So the first three months of 2024 in C-drama land felt like it was the opening act of a major concert, good but nowhere near the explosive engagement that a top level star can bring. So many C-dramas with some even big budget A level but nothing to bring out the expansive viewership, buzz, and online chatter that past major hits have managed to. So the arrival of xianxia C-drama The Legend of Shen Li with Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin feels like cold fresh water to a parched desert traveler, THIS is the drama spectacle, cast, visuals, and story telling I was waiting for. The drama premiered two days ago and is the fastest drama in Tencent to break 30,000 heat index and is generating the fast out of the gate with growing online buzz that is needed to become a major hit. Zhao Li Ying’s last period drama was the underwhelming Legend of Fei which was a big meh after two big hits in The Story of Minglan and Princess Agents, so this feels like she’s back being the tough little cookie we know she is. The chemistry with Lin Geng Xin is there, older and more mature and poignant, and the lead characters are fascinating with plenty of backstory to reveal. I love the set up in the little town with her runaway badass general bride-to-be as a surly chicken and him as the sickly floating through life human dude with a passive aggressive snarky streak. They are adorable and hilarious together and I thoroughly loved the first 6 episodes released so far. This drama budget can be see onscreen with the lovely visuals, costuming, and less is more approach. All in all, what a jolt in mid-March to C-drama land.
And so much water that it’s absolutely hilarious to watch just how much money ZLY alone is throwing at it. The tsunami for the heat index had cnetz laughing to the point of pain. While the ratings stopped rising and dipped.
Fighting has already started between her and YZ, and WYB is expected to join in tomorrow so anyone who isn’t interested in these actors are welcome to join me with popcorn because it’s absolutely fun.
Is it so hard to to happy for the success of a particular actor or actress drama that you have to post negative things???
Why should I be happy about people I care nothing about? Especially if they water like crazy and buy like crazy to give an appearance of success?
Nah. I am here for the fun.
@Lmao you don’t have to be happy but then you don’t have to post your first comment, you could have ignored and Yu say they water like crazy but how do you know that?? You need to have proof if not you’ll look like a typical anti who just says things out of hate
@Darkangel
Did you lose your way and you think this is some fan space? You don’t get to decide what comments are posted, get a grip.
You mean the fighting between fans of these actors. The actual actors don’t hate each other or spare their precious time like these people who clearly have no lives. LMAO.
Yep, it officially, koala can exaggerate when it comes to shows she love. And that goes to all of us too 😆. It a good show through n through but personally I feel it not anything special, probably because it a xiaxian , which feels like they r all similar, very good show never the less.
LOL In her defense, this is her blog, so she probably will exaggerate about the shows she loves…
Yep, it officially, koala can exaggerate when it comes to shows she love. And that goes to all of us too 😆. It a good show through n through but personally I feel it not anything special, probably because it a xiaxian , which feels like they r all similar, very good show never the less. If u enjoy or love the xiaxian genre , u would totally be crazy about this show, so far it looking like one of the good ones.
I never liked Xiaxian genre but thought I’d give this show a shot and DAMN! I’m learning a lot about celestial beings! I’m quite intrigued! Its a very beautiful world. I know there are a lot of other dramas of this genre but for the first time, I’ve finally taken an interest. I enjoyed LGX and ZLY in PA so this made it even easier to like! I wish for the show’s success!
The reason why I’ve always hated the xianxia genre is because the Heavenly Realm always turns out to be so aggravatingly corrupt. The king, the queen, and the love rival are all so evil, I can’t get by without wanting to slap each and every one of them when they are onscreen lolol
I like this so much,its fast paced due to the short episodes, really funny and looks really pretty on screen.I like the style of the cgi on the chicken super adorable a scene stealer. I also really liked how they filmed the fight scenes, xianxia are usually lazy when it comes to fights, because they are celestial beings they can use magic, but this one went all out. I just felt weird with the voice dubbing but got used to it. The filter/makeup on them was excessive in some scenes but if they showed any wrinkle cnetizens would have a field day calling them old. This is the most exciting show for me right now.
Hubby often cruises by and asks how the drama is going. Rarely engages. Today I was unaware of him watching and hit pause to go do stuff. He whined that he wanted to know how Chicky fared. This is good story telling.
