This review may contain spoilers
It's that rare addictive drama to question all of humanity while checking out good looking guys
Honestly, this is me trying to explain why I fell in love with this show while at the same time trying to sort my thoughts.There may be minor spoilers in this, so if you haven't watched all the episodes yet, consider yourself warned. If you do like to read ahead of what you may find or can expect, please go ahead. This is gonna be a long ramble....
I can still remember my first phase of watching The Untamed. It was probably around episode 5 that I thought: What am I seeing here? Why does everyone like this show so much? I just didn't get it. The story line was weird, the actors seemed okay enough but something just was off for me so I considered dropping it. It took me a while to actually start it since I am normally into shows with some slice of romance and the BL part didn't intrigue me as much as it should have. SO I gave it another episode and damn by episode 7 they had me. Let's say Lan Zhan had me with his mini smile. This micro expression just surprised me and I had to replay it just to see if I could believe it. It made me want to look deeper into what was happening and I wanted to know more. So I binged it. All of it. Without knowing what to expect and that is key: just watch it for what it is without trying to label it:
I can't tell you when it happened exactly but I just realized at some point that I was invested in the characters. I felt for them, all of them. They don't just deal with problems in society within this show, but if you truly look you can find so many things they are addressing, I am baffled how they managed to put all of that in the fifty episodes (and I am sure I'll find even more the next time I'm watching)..
They showed me how different people perceive things, how they stand up for themselves or what motivates them to not do that - ultimately what makes them different and what they have in common. There are so many life lessons learned. The first I time I watched this show I was focused on the plot and characters, so I didn't quite look beyond what I saw but almost immediately after I finished I wanted to watch it again and I did.
Man, there are so many subtleties missed otherwise and that is probably something noteworthy: This is no easy fluff drama. Will you find some moments? Yes, you know some humour, cute scenes, but then there is heartbreak, devastation and regret and love and everything life has to offer. So at some point you will have to deal with some things life throws at you and sit down and think about stuff. There are so many layers if you just find the courage to see.. It is still hard to wrap my mind around it now, but this is kind of a summary of what makes my brain a mess:
The way family bonds and beliefs are tested. The way history is mirrored and how almost tragically it seems to repeat itself but different choices/generations lead to different outcomes.
I mean what is black, white or grey? Who is justified to make these decisions? SPOILERS AHEAD
You can see how Wei Ying is behaving free and untamed like his mother.
How Jiang Cheng inherited some of the jealousy and insecurity and how his parents influenced him.
How Yanli is the warmth/love both of her brothers need. Her happiness was always what mattered most anyway.
How Lan Zhan referenced his only experience of love between his parents to his brother in order to express what he felt in the only way he knew how to, only to make a different choice.
How Xue Yang can be seen as the person Wei Ying could have become if he wasn't found by the Jiangs early on.
How there are parallels between Song Lan/Xing Chen and Wei Ying/Lan Zhan in their dream to stand up for their beliefs and how all their choices influenced where they ended up.
How Wen Qing only wanted her family safe and how people jugded her for it.
And these are only the parallels, do not get me started on the differences or start comparing characters choices....
There are so many more things you can pick up on when you learn to see and read between the lines and that is essentially what I love about this drama. It respects the source material and (in my opinion) transcends it by fleshing out characters (and adding stronger female characters as well) and gives some new experiences.
They all learn how to navigate and how to stand in this society they live in and god how I love to watch them all while asking myself questions:
What do you see as moral ? Is it the same as what your society sees?
When is violence (un)acceptable in revenge?
How do you question group dynamics and society's norms?
What is being loyal? What is being good and evil - and how do you come to an answer?
I like how the drama handles all these questions, they tell a story while asking but let you make your own decisions. Basically telling you you're smart enough, we trust you to figure it out. And if you don't, that it's okay you're not alone.
The same as figuring out the status between our favourite lead couple Lan Zhan and Wei Ying. I adore this soulmate relationship, for all I was cautions in the beginning. God this was so worth it.
They never tell you in your face how they feel, but if you look you'll just see. It is in the way Lan Zhan expresses the love he has in his eyes or the way his smile lifts up just that tiny little bit. Wang Yibo managed to literally radiate his love by softening his whole face without ever telling a single word. Believe me you'll see the difference between Wei Ying and basically anyone he ever associates with. While he was supposedly silent in sharing emotions, Wei Ying was not. He had a rollercoaster of emotions during his story and Xiao Zhan just masters them all: from the purest smile, the anger in his eyes, fear for losing what he loves and the tears of being misunderstood and an outcast by choice - or no other choice. My heart broke for him more than once. Talk about a perfect casting.
