The Legend of Shen Li (2024)

Slow pacing and a boring storyline.

This is my Honest Review.

This drama has impressive CGI, with fight scenes surpassing those of many Xianxia dramas. The scenery resembles something out of a painting, and I can't praise the background music enough. It's pretty clear that they have put a good amount of money into the production. However, does this all truly matter if there's no clear plot? I've watched up to episode 14, and so far, not much has happened. This drama is really slow. The first 5 episodes were really good and engaging, especially the interaction between the CGI chicken/phoenix and the main lead.

I thought they were starting slow and that the plot would pick up, but no. I can't even understand what the main objective of this drama is, what they're trying to accomplish. This drama feels so unserious, especially the male lead; he's really boring. Yes, I can understand why he's like that, but maybe because of the lack of depth in the plot or an unattractive main lead, I can't take him seriously.

The plot centers around the main lead not being allowed to be with the female lead because it goes against the rules or would be dangerous to the three realms or something like that. I've already seen this kind of plot in Immortal Samsara, but the difference is, there, it has enough depth in the plot and angst which is quite convincing. It has its own faults and pacing issues, but there's always something going on enough to keep me hooked, which is not the same case with Legend of Shenli.

If I want to talk about the story, really nothing has happened until episode 14. All I can say is it's a story of one woman and three boys. I really can't understand what's really attractive about the main lead which made the female lead fall for him twice. Their interactions are funny, but I can't feel any chemistry between them. This show doesn't do a good job of making me care for the side characters.

Someone said in the comments that the real story starts from episode 22. It's too long for me to wait; until then, what we got is unnecessary filler, comedy, immature side characters, a tug of war between the male and female leads, and not much else.

Okay, I'm dropping this. I want to see Zhao Liying in another historical drama which has a strong buildup in the plot.

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O roteiro é bom, o enredo é interessante, os personagens bem elaborados e gostáveis, mas a finalização tirou o brilhantismo do drama, até, mais ou menos, a metade do capítulo 38 o drama garante uma sequência emocionante, mas a metade final do capítulo 38 e o capítulo 39 não convenceram. Se tivesse encerrado na cena dele aparecendo no campo de flores depois de reviver, seria mais emocionante, pois a sequência dos dois no seguimento final, apesar de mostrar uma vida comum e feliz, não traz o mesmo nível de emoção do restante do drama. O romance dos pais da protagonista é muito lindo e o personagem Feng Lai desperta muitas emoções com suas escolhas de sempre se sacrificar.
O elenco é muito bom e as atuações são bastante convincentes. O ator Xin Yun Lai surpreendeu com sua atuação precisa do personagem Mo Fang.
O diretor conduziu bem o drama, há poucos erros na edição, os efeitos especiais são bons, poderia, apenas, ter caprichado mais no fechamento do drama.
O figurino é impecável.
A trilha sonora é agradável, trazendo, entre outros, as vozes encantadoras de Zhang Bichen e Liu Yuning.

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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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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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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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Engaging but not as good as expected

Story:
In my opinion, the story of this drama felt little bit flat. The strong point is the characters. The main characters personality is very strong, both of them and they are very likeable. They are powerful, dominant yet vulnerable at the same time. I found the conflict in this drama is rather absurd, was not developed well enough. And the ending... though I craved more romantic scenes, the ending felt more like an extra than a part of the whole story.

Acting:
Although the chemistry between Zanillia Zhao and Lin Gengxin is cute and addictive (their look also give a huge reason why I shipped them so much), I think their acting in this drama are little awkward. Too many blank stare at each other. I haven't watched their other dramas except Princess Agents which they also collaborated as main characters, but I thought the chemistry in that drama was better than this. Maybe the blank stares are supposed to make the romantic scene more dramatic, however too much portion make this drama feel dragged. I never read the source novel, but I guess this drama supposed to be a fantasy romance drama. Yet in the romantic scenes, somehow I felt the two lead actors were holding their emotions. Zanillia's eyes expression need more improvement.

Music:
I love the music, it gave the scenes more depth either in the battle scenes or the romantic scenes.

Overall:
I enjoyed this drama so much but not loved it. I also thought this drama is a quiet satisfying answer for Princess Agents's couple shipper since it has the ending. I wish they will collaborate again in the future, either in costume drama or modern one.

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entertaining but a little long

I loved the story that has a lot of unique aspects. I loved the way they depicted gods and the graduation of powers down to basic humans. I loved the fact that everyone is depicted with flaws, even gods. I loved how complicated it was from the beginning to the end, while watching it I remembered the first scenes and thought "so many things happened and now the story is completely different". but some development took a little too much time.

when to watch: if you have a lot of time ahead, you wont regret it. it's very long so manage your time so you won't miss your sleep time.
audience: I think it could be better to watch after some maturation. there is also some violence so I'd say not under 18; and if you do some cultivation, it'll be interesting to watch again after you mature on your 40's. life and death matters are easier to understand when you have encounter it in your own life.

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Brilliant drama with great actors

I love this drama. Although I was a little confused by the beginning (first few minutes) and the mediocre sound quality on Youtube (background sounds are way too loud), I became addicted in no time.

Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin really rule this drama. They play quirky characters that will stay in your head after watching the drama. And the chemistry on screen is just fantastic! Personally, I'm also glad that it's a drama with two great actors in the lead roles who are not teenagers, because you can tell that they have experience and acting skills that some protagonists in C dramas sometimes lack.

The plot is really intricate, but not too complex to make you lose track. And what I also love is that there is not a single flat character. All characters undergo a certain development or have some surprises in store for you.

Really, this is one of the best Chinese dramas I have seen in a long time! And now go an watch it ;)

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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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