Nirvana in Fire 《琅琊榜》 - Hu Ge, Liu Tao, Chen Long, Wang Kai

[Liu Xiao Xiao]

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Cast
Hu Ge as Mei Changsu / Su Zhe
Liu Tao as Princess Nihuang
Chen Long as General Meng Zhi
Wang Kai (王凯) as Xiao Jingyan
Huang Wei De (黄维德) as Prince Yu
Jin Dong (靳东) as Lin Chen
Gao Xin (高鑫) as Crown Prince
Wu Lei as Fei Liu (Mei Changsu's bodyguard)

Synopsis
During the Datong era of the Southern Liang Dynasty, Northern Wei sent troops southward and General Lin Xie took his only child, the 17 year old Lin Shu to the battlefield. 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, 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 Changsu. He secretly assists his friend Xiao Jingyan, the unfavoured son of Emperor Wu and wisely rids the court of all scheming officials, successfully overturning the past injustices of the Chi Yan army ahead of his impending 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.

**credit to Dramawiki

[Liu Xiao Xiao]

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[Liu Xiao Xiao]

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[Hoju!]

Seriously excited about this! The novel is one of my absolute fave c-novels! Brotherhood, political maneuvering... Lacks some in the romance department, but you don't really miss it because the plot is that good.

Been following the work on this production, and I have been impressed by 山影 so far. I really have hope they will do the novel justice.

[Dragon Heiress]

This looks interesting! The plot sounds good and I love both of the leads.

[IloveMimiLo]

OMG HG and Liu Tao! I love these two! I would never think they would be paired up! This is super exciting! I can't wait! Another series to follow

[charbydis]

Lit Tao looks ethereally beautiful in those pics! The plot sound great! I heard that the novel is a tearjerker. Definitely looking forward to this. Is this by Tang Ren? When will it be out? in 2015?

[H.Ge-C.Liu]

This has remained one of my favourite novels over the past few years, and after LYB, I mostly stuck to reading C-novels that were heavily tipped towards the romance section because it was hard (for me at least) to find a novel writing about politics/court intrigue and revenge which was qualitatively better, or on par with, Lang Ya Bang.

Hu Ge fans had been urging HG to read the novel for years, and I think he only picked it up during 2012/2013. We were all 100% sure he wouldn't be invited to act the role of Mei Changsu because 山影's productions seldom used popular actors in the 25-35 age group as leads (period prior to Wallace Huo's 战长沙). In short, I'm just really happy he was chosen.

Lit Tao looks ethereally beautiful in those pics! The plot sound great! I heard that the novel is a tearjerker. Definitely looking forward to this. Is this by Tang Ren? When will it be out? in 2015?

Personally, I didn't cry while reading the novel, but the ending falls in the bittersweet category (I would have it no other way though - it was perfect).
LYB is produced by 山影, the company which produced dramas such as 闯关东, 风车 (one of my favourite dramas), Su Dongpo, Battle of Changsha etc., and directed by Kong Sheng (孔笙).

[Ransi]

By far my favorite Chinese novel! I did end up crying a lot while reading the ending. I think it's mostly due to the culmination of everything that happens to Mei Chang Su that made the ending so poignant yet fitting. I'm kind of hoping they don't add romance to the drama!

Since this drama won't be out for a while, in case anyone wants a sense of the sort of story this is, I personally thought this fan video captured the ambiance of the novel fairly well:
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Ar7lGdBgjZI/

[Liu Xiao Xiao]

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[bachtuyet]

never read the novel, where could I find it, is this series exactly like the novel or different from it?

[H.Ge-C.Liu]

Video report:

[H.Ge-C.Liu]

Mei Changsu:
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Consort Jing:
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I really love 山影's costumes. Simple yet elegant.

[Ransi]

I really love 山影's costumes. Simple yet elegant.

Wow, yea. The costumes look great!

[Hoju!]

The role of 萧景睿 Xiao Jingrui is to be played by 程皓枫 Cheng Haofeng (RoCH 2006 Zhen Zhibing, BXJ 2007 Li Yan). I think he has the kind, sincere look of Xiao Jingrui, but he looks much older than I imagined the character in the novel. I like the actor and hope he portrays Xiao Jingrui's innocence convincingly.

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[Hoju!]

There have actually been quite a few BTS, set, etc pictures released. I'll post a few here.

I believe this was first day of filming. Mei Changsu and his young bodyguard, Fei Liu having some fun.
02-14-2014
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Hu Ge studying the script on the set. 02-18-2014
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[Hoju!]

FROM@侯鸿亮：蒙挚大将军，他是帝都唯一知道梅长苏真实身份的人，也知道梅长苏将要做什么……怎能不忧 虑
General Meng Zhi, the only person in the capital city who knows Mei Changsu's true identity and also knows what he is about to do.... How can he not be worried?
02-20-2014


Mei Changsu
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Meng Zhi
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[Hoju!]

Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan
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02-21-2014

[Ransi]

Thanks for posting these on-set photos. How exciting!!

[IloveMimiLo]

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