BEST DECISION EVER
This is my first time writing a review from all of the asian dramas I’ve watched (mostly BL). I’ve encountered “The Untamed” many times by searching on Google what BL series/movies to watch and it always had a disclaimer on it that says it is not a BL. Which kept me wondering why it is part of the list but it’s not a BL at all. Intriguing! Plus, it’s high rated. I did my research and found a review that said, “I’m not stupid not to feel their love towards each other”. That’s when I started to give it a try. Fast forward to today that I finished the series, I feel like I’m still in a trance. I just can’t believe that they were able to showcase so many things. The talent! The culture! Everything! But here’s what I really love with “The Untamed”. From what I’ve read, the novel has steamy scenes which the series don’t have due to censorship. They were really careful in telling the story and not jeopardize anyone that’s involved. The story, particularly with the relationship of Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, can be seen in different perspectives. But really, it’s up to you. For me, as someone who loves to watch BL series, I must say that they were able to give justice to the missing element of BL in series from the novel. You could really tell how much they love and value each other just through their body language and eye contact. Anyways, I’m about to rewatch it just in case I missed something! You guys don’t hesitate to watch it, just go for it! No regrets!Was this review helpful to you?
pls i love this
Story:First off, the MDZS story, it's amazing and creative, all my love goes to MXTX for writing this masterpiece. Every character is so round and dynamic (even the stinky wens). After listening to the audio-drama, watching MDZS animations, and reading some really tear-jerking comments, I can say that I never will move on from this beautiful story. The only con was that it was confusing in the beginning, I definitely recommend reading the novel first. Since the official English translation is coming out soon, all fan translations have been deleted :')
Acting:
Ugh absolutely amazing. Xiao Zhan does wonderful with his expressions and Lan Wangji's love for Wei Wuxian is so obvious in Wang Yibo's eyes. Jiang Cheng is perfect too, he matches the physical appearance perfectly, and tho his crying may be awkward to watch, you can see that its absolutely heartfelt. Jiang Yanli, my girl, was perfect for this role( except for the fact that Jiang Yanli is only supposed to be above average pretty>:( I also really hated all the villains; Wang Lingjiao, Wen Chao, Wen Ruohan ,etc. which means the actors did a fantastic job! I could go on and on about each character, but all I can say is that the casting for Jingling and Jin GuangYao is genius, and the Nie bros actually look really, really similar, to the point its scary ( if you shave off Nie Mingjue's beard). Wen Ning was an absolutely adorable cinnamon roll too :)
Music:
Amazing. That is all I can say. WangXian is one of my favorite songs to croak on the car with my friends, and I love how it has something to do with the story. The people who came up with the lyrics should get a reward, all of them were so heart-breaking to read. My favorites are WangXian, Yi Nan Ping (Shi-Jie's song), Qu Jin Cheng Qing (Wwx's song), and I also really like the lyrics to Jiang Cheng's song.
Re-watch Value:
I really can't move on from this drama. Everything is really perfect, it gives you something more than all the other C-dramas. I still watch clips and my Instagram feed is pretty much all MDZS stuff.
Overall:
This is amazing. The actors, OSTs, story, its all incredible. DON'T WATCH IF YOU HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING OVER DRAMAS. Its just that good. The Untamed people had a low budget, yet they still made a prodigy. The only thing I would change about this drama is how WeiWuxian's appearance didn't change at all. Like, I know they have to keep the same actor, but he pretty much wore the same clothes, while he was being a Yunmeng disciple, YiLing LaoZu, and Mo Xuan Yu. In the animations that I watched, there was a drastic change between each, and Xiao Zhan just wore the same type of clothes each time. But everything else made up for it, and I definitely recommend watching the animations on Youtube, there's some really sad and creative ones.
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I recommend you read the book (translated in English by Exiled Rebels, any other is stolen) or at least looking into character profiles, or something that will give you context before watching the show. Of course, you can still watch the show beginning as a blank slate, but there are some things the show just doesn't give context to that will be easy to understand if you read the book first. Having said that, let's get into the review!
The Untamed is a live action adaption of the BL novel Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. So far, the director has done a wonderful job staying to the original content. Despite changing a few details here and there, they haven't at all strayed from the main plot line. The actors are very impressive, they portray their characters perfectly, which only adds to the emotional baggage as you get closer to the ending of the past arc before switching back to the present. This show begins with 2 episodes in the present arc, and sure, you'll be confused, but then we switch to the past arc and everything is explained, up until episode 33 and whoosh we're back to the present arc!
The CGI is the best I've ever seen in any of China's shows so far, and there's great chemistry between our two protagonists. Due to censorship, the show won't be as explicit as the novel or audio drama, but let me tell you THE PINING IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE! They don't let the audience down. It's a wonderful show, filled with fantasy, mystery, horror, and even a dash of romance including the obviously there pining! This is a drama you won't regret!
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At first, I didn't have any interest in the drama but I watch it anyway because many people recommended it and i heard great review on it.( This drama is also what bring me into the bl drama world, which I will never forget). Ok, so let get start on this:
Story:
The story is very interesting and well developed. As you continue to watch, the more interesting it became and there's point when the story could give you a whole rollercoaster ride. The story is not confusing at all, it's very clear throughout the story but there's points when they left stuff unsolved then explain it later which I think it's brilliant because the viewers can also have time to think and can also solve the problems along with the characters in the drama.
