THE Chinese inspired BL series that opened the genre for thoses that followed.

This review of The Untamed is quite late, since it's been a while since I saw it and rewatched it, but I wanted to do a review for the simple reason that this series has still - to this date - never been surpassed.

So, I must say that the first scene is quite striking and sets the pace of the series.
We discover a battlefield, soldiers who fight among themselves to obtain an object with an evil aura which passes from hand to hand.
And then, in the midst of this chaos, a young man, Wei Wuxian - dressed completely in black - who stands with his back to the edge of a cliff, his face filled with pain and abandonment, who sheds a tear as he faces to the battlefield but also to another young man, Lan Wangji - dressed completely in white - who faces him with a face twisted with fear and despair.
Inevitably, as the tone of the scene announces, Wei Wuxian jumps off the cliff but Lan Wangji manages to catch up with him in extremis, the emotions that the two characters have at this moment is terrible, one accepts death as the only way out - according to him - but the other fiercely refuses to let that happen.
Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng quickly ends the terrible scene by piercing - it would seem - with his sword Wei Wuxian who falls into the void.
We understand that he dies.

This is when the audience may seem perplexed.
What is happening ? Who is who ? Why do the characters act like this ? How did they get there ?

Then without warning, we find ourselves 16 years later, so I RECOMMEND everyone to see at least the first two or three episodes. Quite simply because the first two episodes show us Wei Wuxian, who wakes up 16 years later after the heartbreaking scene of his death, just as confused as the audience at why he came back from the dead. And we discover the world - or rather he rediscovers the world - that he had left years before and which continued without him.
After the first two episodes in present time, we go back 16 years earlier, where it all started, with the characters having different relationships, that of clan politics, and then also their personalities which are less harsh and intense than that of the future.
We find out how Wei Wuxian got his nickname "Yiling Laozu" (Patriarch of Yiling), why he is reviled by everyone and more.

To talk about the production and the script, I must say that in terms of production, they did very well when they had very little.
The costumes of each clan and of our two protagonists are very beautiful, especially I appreciate that their style evolves while they themselves change and grow.
The sets, like that of the Jiang clan who reside at "Lotus of Yungmeng" is magnificent, a beauty, the colors, the spaces, the objects, the decorations and above all the location - on stilts.
There are many sets like this, in the mountains and forests, but also those in cities where the shopping streets are full of liveliness and color.
On the other hand, some sets, like that of the Wen clan are passable, we can see that the production tried to give the maximum to create a great universe and an impression of grandiosity, but it was obvious that the ground for example, which was supposed to be black volcanic rock is just a set.
The special effects are also different, when it comes to personal powers like Wei Wuxian's demonic cultivation or Lan Wangjii's pure energy cultivation, are very well done, the CGI is really good. But when it comes to monsters, it's a different story, you can tell it's built very cheaply and the CGI is the poor one.
As for the script, from what I understand it's very similar to the novel and it respects the work of the author - as much as the censorship allows. The characters have all been written to show that they have several layers, and not only the main ones but also the secondary ones which often shine.
The plot is really interesting and we enter quickly - after the first two episodes for some - in the story. Unlike other Chinese BL-inspired series that shine only because of their characters or the overall story, here the series - the only one so far - manages to shine thanks to both.
Of course, there are plot holes, some things they haven't explained, but overall it's really mysterious and addictive. We have the mystery of the first scene (death one), then what happens 16 years later and then we find out what happened before - and other mysteries - and how it affects everything when we go back again 16 years later. The questions and the investigation keep us in suspense, the "villains" follow one another and meet, sometimes they are linked or even used among themselves for their objectives.

For the characters, I'm not going to lie, as I said earlier, all are well embodied even the bad guys with whom for some we even end up feeling empathy.
Wei Wuxian for starters, I must say that Xiao Zhan did a phenomenal job, his performance is really versatile and shows that this actor can play all kinds of roles. His character is deep, he's mischivious but also serious - when he needs to be, he's cunning, playful, charming, intelligent, teasing, lovable and then gradually his character evolves and changes over the trials he undergoes and - of an event - which changes him deep within him into a darker version of himself, I'll let you discover it.
Lan Wangji, played by Wang Yibo, shows a rather strict and withdrawn face from the start, he is someone who obeys the rules and has a strong sense of justice and order, but despite his cold appearance, he displays rare emotions - at the beginning - which show that it is only a facade, and that he is sensitive. His character also undergoes many changes throughout the series, especially after Wei Wuxian's death, which plagues him with guilt and regret, which explains his display of many feelings after Wei Wuxian's return from the dead - mostly due to the fact that he hadn't been able to confess.

