Reviews

pleasantly surprised

Wanted to watch this drama a couple of times but the unsure as to whether it will be good,but after watching one episode i couldn't stop. Its so good and totally relatable in day to day lives of any people.
Growing love, miscommunications and misunderstandings, expectations and pressure from the outside (family, friends, traditions...), looking for and fighting for happiness, women trying to make their lives better in a strongly patriarchal society.

The characters are great, acting is on point and oh the plot ... The plot is amazing, it hits you out of nowhere! It definitely makes you feel some feelings other dramas don't and you'll definitely start questioning stuff. With wonderful misic everything fit.

It is worth while romantic drama. Recommend it!

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I don't understand all of the 10/10 reviews here!

Okay so this is definitely a fluffy, super "positive", and innocent stories we like to watch. However, this is also one of the toxic BL troupes that has become normalized. Since most of the reviews are extremely positive, I don't have to spend time talking about it. So let's talk about the negatives. I don't find it cute the depiction and romantization of someone forcing themselves to be gay. It's like "against my will" and against my "better judgment" that I'll be with you. Even though I hated/found disgusting the idea at first, my body wants it so I guess it's okay. Also MC is unbearably annoying! I know this is cultural so I won't judge the over the top dramatization of every reaction (anime like live characters). However, the over the top reaction to a kiss and proximity made this be so annoying that I couldn't continue watching. I don't mind no physical contact, but the extreme reaction to it is unrealistic and over the top. I dropped it after the first episode the first time I tried watching it. Years later I tried again and only made it to episode 4. Most people seem to like it so I guess that's okay. But lets end the notion of forced queerness being something fluffy and romantic!

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Second only to Love in the Clouds

Going in, I expected another xianxia tale built around fated romance and star-crossed lovers. What I got was all of that but with enough twists to feel genuinely fresh. I DID NOT EXPECT TO CRY.

The central story does revolve around a fated romance, but what makes MM stand out is that it's really the supporting female lead's story at heart. The characters don't just surrender to destiny either, they push back, make real choices, and find their own paths. It kept the emotional payoffs from feeling predictable or cheap.

Bai Lu as the female lead is simply outstanding. She brings warmth, depth, and a quiet strength to her role that anchors the whole drama. Ao Ruipeng, meanwhile, doesn't have many lines but watching his gaze gradually soften over the episodes is quietly mesmerizing. He does a lot with very little, and it works beautifully.

The second couple's storyline is a genuine highlight too, complete with a plot twist I did not see coming. And the clan backstories, rather than feeling like lore-dumping, actually help you understand and care about the world you're in.
Production-wise, the makeup (and costumes) is stunning throughout - clearly a labor of love.

MM sits at the top of my xianxia list, second only to Love in the Clouds. This one is absolutely worth your time.

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I've gotten this drama recommended to me for so long now but I never got the chance to watch it until recently. Might I just say it DID NOT disappoint. Li Yun Rui is one of the gems I only found recently and he's already skyrocketed to some of my favorite actors. This man can genuinely have chemistry with a stick I actually believe it. Also, in the intro he looks so good and natural with gray hair, might I just say it suits him so well (Somebody please put him in gray hair more). The first episode in general was done so well, it hooked me in immediately. Meng Ziyi also does such a good job playing Dou Zhao, shes always captivated me with her peformances and this drama isnt an exception. Xia Zhiguang (Ji Yong) also did such a good job. Genuinely he might have been my favorite character in the whole drama, comedic, prioritizes the greater good, ended up catching everyone in the end, and most importantly didn't turn evil or tried to steal away Dou Zhao from Song Mo. I also really loved Dou Ming in her second life, she was sweet, nice, and never turned on Dou Zhao, sadly the scene where she was dying and only saw Wei Tingyu drinking made me feel so bad for her. However, Wei Tingyu after all this happened clutching her painting in the rain was just as sad of a sight.

