This review may contain spoilers
Hampered By Censorship -- And I Don't Mean The BL Romance
**WARNING FOR SPOILERS**I have several problems with this drama, and they all stem from how poorly it treats the source material. I really don't agree with many of the changes made to it, and I don't just mean the obvious stripping away of the gay relationship between WWX and LWJ -- that was flat-out inevitable given China's policies, there was no way around that, so there's no use complaining about it. The bromance was just as touching and intimate, regardless. But the plot changes in regard to demonic cultivation really annoyed me, especially when I discovered they were made to satisfy further censorship requirements regarding morality. WWX not CREATING demonic cultivation the way he did in the novel really bothered me because that was a central plot point, hence the novel's title translation Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. Wen Ruohan being a demonic cultivator in the drama was a cheap plot device for a villain, in my opinion. In fact, the entire invention of the Yin Iron was a cheap plot device. I liked that they increased the role of the female characters such as Wen Qing, but I didn't like that they increased the role of Xue Yang, that was really bizarre and unnecessary. Honestly just listing out the little changes doesn't really illustrate my point, but I feel like these changes add up overall to make the story cornier and campier than the original, reducing the story from a more three-dimensional feel in the novel to a more flattened two-dimensional feel in the drama.
The acting however is really well done, the music is gorgeous, and the casting is very good. It was lovely to see the characters and settings and worlds come to life. These actors definitely ARE these characters now, and they did a phenomenal job. The dynamics between the characters are top-tier and really well depicted. I'm just tired of seeing amazing web novels made with no creative censorship and then adapted by a government with intense censorship in place. I don't know that really doing the best job is possible with those restrictions.
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I recommend this series
Okay, so as a HUGE Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo fan, I finally caved and watched "The Untamed," and OMG, I'm obsessed! Seriously, this show is more than just pretty faces (though, let's be real, they are a big draw 😉). The story sucked me right in with its mix of action, mystery, and these incredibly deep friendships. I found myself getting so invested in the characters and their struggles – laughing with them, crying with them, and yelling at the screen when they made questionable choices!What really got me was the amazing chemistry between Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. They just get their characters, and you can feel the connection between them. Plus, the whole world of cultivation is so beautifully created; the costumes, the sets, everything is just stunning. If you're looking for a show that will give you all the feels and leave you wanting more, trust me, "The Untamed" is it! You HAVE to watch it!
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It's a MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Untamed is, without a doubt, a masterpiece. Even after more than six years and over 100 rewatches, it never feels old—it still hits with the same intensity, the same emotion, every single time. That kind of staying power is rare.What truly sets it apart is how perfectly everything comes together. The storytelling is rich and layered, blending fantasy, politics, and deep emotional bonds without ever losing its core. The performances are incredibly compelling—subtle where they need to be, powerful where it counts. And the chemistry? Effortless, natural, and unforgettable.
It’s not just a show you watch once and move on from—it’s something you return to, each time discovering new details, new meanings. That’s what makes it special.
It’s almost funny that some people still hesitate to start it because of its 50 episodes. If anything, fans will tell you the opposite—it feels too short for the world it builds and the story it tells.
Honestly, it sets such a high standard that it’s hard to imagine another show surpassing it. It’s not just good—it’s one of those rare series that stays with you long after it ends.
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I have to say that after reading the novel one does understand the drama much better but it isn't absolutely necessary to read it. One can appreciate the drama itself on his own.
The story was absolutely beautiful and I would recommend everyone to watch it. The actors are absolutely fabulous. Because there was no explicit scenes the actors had to convey everything just with their expressions and eyes. I absolutely fell for their dynamic.
A must watch for drama lovers. I just created a account to write this short review because it deserves much love and recognition!!
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But BOY, WAS I WRONG. This was brilliant. This show is the most incredible piece of art. I loved everything about it. I am so happy. This might actually be my favourite series of all time now.
The acting was great, the OST was great, the storyline was extremely engaging and interesting, the character development was amazing, there were so many complex and intriguing plots and characters.
I loved this show just so, so much. I don't know why I'm trying to write a review when I just finished it and am feeling very sappy about it, and it's almost 5 o'clock in the morning. But I just really can't hold back, I'm so satisfied with this. Sure, there are one or two unexplained things (like, what really happened to the yin iron shards? were they actually destroyed? if so, how was that suddenly possible when it proved so impossible all those years ago), but I can see past that. This was as close to perfection as a show can get.
