The Legend of Shen Li (2024)

Highly overrated but bland on the inside

I guess I can't seem to learn my lesson from not watching dramas based on reviews. I've seen a lot of wuxia/xiaxia dramas, so I'm quite unimpressed. I lasted till episode 21 because I had downloaded up to that, and the female was exciting to watch.
This drama felt so bland that I couldn't see exactly what everyone was praising. The few actions we got from the fl were great, but the plot itself wasn't engaging. I'm not a fan of the ml visuals, and he seemed to have all the time in the world in his hands, doing nothing but taking a walk. They had quite a few cute scenes and some of their interactions were funny but that was all I got. His acting was a little rigid. I preferred her general to the ml, but who am I to decide who she loves? Overall, the drama had potential but ended up being average for me. There was no tension or intense storyline to make me want to start the next episode.

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Another flop Xian Xia drama even though it may have good actors. It was slow and boring.

The Legend of ShenLi is a typical Xian Xia melodrama about the Immortal and mortal worlds. It has fantasy elements with good and evil. It has good actors (Zhao Liying and Lin Geng Xin), but it is a flop (in my opinion) because the storyline is so boring after 12 episodes that I could no longer engage or watch it further.

My Reviews:
- Yet another predictable Xian Xia drama about the demons and heavenly realms.
- I love ZLY, but this drama did not lure me. I have watched 12 episodes already and am not convinced I should continue.
- The first 7 episodes were good, but it went downhill when she returned to the demon realm.

I am dropping this drama and giving it a 6.0 rating for a bad script.

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Another C-drama i am dropping this year! what is happening in C-dramaland!?

Sooo where do i start? yes i am about to rant.

1- The first scenes were a huge dissapointment for me, like damn give us some nice CGI.

2- I really couldn't feel the chemistry between the leads and that is the reason why i am dropping this drama, i mean the plot was nothing new (the same plot that has been used and re-used several times lol) and at this point so many things didn't make sense to me (Was i surprised no lol, at least the romantic part could have saved it for me).

3- I don't recommend it, there are better dramas out there, no need to waste your time watching this, hence the rating.

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Long-winded

The beginning few episodes were relatively captivating. The CG work was done pretty well (felt like I was watching video game graphics) and the famous chicken scenes were quite funny. The build-up of the main romantic couple was well-paced before it dipped into fast forward mode. There's nothing negative to say about any of the actors or characters but also nothing outstanding.

After those first few episodes, I found myself fast-forwarding through the endless and repetitive scenes of the couple's interactions. The typical long stares, constant falling into each other's arms, the incessant ways they find reasons to hold hand, and many other standard romance-heavy tropes. Because my interest was peaked enough to want to know the backstory behind our enigma male protagonist, I made the effort to truck on. The series is mostly a mishmash of lighthearted comedy, romance, and drama but without the best flow. And having gone up to episode 13 with almost zero development in the plot and characters, it was time to drop the series.

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THIS ISN'T LIKE THE BREAKTHROUGH PRINCESS AGENT

Of course this isn't. So far, this isn't amazing drama, it is an okey drama. Nothing spectacular like we anticipate it, the anticipation of being a great drama like Princess Agent. Story about Gods and Devils are overused - nothing original synopsis - we have watched hundreds of similar Xian xia genre C-drama before. As I would hope this's another great saga famously known Princess Agent, unfortunately not even close.

ShenLi or Gen Bi Chang (Zhao Li Ying) run away from arranged-marriage to earth, chose to fight for her freedom rather than accept the match. Sustaining injuries, ShenLi reverts to her original form and falls into the human world as a phoenix where she is picked up by a mortal vendor and sold as a plucked chicken at a local human market to Xing Zhi (Lin Geng Xin). With that little purchase, Xing Zhi inadvertently intertwined his fate with ShenLi. She didn't know Xing Zhi real identity, he's a God who descendant to earth for divinity as a weak mortal. He's born as a man who could predict future, many people came to see him for his vision, Shen Li involved in his life and willing to protect him from those who tried to do harm. Shen Li fallen in love but she knew they won't have future together as one was immortal and the other was just a mortal. As she got a calling back to immortality, she's gone.

Positive note: It looks like a big budged production, CGI works better than usual/generic Xian Xia C-drama. I love the opening credit, love the opening chorus.

Negative note: ** It's weird acting when they're up close staring each other without so much emotional attachment, no tenderness & sincerity in their eyes. ** 35-36 yo Lin Geng Xin were awkward act cute like a little boy "awww...awww...it's hurt". ** Xian Xia drama - God & Devil story's been used many times over, no originality in whole production. **At some point he'd bend his knee to get close to her face.

