I feel that this drama is way too overrated. To have just .1 rating lower than epic masterpiece like Nirvana in Fire is totally beyond me. Yes, the setting is beautiful with a lot of eye candy. I watched it till ep 16 and it didn't have any worthwhile moment. Worse yet, it is adapted from plagiarized piece of work that constantly strikes on conscience while watching the drama. I feel that the popularity of this drama is typical case of a "fad" and "bandwagoning". In hindsight, when the euphoria has died down, people will realise how cliched it is.
Edit 1 on 11th July:
Following are douban ratings for both Nirvana in Fire and Eternal love. Although shared by a detractor of my comment, it actually corroborates my claim that this drama is highly overrated on this site.
Edit 2 on 12th July:
Irrespective of its comparison with any drama out there, the fact that its "plagiarized" is enough to say that its overrated and not worth 1 percent of the defense its getting. One reason its not rated highly on douban is because its plagiarized.Google translating the first comment on douban will tell you how sensitive issue of plagiarism about this drama is in mainland China.
Edit 3 on 14th July:
Here is a proof of how the writer stole not only the whole setting from another author but has also copy/paste whole lines, sentences and characters. It would also be wise to remember that this is just what the author of this drama stole from 1 other author. There is high probability that there numerous other lesser know writers from which she stole.. The writer of this drama is notorious for stealing the work of little know writers and claiming it as her own. Consider the audacity of the author of this novel that after plagiarizing from the other writer, she sent that writer the novel of this drama as a gift.
I have watched Nirvana in Fire twice. It an epic masterpiece. From start till end it keeps the viewer engaged so if you are thinking about giving it a go, you can.
Edit 1 on 11th July:
Following are douban ratings for both Nirvana in Fire and Eternal love. Although shared by a detractor of my comment, it actually corroborates my claim that this drama is highly overrated on this site.
https://movie.douban.com/subject/25975243/
https://movie.douban.com/subject/25754848/
Edit 2 on 12th July:
Irrespective of its comparison with any drama out there, the fact that its "plagiarized" is enough to say that its overrated and not worth 1 percent of the defense its getting. One reason its not rated highly on douban is because its plagiarized.Google translating the first comment on douban will tell you how sensitive issue of plagiarism about this drama is in mainland China.
Edit 3 on 14th July:
Here is a proof of how the writer stole not only the whole setting from another author but has also copy/paste whole lines, sentences and characters. It would also be wise to remember that this is just what the author of this drama stole from 1 other author. There is high probability that there numerous other lesser know writers from which she stole.. The writer of this drama is notorious for stealing the work of little know writers and claiming it as her own. Consider the audacity of the author of this novel that after plagiarizing from the other writer, she sent that writer the novel of this drama as a gift.
https://hamster428.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/plagiarism-allegations-against-tqgz/