'Sob' opera - Tears of the Crane
This drama focussed on the romance between Crown Prince Xiao Ding-Quan, an out of favour prince and Lu Wen-Xi who was trying to save her father and brother. The synopsis on mydramalist.com is fairly accurate, so you can always read that to get an idea of what the story is about - not always true for some dramas. So I shall focus on my reaction to this drama.The chemistry between Luo Jin (the Crown Prince) and Li YiTong (Lu WenXi) was amazing. And their tears were like a tap that they could turn on and off at will. Overall the cast was outstanding and played their parts well. The silly Zhang Shao Yun (acted by Dong Chun Hui) is worth a mention - he looked clueless and was quite pitiful as his love for WenXi was not reciprocated and was eventually framed by her. And so did the actor who did the role of the eunuch - this seasoned old actor was amazing especially toward the end of the drama.
I have always like Luo Jin's acting - very realistic and very expressive - especially after watching Princess WeiYang and this drama. Unfortunately I think he is becoming one of the more mature actors who are getting forgotten as the newer faces like Xiao Zhan, Wang YiBo and Gong Jun steal the limelight.
For Li YiTong, there were some mixed reviews of her acting skills. But I must say she was absolutely brilliant in this drama. One of the problems perhaps was she was always acting the well-behaved well-bred ancient ladies - characters that are not quite that exciting. This drama suited her as there were a lot of emotional scenes and she reacted them well, although as yet another well-bred lady.
I was not quite keen on the story. It was very intense with a lot of heart-rending scenes. Generally I do not like dramas where the villain always win and the good are always placed on the defensive. This drama was on my watch list for a long time before I started on the drama - as I knew it was going to be heavy. The Crown Prince was repeatedly sabotaged by his elder brother who was vying for the throne, and his cronies. The emperor favoured the eldest son but kept Ding-Quan as crown prince because of his promise to the late empress' brother, General Gu for his help in seizing the throne. He was a jealous father who felt that his son was closer to his maternal uncle who commanded a 200,000 strong army than him.
The reason Lu WenXi stayed at the palace seemed quite lame as she did not play a big role in helping her father's and brother's case. Time and again she was supposed to leave but stayed on for some equally lame reasons. In the drama, she was repeatedly blamed for crimes she did not commit and was severely physically punished - but of course that always open up opportunities for the hero to save the damsel in distress.
The last few episodes were just sobbing and draggy. I think the writer could have ended the drama five episodes earlier. The complicated plot that Lu WenXi fabricated to get the villains to confess their crime dragged it on for a few more episodes and finally lead to the finale, and also sealed her fate as she could not now reveal her identity. I think China has a lot of acting talents; but drama scripts always lack realism.
All other elements are great - gorgeous costumes, beautiful backdrop and excellent cinematography and one of the ending theme songs was lovely.
For a title, I would call it 'Tears of the Crane' which would be closer to the Chinese title instead of 'Royal Nirvana'. In Buddhism, nirvana is a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism. (I am not a buddhist but checked out the meaning.) This story was far from it. Crane in this drama represented the Crown Prince, and he was always crying.
In spite of my criticism of the story, the drama managed to make me stayed up for several late nights as I was keen to find out what was going to happen next. If you do not have depression and enjoy heart-rending dramas, this is a drama worth watching.
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Plot: Like the summary, the plot is about a maidservant that is out for her revenge. However, I feel that mostly the plot revolved around the CP and his father, the emperor. For example, everything that the CP did--the father is against it because the emperor doesn't trust him and perhaps, even feels threatening by him. In this drama, you can easily see that the father loves Crown Prince Ding Quan, but because he is the head of state-he cannot easily agree with the choices that CP made. So, to counterattacked the CP's choices-He used his second son to put CP in his place. Throughout this drama, I can feel the pain and suffering that CP went through-with protecting his love for Wen Xi and those around him.
Cons: I feel some scenes got cut out, and the story didn't flow nicely. But, still, a good drama to watch.
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It could have been good but the Director did a terrible job...
The pace is too slow with too much walking, crying, torture and abuse. I don't mind good cinematography of ceremonies, but it is just not particularly great scenes of the ceremonies anyway (I have seen much better ones around though it possibly didn't help that the music is censored on Youtube). The 4 episodes after the 60 episodes that I watched on Youtube could have been incorporated into the main series to make the drama series more interesting and make more sense. The actors aren't that bad, but I think the plot, the screen writers and the director did not do the cast justice.Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing Drama
I will never forget how I felt watching this drama nor will I ever forget it. It haunts me to this day. What an incredible story line and acting by the entire cast. Luo Jin is absolutely one of the best actors I have ever had the pleasure of watching. The cinematography, costumes, interiors, music were amazing. I still cannot believe it has not received the recognition it deserves. It is definitely a drama to watch and re-watch.The relationship between the King and Crown Prince was at most times difficult to watch as well as the other family members.
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Intense
Yes, every positive review you've read about this series is true. The stunning cinematography, the dialogue (oh my god, the dialogue), the characters, the intricate and soul-ripping plot, and lastly the intense chemistry between the protagonists. The flip side of these will gut you at every turn: deaths, betrayals, fratricide, filicide, suicides, and hate. At some point, I just had to start laughing at all the betrayals and deaths otherwise I would have lost my damn mind. Heed the warning, do not attempt this if you have suicidal ideations or depression.Then there's the Emperor (Crown Prince's father) who is probably the best antagonist I've ever had the pleasure of watching. I hated him with all my soul and yet I waited with bated breath for him to speak or act because a mere flick of his eyes could deal untold hardship on those around him. I rooted for him as much as I wanted him dead. How is that not some insidiously perfect scriptwriting?
