Chinese Drama - The Untamed

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안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

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The Untamed is a 2019 Chinese fantasy drama, written by Yang Xia, Deng Yaoyu, Ma Jing and Guo Guangyun. It was directed by Zheng Weiwen and Chen Jialin.

The show aired June 27 - August 20, 2019.

The show has 50 episodes.

The Untamed is based on the danmei novel Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation aka Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.

Main Cast:

Xiao Zhan as Wei Wu Xian/Wei Ying

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Wang Yibo as Lan Wang Ji/Lan Zhan

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Supporting Cast:

Wang Zhuo Cheng as Jiang Cheng

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Xuan Lu as Jiang Yan Li

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Liu Hai Kuan as Lan Xi Chen/Zewu Jun

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Zhu Zan Jin as Jin Guang Yao/Meng Yao

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Yu Bin as Wen Ning/Ghost Gemeral

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Qi Pei Xin as Jin Ling

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Zheng Fan Xing as Lan Si Zhui

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Guo Cheng as Lan Jing Yi

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Wang Hao Xuan as Xue Yang

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Song Ji Yang as Xiao Xing Chen

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Li Bo Wen as Song Lan/Song Zi Chen

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Cao Yu Chen as Jin Zi Xuan

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Ji Li as Nie Huai Sang

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Wang Yi Zhou as Nie Ming Jue/Chi Feng Zun

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Meng Zi Yi as Wen Qing

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He Peng as Wen Chao

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Lu Jian Min as Jiang Feng Mian (Jiang Sect Leader)

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Zhang Jing Tong as Madam Yu/Yu Zi Yuan (Feng Mian's Wife)

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James Huang as Lan Qi Ren (Gu Su Lan Sect Leader)

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Xiu Qing as Wen Ruo Han (Wen Sect Master)

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The Untamed was a critical and commercial success, both locally and internationally, with critics praising it's strong plot, well-rounded characters, and elaborate clothing and makeup.

While the original web novel depicted an explicit romance between the 2 main male characters, the adaptation was censored with homoerotic subtexts instead due to China's ban of LGBT portrayals in films.

The Untamed was one of the highest-earning drama's of 2019.

Pre-production for the show took 2 and a-half-years, including writing and modifying the script, establishing the world view structure and art concept, as well as building the sets.

The OST for this series really matches the show itself, it's stunning and I love that the cast were included in singing the songs.

无 羁 (Unrestrained) - Xiao Zhan & Wang Yibo

제민 | Jemin

无 羁 (Unrestrained) - Xiao Zhan

ying yue music

无 羁 (Unrestrained) - Wang Yibo

ying yue music

曲尽陈情 (Song Ends With Chen Qing) - Xiao Zhan

JONGxXxSHINe

不忘 (Won't Forget) - Wang Yibo

Nana Music

赤子 (Newborn) Yu Bin

Carsten Lovekiky

恨别 (Goodbye Filled With Hatred) - Wang Zhuo Cheng

Nana Music

不由 (Involuntary) - Liu Hai Kuan

Nana Music

Wei Wu Xian and Lan Wang Ji, two talented disciples of respected clans, meet during cultivation training and accidently discover a secret carefully hidden for many years. Taking on the legacy of their ancestors, they decide to rid the world of the ominous threat. But in a dramatic turn of events Wei Wu Xian dies.

Sixteen years later, Wei Wu Xian is brought back to life through a self-sacrificing ritual. He conceals himself behind a mask and assumes the identity of his summoner. Soon, Wei Wu Xian reunites with Lan Wang Ji and they start working together to solve the mysteries of the present and unravel the truth behind the events in the past.

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I came across this drama because I'm a fan of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, and her novel series Heaven Official's Blessing. When I found out that this was a live adaptation of another of her novels, I knew it was a series I wanted to watch and get stuck into. I will admit that this took me like 2 years to watch, but it wasn't because I didn't enjoy it, I just had a pause in watching drama's. Once a warning appeared saying it was soon leaving Netflix, I rushed to make sure I completed it before it did, which I did and thankfully it didn't leave. But I'm thankful it pushed me back into it as I forgot how much I was loving the drama.

