Reviews

A Halfway Drop After a Promising Beginning

This review is based on episodes 1–15 (roughly half the series).

I thought this one started really strong. There was a solid forensic element, and the investigations covered a series of cases with a folklore-inspired, almost mystical tone. It also delves into a deeper layer of trafficking and disappearances, with powerful elites at the center. The performances are strong as well—if you’re familiar with Wan Qian or Qin Junjie, they don’t disappoint.

However, I think I’m going to let this one go. Once the main twist becomes apparent and the forensic aspect is minimized, it settles into a more standard investigative drama. Even though I usually enjoy detective stories, this one has lost some of its impact for me now that I’m halfway through, and there are other shows I’d rather spend my time on.

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A Solid Sci-Fi Mystery with Mythic Depth

I really enjoyed this one. It started on a slightly confusing note as the story was introduced, but with each episode the drama weaves an increasingly engaging sci-fi narrative, and it only got better as it progressed. That said, I was initially disappointed by the creatures. However, as the story developed, the intrigue and depth of the plot made up for that, because it quickly becomes clear that the story isn’t about the creatures' presentation.Instead, it becomes more focused on its mythology and the broader history behind everything, shifting away from first impressions into something more layered. It was enjoyable to watch the traditions and customs unfold, along with the intricate setups and battles between the two forces as their backstories were revealed.

Having said that, I’ve seen negative reviews from viewers who expected more romance. This is a creature feature, though, so any romance will follow a different formula or have a lighter presence than in a true romance drama (and rightly so). Personally, I thought there was a nice balance that helped broaden the plot layers. The buildup felt natural and fitting, and my only real critique is that the beginning includes a few repetitive misunderstandings that didn’t quite land for me.

Overall, I enjoyed this watch. While it isn’t a top-tier favorite, I would definitely watch it again, as the script is smart and includes several sequences filled with mysteries and Easter eggs. I hope they continue the story with a season two.

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A Macabre Anthology of Sci-Fi Shorts

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a dated, macabre collection of short sci-fi stories with mild horror or thriller undertones, similar to Tales from the Darkside or The Twilight Zone. The Chinese drama Strange Notes is also a good comparison for those more familiar with it. Each episode tells a different story centered on an odd or mysterious occurrence, and although the same person introduces each one, they function as standalone watches.

That said, the main caveat is that it’s difficult to find online with English subtitles. It’s available on iQIYI, but a handful of episodes weren’t translated, and most of the translated ones rely on poorly done AI subs. For me, though, this didn’t detract from the experience, and overall it made for an enjoyable watch.

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A Sci-Fi Story That Blurs What’s Real

I really liked this one. It tells a story about obsession and regret, as well as the hope of self-healing and helping others. Near the end, it became somewhat confusing, spinning your sense of reality and deliberately making the true stage unclear. But that was all part of the sci-fi approach and added depth to the narrative. At first, you assume the central story is focused on a crime, but it evolves into something much more complex, with intersecting relationships, lives, timelines, and twists that build on each other.

It’s a quick watch once you gain momentum on your current watchlist, and I’ve grown to appreciate Wang Qianyuan ever since Drifting Away. I definitely need to check out more iQIYI Light On productions or modern dramas he features in.

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It was good!

I liked it! it had a few flaws, but i still ejoyed it a lot! I watched it in 2 sittings, i only slept a few hours between the sittings.
The story was good with a few nice plottwists, and yes the story had some flaws, but they didn't bother me much. I even had a few good laughs!
One big issue for me were the explosions after Tawan blew up the building, the explosions were really small and didn't give the wanted effect.
And it's too much that all the children of one family are gay, that is just so unrealistic!
The visuals were great and the music very good.

The overall acting was good.
I am not a big fan of Mile, but as a couple they are amazing!! They have so much chemistry! And their kisses and NC scenes are amazing!
The other two couples also had good chemistry.

This drama had some really good and spicy NC scenes.

I recommend watching.

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A Fresh Take on the Investigative Genre

I really enjoyed this. It is grouped under Supernatural Detective and Mystery under my mid-autumn recommendations: features that center around mysteries that the characters solve. Most of them have supernatural premises that have non-fiction explanations.

I thought it was a fresh take on the investigative genre. The art direction and cinematography were well done. I thought it elevated the story by making scenes visually striking and mysterious. And I loved the investigative team and how they gradually came together, with special attention to the leads and their support. All 26 episodes revolve around a central crime that becomes increasingly complex, layered with additional players and new developments—like a crime within a crime, with multiple culprits. Although it ends on a cliffhanger, I wasn’t mad about it—I just wish there were another season.

Note: While there are no explicit scenes or visual depictions, there is mention of SA, so a trigger warning is advised.

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An Open-Ended Microdimensional Narrative

While this drama lacks closure, it didn't feel like it was the point to have one. It’s a short series that weaves a microdimensional story, offering a compact narrative without clear timelines. The appeal lies in watching how the narration unfolds—posing many questions, some answered, others left open.

The overall tone feels futuristic and somewhat dystopian given the mechanical aesthetics and muted color palette. I found it engaging, as it piqued my interest with a unique storyline that still felt strangely familiar. The series is divided into six episodes, each with its own title, setting the stage for the plot that follows:

. Original Sin
. The Double
. Signal
. Who died?
. Blueprint
. What if

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A Compelling Idea Undercut by Disappointing Direction

I’m sorry, folks—but this ended up being a disappointing watch. And I hate saying that, because it had so much potential, only to fall short for me by the end.

There were many strengths that had me fully invested through the first half. The plot was unique, the cases involving the relics were fantastic and highly engaging, and the supporting cast—with their hilarious subplots and great chemistry—really shined. Their dynamics felt intentional and well-developed, both in romantic and platonic ways. However, I struggled with the leads—especially as their relationship began to take precedence, while the relics, which should have been the main focus, were pushed into the background. The main characters also had several subplots that didn’t make sense to me and felt like they belonged in an entirely different drama. By the final stretch, those unrelated storylines had completely taken over, made relevant through weak and convenient associations. So while I genuinely loved the core concept, we mostly ended up with a very different story—one that didn’t appeal to me and wasn’t what I signed up for when I started this drama.

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Low-Budget, Flawed, but Still Enjoyable

This drama is underdeveloped and clearly low-budget. It had execution issues, and the script wasn’t particularly strong. But I still enjoyed it. I found the narrative interesting, I didn’t see the twist coming, and the performances by Lin Zehui and Zhu Lilan stood out despite the production challenges. This is their first feature together and I think they work well as a pair. This was also produced by Ming Jiajia, whom we’ve also seen in other acting roles. She’s not new to the industry, and I think that gave her some leverage in creating a feature that was still engaging and helped offset some of the criticism. I’d recommend this to fans of short dramas, and definitely to those who enjoy watching Lin Zehui onscreen. It’s a feature I am glad I watched.

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it's a great drama/dark romance

From my point of view, this story is about broken people who make many mistakes until they finally find peace with the consequences of their choices. I also think it highlights how strongly family influence can interfere in someone’s life.
The overall narrative is quite obsessive, toxic, and often dangerous. The characters go through a lot, but in the end they still manage to find a way to be together, and, in my opinion, that is exactly what the story wanted to convey.
My favorite part is how the show actually addresses Lu Feng’s mental health condition (which I don’t think is bipolar disorder, but he clearly struggles with something). I also appreciate how it shows him receiving treatment and makes it clear that he will need to continue taking medication and managing it long-term.
The actors are splendid and have beautiful chemistry, which definitely elevates the show even further.
Overall, I think it is a good show, but for obvious reasons—since it becomes quite dark at certain points—it is not for everyone. I would describe it more as a dark romance than a traditional romance, and more of a drama above all else.

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Shines Bright Despite Shaky Start

I went into The Untamed in 2026 after only watching 4 C dramas previously. The ratings were so high, and the fanbase seemed rabidly passionate when I researched, so I was happy to jump in.

Buuuuut…it started with so-so initial production quality (I’d only watched Love Between Fairy and Devil, Pursuit of Jade, and a few others), enough so I nearly tuned out. It felt dated and meh. Story seemed flat.