This review is already long so I won't mention all the characters but some really shine.

The relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is really the highlight of the series, it transports us to different feelings, we see the friendship that begins and then turns into love - even if because of the censorship we cannot say it, and not only do they evolve individually but also together to find a rhythm that reflects the theme of Ying and Yang very well (hence their white and black clothing), as they end up literally moving as one, each protecting and caring for the other one, supporting and understanding each other without the need for words, the evolution and chemistry is just off the charts. It's not forced, it's really slow and smooth, very realistic.

It's really a great series, the first which introduced me to the world of Chinese BL and which has since held its title high because it still not can be surpassed - we will see the productions of 2022 - and therefore I have it recommend not only for fans of BL, who show that you don't need to have sex scenes for characters to show the extent of their love, but also for those who like the wuxia and action genre, with manipulations and twists throughout the series, until the last minute, suspense and mysteries (detective too) and a lot of action. Not to mention characters that are memorable.

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What a ride.

Well, a journey this series.
As the synopsis suggests, the starting story is basic to dozens of action movies and series, a loved one of the main protagonist - the nephew - dies at the hands of an organization that wields powers over several institutions in the country.
The main character, here Cha Dal Gun, is obviously a capable character, he's a stunman who knows how to fight and isn't afraid to run into a wall - literally.
After his nephew's death appears to be an accident, he quickly discovers that it is not what it seems. He meets Go Hae Ri, a young woman who works for the Korean secret services and who will help him in his investigation.

I must say that my opinion is divided on the series.
I'm not going to lie, the series is very addictive, we quickly want to know the adventures of our characters, and the plot is well done.
The action scenes are to my surprise very well done although there is a bit of fiction when the character heals quickly, but that's the problem with action series and movies. I can't say that we are bored and the rhythm is very fast until the end, no break and therefore the audience is captivated.

The plot as a whole, although very fictional and basic, where corruption reigns and our characters cannot trust anyone because everyone is lying, remains in a fairly realistic and mature tone. Sometimes, we can also see the criticism of this series towards politicians, the media, and we say to ourselves at the same time as our characters "You are destroying the country you claim to want to save".
So overall, a good story that goes from twists to twists.

What bothers me are the characters.
I must say that Lee Seung Gi who plays Cha Dal Gun did a very good job, although we don't explore so many layers to his character who remains stubborn and sometimes impulsive until the end, he shows the desperate side correctly, a side that is often missing in the characters of the series who interpret the same kind of roles.
But it's still mainly an action series, so I didn't expect a lot of character development. However, I would have liked him to be less hot-headed and to be a more strategic and thoughtful character.
But I liked discovering him in this role.

However, this is where the problem arises, the bad LF syndrome. That's what I'm going to call this habit that actresses have of being FL and annoying.
Here, we supposedly have a young spy and secret service agent, okay it's quite realistic that she can't fight because in reality, all over the world, secret agents are sent for their intellectual abilities and not physical.
But her character remains annoying, when in the middle of a shooting, every time she finds that it's time to discuss and impose her opinion, namely - to stay still until she dies - and to prevent the main character to change the situation, it's annoying. Also her insane craving for recognition, looks like a kid who needs to be complimented all the time, while most of the time she makes the problem worse, she is naive and trusting, which is ridiculous for a supposed spy.
I know it's hard to find the middle ground between the clichés of the badass and the cute, weak FL one, but her performance just makes her annoying.
She's more the type to be the cause of someone's death than the one who saves the day.

The secondary characters are passable, no characters that shine in particular, the cast gives a performance that is believable but not breathtaking.

So, to sum it up, it's a series where you shouldn't expect incredible acting from the cast - except the action scenes and Lee Seung Gi. It's a series in realistic tones and is primarily made to make you feel the action, I mean, the action scenes are not overplayed but on the contrary well done.
The ML so, Lee Seung Gi is perfect in this role, the little romance with the FL is really realistic on this point, they take their time even if the acting of the FL overall is not the best.
It is therefore a series that I would say to see absolutely for entertainment, the comic moments are rather rare because the series has a serious tone but the action remains the center focus.

