The King of Blaze (TV series)

Lore & Background

The series is separated into two parts. Part one is set in an ancient era and the Tang dynasty, following Zhong Tian, a deity who travels to the Tang dynasty after a battle with dark forces. There he meets Feng Jian, an astronomer who resembles his lost love Qian Mei. The couple reunites, but face danger as dark forces follow them, led by Di Yun, Zhong Tian's former friend. Part two is set in the modern era, 1,300 years later, where Zhong Tian, now named Lin Ye, leads an eco green group researching environmental protection. He meets reporter Tong Feng, and they work together against Di Yun, who attempts to steal Lin Ye's work.

Reader's Guide

The King of Blaze is notable as a television adaptation of a Taiwanese manhua, spanning two distinct time periods. Part one was filmed from June to August 2017 in Iceland, Xiangshan, and Yinchuan. Part two was filmed from August to November in Hangzhou and Iceland. The series aired on Hunan TV, a major Chinese network, and features a cast including Chen Bolin and Jing Tian. Its narrative combines ancient mythology with modern environmental themes, reflecting a trend in Chinese television of blending fantasy with contemporary issues. The series' dual-era structure allows exploration of reincarnation and enduring conflict, though its significance is primarily as a genre entertainment piece within the 2018 Chinese television landscape.

Did You Know?

• The series is based on a Taiwanese manhua of the same name.
• Part one is set in the ancient era and Tang dynasty, while part two is set in the modern era.
• Part one was filmed in Iceland, Xiangshan, and Yinchuan from June to August 2017.
• Part two was filmed in Hangzhou and Iceland from August to November.

Origins & Cast

The King of Blaze (Chinese: 火王; pinyin: Huǒwáng, literally "Fire King") is a 2018 Chinese television drama that adapts a story originally conceived as a Taiwanese manhua of the same title. The screen version places Chen Bolin and Jing Tian at the center of the narrative, joined by Zhang Yijie and Lai Yumeng in key supporting roles. The series was produced for broadcast on Hunan TV, one of China's major television networks, and premiered on November 26, 2018. The title itself, translating directly to "Fire King," signals the elemental and mythological weight carried by the source material, grounding the story firmly in a tradition of Chinese fantasy storytelling that draws on classical mythology, celestial hierarchies, and the power of elemental forces.

Dual-Era Narrative Structure

The series is structured in two distinct parts. Part one, subtitled "The Battle of Dawn" (火王之破晓之战), unfolds across the ancient era and the Tang dynasty. It opens with a cosmic conflict in which six elemental deities defend their home planet against dark forces. Qian Mei sacrifices herself to save her beloved Zhong Tian, who then journeys to the Tang dynasty seeking an astronomer named Feng Jian—only to discover she is his lost love reincarnated. The true villain is revealed as Di Yun, Zhong Tian's former close friend, whose betrayal drives the central conflict. Part two, "A Thousand Miles of Shared Wind" (火王之千里同风), fast-forwards 1,300 years to the modern era. Zhong Tian, now Lin Ye, leads a group of young entrepreneurs in an eco-green research initiative focused on environmental protection and new energy. He crosses paths with reporter Tong Feng, and together they must combat Di Yun, who has resurfaced to steal their hard-won progress through underhanded schemes.

Production & Filming Locations

The production of The King of Blaze spanned multiple locations and a considerable timeline. Part one was shot between June and August 2017, with principal photography taking place in Iceland, Xiangshan, and Yinchuan—a combination of foreign and domestic Chinese locations that likely served the series' need for both otherworldly landscapes and historically grounded settings. Part two followed shortly after, with filming running from August through November 2017 in Hangzhou and, notably, back in Iceland. The return to Iceland for the modern-era portion suggests the production team valued the distinctive natural scenery for visual continuity or specific scene requirements. The entire two-part series was ultimately delivered to audiences on Hunan TV, with its premiere occurring on November 26, 2018—roughly a year after the final day of shooting, a typical window for post-production work on a large-scale Chinese television production.

Thematic Threads & Character Dynamics

At its core, The King of Blaze weaves together several interlocking themes. The narrative is anchored by the power of selfless sacrifice—Qian Mei's decision to give her life to protect Zhong Tian sets the emotional stakes for the entire saga. Love that transcends time and reincarnation forms the emotional spine, as the couple's bond persists from the ancient celestial realm through the Tang dynasty and into the modern world. Yet the story is equally driven by the pain of betrayal: Di Yun, once a close friend of Zhong Tian, becomes the mastermind behind the dark forces threatening their planet, forcing the hero to navigate the painful collision of friendship, loyalty, and duty. In the modern-era portion, the stakes shift toward environmental consciousness, with Lin Ye's eco-green research group and his partnership with reporter Tong Feng framing the narrative around conservation and sustainable energy. This blend of mythic romance, personal betrayal, and contemporary ecological urgency gives the series a layered thematic identity.

Gallery