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A cunning web of deception and twists…
I don’t write many reviews but I thought I’d give this one a go because it’s really refreshing. Cdramas dominate my watchlist so I can pretty much predict most storylines. So far, I haven’t been able to predict this one. I also love that the main characters are not the typical bad or good people. They are conniving and neither wholly good nor entirely evil. I’m generally inclined towards smart characters because dumb mains are just frustrating to watch. The camaraderie and twists and turns makes this worth the watch.UPDATE: So I’ve finished watching this drama and I still enjoyed it. The only thing was that towards the middle and end it was a bit predictable because the director/screenwriter kept using the same technique in revealing the plot, which actually makes you less invested because you expect there to be a twist. Still worth the watch though.
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Save yourself from this mother-daughter melodrama
This drama was way more mother-centric than romance, so anyone here for romance mainly will be disappointed. I don’t mind if it’s a family drama but the decisions made by the mother from start to finish will rile you up. Not to mention that there are constantly annoying, good-for-nothing characters with no redeeming qualities popping in one after the next. There are some good moments but the ratio of melodrama to fun moments tips the scale too much. I only stuck around for the main couple, their relationship was good to watch. Otherwise, definitely wouldn’t recommend this - it’s too stressful and brings a lot of unnecessary negative emotions and melodramatic moments.Was this review helpful to you?
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Struggled to finish the drama
The drama kept me interested for a while until the two main leads GBZ and WSY started all of a sudden caring so much about each other and getting all emotional when something happened to the other. I think the plot was interesting, it kept me watching with the mystery aspects but the romance was done terribly. I think the two main leads had like two interactions and all of a sudden they are willing to die for each other and getting all jealous and wanting to control each other's decisions. It just didn't make sense to me. I like the plot and I think it could have been a great drama if they didn't add these poorly done romance aspects. Another annoying thing was how they characterize BLHY to be this super smart guy but a lot of figuring plots out is given to the character GBZ, and they show BLHY's intelligence mostly by BLHY figuring out what GBZ is trying to convey to him in threatening moments. The characterization and plot together just wasn't very coherent to me. I liked some of the support characters back stories like that of GBZ's lady friend, while the addition of other supporting characters were quite confusing. Like, why give such characters so much screen time when they have little influence on the plot? It was just annoying watching them (like that of LR's brother). The point of LR's character and her ear-piercing "Er Lang" was also confusing to me. Why??? What is the point to show us this besides annoying viewers?Was this review helpful to you?
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Overrated in my opinion
I watched this drama mainly because it was rated so highly on kisskh and I've enjoyed most of the top rated series listed on kisskh. It has also recently won an award so I wanted to see what it was about. I was quite disappointed. I honestly don't know why this series won an award, I feel like nowadays series/movies that are confusing and contain some element of "pyscho" are often highly rated and wins awards.The love story is sweet but the characters didn't really tug at my heart. Like when they were sad, I didn't really feel anything. Some scenes I was just like "hurry up, we know this!". It is also rather depressing and the author seems to really understand depression and may have tried to bring this topic to light.
It had a good air of mystery and what made me carry on watching it was wanting to know what happened. Overall, I really think it is overrated and I just don't understand the high rating but obviously, this is just my view. My summary: it is a story of three guys obsessed with one girl resulting in everything that happened, with time-traveling element. I would definitely not rewatch. The sweet scenes just didn't have that 'awww, I'm totally into their relationship and want to relive it' kind of vibe.
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One of the absolute BEST stories out there
Nirvana in Fire is one drama I hold in the highest esteem. I watched it 4-5 years ago and I definitely think this should be a classic. The story is just amazing and so well thought out. The characters were wonderful and the traits they promote in the series make you wish that these characters exist in real life.The pace in the beginning is slow but the setting is so beautiful that it doesn't take away from the drama. I also think it was necessary to set the scene. The acting was flawless. I worried and cared about so many of the characters. Fei Liu is just adorable. The loyalty, the virtue and honour of the characters are so inspiring.
I know series like this is not for everyone, and I'm not even the type to like this kind of series but this is the highest rated series of all time in my mind. This is a MUST WATCH.
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So many flaws with the story
I'm usually not very critical of dramas but this one really bothered me. It had the potential to be a really good drama, the cast and acting overall was good. The setting and overall storyline had a lot of potential. But the writing? OMG kill me now. I don't know how they could have screwed up so bad. I am quite sure if it wasn't for Xiao Zhan this drama would not have half the popularity it does now, people would have dropped it like hot cakes.The biggest flaw is the inconsistency of the characters and how each storyline unfolds. The general drill of the storylines is "Gao Liang always benefits by sheer dumb luck and nepotism". I can understand if one of the main themes is nepotism in the drama but then show me it's the problem of the army, not every single damn higher up only favoriting Gao Liang. Then they try to tell you it's because Gao Liang is this amazing soldier so everyone loves him, but they don't show how he is so amazing. Really, the only time you know GL is amazing is through conversations by the leaders and how amazing he is. Not even a "why he is so amazing", he's just "amazing". The division commander is painted to be this absolute "fair" person yet he is the worst with the nepotism, like Mr Screenwriter Liu Yan, do you even know anything about the characters you are writing?