I hope a season 2 will see the light of day, I know that the two years that we had of Covid-19 did not help the projects in the industry and a lot of them were canceled, but knowing that the main actor said he himself wants a second season because season 1 ended on a cliffanger. And also that since the series is available on Netflix it has gained a fair amount of popularity, I hope they give us a thrilling sequel.

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The Great Promise of an Empty Series.

The premise is simple, and really repetitive these days where there is the murder of a student, the sibling or friend show up at school afterwards and try to find out what happened and who is responsible.

After that, it really comes down to details, like the characters, the twists, the suspense, etc. The problem here is after big K-drama successes that tackle bullying to various degrees, like "The Glory" or "Weak Class Hero", can this drama really afford to acknowledge the violence that the protagonists have initiated against other characters and make them get away with it in way ? This was not satisfactory one bit.

In general, injustice in society is a hot topic, the disgust for those whose social class is so high that they have no repercussions for their actions is very present, and again it's tackled in many k-dramas these days.

With the premise that strangely resembles "Elite", this series has offered us a nerfed version, full of rainbows and inconsistencies. Which is a shame, many series try to make themselves on formulas that work, which is okay, but why do it so lightly ?

The production is not questioned, but the characters and plot are. The series does not make sense, Kang Ha in particular has so many good moments that prop him up to be a decisive character, but somehow he caved in at the end ? The only thing that redeems his arc a little is the last scene at the end, when he seems to send a message of threat to Ri An. His crush on Jae Yi blinded him more than once, and he would have let them get away with it if Jae Yi did not play the 'voice of reason' by encouraging others to take their responsibilities.
Also, it should be mentioned how someone as despicable as Ri An is romanticized ? Not only does he orchestrate bullying and violence, but his toxicity and sense of ownership towards Jae Yi has no limits. It's more of a codependent relationship than anything else. It's not romantic, and he deserves to be punished with more than a slap on the wrist. Oddly enough, He Ra stands out as a character that we can relate to. She has her flaws, but she's relatable. Woo Jin is a discreet character, that we haven't really discovered, it's obvious that he can be cunning and even dangerous, but overall his character is overlooked and doesn't even get punished for being an accomplice.

The series was filled with scenes full of ostentation without real meaning, the plot is empty, it's just about characters provoking each other for attention, jealousy and power, nothing leaves space to breathe. Everyone watches these series to satisfy their inner sense of being petty and righteous, somehow, this series failed at that and just gave more frustration. I hope season 2 will live up to expectations, because honestly, do we really need a second empty season ? Like what is even the plot now that they've all 'paid' for their mistakes ? A murder ? Can't it get more cliché, sigh. It's their last year, I have low expectations.

I just hope this series will help Lee Chae Min land more series in the future.

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A series that failed to convince despite the buzz surrounding it.

This is probably the second series I've ever rated so low.

I have to say the first thing that caught my eye was the poster. I think it's a gorgeous poster for a romantic series, and honestly it's very engaging for new viewers.

Now, reading the premise, I thought it was going to be a great series battling a love relationship with diplomatic wrangling on the court. The rating is really misleading because it's above 8.

I don't know if it's because of the romance that people have rated it so high, but I've seen largely better Chinese series rated far lower.

Now let's go straight to my reason for the rating.

The costumes are just barely decent, the sets look cheap, the makeup is bad if you can believe it, but if that was all I could have skipped it, unfortunately it's not. The acting is very bad, from the capricious princess, her enamored master, the prince or the rest of the cast. The moment the prince out of nowhere learns how his mother died — the very moment leading up to this scene was so random and bad — really told me "yeah, I'm gonna stop here, it's gonna get worse". The dialogues are poor, the characters superficial and caricatured.

The production too, I don't know what the film director did, but for a series show in 2019, looks like it was show in the early years 2000, and the worst of it.

I wish I could say something positive about it, because it was really promising, the only thing I liked was probably the places in nature where they filmed like the desert but honestly I can't give this a better review, I can't even finish the series past episode 5, it's that bad — for me.

So probably those who greatly enjoy romance to overlook the rest might enjoy it.

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