Most of the other characters where extremely well balanced actors as well, I loved their nuances - but there were one or two scenes where more inexperienced actors just stood out because everyone else was this great. I do have to mention that in contrast to many other dramas the story here does not just focus on the main actors but has a story and growth for every character. It depicts how a choice has an effect and how these little things are a part of the big picture and influence others in their action. Comparable to real life experiences of how any action can make a difference to many people but this difference can differ for each person. Life is big messy thing anyway.
This is a drama that heavily relies on the growth and depth of their characters while giving them all a story to do just that. All the while being surrounded by beautiful wide shots of scenery and extremely detailed costumes. I have to give props to the way they cut scenes and how they mirrored some of the framework as well . All in all I just feel the attention the crew and team has put into every little detail, and I love it even more because I can appreciate that. Despite censorship or maybe because of it, I was able to enjoy a story that means more to me now than any other straight relationship drama I have ever watched - there are no weird triangles, unnecessary conflicts or misunderstandings that drag the show down or annoy me.
While watching you will find that the production quality was not the highest. I actually didn't mind the effects and CGI, it kind of gave me an nostalgic vibe of how these things were done before all the high tech stuff and I was able to easily live with any flaws because it didn't actually lower my viewing experience.
I know some may feel unsure about this drama being 'gay' while some readers of the original novel are afraid their love is not being portrayed enough. I have read the novel and saw the drama and let me tell you: just give it a chance. It is more than two people being in love, it is about their companionship, they way they are able to be themselves around each other and stand up against the world as long as they are by each others side.
While Lan Zhan is seen as the outworldly perfect moral character, Wei Ying is the one who is perceived to be unmistakenly evil. They are both being lonely in building up this image of themselves to protect but in the end they both see what the other is trying to hide and just accept it. I guess this is what astounds me the most: they always see the other for what he is, more than what he wants to be seen as because they simply understand. Don't we all want that one person who truly knows us ?
Another factor that drew me in are the OSTs. I have heard some great OSTs before, some I loved and heard on repeat for months but never have I had a song for every characters to give me an insight in his most inner personal space and make me understand him even more. It is a great feeling to vibe along to a song you heard in a drama or feel the heartbreak again by singing to it, but The Untamed just topped all of that.
Since music is playing a major role in the drama as well, they probably put emphasis on the character songs as well and they had me. The instrumentals are great yes, but Wuji is just phenomenal, besides the fact that the actors sung themselves which is a yay for me, I love the lyrics, the way the melodies play out - how they portrayed the changes in the character through music. Just everything. And that is not all - they did that for every character and once you pay attention to when these songs are played in the drama it will hurt even more. Once again, if you pay attention to the lyrics you'll find some nuances to the character you may not have noticed before and you'll maybe end up seeing the drama in a new light and end up seeing it again and again and again....
Personally, this drama thought me so many things, that i still ponder about them once in a while. You need to keep an open mind so you can see beyond what you are able to see right now to evolve. I began to question things I normally just wouldn't have thought about and it saddens me to admit that, but it also makes me hopeful that more people will open their hearts in the future. This drama touched a part of me and I will appreciate it even more for what it has done. Now it almost feels like coming home to something you love every time I watch it because I have rewatched in so many times and learned something different each time. The whole MDZS family just keeps sending warmth and I simply can't find the right words to describe the love I have for experiencing all of this. You'll probably find them in all the other reviews, comments, analysis or fanfictions.
So I'd say welcome to the family - get that special place in your heart ready and prepare for a lovely journey..
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A lovable diamond in the rough
What's good about this drama is so good, it makes you love it despite its flaws. Wei Wuxian (as played by Xiao Zhan) is one of the most lovable and interesting characters I've seen any drama, period. Huge credit has to be given to the screenwriter who elevated the story/characters beyond the source material, the casting director for picking these two untested lead actors, the director for pulling this performance out of them, and the music director for creating a gorgeous soundtrack. I hope the two main actors are incredibly proud of what they did, even though they've had a rollercoaster ride with the fandoms and fan-fiction it spawned. The story was a bit confusing to begin with - I had to stop and read a synopsis to understand what was happening, but I'm glad I stuck with it because the payoff was huge. It helps to know that it starts in the middle of the story and then flashes back for 20+ episodes - and the main character is supposed to have woken up in a different body, but they use the same actor for his first life and second life (so he looks different to the other characters but not to the audience). The flaws are mostly technical, with action scenes especially, and the acting of minor characters can be pretty bad. I read the novels after watching the drama, and I have to say the characters were not as interesting or lovable in print. It is a shame the romance was censored, but honestly, it isn't well integrated in the novels...mostly in the last book and more sexual than romantic. In the drama, you see a platonic relationship with a focus on different kinds of brotherly relationships - which ends up being rather powerful. The romantic relationship isn't shown or contradicted, it is left up to the viewer's imagination. There are plenty of nods to the BL content for readers to pick up on, and the behind-the-scenes content on YouTube is almost as much fun to watch as the drama itself.Was this review helpful to you?
