The Untamed (2019)

"There isn't a clear line between right and wrong".

The Untamed was a 2019 Chinese television series adapted from the xianxia novel Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. It follows the adventures of two soulmate cultivators who travel to solve a series of mysteries that link to a tragic event in the past.

I am prefacing my review by stating that I have not read the novel or viewed other adaptations of this story and am solely basing my review off the television series as a whole.

Due to censorship laws in China this drama contains hidden subtext that portrays implicit feelings and ideas of love between the two main leads. This means that the romance is implied, but not announced explicitly. For many potential viewers this can be a deal breaker when selecting a new series to watch. For me personally, the show did a phenomenal job in overcoming the censorship hurdles to give us an eloquent love story.

The Untamed explores themes of love and betrayal; good and evil, while still managing to give us a strong plot, well-rounded characters, and elaborate clothing and makeup. It's easy to become immersed in the series with its stellar cast and pleasing soundtrack (OST). I highly recommend the Untamed as a must watch series for all new viewers and I most certainly encourage rewatching it for those who have already seen it.

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The untamed is definitely my most favorite drama of 2019 so far and I can tell it will remain one of my all time favorites as well. The plot is amazing and it keeps you hooked from beginning to the end. Though the actors are all mostly rookies but they are definitely incredibly talented and well suited for their roles. It is cherry on the top that they are all extremely good looking as well. The makers did a great job of portraying the beautiful relationship of WWX and LWJ inspite of the censorship. Though they labeled it as 'bromance', but anyone could tell what the two of them have is far beyond simple bromance. And the most amazing fact in this drama is that the other characters are all very well rounded as well. We can somehow relate to even the so called villains of the story. The music is amazing and very apt for every situation. I am in love with Wuji and other character songs. I rarely watch Dramas with so many episodes but for this one I actually crave for more and I am actually having withdrawal symptoms since the drama ended. I keep rewatching it and can't really move on. So overall I can tell that this drama is most definitely a highly recommended watch. Just give it a try and I think you won't regret.

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Best consumed with a heavy serving of fandom on the side

Additional rating: Fandom: 10/10 stars

If I'd watched this alone, I don't know if I would have made it past the first few episodes because I would have been too focused on trying to figure out the plot. I recommend finding an episode recap online that you like, and don't worry about getting spoiled on the plot. It's actually better to know what's going to happen because it frees you to focus on the unspoken love story and the heart of the fandom. I also recommend a WangXian-focused episode guide (https://trensu.tumblr.com/post/190720141603/wangxiantics-the-unofficial-untamed-episode). This is an express track to understanding the fandom and key moments that would be missed if just watching solo.

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A GEM & MAGNIFICENT

As you can see, this show came out a year ago. I haven't watched it. I saw it on Viki, with high ratings, but never watched it. I have read the description, but still didn't watch it. After many long hours of dramas, I decided to give the Untamed a try. And let me tell you, best decision of my life. I felt like I got my heart all back together, and when you watch this you can never let go. Now I understood the ratings and why it was so hyped up. I agree that this show is the best one I've ever watched in my whole life. Nothing can compare to the untamed. And now I turned into a fan, and might go crazy, but if they plan to do another season, I wouldn't mind watching it. But, the thing is if they do another season, it has to be better and really updated from the first season. It shouldn't go downhill, in acting, or in story plots. I feel like we've seen everything there is need to be seen. But, they kind of left us on a cliffhanger. I have a strong gut feeling that there's someone else involved in the problems or else, why would that have happened, you know? But BEST DRAMA EVER and I'm sad too say bye to the 50 eps I watched. The flashback is really helpful, so I recommend you to not skip it! If you're a new watcher enjoy! :)

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First time I’m hooked to Chinese Drama and didn’t skip anything from episode 1 until the end. Firstly, I follow some group Drama in telegram, then I read all peoples in that group always posting pictures of this drama and always discuss it. So I try to watch it on Netflix. I’m thankful to that group because introduce me this drama. I know this drama is based on BL. I will interpreting Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan relationship as soulmates, because I didn’t like same gender relationship and my religion against it. Because of this drama, I love and watch all xiao zhan‘s drama and he is the first Chinese actor that I follow. That’s all.