This is one of my best finds of 2026. Plot is really entertaining, I didn't expect the Ji Yong stuff until the very end when it was revealed. The only few plot holes were the fact that Dou Zhao did all of this while pregnant, and the fact that Song Mo's loving brother suddenly turned evil and couldn't control himself?? Other than that this drama was a pleasure to watch. I wish Song Mo could've had gray hair more (selfish thoughts) or the drama connected more of it to their past selves (I swear Dou Zhao never explained to Song Mo the dream and he never remembered either just remembered her wearing a mask). However, even without this it was still my best costume drama of the year. If you haven't watched this and are lingering on the reviews go watch it right now I promise you won't regret it.

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Not the Usual Plot: Captivating but Confusing

The Story is a bit confusing and left a 'why' in many scenes. Probably because the novel is actually very long and they tried to fit it into 38 episodes. Some part of past events are told in a short conversation later in the drama.

The story focused on the ML as the ordinary man who forget his past that somewhow turn into a superpower warrior, so there will be just a little portion of Cheng Lei as the Prince. A lot of romantic scene with FL, but lack of chemistry (comparing with other Cheng Lei FL).
CL acting are great as always, but SY wasn't that impressive.
Soundtrack are good. Nothing will goes wrong with Ning Ge as singer.
I continue watching because curious for the revealing moment of ML past. And it happend in a few last episodes.
I like the love story of ML and FL, but I'm not rooting for them. I prefer the 2nd couple , and I actually like the 3rd couple (their sad story make me scream whyyyyy).

warning: If you wish to see Cheng Lei as the ruthless Grand General & Royal Prince Duan Aodeng, you'll be dissapointed.

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A Goddess, A Crown Prince, and a Love That Refused to Die

The drama is divided into three major arcs: Si Yin and Mo Yuan, Su Su and Ye Hua, and finally Bai Qian and Ye Hua.

The first arc lays the foundation of the world and relationships. While some may find it slower, it builds the emotional depth that pays off later. The real emotional turning point begins in the mortal arc between Su Su and Ye Hua. Their love in the mortal realm is tender, soft, and deeply moving. However, once Su Su is taken to the Celestial Palace, the tone shifts dramatically. Miscommunication, secrets, palace politics, and Ye Hua’s misguided attempts to “protect” her lead to devastating consequences. That arc remains one of the most heartbreaking stretches in xianxia dramas.

The final arc between Bai Qian and Ye Hua is a mix of romance, frustration, and redemption. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the repeated misunderstandings and Ye Hua’s often forceful behavior can be difficult to overlook. Still, the emotional payoff, especially Ye Hua’s redemption arc, is powerful and memorable.

Acting & Performances

Mark Chao delivers a phenomenal performance as Ye Hua. He conveys emotion through his eyes with remarkable depth. His pain, longing, authority, and vulnerability feel authentic. Whether as a restrained Crown Prince or a desperate lover, he commands the screen. Some of the most powerful scenes in the entire drama belong to him.

Yang Mi shines in her triple portrayal of Si Yin, Su Su, and Bai Qian. Each version feels distinct. Her Su Su is fragile and tragic, while Bai Qian is composed and dignified, though sometimes emotionally obtuse. Yang Mi captures heartbreak beautifully, especially in the palace arc.

The child actor who played Ah Li was absolutely adorable and added warmth to the story. The supporting cast also deserves praise.

Maggie Huang as Su Jin made viewers truly despise her, which speaks to how well she embodied the manipulative antagonist.

Vin Zhang as Li Jing portrayed a flawed but layered character whose long, obsessive love felt tragic rather than purely villainous.

The side couple Feng Jiu and Dong Hua became so popular that they later received their own drama, Eternal Love of Dream.

Even minor characters, from Bai Qian’s fox family to the heavenly gossip trio, added charm and personality to the world.

Strengths

Deep emotional storytelling across multiple lifetimes
Strong performances, especially from Mark Chao
Beautiful costumes and cinematography
Memorable soundtrack
High emotional impact scenes that remain unforgettable
Complex relationships beyond the main couple
The chemistry between the leads is intense and believable. Some romantic scenes were passionate and mature, which is refreshing in the genre.


