The Legend of Shen Li

Bestttttt combo

One of the best drama. Amazing chemistry between leads which is already proven. Still they have charismatic chemistry which made watch this at first. Story seems to be more interesting at the end for me. Lord xingzhi characterization is entirely different from other lords or divines in Chinese drama. He's always smiling and cool personality. I loved him. Character development of furong jun is also greatttttt from a Playboy to responsible guy. I also liked the chemistry and love story between liu yu and feng lai. As always zhao yiling has portrayed a strong self independent incompatible lady rather than sticking to the typical cute shy foolish Chinese drama female leads. It's always good and great feeling to watch something different in acting, stories etc. I should say MUST WATCH..... U GET SEE ONE OF BEST LEAD CHEMISTRY AND ROMANCE. I would appreciate director for giving them happy ending which is also rare in c industry. I m gonna miss this and I m glad I could watch this

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A breath of fresh air from stereotypical xianxia endings!

Another masterpiece from queen zly! In a world of repetitve xianxia plots and endings, this one has proven me wrong. Xianxia dramas are more than just heaven vs demon troupes. Despite the simple plot, I can say that everything was flawless from the acting, production, costume, and especially the film scoring, it sets the whole mood of the drama. They never fail to make me feel so many emotions at the same time it's fun and this is one of the dramas that I can say every actor played their part well. The last eps had my eyes bawling but the last ep has taken those sorrows away cause xianxia dramas always give us awful endings. Will consider this as part 2 for princess agents. Thank you for collaborating again zly and lgx, you have continuously proven that you are deserving veteran actors. This will surely be one of my faves!!!♡

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Good one

The Legend of Shen Li" follows the journey of Shen Li, a girl who flees from her betrothal as the Fire God, ultimately losing her powers and transforming into a Phoenix. She is taken in by a mortal man who raises her until she eventually reverts to her original form, albeit powerless. This marks the beginning of her quest to regain her powers and uncover her past, as well as the start of her love story. While the initial part of the drama may feel monotonous, it gains momentum once the male lead confronts his feelings, making the last 15 episodes particularly engaging. The chemistry between the leads adds depth to the storyline, making it an overall enjoyable drama.

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I watch here for Lin Geng Xin

Lin Geng Xin acting was absolutely perfect with his role as Ancient God. His demeanor and calm composure was superb here. He successfully played his role in this drama and potrayed them flawlessly.

I am quitely disappointed with the other production teams that always chose the younger one for the male lead instead of him.

LGX is incredibly handsome with his broad chest, height and manly physique. Despite his age, which i think not a big issue at all, his talent and physical just absolutely ideal/great as a male lead. His last drama as a ML was a Princess Agent. Just why?? Please, we want to see him as ML in other dramas after this.

As for the story, the ending was really satisfying but they didnt follow the novel’s ending. In novel, they had twins and soon after one year, FL was pregnant again. When he wished for the second wish that FL promised him, in the novel he said he wants many children. But in the drama, he only said that the second wish took a long time to be fulfilled by FL. In my opinion, i loved to see if the drama followed the novel’s epilogue.

Theres no betrayal between FL and ML. The graphic and the ost was too good to be true. In this drama, ML was omnipotent, by watching his divine power when he froze the North Sea was really a goosebump for me. He went to such a great length just to find FL. I loved his unconditional love towards FL.

The most important thing, it was a very happy ending. Please watch it guys.

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NEVER HAVE I FELT SO SATISFIED BY A XIANXIA DRAMA ENDING!!!!

This is by no means a professional review, I'm trying to offload all the crazy emotions I felt while watching this and I hope they give you the nudge to try it for yourself, that being said, let's dive right in.

Let's start with the CGI;
Wow! Just wow! This is some of the best work I have seen, the different realms with their various settings, even the underwater realm didn't look ridiculous in this. The fighting scenes were so believable and immersive. Let's not forget the awesome displays of power. If I thought I'd win, I'd fight you baby girl of an ancient god for you Lord Bicang.
But the best part of it all would be the hall of the fallen gods, Xing Zhi's comrades.

