Nirvana in Fire II: The Wind Blows in Changlin

Synopsis

"Nirvana in Fire II: The Wind Blows from Changlin" is a 2017 historical drama produced by Daylight Entertainment, directed by Kong Sheng and Li Xue, starring Huang Xiaoming, Liu Haoran, and Tong Liya, with Hai Yan as the screenwriter. Continuing from the previous work "Nirvana in Fire," it tells the story of the Changlin Army defending the border and protecting the safety of the Liang Dynasty. It has a Douban rating of 8.4 and is crafted by the original behind-the-scenes team.

Overview

Nirvana in Fire II is a 2017 historical drama produced by Daylight Entertainment, created by the original behind-the-scenes team of Nirvana in Fire, directed by Kong Sheng and Li Xue, and written by Hai Yan. It stars Huang Xiaoming and Liu Haoran, with Tong Liya, Zhang Huiwen, Sun Chun, Wu Haochen, Mei Ting, Guo Jingfei, and others joining the cast. The series consists of 50 episodes and premiered on Dragon TV and Beijing Satellite TV on December 18, 2017, receiving a Douban rating of 8.4.

As a sequel to Nirvana in Fire, the series carried immense audience expectations before its premiere. Although it did not surpass the legendary 9.4 rating of its predecessor, it earned widespread audience recognition for its independent story, thanks to its exquisite production, solid script, and outstanding performances by the cast. It is considered one of the finest historical drama sequels in recent years.

Plot

The story takes place several decades after the events of the original Nirvana in Fire. While the court of the Liang Dynasty is relatively stable, border conflicts persist. The Changlin Army, which guards the northern border of Liang, has achieved numerous military successes and gained great prestige under the command of Xiao Tingsheng (played by Sun Chun). Xiao Tingsheng, a disciple of the previous series' protagonist Mei Changsu, enjoyed the late emperor's favor, elevating the status of the Changlin Prince's residence.

The Changlin heir, Xiao Pingzhang (played by Huang Xiaoming), is both cultured and martial, loyal and steady, serving as the pillar of the Changlin Army. His younger brother, Xiao Pingjing (played by Liu Haoran), trains at the Langya Hall, possessing a free-spirited and unrestrained personality, far removed from court intrigues. However, a conspiracy targeting the Changlin Army gradually surfaces, forcing Xiao Pingjing to leave the jianghu and enter the political arena, shouldering the responsibility of protecting his family and country.

As the plot progresses, the Changlin Army faces a series of major setbacks. Some within the court covet the Changlin Army's military power and secretly scheme to frame them. Border enemies also seize the opportunity to stir trouble, putting Liang's security in jeopardy. Xiao Pingjing transforms from a carefree youth into a capable military commander, demonstrating responsibility and courage in adversity that matches his father and brother.

Huang Xiaoming's portrayal of Xiao Pingzhang is one of the most acclaimed roles in the series. He perfectly captures the loyalty, resilience, and deep affection of the Changlin heir, with audiences praising it as Huang Xiaoming's finest performance in recent years. Liu Haoran's portrayal of Xiao Pingjing completes the transformation from youth to general, showcasing solid acting skills.

Cast

Cultural Impact

Despite the pressure of being a sequel, Nirvana in Fire II ultimately delivered a satisfying answer. The persistence of the original behind-the-scenes team ensured the sequel's consistent quality, maintaining the exquisite standards of its predecessor in cinematography, art direction, costumes, and music.

The series' biggest surprise was Huang Xiaoming's performance. Prior to this, Huang had been labeled by audiences as "oily" due to his performances in several works. However, in this series, he completely shed his previous aura and burdens, portraying Xiao Pingzhang's loyalty, deep affection, and tragic heroism in a genuine and moving way, allowing audiences to rediscover Huang Xiaoming as an actor.

Liu Haoran further solidified his leading position among the new generation of actors through his role as Xiao Pingjing. His successful transition from a teen idol to a skilled actor interestingly parallels the character's growth arc in the series.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/26665065/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/琅琊榜之风起长林/19657955
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/琅琊榜之风起长林