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Missing Wei Ying calling Lan Zhan endlessly

I was contemplating on watching this drama, thinking it was just over hyped just because the main leads are sinfully handsome. I already started watching the first episode, but maybe I wasn't in the mood at that time that's why it didn't caught my attention enough, so I dropped it. It's a good thing I started again, and my gosh!!!! It's worth the hyped! I love the story! The cast, the fight scenes, the cinematography, and the OST. I just love love love the Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, how I enjoy and love Yibo and Xiao Zhan's chemistry and interaction. How I get frustrated with all the villains who bullies my babies.

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I watched most of it in marathon. I did not read the novel, I don't tent to read many novel these days and I landed on this program by chance watching a review of some thai BL tv show. And boy I was hooked. I am litterally obsessed, so much that I am leaving my first review ever of MyDramaList.

The acting was amazing, all of them...well except Ji Ling perhaps.
Even if it wasn't BL like the novel ( that I went to read because I just cannot have enough of LWJ and WWX) there is no doubt of the feeling and the author sneaked on so many sweet moment and meaningful symbols. Everyone did an excellent and thorough job in building the story, in the acting, with the music and the cinematic the clothes.....

Sometimes, BL are adapted into screen because everyone have understood by now the value of the genera. But due to the Chinese censorship the meaning of the story sometime is completely lost. Well this is not the case for the Untamed, the director did not try to twist the feelings between LWJ and WWX and the viewer is left in no doubt that they love each other! And so many meaningful moment. Like the scene in which WWX wears the red night gown similar to first wedding night tradition.
I also would like the portrait of the relation between WWX and the family, the love, trust and forgiveness that the sister showed till the very end. I cried so much!!

It is totally worth to watch and re-watch and read.

I am currently unable to pull myself out of the world of the untamed.......so be aware while you watch that you might not be able to recover after the show.

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i have no words this is just amazing

you guys really worked hard for this and i'm glad you guys made untamed the characters,actors,everything is really amazing and i'm inloved with the main characters wang yibo and xiao zhan are such good actors and i'm happy the other characters are hardworking this series is just amazing and thank you for the staff too you guys are hardworking and its kinda sad that untamed had to finish early but i wish this will continue in the future because i would really want to watch it and i'm looking forward for season 2 if there will be one and the relationship between lan wanji and wei wuxian is just perfect and their acting is just pure amazingness even tho the final episode made me sad- but this is still amazing thank you to all the people who work hard on untamed this is just amazing i would really love to see lan wanji's and wei wuxian's relationship more in untamed because they really made this beautiful and as for the characters thank you so much for your hardwork and making untamed very amazing im very thankful for making untamed,,,

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To everyone who hasn't watched this, you're missing out

I love love love love and love this drama so much that no matter how much I say it will not be enough. I mean this was a censored BL but like I could still feel everything. It all seemed so real and I was drunk up on everything, I literally enjoyed this so much that words can not describe it. It will make you smile, laugh, giggle, cry, feel emotional, depressed, frustrated, angry, lighthearted and then happy all over again. It was really heartwarming to see the trust Wangji had in Wuxian and he was the only one who stood by him when no one was there. I absolutely adored the way they softly called each others names 'Lan Zhan' and especially the way Wangji called Wuxian because it made me so soft 'Wei Ying'. The story has a really wonderful plot which might feel confusing at first but is otherwise not that complicated and will pull you in. The characters, their feelings, their emotions were so well executed, the drama scored a really good cast I mean I can't imagine anyone other than Yibo and Xiao Zhan playing the main characters. I want to rewatch this drama all over again.

P.s I used to love Jinling and Wuxian's relationship because it was too cute and I love it. Also Xueyang and Xingchen that part made my heart break. Also Wen Qing deserved way better I love her.

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