A Timeless drama that lives in my heart ❤️ The Best Watch❤️
I honestly lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched The Untamed❤️—and I’m still not over it??. This drama has completely taken over my heart?, and no matter how much time passes, the storyline, the characters, and the emotions stay with me.The plot follows Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, two cultivators from very different paths who share a deep bond that grows through pain, loyalty, and quiet love. The storytelling might feel slow or confusing at first with its back-and-forth timeline, but once you get into it, it all makes sense—and hits you hard emotionally.??
Wei Wuxian’s character, portrayed by Xiao Zhan, is truly unforgettable❤️
The way Xiao Zhan brings him to life is mind-blowing?. From the cheerful, mischievous youth to the broken and misunderstood soul, his range of emotions is incredibly raw and real?. You can see the pain in his eyes, the laughter in his smile, and the silent screams in his moments of heartbreak?. He made me cry, smile, and hurt right alongside Wei Wuxian?. It’s easily one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in a drama.
Lan Wangji’s quiet strength and unwavering loyalty are equally powerful?. Wang Yibo’s restrained, subtle acting perfectly balances Xiao Zhan’s expressive energy?. Their chemistry is deep, gentle, and beautifully written—even without many words. The bond they share is more than love; it’s a soul-deep connection that endures time, pain, and even death.??
The casting of The Untamed is nothing short of perfection?. Every single actor, from leads to supporting roles, embodied their characters so convincingly that it felt like they were born to play them?.
Xiao Zhan’s Wei Wuxian stands out with his emotional depth, expressions, and ability to shift effortlessly between light-hearted mischief and heartbreaking sorrow?. Wang Yibo’s Lan Wangji, with his quiet presence and subtle facial expressions, brought strength and vulnerability to the character in the most beautiful way ?. But it doesn't stop there—everyone in the ensemble cast, including Wen Ning, Jiang Cheng, Jin Guangyao, Nie Huaisang, and the seniors of each sect, delivered performances that were powerful, layered, and incredibly real?. Their chemistry, their emotional delivery, and the attention to detail in portraying their roles made the entire world of The Untamed feel alive and unforgettable?.
The OST? I’m completely in love?.
Every single track is unforgettable—especially Wuji❤️. The music carries so much emotion and ties perfectly into each scene. I still listen to the soundtrack, and it instantly brings back all the memories and feelings.?
The cinematography, costumes, set design, and overall atmosphere are top-notch?. Every frame is beautifully crafted and culturally rich?.
But more than the visuals, it’s the emotions, injustice, themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the connection between the characters that make The Untamed so powerful❤️?
Even after countless rewatches, I still feel everything deeply??. I laugh. I cry. I think about what could have been. I carry this story and these characters in my heart❤️.
If you're hesitating—just start. By the end, this story might stay with you forever?.
Emotional | Bromance | Fantasy | Historical | Mystery | Cultivation | Friendship | Tragic Past | Redemption | Soulmates | Unbreakable Bond | Beautiful OST | Rewatchable
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ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE
This drama tangles you in a fabulous world from which you can hardly recover. You are left craving for more. With a spectacular performance by the cast accompanied with great production, amazing story- telling and an wonderfully- developed plot, this series easily stands out from others. Worthy of every single drop of the grand fame it earned.Based on the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi, the series will take the watcher to ancient China where clan's rivalry was still present. Although not completely a BL series due to China's heavy censorship, the series gives you the right ideas at precise moments and the two main actor's chemistry and acting is out of this world. The love can be felt through the screen and the watcher will easily feel indulged in the topics.
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WHO LIKES TO MISS OUT A MASTERPIEACE !!!
