Wish Upon A Star

Unfortunately, I think most dramas don't set out to cover society value per se, including The Untamed novel or drama. And for me, bl-ship is not the core nor soul of TU, and it is absolutely not necessary. Neither am I a bl fan. Thus, I wont comment more on the bl topic and other bl dramas.

On JGY and his father, they are both evil.

The father is evil for playing around and treating his illegitimate children cruelly, and for coveting power and not recognising that not all Wen clansmen (e.g. Wen Qing, Wen Ning and their folks) are evil. It was unfortunate that JGY unknowingly had a child with his half sister. For this, and for not acknowledging him as his son, despising him and mercilessly kicking him down the steps at Jinling Tai, JGY avenged on his father.

JGY is evil. As the son of a prostitute, he was not only despised by his birth father but also humiliated by the people around him, despite how diligent, helpful and courteous he was to others. Thus, he coveted power, and plotted to get the Yin metal piece, kill his half brother (Jin Zi Xuan) using WWX, and eventually killed his own son and his wife, to retain his chief cultivator position. He also plotted to kill his big sworn brother (Nie Ming Jue) when the latter lost trust in him. In the drama, LXC was the only person who treated him kindly and stood up for him at the Cloud Recesses' lecture.

Is JGY or his father more evil and thus more deserving of their respective ending? For me, this is not a question that I will sweat over.

I was intrigued by FX, Emperor Qing, Second Prince, Chen Ping Ping, Wang Qi Nian and Duoduo. But yes, not everyone has the same likes and dislikes.

Indeed there aren't many dramas on main characters with physical disabilities - no drama came to mind.

I didnt watch LLTG in as much depth as you did. In addition, the pacing and the domestic conflicts irk me. I enjoyed JOL much better - it is a grander story with layers of political and martial intrigues, and on how FX journeyed from being a chess piece to be the chess player. The faster pacing and comedic elements of JOL are the icings for me.

I think it is male-centered as a danmei novel. This live action adaptation covered the women characters much more than in the novel.
Not sure what you mean by "The only men who take responsibility for their actions is the villain". Do you mean for good people to also take responsibility for their actions? What kind of responsibility?

In my view, this is a controversial drama - bitter exchanges between people who enjoy this drama right here on this MDL page are actually not uncommon! It is a perfect 10 for me, as its messages on power manipulations, society norms, kinships, friendships, good vs evil, weak vs strong resonated with me and touched me immensely.

If you understand Chinese and are interested in the Chinese cultural values covered in TU, do check out these videos with <<陈情令>> 中的文化知识: https://space.bilibili.com/510870098/upload/video (page 6-9).

I see what you mean... using the same lens, as you continue watching JOL, you will realise that the exploration of equality-equity notion is actually more pronounced in JOL than LLTG.

Spoiler below:
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FX's mother is a transmigrator, and thus her belief in equality and equity as etched in the stone. Through her knowledge, she has helped many, including FX's birth father.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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While this drama is an adaptation of a danmei novel, to me, the core of this drama is not on the MLs' bl-ship. At its core, 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. It is these core values that I think the producer is conveying through this live action adaptation, and thus could be aired. The elements hinting on the queer relationship is to appease the huge novel fanbase. Bonds as soulmates can be as strong or stronger than lovers. I often find it a shame that the danmei bl-ship overshadows and obscures the core and soul of TU drama.

Most see the MLs parallel in Song Lan-Xiao Xingchen, and XXC-Xue Yang. SL-XXC as soulmates who despite belonging to different clans working together to help the weak innocent fight evil, and XXC-XY as how they could turn out to be if WWX had not been adopted by Jiang Clan.

I see ZLS's growth as an actress, especially as 2FL in The Long Ballet, and there is some depth in The Story of Pearl Girl.

I actually dont agree that both protagonists' mothers are overshadowed by their male counterparts in their respective timelines. Niao Niao's mother is a general alongside Niao Niao's father, and both her parents respect one another as equal. Fan Xian's mother is feared by Fan Xian's father (the Emperor), They are the extraordinary women who stand out in their respective timelines.

Woah! I must say I did not watch LLTG in as much depth as you did! For a moment, I was wondering if we were referring to same LLtG drama cos the protagonists are of different genders in JOL and LLtG - it's the female lead in LLTG who stays with her grandma right?

Curious to know if you both have rewatched this recently, and any changes in your views from when you were 11-14 and now 18-23?

Hi.. hadn't been active on MDL for a while and missed this comment, and Cho Na's message! On the crown prince, Chinese sources (Baidu and Douban) use 李承乾 (Li Chengqian). Not sure why some sources used Li Chengyu. It was only intended to cover the key characters, so some characters are missed out, and some characters (e.g. the great grand masters) indicated have yet to appear. Thanks for filling the gaps!

Yes, I saw it! Summer time is the best time to rewatch this drama :)

On further thoughts, there could be more plot twists, as there still more than 10 episodes and there are further unexplained parts, such as the masked man who saved ML.. Mayhaps, fish3 (the grand mastermind), and not Duke Ping Jin, is the one that he need to work with eventually to save his country..

Did I under-read that scene? To me, "good son" is in sarcastic tone, as he seems truly devastated in the cell after ML left.

My guess: When ML can finally revenge, he uncovered a greater national conspiracy - Eunuch Cao conspiring with Dongxia Queen to overthrow Dayong Emperor, with the help of the Kui object and the undead troops. ML had to finally give up on personal revenge and work with Duke Ping Jin to rescue his country.

Likely story progression based on the series' synopsis and what have been revealed so far, and if there are no further plot twists..

based on the series' synopsis, my guess is that though ML can finally revenge, he uncovered a greater national conspiracy, and he had to finally give up and work with Duke Ping Jin to rescue the country.

I hope you have not dropped this yet.. The power hierarchy-structure in The Untamed world is strong here. The Chief Cultivator secretly plots to consolidate his power (to "protect" his clan stature, and his less talented sons) with the undeadly troops. The Lan Clan is strong but peace loving. No one wishes to go against the Chief Cultivator, and the other Clans team up only when they are brutally annihilated..

Missing the Yunmeng siblings!

How far along are you in JOL? Do you see LLTG and JOL as similar?

LLTG and JOL are of different genres and leagues