Then there are the time jumps that are just ghastly. They spent like the first 20 episodes developing this sort of "first love" romance between Gu Yiye and Jiang Nanzheng, and friendship/love triangle with Gao Liang, then the war happens and people are affected, Gu Yiye is emotionally damaged. Totally makes sense, but then it's like 5 years later and they show you Jiang Nanzhen loves Gao Liang, Gu Yiye is happy and getting married to A Xiu, ummmm, where is that whole process of emotional change? How did GYY become happy again? How did JNZ look at GL as more than just a friend? I think this is more core to the story than almost 20 episodes of "first love".
It's not all bad, the humor is good and GLs character is a lot of comic relief. GYY is just a likable character and the epitome of what a good soldier should be. The emotional scenes do give you the feels (most of them anyway). Supporting characters are generally likable and also contribute to a lot of the humor. Although I really don't find what is appealing about the female lead, JNZ.
Recommend? Only if you want to be spitting fire afterwards. If the logic of the story isn't so important to you, then I think it can be an enjoyable watch. Otherwise, don't even touch it.
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This rating will definitely go down
The style of this drama was refreshing and not something I'm used to or would like. It did keep me watching till the end, so it was an enjoyable watch. It definitely isn't a 9 rating for me though, many a times the events that take place are just too "convenient". I hate convenience plots. I'm not a fan of this style of comedy, the beginning scene had me thinking it would a really cool vibe of series but it focused much more on the comedy element. I didn't find it too funny, some of the comedy was kind of annoying and eye-rolling. I hated the villains and I loved the male lead so acting was on point. Overall, it is enjoyable and different but definitely not so high up on my favourite dramas list. I feel a lot of reviews have shared the same sentiment as me lately so I think this rating will definitely go down. If it doesn't, then these ratings aren't right.Was this review helpful to you?
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A few predictable scenes but worth the watch
Best:Chu Yings character. I feel like he was the heart of the story. His character is a lot of times cute in his pure love for Go and childlike, sometimes annoying and sometimes stern. I really liked his character and it was what made me carry on watching the show.
Realistic growth. The drama shows how they grow from sometimes rather annoying characters to more mature people with life things. It depicts realistic phases of life.
Humor. I really liked the well placed humor, it had me laughing out loud.
Yu Liang and Hong He. I really liked these two characters, one bringing humor and epitome of a friend and the other just felt like a pure soul.
Annoyed with:
Cinematic angst. Some scenes/story arcs are annoying because they use the same predictable tactics to develop characters (eg Shen Yi Lang), making me feel like some of it wasn't necessary.
Story arc wrap ups. I liked but also did not like how they didn't give us closure on some character arcs.
Shi Guang: I found his character quite annoying and just generally not likable. He did a lot of things that just made me mad.
Rating on MDL. Although I find this drama endearing, I really don't feel like it deserves this 8.8 rating. Some story arcs I felt were forced because of how they used predictable tactics to create problems for characters.
#Spoilers
I wished they showed us where Chu Ying went and what happened to him. There was no closure on his character or how his journey was when he disappeared, which I think is not cool because this was just as much about his story as it was about Shi Guang.
The ending for Hong He felt so random and unnecessary. Why did his father suddenly end up like that? I feel like this was not fleshed out properly and it just sprung out of nowhere.
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Humorous and Melancholic All in One
Updated 18/03/2025 (10 to 8): I came into this drama without any expectations as I was just looking for something new to watch. Little did I know I was going to binge watch the first 6 episodes that came out. It’s the characters that make it so endearing and their dialogues make it fun. You will often see them carry a “sharp tongue but a soft heart”.Mind you, the FL is not your typical Cdrama fluffy or fun lead. She is a melancholic yet silently strong character that has dealt with a lot of trauma in her past, which slowly reveals itself as the drama moves along. ZRN is perfect for this role in every way - her looks, her acting, just brilliant. She is a mixture of melancholic and adorable that you just want to eat her up.
The ML is consistent with his character in Hidden Love (from a loving family, confident, “soft but I will never let you see that” vibes) and it hits different when you see it in a romantic setting. It makes him so appealing, and BJT brings this to life superbly. His micro expressions are top notch.
