The Legend of Shen Li

Classic xianxia with some great humor and pathos

Legend of Shenli has been described as a classic xianxia, full of tropes. I guess I haven’t watched enough xianxias (<10) because I didn’t really notice.

First of all, I thought the humor for this show was pretty great (at least, right up my alley). Xingzhi, and Shenli’s interactions with him, are lowkey hilarious. There is a lot of random funny stuff. And that chicken is so cute!

Of course, there are also some really sad parts. And this show has an underlying pathos and nostalgic sadness that hits in a gnawing, existential way. But for the most part, I still think of it as a light-hearted show with great humor.

The two main characters dominate this show. For Shenli, the eponymous FL, I liked some things about her and not others, which I guess makes her realistic! I like that her head is screwed on straight and she’s sensible- no chasing after the ML after getting rejected, for example. I like less that she’s so hotheaded. She’s quick to fight and kill; she saves people, but doesn’t seem to have much kindness or compassion. So I wouldn’t say she’s always likeable, but I did really feel for her at times.

As for the ML, Xingzhi… ok, I loved him. It’s not that he doesn’t care about the world… he does. But he is also so full of crap. He is so bored and so cheeky and I found him hilarious. He’s kind of a troll sometimes, but it’s always harmless; he still takes care of things when push comes to shove.

Actually, underneath it all, Xingzhi’s situation is quite sad. But he holds his head high and has accepted it all long ago. It makes for a lovable and sympathetic character you want to root for, and I’m glad he met Shenli.

The show spends some time building up their relationship, which is cute to watch, although the plot pattern of Shenli getting hurt and Xingzhi saving her does repeat one too many times. They end up having a sweet and supportive relationship- mainly him supporting her. Classic, but it’s done well here, with proper character development and buildup.

There are several side characters, some of whom are quite loveable. However, none of them got enough development for me to really be invested in them. I wanted to see more of them, but it didn’t happen. Even the villain is a bit lame- although they do throw a (slightly predictable) wrench in there to make you feel more sad. The main conflict doesn’t win points for originality or interest. In this show, I was most invested in the relationship between the main leads.

In terms of acting, Zhao Liying as Shenli does the action scenes remarkably well. Her fight scenes are fast, crisp, and clean. They are a mix of CGI and choreography (I saw in the BTS that even her spear is CGI!), but still, some of the best I’ve seen. I saw her before in Legend of Fei and wasn’t too impressed (stopped watching, actually), but here she really stood out, even among all the other shows I’ve watched.

I was less enamored with her acting. I thought she was a bit stiff and wooden, which is great for the fight scenes but less great for everything else. After I read the book, I realized that sometimes she really is supposed to look blank. Still, I think she could rely less on looking cool and try to be more natural.

For Lin Gengxin as Xingzhi, I really liked his calm, casual delivery of all those hilarious lines. And once in awhile, a hint of a deeper sadness- I thought he did a good job. Unfortunately I wasn’t a huge fan of his styling… he looks better as himself than as Xingzhi. Many of the side characters looked great (both male and female) so I don’t think it’s general about the show, they just could have done a better job with him.

In terms of world-building, this is an imaginative xianxia world that, as typical, you can’t think too hard about lest you start uncovering holes. There is some beautiful CGI and imagery, highlighted by high-contrast vivid colors. The mortal world from the first arc in particular is so lovely, both Shenli and I look back nostalgically on her time spent there.

I do wish this world had more gender balance. Shenli is a woman in a man’s role, a total anomaly (which nobody seems to find odd); I would have liked better a world where women are just empowered, but I guess this is the author’s choice. There are a few other strong female characters (demon lord, the awesome snake serpent) but in general, despite the strong female lead, this is not quite a show for championing feminism.

Somebody’s critical analysis on reddit thought this show has a focus on gender and sexuality. I think this is because there are some bisexual characters in the book, but they were toned down for the show (censorship, I guess) so it’s harder to see. Actually in the book, Furong (the divine lord fiancée) kisses Mofang and has a thing for him, so in that context some things make more sense. In general this show sticks remarkably close to the book, and I think does an excellent job at adapting it to screen; of the changes I saw, the vast majority were improvements.

Finally, I liked the music… songs were great, really help to build the nostalgia for this beautiful world, and I really liked their fight BGMs too.

ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS





There is a lot of sad stuff at the end- I saw a BTS where they said it was an entire day of crying- but it all turns around for an ultimate happy ending (minus some sacrifices).

