User Reviews

The Legend of the White Snake has been motive to a handful of movies and tv shows already, but the fact that this one is available on western streaming platforms with decent subtitles finally makes this story accessible to non-Chinese audience. And it does a good job. The recurring music theme of the characters is fitting, character attires and scenery support the immersion and the character development is, to most extent, convincing. The dramaturgy might seem somewhat cliché and seem overboard from time to time ("I save you!" - "No, I save you!" etc.), but then again, this is also the case with many modern US shows where we're just more used to it. A basic knowledge of Chinese culture helps to understand certain characters' reactions and behaviour, mythology and Buddhism play a significant role as the story develops.

The stern facial expressions of most of the main characters struck me dull from time to time although it probably fits the expected behaviour of "middle-class" characters at that time. The CGI is not exactly state-of-the-art, but it's sufficient to deliver the message. Xiao Yan though delivers an outstanding performance in her role as Xiao Qing. She delivers her character an authentic way, displaying a range of expressions and emotions probably wider than the rest of the cast combined.

One can easily binge-watch this show as a kind of Chinese version of "Charmed". Took me longer than one week-end to finish it, but it was very enjoyable.

The CGI is amazing, first of all. The actors and actresses did great too. However I felt like the plot had been dragged out a bit somewhere in the 20 something episodes, and the ending was kind of expected..? I mean to be fair this drama made me cry twice it's really good BUT I still feel like the plot could've been better.

Parts of this series re just really funny and I love the mix of drama, mystery, Buddhism nd Chinese mythology, The effects are good - though Chinese CGI still hasn't got animals quite right. The two leads do their jobs but don't have much chemustry but Green Snake - Xiao Yan steals the scenes in eveeything she is in. Several other actors are really good with a few like Monk and the four Immortals a bit iffy. Production values and the costumes are really good, the photography a bit strange at times. Good to see "middle class" life and rge workings of medecine at the period. The story zips along well, never got bored, but perhaps a more focus on one main villain would have been better, Anyway very enjoyable and worth binge watching as I did on Netflix.

I personally enjoyed every episode to the final episode. The costumes, CGI, cultural attire, accuracy in delivering and representation of modesty and respect within the culture

This is the first Chinese series I've watched. I was on YouTube looking for the trailer for the animated film "White Snake" and I stumbled upon this series. That's how the great adventure in watching Chinese fantasy series began for me. For me it was an extraordinarily pleasant and relaxing series. The actors were chosen extraordinarily well. It is an enchanting series with a story that surely reaches everyone's heart.

The filming is strikingly beautiful and all actors and actresses are so well chosen and act with sincerity. There is plenty of emotions going through the whole venture. A well versed martial monk with 2 ingenuous snakes to contend with looking so beautiful in their women form and the ever pragmatic main subject always calm and plenty of reverence throughout. Spectacular in so many ways and it should be viewed again and again.

I've seen several iterations of this 'Legend', most well known is the version starring Jet Li, which was a pretty big budget movie. A tale of forbidden love, between humans and Demons, and the obstacles both Heaven and Earth put in the way of two love birds.

This Legend of White Snake is a 36 part made for TV series featuring three not-so-well-known actors: 'Meglong Yu' as Dr. Xu Xian and TWO stand outs IMO, both ladies - 'Jingyi Ju' as the White Snake (Lady Bai) and her trusty sidekick The Green Snake (Qing) played by Xiao Yan. Lady Bai is both smart and beautiful, Qing is cute and hilarious. The Dr. and supporting cast all do a commendable job also.

Expect to laugh, cry, boo, cheer and be entertained. I've binge-watched TLOWS - twice - and so might you. Highly recommended.

Seriously in this series the buddha guy is really annoying.

...so why not a good fantasy?

What I liked:

1. I love these old Chinese myths. And the computer graphics, while pretty klutzy, gave this story a beautiful romantic feeling.

2. Loved the Buddhist philosophy of kindness and compassion woven throughout.

3. I'm not a reptile person. But the snakes shown here were really appealing. They had sweet faces and a soft, gentle demeanor - at least when they were small. Even the large snakes weren't particularly scary.

