Incomparable to the first Nirvana in Fire
Don't compare this to the first Nirvana in Fire. I made that mistake the first episode I watched, then dropped the series. It's not as faced paced and scheming as the first one starts off as, and because of that I stopped watching it. That was my mistake. This is a completely different story with almost no relation to the first one. This story starts off where Jing Yan's son is King and his adopted son Ting Sheng is the General of the powerful Chang Lin Army (army created by Jing Yan at the end of the first season). The imperial court is different, the characters are different, and thus the plot is different. The only remnants from the previous story are a few characters that are now old, and some name drops here and there. So throughout the story, I was trying to connect some of the names mentioned to the first one for my own personal enjoyment, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. You can watch this series on its own without having to watch the first one, and they do have some flashbacks to the first one when it's applicable to the story, so you won't get lost. It's just nice to have seen the first one, and then see the slight connections to it.The relationships in this drama is what gets me. The father (Ting Sheng) who is a powerful general that loyally serves the King, his brother. The King who does not doubt his brother's power. The eldest son (Ping Zhang) who takes on his responsibilities head on to ease the burden of his father and allow his younger brother to live the life he wants. His wife (Meng Qian Xue) who loves him and his family. The younger son (Ping Jing) who is carefree and a little mischievous, and the crown prince (Yuan Shi) who loves his uncle's family just as the King does. Just watching this family brings tears to my eyes.
Family, nature vs. nurture, choices, loyalty, brotherhood, camaraderie, right vs. wrong, revenge, power, love, life and death, happiness and sadness, schemes, betrayal; this drama has it all whether it be obvious or subtle. I want to say this drama is slow, but it is a buildup of all the characters. What they go through, the choices they make, and how they get to where they are. I dislike slow dramas, but this was put together really well. I really enjoyed this drama, and I've watched it a few times now.
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Great drama! Judge on it's own merits
Probably like most people, I judged and compared this drama to NIF1 on my initial watch and found it to be some what lacking, but the more episodes I watched the more I was invested in it, especially in our main family. I absolutely love the brotherly bond between PJ & PZ, the loving relationship between PZ & his wife, and the different yet loving ways Ting Sheng treats his sons. They are the heart of the drama!! PJ starts off very immature but learns throughout the story to be a great man, just like his brother and father! I love his journey. I also like that the Lin Xi is true to her profession, she wants to be a better doctor and doesn't put that above her romantic feelings. The plot is intricate enough culminating into great scenes towards the end of the drama. I love the opening theme song too, instrumentals work so well here. I've done a re-watch and still enjoy this drama!Was this review helpful to you?
One great thing about this drama is the fact that most of the characters are brilliantly smart. Even the female characters are smart too. (I die hard for smart character). The villain as well, you can even relate and took pity on them. It's not like the villain are born to be a villain. But sometimes circumstances made them do what they do. In the end, this drama has become one of my most fav drama ever.
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Perfectly watchable as a standalone series with great casting and story.
Just finished it today and although it feel slow some time in the second halft, the overall story and plot feel interesting enough with good acting of both the old actors and the young ones especially Liuhaoran.'s. There's a balance of palace drama, wonderful fighting scenes and some grand war act here and there. The old emperor and his brother relationship make up for a very strong first half while the young actors took of the second half pretty well.Story:
Less intrict then the first one but well developed and not feel rushed anymore.
Acting:
There is Huangxiaoming being Huangxiaoming most of the time but thankfully other actors doing really good though some of the female cast pretty much being one dimensioned.
Also fighting scenes is really good.
Music:
Nothing memorable but it feel soothing and just aligned with scenes.
Costume and Setting:
One of the most important thing of chinese palace drama is of course the costume and setting and everything look perfect here. It definitely showing the budget you can't find in 99% of the palace drama out there.
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This review may contain spoilers
I think it was most beautiful visually than NIF1, the only thing I didn't like it was Ping Zing romance. My god the girl cried,crier and hit up pans. Nothing elseI don't believe women from families could walk "looking for herbs" without being raped.
I would delete the whole romance of the show if I could.
My favourite scene was when the father died. The shaking of his clothes calling him back. I cried.
I cried when First or Senior brother died.
I was in love with the First Prince. He was truly a prince....
Between the father and him I can't pick the best person in the show.
Great acting... After you take away the crying nun.
