Xianxia dramas are very hit and miss and for me, this was a hit! There is a lot to be admired in this one, especially if you have a little patience for the story to build after the first arc or take a moment to look a little deeper and appreciate the ways this drama balances the usual Xianxia tropes and also flips them around.

Things to admire:

*Main leads chemistry: Look, I watched Princess Agents when it came out and like many hated the ending. But I moved on and wasn’t waiting for a season two redemption on bated breath. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this couple regardless. And if you were waiting, this drama would definitely heal those wounds. They knew what the fans wanted and delivered it in spades.
* Mature pairing: We need more romantic fantasy dramas with “older” couples.
* Gender stereotypes reversed: So much to love here and too much to list. Shen Li is unlike most female leads. She’s beyond strong physically and mentally. And our ML is more than the cold, emotionless heavenly deity. He’s funny, playful, and nurturing. We still get swoony moments when our ML saves the FL, but it’s a situation of Girl, you protect the world and I’ll protect you. Also, ML is the best househusband a girl could dream for. Take care of all my needs and feed me delicious food? Yes please.
* Slice of life in a Xianxia: We don’t usually see this played out in these genres. Underneath all the big end of the world drama, TLOSL is really about our couple getting to the joy of appreciating the pleasures of being alive and living a simple life with the one you love. Eat good food, sit out in nature, spend time together, care for each other, and live in the moment without burdens of responsibility. If that isn’t the fantasy many of us long for, I don’t know what is. I’ll admit, first arc of the drama felt a bit slow with this focus, but when I realized what was building up here and then how it all ended, it’s beautiful and fulfilling.
* Satisfying Ending: In a year of Chinese dramas with disappointing endings or lacking in closure, TLOSL does not let down. We get spoiled with a whole episode and half of happy ending!

Really, this is a love story first and foremost. If you’ve bought into the couple, enjoy Chinese fantasy drama tropes, and appreciate the thoughtful ways this drama flips some of them around, you’ll find this really is better than most coming out these days.