It is based on a popular novel by Hai Yan 海宴 but even so, its success was a slow burn that resembles the story’s quiet pace which follows an intriguing character named Mei Changsu (Hu Ge) whose hidden motivations are revealed through subtle nuances that eventually explode into a full blown revenge.
NIF is the guy-centric equivalent to the usual palace conspiracies that tend to revolve around women. I welcome the change that focuses on brotherhood as opposed to catfights since women of the palace are unfortunately often relegated to a lifetime of fighting over a man of power.
I hear there is a Nirvana in Fire tour catering to Korean tourists to visit places such as Hengdian Studio (a gigantic plot of land where pretty much most historical dramas are shot) and they also make a pitstop at Hu Ge’s restaurant in Shanghai. If it’s real, I kind of wanna go. Oh and by the way, there’s a sequel too.
Check out mydramatea for an in-depth analysis of each episode.
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Unknown
Its seems I must make time for this drama. Everyone is raving about it.
Anne J
Yes you must it really is that good:)
Unknown
just about to start on this now 🙂
Ameth Ferrer
NIRVANA IN FIRE is INCOMPARABLE and SPLENDID Chinese Historical drama EVER..!! Watched it so many times, over and over again!!
Unknown
just finished and it is really really really that good!!!
Unknown
…a bit late to the party. could anyone be so kind as to tell me where I can watch this series? I'm literally wiping the drool from my mouth in anticipation as i type this
Anne J
As they say, better late than never haha you can watch it here. http://dramacool.to/nirvana-in-fire-episode-1.html
Nao
I watched NIF because you listed it as your top wuxia drama and I was curious. It definitely did not disappoint. I marathon-watched it over the past two weeks on Viki. Love, loved it! Do you have any other recommendations for Chinese dramas that are similar to it? How is Legend of Qin and Disguiser? Are they as good?
Anne J
Hi Nao I liked Legend of Qin a lot but it's really no NIF, not sure if any drama will ever come close tho there is a NIF sequel in the works.
But in terms of similarity, Disguiser is probably the closest since it's created by the same team with pretty much the same cast. I haven't finished that drama tho but from what I saw it has potential:)
Lady Jaye
I just finished watching, and my mind is BLOWN!!! I can believe this is the best historical c-drama ever, and that it will not be surpassed for years to come. I can see myself watching it over and over. All of the cast did an amazing job, but I especially enjoyed Hu Ge, Wang Kai, Wu Lei, and Chen Long (the acting and on-screen bromance was great, and they are all lookers).
But what is a sequel without Xiao-Shu? Nah.
Anne J
Hi Lady Jaye I have to agree with you completely hehe though knowing me, I would probably still check out the sequel / spinoff / whatever it is just coz it says NIF
Lady Jaye
Maybe if the sequel is about everyone in their next lives, hehehehe. I'm ready for Lin Shu and NiHuang to be happy and for Jingyan to have his best friend by his side.
Anne J
haha yea seriously I would watch that.
QueenCherry
Greatest C-Drama Ever definitely in My TOP SPOT