halmeonie
I actually found this drama while lurking in an SVSSS forum. I read someone comment about a live action of MXTX work. Since I like SVSSS, I checked out The Untamed without any background info or expectations. Well color me surprised, I got totally hooked after a few episodes.
Usually I stay away from Chinese dramas because it's super lengthy and with so many characters. I like my dramas short with max 24 episodes. But with this drama, I want more than 50 episodes!
The first 6 episodes were a bit confusing for me with so many names, sects etc.. But after re-watching, I kinda got the hang of it and since I can't wait for subs, I started reading the novel as well. The drama followed the novel closely which is fantastic. Although there were changes made to make it easier for watching and make it not confusing. I like that the story (especially in the book) itself is not wholly focused on, let's just say brotherhood between the leads. It's so much more as it kinda examines the nature of what is considered good and what is evil. Is WWX evil? Is JGY evil? Is NHS evil?Were the characters at some point evil? There were so much gray areas and you could just tell that at the end of the day, all characters were just being human. They were susceptible to anger, mistakes, joy, selfishness etc. No one is truly good and no one is truly evil.
Anyway with regard to acting, XZ was a bit extra in the first few episodes and WYB has that dead fish look. But come episode 10 onward, you can see there's a shift on how they acted out their characters. I think it was in episode 13 or 14 when I truly felt/saw their chemistry. Finally a connection between them! XZ was really able to capture WWX's character. He was able to deliver WWX's naughty, playful side, his heartbreak and agony and being such a baby in front of his shijie. WYB at first was very wooden but eventually improved with his micro expressions which made me feel for LWJ. I think with the right direction and projects these two could really hone their acting abilities.
Technically speaking there were so much room for improvement with the editing, lighting and framing of some shots. But I can overlook this because the overall product was really great! I still re-watch this show on weekends
So after a very long entry above, here's what I really liked:
- Drama storyline following the novel closely.
- Chemistry between characters. Not just between WWX and LWJ. I also love Yunmeng siblings! I can write a 10,000 word essay on JC and his relationship with WWX or the Jiang family dynamics (including WWX because he's family).
- The acting though there's still room for improvement.
- Music
A bit on the downside:
- Some technical - CGI, scene framing, editing, lighting
- Some disjointed parts
Usually I stay away from Chinese dramas because it's super lengthy and with so many characters. I like my dramas short with max 24 episodes. But with this drama, I want more than 50 episodes!
The first 6 episodes were a bit confusing for me with so many names, sects etc.. But after re-watching, I kinda got the hang of it and since I can't wait for subs, I started reading the novel as well. The drama followed the novel closely which is fantastic. Although there were changes made to make it easier for watching and make it not confusing. I like that the story (especially in the book) itself is not wholly focused on, let's just say brotherhood between the leads. It's so much more as it kinda examines the nature of what is considered good and what is evil. Is WWX evil? Is JGY evil? Is NHS evil?Were the characters at some point evil? There were so much gray areas and you could just tell that at the end of the day, all characters were just being human. They were susceptible to anger, mistakes, joy, selfishness etc. No one is truly good and no one is truly evil.
Anyway with regard to acting, XZ was a bit extra in the first few episodes and WYB has that dead fish look. But come episode 10 onward, you can see there's a shift on how they acted out their characters. I think it was in episode 13 or 14 when I truly felt/saw their chemistry. Finally a connection between them! XZ was really able to capture WWX's character. He was able to deliver WWX's naughty, playful side, his heartbreak and agony and being such a baby in front of his shijie. WYB at first was very wooden but eventually improved with his micro expressions which made me feel for LWJ. I think with the right direction and projects these two could really hone their acting abilities.
Technically speaking there were so much room for improvement with the editing, lighting and framing of some shots. But I can overlook this because the overall product was really great! I still re-watch this show on weekends
So after a very long entry above, here's what I really liked:
- Drama storyline following the novel closely.
- Chemistry between characters. Not just between WWX and LWJ. I also love Yunmeng siblings! I can write a 10,000 word essay on JC and his relationship with WWX or the Jiang family dynamics (including WWX because he's family).
- The acting though there's still room for improvement.
- Music
A bit on the downside:
- Some technical - CGI, scene framing, editing, lighting
- Some disjointed parts
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