Acting/ Cast:
The cast are amazing and their acting skill is a total 100 for me. I have never see any acting skill as good the acting skills in this drama. The emotions, the vibes and the tension are just everything. The casts are doing an amazing jobs on portraying the characters they playing. You can see every micro-movement on their faces when they act as if they are doing it for real. I can't say praise them enough for their acting
Music:
The music are AMAZING!! after I finish this drama, I kept on listening to the OST nonstop. the music is calming, refreshing and emotional. i cried many times when listening to the OST because the OST really summarize the story as a whole. When you listen to the OST, it just feel like all that memories, bad and good, keep flowing back one by one into you heart. You could feel you heart getting heavier and fuller of the memories that it contain to the point that you want to cry because those memories are too beautiful.
Rewatch Value:
YESSS!!! this is a drama that you need to rewatch once a while after you finish because let me tell you, once you finish it, the story left such a big impact on you that it haunt you for months even years. I still can't forget it and once in a while I would go back and rewatch a certain episode just to make myself feel satisfy.
Overall:
This is such a beautiful drama. It's perfect in every way, You can't find a sight of an error in the drama. Everyone had put so much work, effort and time to make this drama possible and I think that they did an amazing job doing so. I never thought I'll be saying this but this drama really change my life in every way. I'm grateful that I get to watch it and
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The best thing about the drama is the casting . All of them were suited for the role . I must say the drama stayed true to the novel also in the best way possible.
Definitely worth your time
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An appreciation for MDZS is almost a prerequisite.
8/10IMO the drama doesn't stand up on its own. An appreciation for MDZS is almost a prerequisite.
Over the years, three separate attempts were made before giving up on this drama. Until I recently fell down the MXTX donghua rabbit hole and binge watched all three series of MDZS donghua in a matter of days. So I restarted and finished TU, finally.
I like the MDZS story. The live action is ok. I was moved in parts but it lacked humour. Actor performances varied, LZ only came to life later on. I have not read the novel yet but I know of the relationships that are omitted in both the donghua and the live action. I don't mind this, if you're looking for it, the subtle looks and smiles are there.
I suppose the biggest complaint of the drama is the pacing, I watched a lot of the show at 1.5x and it didn't feel sped up at all, I often went to increase the speed to find it was already at 1.5x (Netflix max). The first 20 episodes were verging on boring, when are they going to "get good"? 20 episodes of lashings and getting beaten down.
The next 13 episodes, a lot happens and was actually paced better than the donghua.
The drama becomes far more interesting when we're finally out of the ginormous 33 episode-long flash back and deal with the matter in hand.
The ending, the final showdown, was a big let down. Visually non threatening, in fact I was often just distracted by the red paint on WWX's neck or ZWJ looking like handsome squidward. The heartbreaking moments for ZWJ....meh, I felt nothing here. I felt more heartbreak for Xue Yang. And then finally 5mins of WWX walking in the mountains...huh? What?
Random observations. Wasn't it uncanny how much Jin Ling looked like Jin GuangYao? The opening credits was bland, I skipped every time.
Honestly, I'm just glad I've finally completed it. I doubt I'll ever rewatch, maybe fan made edits, the fandom is very talented.
Off to go appreciate more MDZS in its various forms (manhua, audio, novel).
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Good luck thinking about anything else ever again.
I read this review on a website by an account holder named "Marisa" and I cannot stress how much I agree with it. So I'll be just putting it here for you too:"Trying to explain the untamed is impossible. episode one is borderline unwatchable. it's unbelievably bad.By episode five you're ready to lay down your life for wei wuxian. the cgi is worse than something from the '90s. it's both an emotional romantic drama about war and morality... and an episode of buzzfeed unsolved but with a gaggle of adopted teens. it's childhood trauma. it's love. it's manipulation tactics. it's a spectacular collection of thirty-inch lace fronts. it's a masterwork in character writing. good luck thinking about anything else ever again."
It is what it is.
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This was the best drama that I ever watched
First of all, I was a skeptic when I saw 50 ep, but after finished it, it was just not enough. If you are wondering, should you start 50 ep drama or special edition version of 20 ep, my answer is...please watch full 50 ep. The story is a fantastic best show ever, and I watched many Kdramas and Thai dramas. Also, in the full version, you will fall in love with all characters, not only the main leads. OST is magical! I finished it last night, and now I'm watching a shorter version, which is nice, but it is not that in full glory. Also, I am a huge BL fan, and I didn't want to watch it because of censorship; however, this show showed me that you could express much more with eyes and actions than kisses and touches. Rewatch value: 100% Now I am planning to watch donghua (Chinese anime) and read the novel because of the spicy parts heheWas this review helpful to you?
Best Drama ever!
In shot term, this is the best drama in chinese history. Without any hesitation anyone can give 10/10 to the drama and actings of the casts. Specially Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo did a great job throughout the whole drama. I love the drama specially because of the chemistry between 2 main leads Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. The fighting scenes are also superb. The rewatching possibility is very high. After finishing the drama, we realize how much we love them.. I'm still can't going forward from this drama. This drama is the best of best. EVERYDAY MEANS EVERYDAY ??Was this review helpful to you?
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I laughed I cried
I finished it in 2days last last friday
It is such a good story. And the actors were picked really well. They really made you feel every emotion. You could just feel their happiness and sadness. I am still sad when I think about certain things that happend because a lot could've been prevented with just a little more faith or just trust.
10 out of 10 would reccomend this
And I am currently rewatching it again cause it's so good I had to watch it with my friends.
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