Ep 12 decided to drop it. It's over advertised..

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My favourite xianxia to date

I gave this straight 10s. Is it a perfect drama? No, of course not, no drama is. But I felt that if any deserves a perfect score, it's this one.

Everything about it was top-notch, from production to acting and chemistry not only between the leads, but between the whole crew. No bullshit misunderstandings which plague this genre usually, and we even get to see the wuxia kryptonite in action - a very satisfying ending.

Although the cinematography and choreography are close to perfect, the real engine behind the high quality of this series are the characters. Although there is a plot about saving the world and whatnot (as you would expect from a xianxia), this is a story about two people: the feisty and straightforward FL and the cunning and shameless ML. Everything gravitates around them, willingly or unwillingly.

That is not to say that the supporting characters are weak or irrelevant, almost all of them show great growth during this drama, some even jump from unlikeable and straight-up villains to fan favorites.

I don't want to say more, to avoid spoilers, but you should give it a go, if this genre interests you. I dare say that you won't regret it!

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Best Xianxia of 2024

Probably one of the best Xianxia in terms of production value and acting. Shen Li (Zhao Li Ying) has one of the most badass portrayal of FMC I have ever seen. I would love to just watch 39 ep of her going through waves of enemies. The Romance is also very satisfying and well paced contrary to other popular Xianxia.
Both the Female and Male MC's are comparatively more mature than traditional portrayals. They felt like actual long lived immortals and not just overgrown children. Although the story is simple still the visuals make for a great rewatch value.
Overall the drama is treat for Romance and Fantasy lovers.

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This series is actually quite good, the effects and everything, but I only have a problem with one cast. I've seen Zhao liying and Kenny lin together in Princess Agents, but I hope that other actors take the male lead because I've already seen those two act it out in princess agent. Zhao Liying really embodies her character as Shenli but i don't think so to Kenny lin, his character could've been more a little bit fun if Cheng Yi or Yang Yang take his place, leading me to avoid all of the romantic parts. His character midway the series was a little bit stiff especially his facial expressions, that's why I recommend Cheng Yi or Yang Yang in male lead because I've already watched immortal Samsara and who rules the world and honestly, they've done well embodying their perspective character. But overall, this series ended up in one of my favorites Chinese fantasy historical drama along with Ancient Love Poetry, Who Rules The World, The Last Immortal, Ashes Of Love, and Princess Agents.

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One of the greatest productions in the history of TV series! 🤧❤️

I went in blind with this one, with only Zhao Liying as the impetus. It wasn’t until a few episodes later that I realized the male lead was actually Lin Gengxin, ZL’s counterpart in my first-ever cdrama, Princess Agents. Their tandem once again reminded me of why I was so obsessed with them before. Even with the passage of time, their chemistry has grown stronger than it ever was. Watching them together again healed something in me I never knew had festered deep in my unconscious. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A GIFT TO ME SPECIFICALLY BAHLA KAYO JAN RGEGGWGSHEHSH 😭😭😭😭

But yeah, my sentiments aside, this was genuinely a good watch. As I’ve observed in the limited number of cdramas I’ve seen, there’s something so poetic about historical cdramas, especially xianxias (fantasy), and Legend of Shen Li perfectly solidifies that impression. The build-up of the story, though a bit all over the place, was beautifully executed. Since this drama is centered on love and vulnerability, each character’s embodiment of it was so heart-striking in its fluidity—mainly magnified by the two leads: Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin. The they represent the "I know you can, but let me" typa love. How Shen Li can be Shen Li and not the strongest phoenix general with Xingzhi, not to mention, Xingzhi not minding to bear the feminine energy in the couple..both possessing yin and yang all throughout. Really both soft and strong in relaying their love languages I LOVE THEM SO MUCH 😭

To sum up Legend Of Shen Li, it’s a beautiful love story between two powerful beings in their struggle between love and responsibilities. But beyond that summation is a heartfelt, remarkable work of art...effects, cast portrayals, and the flow. Everything was just picture-perfect, and it will remain one of my dearest drama to ever exist. I could never thank enough the people behind this amazing production. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ALL. LIKE REALLY 😭

#LegendOfShenLi

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Wow

I will say I haven't seen Princess Agents ( not into cliffhanger endings) so while I was hearing positive things it wasn't high on my radar. Finally took a chance on it while I was between dramas and now understand what the hype was about.
Leads had great chemistry, no long drawn out love triangles. There was actually some growth in the secondary leads as well which you don't often seen.
Love the OST and added some songs to my Spotify.

The ending - I actually like that last episode was a small side story and just show the main characters living their life.

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