It isn’t everyday that a series gets positive reactions from viewers, especially with a cast of mainly newcomers. The Untamed 陈情令 starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo has been on air for almost a month. It is based on the popular BL novel Mo Dao Zu Shi 魔道祖师 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu 墨香铜臭. It also stars Meng Ziyi, Xuan Lu, Wang Zhuocheng and Yu Bin.
While there is no chance that a live-action of a BL novel will get past China’s censorship without being altered or watered down, producers are getting credit for making The Untamed as faithful as possible to its source material without crossing the lines.
This comes as a welcome surprise because prior to airing, Meng Ziyi who plays Wen Qing was introduced as the leading lady despite the character not having a substantial presence in the book. There were rumors that she would become the main love interest for Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng who would fight over her. As glimpses into production last year showed that the rumors might end up being true, book fans made noise and cried out in protest. From the looks of it, they’ve succeeded.
Despite having top billing after Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, Meng Ziyi has a small part in a story that doesn’t lose focus on its dual leads. Netizens have praised the strong relationship between Xiao Zhan’s Wei Wuxian and Wang Yibo’s Lan Wangji. Their bromance is evidence through their interactions, longing stares and the character development that is buoyed by the storyline.
Who can forget that scene when both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had to take shelter in a cave to treat their injuries? It reenacted a beautiful moment that the two heroes shared. Props to both Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo as it is not easy expressing things by just looks alone.
Netizens have praised how the writers subtly delivered the special bond between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. Although no longer a BL, it has managed to stay consistent with the novel. How it was portrayed has gone beyond expectations with stunning visuals and for a drama that had a lot of skeptics going in, it’s ultimately a win.
As proof of this, The Untamed’s Douban score which was at a low of 4.6 when it first premiered has risen to 6.6 in a matter of weeks. What do you guys think?
Anonymous
Loved the first 14 episodes of the drama! So surprised they kept the "intimate" moments between the leads and even added more interactions. The middle episodes are abit draggy, but still watchable. Xiao Zhan is perfect as WWX, and Wang Yibo's LWJ is growing on me as well.
Scrltpimpernel
I think its dumb that China keeps making BL books into movies and then just making them “bromances”. Whats the point?? If the story was good enough to use for a movie then they shouldn’t have to change it. So hypocritical.
nevernot
HEY BRO, try to watch the series.. i have the same opinion as you when my friend suggested this to me.
BUT…THE UNTAMED you know what?? is an abso-fucking-lutely-damn-rocks- A PERFECT LOVE STORY without any I LOVE YOU said ever!
never seen tv series this fucking rocks before.. believe me!
Anonymous
The chemistry between main character is was perfect. 22 episode so far and still progress.. I read the novel and really love their relationship. If in the end between them will end with Wen Qing, so what is the point for their bromance?
Anonymous
Thanks for this article and so happy to hear netizens love it. I love this drama so much I'm watching it for the 3rd time even though there are only 20 episodes aired for me to this date. And following along with the novel which explains some things that are in the drama but more subtle. I love the story so much, the actors have so much chemistry, the music (especially the duet) is beautiful – the whole thing is gorgeous. My one nitpick is so far the supposed leading lady adds nothing to the story – it would have been just fine without her.
Anonymous
I just started, and reached ep11 right now. I also enjoy the subtle bromance. There's a very natural development of their relationship as LWJ slowly starts to get angry when people try to harm WWX. I don't mind the leading lady. I think she's a good balance for the male heavy cast. Her and her brother will likely play a larger role in the storyline since they're closely tied to the evil side and will probably have to make a tough decision between evil and good. I find there to be more of a bond growing between her younger brother and WWX, than between her and WWX. WWX seems to find her interesting because he knows she has inside knowledge on the evil side.
feressa.tan
No… No way!!!! Wei ying is lan zhan wifi forever!!!! Good job fans for stopping this unforgivable sin!!! I cannot see Wei ying with someone else beside lan zhan.
feressa.tan
I think in China bl/ homesexual is still a taboo words. I already thankful that this series is still can go on. But, I do long for a full series though. The government is sooooo strict that it bring tears to my eyes.
Unknown
It doesnt matter without BL skinship or the romantic things cuz the main leads XZ & WYB had done a great job to show us their abilities portraying the WY & LZ. I dont agree if there would b changes of plot, i meant tht WY & JC would fight each other for WQ.i wish it'll never happen cz however the GREAT one of the story based on novel is the strong bound between WY & LZ till end. I know tht china has no place for BL or LGBT but continue following the story line as the original one is best than making some plot changes.
Anonymous
It's less than BL but more than just a bromance. So well and a bit more than subtly executed. I loved when Wang Ji sang their song to Wu Xian in the cave. When Wu Xian asked the name of the song, Wang Ji whispered "WangXian".
