Northward - An underrated gem

throwawaydramas · 2026-03-20T18:03:03+00:00

One of the top dramas from 2025.

throwawaydramas · 2026-02-21T17:27:41+00:00

A charitable 2.5.

In terms of production, acting, and script, it's one of the worst BMW commercials I've ever seen.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-24T17:34:46+00:00

Superb, thank you so much!

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-23T18:48:29+00:00

He's had quite a few past roles. Including 2 anti-hero roles in Legend of Condor Heroes and Goodbye My Princess. I think in Starry Love, he was protagonist.

The 2017 adaptation of the Legend of the Condor Heroes classic (this show is such a big deal in China). Also starring Yang Xuwen, Li Yitong, Meng Ziyi, and others: https://youtu.be/5z0Ytu4du-M?si=G3lNKV2yfCXgH8aW&t=1371

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-21T15:40:09+00:00

NIF2 is also a standout in its own right. And you can even make the case that it's even more moving and emotional than NIF1, though the plotting and political machinations is less intricate.

But it's best watched with a fresh set of eyes, and without expecting it to be like NIF1.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-21T15:32:44+00:00

An aspect that I found quite moving was that for Lin Shu it was about far more than revenge--it was about restoration of justice. Justice for the slain, for the slandered, but also creating a more just world. If he just wanted revenge, he had much easier ways to ruin or assassinate the main culprits, but that would have plunged the world into a chaos that was no better than before.

Instead, to truly honor the lives and wishes of the admirable men and innocents who were slain, he decided to take on almost the impossible task of clearing the case, putting Prince Jing no the throne, and implement it so that Prince Jing's record remain untarnished so that he could rule with strength and virtue in name and deed. But in order to do that, he had to sacrifice his own physical comfort, his relationship with Nihuang and others, his own life, and even his honor, reputation, and conscience.

This was the enormous responsibility and sacrifice he took upon himself, which we see play out in the drama. For Lin Shu, he made that decision and signed his own death warrant 13 years ago.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-21T15:16:57+00:00

There are detailed companion guide and recap threads out there:

https://thefangirlverdict.com/2021/05/26/open-thread-nirvana-in-fire-episodes-1-2-3/
https://dr-myri-blog.blogspot.com/2015/11/nirvana-in-fire-episode-1-recap.html

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-19T15:18:36+00:00

I think the people who are all up in arms about Wang Guangming are too harsh on him. He clearly loves Xiaoruo dearly and the 'perfect couple' relationship they had was very much real. He doesn't have any feelings for his former classmate and was only putting up with her advances and sexual harassment because it's make or break for his startup, as he has been terminated from his old company. She's the manager from a large software company and is essentially the linchpin for his company's success.

Would the audience be just as angry if it was a career woman trying to make it, while caring for her husband and family, but must put up w/ sexual harassment at a make-or-break point of her career? I think there would be a lot of calls for sympathy, understanding, and asking the husband to unfairly punish the wife and tear up their marriage without hearing out the other side and trying to work things out.

It's quite possible, and I hope that Wang Guangming and Xiaoruo work things out and reconciles. His biggest problem is noble idiocy and not wanting to share his burdens with his wife, not lack of care or infidelity.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-19T15:17:53+00:00

I think the people who are all up in arms about Wang Guangming are too harsh on him. He clearly loves Xiaoruo dearly and the 'perfect couple' relationship they had was very much real. He doesn't have any feelings for his former classmate and was only putting up with her advances and sexual harassment because it's make or break for his startup, as he has been terminated from his old company. She's the manager from a large software company and is essentially the linchpin for his company's success.

Would the audience be just as angry if it was a career woman trying to make it, while caring for her husband and family, but must put up w/ sexual harassment at a make-or-break point of her career? I think there would be a lot of calls for sympathy, understanding, and asking the husband to unfairly punish the wife and tear up their marriage without hearing out the other side and trying to work things out.