In fact, this show has one of THE best endings, because they devote an *entire episode* to an epilogue from the book! Epilogue = watching them happily living their life after the main conflict is over. I don’t know why more Cdramas don’t do this; look how happy all the fans are. It is so great to get this kind of closure for the characters you get so attached to.

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Familiar formula but still enjoyable

Once you’ve watched many dramas like this, it is hard to be surprised by the storyline as most of them follow the same pattern (unexpected meeting, grow to fall in love, have to part, death which leads the other one to forget their principles, back to life, overcome evil) but this drama added it’s own spin on this pattern with an interesting though hard-to- believe* opening where the FL injures herself while fleeing an arranged marriage.

Thankfully, this drama is on the new trend to give us happy endings which are not short and even used the last episode to play out a little side story which was enjoyable and let me have my feel good vibes for a whole episode as I loved seeing them live their happy life for a full episode!

The ML carried himself well as the last ancient god but I was struggling to see him he as a sickly mortal. Interesting to see how the drama chose to have a role reversal where the ML is the one who pines after the FL. It was fun to watch the FL being more matter-of-fact and let’s move on after having sex but it was a bit of out character for the ML to suddenly be so clingy & willing to throw caution to the wind when he was shown to be such a strong selfless character who put the 3 realms above his own interests during the first half of the drama.

As long as I turned off all these questions that kept popping up in my head, I was entertained with the above average CGI and sweet love story between the FL’s parents (I saw that coming a mile away so was just waiting to see how that part of the story would unfold and this drama delivered nicely)

*hard to believe on so many levels as the FL is shown to be the best fighter so how can she be so badly injured that she loses her human form. Also, she has a good relationship with her master so why were they not able to discuss the marriage alliance the same way they talked about other important issues? Didn’t really make much sense to send all the generals & soldiers to hunt her down and bring her back for the marriage as she can easily just not go through with the wedding by saying no in person during the wedding. Unfortunately, most dramas have this problem where logic is usually the first to go as long as it moves the story along in a nice way.

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One of the best cdramas I have ever watched

"The Legend of Shen Li" follows the forbidden love story of Shen Li and Xing Zhi.
Shen Li is an immortal general who gets hurt and falls into the Mortal Realm in her animal form. She is rescued by Xing Yun, a human who takes care of her and helps her recover from her injuries. With time, Shen Li falls in love with him but she already has an arranged marriage, she comes back home and thinks Xing Yun is dead.
Xing Yun is actually the ancient god Xing Zhi, the last of his kind. They reunite again, but can't be together, since Xing Zhi can't fall in love, always putting the world's needs first.

This was one of the things that really upset me. They are a beautiful couple, but it takes a long time for them to really be together. Xing Zhi always controlled his feelings for her, because he had responsibilities, but in the moment that Xing Zhi thought Shen Li was gone, he couldn't control himself anymore, he goes enraged and freezes the entire sea looking for her.
After that, the two have a sweet time together, like in the beginning when they first met.

The chemistry between Xing Zhi and Shen Li is amazing and I'm not only talking about the romance, but the action scenes and the funny moments, the characters ares really in sinc. It was really fantastic to be able to see Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin working together again after "Princess Agents" and finally being a real couple, with a happy ending <3

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Slow burn fantasy battle

Overall I enjoyed this even though I usually avoid xianxia genre. This is a slow burn, low romance between an ancient god and a demon (warrior) princess type. The series can be separated into several different parts with the first two more lighthearted and fun with playful banter and situations. It would be fine for a family to watch together. The rest of the series might get a little dark for young ones.

The first part has Shen Li defying the marriage order, falling to the human realm and becoming under the care of Xing Zhi. No surprises here but it has a gentle warmth. The CGI phoenix chicken is a bit cheesy but I rather liked that. This sets the stage for the romance with a suppressed male lead who emotes little (after all he's thousands of years old and a god), with a fiery female lead who would like to kill whoever bothers her.

The second section is mostly in the demon realm where Shen Li and Fu Rong (playboy immortal) square off against each other regarding this arranged marriage. We get a hint of the bigger problem (the Chemi and sealing off the abyss), and of Xing Zhi's jealousy. About halfway through we FINALLY learn why Xing Zhi is keeping Shen Li at a distance - the price is high if he gives in to his emotions. I think this does a disservice to viewers as it becomes frustrating wondering why he can't just love her (until we gain this explanation).

The third part our villains get more dangerous and a lot of people are harmed. Shen Li makes a huge sacrifice (and why, why doesn't Xing Zhi go with her? that was super unclear to me. Because she didn't ask for his help? Because he wanted to separate himself from her problems? why??).