The acting;
You know the actors were prepared to serve c**t when the CGI is complimentary and not the entirety of their work. You can tell they trained and worked hard, especially for those fight scenes, I even tried pausing to catch the background fighters slipping-- I'm talking to you untamed-- but everyone was focused on the game. It made everything truly thrilling to watch.

SHEN-LI!!!!!
Never have I met a fl I didn't want to shave and water board for being ridiculous and annoying. She got the character and became the character. Her wit and humour were nice additions. Her strength was visible and not something forced on the viewers to support a narrative.
Let's not forget the face card....and her wonderful wardrobe, I want to be isekai-d into a xianxia solely for the clothes I'd get to wear.

XING ZHI!!!!!!!!!!
The man that you are.
Have you met a god who was so in touch with his emotions you forgot he was a god--except for the catching lightning part, cause holy hell was that all godly and hot--- never? Well, let me introduce you to this one.
He was delightful when he was a mortal, the humour was there even when you could tell it wasn't supposed to be, but as a god turned fisherman, he was a marvel to watch.
His crush on Shenli and all the jealous stuff he did because of it were the highlights of some of the episodes.
One of my best scenes is when he spars with her, but more like claims her in front of her soldiers. Shen li was a strong warrior to not jump his bones right there.
Xing Zhi aka bored ancient god aka Shen Li's baby girl, I wish you were real so i'd have a better excuse to reject normal males.

THE CHEMISTRY!!!
Just one thing: HOW THE HELL DID THAT EPISODE GET THROUGH CENSORSHIP!!!
They had me watching my screen guiltily because I knew there was no way I got to watch all that for free, and so easily!!

Slight comedy my a** this was a full blown comedy with a side of fantasy rated R, with zero drag and zero skip episodes.

THE ENDING.
The main reason I even decided to write a review.
Most Xianxia endings are just tortures and merciless executions disguised as entertainment. Tell me why i'd suffer for 40 plus episodes with minimal fluff and disguised spiciness------i'm talking to you long ballad the hell was that making us watch two parrots kissing---- to have the ml or fl die a horrible totally unnecessary idiotic death???? Or have an open ending leaving the rest to the viewers imagination???? IF MY IMAGINATION WAS RELIABLE I WOULDN'T BE WATCHING THIS THINGS LIKE AN ADDICT!!!!!!!! I'D BE MAKING MY OWN!!

Anyway, that was the most satisfying ending in the history of all historical dramas, even ones I haven't watched, you cannot beat the fluff overload we got on that final episode. I'll let you watch and see for yourself.

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o casal mais maduro que já vi

Comecei esse dorama sem conhecer os atores, e me apaixonei perdidamente por cada detalhe dessa obra magnífica. O começo da história me fez rir muito, me diverti na fase dela "galinha" enquanto ele, para ela, era apenas um mortal enfermo. Foi uma fase muito divertida, ri como nunca, foi muito fofo e alegre. Claro que todo xianxia vai de diversão para angústia, e certamente com esse não foi diferente. Eu fiquei muito triste com a história dos pais da Shen Li, e mais ainda com o fim trágico do pai dela, que não merecia isso, mas por infelizmente, contra sua vontade, foi destinado a isso desde sua criação. Uma pena. Pai e filha não tiveram tempo de conversar, apenas um abraço e uma despedida sem muitas palavras. Perder sua amada e sua filha dessa forma foi muito triste, realmente me comoveu. Fiquei com imensa vontade de ver um dorama com a história dos pais da Shen Li. Show de atuação, principalmente do ator que interpretou o pai dela. Maravilhoso.

