Eleison

Well, season 2 is the closest thing I've seen that comes close. It's very different, but still very good for different reasons. I think it has a lower rating and people don't always speak as highly of it because they go into it expecting another NIF, but instead, I would recommend thinking of it as the same kind of writing, in the same world as NIF (a few generations removed), but a completely different story and with very differnt characters in very different situations than season 1. It's more heartbreaking (because a few very beloved characters die) but ends more happily, and I think some of the characters are more endearing. It's also more about familial bonds than friendship bonds. It has the same really tight writing and amazing character arcs/development as season 1, but everything else is different. The villains were not my favorite, but I think I enjoy rewatching it more than season 1.

Let me check some other dramas and see if I remember anything similar-ish. But these are one of a kind, for certain.

I still enjoyed it quite a lot because it felt cohesive from beginning to end in the most important ways (like the main plot, character arcs, pacing, etc.). The writer didn't give up halfway and stop writing like with so many other Kdramas. The fact that this was pre-produced might have something to with it? 🤷🏼‍♀️ Some small details, to be sure, were not as well executed.

The fight scenes are even better in Season 2. Ping Jing (the ML of season 2) is an amazing martial artist.

😅😅😅

About the villain being the ML's dad? I don't think anyone ever finds out but the villain.

It is a slow-moving drama, and I totally get why people lose steam. I don't usually like political dramas, but I think I eventually got pulled in by the amazing writing, how all the various plot points connect, and just learning to love the characters like Meng, Fei Liu, Prince Jing, Consort Jing, Nihuang, and of course, Chang Su. It does require more mental focus during the long convos and patience to see how things play out over many episodes. If you can't get into it again, may try it in a few years and see what you think after some space and time. 😉

Which plot twist from JOL? It took me a while to finish SSS, but I did like it. While it was slower than JOY, I might have liked it a bit better as a complete package. It annoys me JOL is still not done, and I liked season 1 more than season 2.

As far as Nirvana in Fire goes, those talking scenes are actual quite crucial. For me personally, I would say that I was intrigued, but still had to push myself through to Episode 30ish (because I had to see what the fuss was about and was trusting it to get better), and then I was utterly invested and knew I was a goner for this drama. My love for it crept up on me and then I was sold: hook, line and sinker. Some people seem to get invested right away or much sooner, but by 30, that's was when I was like, "I LOVE this." And that's partly because by that point you are able to see how all the seemingly unconnected threads of Chang Su's plotting start to come together. EVERYTHING that's happened has been planned, and no factor or detail or character involved has been left out in his plan; all have been carefully considered and incorporated. And by that point, you also start to see Chang Su's strategies come to bear: how he's built rapport with everyone around him; how his rebuilding of friendship with Jing really gets solidified at this point... it's just amazing.

Chang Su manages to simultaenously build a new empire while dismantling the old one without: lifting a finger, orchestrating a coup, or conducting assassinations. He just redirects all of the wickedness of his opponents against them so they get caught in their own traps, and channels the goodness of his friends to shine and be used to best affect. It really is like watching a master. And not only is he good at strategizing, he's good at people; as those around him grow to know him better, they can't help but love him and become utterly devoted to him, and are even willing to defend him to their deaths. You'll see. 😏

Season 2 is also very good, just a very different kind of drama. I find it more fun to rewatch, too. Might be more your speed because it does have more action and a lot less talking, but still has the masterful writing and amazing character development and the sweetest father/sons dynamic in dramaland. It's also more heartbreaking, but ultimately ends more happily than season 1. It's set in the same world as season 1, but like 50ish years later, so it focuses on a different generation.

Not Prince Jing?!

Yes, it builds, builds, builds and then soars. As far as Cdramas go, it deserves to be called one of the best that was ever made. Glad you hung in there to see how great it is. 😏

In some ways they were, and in others they weren't. They were good with the character arcs and development, but sloppy on executing/explaining the details. I'll take a solid story with character development over details all in place any day, but there are things you have to overlook to enjoy it, for sure.

What's up with the bust of The David in the poster? Do these characters go to Florence, or time travel to the early modern period? 😅

So true! You basically get little mirrors that hold up all your faults and flaws to you, and have to basically accept that you'll make lots of mistakes in the process. Any sense of, "I think I'm getting the hang of this," or "I'm pretty good at this," "I've got this parenting thing in the bag," means you probably very much haven't actually figured it out... 😅

Yeah, couldn't they do facial recognition, either? They do that with identifying criminals from CCTV in Kdramas All the time. But I guess for official verification you still need fingerprints? But DNA is another excellent point (just take a strand of hair and twst it!). Some slight suspension of disbelief required here... 😅 All dramas have some version of that required. 😉

Haha, I'm glad. :)

I've only seen your username as a name for a character in a book, but I remember really liking the sound of it. First time I've seen it since, and I just wanted to say I like the name. ☺️ The character's nickname in the book was "Phemie," which I thought was really cute. Random, I know. 😅

I think there are reasons South Korea skyrocketed to the global stage in the 21st century, but I think much of what got them to where they are are not sustainable work or lifestyle practices. And I think Japan and China are in a similar boat. None of these East Asians countries seems like they can sustain the mounting pressure they're putting on their citizens from many different fronts, and I think something's gonna have to give soon...

That was thoughtful of you! Thank you. ☺️

Lots of fun!

The ahjusshis in glasses were by far the best part, though I think Han-Soo was my favorite (I love that he's getting more lead roles that showcase his comedic timing, because he really does Korean funny very well; though I would have loved a bit more on his backstory--how did he go from Olympic athlete to an elite fighter in the military?). The way the three were always as cool as cucumbers, bantering even in the worst of situations, was always super entertaining. The three were thick as thieves and completely trusted one another (we never really get a great deal on how that bond was forged, but they sold it so well in the present that a past explanation wasn't ultimately needed).

It did feel a bit like two shows, one for the first seven episodes and the other the last three, and a more seamless connection would have been nice (the last three episodes were still really fun, but how they fit/were relevant to the main plot was harder to see; it felt somewhat tacked on).

And almost all the government officials on both sides (NK or SK) were kind of awful. They treated Kim abominably.There were really only 6 (maybe 7) decent characters in the entire drama. But overall, a entertaining watch!

Why didn't our ahjusshis take away Chairman Ju's phone?!?! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Episode 9: