yerintaem
chilling in SHINee World
Wow...first off I have to say that I have never come across a show that has made me feel so much as The Untamed did. The cast is so incredible that I couldn’t help but fall in love with all the characters, even those who were meant to be the villains. In terms of storyline, I tend to love dramas that make me think or who have characters that each have their own back-story (which was partly why The Untamed appealed to me so much). I have to warn you in advance though, the drama is so good that you probably won’t be able to stop binging it until you are done with all 50 eps (and have re-watched about 3 times). The main characters, Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan are both so different and amazing in their own ways and the way both of the actors portrayed them is incredible.
The chemistry/bromance between both of the characters and actors is unforgettable and everything about the drama was just breathtaking. Although Wei Ying and Lan Zhan don’t actually voice their love for one another, it’s rather obvious with all of the intense staring (Lan Wangji) and teasing (Wei Ying) that goes down lol. When I first started this drama I had never watched Wuxia before so it was a little hard for me to understand. Don’t worry though, the story really isn’t that hard to grasp after the first couple of episodes. After watching this drama, I know that can never move on from Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and just The Untamed itself. I really hope the actors can do another show together soon! I really hope you found this review a helpful and are now encouraged to give The Untamed a try. I promise you will not be disappointed!
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Before I started watching this series I noticed its lower rating and couldn’t help but wonder why. Now that I have watched the series I can see why one would not be a big fan of the storyline. I’m not really one of those people, but I would agree that there were occasional plot holes and other parts that needed more explaining here and there. I found though if you can learn to overlook these brief moments, the show itself is actually quite wonderful. No drama is ever perfect and I think Warrior Baek Dong Soo is a good example of that. I have to confess though, when I first started this drama, I felt so completely overwhelmed by all the information they were trying to explain to me within the first 3 minutes, that I almost considered dropping the series entirely. I’m so glad I didn’t though, or I would have missed out on my current #1 favorite Kdrama.
Story
This drama touches a lot on the idea of fate and destiny, which the two male leads struggled with over the course of the series. One was destined for greatness and the other to bring death and suffering. The two eventually cross paths and slowly become the unlikeliest of friends, forming an unbreakable bond with one another. As the show progresses they unfortunately grow apart again but just can't bear to let each other go, knowing they would always rely on and protect each other till the end.
I loved how Warrior Baek Dong Soo focused more on the bromance/friendship between Yeo Woon and Dong Soo rather than just the usual romance. I realize this is more personal, but at times Dong Soo and Yeo Woon’s relationship reminds me of my relationship with my best friend. When I was going through a really rough time in the past year she never gave up on me and tried to pull me out of the darkness I was trapped in. It felt as if I was drowning in an open ocean with waves crashing on top of me and someone constantly trying to grab me and pull me back onto the boat. Despite my efforts to push her away, since I believed it was better for her not to be around me, she continued to stay by me and would never miss an opportunity to let me know she was there for me. I think this is also why Warrior Baek Dong Soo has such a place in my heart, since I could really relate to it.
Please keep in mind though, if you are thinking of not watching this series because you believe there is no romance and just bromance, that is not true! This is not a BL and as the tags/genre list at the top already tell you, there will be some romance. To be honest I was sort of dreading this part since I came from watching multiple BL shows and movies, but I found later on that I wouldn’t really mind if Dong Soo and Jin Joo ever ended up together. Like the world wouldn’t end. I have to say though, in the beginning I didn’t really like Jin Joo, but as she got older I found her to be so amazing (but I’m still rooting for Dong Soo x Yeo Woon). I believe even without the romance, I would still have enjoyed the series just the same, even a bit more. At times it felt as if the writers had to put in the romance just because they had to, or else they believed they would lose viewers. In the past people told me they would rather not watch a series if there is no romance in it. I find that to be a bit crazy to be honest since I feel Warrior Baek Dong Soo didn't need any romance to be good at all.
Acting/Cast
I’m pretty sure that everyone has heard about Ji Chang Wook and Yoo Seung-ho by now, but I found it was really nice to see the both of them when they were young and before they were super famous (Yoo Seung-ho at 18 and Ji Chang Wook at 24). I literally live for Yoo Seung-ho in historical dramas and I think I have developed a little crush on him now due to his amazing acting as Yeo Woon. I mean, have you seen Un? The female leads were also really incredible as well, I really loved both Yoon So Yi and Shin Hyun Bin's acting. Yoon So Yi just fit Jin Joo's role perfectly in my mind and Shin Hyun Bin always looked so poised and composed which was truly amazing to see. In all honesty, I really didn’t like Shin Hyun Bin’s character. I don’t know what it was about Yoo Ji Sun, I just didn’t like her at all until really later on (last episode really). The supporting cast also did an amazing job and I thought everything was well acted. I’m sure the acting is lacking some elements, since of course there will always be things to improve on, but I think the actors did the best they could with what they had and I really enjoyed every second of it.
Music
I really did love the music in Warrior Baek Dong Soo and I found it was quite fitting for the drama overall. Goyeo sung by Shin Sung Woo was such a beautiful song and I swear anytime that song would play I would be in literal tears. I have even downloaded the OST on Spotify since I loved it so much. I would rate the music in this drama as an 10 personally, since I really did enjoy hearing it in the drama and just can't get the songs out of my head. It's actually really good music to study to as well.
Re-watch
I definitely will rewatch this drama since it is one of my favorites, but it is lower than 10 for me since it really made me feel a roller coaster of emotions. What really set me back and made the series earn a 9.5 in plot to me, was due to the ending. I really broke down when I watched it for the first time since I truly felt that the characters deserved so much more. There was just so much happening in the last three episodes I just wasn’t ready. I don’t want to spoil anything but I can only warn you to grab your tissue box and prepare yourself. Please don't let this stop you from watching the drama though! Despite all that has happened in Warrior Baek Dong Soo, I still really enjoyed it for what it was, a more friendship centered drama which I found to be different and refreshing. I really hope you give this series a try and love it as much as I did. It is truly such a great drama!
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