There’s another intensely rich in story and visuals period C-drama on the horizon and every tidbit that has come out has only looked better and better. With my posting about Hu Ge this week it’s the perfect time to showcase his return to period dramas (some may argue his forte genre) as the lead in the drama-adaptation of the popular online C-novel Nirvana in Fire (琅琊榜 Lang Ya Bang). I’m not a fan of his leading lady in this drama Liu Tao, the last I saw her was in the 2003 Zhang Ji Zhong version of Demi-gods and Semi-devils playing Ah Zhu, and while she’s still very beautiful pairing up with Hu Ge makes her look like his much older sister. Nonetheless it’s not a deal breaker as she’s a good actress and this story isn’t romance-centric to begin with. There have been a slew of women scheming in the palace dramas so it’s nice to go back to a major production centered around princes vying for the throne. That was the centerpiece of Bu Bu Jing Xin but here in Nirvana in Fire there is much more grandeur and scope to the machinations and stakes.
Hu Ge plays Mei Chang Su (his new identity but his real name is Liu Shu), the warrior son of a great general and the sole survivor of a betrayal massacre at the Battle of Plum Ridge. He loses his mad wuxia skills and instead relies on his intelligence and scheming to come back 12 years later as a strategist who aligns with his old friend Prince of Jing (played by the fantastic Wang Kai) in his fight for the throne against his older brothers the Prince of Yu as well as the Crown Prince. Liu Tao plays Princess Nihuang who was once betrothed to Mei Chang Su when he was still Liu Shu and their romance is rekindled as he returns to throw havoc into the political rivalries for the ultimate goal of avenging his father’s death, clearing his father and his name as a traitor, and getting justice for the 70,000 troops slaughtered in the battle that was set up to take out the Emperor’s favorite son the Prince of Ji. I watched the long 20-plus minute preview basically without blinking because it was so beautifully filmed and acted the effect was to be swept away into this treacherous and beautiful world. Nirvana in Fire won’t air until early 2015 and is already one of the most buzzed about C-dramas for next year so check out the stills and trailers below.
Plot 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 17 year old Lin Shu, to battle. Unexpectedly, Lin Xie was framed by a political rival, causing the unjust deaths of seventy thousand Chi Yan army soldiers, just after they drove off the hostile Wei forces. Fortunately, the young Lin Shu was rescued by a loyal subordinate, although he barely escaped with his life. With the help of Lang Ya Hall, Lin Shu was able to establish the Jiang Zuo Alliance, and returns to the capital 12 years on as the leader Mei Chang Su. He secretly assists his friend Xiao Jing Yan, the unfavoured son of Emperor Wu and wisely rids the court of scheming officials, successfully overturning the past injustices imposed upon the Chi Yan army ahead of his imminent death. Northern Wei uses the current political instability and chaotic governance of Emperor Wu in their favour and attacks again. With no one to lead the army, Mei Chang Su takes the herb that would stimulate his physical abilities and in the last 3 months of his life, suppresses the opposing army, choosing to end his life the way Lin Shu would have it.
Nirvana in Fire stylish visual teaser:
Nirvana in Fire 4-minute exhilarating trailer:
Nirvana in Fire 21-minute epic long preview:
From the stills alone, you can see the high production value. The story’s interesting and everything just looks SO good. Definitely looking forward to this one.
I am desperate for some new Chinese historicals! Yet another to add to my list!
I love Liu Tao. I was sad when she decided to take hiatus to get marry at the height of her fame. But I’m so happy that she decided to return after having 2 kids. She’s still as beautiful as she ever was.
She’s a really good actress and beautiful, it’s sad that she never to the fame level like Liu Yi Fei.
She’s a great actress and I love her too. She had to come back to acting because her husband went bankrupt but it’s good news for fans I guess.
i dont know whether the drama will develop the romance since it is almost nonexistent in the novel.
I was surprised how well this drama looks, 23 min trailer is packed with action and angst.
I’m not used to see Chinese drama in good qquality, they are more then a sloppy.
Drama won’t follow novel?
I read it supposd to be a gay relationship.
Did I read that he that he dies?
Do you know where we can watch these dramas? There are so many amazing chinese historical and I don’t see them being added to Viki or drama bean. 🙂
Excited to see Hu Ge on the small screen especially since Da Mo Yao is finally airing on October 1st after three years! Can’t wait to see Liu Shi Shi, Peng Yu Yan, and Hu Ge together but also looking forward to Lang Ya Bang!!
ahhhhhh, I’ve been hoping you’d write about this one. For anyone who can read Chinese, the full novel can be found online by googling the Chinese title. I highly highly recommend. It is a bit like the Count of Monte Cristo, which the show has somewhat billed itself as. Seriously can’t wait for this to air!
Wow, such a thrilling trailer. Will definitely watch out for it.
So he survives but loses his martial arts skills, comes back to take vengeance and support his friend, and then takes up arms to lead the army while taking a herb to revive his martial arts skill but will kill him
Sounds pretty awesome
Aww… spoiler!
Wait a minute, doesn’t that mean Hu Ge plays the same kind of highly intelligent character that suffers a Pyrrhic victory in the end when everyone else benefits? This Mei Chang Su (Lin Shu) sounds just like Meng Jiu. Always sacrificing for the greater good. Although this show shows more epic as it is more political and less romantic than Ballad Of The Desert. Hu Ge seems to dominate this kind of intelligent, sensitive male character.
Not gonna lie, wasn’t planning to check this one out because the title sounded so cheesy. I hope it turns out well though!
It is done by the same production company as Bettle of Changsha, ShanDong Film And TV Group. So you can bet the execution would be as seamless as it can get with the budget. I’m whole heartedly looking forward to this.
I love how the extended trailer for Lang Ya Bang is tantalizing and reveal enough, but doesn’t literally give away and summarize the whole plot from start to end. Too many trailers do that now adays and I’m just like, “eh, now I know the plot, and it doesn’t actually look good enough for me to sit through it, so nah.” I absolutely adore Tangren, but comparatively, this company (is it Shanying?) has so much awesome quality! The clothes look so rich and authentic not just in style, but in material. I love how they focus not on strangely flashy colors, but the details in embroidery and the texture and weave of the clothes. Everything looks so epic and high-quality! So eager to see Hu Ge in another period drama playing such a different character. I loved his YuWen Tuo because he played a slightly more layered and subtle character who had his evil sides. Technically he’s the good guy here, but he’s going to be so awesome in acting out the nuances of MeiChangSu’s character!
This drama has been an epic beautiful breath-taking ride from start to end for me… I keep rewatching it…
what happen to the ending ? 54 ep or 55 ep
I’m so late to chime in. Ms. Koala, really thank you for giving us information of such an amazing drama. Some of the ace qualities I’ll rave about can only be seen in films not a TV series. I had a great time and very satisfying experience watching Nirvana in Fire.