This drama is amazing from start to finish, it's aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and the ears. The sets and costumes are stunning, even the setting is pure perfection.

The cast were amazing, it's not surprising that for many of the cast this drama pushed their careers to new levels. For some it even created new careers with the formation of the singing group The Untamed Boys, which consisted of Yu Bin, Ji Li, Cao Yu Chen, Zheng Fan Xing, Song Ji Yang and Li Bo Wen.

I absolutely adored Xiao Zhan as Wei Wu Xian, he really brought the role to life and I don't think anyone else could have done it the way he did. This show definitely made me a fan of his and made me want to check out more of his roles. I also have to say that he has a gorgeous smile, which made me fall for him even more.

I loved Wang Yibo as Lan Wang Ji. I think how he's completely different to the character he plays shows how good of an actor he is. Lan Wang Ji is a character that is serious, sticks by the rules and seems to hold back with his emotions. But behind the scenes we got to see how playful Wang Yibo really is.

I loved Wang Zhuo Cheng as Jiang Cheng. It came across to me that Jiang Cheng was conflicted when it came to Wei Wu Xian, while when they were younger they were close and broke rules together. As things changed for the both of them I guess it was easier for Jiang Cheng to follow everyone's lead and blame Wei Wu Xian than it was to listen to his reasoning, because that's what he thought he should do.

I really liked Xuan Lu as Jiang Yan Li, I think she tried to protect Wei Wu Xian more because she knew that she was the only one that would always have his back. You could see that We Wu Xian doted on her and would do anything for her and likewise.

I liked Liu Hai Kuan as Lan Xi Chen. I loved that while he didn't agree when his brother Lan Wang Ji started to change due to his friendship with Wei Wu Xian, and tried to protect him from how people would start to treat him. But he was the first to listen to what they said, and help them try and find the answers, even if he didn't believe their accusations.

I loved Zhu Zan Jin as Jin Guang Yao, without giving away any spoilers he was perfect in his role. It really showed that he's an amazing actor. Remember hate the character not the actor.

I absolutely adored Yu Bin as Wen Ning. His character was really naive, he really doted on his sister Wen Qing and I loved the bond he formed with Wei Wu Xian. Wen Ning was really a lost puppy and the times he had to be rescued from awkward situations made me chuckle. While Wei Wu Xian made a promise to take care of him, you just knew he was doing it because they had a brotherly love, than just a promise.

I really liked Zheng Fan Xing as Lan Si Zhui. I actually had predictions abo

ut his character and I pretty much sobbed when my prediction was correct. I think while we're made to believe that only Lan Wang Ji knows that it's Wei Wu Xian behind the mask, I think Lan Si Zhui knew it was him too.

I really liked Wang Hao Xuan as Xue Yang, I think he was the perfect villain, and I'm sure for many he was the villain they wanted to switch sides.

I really liked Cao Yu Chen as Jin Zi Xuan. Without giving too much away, I think he and Wei Wu Xian would have eventually formed a good friendship and alliance. It came across to me that he really respected Jiang Lan Yi's decision's and I think they would have formed a good bond a friendship.

I absolutely loved Ji Li as Nie Huai Sang. I loved his friendship with Wei Wu Xian. He comes across as sweet, innocent and weaker than the rest of them, but I loved the twist for his character. I never actually saw it coming and I loved it.

I really liked Meng Zi Yi as Wen Qing. She's a guarded character, and the only person she seems to be close to is her brother. It takes her a while to trust other people and in the end I think she only ever comes to trust Wei Wu Xian.

I don't think I'll ever be able to recommend this drama enough, even without knowing the story from the novel, I absolutely loved the plot and the characters. There were times I was a little lost, but I loved seeing how everything developed and concluded. I have all the novel series and can't wait to read their journey through the books.

