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Lives up to all the reveiws
This was my second drama to watch. My first reaction to it was...what the hell am I watching? My second reaction was who the heck is this drama's visual/special effects supervisor - and why did they hire him/her -I think a child could do better? My third reaction was - bawling my eyes out. Fourth reaction was - oh my God! Why have I been missing these drama's and where have they been all my life! I'm not a huge fan of long series as I have the attention span of a 'flea' but this one kept me fixated. Xiao Zhan's acting was so intense - and how he managed to remember all those lines?! If there was anything like the Oscars in China - I sure hope he won it as he took me as the viewer on one hell of a ride.Was this review helpful to you?
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The main leads have very good chemistry both on and off screen. It is a bit confusing at first because of all the sects and families but once you start understanding everything, it's heartbreaking to see what everyone goes through.
I definitely recommend a rewatch (you will) since you can get all those tiny details you missed the first time and you will be surprised at how neatly everything comes together.
The OST is incredible as well, must listen to every song on Spotify!
If you end up falling in love with this, good news is you can get a lot of BTS content, concerts and a lot more. Just you see how obsessed everyone became!
Literally made an account just to leave a review for this drama, you definitely have to watch it! Promise you you won't regret it!
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Cast: Phenomenal. Every. Single. Actor. Was incredible to the point where it was as if they were meant to play their role. I honestly can’t get over how good the cast is, and it makes me really sad knowing that they won’t all be together again for anymore future shows. I just gotta support them individually now????
Soundtrack/music: I’m really sad because I didn’t realize how much I LOVE the soundtrack until after I finished the show. Don’t get me wrong - I recognized how good the music was, I just didn’t realize it to the full extent. Most - if not all - of the characters have their own songs, but I’m upset because I never really focused on that while watching. It’s so much fun going back to rewatch scenes/episodes and recognizing all of the music. I highly recommend searching up the songs on YouTube - the entire soundtrack has been translated...and when I tell you the lyrics are so beautiful, I mean it. It’s crazy how much emotion was put into every single song. I’ll definitely keep listening to the entire soundtrack frequently.
Rewatch value: ...You guys probably know what my answer is???? I would definitely rewatch it - and am going to. You don’t know how hard it was for me not to restart it after the last episode...I literally had to go out of my room???? It’s such a good show that deserves to be rewatched over and over and over again.
I’ll be honest - when I first saw that there were 50 episodes, I never thought I’d finish it because I have a really bad habit of dropping things in the middle (I get bored easily). However, not only did I watch the entire show - I finished it in 3 days. I can’t even tell you how much sleep I lost, but it was a significant amount. A lot of people are probably put off by the fact that a good portion of the show is just backstory - I’ll be honest, I was hesitant on watching because of that simple reason - but when it came time to jump back to the present I was really sad to see the past go...which is strange because I was counting down the episodes (until it went back to the present) in the beginning????
Overall: WATCH. THIS. SHOW. I kid you not - you will be missing out on *such* an incredible experience, and I really would have regretted not watching it. A lot of people are put off by the fact that it originated from a BL novel, but there’s not really any of that in this show...at the most it would be called “bromance”, but even that might be too much considering China’s censorship laws. While it may have probably been an awkward concept in the beginning for some actors (depending on their beliefs), you can really see how they all bond together, and all have such beautiful relationships with one another.
P.S. I’m sorry for such a long review...but I just had to say it: this show will make you adore even the enemies. Some of their backstories are so tragic that you just can’t help but feel love and pity for them???????? It’s truly amazing how the director (and everyone involved) was able to garner so many emotions from the audience????????????
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Soaring Swordsmen Sweeping Saga Stalwart Support Singular Sorrow & Longing Surpassed 8.7
The Untamed is wonderful and exciting. At times it's warm and at times it is so beautifully sad. We follow Wei Wu Xian over many years, particularly his exploits with Lan Wan Ji. They are the most promising youth - two of the best fighters and strongest opponents around.Stick with it. It's confusing. We get a condensed intro in ep1 and then jump 16 years back to the beginning of the tale. The story meanders forward from there. TU has a couple of time jumps backward and forward. I went back later (approaching mid-show) and rewatched the first 20 minutes or so, which helped tremendously.
At the very beginning, Wu Xian(“WeiX”) is mischievous and ebullient, and always getting into trouble. Wan Ji (“LanZ” - Wei Wu Xian calls him “Lan Zahn”) and WeiX meet at Cloud Recesses. LanZ, as one of the Lan Clan, resides there and on site they have a finishing school, of sorts, for young men.