Mofang também teve um fim trágico, um destino fatal que só poderia acabar em morte. Shen Li não teve a coragem de matá-lo, e ele mesmo tirou sua vida, me fez derramar lágrimas. O amor que ele sentia por ela realmente era verdadeiro, desde criança. Achei muito triste o fim dele, mas infelizmente foi necessário. Espero ver esse ator como protagonista em algum dorama, achei ele extremamente lindo hahahaha. Confesso que no comecinho tive uma queda por ele, e queria eles juntos, mas nada superará o amor e o vínculo entre Shen Li e Xin Zhi.

Amor além de tudo, compreensão e diálogos maravilhosos, coisas raras em doramas. O que mais me pegou foi, com certeza, a maturidade dos protagonistas. Tanto Shen Li quanto Xin Zhi sempre foram muito calmos, eu diria até frios, mas acho que essa característica deixou eles muito mais únicos do que qualquer outros protagonistas que eu tenha visto. Xin Zhi me chateou em esconder algumas coisas dela, mas entendi que sempre foi em prol do bem estar dela. Ele sempre esteve preocupado com a rebelde fênix.

Shen Li...o que falar? QUE MULHER! Que protagonista fantástica. Até hoje, foi a mulher mais forte que vi em qualquer xianxia/wuxia. Extremamente determinada, uma líder nata e que sabe manter a calma em situações complexas. Eu simplesmente me apaixonei por ela, me derreti. Não a vejo sendo interpretada por mais ninguém, show de atuação da atriz que além disso é BELÍSSIMA. estarei de certo acompanhando ela em outros doramas. Shen Li sofreu tanto, principalmente quando estava sem os cinco sentidos e quando ficou selada momentaneamente, disposta a sacrificar a si mesma. Espetacular, parabéns a autora pela protagonista incrível que fez. Vou sentir falta de uma mulher dessas na tela.

Amei também os coadjuvantes, como a mãe da Shen Li (a mestra), que a criou. Até que suspeitei um pouco dela bem no início, mas, de fato, o amor maternal dela pela Shen Li é imenso. Lindo de se ver. Fico feliz que a protagonista tenha tido ela como família. Gostei muito também do Furong e da irmã dele, ambos tiveram desenvolvimentos incríveis ao longo da trama. Gosto muito quando os personagens evoluem para melhor, amo ver histórias assim. Também fiquei encantada com a moça que fez o demônio serpente que curou a Shen Li, simplesmente magnífica, linda, forte, amei a atriz e a personagem, fiquei muito feliz de a ver tendo um bom final, podendo se casar e ser amada.

Enfim, um sólido 10 para A Lenda de Shen Li. Foi uma ótima jornada de 39 episódios que me fizeram rir e chorar.

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A Grown-Up Masterpiece in the Disguise of a Xianxia

I didn’t expect to love this drama this much, and yet here I am on my second rewatch. And not because it was loud or groundbreaking, but because it was quietly powerful in all the right ways. The Legend of Shen Li might not scream for your attention, but it earns your heart. Piece by piece.

Let me walk you through why this is the xianxia drama that finally got so many things right.

💥 1. THE STORY: Slow Burn, High Reward

The setup seems familiar: two beings, each bearing immense history and power, meet again in the mortal world. One hides his identity beneath a calm, almost ordinary exterior. The other, battle-hardened and on the run, falls into his life by sheer twist of fate. But instead of delivering melodrama for the sake of it, this story lets things unfold with care.

This isn’t a whirlwind romance. It’s a slow build based on trust, healing, and emotional honesty. The plot respects your intelligence. There's no chaos for chaos' sake. There’s just a quiet, well-paced story about two people who’ve already endured enough and are finally allowed to want peace — and to find it in each other.

🎭 2. CHARACTERS: Strength in Stillness

Shen Li (Zhao Liying)
She is everything a lead in this genre should be. Fierce, funny, strategic, and emotionally layered. She’s a warrior through and through — commanding armies, standing her ground, sacrificing herself not out of self-pity but duty. And yet, she’s never cold. Zhao Liying plays her with sharp clarity and softness at once. You feel her fatigue, her love, her internal battles. And even when she falls, she does it on her terms.

