The Legend of Shen Li

Worth your time on all levels!

If you’re into this genre like me, it would be hard to not love this drama!

It has a slightly different vibe - I think this comes directly from the ML character, who is extremely other-worldly and that never really shifts too much. He doesn’t turn into a relatable, warm n’ gooey human type no matter what the situation. Which is pretty great in terms of giving this a really cool angle. The guy is different than any other being on the planet, and they went with it.

Shen Li herself is a fantastic character. Strong, funny, stubborn, talented, she’s easy to like and cheer for. Loved her for her strength, and her ability to be a fully formed character, not arm candy, scheming, or fake strong. The character kicks butt on her own!

Visuals are good, and the music, ohhhhh man, it’s one of those ear worms that won’t shut up and plays in your head when you’re trying to go to sleep. You’ll know which one I’m talking about (you first hear it played on a leaf). Wang Heye’s soaring, yearning song “Not Knowing to Turn Back” is the best Cdrama song I’ve ever had stuck in my head. Please go listen.

Side characters are numerous and memorable - actor He Yu’s bimbo playboy airhead (with a good heart) Furong is funny and a standout. There are many things to love about this, from the strong, unique, mature characters to the good effects and epic gods n’ demons storyline, it’s a must-see.

Just for comparison, other dramas Ive loved this much (or nearly) include Love Between Fairy and Devil and Love in the Clouds.

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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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Epic Romance with Humor, Action, and Heart

The Legend of Shen Li was such a joy to watch from start to finish. I loved the balance of comedy, romance, and action — it never felt one-dimensional. The fight scenes were especially well done, with the female lead showing both strength and charm. Her chemistry with the male lead was undeniable, making every interaction between them a highlight of the show.

The story kept me hooked with its mix of fantasy adventure and emotional depth, and I appreciated how it didn’t rely solely on romance but gave room for character growth and exciting world-building. The humor also added a refreshing touch, keeping the tone light even in intense moments.

For those considering watching: the drama does have a few slower episodes in the middle, but the payoff is worth it. If you enjoy strong female leads, well-choreographed fight scenes, and a romance that feels both playful and heartfelt, The Legend of Shen Li is a must-watch.

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How does this drama have so few recommendations?! I genuinely enjoyed every second of it, and I’m honestly SO glad I gave it a chance. I haven’t been this happy about watching a drama in a long time lol.
I was watching Princess Agents and made it to around episode 25, but eventually had to put it on hold because I was crying so much that it was becoming emotionally exhausting 😭. And yes, I was also caught between shipping her with both the ML and SL 😂. I even accidentally caught a glimpse of the ending, which did NOT help. Then I picked up this drama, and let’s just say… after watching it, I finally know who I’m rooting for 😂.
This felt incredibly refreshing compared with the other xianxia dramas I’ve watched. I genuinely don’t remember the last time I was this invested in a main couple. Their chemistry was practically jumping out of the screen 😂. From the early episodes, they already had the kind of comfort and familiarity that made them feel like an old married couple.
And what I loved most was how deeply they loved and understood each other. Their love didn’t just feel like something the drama told us about—I could actually SEE it in the way they looked at each other, the way they understood each other without needing to say much, and the way they naturally cared for one another. I could literally FEEL how deeply they loved each other through my screen, physically lmao 😂. The emotional connection between them was so palpable that sometimes I felt like I was intruding on something way too intimate to be watching 😂.
No endless misunderstandings, no unnecessary assumptions, no dragging out problems that could have been solved by one conversation. They were both so bold, straightforward and confident, and their banter was honestly one of my favourite parts. Their relationship felt so secure and natural, and that made their love even more enjoyable to watch.
The whole production was also such a treat. The CGI looked gorgeous, the OSTs and background music fit the scenes beautifully, and the fight sequences were so satisfying. The main characters themselves were also genuinely interesting to watch. They were clear-headed, decisive and knew what they wanted, which made their journey even more enjoyable.
Zhao Liying once again proved why I love watching her. She absolutely nailed her character. And Lin Gengxin was great as the ML too—I could really feel that calm, powerful, almost otherworldly presence you’d expect from a god-like character in a xianxia.
I also really enjoyed the supporting cast, especially furong he was mischievous but not insufferable. It’s honestly such a blessing when a drama has supporting characters who are actually enjoyable instead of constantly making you wish they would disappear 😂.
Overall, I LOVED this drama. I could probably keep going because there’s so much I enjoyed about it, but basically, from beginning to end, it was such a satisfying watch. It gave me exactly the kind of xianxia experience I didn’t know I was looking for.
And lastly—the grey hair??? Absolutely phenomenal. 😂

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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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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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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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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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XIANXIA IS BORING

Lets start with the thing i like; the musical background really is on another realm. The human war cry when female leas marched to war especially, was made so good.

Lukewarm things I found in this drama is probably the side characters. I feel no attachment towards them or any of the main characters, really.

Moving to the things i did not like, maybe bcs I just finished "Blossom" which was full eith humane intricacies and monarch toppling that is full wih realism, i find divine being love story to be boring and unrelatable. Zhang Liying, the female leads acting reminds me of Yang Mi. So deadpan with no actual microexpression. You can be pretty and elegant, but also expressive. Is it because of botox?
The CGIs are ridiculous... i can not take the talking birds and phoenix seriously. Also dropping this drama bcs i found i like Mofang more than the male lead... could never let myself be subjected to second male lead syndrom....

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