These two are complete opposites. WeiX keeps making friendly overtures to LanZ, which irritates the solitary LanZ greatly. WeiX is a fun, friendly joker and an overall class clown. LanZ rarely talks. Always drinking, WeiX has an easy affability about him. LanZ is serious, studious, never breaks the rules, and NEVER drinks, as prohibition is one of the Lan Clan's 3000 decrees. Yes, three-thousand. WeiX knows all about them. He's had to copy them 💯×💯s of times and he's often being punished. Never-a-hair-out-of-place LanZ was never punished, until he met WeiX.
A threat from the Wen Clan arises. All the other clans are concerned, resulting in WeiX and LanZ going on a quest together. One thing leads to another and they end up in many scrapes along the way. They eventually form a bond that's closer than brothers, though we have to wait until nearly the end to see the depths of the impassive LanZ's devotion to his friend. Still waters run deep, so frozen waters might have a torrent underneath their icy surface.
Tragedy occurs while the clans are fighting and WeiX is blamed. Thus starts his unraveling of the mystery surrounding events that lead up to the "current day."
{The show is based on author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's novel, Mo Dao Zu Sho. The two protagonists become lovers in his book, but that was stripped from the TV series. (🇨🇳 isn't the only country with censorship 'issues,' btw. Most of the world is censored.) This, understandably, upset the gay community. Said "Oligarchy" is what it intends to be. They don't care a whiff about feelings or individual rights. We are hypocritical to be "ho-hum" about that ruling Party's steamrolling, censorship monolith when Google, or the NBA want to get in bed with them, or when Nike or Apple want to slice mfg costs by employing near-free manpower to compile their uber pricey items at the establishment's no-impromptu-inspection-allowed factories. That hierarchy controls everything - most of all information. This allows them free reign to eradicate human rights: It's well documented. They don't tolerate religions either, and the rumors of what happens to prisoners makes many horror pics look TAME. (If you're still with me, the reason I don't use the name of this country is because I will be censored.) Just sayin, if we are missing something the censorship machine took away, we should empathize with our fellow humans, stand up for the rights of all, and not tolerate any bully censors. It's all permanently interlocked, and not a pick-and-choose situation. Censorship will always be more damaging than freedom of expression. Let the (respectful) dialogue flow. Commercial over.}
There's a heavy fantasy element to the show. The swordsmen fly through the air. They cast magic spells, make talismans, and musical instruments are used for magic as well. Some of the fantasy elements are key to the story. It is much like Flying Tiger Crouching Dragon. The fantasy is cool, but the feel is of a sweeping saga, not simply a fantasy piece.
The characters are well developed. Their humanity, and otherwise, is the centerpiece of the story. Despite the changes enforced on the storyline, the union between the two protagonists and their respect for each other is what endures once the final episode's credits scroll by. It's easy to infer that their bond goes beyond mere friendship. Even the hetero relationships in UT are virtually platonic by Western standards. There is no closer relationship depicted in the show, and it is breathtaking.
Every element shines (except for a couple of the special effects. One monster was very poorly done). There's 50 episodes. It's alot; too much for me to binge watch. Eventually I went to watching a couple of episodes a week, which was perfect.
However you choose to watch, just choose to watch this stunning piece of art. It is truly magnificent.
IMHO...
🎬9 🤔7 🎭9 ⚡8 🌞 7
Age 13+
Written 9/2/21
ps. 5/28/24 ~>>
Asia remains extremely conservative when it comes to sexuality across the board. But, I've recently seen 5 or 6 🇨🇳shows that depict either a gay man, a gay romance, lighthearted “gay” joking between men, or other gay-related content that is evidence of a major attitude shift.
“Today, the 🇨🇳government's approach to LGBT rights has been described as "ambivalent", "fickle", and as being "no approval; no disapproval; no promotion". There is much resistance from conservative elements of the government, as various LGBT events have been banned in recent years. Since the late 2010s, authorities have avoided showing homosexual relationships on public television, as well as showing effeminate men in general.” Wiki. Their record on human rights, in general, is even worse.
