The Untamed (2019)

--spoilers--

So this is going to be a different kind of review. I'm going to put down all my notes that I wrote around episode 18 at which point I was not into this show at all. It was driving me crazy, so I wrote a bunch of notes down about what I hated. Then I will tell you that I am now completely obsessed with this show and have made my way quickly through the anime and now onto the novel.

---- Written up to ep 18---

I picked this up mainly because it was on Netflix, and because all of the fabulous reviews. It is the first Chinese drama I have ever watched ,so I guess bare that in mind, as some of the critique of the show might just be common place among other dramas.

Things I liked:
- The hair
- The costumes (how they stayed immaculate while wading through mud, fighting monsters, swimming in dirty ponds I will never know)
- The music (I'm a sucker for a nice erhu and flute)
- Xiao Zhan's face

Things that were so so:
- The plot: the plot was alright, nothing too special. It was pretty generic fantasy power struggle type stuff. It did have a kind of flavour of the week vibe with different monsters, threats that popped up but that was subservient to the main plot. You also already knew the main "plot twist" that Wei Wu Xian would become evil from the very first scene. One thing that really annoyed me was that they really didn't flesh out the power system in the world. Who was better than who? Why were they better? Did they ever do any training? Could you use the magic always or did it take energy from you? Half the time they would just uselessly use their swords when they could have used any number of other better magics.
I was taken aback that the clans could be defeated by the Wen so easily. Like they are obviously EVIL why didn't they band together, or have a plan, or do anything before they were wiped out. They knew what the Wen were doing the whole time, yet they were so unprepared!!!
Also they really walked everywhere, aren't they rich? Where are their horses? I did see a donkey and one horse. Why do they no all have horses? And they never packed anything except snacks when they went on trips, yet they magically have changes of clothes.
- The pace: this is an interesting one, because while I think the pace of the overall show was fine, it was the pace of scenes that made it slow down. There were some senes with lingering shots that would go between different character reactions for ages even though it could have been done in a couple frames.
- The sets: Some of these were beautiful (lotus, and cloud) but others were not so great (Wen clan place)
- The acting: This was pretty good for the most part. I enjoyed Xiao Zhan's performance the most as it was the most dynamic. His character was also the most interesting by far. Wang Yi Bo was not that good. His face had one expression the majority of the show which was: "I am serious therefore I am going to look annoyed for the majority of the time and stare into the distance". The rest of the characters were pretty good though.

Things that were terrible:
- The sound mix/voice dub: This took the cake for me as thing that really took me out of emersion. I put this down to the fact I never watch Chinese dramas, and it is incredibly jarring to have a voice dub that is not the actor. To me, the voice is half of the acting! But I get it, it's cheaper and makes sense if everyone speaks different dialects. It just means that I can't enjoy Chinese dramas, and that's my burden to bare.
- The fight scenes: wow these were absolutely terrible. I am used to the defying gravity stuff in Chinese fight scenes but this was a whole other kettle of fish. There were scenes where characters were flailing vertically to the ground. THERE WAS SO MUCH USLESS SPINNING. The archery killed me, does not a single person on this production know how to draw back a bow?? Everything was also really slow and the timing was usually off in the choreography. When I watch a "historical drama" I really want my actions scenes to pay off, this did not.
- The FX makeup: I didn't realised we had forgotten how to mix fake blood. guess we will just pour a bunch of food colouring around. Also there was a hilarious part where Wei Wu Xian was burnt but instead of putting the FX makeup on his skin for the wound they put it on top of the clothes??? Most of the wounds/monster makeup was sub par. Contrasting to this, the regular makeup for the actors was quite good.
- The continuity: there was blood on his neck, now it has disappeared. Did he have a shower? Did he heal magically? His leg was broken, but he can walk fine the next day. How??
- the extras: So many times in this show stupid things that extras were doing, I should be rowing the boat but I am barely going to move my paddle. I'm a zombie so I better imitate a windmill with my arms.
- the villains: The motivation of the villains was so unclear. Very generic, we are evil for no specific reason, we want power, blah blah blah. 1 dimensional.
- The CGI: Mostly terrible, especially the monsters. Though I was a fan of the smoke effects and of course they nailed the hair CG (why you need to CGI the hair I don't know, but I appreciated)
- The war strategy: So, I know this was a BL novel so I guess it's not focused on war strategy. However, I think there could have been at least some incorporated into the show. The whole plot was one clan takes over another's territory and kills everyone then the other clans get annoyed and take back control of the territory and kills everyone. There are never any guards at the gate, they always seem to be taken unawares even thought they always should know they are in danger of being attacked, and they have no over all strategy except lets go from one to another territories and take them over. With so much of the show being about this I think it really could have been fleshed out, especially with the 50 ep run time.