If you haven't go watch it and I guarantee, you'll come away with a new interest and a Wei Wu Xian fan.

Have you watched The Untamed?

Were you a fan of the cast?

Did you enjoy the plot?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye

Heaven Official's Blessing Volume 6 - Book Review

Hello

안녕하세요

(Annyeonghaseyo)

こんにちは

(Konnichiwa)

你好

(Ni Hao)

Heaven Official's Blessing is a Chinese BL novel written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, it's also known by it's Chinese name Tian Guan Ci Fu.

Mo Xiang Tong Xiu is a globally renowned author whose works are often cited as the best-known in the modern danmei genre. Originally self-published via the novel serialization website, JJWXC, her current titles include The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, and Heaven Official's Blessing. All three series' received multiple adaptations and have been published in numerous languages around the world.

In China BL is known as Danmei, the novel was first published in 2017, on JinJiang Literature City, a popular Chinese website for publishing and serializing online fiction.

Though not chronologically, the novel and book series, follows Xie Lian, a once human crown prince of the kingdom of Xianle in the east who ascends to godhood at seventeen, after dedicating himself to cultivation and martial training. During the inaugural years of his divinity, his kingdom experiences upheavel and war, due in part to draught and a terrifying new disease. Going against the edicts of both the heavenly realm and of fate, Xie Lian involves himself in the affairs of the mortals who have always loved and supported him, hoping to achieve peace and relieve suffering in his kingdom. Unfortunately, his appearance in the mortal world only amplifies the conflicts between his people and their desperation leads to the dramatic and abrupt downfall of Xianle, as well as the downfall of Xie Lian. The people destroy his temples, statues and abandoning him as their most respected religious figure and earning him the reputation of a God of Misfortune.

The novel is being officially translated into English by Seven Seas Entertainment, with the 4th volume being published on the 30thof May 2023.

Body in Abyss, Heart in Paradise.

White No-Face, Xie Lian;s greatest fear and most hated enemy, has arrived... or so it seems. While the ghost with the half-crying, half-smiling mask is somewhere nearby, the creature is elusive as always, taunting Xie Lian from just out of reach and promising total destruction of everything he holds dear.

A Xie Lian confronts the trauma of his last encounter with the terrifying ghost, Hua Cheng will do anything in his power to protect him. But White No-Face's identity and purpose are not the only mysteries to unravel, as Hua Cheng also has a history in the labyrinthine tunnels beneath Mount Tonglu. Will Xie Lian finally discover the full connection they share - and learn the true depths of Hua Cheng's devotion?

I thought how Volume 4 ended broke my heart, but seeing how things went in Xie Lian's past really broke my heart, especially with how he felt abandoned by those closest to him, as well as the things he went through, for me really made Volume 5 a little hard to read. Thinking about this volume, you can't help but wonder how we have the positive Xie Lian as I would think anyone that went through what he did would ever come out of the other side.

That being said I think what we see in this volume really shapes characters like Feng Xin and Mu Qing as you see they still feel guilt towards how they left and treated Xie Lian, as well as how they still hold their roles as subordinates to Xie Lian close to their hearts as they still aim to protect him in the present.

We see more of how Hua Cheng believed in and adored Xie Lian and helped in keeping his spark alive and would follow him no matter the path he took.

This volume really gives a good look into past events, as well as getting us closer into everyone learning who Hua Cheng really is, and why he's so devoted to being around and helping Xie Lian.

I will never get over how stunning the artwork is for these novels, each volume is as stunning as the last and really adds to  each chapter.

I'm still in the process of reading Volume 7, but I'm ashamed to say that I started it last year and so far this year haven't read any physical books.

I really need to get mu butt in gear and started reading my books again, but a part of me doesn't want to finish this novel series, I love these characters too much.

Have you read volume 6 of Heaven Official's Blessing?

What were your thoughts?

Let me know in the comments below.

See you soon!

안녕

(Annyeong)

さようなら

(Sayonara)

再见

(ZaiJian)

Bye