The Legends (2019)

This is definitely worth the watch. It’s just sad how the editing and transition of music was poorly done but thanks to the storyline and its actors, you’ll still be able to give it a pass. I didn’t know any of the actors but 1.) decided to give it a watch when I saw Xu Kai being so handsome with his scar on. 2.) Stayed and endured the frustrations I have with the antagonists because of my faith and love for Li Chen Lan. 3.) Lu Zhao Yao is one of the best strong-female character I’ve watched. But I agree that both LZY & LCL’s character weakened near the end, they were both invincible — so to witness them becoming weak is saddening (but then again, it’s understandable). 4.) Li Chen Lan will probably be one of my most favorite male character of all time. His growth, kindness, faith, and love for Zhao Yao is just so amazing. Words aren’t enough to describe him. *sigh

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Good start

It was difficult to finish:
The Legends started out really well up until about episode 30. Up until episode 30, the drama had a really good synopsis, it was interesting, unique and had great potential. However, from episode 30 onwards it was a let down. I found it really hard to not skip sections within each episode and found it difficult to finish in general. In saying that, it was not that bad, just not what i expected to happen.
In my opinion, the drama became a drag because various ideas in the drama were reused (can't explain in detail otherwise the drama will be spoiled) or the flow was just really slow with no action happening in certain episodes.

Confusing scenes:
Towards the end of the drama it was quite confusing. I believe it was due to how the parts in the episodes got put together. Even after finishing the drama I have no idea what some of the certain scenes meant.

Ending:
The ending of the drama, I did not enjoy at all. It felt really rushed but at the same time dragged out. I think they could have just stuck to one impactful ending scene. The part with the kids was really confusing and weird too.

Nonetheless, the casts acted really well and really portrayed their characters and emotions really well and the actors had great chemistry. I would recommend this drama for the acting and if you just want to watch something on the side but don't hold great expectations.

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This is a really good fantasy period drama. The drama has a good story line and the cast did a great job delivering their characters. The leading couple has great chemistry and their romantic scenes are very nice. Having said that, this drama had too many fatalistic ending to the supporting cast and, although there’s a seemingly and rushed happy ending for the lead couple, it is a bit confusing at the end. There’s also an overuse of flashbacks and the main couple didn’t displayed the strength of character that developed through the first half of the drama. Despite these shortcomings, the drama is entertaining. Enjoy it!

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I could really feel the love from Xu Kai towards Bai lu. He did really good on his acting for this drama. There were so many annoying characters in the drama like Liu Su Ruo who was obsessed with Luo Ming Xuan (Who was also so annoying) and there was Lin Zi Yu who was obsessed with Mo Qing and so she did the stupidest/ unnecessary things to get his attention. Which he never cared for. She was honestly so weak in terms of power/fighting.

Qin Qian Xian was such a lovely character in the drama. I'm glad this character existed in the drama. The mild love line he had with Lu Shi Qi was a nice touch.

There were many draggy parts of the drama that I can't point out when. I came to this drama after Arsenal Military Academy and probably hoped for too much. All in all I finished it! (:

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Now I'm Xu Kai and Bai Lu shipper ????

Story.

The storyline is great. One of a few best chi-drama that I watched without skip. There's a small flaw of this story, I got confused with the ending.

Acting/Cast

What's keeping me from no skipping any minutes of the drama, is the acting of each cast. Especially, male lead and female lead. Their acting is so great. And the most important is, their chemistry is very natural. Its very pleasant to watch any of their moment.

Music

I did enjoy the music/ost.

Rewatch Value

I've been watching this about 6 times already. The main leads and their amazing chemistry that keep me to rewatch it again and again, without get bored.

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Cant get enuf even after watching 4 times

Phenomenal show. Bai Lu's acting is amazing and Xu Kai really pulls on your heartstrings when he smiles slightly from Bai Lu's antics. The chemistry is top notch like the CP is one of my top favourites in any xianxia I've watched. OSTs were superb my favourite was 宿命 I've been listening to it non-stop even till now. The only problems I had was the lack of depth in the characters in the 宗门 sect (supposed good guys) I feel like they were just bad for little reason that didn't rly persuade me that they really felt genuinely that way. Wan Lu Sect chracters on the other hand had wonderful chracter developments and interactions with each other throughout the show was meaningful and true to their character. Another was that as the story progresses, all the characters on zhao yao's side seemed to be continually played down in terms of their powers and skills which the producers lost the opportunity to kind of "give a slap in the face" to the bad guys. Lastly the ending was unimpactful ahd more cringey when the kids tried to act like the CP in the past. Especially considering how they r supposed to be siblings. the actress who played Qin Zhiyan really kudos to you for being able to show such clarity in the 2 contrasting characters protrayed with the same face. All in all, execution of the show was ver professional, y'all shouldn't miss out on this show otherwise because it's literally a legend.
You can have a look at my other ratings of other shows to have a rough gauge of how highly I think of this drama. The fact that I watched this so many months ago and came back again to write a review should speak volumes.

