The Legend of Shen Li is a Chinese drama with a captivating story of love, adventure, and self-discovery that will leave you wanting more. See the full review below.
Drama Details
Title: The Legend of Shen Li (与凤行)
Episodes: 39
Release Date: March 18, 2024
Genres: Romance, Wuxia, Drama, Fantasy
Country: China
Original Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV, Tencent Video
Available On: Viki
Synopsis and Plot Summary
The story begins on Chinese New Year’s Eve, Shen Li is ordered by the Immortal Lord to return to the palace, where he must fulfill a marriage alliance with a member of the Divine Clan.
This concerns peace between the two sides who have been at war for a long time. She refuses to marry her fiancé, who has a bad reputation as a playboy, and when the guards give chase, he is injured and falls to the mortal realm.
Due to the severity of her injuries, she had now lost her spiritual power and returned to her original form, that of a red phoenix. It is easily caught by traders who pluck its feathers and put them in cages to sell.
Xing Yun is an aloof and lonely man who buys “chickens” and helps treat his wounds. This strange human, who for some strange reason could understand what he was saying, enjoyed pranking him and loved hiding secrets.
Through their time together, Shen Li begins to understand how weak humans are, and to repay her kindness, she decides to protect her sickly savior.
The Legend of Shen Li Ending Explained
The Legend of Shen Li Chinese drama has a happy ending. At the end of the episode, Shen Li and Xing Zhi were chatting in the yard when a knock interrupted them. To their surprise, a snake woman appears with an exciting invitation: a wedding under the stars in the sky.
Shen Li was intrigued, although she seemed more the independent type than one to partake in marital matters. Concerns arose about finding a celestial stone, but Xing Zhi, ever the laid-back one, assured Shen Li that she’d handle it.
Meanwhile, the snake woman had fallen for a mortal turned immortal named Mu Zichun. Despite her devoted care for over 20 years, Mu Zichun seemed oblivious to her affections. Frustrated, she poured her heart out to Shen Li and Xing Zhi, questioning her own appeal. Xing Zhi, in his usual casual manner, suggested that perhaps Mu Zichun was simply bad at expressing himself.
In an attempt to test Mu Zichun’s true feelings, Shen Li disguised herself as Xing Zhi and flirted with him. Mu Zichun, feeling jealous, stormed off, leaving the snake woman hurt and confused. Desperate for answers, she offered a hefty reward to Xing Zhi if she could help prove Mu Zichun’s sincerity.
With the snake woman’s doubts in mind, Xing Zhi and Shen Li devised a plan to hasten Mu Zichun’s intentions. Their staged intimacy infuriated Mu Zichun, leading to a confrontation where he accidentally injured Xing Zhi. However, his immediate return to save the snake woman revealed his true feelings.
Grateful for Mu Zichun’s love, the snake woman fulfilled her promise and gifted an ancient jade pendant to Xing Zhi, whose health improved over time. Witnessing the snake woman’s wedding, Shen Li was moved and realized the beauty of publicly declaring love.
Later, when Xing Zhi suggested they have a wedding like the snake woman’s, Shen Li, touched by his sentiment, agreed wholeheartedly. They shared tears of joy, realizing they were soon to become parents. Despite the challenges they faced, they found solace in the journey they had taken together, knowing it was all worth it in the end.
The Legend of Shen Li Chinese Drama Review
The anticipation surrounding this drama was so intense that watching anything else felt like a complete waste of time. However, I can confidently say that the wait was absolutely worth it! It not only met but exceeded all expectations.
Let’s start with the cast: Lin Geng Xin’s portrayal of a deity is nothing short of divine. From his physicality to his subtle nuances, he brings a mesmerizing depth to the character that is unparalleled. Zhao Li Ying, on the other hand, proves herself as the ultimate badass actress who knows how to kick some serious butt. She embodies her role with fierce determination that is truly awe-inspiring.
Now, let’s go through the checklist. Forbidden love? Check. Age-gap romance, a delicious flavor we all secretly adore? Double check. And the scorching chemistry between the characters? Unlike those dramas where the tension fizzles out, leaving you disappointed, this one keeps the fire burning from the very first episode. The stolen glances, palpable attraction, and simmering tension will leave you begging for more.
Speaking of strong characters, this drama presents a badass leading lady. She’s not just there to showcase the male lead’s weaknesses; she’s a force to be reckoned with herself. Though, call me superficial, but I do appreciate it when the male lead exudes that alpha energy. It’s okay for the female lead to be alpha too, but let’s not make her stronger than the poor guy, okay?
And let’s not forget about the soundtrack! The OSTs in this drama shine brighter than a supernova. They perfectly complement every scene, tugging at your heartstrings and making you hum along. It’s like the icing on the cake, adding that extra touch of magic to the already captivating storyline.
But wait, there’s more! This drama is a feast for the eyes. Gone are the clichéd moments and predictable storylines that plague many Chinese dramas. Instead, we’re treated to a visual masterpiece. The attention to detail, beautifully crafted scenes, and overall artistic flair make every frame a work of art.
“The Legend of ShenLi” is a delightful and captivating series that takes you on an unforgettable journey through ancient Chinese mythology. With its rich world-building, engaging characters, and thrilling plot, it’s a must-watch for fans of the fantasy genre.
What sets this show apart is its strong and dynamic female lead, Shen Li, who defies stereotypes and stands out as a powerful and capable heroine. The chemistry between Shen Li and the male lead, Xing Yun, is both heartwarming and humorous, making their interactions a highlight of the series.
The stunning visuals and epic fight scenes are a feast for the eyes, while the emotional depth of the story will keep you invested in the characters’ fates.
The Legend of Shen Li Chinese Drama Cast
Main Role
Zhao Li Ying as Shen Li / Lord Bi Cang
Lin Geng Xin as Xing Zhi | Xing Yun
Support Role
Xin Yun Lai as Mo Fang [Shen Li’s general]
He Yu as Fu Rong Jun [Heavenly emperor’s grandson]
Zeng Li as Shen Mu Yue [Shen Li’s master]
Wei Zi Xin as Fu Sheng [Demon Lord]
Liu Guan Lin as Tian Jun [Heavenly Emperor]
Jackie Li as You Lan [Heavenly Emperor’s granddaughter]
Zhou Xiao Chuan as Shang Bei [General in Shen Li’s camp]
Marco Chen as Zhu Fei [General in Shen Li’s camp]
Chen Lu Xi as Rou Ya [Shen LI’s attendant]
Li Zi Feng as Qing Ye | Gu Cheng Jin | Jing Yan
Huang Yi as Xiao He | Jing Xi
Smile Hu as Ye Shi | Shi Luo
Wang Yi Yao as Jin Niang Zi
Li Yi Nan as Bei Xiao Yan
Ma Ming Yu as Liang Wei Ping
And More
My Verdict
Overall, “The Legend of Shen Li” is a captivating story of love, adventure, and self-discovery that will leave you wanting more. It’s worth watching, I recommend it. My rating for The Legend of Shen Li Chinese drama review is 9/10.
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