As the headline says , it's a masterpiece !! who can deny it's not a masterpiece after completing it ? I didn't like to watch historical dramas ,but this drama made me interested in historical dramas . You may not believe me if I say this is the drama which i dropped the most but picked up again , yeah, you didn't read it wrong , i dropped it at least 5-6 times XD . As i said , i was a fan of modern dramas , but whatever dramas I watch , at least there would be a comment of THE UNTAMED's fan . so, i was curious to know why this drama was so popular and thought to give it a try but when I checked about it , i came to know this is a historical drama and so I was reluctant to give it a try , but at last i thought to try it and as expected i dropped it LMAO . But in every drama i started seeing the same comment and thought to give a try again, I DROPPED AGAIN ROFLMAO . Then, i checked about the actors and watched the modern dramas( gank your heart & super start academy) of the main leads, that is XIAO ZHAN and WANG YI BO and yeah, i liked them , and so then gave it a try again after knowing the cast, I DROPPED XD . then, i took the decision that no matter what i will try again for the last time , and was gonna try again when i got to know that these drama has a special edition only had 20 episode ,so i gave a try for it , and surprisingly i liked it and completed it in 2 days . then ,the next day itself I tried the original version too, and as expected i liked it !!! .later, i re watched it , re watched it and re watched it . And i was really lucky to not give up on it . Back to the topic , the acting is really great, story is really great , and do check out the novel ,it's manhua, donghua and chibi too. XIAO ZHAN did a really good job in portraying the character's emotions ad WANG YI BO as lan wang ji did a great job , as it was not easy to act as someone who doesn't talk much and should've a lot of facial expression . and the cast did a good job too and about the visuals, who can deny the visuals of the untamed cast ? if you are gonna try this ,don't drop in the first few episode , continue watching and later everything will makes senseps. can't believe i didn't write a review for my favorite drama XD
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I saw some clips on my social media and I cringed when I saw how gay the scenes looked. I’ve never watched any dramas on BL and I don’t know this anime nor Xiao Zhan or Wang Yi Bo. The first few eps were bad becos I had totally no idea what was happening and this is a new genre to me. I seriously thought of dropping it. But I forced myself to sit thru. But no doubt the first interaction of LWJ n WWX with the sword fighting on the roof attracted me. I tot they felt really good together and it was beautiful. Still I hated the other characters. I thought they looked quite ugly haha (esp some of e guys with way too much makeup). So all that kept me going was watching the pair together, the way they looked at each other omg omg omg. Still the story was slow and boring even!. I think the story and momentum only picked up for me (around ep 20) after WWX went to the other side, where he came back playing the flute. OMG. Then from then on I was glued. Then the story got better and better and the last few eps were so good. The ending was good, finishing the story nicely. I hate shows where it starts off well only to end up with a rushed n crappy ending. But now that I’ve finished watching the show I felt so empty n wanting more. SO I REWATCHED IT.
Also I have to say the music is very very nice. Love the instrumental pieces. Love the ending theme by the two guys the first time I heard it. Which led me to know that Xiao Zhan actually is a singer (haha!) my new love now :p
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To my surprise, this drama was better than I ever expected. In fact, The Untamed managed to handle the BL elements in a truly respectful way. I never doubted for a minute the relationship between the male leads.
Even without hugs or kisses, the relationship was clearly defined. The love, loyalty, and respect that these characters held for each other were genuine.
In terms of story, I had no trouble following this drama. I loved how it started with the “death” of the main character and later how through the evolution of the story the past is explained with all its tragedies and misunderstanding.
This story showed how even a person with the best of intent living to help others can be misunderstood and villainized.
Despite a ton of heartache, the story ends satisfactorily with the main lead hero vindicated and the true villains paying the price for their evil deeds.
I loved The Untamed. Still, I can not give it a 10 because of minor flaws. It has great re-watch value.
I highly recommend the Untamed.
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LIFE CHANGING!!! ?
I've been binge watching some movies and dramas, Korean-drama, Thai Drama and other Chinese Dramas, yet this is the only drama that makes me not to move on (or i should say i cant watch other dramas except this, and i love it!). The acting is on point that you can't even realize you have watched many episodes in one sitting which you thought will be too long since it has 50 episodes but once finished you keep asking for more episodes. It's really a roller coaster ride due to mixed emotions youve been feeling on every episodes and there's those twist which makes it more exciting and truly a great masterpiece. This pushes me to be a fan of the characters and in real life actors esp the two main lead. I met them through this and now i dont regret it.. IT IS THE BEST DRAMA THAT IVE WATCHED and luckily it has happened to me. Glad to know them during the pandemic. 🇵🇭Was this review helpful to you?