But I knew better from great (US) series like Supernatural that if THIS many people from all over the world are screaming from the rooftops about something, listen to them closely, give it a chance. Keep going and stick with it beyond a few eps.

I did, and I came out the other side a complete raving fan.

This show has the magic of original Star Trek or Supernatural - it soars and bursts with life and energy due to the characters and the actors bringing them to life and doesn’t need a fancy production budget. It’s phenomenal. It’ll make you cry. Laugh. Stay up till 4am desperate for behind other scenes content on YouTube in a language you don’t speak.

At its heart, Xiao Zhan’s magnetic, devil may care, kind and noble-hearted Wei Wuxian (Wei Ling), who you follow through life, deaths, rebirth and more. It’s storytelling of a HUGELY epic nature. And with him through this odyssey is Lan Zhan: stoic, otherworldly, but ice cold and uncompromising (think:Spock)…who is yanked right out of his rigidly controlled life by meeting his complete opposite, something way more than a best friend or buddy or romantic interest - they’re soulmates.

The Untamed is grand, beautiful, tragic, wonderful…and ultimately, hopeful. Don’t wait to meet all these characters brought to life by talented actors and actresses and story and behind the scenes people who just got it SO perfect. It’s rare.

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Enjoyable, but Overextended

I enjoyed this drama, but I honestly think I would have liked it more if it had been trimmed down. While I had a lot of fun with the storyline and characters, the subplots began to feel repetitive by episode 24. That said, I found it to be an engaging and unique drama for the time it was released. It had the feel of a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of war or national conflict. In some ways, it reminded me of Toy Soldiers (an American movie), with students taking on heavy military responsibilities that threatened both their lives and mental health.

I thought the characters and their stories were where this drama truly shined. I really appreciated the relationships between the characters — how they grew together despite their different personalities and family backgrounds. The cast did a wonderful job bringing their roles to life, and the backstories of the older minor characters added a thoughtful layer to the main plot. I also loved the comedic moments woven throughout the drama — they gave the story a much-needed balance. Still, as much as I could rave about certain elements, the overall experience would have benefitted from tighter plotting. A more concise episode count could have made the narrative stronger and more focused.

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I Had Very Conflicting Feelings About This One

I have conflicting feelings across pockets of episodes.. I was sucked into it at the start, then I was bored. Soon I fell in love with it (hard-core invested), then I liked it. Finally, I was disappointed. So I am grouping my thoughts into pros and cons:

PROS
• character superpowers
• character psychology and profile shifts
• the villain
• subplot twists
• the parts that focused on vampirism and fantasy
• Chinese Republic Era fashion meets Gothic-style wardrobe
• character dynamics and personifications
• stellar cast

CONS
• didn't have enough fantasy for me (not enough vampirism)
• not enough backstory (curious about the 3 clans)
• the ending was rushed for me
• immature character
• weak redemption arc

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A Polite Version of Rudeness

The continuation of the series didn't captivate me the way the first season did. Season 1 was bold, full of twists and turns. Something was always happening, someone was always breaking someone else's heart — and ours as viewers too. Couples cheated on each other, and the on-screen ships kept getting mixed up.

In the second part, it felt like the creators lost the courage to shake things up with the ships and couples. Beyond the established pairings, there was barely any interaction. Even the kiss that was supposed to be a betrayal wasn't really a kiss.

A bit of a disappointment, especially after such a strong and shocking first season. I was honestly hoping they'd break my heart again like they did in Season 1 and put the characters through some emotional chaos. Even Boston showed remorse, which actually worked well as a contrast and an unexpected twist.

The couples may have done a good job, but there wasn't much happening in the script and not much for the actors to play with. Rome and Raffy's constant breaking up and getting back together became repetitive, Jack and Dean's relationship could have been developed much better, and as for Arnold and Tua, I have the feeling that Gawin's performance was only average.

But my biggest issue isn't with the cast — it's with the writers.

I'm waiting for Season 3 and hoping for more of the fire that Season 1 had!

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