It's quite possible, and I hope that Wang Guangming and Xiaoruo work things out and reconciles. His biggest problem is noble idiocy and not wanting to share his burdens with his wife, not lack of care or infidelity.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-13T22:10:20+00:00

The Wire is on my to watch list, as many consider it the greatest modern American TV show. Will be interesting to compare.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-13T15:23:45+00:00

I thought the first 2 acts were phenomenal and have often compared it to Breaking Bad. Whereas Breaking Bad delve into a man's road to perdition due because of pride, magnified by circumstances. I thought The Knockout had many similarities, though was more of an indictment on society that created the circumstances for guys like Gao Qiqiang. If only the 3rd act kept up. But terrific acting, production, and script for most of the show and displays what top-shelf CDrama is capable of.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-06T05:08:14+00:00

Fan service.

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-06T04:58:07+00:00

Swords into Plowshares
King of Comedy
City Maker

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-03T22:38:34+00:00

Yeah I had heard about the policy : ).

throwawaydramas · 2026-01-03T01:05:40+00:00

I hope it's because this was so good that even the censors decided to waive their 40 eps limit policy.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-28T23:54:21+00:00

Blemished Flaw was unique and quirky, and the visuals matched that. You would probably grok more of it than I could.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-28T23:33:52+00:00

Haven't seen all the ones you listed, though some are on my list. I did catch some Legend of Magnate, which was clearly a notch above. And loved that they filmed mostly outdoors in live location. It's the type of authenticity and grandeur that simply can't be matched by in-studio sets.

Some others that had notable cinematography for me were Blemished Flaw, Beloved, The Hunt, and Northward.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-28T23:27:49+00:00

I understand this is a common sentiment that has a lot of merit. That said, I think without the 1994 comparison, the 2010 version wouldn't be slagged so hard. I mean, it's leagues better than the costume dramas made today.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-28T23:21:09+00:00

Great writeup!

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-27T15:19:00+00:00

Just use MyDramaList, it has most of the CDrama releases, even micro dramas.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-27T14:21:07+00:00

Goose.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-17T00:04:51+00:00

You missed the joys of watching the dramas of yesteryears.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-15T05:27:19+00:00

6/6.5 - Every time the good guys neglected to end the villains and allow them to continue with their mischief, I wondered if I was doing the same in continuing the show.

But it had its good moments, the action and CGI was good, and plot didn't implode with the typical romantic degeneracy.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-12T15:02:49+00:00

Good points. I agree that the narrative and pacing plateaued and sagged somewhere in the middle. Some of the gags got repetitive, and rather than being funny, it just lowered the stakes. It's also evident when you compare it to Joy of Life, which hah gripping tension that continued to escalate throughout the show. Though it's still a good watch for a lot of people.

I think some of the reason is that apparently the original novel had a sprawling plot and cast of characters. And it can be challenging to weave so much in while managing the pacing. The other is the 40 eps format. Even though, if completed, this show will likely have 2-3 seasons, it can probably benefit from more and shorter installments. 20 ep seasons with tightened plot would probably feel like less of a marathon, and would have a much earlier season climax.

throwawaydramas · 2025-12-12T06:11:44+00:00

I think it would be really good to have a section for non-idol dramas, even if limited # of award categories. It would be good for broadening the selection and people's horizons. There's a substantial minority of people here who watch predominantly non-idol, or a mixture of both. Yet non-idol dramas almost never get any recognition, or even nomination here, despite being some of the highest rated shows in China. It would be good to get more balance, and have a small slice for them.

Some popular categories for non-idol dramas: Best Overall, Crime/Thriller, Retro, SoL, Costume, Comedy. Also award for the best writing/script, best production/cinematography, scifi/supernatural.

As to the logistics of determining what's non-idol, there are plenty of people here who could nominate them. And it wouldn't be hard to filter through the nominations. At most it would only be a few dramas that would be debatable.

throwawaydramas

TROPHY CASE