My husband rarely watches Cdramas. He wasn’t feeling well and wanted to just lay on the couch while I was watching The Legend of Shen Li, he was hooked from the first episode. We binged four episodes that night. He complained about why the episodes are too short! We are all caught up and waiting for the next episodes tonight. Hopefully, we can have more great dramas like this one to watch after dinner.
Too much GCI that’s distracting because it’s not done in a way where it’s realistic, but if this is my complaint and all others worked then that’s a good signs.
I don’t think Koala is too exaggerated about Shen Li. I’ve same thought about a drama. It is better compared to the other costumed dramas early this year.
I can’t take Koala’s words seriously about C costume dramas mostly. Examples are plenty that the dramas she raved about ended up big meh and huge disappointment. Koala raved Lost You Forever and My Journey to You to the moon. But they were snoozefests to me. LOL. LGX is on my unwatchable list cos he’s been consistently boring so far. I fast forwarded a lot of his scenes in Princess Agent. But out of curiosity I’ll take a look and have an assessment myself.
You don’t take Koala’s words seriously about Cdramas, but continue to waste time on LYF and MJTU…now watching Legend even when you dislike the ML…Come on, you take her words very seriously. LMAO
LOL. You don’t get the meaning of “not taking something seriously!” Go look up in a credible dictionary. Besides, don’t twist my words. I particularly said that “C costume dramas,” not C dramas in general. I did follow some of her recommendations and posts to watch other C dramas. I found Cdrama fans mostly emotional, easily got offended, and quick to judge without reading comments carefully. SMH.
@Somebody
I quoted you on what you said above, “you can’t take Koala’s words seriously about Cdramas” and found it hilarious you continue to watch what she recommends, get it? LOL I ain’t twisting your words, go look up twisting words please. LMAO
@neen, are you legally blind or can’t read English properly? Go read one more time again! I said “C costume dramas,” not “C dramas.” Don’t put your twisted words in my mouth! Otherwise, I’ll question your mental state like I did to others! LOL
BTW, I checked it out to reconfirm I’m not biased against Koala. How was it hilarious? LOL. You’re such a joke!
It is her personal opinion and is related to her tastes and feelings. She did not point out that it is a rule or a fact. You didn’t enjoy Blossoms Shanghai but I did. You enjoy seeing Xiao Zhan but I don’t. They are our preferences and it is not the end of the world if we do not share them, but there is no need to act as if we should fight for who is right. To each his own, unless we get strong with critical thinking to leave subjectivity aside.
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This drama is my favorite this year! First time I subscribed for a membership to watch in advance, been chasing it every night. I find it so refreshing, not typical type of fantasy drama I’ve seen. The acting is good, set is beautiful, GCI one of the better ones I’ve seen from a CDrama, good story and pace! I can’t wait for more!
I watched almost 4 episodes and it’s OK but not great and doesn’t give me I-can’t-wait vibes so I’ll wait until all episodes are out. If I still feel the need then, I might keep going.
I have only seen LGX in BBJX and the movies with Mark but I like him enough to check out this drama. Enjoyed ZLY in Minglan but have not watch any of her other dramas.
I don’t care for Xianxia much and usually avoid them. The fight scenes were stiff and shaking at the beginning. For a big budget drama, I don’t know why they didn’t film underwater for that scene either.
Currently watching 2 costumes dramas, this one and in blossom, i think, this one is just typical xianxia drama with a better execution. Usually, the female lead in xianxia was stupid, silly and will grow up in process.. but in here, she’s smart and a war general. My expectation was probably too high. So i find this drama just a slightly better than typical xianxia dramas.
ZYL is really pretty. She doesnt look her age tho. While LGX is sooo boring. His character and his acting.
Im on ep 8 now, and hoping for some good twists in the next episodes. I miss ZLY playing a cold character. She’s really good at it.
The drama is average at most , ZLY like usual likes to shine in her drama and make everything revolve around her, giving every other character a little screen time , barely getting any character development including ML, I cant believe this but I actually liking JYJ drama “in blossom” way more
I am just happy to watch a new drama that does not have Bai Lu or any of the newbies we keep seeing these days. I am really not keen on watching same artistes, same acting in different costumes with different drama tiles.