I don't believe the ending. He won't be happy being a hippy
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This review may contain spoilers
It's not as good as the first season but it's not bad either
I've watched this drama just after finishing the first season that made me obsessed over the story and the characters ,,, I just watched it because my friends said it's good and has family bonding story the kind I like mostThe Chang Ling family are amazing all of them I felt their pain ,,, their love for each other ,, their love for their country ,, they are the best all of them ,, I cried a lot in this season I loved their story so much but
As a lot of reviews stated this drama is split in half to two stories ... they aren't really attached to each other as they killed off the main character then his father then the first main lead went into sanctuary grieving without being part of the second story most of the time
I didn't like the second story at all ,, it seemed forced and slow paced ,, i felt bored mostly in the second half but it picked up the pace in the finale episodes again when the main lead returned to save the young king
this drama is worth watching but don't expect much from it ,, it's not even remotely as good as the first season
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Even though it's related to the 1st installment but it surely delivers a consistent story line and beautiful characters with a nod here and there to the old characters and how they're all connected together. I loved how a young capricious man turned great leader the strict father who in fact loves his sons unconditionally even though one of them isn't of his flesh and blood. The brotherly love the wife and husband completing each other nicely strong female characters to some extent also how each villain wasn't totally black and white classically evil because they're just evil but because of their humanity they're weaknesses. Except some hiccups it's a really highly acclaimed and recommended drama it's smart, witty and will certainly engage you in its lush lore.
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Just love it! Good story line, great acting, twisted plot - love it!
Don't compare it to Nirvana in fire 1. It is a different story with loose references. It is a great drama. I already watch it more than 5 times and still enjoy it. The story is not boring. There are great actors and their acting are great. I love the love and bonding between the two brothers - Ping chang and Ping Jing. There is subtle romance, loyalty, friendship and political intrigue and ambition. I come to watch it every now and again. This is one of a few Chinese drama that I really love. I like this version more than the first one.Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful and Encouraging Drama!
Equally great and engaging to the original Nirvana in Fire, but this sequel I actually liked it more than the original. This focuses on Family and how your elder generations actions and decisions influence current generations. I am more invested on this because it’s comforting and more personal.All the actors did a great job portraying their characters but I just have to make a special mention of Liu Hao Ran. A phenomenal actor in the making! He was only 19 or 20 when he did this drama and he was able to portray a very convincing multiple stages of emotions and character development.
I highly recommend this drama!
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This review may contain spoilers
Is this supporting democratic govt ??
The message was v clr but given in a wrong wayShould king be selescted as per his ability or just cause he is son of the king
Ny way story is about the Xiao family father an dhis two son , they r loyal to the kingdom , brave strategic but in palace teher are peole who are jelaous and scared and they think that this family can revolt and take the kingdom so tehy plot against them all the time
Story till episodes 36 is awesome acting of Huang xing and Turbo liu is awesome they both made me cry so much
But my hert was taken by father Sun Chen such a great actor , his acting his body language will make u believe in him
there are v few female character but three main females are strong independent Meng xiao is beautiful and act well her charcter is well written but director didnt use her after he husband died she was just left to be on her own
I read lots of criticism about Lin xi but I liked her character she is different she is not in sword fight she is a dedicated healer and she is strong she doesnt want to change for any one as her passion is to heal people actress was v beautiful and one regret she got v less screen time with the main lead they did had chemistry and when they r talking to each other u can see the trust and love for each otehr
third female is the empress I know she is the negative character but her acting is good she over power every scenes she is in , she is helpless mother she was always scared for her son's life and she does all these foolish thing for her
but the only disappointment was Yuan qi actor was good but his character was given too much of screen time which was not needed we wanted to see Turbo but what i see his story if that would have cut down the series would have got 9.5 from me. specially even in the last scene director gave him more dialogues to explain why he did what he did. It was not shown that he knew his mother was killed by the same person whom he takes as master and learn all tricks so that scene at the end is really doesnt explain his character as he said he knew it .
ny watch it , its really good it kept me hook for three dyas I binged watched will look forward to this director and Turbo drama
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Messy and underwhelming
The writers had no idea how to start or end the story or any of the different arcs throughout the series. What this show provides are some good acting from the main characters aside from the female lead, sometimes poignant quotable dialogue and a piece of story after its predecessor if you really, really want more of that world.Most of the show is really boring, slow dialogue from the heroes to the villains. The villains aren't intriguing and the protagonists are wholesome but don't have plot to shine. They are always betrayed by poor writing.
The worst offense however is the female lead's acting. Her acting can be compared to a very bad robot. Hope she has improved on her works that followed this one.
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