4. There was something innocent and touching about this story.

What I didn't like

1. THE PLOT - Holes galore. Mind-numbing repetition. You've heard the saying: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." In this series, the same character pulls the same stunt over and over.

And the same oblivious fools go for it every time: "Oh, woe is me. I'm to blame. You tried to tell me, but I didn't believe you. Can you forgive me?" After the third or fourth time, I, for one, was praying for a divorce.

2. BAI - uncommunicative, and unknowable. Her ability to effectively state pertinent facts and feelings ranges from zero to none. Not a good idea to marry someone without first telling him/her that you're a demon, a snake, and 1000 years old.

3. XU XIAN - yes he's virtuous, yes, he's likable. He's also weak, feckless, boring, and something of a dimwit. He shows as much passion as a dried up prune. He's continually manipulated by the same whining, sniveling lowlife.

4. THE ROMANCE - These two (you know who I'm talking about) act like an old married couple before they're even married. "Dear, will you pass me the salt?" "Of course, Dear."

5. DEITIES - They act like arbitrary bullies. When justice is finally dispensed - a certain snaky character who has always been honest, sincere, kind, reverent, loving and virtuous is sent to the pokey. Another reptilian individual who frequently indulges in murderous rampages gets off scot free.

6. ENDING - rushed and inexplicable. Certain characters (Zhang Yutang) disappear without a trace and are never heard from again.

Nicely done for a Chinese production I though was Korean. Enjoyed bingewatching

This is like nothing you have seen from China before.

You will know instantly wether you will like it.

It is a fantasy about Gods and their relations to mortals when on Earth.

It is so calmly presented, very chilled.

And it is so desperately beautiful to watch.

Entrancing really.

The story is interesting enough to keep you coming back episode after episode. It is sad when it finally ends and there are no more adventures to watch.

The direction of the actors cleverly shows how Gods behave differently to the mortals . Very charismatic.

The implementation of the magic is pretty good too. Not blockbuster, but understated ,believable and psychedelic but just to the right amount.

The costumes are stunning. An incredibly beautiful colour palette.

Makes it worth having a well set TV picture so you can really appreciate the artistry of the sets ,costumes and skyscapes.

Everything else with a fantasy edge I have seen from Asia is a bit naff ,over acted and frantic.

This peerless.

Loved this Cdrama Actually I won't watch romantic genre but this one changed my perspective. There's lot of dramas are there to worth Watch VFX effects were little disappointing overall it's a good item for binge watch.

This is apparently a classic in Chinese literature thus you can find different interpretation of it and for me, this is the best. Every frame is a painting, every detail has a purpose and every character evolves independently from their origin or alignment. For those of us who play computer games, this drama has it all: adventure, action, mystery, filosophy and romance. Love is the common element for every character's expansion independently from whether they are demon, human or fairy. You will find yourself laughing, crying, upset, joyful, sad, etc... You will basically go through all the emotions throughout the entire drama. The show is impregnated with Taoist Buddhist wisdom and beliefs which renders the drama introspective and profound. Make sure to watch this on a big screen in a dark room because there are many dimensions, colours and landscapes that have the power to totally absorb you into the story. The acting is brilliant, every single character is so convincing that you totally believe them. I'm watching the series for the third time and every time I discover something new. A big applause to all of those involved in the making of this particular version of the classic.

Really cheesy soapy Fantasy love-story, but hell, it's perfect for some escapism, forget all these boring shows that look like today's reality. The sets, costumes and camera work in this are amazing, the acting is half-decent or better from most of the cast (Xiao Yan / Green Snake is really seriously good) and the story is super cheesy and soapy, but it's definitely enjoyable, especially if you watch it as a winter season "fireside" story.

It starts out very romantic and you think you know where it's going to end up, but it gets pretty weird toward the end and a lot of absurd things happen very fast that I didn't expect. But you know what, despite this strange rushed ending I was still left with intense nostalgia about this show, so I expect to want to re-watch it someday.