The Untamed

A Story You Don’t Just Watch, You Carry With You

The Untamed is one of those rare dramas that doesn’t really leave you after it ends. It stays with you—in the story, the emotions, and especially the connection between its two leads. No matter how much time passes, it’s the kind of series you always find yourself coming back to in some way.

One of the most important things to understand is the context behind its adaptation. Due to censorship in China, the original novel was adjusted significantly for the screen. In the source material, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are clearly written as lovers, but in the drama they are presented as “bosom friends.” Even with these limitations, the series manages to preserve the emotional core of their relationship in a way that feels deeply intentional. The bond between them is written and acted with so much care that it’s hard to interpret it as anything less than soul-deep love.

Beyond the relationship at its center, the world-building is genuinely impressive. Each clan has its own identity, design, and philosophy, and the story blends elements of xianxia and wuxia in a way that feels both traditional and fresh. The cinematography also deserves credit—the framing, transitions, and overall visual storytelling are consistently strong and elevate even quieter moments.

The plot itself is engaging and well-paced, with very few dull moments. It’s the kind of story that pulls you in early and doesn’t really let go. Even when it gets complex, it remains emotionally easy to follow because of how grounded the characters feel.

Of course, the biggest highlight is the chemistry between Xiao Zhan (Wei Wuxian) and Wang Yibo (Lan Wangji). Their performances carry the entire emotional weight of the series. Even within the restrictions of the script, they manage to express a connection that feels incredibly deep and meaningful. Whatever label is placed on it, their bond reads as something far beyond friendship, and that’s what leaves such a lasting impact.

The supporting cast is also strong across the board, with each actor fully committed to their role. That said, the CGI and special effects can be inconsistent, but they never take away from the emotional or narrative strength of the series.

The OST is another standout—memorable, emotional, and perfectly tied to the identity of the show (and yes, even more meaningful knowing the leads are involved in it).

Overall, The Untamed is not just a drama—it’s an experience. It’s emotionally rich, beautifully acted, and unforgettable in a way very few series manage to be.

Verdict:
A masterpiece of storytelling and emotion, elevated by its characters and central relationship, despite some technical imperfections.

Rewatch Value:
Very high — easily a series you return to more than once.

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one of the best asian dramas

I have finished this show a long time ago but I completely forgot writing a review about it.
I am not the kind of person who would rewatch a show only if it was THAT good.. well, this show was indeed, that good. A few months after watching it for the first time I binged watched it again and I have a feeling I will re-watch it sometime soon. I started reading the books after finishing a show and I loved it! I would recommend reading Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation because it is really great and has a lot more romantic/cute scenes between Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan.
Anyway, back to the show.
I usually skip through scenes when I get bored or just simply drop a drama if it has way too many filler episodes but with The Untamed I did not have to do either. I loved every single episode of it and I am pretty sure I would never get bored watching this show. I do not think that I will ever find another Chinese drama that I will love this much like I could talk about my love for WangXian for hours.
I do not want to spoil anything or talk more in-depth about this show, but I hope anyone who watches it will enjoy it just as much as I did.

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It’s Got It All & It Achieves It All. Highly Recommend!

This was akin to the old epics. Magnificent and beautifully told in every possible way. I sobbed. Man, I sobbed. Not every drama conveys the depths of emotions so that you can feel it in a scene even when the characters themselves are not being emotional. Even more so, not every drama can convey the depths of sadness in someone’s soul, even as they are smiling. It’s a skill when a drama can get you to feel and not just feel, but REALLY feel. Feel it like it was your own. That they are you and you are them. It’s that sobering of emotion that you get in a once in a lifetime drama. It leaves something with you that you never ever forget. A profound feeling that will stay with you forever.