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Great story and chemistry

I'm writing this review after re-watching, I first watched the drama while it was airing, but never wrote a review. I just re-watched it and decided to write my review now.

This was the third xianxia drama I've seen, and its the first drama i watched while airing, i just happened to see it on Viki and thought it looked great so I watched it, waited every week for the episodes and subs, it was also my first drama with Xu Kai and Bai Lu who are now two of my favorite Chinese actors.

This drama was pretty good, the chemistry between the leads were great. the only issue is that it did get a little bit draggy closer to the end, and there were some bad editing, which is no fault to the story and actors, so i stuck with my 9/10 because well i watched it twice so i really enjoyed it.

You'll love the story for this drama, you'll maybe cry for some of the deaths, and you'll be very angry and furious with the villains, trust me if i could have gone into the screen i would have, that's how furious i was with the villains, they played the role too good, i hated them soo much loool.

Give this drama a chance, lots of beautiful faces, great storyline, a great message as well "We're not always right", and "We should always check ourselves first before pointing a finger at someone else, because we might end up being the worse one" soo many things you can take away from this, and the best enjoyment you can have.

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Okay, I am not gonna start with the biggest spoiler regarding the ending, because I am afraid that I will hinder you who have planned to watch it. Let me tell you. Despite the not-so-well-done ending, this drama is still awesome. This is my 3rd Chinese drama to date, as I have been a loyal K-dramas watcher for 13 years, while the first and second Chinese dramas I watched were Ten Miles of Peach Blossom and Ashes of Love which I also loved very much. Then, I was looking for dramas with a loyal and swoon worthy male lead but had not been able to find any until one day I stumbled upon this drama.

I saw the trailer and was intrigued by it, then I proceeded to watch the 1st and 2nd episode. Though not as beautiful as TMOPB, but I was hooked! This drama is all about the demons, mortals, and immortals, not kind of heavenly immortals like TMOPB and AOL though.

STORY: (Funny and absolutely romantic)
The story flows quickly in the first 4 episodes without wasting any time for unnecessary scenes though the parts with Immortal Sects was quite confusing at first. It is a story between the goods who was claim to be treacherous and the baddies who claim to be the good ones who will punish those whom they think are demons.

Our female lead, Zhao Yao, is the legendary demoness who was once a really naive and good girl but turned to evil after her grandfather was murdered by her crush while our male lead, Mo Qing, is a shy and timid demon king's son who is sealed in a cave and finally saved by Zhao Yao. Our lead characters are unlike the mainstream characters in other dramas. The female lead is just so badass that she does not need to be saved so often unlike other dramas. The male lead is also not the kind who will tell I love you, word by word to make his feelings known, instead, with actions and loyalty. No matter how evil his girl's attempt to kill him, he still loves her and dotes on her until she falls in love with him.

After episode 5 when Mo Qing has turned into the mature, reliable, and powerful Wan Lu Sect Leader, the story really begins to be interesting, funny, romantic, and enjoyable. Zhao Yao who believes that Mo Qing has betrayed her, tries to kill him many times but absolutely fails because our male lead is invincible now and God, he is a really one-woman man type! Not fearing anything if it means to protect his Zhao Yao!! He willingly risks his life to take the Heaven Sword for his girl though he knows it will cost him life as he is a demon, because he just wants his girl to be happy. Mo Qing has set the standard for a male lead too high.

The only part that I find really annoying is Jiang Wu! He is really annoying and his part was dragged too long. So, be prepared for an annoying second male lead.

I watch the last 4 episodes from the fan edits in soompi forum so I do not have much complaints, except that I just wish they can add 1 minute of a real happy ending or if it is supposed a sad ending, then be real sad, not that hanging. Based of the version I watch, the ending is when the Heaven Sword rises from the bottom of the tomb and Mo Qing calls Zhao Yao which means that he finally can free himself from the Wanjun Spirit and also the stab of the Heaven Sword. Based on the Youtube version, the series ends with the children scene and thus if the fan edit version and the youtube version are compiled, then after he calls Zhao Yao, he finds her and finally get married and live peacefully in their private place they first met. It has potential to have a great happy ending, but sadly it did not.