----FINAL REVEIW-----

I have to take back most of what I wrote above because as the story started to take over in force, all my gripes disappeared and I was completely absorbed. It's not to say that the problems weren't still there, it was that they didn't matter because I NEEDED to find out what happened in this story. Wei Wu Xian is such a great character and I needed for him to be vindicated. Everything that confused and annoyed me about the plot in the beginning made sense and was tied back in nicely.

The end was a bit of a disappointment with the extreme amount of lead up, but even that couldn't ruin my rapture with this show.

This is a must watch for anyone who likes supernatural historical dramas. LOVED IT.

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Here for a rewatch...

I finally rewatched this masterpiece again, and let me tell you, it holds up! Even knowing the story, it's still super engaging.

This time around, I picked up on even more of the unspoken feelings between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Seriously, their stares are just really next-level. Plus, all the little clues about what's coming make the sad parts hit even harder.

But this isn't just all about romance though. The world-building in this drama is just really well-done. The whole magic system, the backstabbing politics, and the cool creatures – it's all fantastic. This rewatch made me appreciate the other characters more too, like Jiang Cheng's inner turmoil and Lan Xichen's unwavering support.

The music is still incredible, perfectly setting the mood for every scene (especially Wuji ?). And the visuals? Stunning! The landscapes are breathtaking, the fight choreography is awesome (especially Wei Wuxian's slow-motion entrances!), and the costumes are on point.

Okay, maybe there are a few parts that drag a bit, and the special effects aren't always top-notch. But those are minor details. The Untamed is a drama that stays with you long after you finish. It's about love, loss, defying expectations, and the strength of friendship. Basically, if you're looking for a great show to revisit, The Untamed is a solid choice. Just have some tissues handy – you might just cry again (like me!).

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Damn I rarely watch 50 eps kinda drama but this is def worth the watch, I haven’t read the novel nor watch the anime yet since it’s both ongoing, but reading threads and some spoilers, this drama is mostly similar to the novel n anime perhaps just some extra scenes, and I think they did a super good adaption of this whole series. Though the visual makeup eg the zombies and stuff and do better, but the characters acting are very good. The FEELS MAN. Even though it’s not Shounen Ai or Yao I but “bromance” you can feel the feels between the mc and ml and it’s perfect!!!

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First of all let's clapped for the live action~~
They can air this despite the tight new rules Chinese censorship....

Story:
You cant expect the same essence as the novel because not only they are gore but the homosexual content strictly banned. The epic battle that I wish to see between Nie MingJue vs Wen Ning they just pass it. Well they 80% follow the novel, in my opinion.

Acting:
For the first 10 episode they cant entice me, the main leads acting not consistent and the chemistry none but when it come to 11 until the end they build it up but somehow they still cant do a detail acting in some scenes. Luckily the teacher who play Jin Guanyao aka A-Yao portray him perfectly his mannerism, face details. He could bring almost all of us despise him and the actor who portray my baby Huaisang too. Good Job Guys

Music and Costume:
I love all the bgm and ost when I see the anime, flute music to summon dark energy still eerie. The ost sang by most of the main cast. The costume are okay it just what the H with the headband~~~

PS: I just realize the main bad guys in here Xue Yang and A-Yao so beautiful. Both have full eyebrows and long and pretty eyelashes plus their eyes too beautiful, damn~~ As a women I feel threaten teacher Zhu Zanjin and Wang Haoxuan beautiful face could ruin a kingdom, kkkkkk

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Non esiste drama più bello!