Watching older more experienced artistes is better… I love to watch Ni Ni, Chen Kun, Hu Ge, Wang Kai etc in new period dramas…
Gosh I miss Hu Ge and Chen Kun so so so much. Most of all, I miss my favorite idol actor Ethan Juan, although he’s a Taiwanese to Cdrama actor.
I know him from his young days…my first Ethan drama was Hana Kimi. Followed him since but he is so stupid to be womanised and lose a good woman. Personal life aside, he is a good actor. We dont see him at all these days…
It’s because the new generation of viewers think most dramas don’t need real acting and just having visuals is sufficient. It’s horrible.
So very true… Very unfortunate.
I fast forwarded a lot of scenes of the first 3 eps and decided to not waste any more time to continue. I didn’t see anything special standing out from other Xianxia. As I gathered, I really can’t take Koala’s recommendation of C costume dramas seriously. We don’t have the same tastes regarding Xianxia specifically. This drama’s CGI is not refined, only at the level of gaming vfx that is considered a lower level of vfx at best. After checking a slew of Xianxia last years, now I wonder if the problem of crappy and cheesy CGI isn’t about money but about talent. C-ent just can’t find good talents doing proper CGI for their productions. That being said, CGI isn’t the critical factor for this drama to bore me to death. The plot is nothing much different from other Xianxia and ZLY’s character reprises a typical Chinese superwoman image she used to have in her old dramas. So predictable. LGX, same old same old (pun intended LOL) bland acting. Heavy makeup and thick filters on the two aging lead actors don’t help either.
This one is even worse than Lost You Forever that I watched at least 18-19 eps before quitting and My Journey to You that survived my patience with 6 eps or so. It’s really wasting time checking out and then feeling life is so boring LMAO. My expectation of Cdrama remains low. Off to binge some old Kdramas!
I am binging KDramas too… Watching 1-2eps C-drama to check it out. Often I dont continue. But I might give this more eps just to check up this couple later…
Just wonder any old Kdramas you recommend? I missed a lot during years of hiatus. I even pulled out some very old ones like Moon Embracing the Sun and felt it’s new like being watched the first time. LOL. That’s how good it is and how much I like it.
@somebody what years did you take hiatus and what genres do you like?
@Somebody, I may not be able to recommend Kdramas that you like but I do have a suggestion. You can start from artiste you like looking at…I remember you mentioned visual is a contributing factor important for you. Then look at their previous dramas and watch from there. I have a list of male artiste I like…females too but much shorter as their career list is short.
EXample:
Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook – Love these 2 actors. Goblin is great, you really should watch.
You can look further into Lee Dong Wook dramas…He picks scripts that is out of the box, more adventures.
I am a personal fan of Park Seo Joon so I watch quite afew of his shows. But it may not be your interest.
Park Bo Gum: I enjoyed him in- Wonderful Days, Reply series, Hello Monster
Kim Soo Hyun- The Producers, Love from the star
Ji Sung is worth looking into too. He is a good actor. He picks interesting storylines but not all are that well produced.
@HL. Thanks. I’ll check them out. I did remember Ji Sung’s Kill Me Heal Me. He impressed me a lot. I also liked very much his wife’s drama with Lee Jong Suk, I Hear Your Voice, which was one of the dramas that turned me into a K drama fan in early years.
@absurd, I took a break from K drama from around 2015 to the first half of 2023. I recall The Producer was perhaps the last K drama I watched before quitting.
My favorite genre is fantasy (either historical or modern is fine). Thrillers are fine but can’t be too gross. Legal dramas started to grow on me after I watched Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Not so much for romcom or melodrama though unless there’s mystery or suspension in a plot.
After 6 eps I conclude I like this drama. Apart from some unnecessary lengthy flashback scenes, this drama is interesting enough to keep me watching. I like how there is comedy infused in this drama, as well as the female lead’s blunt character; which is refreshing since we had so many cutesy female leads with baby voices in recent xianxias. Didn’t watch Princess Agents, but ZLY and LGX have pretty good chemistry so far.
Love them but I still won’t be happy until they have a season 2 of Princess Agents