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wonderful show
there's really not much I can say that hasn't been said already, and nothing I wouldn't (or haven't already) managed to express via fanfic, so I'll just say this: this is an absolutely amazing show, it's very entertaining, not without faults but nonetheless worth a try if anything about it seems interesting! as I'm writing this review, I'm watching the donghua because I don't want to let the story goadmittedly, there are times the acting goes over the top and the show is restricted in what it could faithfully show from the novels due to censorship, but overall this is an interesting, varied retelling of the real story. wang yibo and xiao zhan are perfect for their roles
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This is one of the most successful dramas in Cdrama history
"Wen" I first watched this show, it took me only a few episodes to be completely obsessed with literally everything. First of all, the plot is extremely well put together offering a sweet and emotional love story between the two main leads (even though china labeled it as bromance due to the censorship). And the whole cast, especially the main leads, have such good chemistry that now there's a whole fandom that is devoted to shipping them (#BJYXZD). And I'm so glad the director decided to chose actors who she felt suited the role instead of just throwing in a bunch of famous celebrities to make it popular because that was one of the main reasons for it to be so successful.Considering that most of the actors are pretty new to the drama industry (wang yibo and xiao zhan especially) and were given quite sophisticated characters, they completely nailed it. Especially Wang Hao Xuan, his performance as xue yang is literally so amazing and I can't get over it. And Xiao zhan did such an EXTRAORDINARY job as wei wuxian even though it was a really complicated and deep role to have AND HE HAD SO MANY LINES. I need to mention Wang Yibo as well as, in my opinion, Lan Wangji was one of the most difficult characters as he had to maintain a stoic and emotionless face whilst simultaneously expressing such heavy emotions and once again Yibo did such an excelent job (ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN SCENE). And he was able to convey anything he felt with just the phrase "wei ying" :).
Music is another part that really enhanced the effect of this drama. The OST Wuji sung by Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo is literally so beautiful and the lyrics are so emotional. Same with all the other character songs. I'm so devoted to this song and the flute version is completely on another level (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNlC0pB8a8s&t=2692s). The intro song or like music (not exactly sure what it's called) is really good as well. And all the other sound tracks are so cool and this is one of my favourites and its a song that lan zhan always plays to wei ying to calm his mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KCbUh7OJIo).
I have re-watched this a couple of times, along with reading the book, and i'm following the manhua and i have started watching the donghua. I can't express how addicted I am to this story. I have been "persuading" my friends to watch it and so far all of them have absolutely loved it. We all collectively stan yibo and xiao zhan now AND I THINK YOU WILL LOVE IT TOO. I think it takes around 6 episodes to settle into the storyline but once your in your never coming out and it like falling into an 'endless abyss'. PLEASE GIVE THIS MASTERPIECE A CHANCE I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL LOVE IT.
Overall, this show was not only exceptional in terms of story and cast but it also helped promote the BL genre in general in china as now we are awaiting the release of other BL dramas and other BL donghuas have also been released. It's also uplifted the careers of the all the actors especially Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan who are now one of the most popular celebrities in China at the moment. This was my first ever BL and it has set my expectations high for any other dramas now. Nothing has reached the untamed's level of perfection - YET. I HOPE U WATCH IT.
If you would like to read the book (https://exiledrebelsscanlations.com/novels/grandmaster-of-demonic-cultivation/)
its also available on wattpad
The donghua (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMX26aiIvX5rWjEqareJBmoX-_uTFtemk)
The manhua (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2iQPHlA1BhxrWZvX-Bv7D0iZZG0DbS5-)
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I'm not sure if this story is about 2 Gay boys or friendship of the two young men.
The reviews make it seemed as a LGBT drama when China against LGBG and prohibit to make such tv or movies.
One of China’s biggest and most controversial hits of last summer is now on Netflix, and you need to put your life on hold to watch it. The Untamed is part of Netflix’s new initiative to diversify its lineup with more international shows. This Chinese series has earned itself a full-blown Netflix binge weekend – we promise.
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There are 2 parts in this drama which are quite unequal. Personnaly, I did find the first part really brilliant, original and catchy in getting to know the characters and their story. The main characters are so good and so many things happen to them. There are different clans with different aims and values, good ones and bad ones. You really get involved in the story, loving or disliking the different characters, feeling sorry, moved or angry with some of them.