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AMAZING SHOW. You start off kinda slow thinking this is gana be one of those drag on shows-ITS NOT! It’s flow is great. Definitely a roller coaster of emotions, but you almost forget about the constant churning of emotions because the acting is so off the charts phenomenal that’s it’s nail bitting, edge of the seat, and anticipation. And the ever growing investment in each of the well thought out characters and plot...plots? Lol 100% worth a watch!!!
That being said.........
The complete lack luster ending absolutely killed it for me. All this tension and drama build up......for that horribly, hum drum, boring, and complete fail of an ending for such an epic show.
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Must watch both Royal Nirvana and Royal Nirvana Special! It's just A. M.A. Z.I. N.G!
I do love watching a heavy political C-drama. Thank God I have decided to watch this! Royal Nirvana (60 eps) and Royal Nirvana Special (12 eps) combined is one of the best political C-Drama ever! It's an exciting rollercoaster! The male and female leads do deserve the best actor and actress award! All out tremendous acting from both, Luo Jin (the sociopath Crown Prince) and Li Yitong (the gracefullly beautiful, smart gentle heroine Lu WenXi). Wicked storyline and plots, epic production and beautiful cinematography supported by great music, casts and acting! The conflicts in this drama was sadistic but the romance was romantically hot! The shadow of Luo Jin and Li Yitong's romantic moments behind the screening was astonishingly beautiful and intellectually romantic. Moreover, the catepillar kiss and 3 years longing kiss are def the best kissing scene in all C-dramas I have ever watched! It's just A. M.A. Z.I. N.G!Was this review helpful to you?
BEAUTIFUL SETTING
Luo Jin and Yi LiTong were great in this drama....he loved her without knowing her face, the interaction was done behind the screen - her intelligent and voice attracted him, and he proposed marriage but rejected by her father (who happen to be his teacher) for reason of her 'well being'. Very unfortunately, it didn't happen and Lu WenXi (Li YiTong) went to service at the palace as a maid to help her brother/father out of jail because of the crime they didn't commit. I felt like the Crown Prince (Luo Jin) should have intelligent like no others but this one was pretty naive almost stupid. He didn't use smart tactics, his brusque action costed him punishments. Nothing's good came out from his actions, more heart breaking and short sighted. And the damn Crown Prince didn't learn from it, the next decision he made cost people jail. I sighed a lot watching this....a lot of emotional scenes product of his naivety and stubbornness. A lot of punishment scenes, beating, kill, house-arrest, poisons, all that to prove something done wrong by the Crown Prince. Xiao DingTang (Jin Han) the jealous brother ambitious to take Crown Prince title and most favored by the Emperor, wasn't favor by me - his devious schemes made me want to slap him on the face - that's include the Emperor. Too bad Jin Han's acting was at best 'kissing ass' a lot so since this I don't care to watch Jin Han's future dramas.Last episode though, finally the Crown Prince proved himself worthy and his brother, the 'kissing ass' prince got shacked away. He finally found out the girl that he first fallen in love with was the trusty maid that's been on his side all along. But as she wanted to take revenge of the death of her innocent brother and father, she got send out to prison. Crown Prince cleared her family name by proving that family was being misjudged for political reason. He ran to her mansion to see her when the snow falling and they reunited...in embrace, promise, and kisses.
The set was beautiful, costumes were amazing, love the soundtracks, great acting from the lead actors, Zheng YiCheng part wasn't much...they could actually develop his part as his character was a positive one but the production preferred to emphasis the saddest parts of whole characters. The ending was good though...happily married and growing family...can't get over the romantic song 'To win a heart so dear'
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Take too much time to start a love story
A crown prince who doesn't have much power was living a depressed life and also live in so much pressure. After a long depressed life at last something good was happened in his life ,he was fallen in love but at the same a tragic happened in girl's life and he was forced to marry with someone else . I thought he would say truth to his wife but he fallen in love with her and his ex love become his wife's maid . He never had seen his ex love only by voice and a slightly glimpse of her made him fallen for her . That's the reason he never recalled her . As a maid many times she caught in a trap and many times beaten by him . He recalled her at the end .very end of drama they lived together .What I don't like about drama
1. So easily he forgot her.
2. He separated with his companion who also his cousin but never met with him
3. Lead actress never met with his younger brother.
4. Love story was started at the third last episode.
5. Too much conspiracy shown which make him helpless all the time.
What I liked
1 .Acting of the actors and actresses especially the one who was played the role of crown prince.
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I can no longer continue
I'm having a difficult stress life, I can't watch this drama, I am regretting actually. So Ep. 16 was the furthest I went. It's very painful and LOADS of backstabbing and betrayal.It's not my kinda choice to distract my stressful life. Sometimes I just wonder whats the point of Emperor having many sons when he can't even trust any of them.
I so sorry Zhang Ye Cheng, I was original here to support your role but it's too painful to watch the whole drama. I'm just glad he gets the role, he's very adaptive to whichever role he took apparently.
Good luck to those that can endure this drama.
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