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~ The Untamed offers a stunning, emotional live action adaptation of the novel that tugs at the heartstrings of viewers.
~ Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo, despite some hiccups, perform with utmost beauty and charisma in their roles, portraying Wei Wu Xian and Lan Wang Ji exactly how I imagine them in the novel. Not to mention they are utter eye candy.
~ The bond between WWX and LWJ, the soul twisting plot that overwhelms you, and the mesmerizing soundtrack are what make this drama truly stand out from the rest.
Let me start off by saying that I *highly,* recommend reading the novel Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation prior to watching this live action adaptation. I first watched the live action, and while it is captivating on its own, the novel offers a much more detailed explanation of the plot and layout of events, which guided my understanding of the entire series. More over, there are actual BL scenes in it to fulfill your craving for their intimacy!
Now, I want to say that like many, I was confused when watching the first few episodes of the drama. It seemed a bit off-putting and I felt as though I was bombarded with too many unknown characters and elements. I urge all of you to stick around and overcome this hurdle, as the rest of the episodes allow the story to fall into place.
As for the acting, Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo steal the show. Xiao Zhan does a wonderful job grasping the mischief-loving yet silent hero of WWX, while Wang Yi Bo boasts a seemingly cold, yet tender hearted LWJ. My heart melts in all of their interactions, especially with how much you can tell LWJ feels for WWX and protects him, just with expressions.
The show as any, of course, is not without faults. Due to the censorship in China, some of the iconic lines and scenes from the novel are altered or entirely eliminated, thus leaving fans of the novel with feelings of something missing. Overall, however, they are doing well with what they are able to.
Please, just do yourself a favor and give this show a good try. I am quite reserved with my ratings and have few dramas that I score greater than 8.5. The OST is beautiful as well, the lyrics to each song are relevant to the story and characters, grasping their pain, emotions, and regrets into sweet melodies. Overall, a definite drama to remember for many years to come.
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You shed tears because you now understand, "Because I have my family, I am strong."
I say this in the reviews I write - there are very few dramas that I have deemed deserving of a 9/10 rating or above, and even fewer dramas where I take the time to write a review.Please watch this drama. This is different, this is refreshing, this is a drama you will never forget. You will want to hug your own parents. You will realize that because of your family, you can carry the world on your shoulders. You will look back at the times where you wished your parents wouldn't give you such a hard time, when you rebelled against them, or the hurtful words you might have said to them, and want to rewind time because now you're more mature and know that all they wanted was your happiness and success. An absolutely heartfelt, beautiful script with stunning performances by every actor and actress involved. You empathize with all of the characters, you shed tears when they cry, you laugh and smile when they do, and you end up feeling as you are part of their families.
Even with some of the caveats and perhaps plot discrepancies, what counts is the way messages are sent - that family isn't a bond that is only determined by blood, but also by the mutual and unconditional love, support, and understanding between individuals. We see multiple examples of this throughout the story, not only with the main family but also with the connections developed between friends. Although one could argue that the romance element that occurs in the drama is questionable, the other meaningful story lines end up overtaking this small nick in the plot.
Just a hands down bravo and overwhelming applause for the staff, and for the cast, particularly Steven Zhang and Tu Song Yan, but really every one excelled. This is not one of those popular romance dramas that makes your heart skip a beat or gives your stomach butterflies - it is memorable because it is so real, so raw, and strips away the protective outer layers of your heart and forces you to reflect on the meaning of love in a way that isn't romantic.
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PLOT: 10/10
ACTING: 10/10
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 10/10
WITHDRAWAL AFTER WATCHING: 100000000/10 :'(
Being Chinese myself, I am often critical of Chinese dramas as they can be long, draggy, and leave one feeling rather unsatisfied with the outcome. Moreover, the Xianxia theme is difficult to master successfully. Throughout all 63 episodes, I never felt bored. Character development is excellent and flows well, and while there may be a few plot holes, they are minor and are easily overlooked (I've forgotten them already, if there were any!). Deng Lun's acting took my breath away - heartfelt, cute, and tear-jerking at the right moments, you become so hooked on his character and his love for the heroine. Yang Zi also portrayed the heroine innocently enough while not being annoying. Moreover, Luo Yunxi played his role with excellence - you love him, hate him, and feel sorry for him all at the same time. There's some antagonists that will make you mad, but only a little, and they all eventually meet their retribution. Plenty of sweet scenes are scattered throughout the drama, making a viewer feel fulfilled.
If you are seeking a Chinese drama that is truly worth watching despite it's length, this (and Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms) is the perfect place to start. Only thing I have to warn you is that I entered severe withdrawal after completing this drama, I had to read the novel this drama was based on, AND I kept re-watching sweet scenes on YouTube. Truly a beautiful story, with amazing actors, and magnificent acting!
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