Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin (2017)

what a journey

I've always loved any story that is character-driven and focuses on family ties and/or friendships. And Nirvana in Fire 2 was the perfect drama for me. I was and am very much emotionally attached to the characters.

In the beginning, Xiao Pingjing lived a carefree life away from the complicated political matters his elder brother and father faced. And I will always love those moments when he was playful around his family and Lin Xi. He always wished to stay that way, and his family and the emperor who favors him also wanted that for him. Xiao Pingzhang is one of the best older brothers I've seen in a drama. His meticulous, calm character balanced out Pingjing's joyful and impulsive character. And their father, Xiao Tingsheng also stood out. The loyalty he had to his brother, the emperor, and his teachings that he passed on to his sons really showed that Lin Shu/Mei Changsu was indeed his master. And Meng Qian Xue(Xiao Xue) is a wonderful wife, sister-in-law, and daughter. The Changlin family's relationship with Xun Feizhan is nice as well. I loved that not only was he a friend to Pingjing, he was also like a brother figure. I also liked Lin Xi with Pingjing and I'd love to see more female characters like her. Since the drama spanned over several years, you get to see many struggles and challenges they faced. And you especially get to see how Pingjing grows out of his carefree life, so it was not hard to care for these characters deeply. Finally, the ending was satisfying and I feel like it was very fitting.

In NIF1, Jingyan created the Changlin army to have Lin Shu/Mei Changsu's spirit live on. For me, that especially made me more attached and care for that army and the Changlin family even more. It added the love I had for Lin Shu/Mei Changsu to it. Also, whenever he(or any character from NIF1) was referenced, I was happy but emotional as well. I don't know why the writers keep referring Lin Shu/Mei Changsu as "the gentleman" or "this person" or "master" instead of saying his name(I guess Mei Changsu is fitting 'cause only ppl close to him knew his real identity).

These characters(including ones from NIF1) will always stay with me. I really recommend this drama whether you have watched the first one or not. It will be an emotional journey, but I hope you will get attached to the characters as I did. :')

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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!

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I haven't fully watch Nirvana in Fire 1 but I can still follow this 2nd season series. The story has relation to the previous season but has a completely different story but still based on the up and down of Changlin Army. This drama is one of a kind. A masterpiece. The cinematography is breathtaking. The setting and the cruelty of war were shown properly. The story as well is amazing. It's not like a typical historical drama with a complex love story like usual that you would find (Empress Ki, Princess Wei Young). No. It is more focus on different kinds of love. Love for your family, friends, lovers and your country. The story is really beautiful especially the brotherhood between Ping Jing and Ping Zhang. It also shows that love and trust is the only thing that will sustain a country. It needs to start with your family and it will extend to other people which surround 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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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 else
I 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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Everything was great about this drama series. The storyline had its ups and downs but it was consistent and stayed true to the story being told. Martial arts visual effects were on point. The costumes were not overly done but perfect for that time era. The romantic chemistry was there between the actors and actresses. Huang Xiao Ming who played Xiao-Ping Zhang was strong, very strong, I wished he would've not been killed so early., but it is what it is. Liu Haoran who played Xiao Ping Jing, wow, he domineered his role. Wu Hao Chen who played Xiao Yuan Qi, had me hating him if that was the case, he succeeded in playing the role given to him. The Female actress who played Huang Xiao Ming was very convincing in her role and she brought most of the chemistry. There was a happy ending in this drama which grabbed my heart the most. Thank you to Hai Yan for the writing of this storyline. Thanks to Kong Sheng and Li Xue, the Directors for making the story believable. Thanking the rest of the cast and team, well job done!

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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 most
The 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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Drama name Nirvana in fire 2: the wind blows on changlin

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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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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Bisogna prima vederlo e poi valutarlo! non ha nulla da invidiare a Nirvana in fire 1

Un drama assolutamente splendido che nulla ha da invidiare al precedente! Entrambi di caratura e valore, con storie di riscatto e giustizia di pregio. Locations, comparse, cavalli, abiti, tutti degni di ottimo giudizio. Avessi potuto avrei dato 11 stelline. Le ultime due puntate sono state connotate da un pathos crescente, molto coinvolgente.
Passiamo ai protagonisti e agli attori: qui a mio avviso i protagonisti sono 4, gli uomini del casato Chang Lin e il cugino Principe di Layang, tutti ottimamente interpretati. Fra gli uomini del casato di Chang Ling non si può non ammirare l'interpretazione del padre, uomo giusto, intelligente ed integerrimo, del figlio maggiore Pizhang dotato di grande intelligenza ed acume, ottimo stratega, ed infine quello che sarebbe dovuto essere il protagonista, Pingjing, forse il + sbiadito fra i tre. dal momento sebbene durante l'evoluzione del drama maturi e diventi finalmente un uomo adulto rivelandosi coraggioso e forte, vive soprattutto della fama della sua casata militare che da generazioni difende i confini settentrionali. Una figura di spicco è quella che è andata via via crescendo, soprattutto nella seconda parte del drama, ovvero quella del principe di Layang, il quale matura la sua vendetta, il riscatto e l'ambizione, Epocale il discorso durante l'ultima puntata nella sala del trono, aveva le sue ragioni, non c'è dubbio. Sebbene quell'attore non abbia una gran mimica facciale, devo dire che l'ho apprezzato veramente tanto. Bravo! non me lo sarei aspettata. L'unica figura decisamente sbiadita è quella di LI Xin, una attrice decisamente incapace di esprimere emozioni, con un aspetto impalato ed insignificante. La storia fra lei e Pingjing è stata un di più, se non ci fosse stata, non sarebbe cambiato nulla, anzi, è stata solo fastidiosa, senza pathos, empatia. fra i due attori zero chimica. L'unico appunto che faccia ai drama cinesi dove vengono impiegati i cavalli, è che usano cavalli anziani e spesso magri e poi questi cinesi, non sanno assolutamente cavalcare! Ogni volta che devono cambiare direzione, strattonano malamente la bocca di quel povero cavallo, non oso pensare al dolore che gli procurano. Altrettanto quando si fermano, tirano in bocca. Da italiana, patria della monta all'italiana ingiustamente detta all'inglese, sebbene i cinesi considerino i cavalli animali da compagnia, non li sanno montare. Avrebbero bisogno della nostra scuola di equitazione, allora sarebbero perfetti. Ho apprezzato però che molti attori in questo drama sanno cavalcare (a modo loro) Una ultima cosa: il giovane imperatore, doveva essere interpretato da un ragazzo meno bamboccio.

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