I really appreciated interactions between Wei Wu Xian and his sister and brother. Alghough, Wei Wu Xian is an adopted child, his sister Jiang Shi ( Xuan Lu) is really the only one who fully understands him, trusts him and supports him whatever happens. Xuan Lu and Xiao Zhan have great chemestry and their scenes are one of the best of this drama. Jiang Shi is more than a sister, more than a mother to him, she really loves him and the feeling is shared, they are so protective to each other. This makes her sibling brother Jiang Cheng (Wang Zhou Cheng) a bit jealous because he would like to be the only one Wei Wu Xian would truely care for. So of course when Wei Wu Xian and Lan Zhan (Wang Yi Bo) become sworn brothers, Jiang Cheng will feel bad and cheated. Wei Wu Xian's character is sensitive, honest, caring but untamed. He wants to think out things by himself and mainly listen to its heart. He will sacrifice a lot for his brother (without this one knowing it) and this is the clue point that will lead Wei Wu Xian becoming Li Ying Demonic Patriarche, leaving his sword for the flute.
The first part of this drama really moves you and it's all terrific. Alghough you have plenty of nice and funny scenes, you also have terrible ones and finally it's quite sad in the end. Then comes the second part of the drama, with new characters and lots of good looking boys ! You won't find female leads aymore and this is bad because female characters brought so much to the first part of the drama. I was less interested by this part, still I was eager to know how the drama would end.
The important point in the second part of the drama is that Wei Wu Xian and Lan Zhan are now sharing a real brotherhood bond mainly because Lan Zhan is feeling guilty for not having supported him before and for mistrusting Wei Wu Xian's personnality and judgement. Also because Wei Wu Xian is now alone and hides his true identity : only Lan Zhan recognized him at fist glance no matter he was wearing a mask. They are now following the same path fighting together hand in hand to solve puppets mystery, evil doings and bring back peace among the clans. Lan Zhan has changed, he is now supportive, caring and protective. Are those 2 in love ? Bromance or what else ? You will have to make your own point of view.
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Loved this!
I was suggested to watch this from a friend! - I didn’t really think much about it and I used to find it crazy how some of these dramas would have about 50-60 episodes, and just stay away from them, But as I continued to watch it, I began to really enjoyed it. Although, I admit! There was a lot of episodes, so I would find it hard to rewatch the whole thing again unless I really have the time.But, in the end I thought the storyline and plot were so interesting, it was one of the first c-drama I watched and ended up really liking it and really I just wanted to continue watching it, to a point where it was done and I just had to rewatch clips on YouTube of behind the scenes everywhere..
But I think one thing I learnt from the drama was despite all the years of hardships, hatred and misunderstandings years from other people. Wei Wuxian & Lan Wangji had each other. Friendship, Funny to think I can get so much from a drama but, I was thinking maybe I can learn something from this drama. So it isn’t a wasted time that I watched it!
I learnt about true friendship that many people go through hardships that we probably don’t know about, they may look okay on the outside but inside they may just need a friend to talk to or be there for them. I truly hope that I myself can be one of those true friends to people out there.
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This review may contain spoilers
Brought my cdrama faith back
Forgive me for mentioning another amazing drama in this review, but I just want to point out that after watching NiF several years back, I thought I wouldn't be able to find something that I will invest so much for. I mean, NiF is a masterpiece and shouldn't really be compared and will probably still be my no.1 drama, but The Untamed has a different league on its own. I mean, maybe if it happened in Nie Huiasang's perspective, it will also be as intricate as NiF haha. You get me?But yes, with all the other factors that it has focused on, thanks to the very good world that the author of the novel made, it was adapted quite well in this drama. Everything is just in there and was just emulated differently sometimes, but is there in spirit, and probably with much soul, because I loved Lan Wangji here than in the novel (although believe me I love both, but maybe Yibo's microexpressions were just a tad bit adorable.
I'm also not a fan of BL or yaoi or whatever but they really did well in the drama that I went straight to the novel and the donghua and I just can't get enough.
The music is also a big plus. What will I do now that everytime I hear Wuji, I want to weep? Also, all of the characters have their own journey written out in their individual songs. This just proves that the production is top-tier. They really made some serious business with everything.
Also, special mention to Xiao Zhan. He was amazing! He is really the perfect Wei Wuxian with his playfulness and darkness in him. Such a chameleon! I hope I can see him in other projects (hopefully after the controversies we can have Internal Affairs kinda a project with Yibo again because their chemistry is really undeniable)
This is really addicting. I guess I have to wait for another amazing drama before I can finally move on from this. Or not?
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