The last part is Xing Zhi's journey, and there are some real tear jerkers here. Him going to the ocean to try to find her, when he does find her, and then helping her to heal got me to mist up.

While I am glad they gave me a HEA, the end seemed shoe-horned on. And the last episode with Jin was completely out of the ballpark in terms of tone. In the end, it just lacks the emotional resonance that I found in Dream within a Dream, and The Double.

Plot confusion: I really think the hall of ancestors of the gods was way underutilized in the worldbuilding. They gave Shen Li certain memories of Xing Zhi so they had some sentient awareness. At the end they seemed to thank Xing Zhi for his actions or at least send him off with respect. It was my thought that since Xing Zhi was born without a known purpose, his actual purpose was to act outside the Natural Law and bring down a system that prevented free will.

Romance: this is going to be a slow burn, mature lovers, with only a few steamy scenes. Most of the relationship is going to be banter and looks (his are far more guarded). This might not be satisfying to some viewers but I was fine with it.

Music: excellent.

Sets: Probably my favorite was the Sky Above with the white circle and marble/brush line throughout. The Immortals was the most boring (as were the Immortals themselves LOL).

Costumes/Jewelry: Loved the costumes, especially the military uniforms of the demon squad. Shen Li had some jewelry I really loved. The turquoise necklace paired with the gold chain; and the dark blue stone that were earrings and a necklace of three pieces edged in gold. Very pretty.

Underutilized roles: the goddess You La- really glad she was showed up to help Shen Li break out (and I also liked her eye makeup during this scene). General Shang Bei who wanted to hear all the gossip. Would have loved to seen him more.

Villains: they bored me. The situation with Mofang went on way too long. Just kill him already. PLEASE!

Overall it was a good watch and kept me wondering what would happen at the end.

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Xianxia love story done right!

Xianxia dramas are very hit and miss and for me, this was a hit! There is a lot to be admired in this one, especially if you have a little patience for the story to build after the first arc or take a moment to look a little deeper and appreciate the ways this drama balances the usual Xianxia tropes and also flips them around.

Things to admire:

*Main leads chemistry: Look, I watched Princess Agents when it came out and like many hated the ending. But I moved on and wasn’t waiting for a season two redemption on bated breath. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this couple regardless. And if you were waiting, this drama would definitely heal those wounds. They knew what the fans wanted and delivered it in spades.
* Mature pairing: We need more romantic fantasy dramas with “older” couples.
* Gender stereotypes reversed: So much to love here and too much to list. Shen Li is unlike most female leads. She’s beyond strong physically and mentally. And our ML is more than the cold, emotionless heavenly deity. He’s funny, playful, and nurturing. We still get swoony moments when our ML saves the FL, but it’s a situation of Girl, you protect the world and I’ll protect you. Also, ML is the best househusband a girl could dream for. Take care of all my needs and feed me delicious food? Yes please.
* Slice of life in a Xianxia: We don’t usually see this played out in these genres. Underneath all the big end of the world drama, TLOSL is really about our couple getting to the joy of appreciating the pleasures of being alive and living a simple life with the one you love. Eat good food, sit out in nature, spend time together, care for each other, and live in the moment without burdens of responsibility. If that isn’t the fantasy many of us long for, I don’t know what is. I’ll admit, first arc of the drama felt a bit slow with this focus, but when I realized what was building up here and then how it all ended, it’s beautiful and fulfilling.
* Satisfying Ending: In a year of Chinese dramas with disappointing endings or lacking in closure, TLOSL does not let down. We get spoiled with a whole episode and half of happy ending!

Really, this is a love story first and foremost. If you’ve bought into the couple, enjoy Chinese fantasy drama tropes, and appreciate the thoughtful ways this drama flips some of them around, you’ll find this really is better than most coming out these days.

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The romance, please keep it simple.

Idk, in the beginning I and the end, I kinda like when romance between Xing Zhi and Shen Li keep simple. I mean, not too much unnecessary thing like jealousy or posesive thing when Xing Zhi decide to put Shen Li in his palace in the sky, to keep Shen Li alive.
I love the battle but I think some battle should have more highlight. I also think Mrs.Jin could easily beat Mo Fang in her mountain with her power, more trick or something. It kinda wasting her power of tens thousand years.
I personally think that this drama is 40:40% romcom and the rest is battle bcs I found this drama is always made me laugh with the way Xing Zhi act and treat Shen Li.
I love the end, but I really think they should cut the backflash bcs it's too much and we can shrink over the 31-37, 7 eps to 3-4 eps, I think it's better

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A Great Fantasy C-Drama with a Satisfying Ending

I decided to watch this series based on its high rating, and overall, I'm glad I did. The first five episodes were engaging, although the romance felt a bit rushed. As I progressed, I predicted a long, and somehow boring journey, which unfortunately came true. The action scenes were okay, but the romance was dragged. They could have done better

Despite this, I appreciated the well-crafted ending, a rare find in fantasy C-dramas. Most series in this genre leave viewers with unanswered questions, but this one provided a perfect conclusion.