The first time I watched this drama, I binged it in two days. All 50 episodes. And that surprised no one more than me. It’s like a good book you can’t put down. Can you imagine that? It’s such a long series and yet it never feels long. Although 40 minutes long, each episode is over in the blink of an eye. They are that gripping and entrancing. The story is told in such a way that all the right storytelling devices come at all the right times. Nothing overstays it’s welcome and everything is utilised in the most effective ways. Scenes flow expertly, one into the other and even the non-cliffhanger endings are as enticing as the cliffhanger ones. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next each time. So much so, I started at 11am on the first day and was surprised to see that it was 4am by the time I looked up again. After getting some rest, I resumed watching and again, did not stop until I completed the entire series at 1am that night.

My words can never do enough justice to convey just how good this truly is. They are not enough to paint the merits of the incredible feat of this drama. Some dramas are to be experienced and this is one of them. Some dramas are just special and you feel it as soon as you start watching. I will forever recommend this drama. Far and wide. I will shout it from the rooftops and never stop singing its praises.

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An epic, over-hyped as bl and undermined as an idol drama

It is hard to describe and review The Untamed.
- It is adapted from a danmei novel (mdzs), but it is not a bl drama per se.
- Its cast consists new young actors mostly in their 20s then, with no veteran actors, but it is not an idol drama.
- It is produced as a web series with a limited budget and web viewers in mind, but its popularity is at an unprecedented scale.
- It received rave critical reviews domestically and globally for its strong plot, well-developed characters, incorporation of Chinese cultural elements, but antis continue to bash the drama.
- Some people simply shun or dismiss this drama as only a bl idol drama with young candy eyed idol cast that simply can’t act.
- Some diehard novel fans find this drama a lousy adaptation because of the toned down bl and gore.

* Transcendence of danmei novel into a critical production *
While this drama is adapted from a danmei novel, the two male leads are portrayed as soulmates in the drama, and the "soul" of this drama is not on their relationship (more on the “soul” later). That said, the chemistry between the two male leads is top notch - strong brotherhood, with some queer subtle for the experienced bl enthusiasts. The toned down bl and gore is not just because of censorship but the difficulty of portraying some of those gore details in live action, compared to in the novel or anime. I would add that the censorship transcends the danmei novel into a critical production, that brought more people especially international viewers to read the novel and the writer’s other novels.

* Big story on ugliness of society *
Beyond the candy bl-idol outer layer, at its core (“soul”), this drama depicts the ugliness of society, the struggles to uphold justice and the growing up journey of the key characters. It delivers powerful messages and quotable lines on society norms, the oppression one faced in going against society, how people often surface judge, how hypocritical nobles manipulate society norms for selfish power hungry causes, good vs evil, weak vs strong.

* Well developed multi-dimensional characters *
As a drama with ensemble cast, The Untamed has many characters, each with his own distinct complex traits, story and purpose. While the evil deeds they did are unpardonable, the key antagonists didn’t do evil for evil sake. The mistreatments they experienced as kids shaped their values and they did show their compassionate sides to those who respect and care for them. While there is no female lead, there are two endearing female characters: the best martial sister (shijie) who may appear gentle, but can really go all out and fight back to protect her brother, and the no-nonsense, courageous and righteous Wen Qing who unconditionally care for her brother and help others within her means.

* Passionate, determined, youthful cast with empathy portrayal *
The actors were selected based on their fit for the characters and their performance did not disappoint. This bunch of passionate, determined youths put in their hearts and souls to bring to life the many iconic and complex characters and their heartbreaking stories. Unconstrained by professional technical acting methods which they lacked, and under the guidance of the directors, their empathy portrayals allow the viewers to resonate with their characters. Remember the Empathy technique used by Wei Ying to experience A-Qing’s and Nie Mingjue’s past encounters? The cast’s empathy portrayal of such complex multi-dimensional characters make this drama and its characters both iconic and endearing‬, so much so that there are still many memes on the characters circulating in social media.

* Music and Chinese cultural elements *
In this drama, music is not mere bgm. Besides intrinsic depiction of each character via the character songs (pay attention to the lyrics), music is also a powerful tool that can both kill (Chord Assassination) and heal (Song of Clarity, Unrestrained), and introduces Chinese musical instruments - guqin (7-stringed zither) and flute. Just recently, in Jan 2022, "Moscow Metro News” published an article about how The Untamed promotes Chinese "guqin" culture in Moscow. Besides music, there are also tons of Chinese cultural elements infused in the drama, from the invitation cards, maple, lotus, cranes to the Tiger Seal, masks etc.