PRODUCTION (10): The overall production is amazing - I must say these actors look so good in this drama than when compared to their other appearances. This can't happen if it weren't for the whole team - lighting, stylists, makeup artists, etc. From the details in clothing choices (e.g. baggy clothes for the trauma ridden FL) to the chosen actors/actresses for the roles, you can see the attentiveness given to this series. The director uses music to its max to sensationalise your feelings, which I thought was very effective.
ATMOSPHERE & PACING (9): The drama excels in creating a palpable atmosphere. There's a subtle tension that permeates each scene, hinting at deeper secrets and emotional scar, without losing its sweetness. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the characters to breathe and the audience to truly connect with their inner turmoil. It's not a fast-paced, action-packed drama; instead, it's a slow burn that builds anticipation and emotional investment. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the nuances of the characters' expressions and the beauty of the setting, which adds to the overall melancholic yet beautiful tone.
STORY (8): This is where I dock points, from what would have been legendary to an excellent watch. Throughout the drama, there were small details that nagged at me and I couldn't help wondering, could there have been a better way? And the answer for me is yes. Where the screenwriter could have opted for a powerful, logical narrative of the FL reclaiming her agency, he instead chose the more sensationalistic approach. It does bring out the emotions, but makes it a missed opportunity to showcase her survivor spirit more prominently.
Spoilers below.
These are the little nags that bothered me. Its a lot, and its a fight between my logic and my emotions. I think my rating is very high for all these little nuances, but I chose it because the characters are so loveable, the overall story has more depth than typical romances (thank the source material), the atmosphere and vibe is so beautiful, the buzz it created among the audience and I did enjoy it. A good emotional ride is still a good story, even if some things don't make sense. I did not read the novel btw, but have read up on the differences by commenters, which makes me wish that the drama had follow the novel more.
****SPOILERS****:
Harassment arc: There were so many instances that the FL was harassed. I think it would have been more impactful if they just showed one. In a short space of time, she is shown to be harassed so many times by DIFFERENT people which I felt was gratuitous. "80-90% of sexual assaults are by people you know. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), on average, there are 463,634 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States, out of a population of roughly 169 million women (2023 stats)." I'm just giving these stats just to give an idea of how unnecessary it was to show so many instances in this timeline. And the source material did not have so many instances.
CXD arc: Her perpetrator gets a job at her place of work, and she still allows herself to be the last person to leave the office at night. This is very contradictory to her character to me. They could have followed the novel here which makes more logical sense, or dealt with it in a way that didn't 'assume the characters or audience are dumb'.
Yihe arc: ML goes to her university plenty of times to see how she is after she explicitly said she does not want him around her anymore. It sounds sweet, but if someone did that to me, even if its someone I like, I'd be scared of how his mind works. I totally understand people who call him a stalker, although I'd prefer not to think that way because we've seen what a beautiful soul SY has. Once again, the novel does this more logically. He goes once to see how she's doing.
MCY arc: He just randomly shows up at the downstairs of her place of living, unannounced, strong-arming her to show him her apartment? Like the screenwriter wants to make every male creepy in her wake? Come on.
HK arc: The arc that caused the most controversy. It wasn't badly done but it changes the narrative. It uses the well-trodden trope of self-sacrifice for the person you love, instead of one which could have been about agency and power of a survivor. This is the missed opportunity I'm talking about that could have really transcended the novel version.
2nd Couple: They were initially fun but it did get a tad bit boring with the focus on the grandparents.
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A hit and miss
This “rebirth”drama had many glaring flaws but I managed to finish it so it did intrigue. It really was a hit and a miss for me. From the first few episodes I could already see that this wouldn’t win drama of the year. The overall story and direction is mediocre at best.The hits:
Some really likable characters: I enjoyed a lot of the characters and their personalities, even some of the villains. FL and ML are overall strong in character and the kind that’s not frustrating to watch. Many side characters also added a lot of warmth and fun - like ZH and princess FQ were just rays of sunshine in a corrupt palace. At first I did wonder about some of the casting, like the brother, but eventually he grew on me. The women were also particularly delightful to watch as they were all just so pretty.
Some good storylines on its own: How they narrated some of the cases were a good watch. I also enjoyed how characters that appeared in the series at different stages all came together in the end - that was rather poetic. And the overall idea of the rebirth was more original than other rebirth plots.
Family and relationships: Rather than the typical tropes, it was refreshing to see the father put his children’s happiness above anything else. Instead of the typical miscommunications or distrust you see play out too long in mediocre dramas, it portrayed some beautiful relationships of trust and camaraderie.