Best one yet
Outstanding castUnforgettable soundtrack
Phenomenal arc for many characters
Wonderful all-around series
The chemistry, the chemistry between the two leads is OFF-THE-CHARTS for me. I don’t need a kiss or verbal love confession of I LOVE YOU (I mean if “soulmate” isn’t enough?!) to make this a BL for me. The relationship span and breath between the leads have no boundaries. Their love and care for each other was so palpable. Kudos to the screenwriters too.
Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo were outstanding. Their portrayals were succinct and complete. To watch each lead character grow and mature was so satisfying. No matter how good a character is on paper, it takes a good portrayal to bring each one to life.
So many cast members did a wonderful job, the actors for these characters- Wen Qing, Yanli, Wen Ning.
The soundtrack is on repeat for me. So hauntingly beautiful.
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This review may contain spoilers
Once in a blue moon magic that can never be recreated
Writing about CQL is really a very difficult job because no words can describe the magic this show holds....let me just start with the most basic word THANK YOU to every person who was associated in making this show....u guys have created a masterpiece which will be adored forever....No matter how many years pass this show will always give you hope to keep moving and stand with what u think is right.....it will make u believe that people like Wei wuxian and lan zhan exist in real life who stick to their true self...maintaining kindness
Now coming to actors...i don't think that the casting could be any better.....they choose the most perfect actors to play those roles.....kudos to each and every actor....the mischievous smile of wei wuxian...the poker face of lan zhan.....at a point of time i was confused whether lan zhan loved wei wuxian the most or Xiao Zhan.....he really lived the character and that can be clearly seen in the show
I don't to which genre does CQL belongs because it has everything....this show is not only about romance,bromance or family show ....like each sub story is enough to make a new show and which u can watch with ur heart.....it makes u to reflect upon urself...it shows the truth of today....it proves that no matter how close u r if u r not meant to be u cannot be together(jiang siblings) and i u r meant to be u will be together even if it takes time(wangxian).............it shows that no person it born as angel or devil....the circumstances makes us what we are......what we all want is always LOVE....a hand which can take us away from darkness to light...a hand which can show us the correct path.....wwx had shijie ....but there was no one for xue yang and jin gyangyao.....that regret is the worst part of life.....
Our wangxian....they proved that opposite attracts....the people who were totally different but had the save moral values......WHO CAN TELL THAT WHO IS RIGHT AND WHO IS WRONG??????....not atleast a set of rules tell that who is black and who is white...it just depends of how ur heart feels and the ethics u have
So i can write a whole book on how i feel about the show but let me bind up by saying that it is not too late to enter the world of CQL......just start watching without a second thought........
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This review may contain spoilers
This love action is a masterpiece and that is not an understatement. It has stayed true to the book (aside from leaving out a few details considering the book is BL while the show is bromance), however, it did not deviate and provided just enough detail that even us (who have read the book first) are familiar with. Unlike the book, the live-action went into a flashback scene towards the end of episode 2 to showcase what happened 16 years ago before Wei Ying's death and returned to the 'present' time 16 years later around the 32nd episode. - I've seen a few comments where people have disliked that arrangement since "it wasn't done in the book". The live action's sole target audience isn't just for those who have read the book but THOSE WHO HAVE NOT which is why the flashback was necessary. If you push away the book entirely, and simply view the drama as it's own stand-alone, you will realise that they have done justice to the story with this live-action.
The acting was superb; from the dialogue, the emotions and even to the stares Lan Zhan and Wei Ying share, and their character development.
The way the drama was laid out, makes it easier for the audience to understand the story and obtain all the information, without getting confused or lost as it progressed. I was also impressed with how Lan Zhan and Wei Ying didn't overpower the side characters. Although they are the main characters, there was still plenty of room for the other characters to shine and thus, allowed the drama to come together as a whole without any gaps.
The soundtrack that accompanied the scenes (on multiple occasions) amplified the impact of the acting. dialogue and emotions. The emotions invoked in the audience was brought up by the influence of the soundtrack that amplified scenes. Although the acting was superb, without the soundtrack, the scenes would feel extremely lack-lustre and would not be able to invoke large enough emotions from the audience
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Beyond its aesthetic appeal, 'The Untamed' delves deep into themes of friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of human nature. It's a story that resonates on a profound level, leaving a lasting impact long after the final credits roll.
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