* Other aesthetics *
The CGI is bad, but the actual location filming such as at the Cloud Recesses and Yunmeng Lake and the elaborate 3000+ custom-made costumes and accessories make up for those awful CGI.

* Rewarding rewatch(es) *
There are a lot of details in each scene, including background objects such as the maple tree, crane, moon etc, that convey deeper hidden messages and backstories of the plot and characters. See spoilers in comments. Each rewatch not only re-rips one apart but also rewards with new understanding of the details that went into the production.

* Overall verdict *
In short, there’s so much depth at its core, beneath its pleasing aesthetics (casts, costumes, sets, OSTs). Censorship transcends the mdzs novel into a critical drama on Chinese culture, martial arts, sorcery, mystery, adventure, clan rivalry, power manipulations, society norms, kinships, friendships, good vs evil, weak vs strong, music that heals and kills, laughters, tears, angsts. Thanks to censorship, the re-focus on the multi-dimensional characters, empathy portrayal, strong plot, quotable lines, music and Chinese cultural elements make The Untamed an epic drama, in a class of its own‬.

Put aside preconceptions of bl, novel adaptations, young inexperienced idol actors, and watch this sincere, compelling production with an open heart and mind, and be awesomely charmed by an epic masterpiece that unfolds, and that creeps and stays in your heart for a long time to come.

“At best, you’re the untamed hero; at worst, you offend people wherever you go.”
- by the novel MDZS writer

P/S: This is a drama that touched me immensely, and the only drama to-date i rated a perfect 10, as it got me so invested, surfing for analysis videos/articles related to the drama, noting down the quotable lines and set me thinking a lot.

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“Who’s right and who’s wrong? Who’s black and who’s white?”

I think this iconic quote from the drama pretty much sums up the message that the story is trying to convey. This quote is applicable to pretty much every plot, story, and character. The drama discusses the line, or lack thereof, between what is considered good and what is considered evil.

After watching, rewatching, and watching others watch it, I’ve come to really appreciate the great attention to detail that the crew put in. There are so many little moments throughout the drama that are intertwined and connected, and many of them went unnoticed the first time I watched it. It was only after rewatch after rewatch did I notice these moments that added so much deeper meaning to the story. Speaking of detail, I also was impressed that there were no unexplained plot holes*. Some may disagree with me on this, but I think that even if something wasn’t explicitly explained, it was implicitly implied enough so that I could understand. This made the story flow really well. I am well aware that the drama does not fully follow the original plot, but I think they did a pretty good job adapting to some of the changes that they had to make because of censorship. I understood the story pretty well even without the background knowledge from the novel.

Another aspect of the story that I really appreciate is the stories of each character, and how the actors portrayed the characters. Each character had their own story that added significance to the plot or the message. There was no character that was shallow or dull. I salute the actors/actresses for putting their efforts into portraying their character convincingly and carefully.

Of course I cannot ignore the fact that the production quality was not top notch, but I find it easy to ignore the technical difficulties and focus on the story instead. After all, it seems like it is easier to have great production than to have a great story, from what I’ve seen of other dramas. It may seem like I'm overrating by giving straight 10's, but like I said there are flaws. It's just that the flaws are not enough to bring down the overall score.

I have to disagree with those that say the beginning few episodes are “boring” because those episodes were really critical in developing the relationship between not just the main leads but also the supporting characters. Most dramas that I’ve seen are like this in that there has to be some sort of introduction before the action can kick in, not to say that the beginning wasn’t full of action because it was.

This drama won’t be for everyone, especially those looking for a soft romantic drama to sit back and enjoy. I assure you this one is the complete opposite! There are many many sweet moments, but that’s not the point of the story. On the contrary, I think this one is full of action that forces you to sit on the edge of your seat in order to take in every single detail because most of them are essential to the plot. It will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from deeply sad (sad is an understatement to describe the wreck that this drama will make you) to fluffy and cute.