Xing Zhi (Lin Gengxin)
I’ll say this: Lin Gengxin isn’t always the most expressive actor — but here? That exact restraint makes the character work. Xing Zhi is a powerful ancient being who’s tired of power, tired of bloodshed, and simply wants to live quietly. And yet he steps up the moment it counts. His stillness is never blank, it’s worn. You can tell he’s lived too long, lost too much. And when he finally chooses her? It means everything.

Their dynamic is everything I love in a pairing: mutual respect, steady trust, no toxic jealousy, and no power imbalance. And the chemistry? It isn’t firework-lusty, it’s emotional tension that builds, then simmers, then settles. You believe in them. You root for them. Not because they’re fated, but because they choose each other over and over again.
The romance is slow-burn and emotionally mature, unfolding in subtle gestures, quiet trust, and small emotional shifts. That restraint can be misread as "lack of chemistry", however, Xing Zhi’s character is deliberately restrained:
He’s ancient, emotionally fatigued, and not prone to impulsive passion. He doesn't act with typical romantic drama intensity.

Lin Gengxin played him with stoic control, as someone who carries a deep weariness and careful emotional distance, and that’s exactly what the role called for.
So yes, it’s supposed to feel calm and quiet. Their romance isn’t hot-and-heavy, it’s warm-and-healing.
Zhao Liying’s performance is more emotionally expressive:
Because Shen Li is bold, sharp, and reactive, she stands in contrast to his restraint. This contrast is intentional, it's what creates their dynamic.
For some viewers, that emotional imbalance can feel like a mismatch, when in fact it’s a design choice to show how they meet in the middle over time.

💬 3. DIALOGUE & THEMES: For the Soul, Not for the Clickbait

This drama doesn’t try to bait you with overused “I’ll die for you” lines. It gives you scenes where someone quietly turns the world upside down just to let the person they love live freely.

It’s about mutual respect, partnership, and emotional healing. There’s no jealousy arc, no stupid misunderstandings stretched over 10 episodes. Just two people learning how to hold space for each other.
Themes like redemption, freedom, duty, and choosing peace over power are threaded throughout, gently, not forcefully.

🎨 4. VISUALS & WORLD-BUILDING: Grounded Elegance

While not as CGI-polished as some blockbusters, Legend of Shen Li shines in its set design and atmosphere. The mortal realm has this nostalgic, almost Studio Ghibli-style warmth. And the immortal realm? Regal, quiet, mournful.

Some might say the effects are “dated”, I say they’re charming in their restraint. They don’t try to overdo it. The focus is always on the characters, not spectacle.

⚠️ 5. THE "WEAKNESSES": Or Why the Flaws Aren’t Really Flaws

Yes, the pacing is slow at times. Yes, it’s more about healing than high-stakes battles. Yes, Lin Gengxin’s acting is restrained.
But here’s the twist: That’s exactly what makes this drama what it is.

Not every story needs to be a tragedy to be profound. Not every love needs to burn to be unforgettable. This drama whispers where others scream, and it lands harder because of it. It’s for viewers who want a slow, tender burn that leaves a permanent mark on your heart.

📉 6. WHY IT’S OVERLOOKED: And Why That’s a Shame

It might not be a household name like Eternal Love or Ashes of Love, and that’s largely because:
- It wasn’t aggressively marketed.
- It doesn’t cater to flashy expectations.
- It unfolds slowly and requires emotional investment.

But those who watched it to the end? Most will tell you it’s one of the most fulfilling dramas in years. It delivers a complete emotional arc — not rushed, not tragic, and NOT insulting your intelligence.

🌟 FINAL THOUGHTS : Who Should Watch This?