Anonymous
Ooh, I totally agree with you! Both actors managed greatly to convey the special bond that existed between WWX and LWJ without being overboard by the China standards! I feel gooey inside every single time they interact in their scenes!!!
Anonymous
still kinda wish this was a BG romance kind of thing, although I enjoyed the bromance very much. very good plot and all but I was rooting for WWX & WQ to ship. oh whaaaale.
Anonymous
Lol.
I'm sure if untamed changed into BG story, it will not as successful.
First, that'll change the plot waaaay too much. Even with brilliant actor, that will not saved it.
Second, the fans will sure boycott it. All they gonna get is negative exposure from the fans and critics.
Third, I'm not sure international fans will interested in BG story of this adaptation. Except for the canon of course.
Fourth, it will make no sense. It just weaken the character, and makes the logic of the story doesn't make sense.
Yeah. Just don't. Don't make BL into BG, please. It's unpleasant and dumb.
Anonymous
I think this drama is doing the best because of the censorship. And that makes this special. Making this blatantly BL just gonna water down many essential plot.
Unknown
I love the novel and I love the live action(The Untamed) so much. Both of the lead actors are just perfect. Theirs chemistry, theirs personality and looks ofcourse are just perfect in every way. I just started to get to know them by watching other videos, they are mirror image of Wei Ying and Lan zhan. I have to give thumbs up to the producers for casting Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. I can't imagine anyone else portray WX and WJ better then Zhan and Yibo. I understand Chinese censorship. As fans we wish we could get a little bit more of romance just like the cave sence. Oh well, still loving it. Zhan and Yibo,from on screen to behind the scenes and other interactions between them in various videos. They make me laugh and smile every day. I felt 10 years younger. Thank you
Anonymous
addicted shangyin still best BL so far 😀
Unknown
oh i watched this with my family,especially my mom, hoping there's gonna be season 2 ? and why no one talk about Shijie???
Unknown
I just finished watching this compelling drama…YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION. At first I thought this drama was too disjointed and gave half explanations, then in later episodes all came together. It did drag in the middle a bit but like I said the storyline unfolds majestically. I'm not a fan of young girly boys but the two leads were so charming, interesting and oblique, I was glued to the screen. I didn't feel they were in love with each other, rather they were like the polar ends of a magnet. Repelled by one another's differences, yet together attracted to the metal of their morals and ideals. AND YES…THIS DRAMA NEEDS A SEASON 2.
Unknown
My vote is for season 2 …..
nevernot
Lan Zhan… Lan Zhan…
– 16years without giving up in search and hope..T_T
– protects weiying in every way and everyone, even a dog…
– he cannot stand when people talked bad of weiying
– even in his drunk state, he can walk, talk, even fight to protect weiying
– saving and raising ah-yuan become the best disciple of Gusu Lan sect (this is a fucking something!)
– neglect his noble tittle of Hangguan Jun
– disobey & ignoring his uncle, the only person he best respect in his life
– broke the rules of Gusu Lan sect, and being punished
– stand beside and defend weiying no matter what, even against the whole cultivation world
– the most cutest thing is, he bought Emperor's smile for weiying and give him with little-cute smile
– the second most cutest thing is.. he carried weiying in his back *_*
note: feel free to add points, in case there's a-two things that might be forgot. ^^
———————————
WHAT ARE THOSE points??
I LOVE YOU is definitely beaten and useless!
action & eyes speaks louder than I LOVE YOU..
in the The Untamed, I LOVE YOU did not apply!
– a perfect fucking love story without I L U being said ever –
Unknown
Hi,when did time stated Wang yibo to wear necklaces repeatedly and next it gifts from where to who that person given necklace to Wang yibo
Unknown
Perfect drama that I watched. Their Love story is perfect and beautiful even without saying I love you and their actions are so cute. They both are amazing actor.
Unknown
Amazing drama.loving it ….watching it 2 nd time…..this drama needs season 2 ….many points remain unclear as well…..but all done a great job
Esther Lazcano
HERMOSA LA SERIE
Unknown
Absolutely agreed with these comments!! Drama truly needs 2 season still there are questions to be answered.
Unknown
We need second season and please let them marry. They love each other and knowing that how can they leave each other just because of those strict rules of china. I'm shipping them and i know that they won't be together in real life but at least in drama let them be together. We really want happy ending and absolutely no girls.
Anonymous
This was an absolute captivator of a series, I who lives in NZ watched this series 3 times for its acting, the storyline, the pace of transitions from once plot to another, but most memorable is the way in which honour, integrity, loyalty and compassion get splashed about in the series, the use of the flutes also powerpacked the scenes with an emotional presence….this series is a 15/10…it is that good…im aching for another like it…..