Finally, what I really learned from this drama is that there does not have to be any physical romantic scenes to “prove” there exists some bond between two people.

“I am satisfied for having one person in my life that truly knows me.”

*Edit: After rewatching and reading discussions, I realized that what I said above about no plotholes is actually wrong because there are some questions that do not get answered in the drama. However, since I understood the story just based off the drama (without help from novel or anime background) I would say there are no plotholes that are significant enough to affect the main plot.
**Edit for edit: I added the edit in case people define "plot hole" as anything significant or insignificant that may contribute to the plot, but like I said in my edit, there are no such holes that take away from the main plot. It's just that there are a few small questions that remain unanswered.

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You give me the sweetest taboo.

This drama flirts dangerously with the forbidden: dark cultivation, zombies, black and white magic, transmigration and boy love. The lead character Wei Wuxian (Xiao Zhan) is a free spirit who refuses to be tamed by social conventions; he lives by his own rules, is not averse to exploring dark powers and appears romantically open to both genders. The delicious exploration of such a slightly wicked character and taboo themes under the watchful eye of Chinese censorship put this high on my watchlist. I started watching with high expectations shortly after it aired.

The story is based on a hit novel and is indisputably a very good one but the way it was told in the drama was really not good. While broadly true to the book, the production lazily assumes the viewer actually read it. The plot is centered around the attempt to restore a powerful magical artifact that the various cultivation sects vie to alternately control or suppress. The story opens with the mysterious reappearance of Wei Wuxian, the infamous Yiling patriach after a sixteen years hiatus. The fact that this is achieved by the sacrifice of Mo Xuanyu whose identity he assumes is one of several plot holes that never gets fully flushed out. Thus he conceals himself behind a (hideous) mask. The viewer is dropped right into in the middle of unfolding events and a wide array of characters without any backstory. Then we go into a prolonged flashback all the way back to the very beginning and up to the conspiracy that led to Wei Wuxian's fall from grace and long disappearance. This takes well over half the drama, which peaks around episode 34 with Wei Wuxian's apparent demise. We are then back to the present where we go into several shorter flashbacks intended to shed more light on the conspiracy. That made it messy and was less interesting because by then the two main villains are known. While the story regains some momentum towards the end, it doesn't come close to the mid-drama peak and the final denouement where the ultimate mastermind is revealed comes almost as an afterthought. That character was one of several insipidly acted roles and the final reveal tied up a few loose threads that wouldn't have been missed. This story would have been much better paced and less confusing had it just been shot chronologically.

The cast is inexperienced and even the main actors struggled to get into character for a long time. Some actors were just plain bad throughout. The first 15+ episodes were painful and the acting didn't get noticeably better until the mid-20s. I dropped it after episode 7 and many more times after that. Although there were some great parts, it just never hooked me. It took me 5 months to finish watching and I wouldn't have if I weren't so damn bored during the c-drama ban. What kept drawing me back was Xiao Zhan's infectious grin - he must have the best smile ever. He really did bring the marvelously controversial Wei Wuxian to life in a way that compels us to indulge the character's many obvious flaws. I was less impressed with Wang Yibo's Lanzhan; it is a stretch to describe his initial pissed off or constipated expression as statue-like or unemotional. He slightly relaxed his face muscles and improved markedly much later on and I really liked his Lanzhan at the end so kudos to him for that. I was also surprised by his grace and athleticism in the fight scenes. The two leads had good chemistry but where I saw sparks fly was between Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian. That confused me as I sensed from the start there was an emotional connection, that Jiang Cheng's feelings for Wei Wuxian were complex and went beyond sibling rivalry and envy. I don't think this was intended.