The misses:
Directing and editing: I don’t know much about film but I find that the directors are critical to the success of a drama - and I think they did a poor job. The scenes sometimes just cut abruptly, some angles and scenes were taken with noticeable flaws - almost amateurish, the voiceovers/dubbing were almost comical sometimes (particularly the scene when XS had her monologue, I cringed). It’s one of those occasions where it really is the fault of the director that we find the acting bad.
Storylines, screenwriting and execution: While some storylines were good, there were also a lot more storylines/scenes and how things played out that were so unoriginal that laziness just shone through. Episodes 36+ were a big representation of that. The flashback scenes also didn’t really show us much - they could have really delved deeper into this aspect to make a good storytelling.
Surface level villains and motivations: I think one of the biggest failures of this drama was the main villain. For a character with so much screen time, they failed abysmally at showing why RY was the way she was. Were we meant to feel sorry for her or hate her? I was left feeling more confused than feeling any of those things (why below).
***spoiler***.
They failed to show why she always played the king and why she didn’t treat him sincerely as her brother - I couldn’t see why when they showed the king to be nothing but good to her. It makes her entire personality grown out of “villain for villains sake”. There was just no real backstory for her actions. This is so important to the story, especially because they were the reason all of this happened to the FL. Their overall demise was not near satisfactory - it was an insult to the suffering endured by everyone.
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A sweet family series that was unexpectedly addictive
I am always browsing for top rated series to watch because I love a really good series. I've also watched so many in my life so I get bored if it is a story I've seen plenty of times before. However, I always gave this one a skip because family drama does not excite me at all. But it was trending on Weibo one day so I decided to see what the fuss was about. I really didn't expect to like it so much, especially since it isn't the typical adventure, mystery, love or comedy genre I enjoy.But Reply 1988 was such a heartwarming, funny series. The premise sounds so boring (I mean, I really didn't want to watch a show about a neighbourhood where nothing really exciting happens) but when you watch two episodes you start getting into it and understanding the allure. It is sweet, heartwarming, funny as hell and gives you some tears.
I loved the main girl. She was just so adorable, pretty and funny. Every other character also had their appeal. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
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Epic love - definitely worth a watch
Production and Music:This is one drama where I feel I can actually comment on the production and music because usually I don't notice these things in a series. The scenery in this drama are truly amazing - it just wowed me throughout the series. The music was also so on point, it was perfectly done to create the emotions you are supposed to have for each moment.
Story and Characters:
The storyline is something I enjoy, I love fantasy and the story was an interesting one. It can be considered an epic love story and the characters all have their charm. I think this is a story where character development is done rather well, you understand the "villains" and the "good guys" and they aren't your typical characters that you hate or love. Each character had redeeming qualities. Where the drama lost points for me is the last 10+ episodes because we see a lot of moping around of the three main leads. These kind of scenes really annoy me because its kind of boring to watch a character cry and weep and not actually move the story along. And we had to watch three mopers one after the other in this drama for quite a few episodes. Overall though, it is definitely worth the watch and rewatch.
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Actors were so well chosen for the characters. Story was absolutely great.
I loved the story, I loved the characters and I just loved the overall series. This is one of those rare series/movies where it seems like the actors were made to play their parts. Wei Wu Xian and Lan Wang Ji were such beautiful souls in such different ways. The way their relationship was portrayed in the series was perfect. Not only were these two characters wonderful, the other characters like the sister, the child and so many supporting characters that just made you care for them, love them and feel for them - I think this is one of the most important elements in a good series.So many scenes made me cry, made me laugh, made me go 'awww'. The story, the pace, the setting, the characters, everything, made this drama what it was. This is definitely one of my top dramas. I would absolutely recommend this.
There was a flaw in my opinion though. There was one scene that made me cringe because it felt forced and lame, it lasted only a few seconds but I remember it quite well. It would be interesting to know if anyone felt the same way about it or even know which scene I'm talking about haha.
Overall, one of my top picks.
FYI, I don't like 10 ratings and I think kisskh ratings are generally too high. So on kisskh I rate them relative to other dramas and which ones I would expect to see in the top rated selection.
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An enjoyable watch
I really don't like stories or series that copy others and while the settings and story are different to The Untamed, some of the sayings and scenes just plain outright copy The Untamed. It's only one or two scenes and lines but considering it is same premise, I think even one is too much.Having said that, evaluating the series on its own, it is an enjoyable watch. The most captivating character is Wen Ke Xing, I think the actor who played this role did an amazing job to bring out the manic, sad, tortured and happy sides of the character.
The plot is okay, nothing grand, I think the focus of the show was more on the dynamics of the characters and their relationships. I enjoyed the show but I must admit I did fall asleep for one of the episodes.
I think it did fall short on execution of some scenes. The last few episodes just didn't feel right and could have been done better.
Overall, it was enjoyable.
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