When Heaven Burns (2011)
A haunting Hong Kong drama where music, memory, and an unforgivable tragedy collide eighteen years after a band falls apart.
When Heaven Burns - Series Information
- Original Title: 天與地
- First Air Year: 2011
- Last Air Year: 2012
- Created by: Jonathan Ki-Yee Chik
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 30
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: CN
- Spoken Languages: Cantonese
- Networks: TVB Jade
- Production Companies: TVB
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
- Alternative Titles: When Heaven Burns (UK), Tình Không Lối Thoát (VN)
When Heaven Burns - Plot
When Yip Chi-Yan, Lau Chun-Hung, Sung Yee-Long, and Cheng Chun-Hin are brought together again by an accident, their lives change irreversibly. Chi-Yan is a radio host. She and the other three were members of the same band eighteen years ago. The memory of them playing music together comes back vividly to them, and so does the pain they have all tried so hard to bury. Eighteen years ago her boyfriend, Ka-Ming, was killed in a hiking accident. Time flies, but she can never forgive Chun-Hung, Yee-Long, and Chun-Hin for failing to save Ka-Ming. As they reconnect, the four good friends and the people around them are drawn into a vortex of love they have no control over.
Where to Watch When Heaven Burns
Looking for where to watch When Heaven Burns?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
When Heaven Burns - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jonathan Ki-Yee Chik
Main Cast
- Charmaine Sheh Sze-Man
- Moses Chan Ho
- Bowie Lam Bo-Yee
- Kenny Wong Tak-Ban
- Maggie Shiu
- Astrid Chan Chi-Ching
- Elaine Jin Yan-Ling
- Danny Lau Dan
- Angela Tong Ying-Ying
- Chen Hung-Lieh
Writers
- Chow Yuk-Ming
When Heaven Burns - FAQs
What is When Heaven Burns about?
When Heaven Burns follows four former bandmates whose chance reunion forces them to relive a devastating hiking accident from eighteen years earlier. Guilt, unresolved grief, and buried love collide as radio host Yip Chi-Yan confronts the friends she blames for her boyfriend's death, pulling everyone into an emotional vortex.
Why can Yip Chi-Yan never forgive her three friends?
Chi-Yan holds Chun-Hung, Yee-Long, and Chun-Hin responsible for the death of her boyfriend Ka-Ming during a hiking accident eighteen years ago. She believes they failed to save him, and that unresolved guilt and blame have quietly poisoned every relationship among the four ever since.
Who are the main actors in When Heaven Burns?
The series stars Charmaine Sheh Sze-Man as radio host Yip Chi-Yan, Moses Chan Ho as Sung Yee-Long, Bowie Lam Bo-Yee as Lau Chun-Hung, and Kenny Wong Tak-Ban as Cheng Chun-Hin. Maggie Shiu, Elaine Jin Yan-Ling, and Angela Tong Ying-Ying round out the principal ensemble.
Where can you stream When Heaven Burns?
Streaming availability for When Heaven Burns varies by region. The most reliable way to find current viewing options — including subscription, rental, and purchase platforms — is to check JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date availability for your specific location.
Who created When Heaven Burns?
When Heaven Burns was created by Jonathan Ki-Yee Chik, one of Hong Kong's most celebrated television directors. Known for his bold, literary approach to drama, Chik crafted the series as a meditation on guilt, memory, and the long shadow that a single moment of failure can cast over an entire lifetime.
How was When Heaven Burns received by critics?
When Heaven Burns earned widespread critical acclaim and is widely regarded as one of the finest Hong Kong television dramas ever produced. Praised for its mature storytelling, nuanced performances, and unflinching emotional honesty, it stood out sharply from conventional TVB fare and developed a devoted, passionate following.
Is When Heaven Burns based on a true story?
When Heaven Burns is an original fictional drama, not based on a specific true story. However, its themes of survival guilt, moral responsibility, and the long-term psychological cost of a single catastrophic decision resonate deeply with real human experiences, lending the narrative a powerful sense of authenticity.
What shows are similar to When Heaven Burns?
Fans of When Heaven Burns may enjoy Missing Nine, a survival drama exploring guilt among a stranded group, or The Temptations, which similarly weaves music and personal tragedy. For emotionally layered ensemble dramas with long-buried secrets, Live Through This and Midnight Caller also offer compelling, character-driven storytelling.
More About When Heaven Burns
Explore further details about When Heaven Burns on these trusted databases.