In genres like this, the heroes are only as good as the villains and therein lies the problem - the villains were not that hateful nor were they empathetic. Both actors were similarly styled and portrayed such similar mannerisms their roles could have been interchanged. They both overacted, had the same intense face lowered evil glare, mad eyed expression and crazy gloating smile. The directors were so lazy they pretty much gave them the same cliche traits and may as well have just used one actor for both roles. Surprise surprise, we are supposed to be sympathetic because they both also had serious daddy issues. Indeed this is the default excuse that explains the flaws of many characters including Jiang Cheng. Key takeaway: don't be a bad dad it really messes up the kids. No wonder I was bored! As for the ultimate mastermind, he was so well concealed he went unnoticed and no one would have cared if he remained that way. The ending was a bit of a crowd pleaser with a bit of something for everyone. I was just relieved it was over.

At this point it goes without saying that the production team for this show pretty much sucked. It would be a shame if the success of this drama despite terrible execution elevates them into a position to destroy other fantastic story-lines with poor editing, storytelling and shoddy camerawork. The only thing they got very right was walking the line perfectly between bro-mance and romance in terms of Wei Wuxian and Lanzhan's relationship.

So what made this such a huge hit? Well, the forbidden fruit nature of this drama can be highly addictive and is bound to resonate deeply with certain demographics and at some life stages though not for everyone. All the hidden meaning in certain interactions, the imperceptible flicker of an eyelash, the barest hint of a smile and the slight double entendre in the dialogue can be tantalizing for those looking for signs of a secret taboo romance. That kind of fun speculation only amused me for short spates. Ultimately a good, well acted story is all that I look for- whether or not it is about boy love would not make any difference to me. I was touched by the bro-mance between the two soul mates (which was all that I saw) as well as the relate-able and moving relationships between both sets of siblings - these were the high points for me. Sadly it was not enough to keep me engaged for long. I almost wish I had read the book. Maybe I would have enjoyed the drama more but even if I eventually get round to it, I am unlikely to re-watch this.

I almost gave this an 8.0 - but I felt I had to knock another 0.5 points off for the fact that it had a certain je ne sais quoi that just bored me silly when I wanted to love it. That and that simply god awful mask that would top the Don't list in any c-drama edition of Glamour magazine's defining list of fashion Dos and Don'ts.

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“I don’t care about anybody’s open road, my only choice is a log bridge to devil.”

(I will judge this BASED ON THE DRAMA ITSELF and yes I’ve seen all adaptations (novel, donghua, manhua, audio drama, right now watching the chibi version and waiting for a game to be released soon.))

I never thought that a wuxia drama can impact me in the best way possible. It’s no doubt that The Untamed truly made my 2020 year better after all the crappy situation going on this year with the rise of the pandemic and more terrible things shown on the news that makes me wonder if the world is really gonna end. 8 months later, I’m still not over this show and probably will never be. I’m still on a post drama depression with this show and I still haven’t found a cure to it. Gosh, what have this show done to me? Yes, I sound like a maniac but it’s the truth and I have to accept it. I live and breathe The Untamed.

Objectively speaking, the drama isn’t perfect. There are a few bits of minor mistakes here and there and it isn’t the best in terms of the technical aspects such as the bad CGI and bad practical effects as the drama is low budget which makes no sense to me. This show is based on a very popular BL novel, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation or 魔道祖师 (Mó Dào Zǔ Shī) in Mandarin like why can’t the show have more budget? Also, there are some questionable acting for some of the characters portrayed there, maybe one or two but hey, the characters there are not easy to play and are very complex. The fact that most, if not all the actors are rookies there, for me it’s a job well done! That's why I'm giving the acting a 10. I'm biased. But at the same time, I feel like those minor issues and mistakes add the charm to show and made me love it even more.

Now, for the good part. The story itself may be simple but it’s intriguing and effective. I don’t need a complex story just to blow me away. Sometimes, a good simple story with amazing and complex characters can really shine their way through. It’s rare for me to fully be immersed and emotionally attached to characters like this but here I am trapped. Save me please. I love how the characters there has a story themselves, including villains! I love how there’s no perfect character in the show, each character has their flaws and not everyone has a happy ending. Yes, it’s unfortunate but that’s what makes it so good. It makes them more human and relatable. The real world works like that with the cruelty and the hypocrisy of humans. It’s indeed a beautiful lesson in humanity.