If you’re looking for:
--A powerful, battle-scarred female lead who doesn’t need saving
-- A male lead who’s emotionally grounded and protective without being controlling
--A romance that builds on trust and healing, not just attraction
--A happy ending that feels earned

…then The Legend of Shen Li is your next favorite.

This isn’t just another fantasy romance. It’s a rare drama that trusts its characters and its audience to understand that love doesn’t have to be loud to be unforgettable.

More xianxias like this, please. Fewer love triangles. Fewer scream-fests. Just this kind of quiet power, emotional sincerity, and layered romance.

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Masterpiece

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this will forever be in my top 3 cdramas of all time. One of the things about this show, which I adore is the humour. The humour is perfect. And the acting is too. Not only that but the characters (Shen Li and Xing Zhi) are probably my favourite characters ever- their chemistry is amazing.

From the very first episode I was hooked. This show is very unique - it's not your typical cdrama where the ml is always catching the fl after she trips, which I am relieved by.

And to top it all off, it also has a beautiful soundtrack.

I highly recommend the legend of shen-li.

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A Laidback & Entertaining Drama | A delightful show that exhibits how amazingly cozy retired life is

"How much courage would it take to cast aside one's life, accept another person, and even change one's way of living?" - Shen Li

Oh Gosh! I am so mad of myself. I was already counting the # of characters for my subject line but accidentally hit "Clear" on my phones notepad and in just a blink of an eye, everything was gone! ㅠㅠ

First of, I just wanna sincerely extend my gratitude to the entirety of the crew who worked hard to make this show possible. It has served as my salvation and redemption after watching such a horrible show that put me on a slump. So, thank you so much for being my getaway and saving me from that demise. <3

Before I proceed, I just want to share this line by XingZhi which I find funny and cute (Episode 36)

"I was beaten by my Father-in-law" - XingZhi 😂

I honestly don't have much things to say as I find this story extremely comfortable and easy to watch. I even failed to write commentaries while watching it because I was so engrossed on the show and don't wanna be bothered at all. I just seize the moment, took my time and suddenly I am already on the last 3 episode of this drama—that is how GOOD this show truly is. I was so lost, more so, doesn't care much about the time while watching it. Haha!

One thing, I eagerly wanted to mention is how 'Laidback" and "Cozy" this drama is overall. I appreciate how the show started with XingYun being chill at the same time playful towards the Phoenix Form" of Shen Li. + I find their earliest interactions as silly at the same time adorable. It felt lke, I am watching a couple enjoying their retired life on a rural paradise while being mischievous towards each other. It suddenly made me look forward to my retired life in the future. Lol!

Hilarious and Comical relief scenes are like the backbone of this drama—the main core element which made this show extra entertaining. I honestly think that all the funny moments combined have had contributed in making this the fantastic drama it is right now. Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy and appreciate each character and episodes.

Villains/Antagonists, Climax and Final battle - are something I think they've decided to go easy on. The antagonists, although are really infuriating but are somehow manageable because of Mofang. Man is totally uncommited. Hahaha! alAnd towards the end, it even feels like they were not given that much moment to shine as the final conflict/battle solely focuses on the fixing their hideous work but not about fighting them directly. I can say that they were utilized as a mere plot device to provide hurdles for the main leads and nothing more.

CGI, Colour and overall design - are good. I specifically love the animation of Shen Li's 'Phoenix Form' as it was so adorable. The execution of the special effects of the fight scenes are all done splendidly too. I am satisfied on this area overall.

Lastly, I want to express my grattitude to the director and writer for giving us Episode 39. I appreciate them a lot for giving us a whole episode dedicated to show how Jin Niang Zi & Mu Zi Chun's love story unfolds and also provides us more scenes of Xing Zhi & Shen Li's life after all the chaos they went through. I am very happy for this special fan service episode. <3

P.S. This drama made me imagine and fantasize how my retired life would be in the far future.