In order of ~lite & trite~ to ~heavy & serious~ you may also like:
Love Between Fairy & Devil 8.9;
Once upon a time in Linglian Mountain 7.5;
Overlord 8.4,
Douluo Continent 9.4;
Handsome Siblings 8.7;
Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber 9-Kung-fu!;
Eternal Love 8.3,
Ancient Love Poetry 8.6;
Under the Power 8.6,
The Rebel Princess 9.1,
The Sword and the Brocade 8.6 (in ancient Chinese opera style),
Love and Redemption 10,
The Rise of Phoenixes 9
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Lovely show with a great story ☺
Hahaha at first I checked this out because a lot of other people were tweeting about it but it's actually really good.One thing I can say about it though is that the timeline got kind of wonky after a few episodes. I was confused when they transitioned from the present to the past without any indicator of when it was going to go back to the present and without working seamlessly enough in my opinion. It is addicting though, even when I was so confused about it I managed to finish it all and I really liked it!
WYB and XZ's acting in the series really managed to elevate the acting into a whole 'nother level and ZZJ managed to perfectly deliver the balance between a good sworn brother to ZWJ with a rotten core to anybody else. Also one of the best parts here for me was the Yi City Arc. WHX may sometimes act exaggeratedly but SJY really acted well with him!
Another note is that you should really watch this on Youtube or WeTV... because the subtitles on Netflix... hahaha it's abysmal and it won't really help you on remembering the different titles each character holds and can somewhat affect your viewing experience. The OST for this drama is REALLY good. I would recommend you to listen to it even if you aren't familiar with the drama but don't watch the subtitles because it's full of spoilers!
The reason I gave low rewatch value is because I never rewatch shows... so yeah
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Besides the main characters, the side characters are as developed as the main characters which you don't see often nowadays. A lot of the side cast has their own story arcs, development and screen time. I won't keep this review long, so if you love epic storylines, an amazing love story that's unlike the rest and amazing supporting characters - then The Untamed is just for you!
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I absolutely loved the dynamics/love/friendship/chemistry (whatever you want to call it) between the two leads. But every other supporting cast were equally good. Wei Wuxian is the best character ever for me and you will definitely fall in love with Xiao Zhan's portrayal of WWX.
This drama has an amazingly complex story, very good acting from all the characters, best family relationships and friendships and everything else you can ask for in a fantasy drama.
I also liked that the drama made slight changes to the characters and story from the original novel but still maintained the same overall story arc. If you miss the show and the characters after you finish this, you can read the original Novel, continue on to the Manhua and round off with the Donghua all telling you the same loving story in different formats.
Would definitely recommend! 10/10 rating.
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This review may contain spoilers
I fall inlove with the lead actors. The best drama I ever scene. It made me cry laugh and fall inlove. I never thought I will watch it over and over again. Really appreciate all the cast they work hard to make this drama a successful one. Xiao zhan character is so painful to watch he makes me cry and laugh he deserves it.👍👍👍 Because of this drama I fall Inlove with xiao zhan. Didi deserves also an applause. Thanks to my friend who recommend to watch it. It deserves perfect 10 ratings.,....,....... Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Initially, I found out about The Untamed through a compilation list of BL shows. Although the drama adaptation of The Untamed is not really BL, the novel adaptation is another level of BL (?). Still, you can find subtle hints in the drama series. (chickens, wearing bright red unlike the Wens, bowing three times, etc.) I actually stayed throughout the drama thanks to the music, characters, storyline, cinematics, basically everything about the drama. Even if you intended to watch The Untamed just for BL, you should still watch the entire drama because it is really, really interesting and perfect.
The drama is not only based on the two main characters. There are multiple arcs in the drama that was presented and all of the arcs are linked to one another. Viewers will get to know a bit about the families, the different clans, the characters' backgrounds and personalities. The drama is not entirely about romance, and at the same time, not entirely about fighting.
The acting and cast are perfect. Some of the characters are monotonous/ does not have any facial expression because of their personality. Do not misinterpret the lack of facial expression as bad acting! At times, the back-up actors and actresses have their own funny moments (there are some compilation videos on Youtube).
There are actually two albums on Spotify about the songs or SFX played throughout the drama. I like how some of the characters got their own songs, instead of not only limited to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji.
It could be a hassle for some viewers who want to rewatch the drama. Some viewers may procrastinate due to the number of episodes. Personally, I would rewatch only some episodes at once and not the whole entire drama. There will be times where I rewatch the Yi City scenes, there will be times where I rewatch Sunshot Campaign scenes, there will be times where I watch other scenes.
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