Let’s jump straight into the characters. I’ll only speak on the 2 leads. I wish I can elaborate on this more but it’ll probably take up more than 2 pages. I’ll start with the lead protagonist who’s also my knight in shining armour, Wei Wuxian/Wei Ying/Yiling Patriarch. He is the most fascinating, relatable and cutest little bean. I love how he’s such a complex character yet stays true to himself. He can go from the cutest pie ever to the hot and sexy Yiling Patriarch in one snap. He’s not the typical idealistic man who’s doing things for the greater good, yet he’s doing it because he understands the whole justice and how the world works like. He does what he thinks it’s right and he fights for it. He’s admirable and he’s one of a kind. I love him to bits and I’ll never shut up about him. Falling in love at first sight with him has become one of the best decisions I made in life.

Next, Lan Wangji/Lan Zhan who's also known as Hanguang Jun which means Light Bearing Lord. A lot of people tend to overlook him as a supporting character or love interest as his POV is more on the quieter side when there's a whole character arc that he goes through as well throughout this whole story. He has to completely shift how he sees the world. His subtle actions and words speak volumes in those quiet moments. It shows in the rain scene. Seeing how he grow up from a teenager to a young adult is truly outstanding. The best part is when he questions his uncle, what's right and what's wrong, what's black and what's white. Those questions of right and wrong, black and white, good and evil, become part of the theme song in this drama. In the end, Lan Wangji learns that being true to yourself, following your heart and principle are more important than following the crowd.

I fell hard on Wangxian’s relationship in the drama. I never know how much I crave for this kind of romance, just loyalty, trust, longing, commitment, respect. Just so many words to describe it. I LOVE relationships whereby they don’t make the other weaker and where both are very gifted and talented, but together they can do anything. I love this concept of "love" so much because love is supposed to make you stronger. Where you can see that they can survive well without the other, yet you can't imagine them being apart. It’s honestly so haunting and difficult to get over these types of couples. It’s amazing how their relationship impacted me so much. They are soulmates and made for each other. I felt so single after watching it and I truly hope that my future relationship (If I’m ever getting into one LMAO) can be as beautiful, magical yet also cheesy and romantic as them.

All in all, the show probably made my life 10 times better and the soundtrack and theme songs are amazing and just beautiful to listen. Each character has its own song so do it give a listen. Don’t miss out on the good stuff. It’s pleasing to your ears. Do I recommend the show? Hell yes. It’s a must watch for those new to Chinese Dramas! But of course, what you think about the show is in your hands so don’t expect your experience to be like mine. I lost my sleep on this and I wish I can erase my memories and watch it like the first time again and go through that roller coaster ride again. I'll end my review with a favourite quote I read from the novel itself.

"Let the self judge the right and the wrongs, let others decide to praise or to blame and let the losses and gains remain uncommented on." - Wei Wuxian

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let me preface this review by stating that i have not read the novel or engaged with any other forms of this story. i am rating+reviewing this drama on its own merits rather than on its quality as an adaptation. (this review is spoiler-free!)

instead of a plot summary, i will say that the untamed is a story that explores:

- personal morals vs. cultural morals
- the structure that rules—spoken or unspoken—uphold 
- what being loyal means
- the pros and cons of selflessness
- when the norms of society must be questioned
- the complex, morally grey nature of revenge
- groupthink and its consequences
- when violence is(n’t) justifiable

all of these concepts (and more!) are but branches stemming off from the narrative’s thematic core: what is good, what is evil? what makes the untamed special is how it handles that question; although the theme is extremely familiar, it is executed in a fresh, unique way. it doesn’t feel like an examination of morality you’ve seen hundreds of times over already in fiction. it is rare to find media that approaches such a common theme from a new angle.