ACTING:
I like Xu Kai as Mo Qing/Li Chen Lan and Bai Lu as Zhao Yao. Bai Lu is really badass as Zhao Yao. The way she smiles arrogantly is really contrast when she acts girlish towards Mo Qing which make her a really good actress. Xu Kai as Mo Qing, OMG, he is so suitable as the powerful, handsome, young, smart, and quiet sect leader. He is the same age as me but he can look both young and mature when he acts. When he cries, he really cries as if the world has fallen especially when he is afraid that Zhao Yao will die in episode 43 and also when he can not find Zhao Yao's body in the Sword Tomb. When he fights, he can act as if he really fights his soul off. The chemistry is good.

MUSIC:
Just so so.

Overall, I am really in love with this drama. Li Chen Lan aka Mo Qing has set the male lead standard definitely too high. He is almost in the same level as Ye Hua. If I can put it in rankings regarding the male lead character in Cdramas I watched:
1. Ye Hua of TMOPB
2. Li Chen Lan/Mo Qing
3. Xu Feng of AOL

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This drama has everything that wuxia fans like me look forward to watching. It has a great premise that draws you in right away. Awesome cinematography/ CGI and compelling characters. The main female lead is amazing and carries her role well. The character development as the story progressed is flowing smoothly for me too. There's a lot of lighthearted fun along the way, as well as tragedy that helps shape the lead's character. The male lead is also doing a great characterization along with the rest of the cast. I liked the period costumes, magic and fantastic kung fu.

But, the main light at the end of the tunnel of this drama is that there is incredible chemistry between the main leads. Their love is convincing when they look into each other's eyes. It makes you root for them through their hard times and celebrate their happy moments. The rest of the cast did good too and I especially love Zhi Yan and Shi Qi. Xiao Yan portrayed her role well switching between her character and Zhao Yao when they still shared a face and was spiritually connected. I liked the progression of their characters from acquaintance to becoming close like sisters.

Another comedic relief was Shi Qi or Seventeen who was fun, loyal and super cute as she attaches herself to her Sect Leader Zhao Yao and Qian Xian. Without these good points and the main "meat" of the story, the drama would totally fail. It was so drawn out with sub-plots and other romances that ended unhappy. I did like the way the main antagonist died at the end but I didn't like the ending when they used the same actors as siblings. Sure, it did have a happy ending but I would have liked to see how they settled and not abruptly showing their grown children who looks like them. It's just weird that they used the same actors that acted as lovers and at the end, acted as siblings. It just threw me off, that's all. Anyway, I still loved this drama although it dragged a bit towards the end and I still think I didn't waste my time.

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Even the butchering of editing couldn't defeat this gem of a drama

I''ll keep this short:

Honestly, I want to give the drama a 10 'cuz the storyline and acting were damn good and had me captivated with first episodes and even got me to watch the raws, buuuut...

#1 The editing...it's like the editing department tried to butcher it and nearly succeeded. This is the most horrendous editing I have ever seen - misplaced and cut scenes, forgotten cgi effects, forgotten light/darkness...like...wtf???
So damn sad. They're ruining the actors, director's and so forth work put in.
In fact, the editing is so bad, fans are attempting to fix it!
So 9.5 down it goes.

#2 Then to me personally, there were too much scenes for secondary characters later on, honestly, I didn't care for them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So 9 it is for me.

Can't give the drama a lower rating despite the butchering 'cuz it does deserve those 9 stars for sure - the plot and actors earned it.

Music was ok - love the ed song ;D

Definitely re-watching, but totally skipping the secondary characters scenes XD

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Sassy demon girl saves the future love of her life

I knew from the very beginning that I would love The Legends. The female lead Lu Zhaoyao was right up my alley of sassy, strong and independent women. Her outfits were literally so stunning I posted pictures of her on Instagram saying how much I adored them. By the end of the series she had gone through some changes to her character but never lost that spark that made her so unique and sympathetic. Mo Qing was an amazing male lead which was mostly thanks to Xu Kai whose performance was outstanding. His role was definitely a complex one as Li Chenlan was the demon king's son and had difficulty handling that other side inside of him at times. What ultimately broke my heart was the way he "died" but then came back years later. The ending is the only thing I would criticize because it didn't sit right with me. I was also really confused when the same two faces appeared at the end and they turned out to be their Children???? The side characters consisting of Zhi Yan, Jiang Wu, Qin Qian Xian, Gu Han Guang, Qian Jin and Sima Rong (plus a dozen other ones) gave this drama the right amount of humor, spice and tragedy. I'm gonna be honest, the story of our grumpy doctor and his beloved Qian Jin was very poignant and brought me to tears. In conclusion: the side plots were engaging and did not feel forced at all. What stood above all else was the ending song "Lu Zhiyao" by Sa Ding Ding. I never, I repeat, NEVER skipped this glorious song once and immediately downloaded it on my phone afterwards.

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