Since I am stuck waiting for the next episode to be subbed, I was inspired to help spread the “Nirvana of Fire” love. It is one of those dramas that everyone should be watching so we can all fangirl together. So check out my 6 reasons as to why you should give this show a try, then quickly go click on episode 1 and join me in my obsession. We fangirls have to stick together after all.
*SYNOPSIS:
During the 4th century, war broke out between the feudal Northern Wei dynasty and Southern Liang dynasties, leading Liang’s General Lin Xie to take his only child, the 19 year old Lin Shu, to battle. Unexpectedly, Lin Xie was framed by a political rival, causing the unjust deaths of seventy thousand Chiyan army soldiers, just after they drove off the hostile Wei forces.
After barely escaping with his life, Lin Shu establishes the Jiangzuo Alliance with the help of Langya Hall and makes a name for himself as Mei Changsu, chief of the pugilistic world. Under the alias of Su Zhe, he returns to the capital of Liang 12 years on to overturn the injustices imposed on the Chiyan Army and secretly assist his friend the unfavoured Prince Xiao Jingyan in his battle for the throne.
WARNING: There are a lot of characters to get background info on. I promise that it gets easier to keep everyone straight by ep 4. If you have any questions you are welcome to ask me in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter. I am always happy to help another drama addict.
#6 Political Intrigue
I know that this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I still urge you to give it a chance. Rarely have I ever watched a drama where every little movement/dialogue of the characters means something in the grand scheme of things. Mei Changsu brings Machiavellian level plots into the capital as he works on shaking up the monarchy and it is a joy to watch.
It is crazy addictive and I am constantly pushing “next episode” to see how things turn out.
#5 Interesting Supporting Characters
From Princes, Generals, The Emperor, Concubines, & Underlings Galore. There is no end to the interesting side characters that make up the Nirvana world. Originally this was going to be a post on five reasons to watch……but as I thought about it, it just seemed wrong to leave out so many great actors from the list.
So #5 is dedicated to all of you B-Characters that enriched this drama.
#4 Amazing Cinematography
This drama is movie quality in its cinematography. Beautiful scenery, amazing styling, and detailed to the nth degree. There is definitely bonuses from watching a show that is completely finished before it begins airing. Something Kdramas can sometimes lose when they go into the live airing episodes.
The pièce de résistance was a phenomenal battle scene in ep 44. It was one of the most realistic and intense battle scenes that I have ever watched in a drama. And keep in mind, that I have watched a truckload of dramas. It was impressive.
#3 Prince of Jing (Wang Kai)
While Mei Changsu is the main character of the drama, Xiao Jingyan, The Prince of Jing, is the one I tend to gravitate to. Not only is he stubbornly moral in a court of greed and dishonesty, but he has the most amazing cheekbones. Sorry, this Ahjumma loves a pretty face.
Too honest to be a contender for the throne, Xiao Jingyan has lived his life as an ignored prince. Mostly sent out to the battlegrounds to keep the peace on the boarders. Upon returning to the capital he finds support from strategist Mei Changsu, not realizing that he’s the best friend he thinks is dead.
#2 Mei Changsu (Hu Ge)
I know that Hu Ge has done a ton of dramas (many that I have watched), but this is the first time I really have connected to him as an actor. He was made for this role.
Strong, silent, and tormented, he plays everyone like a puppeteer put on an elaborate puppet show. All Mei Changsu wants is to make his bestie the new emperor and make sure that the sins of the past are brought to light. He is willing to do all the dirty work so that his bestie doesn’t have to feel morally corrupted.
Which brings us to our #1 reason to give “Nirvana In Fire” a chance. That’s right, THE BROMANCE!
#1 BROMANCE
There is nothing better than a good bromance. Except maybe a tragic bromance. Tragic, in that one half of the OTB (One True Bromance) doesn’t even know that he is in a bromance. Yup, you heard correctly. Prince Jing is unaware that his soul mate best friend is in fact alive and just a secret tunnel away, helping him gain the throne. But that doesn’t stop the bromance from happening. Oh, it happens whether you want it to or not. Despite keeping secrets from his bestie, Mei Changsu starts emoting anytime Prince Jing comes into vicinity and it is glorious.
It is also fascinating to watch one half be so involved emotionally while the other is involved (despite logic) but not to the same degree. Thankfully over time the new bond strengthens into something new and we viewers are able to watch a relationship that kicks most traditional romance storylines in the booty. In other words, you will start for the revenge but stay for the bromance.
And this completes my top reasons why to start “Nirvana in Fire”. If you are suddenly inspired to start watching (which you should be) go check it out at Viki. It should be done being subbed in the next day or so and is ready for dramathoning. You can even watch it on your apps and various devices, since for once this is not a fan channel. I love that we are getting more Chinese dramas subbed and available for the masses. Something that was almost non-existent even a year ago. But that is a topic for a future post.
