Discussing how a Chinese TV drama has become a shared memory for audiences over the past decade.
Teacher Liu, I heard that there’s a Chinese TV drama called 'Nirvana in Fire', and this year marks its 10th anniversary. Why are people still talking about it?
Because this drama is more than just entertainment. Many viewers watched it with their families ten years ago, and when they watch it again now, it reminds them of their past life and emotions. It’s like a mirror that makes people recall the past.
I see. It’s like when I watched cartoons with my dad as a child—now when I hear the theme song, I think of him.
Exactly. The stories and characters in the drama make people reflect on family, friendship, and even power and choices. That’s why it stays in their memory.
So does that mean this drama has become a cultural phenomenon, not just a TV show?
That’s right. Some say it’s like a 'time capsule' where viewers find their past selves and also the strength to face reality.
That sounds really special. I’d like to try watching it. Maybe I can better understand how Chinese people feel about TV dramas.
Great, you can start from the first episode. Don’t worry about the language difficulty. Take your time and you’ll understand why it has accompanied a whole generation.
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