Qua lo dico e non lo nego, mai visto niente di più bello, emozionante e potente. È la storia più meravigliosa che io abbia mai visto, mi ha fatto piangere come una fontana. È stato anche alla bravura e la capacitá di Xiao Zhan è Wang Yibo che me ne sono innamorata, hanno dato vita a due personaggi meravigliosi. Sono arrivata al 50esimo episodio pensando “non può finire questa storia, ho bisogno di altri episodi”. Per quanto mi riguarda migliore storia d’amore di tutti i drama mai visti, il cast eccezionale, la colonna sonora è uno spettacolo come anche tutte le canzoni che circolando questo drama. Lo consiglio a tutti!!

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This story was really epic ....

I got to know about this story when i was searching for some good BL in Chinese so it was suggested on top of the list with highest rating so i got a little curious as to what is in this series for it to get the highest rating... From there on i was hooked....like really hooked usually when i feel that the plot is going a bit too slow or it's getting boring i skip through some parts but when i started watching the untamed i couldn't bring myself to skip a single part of it...it was as if i was enchanted by the story also by the beautiful characters that had so efficiently played their respective roles... I was really memorized... The series went from showing how Wei Ying got his soul back after 16 years... The story went on and showed how Wei Wuxian was misunderstood by everyone during the fight at Nevernight... How lan zhan had broken rules for Wei Wuxian, how he trusted him when everyone was standing againg Wei Wuxian... Lan Zhan was the only one who Wei Wuxian trusted the most, they both went through so much together... The most adorable part was how Lan zhan has to to put up with Wei Wuxian who would always follow him, while Lan zhan was known for his calm and charming personality, Wei Wuxian was totally opposite of him, he was playful and known for breaking rules through the way both developed an unbreakable bond... Also Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yan Li's relationship with Wei Wuxian was so beautifully displayed even though they weren't related by blood they were close to eachother. Also Lan zhan raised Si Zhui and made him an excellent cultivator... The most important scene and one of my most favourite story is between Wen Ning, how their relationship developed from Wei Wuxian saving Wen Ning and how Wen Ning dedicated his everything to Wei Wuxian... Their friendship was pure... Ever emotions was felt throughout the series....

I really would suggest you all to watch it... it's really mind-blowing...

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Spectacular!

Wow! What a spectacular journey this was! If you have come here as a BL fan, let me tell you that this is in a different league altogether....nothing that I watched so far (and I have watched a lot, trust me), compares to the scale, depth and spectacle that The Untamed is....and be prepared that you will dearly miss it when you are done.....

Make no mistake that this is a BL, albeit with no overt show of that relationship given the censorship challenges from the origin country. But I absolutely loved how the love and romance was portrayed nonetheless....the tenderness, the concern and the unwavering commitment that we get to experience between Wei Wuxian and Lang Wangji, is other worldly...Kudos to the actors that they could convey the deep love without needing a lot of obvious show of it...I love me a tale that leaves room for imagination, and this one, though not by choice, does just that in terms of the romance and boy, do i love it!!

But beyond just the romance, the series has so much more to offer....the rich storyline, including all the sub-plots that contribute to the central theme, the incredible plot-twists, the wonderful character development, the nuanced politics and power struggles, the beautiful locales, the music, the cinematography, and above everything else, the epic cast that delivers spectacularly...it's a must watch.

At the end I miss them all...and particularly the beautiful and tender bond between Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan, and the adorable, cute, and loyal-to-a-fault Wen Ning...:(

When I finished this, I desperately searched for news/updates for another season or a proper spin-off... but as an afterthought, I realised that maybe its best this way...this bitter-sweet feeling of reminiscence and missing it dearly, is like a lovely ache that you come to cherish... it's so like the spirit of the series itself.

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I would give 20 stars if I could!