While I enjoyed the show, I felt that some scenes were unnecessary and only added to the length. Hence, I'm giving it a 9.0/10 rating.

Overall, I loved and enjoyed this series, and I'm happy to have watched it. If you're a fan of fantasy C-dramas, I recommend giving it a try!

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It met all my expectations and more!

When I got to know the main leads were of the ones from princess agent, it sparked my interest more. I loved the ml demure character from PA. I'll give a detailed explanation for almost everything I loved about in this drama, beginning with the story.

At first, the beginning of the plot was very direct and one could not tell how much powerful the ml was. The development of the plot was very tricky I'd say, for they hid so many secrets that those who supposed to unravel them weren't the ones, so I'll put it as, they left the unravelling for the wrong people. I'm not a fan of knowing the exact episode at which some things happened buh I can remember that scene where fu rong elder sister entered the extra natural heaven... if left to me, it should have had remained unknown to everyone except the gods no matter what come may.
Another instance, the origin of our heroine should have been told by her Holiness... because it all started from the master of her Holiness creating a creature he knows not how to tame and channel it's usefulness for the purpose of creating it.
Well, it is beginning to sound like I don't like the story buh I do...a lot. The case of that other god who was punished for misusing his divine power seemed like it was never understood nor explained well to us whereas xiangzi has told us how it will end. He will keep missing her not as longing buh accidentally not seeing or being together. This was the result of his actions. Another of the story I liked was the costumes...to me, the costumes seem like stories untold...yet they unfold seemingly.
The make up, clothings, foods, buildings and ancient artifacts all told stories. And I loved everything abt them all. I was even more attracted to the styling more than the fight scenes. A beautiful fantasy drama can't be completed without fighting scenes of course. The fighting scenes were professionally choreographed. From the female lead to the very least mortal cultivator. The battlefield was always lively and interesting to watch.

we go to the second, acting. I don't know why someone would hate on the male lead that I find the most attractive, like why?!...now that I'm writing this, a realization jst dawn on me that his role was the hardest and most difficult to play. I've watched if not that many many buh enough for me to judge those who solidly are against things I find as reasons why they were like that. He had to act very sickly as a mortal. now this role can't be given to anyhow somebody in my view for it wasn't easy to stay alive without power knowing fully well that he is of divine being. as a god, he shouldn't make rashly decisions which we saw how hard he concealed his intentions when he realized his feelings for the fl. if he has cancelled the engagement, it wouldn't have been easy either for him to have married her immediately or for them to live happily when it's against the natural law. He was very calm enough to have his calculations drafted before he takes actions, very caring even when the fl was being sassy, enduring enough to wait for her...to me, he scored the boyfriend standards and even higher!

the FL, can't be blamed for her behavior...at first tho, I find her too commanding even as a general, very blunt and funny. along the way, she was known to only have been in battlefields... what a yin indeed!...she was the husband and ml was the wife 😂.
for someone who only recognizes comrades, it shone surprising or annoying that when she cried abt loosing the two persons she shouldn't have, with us knowing fully well that Mofang was excluded. she might not really feel for her dad buh the fact that he's been there all along and now he had to sacrifice himself again...she isn't tht heartless not to feel sad...so she expressing her grief was just the amount of affection we needed there.
my casting are sole based on the main leads...so sorry that I couldn't touch the rest ...
before I moved to the next, I want to touch on furong, our said to be husband thanks to the nirvana of our FL on the water battle.
I was quite amused how fast he changed after the death of our heroine...(she didn't die buh no one knows where she was). He grew up very fast in maturity and it made me feel for him during the last battle that claimed our ml life. he was very annoying at first, a funny play boy that tried all he could to break out from the engagement... because of his fears of her ruthless dealings whilst on battlefield.
Mofang's death was the sacrifice we needed. I said so, not that I hated him, he was jst too somewhat stupid for allowing fu sheng to use him, when he knows that he can't avenge a father he knows not. his love for the fl to me was meaningless if she suffered torturously resulting to loosing her tube senses because of his pettiness. the actor carried the role to another level to having him constantly talking and fighting himself. he played that part well.