Story - 10, I was thinking of giving it a 9.5 but I watched Episode 39 and my reservation over this drama suddenly vanished as if it's the missing piece I have been looking for that completes this show for me. I need all production to be this generous when it comes to providing us fan service special episodes.

Acting/Cast - 10, Solid! The level of comfort and compatibility Lin Geng Xin and Zhao Li Ying is immeasurable—that even their kissing scenes exudes this playing-around vibe. I love how chill and playful they're that it inevitably shows on screen even if they don't mean to. Acting is really good too. I feel like the overall theme of the drama helped all the actors to act freely without inhibitions.

Music - 10, One of the very rare C-dramas which OSTs are all good. Everytime a new song plays, I always goes "Oh wow! Another good music!"

Rewatch Value - 10, Most definitely! I will re-watch it ONLY if I don't have a long list of dramas to watch.

Overall - 10, I wanted to thank the entire production again for creating such a wonderful drama. I healed myself through this show and had helped me get over that feeling of disappointment towards the terrible drama I watched before this. Highly recommend!!

IF you find my reviee helpful please let me know.

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If this were in America, it would sweep the Oscars!

This is the drama to beat of 2024! The acting is Oscar-worthy., the soundtrack is Oscar-worthy, the Production and plot and the CGI are all Oscar-worthy. Unfortunately there is nothing like this in America. But fortunately, we get to watch it on different platforms. I am glad we were given this opportunity to watch something so exciting and riveting and beautiful and tragic and of course the Ending being simply PERFECT!! The chemistry between Xingzhi and Shen Li was so palpable and sizzling, you just could feel them as Thee Romance of the history of the 3 Realms. And in real life, the drama couple of the year.It will be very hard to move on away from the 3 Realms and all the excellent characters. I hope there is something like the Oscars in China, that will hugely recognize Legend of Shen Li. Good bye, Lord Bicang and Your Excellency. You will be missed.

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A Historical Drama with Too Much Substance for Its Own Good—A Masterpiece of Chinese Culture

This drama is like a slow-brewing cup of tea that takes forever to steep, but when it’s ready, it slaps you with flavor. The opening music? Insanely good. It’s like an orchestra of ear-bending notes that left me wondering why other shows don’t even bother attempting something similar. I caught myself replaying the intro just to bask in the melody—that’s how mesmerizing it is.

Female Lead: Carrying the Show Like a Boss
For once, the female lead pulls so much weight that I often forgot the male lead even existed (no offense, buddy). She’s in the title, so it makes sense, but the way she owns every scene feels like she’s not just playing the role—she is the role.

Finally, a Power System That Makes Sense
Here’s the thing—most Chinese dramas are guilty of throwing immortal powers around without any rhyme or reason. One moment the characters are peasants, and the next, they’re floating in the sky with no explanation. But this drama actually puts in the work to make the power systems feel logical and well-thought-out. I found myself appreciating how much thought went into every type of entity and how they came to be. It’s a nice change from the usual “let’s just say they’re powerful and call it a day” routine.

Action Scenes That Feel Earned
Action sequences are often just filler fluff in dramas, but not here. Every single fight felt telegraphed, deliberate, and essential. It was refreshing to see that weaker characters could outsmart stronger ones—it gave the battles more weight and made the power dynamics more believable. Honestly, I wish more shows took notes from this.

Songs That Are Too Good to Ignore
I normally ignore soundtracks and random garbage when reviewing a show, but in this case? Impossible. Every song creates such a surreal atmosphere that it’s like stepping into another world. It made me realize how much thought and heart Chinese culture puts into storytelling through music.

Final Thoughts: A Drama That Raises the Bar
This drama redefines what a historical/immortal series should be. The story is slow, yes, but it’s the kind of slow burn that stays with you. With music that transcends basic scenes, characters that feel real, and action that actually matters, it sets a new standard. Now I have a newfound appreciation for Chinese culture and a high bar for all future dramas to clear. Good luck to the next one—because this is going to be hard to beat.

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