the mischievous, unorthodox wei wuxian and the scrupulous, rule-abiding lan zhan are our protagonists, and the relationship that grows between them is the heart of the drama. their development is just gorgeous. the love and trust the two have for each other is staggering. you can feel the incredible intimacy between them; sometimes i feel i should look away from the expressions they share with each other, because it’s not for me to see, it’s for them.

it too cannot be emphasized enough that as individual characters, both wei wuxian and lan zhan are intricate, amazing, and fascinating in their own right. i don’t want to say too much, as their arcs are best to discover and experience on one’s own, but it’s been a good long while since i’ve met characters i love as deeply as i do these two. their motivations, mistakes, development, and flaws all make sense, and their stories are satisfying to the very end. 

the supporting characters are also wonderful, and the time the narrative spends with them is not time wasted. jiang cheng is frustrating and fascinating; wen qing is intriguing and heartbreaking; jiang yanli is steadfast and loveable; xue yang is over the top and extremely fun; i could go on and on. the entire array of characters is worthy of praise. 

on that note, the acting is superb; both of the main actors fully inhabit their characters. xiao zhan is a powerhouse. he is an incredibly dynamic actor, and he portrays the richly layered wei wuxian with care and dedication. he has great control of his face, and is able to convey a wide array of emotions with nuance and delicacy. xiao zhan makes you truly feel what wei wuxian is feeling. 

and then there is wang yibo’s lan zhan. lan zhan’s stoicism and way of internally processing emotion demand that the actor utilize subtlety to the utmost degree. with just his eyes (just his eyes! i can’t get over it!) wang yibo is able to reveal the sheer breadth and depth of the character’s feelings and internal workings. he speaks a thousand words with one look. it’s such a stellar performance—he’s a treat to watch. 

beyond the protagonists, the entire cast does a magnificent job. while watching, you lose yourself in their performances; they succeed in making the characters seem not like characters, but like people. the antagonists too all obviously had a good time playing their roles; there are some performances that can come off as a bit too much, but as long as you lean into that particular brand of cheesiness, it all works. (there are certainly some smaller roles where the acting is pretty eh, but frankly? it’s easily overlooked.)

the production is not something i really want to linger on here, but to touch on it for a moment: the cinematography is usually pretty adequate; rarely, there are shots that are truly stunning in their inspiration and symbolism. the costuming is lush and lovely, and most of the outfits communicate symbolism through color and patterning. and the music! it is such a beautiful and transportive score, and there are some really great moments of diegetic instrumentals. while some pieces of the score are used often, none are overused to the point of annoyance.

but to get to the point here: the important thing i want to say in this review is that the untamed is not quite like anything else i have watched. i didn’t expect this at all going in; i was just looking for something to pass the time. instead, this drama evoked emotions in me that no other piece of media has, and it has carved its way into my heart. i am in awe of this story, and i am going to be thinking about it for a long, long time.

i rarely, rarely give a perfect rating to anything. but the untamed deserves every 10/10 it receives; it’s on a whole different level to anything else. it has something special. i cannot recommend it enough… everyone should get to experience this story. it is absolutely incredible. 

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After I watched The Untamed twice, I watched the donghua and read the novel to get a better grasp of the original story. I understand why some fans may be upset with certain aspects of the drama, but I neither have qualms nor do I compare the medias. After my third rewatch, I decided to write about the drama. 

I enjoyed everything, but above all else, I loved and adored the characters. Therefore, this review is more like an appreciative post of my favorites. They are the reason The Untamed is so special and compelling, making it so deserving of its success. We laugh, cry, and learn with these characters as we follow along their journey.

Wei Ying/Wei Wuxian:
WY is the star and highlight during the past for me. People may say he is your typical hero with a savior complex. While this is true, it is not entirely. 

WY is guided by one thing and one thing only. During the lantern scene in episode 7, he says, "I wish that I can eliminate evil and protect the weak, always maintaining a clear conscience." Call it a wish, a promise, or a principle. Regardless of the label, it stands against the test of time, residing deeply in WY’s heart. It does not sway under the influence of trivial matters, such as, reputation, politics, or rules. WY is unrestrained in following his heart. He truly embodies “the end justifies the means”, taking it as far as cultivating an unorthodox path and standing against the majority. His dedication and selflessness moves you in ways that make it impossible not to love and cheer for him.