I can't end this without including the kissing scene that was ignited more passionately by the luring desires of the heart by the demon serpent. I enjoyed that scene ad kept replaying it ...I like it when main leads know what they want even though the FL became a lil bit annoying afterwards... before that scene, I knew she was going to be like that, given her personality that is so difficult to please. well at last, they gave us a fruit of their hard labour 😂.
someone said that the last episode kissing scene was not necessary, so this is my question, you watch up to that moment and you still find it unnecessary, what then should they do at the end that might produce an offspring? 😂
my dear it was necessary. A very typical real life kissing scene as such is very necessary okay. a kissing scene so mature, real and cheesy to watch is what I always looked towards to in ancient costume drama that have romance.
both leads are of same age in real life...so whatever makes you feel uncomfortable watching them act out that scene must be because you lack good sense of judging from inexperienced kissers.


my rewatch value says, it's highly recommendable.
go watch it and enjoy it...never has there been a good drama this type.

I'm a big fan of music in dramas and so far, this drama has good recognized singers in it adding to making this drama a blast!.

thanks for reading.

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Some of my favorite side characters ever

Whether you like the main plot/couple/romance is so up to your taste that I'm not going into it. In the end it worked for me.

A real standout for me: A+ side characters. This drama could have been 2 episodes shorter if they'd cut the repetitive insert songs (seriously, it's WAY over the top) but I would've wanted them to spend the time with Fu Rong (He Yu) and You Lan (Jackie Li), the Heavenly Emperor's grandson and granddaughter, instead. At first they were hilariously irritating: Fu Rong is the ultimate do-nothing playboy; You Lan is both arrogant and one of those really obsessive fan types. I thought they'd just be minor antagonists continuing these gags, but it's not that simple! Other secondary and minor characters were memorable as well. Really entertaining writing.

The final episode is more like an epilogue but it's full length. If you're always sad that you don't get time with the characters after the big moment, you'll be happy.

Aside from the repetitive insert songs, there's some epic music on this soundtrack (the whole album is on YT Music legitimately under its Chinese name). The opening theme gives me absolute chills when the suona comes in.

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A Genuinely Delightful, Engaging and Captivating Drama

A rather fun start, this is a long awaited drama and so far has not disappoint, It is engaging and captivating, and colourful (especially the CGI chicken) as well as mesmerising. Just wish it has both English and Chinese Subtitles so that I can watch at the same time as my sister who only understands English whereas I prefer subtitles in Chinese.

Each episode gets better as the story develops, this has certainly been worth the wait. I wasn't expecting to like this drama as much as I have, but thought I would give it a try, however, 4 episodes in, it has certainly surpassed expectation, I am amazed at how captivating and mesmerising this is, it is a delight to watch Zhao Liying at her very best, she embodies and personifies extra edge that extraordinary natural talent brings is something that cannot be taught and is what makes great actors stand out … know what is required at a given moment by their viewers; to immerse in the drama. Both Zhao Liying and Lin Geng Xin have brilliant chemistry together. I have now watched 12 episodes and I can't wait to watch the next and upcoming episodes to see how the story unfolds ...

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This drama is a breath of fresh air

I had to go through the exhausting sign up process just to write this review. I've always love Zanilia Zhao Liying but I couldn't even finish legend of fei because I found it kinda boring but you see this Legend of shenli is the most amazing xiaxia drama ever.

The emotions, the non-verbal cues, the OST, the characters... Everything was on point 😭❤️

Zanilia Zhao really outdid herself with this drama... She's the queen of costume dramas no 🧢

I love Lingenxin 's expressions... My guy was so calm but you'll also tell how he's feeling from his expressions.

This drama deserves all the love❤️

Love you Zanilia 😭❤️

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Surprisingly watchable

Things I found annoying: Some of the dubbing is cringy.
-CGI is obvious and repetitious.
-by far the most annoying thing is how slow some of the episodes are but still contain enough events
that I have to go back and watch bits that I skipped...grrr!

Things I found not annoying: Everything else.

I'm annoyed that I didn't wait for the entire production to be added to Viki, now I have to wait to watch the last four episodes...said me, never... regarding a C-drama, yet here we are. I can't give a higher rating for a show than, 'I can't wait for more episodes' or 'I'll watch this again, on purpose' and this series gets both.

You don't have to think a lot while watching but it's still intelligent enough that it will suit a wide range of demographics.

Time well wasted, give it a go.

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