Weaknesses

Excessive miscommunication and secrecy that prolongs conflict
Ye Hua’s questionable choices in the Celestial Palace
Some CGI that reflects its 2017 production limitations
Certain side plots feel stretched or underdeveloped
Lack of a truly strong, overarching villain
Dragging pacing in some later episodes

At times, it feels like nearly all suffering could have been avoided with basic communication. While that is a common trope in melodramas, it can become frustrating over 58 episodes.

Overall Impression

Despite its flaws, this drama earns its status as a xianxia classic. It is dramatic, emotional, sometimes frustrating, but undeniably impactful. The love story is tragic yet devoted, flawed yet powerful. The redemption arc of Ye Hua, the heartbreak of Su Su, and the enduring bond between Bai Qian and Ye Hua leave a lasting impression.

It may not be perfect in writing or pacing, but it stands in a league of its own because of its emotional depth, performances, and unforgettable moments.

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Sometimes it's just perfect.

Can't believe no one has left a review for something this good. Maybe because it's #4 of 20 versions (and counting?). How many of the same storyline can you watch? Maybe people could at least drop hints of the ones they loved.

YouTube commenters had nothing but good things to say. Several said it's a best, if not the best, version and one they'll rewatch. A lot. A favorite SuiSui. I agree. This is a favorite storyline and this version is just excellent. "Totes adorable". The performances were ALL a treat.

Well... I think I've managed to stay just short of gushing and screeing like a fan girl. If not, I don't care.

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King Cat came near the end of a wuxia era when characters still sang and women played a prominent role. Chang Cheh was about to make the genre ultra masculine pushing female characters aside, so it was refreshing to watch Pat Ting Hung hold her own with the cat and mouse swordsmen around her.

The royal tutor has nefarious plans targeting the righteous Judge Bao and the emperor’s sister, Yung’an. His henchmen featuring the sinister Variegated Butterfly Hua Chong know no moral boundaries. On the other side of the spectrum is Chan Chao dubbed King Cat by the emperor for saving Yung’an. Chan tells Bao if he ever needs help to flash the Bat Signal, I mean red lantern and he’ll come flying in. Somewhere in the middle is the 5 Mice Clan. Brother 5, Pai Yu Tang the Brocaded Mouse, takes great offense to King Cat becoming the new national hero. No cat can top a mouse! The brothers plot to steal the princess’ jade incense burner unaware that Hua Chong is raping and murdering his way through the Princess’ maids which leaves Pai being blamed for the murders.

Most of the action was driven by the men in this film. Yet in walked Pat Ting Hung as Ting Yueh Hua and stole the spotlight in every scene she was in. Her swordswoman knew what she wanted and was capable of taking care of herself. The only other character who had any real sizzle was my fave, Lo Lieh, as the despicable Variegated Butterfly. Kiu Chong hammed it up as the Brocaded Mouse, but was still entertaining in his silver lamé trimmed outfits. Chang Yi, in only his third film, played the lackluster King Cat. There’s a reason he’s remembered for his villainous roles, and why he didn’t play a lot of these plain vanilla heroes. Ching Miao played the historical figure Bao Zheng in black face which was jarring to my western eyes. From what I read, the coloring meant the character was incorruptible.

Martial arts directors Tang Chia and Lau Kar Leung also worked on screen as the tutors’ minions (as well as brother Lau Kar Wing). This was not one of their better efforts. During one fight some participants were either standing still or swinging their sword at no one. There was quite a bit of primitive wire-fu as swordsmen flew up and over walls on a regular basis.

The only copy I could find was dubbed in Thai and had atrocious English subs, some of which made absolutely no sense. The dubbing wasn’t very good and actually quite funny in some scenes which could be distracting. ** I try not to let bad dubbing affect my rating but this film was a challenge. The Shaw Brothers knew how to world build with a limited budget. The sets and costumes were well crafted with beautiful dresses and hairstyles, stunning interiors and even a cave with bubbling mud pots.

King Cat had great fun with the cat and mouse antics between Chan and Pai with the adversaries having to set aside their differences to save the princess. And Pai’s brothers were obviously enjoying their mousey roles. The farcical antics and classic misunderstandings were a strange juxtaposition with the darker storyline of sexual assault and murder. While not all of the film worked for me, I did enjoy a heroine who could hold her own in battle, save herself, and make life choices that suited her as there were long stretches in the genre where that kind of feminine strength disappeared.