I can write about how I loved this series in 10,000 words and still have more to say, but one thing I’d say at the very beginning, hats off to the author of the book, it is a fantasy and one cannot help but revel in the imagination of the original author. The drama adaptation could not have been better, and the drama version owes so much to Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, for foraying into a taboo genre but coming out with flying colours! I myself have avoided watching this series, despite of liking Xioa Zhan as well as Wang Yibo, because I had this mental block of not wanting to watch a BL drama. Now that I have watched it, it is a shame to restrict this drama in one niche genre. It is so much more than that, the difference between good and evil, or the lack thereof, the love between people not necessarily related by blood, the deep friendships one forms in a lifetime, the greed that makes one do evil without thinking about retribution, the sincerity of a relationship, the sanctity of mutual affection, there is all this in this series and so much more. Each and every actor performed so well and added to the series being such a big hit, here is a drama where I cannot hate the evildoers, and cannot completely admire those who seem righteous. The whole story ultimately condenses down to having a clear conscience, and that a clear conscience is all that matters in the end. The background score and the flute and guqin tracks of the series were exceptional, and I would be suggesting this series to anyone who is willing to watch, for a very long time, or till I can find something worthy of being added to this suggestion in Chinese dramas.

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On January 1st, 2018, I was diagnosed with chicken pox. So I fortunately enlongated my 3-day New Year holiday to a 3-week break. During that period, I read the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation). I was touched and moved and obsessed. Tortured by the painful itchy pox, I was, however, comforted and calmed by the story of Wei Wuxian. In a word, I really loved this story. Though, I didn't actually got the core of WangXian at that time.
When I knew that it would be adapted into a TV drama at a time when rules banned homesexual scenes on screen (indeed there was an amazing show, Addicted Heroin, in 2016, which depicted the main characters as a couple. Since then the romantic love in BL novels has to be transformed into friendship to pass the unreasonable censorship), I was appointed. Besides, as many other fans of the novel, I was worried that maybe this would be another show that aimed to make money in this crazy IP trend in China's drama industry.
On June 27, I was trapped in military training and was not quite eager to watch the show. One of my friends did and teased about it. After finishing the semester around July 11, I started to watch the up-to-date episode about the destroy of Lian Hua Wu. I finshed watching the final episode of Chernobyl and finally got to watch The Untamed.
I think, this drama has done its best to portray love, WangXian. Many scenes, such as that trick in Cang Shu Ge and the conversation in Bai Feng Shan. My favourite one is that adventure where WWX and LWJ killed the giant evil turtle. How cute WWX appeared to invoke LWJ's congestion and the song of WangXian or the untamed whatever555 It truly brings the novel to life.
For a longt time I couldn't understand why WX is a heaven-made love! But this drama has enable me to do so!

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The thing about this drama is that it’s more than just a drama. Weiying is more than just a character. Because of Xiao Zhan's amazing acting skill, I feel like I’ve known weiying so well as if we’ve been friends for years. All the characters are well written. Every role in this drama was portrayed very well. Not even an episode is boring. Yibo portrayed Lan Zhan so well. The weird thing is, lanzhan and weiying didn't converse much but u can feel their strong bonds as if a thousand words were spoken. The trust and love lanzhan has for weiying is so beautiful and pure. Looking at their first encounter, who would have thought that they'll be this close.
The ost are amazing. They got me crying all the time. The lyrics are so touching.
I don't think I'll ever get over this drama. The best Chinese drama ever! Truly a masterpiece :’)

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The Story, Cast and the Acting...A series must to watch.!!

I watched this drama in the year 2020. The year of lockdown and I was new in the world of dramas. At first, I hesitated to go through this drama because of the many episodes it has. But I was tired of rom-coms and wanted to try some genres. And I found this epic series on Wetv. I was quite not clear about half of the story at first. But when I watched the specific episodes again and again I got a clear picture after a year about it.
The cast is freaking awesome. The costumes also depict their characters very well. Bromance is overflowing but it is up to mark. No showoff. A complicated yet interesting story. Once you understand the story, the linkages between the characters will be clear.
The story is epic. lots of characters. And the actors are freaking handsome and hot.
BGM and OSTs awwwwwww, I am in love with it.
It's been 4 years and still, I am not over it.
A story you will fall in love with. Give it a try who is in search of a drama with a blend of thriller, action, drama, adventure, bromance and many more.!

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