If you do begin to watch and have any questions (read the warning…..I swear stuff makes sense quickly, just not on the first episode) feel free to send me a message on FB, twitter, or even in the comments section of this post. I am always happy to help others become more involved in their drama addiction.
Til next time,
-KMUSE-
*Synopsis from Dramawiki
You know I am in 100% agreement with you on this. Love this drama so much and highly recommend it to others! You won’t be disappointed. The bromance is amazing! And love your use of OTB. That’s awesome. 🙂
That might become a permanent part of my vernacular now.
I’m joining you in NirvanaInFire Army 🙂
YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Another fan to spread the word. We are slowly growing in numbers.
Is this C-drama doing well in Korea?
I am not sure I Cdramas are aired in korea. They would probably have to steam them like we do. I know it did very well in china.
I completely agree with you. I love this drama too. I keep watching it again and again.
I just have few questions: when does it start to get so good? I am on Episode 13, and its getting very difficult for me to hang on to this drama. There’s no momentum so far. How long will Lin Shu-gege continue plotting without anyone finding out who he is? How many succesful schemes can he keep making before the shit hits the fan. Episode 12 wasn’t bad, since the princess figured out who he is. … I’m waiting for some actions here, but I only get talking. And they talk a lot. It doesn’t help that they talk in monotone.
So many have said this is the best Chinese drama they’ve seen, and therefore decided to check it out. But I am not seeing it in the first 12 episodes. Am I supposed to wait after 20 episodes? Then how does that become so amazing?
I do want to mention the things I love. I love the gorgeous, very detailed costumes, the art-like cinematography, and the fight-sequences. The acting is on point from the main to the support. I do appreciate the drama in those aspects.
I loved it from around episode 3. If you are not feeling it, we might just have different tastes in dramas. I was totally hooked by episode 13
Love this Drama well written and well played …. I watched it before without sub and I watched it again when eng. sub are released .
I want to watch it again when I get the chance.
Watching this drama right now and I’m totally hooked! 🙂
still remains my #1 all time favorite Cdrama.
The moment I started watching the first episode, I could tell that this drama would be the best in all Cdramas that I’ve watched 🙂
Absolutely love NIRVANA IN FIRE and may i borrow your phrase to the nth degree. I love absolutely everyone and everything in this drama even the evil xia jiang, gin baruo and the mean king. I particularly love, love, love Fei lui, The execution is to the tee. Even if we heaped loads of praise to this drama, it is still not enough. When i first watched it, i even had a little note book with me to keep track of the names, relationships, places and ahhhh it is just so many things and it is so very exciting. I just can’t stop talking about this epic, out-of-the-ball-park-awesome, beautiful, heart wrenching, tragic, funny … the list goes on…drama.
Thank you so much!
I totally agree with you this drama rocks!!! its now in my top 3 best ever – must watch drama. I love the storyline, the costumes, ciermatography, even those pigeons pet from langya hall. All in all i looveeeeeee the cast, they fit perfectly into their role from the romance, bromance, even the hatred and angst it all walking straight to my emotions. Like you suggested i dramathoning this one on vikii and i couldnt stop! I just cant get enough of this drama. Every scene, every dialogue is just a small threads in a giant scheme that MCS weaving.
And for you all fangirl that cant move on just like me, you could check out NIF firefest on TUMBRL and also lots of fanfiction in archieve of our own website!!!
Happy fangirling everyone!!!
I am in complete and utter agreement with you! In most dramas, the political plotting at times bores me. But as you mentioned, everything here is relevant and has a pay off and I was completely hooked. Hu Ge is just brilliant here and I felt there was a lot of nuance in his expressions (Which is why it was so weird for me to go watch Disguiser right after this, and find him so very different!) And you’ve got the right words when you describe it as a ‘tragic bromance’ because even when the reveal happens, things can never go back to how they were. They have to forge a new relationship because everything has changed irrevocably.
And what I kept feeling throughout the drama is how much it elevates the basic Count of Monte Cristo premise – because it’s not about just a personal revenge anymore; he’s plotting to right a wrong done to over 70,000 people and to shake up an entire country’s system. Literal Chills.
Sorry, just wanted to add to the Nirvana in Fire love. I could just go on and on!
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I usually dont enjoy reading details about dramas i still didn’t finish, but i needed this “motivation” to keep watching, as i’m in ep5 but actually i wasn’t paying attention on it (streaming while looking at my phone..)
Thank you for this article! i will replay it 😀
Heard so much about this drama but could not find it anywhere, but it recently appeared back on Viki! Based on all the amazing spoiler free reviews I’ve already read, I was afraid, how can a drama be this good, am I going to feel let down by the high expectations? NO! I am deeply involved and invested(currently Episode 7). I am in drama heaven, that feeling you get when you know you are watching something very special.
I’m so happy that you are enjoying this drama. It remains in my top 10 favorite dramas of all time list despite it being from several years ago.