. My curiosity of how he turn the whole situation around is satisfied too.

I like Fei Liu (simple, good-at-fighting kid beside Mei Chang Su), his scenes are so cute and funny!

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One of the best dramas I've watched. This drama has a lot of complicated political intrigue and beautiful cinematography, and, importantly, a lot of very smart characters, including plenty of smart women. There was some romance but it paled in comparison to the wonderful heartfelt bromances. And, unlike most Korean dramas, everything wasn’t neatly tied up into one big happy pill, which made Nirvana’s ending much more meaningful and satisfying. I nearly gave up after the first episode because it was confusing with too many characters being introduced too quickly and too briefly (hint: learn their names!) but I’m glad I stuck with it. I would recommend this drama to people who like complex plots and who like to watch smart people behaving intelligently.

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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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I don't understand the hype

I've heard so much hype about this Nirvana in Fire and the sequel Nirvana Fire 2. I watched both. Unimpressed. Overall this series dragged on way too long. I found myself skipping so many parts and sometimes entire episodes. I only sat thru the entire series just to find out what happens to see if the show redeems itself at the end. It did not.

Characters: While the acting wasn't bad, I was never truly invested in any of the characters, including the ML. The lead couple had zero chemistry. The only character I rooted for was Concubine Jing (wonderful actress, saw her in Rise of the Phoenixes).

Music: The OST wasn't bad but nothing memorable.

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An epitome of perfection and a class of its own

This series surpassed all levels of hits there could be for a drama to score. In all my years of watching dramas, I can confidently say even until 2021 (I've watched countless J-series, K-series, Thai series and English series), not a single drama manages to even come close to this one in terms of plot, flow, character dynamics, cinematography and pacing. Brilliantly written and spun like an intricate web. The layers are astonishing. The plot is just mindblowing and NOT CLICHE. If you think you watched enough dramas to know or expect what the characters will do next, this series will throw you off the cliffs. Everytime you think the plot is going a certain way the characters always manages to surprise you or end up 10 light years ahead to wave and laugh at you. Even upon rewatching for the 6th time, I'm amazed at all the little details I manage to find each time. I was so sad when I watched this series for the first time in 2016. Near the end I had withdrawals and knew then that when this one ends, never will i find such a brilliant series again. NEVER. This one set the bar too high for me now. Simply because each characters here were written with such detail and care. There are none who exist simply to push the plots. Each of them fit and mould well in the mixture. Every one of them exist to represent a thought, a seed and they all have intentions or reasons as to why they do things. Even the character I hated most, the emperor - (who in his ego and ignorance chose to be blind to all evidences and essence of the truth) manages to make me find empathy and sympathy for him because of the way his character expressed his thoughts when he last spoke to Mei Chang Su. There are no good or evil in this series. There are only the truest and realest intentions, desires and sufferings humans ultimately choose for themselves or others on their paths. So this really is a win. It's been years and I came back to write this review simply because I haven't found a single drama which can be up to par with NiF and every time i feel that my standards sort of dropped or I watched too many 'disappointing' series, I come back to NiF for a rinse.

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