Lan Zhan/Lan Wangji:
LZ is the star and highlight during the present time. People may say he is your typical hero with a cold heart that melts gradually due to his soulmate. While this is true, it is…

LZ lives and breathes Gusu Lan Sect's thousands of rules. He is restrained and stubborn in his ways, not allowing anything or anyone phase him. Or so he thought. Although LZ is the opposite of WY in almost everything, they happen to share the same heart, vowing the same wish. To him, protecting WY is equivalent to keeping that wish alive.

The character development LZ undergoes is nothing new, but the way it is done is simultaneously beautiful, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching. His beliefs, basically his life, is challenged when WY strays from the righteous path that LZ has always known. He questions himself and the ideology he has upheld since young. Does he trust what has been hammered into his brain? Or does he trust the heart of WY he has witnessed? This hesitation makes your heart ache for him as he begins to realize the lines drawn between what is right and wrong and what is black and white may not be so defined after all. 

The lines are blurred. The world is, in fact, gray. When WY returns, the fire in LZ burns brighter than ever as he protects WY (in essence, their vow) with a renewed sense of justice and passion. The change in him is a wondrous sight that makes you swoon and wish for a LZ in real life.

Jiang Cheng/Jiang Wanyin:
JC is a misunderstood character. You either like him or hate him. JC’s pride lies in himself and his sect. Because of his noble status as a successor, he is unable to live freely like WY. JC has to care and mind what others say or think. He has a reputation to uphold because his existence reflects Yunmeng Jiang Sect. This burden, his guide, makes him selfish as his behavior is motivated by whether or not something benefits him and/or his sect. At the end of the day, when everyone left him, didn’t he just want WY by his side? He is probably the most realistic character beside from his sister, so I kinda laugh when people despise him. He is human, therefore, he displays anger, grief, and jealousy like we all have at some point in our lives.

Jiang Yanli/ Shijie:

SJ is both a sister and mother to JC and WY, understanding and believing in who they truly are. She is seemingly your typical female character, weak and timid, only capable of cooking lotus root and pork rib soup for her loved ones. Until you mess with her younger brothers… The courage and bravery she showed in episode 25 had me in awe of her strength to overcome her preference to blend into the background and not stand out or up to anyone. Emotions well up inside my chest whenever I hear SJ’s song, Yi Nan Ping, and its instrumental. SJ is too good for us. We are not worthy, and do not deserve her.

Wen Ning/Ghost General:
Our dear cinnamon roll… Loyalty at its finest. WN was just a shy boy, subject to ridicule. Even his sister kept his existence low-key, a way to keep him safe. Then WY walks into WN’s life, and everything changes. His persona of the Ghost General scares everyone out of their wits. I felt sad he was used as a weapon, and committed acts that he would never dream of in his original state. I was in greater agony when he accepted all the hatred and blame as a consequence. He did not fight back. He did not argue that he was not at fault. He simply took responsibility for his actions. And that, to me, is admirable. 



The younger generation:

The youngins do not get enough credit. Mainly, I am referring to Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi, and Ouyang Zizhen. For the most part, they act as comedic relief. They are snarky in their remarks and extra in their behavior. I enjoyed the display of stark contrast between them and the older generation. The kids undoubtedly heard stories and rumors about the big bad wolf, Wei Wuxian, but it is plainly obvious they took it with a grain of salt. After “Mo Xuanyu” is revealed to be WY, instead of being scared, they trust in the kindness WY has shown them. They are not quick to act solely based on what they have heard, and they do not jump aboard the revenge train just because everyone else is targeting a particular person. What a wonderful indication of how the future is in better hands than it was during WY’s time. 



Of course, there were plenty of other supporting characters who were awesome in their own right, but these were my favorites. 



“The green mountain won’t change; the flowing water is endless. I’m sure we’ll meet again someday!”

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