3 March 2026
Animal note: No actual cats or mice in the film

Trigger warnings: Sexual assault off screen. Attempted sexual assault on screen.

**Just to clarify, the Thai language was not distracting or funny, but the voice actors made some interesting choices for several voices and sound effects. I've run into similar things with English dubbing. One film had stereotypical accents such as a character with an American deep south accent, another had a British Cockney accent, and yet another sounded like he was from New York City. And I'm pretty sure the same guy did most of the voices except for the female characters. XD

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That Special K-drama Feel

Ahhh this was such a lovely watch, reminiscent of the old k-drama style- comedy, romance, mystery, all blended in together with a cohesive, beautiful cast. This is what got me watching k-dramas in the first place-- character-centric, full of heart, warm, hopeful, and the sweetness of found family. The mystery plot itself may not win any awards but the characters will win your heart. The drama obviously doesn't take itself very seriously, so just be there for a fun, heartwarming ride.

We've seen Jin Ki Joo in similar roles before, but I still love the way she brings her character to life-- the innocence, drive, and passion for life, work, justice, and her students. Seo Kang Joon is, as always, handsome and badass enough to distract you from all the little plot holes along the way.

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Underwhelming: worst C-Drama I've watched as of yet!

This is one of the worst C-Drama I've watched. Anyone giving a 10 is biased...

1- The story is simply bad and boring.
I usually love investigation/mystery stories, but in this one, people get murdered one after another nonstop, all for the stupidest reasons, while the female detective is allowed to do whatever she wants with zero consequences. The entire plot feels like a messy quilt stitched together from random, unrelated patches of story — nothing connects properly. Also, there’s supposed to be a slow-burn romance, but the character arcs are almost non-existent.

2-Both lead actors’ performances are underwhelming. I’m especially disappointed in Wang Xingyue, but with such a crappy script, even a great actor couldn’t work miracles.
3- The background music is ok, but it's not well calibrated: it's so loud it buries the actor's voices.
4- Most make up are not well done: actors look like they have a white powdered face...
5- Some scenes are lit in a bad way: colors are off, or it's overlit (overexposure)
6- Costumes are average

Overall, this was a huge letdown. Skip it unless you’re dying for background noise while folding laundry.

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MASTERPIECE. 10/10 the best show i ever seen.

story
the story is really well based, at first it’s a little bit confusing (i haven’t read the novel) but after 4 episodes it makes sense and it starts to being more interesting.
+ i love the fact that every character is well done, everyone has their own story and personality, they’re written soooo well
cast/acting
the acting is soo good, xiaozhan and wangyibo never disappoints me
music
what can i say? one of the best ost ever and its crazy because it’s sang by xiaozhan and wangyibo, they can do everything.
overall
i don’t know what to say honestly just watch it. u will never regret it. i started with thinking that 50 episodes were too many but now i feel so empty like they weren’t enough.
i just can say that the love in that show is the stronger than every other bl series even though it’s not shown, the acting is soooo good, xiaozhan and wangyibo are soo good but literally all of the cast is just amazing.
im going to read the novel as well i can’t wait🙏
im not gonna lie i’ve watched almost a hundred bls and shows but this is the best thing i ever saw.
thankyou the untamed.💙❤️

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The Tragedy of Kelvin's "Love"

Kelvin is the perfect example of how untreated trauma turns a person into a monster. He claims to have a deep bond with Vier, but his attachment is actually a dangerous obsession. The irony is clear: Kelvin is the one who desperately needs a psychiatrist, yet he’s the one holding the person he loves captive.

He’s so terrified of being abandoned again that he’s turned his love into a cage. If Vier ever truly walks out that door and never looks back, Kelvin won't just lose his mind—he'll be forced to face the hollow, broken person he’s become. It’s a chilling look at what happens when possessiveness replaces genuine.

Character Warning: Extreme "Black Flag" behavior. Kelvin is 100% the one who needs the therapy couch.
⭐ Rating: 9/10 for the psychological tension (and 0/10 for Kelvin's "boyfriend" skills)

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