The Untamed is a 2019 Chinese television series that turned a fan favorite novel into a cultural phenomenon. It stars Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, two soulmates caught in a web of treachery and a tragedy that spans generations. The show aired on Tencent Video from June 27 to August 7, 2019, over 50 episodes, and it remains one of the most viewed dramas on the platform.
Trailer, via Ambedo.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji
Wei Wuxian is the tragic hero at the center of this story. A cultivator of “dark and demonic arts,” he was brought back to life sixteen years after his tragic death. His return puts him back among the people of his first life, including his soulmate, the honorable Lan Wangji. The show traces Wei Wuxian’s memories of the time before his death, from his days as a young cultivator wielding traditional tools like swords and musical instruments up through his later dependence on resentful energy and the innovative tools he created for himself.
Wei Wuxian’s opposite is Lan Wangji, a man of noble birth who is reserved and principled. Together they form a deep bond through shared adventures and trials, and it endures even after Wei Wuxian falls into demonic cultivation. That path ostracizes and vilifies him, while Lan Wang Wangji remains steadfast in guiding him back to light.
The Tragedy That Binds Them
The series is built around a tragic event in the past, and the show spends its runtime unraveling the scheming behind Wei Wuxian’s death. Other mysterious deaths from Wei Wuxian’s past life are also uncovered, linking back to the same tragic moment. The show’s central mystery is slow-burning, and the pacing rewards patience.
Sixteen years ago, Wei Wuxian, spirited and unconventional, came to the Gusu Lan Sect for training. There he met Lan Wangji, and through shared adventures and trials, the two formed a deep bond. Upon finishing his training, Wei Wuxian returned home, yet a string of tragic events forced him to give up his spiritual powers to save his martial brother, Jiang Cheng. Bereft of his strength, Wei Wuxian was banished to the Burial Mounds by Wen Chao of the Qishan Wen Sect. He emerged again three months later, having taken up demonic cultivation—a forbidden and feared dark art.
Wei Wuxian’s path of demonic cultivation is repeatedly beseeched by Lan Wangji to forsake, yet he receives no answer. His unorthodox practices set him apart, making him an object of scorn and condemnation, while Lan Wangji persists in his attempts to lead him back from the abyss. It is not until the climactic battle at Nightless City that Wei Wuxian’s deeds result in the deaths of many disciples from other sects, including his cherished martial sister.
“Wei Wuxian has a natural smiling face.”
The cards were handed out by the casting director, each carrying a custom “character card” for a cast member. They covered every detail of the character, from physical appearance and height down to clothing style and particular mannerisms. This system was put in place on purpose so the actors could play the characters exactly as the audience had pictured them.
The Cast and the Spinoffs
Xiao Zhan was announced as the lead actor in April 2018. The casting director’s approach was meticulous, with each actor receiving a detailed character card that included specific traits like Wei Wuxian’s natural smile. Lu Zhixing, who dubbed Wei Wuxian in the audio drama, and Bian Jiang, who dubbed Lan Wangji in the donghua adaptation of Mo Dao Zu Shi, were hired to voice the characters in the series.
Two spin-off movies emerged from the show’s international popularity in 2019, titled Fatal Journey and The Living Dead. Both films center on supporting characters and expand the story beyond the primary plot.
Production Values and Reception
Both at home and abroad, The Untamed earned acclaim from critics who singled out its strong plot, well-rounded characters, and elaborate clothing and makeup. It was one of the highest-earning dramas of 2019, a record that confirmed its wide appeal.
The Research Report on China’s Internet Audiovisual Development for 2019 and the beginning of 2020 places The Untamed at the top of the popularity rankings. On Tencent Video, the series reached 9.5 billion views in June 2021, just a few days before the second anniversary of its original broadcast date, establishing itself among the most-watched Chinese dramas on the platform.
NetEase Games was set to release a mobile game tied to the series, but the project is assumed to have been canceled because of legal disputes. The intellectual property belongs to NewStyle Media Group (NSMG).
Supporting Characters and Their World
The show’s world is rich with clans and sects. Jiang Cheng, played by Wang Zhuocheng, is Wei Wuxian’s martial brother whom he sacrifices his powers to save. Jiang Yanli, played by Xuan Lu, and Wen Qing, played by Meng Ziyi, are other key figures in the story. Wen Ning, played by Yu Bin, rounds out the main cast.
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Wei Wuxian | Xiao Zhan |
| Lan Wangji | Wang Yibo |
| Wen Qing | Meng Ziyi |
| Jiang Yanli | Xuan Lu |
| Jiang Cheng | Wang Zhuocheng |
| Wen Ning | Yu Bin |
| Lan Xichen | Liu Haikuan |
| Xiao Xingchen | Song Jiyang |
What Works
The show’s strengths are its character chemistry and its willingness to let the mystery breathe. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s bond is the emotional core, and the show invests heavily in how their relationship withstands Wei Wuxian’s fall into darkness. The supporting cast, particularly Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen, add depth to the story without overwhelming it.
Elaborate costumes and makeup mark the production, which treats its fantasy elements with a steady hand, lending the world of inter-clan rivalry a sense of place that feels lived-in.
Where It Falls Short
Not every viewer finds the show flawless. The pacing drags in certain middle episodes, and the 50-episode format stretches some storylines thin.
The Verdict
The show’s strength comes from how fully it commits to its characters and its central tragedy. The engine of the story is Wei Wuxian’s journey from a beloved cultivator to a vilified demon, and Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo carry that weight with conviction.
With strong production values, a solid cast, and an engaged audience, the show became a landmark entry in Chinese television. Its critical reception was strong, and its commercial success was unprecedented.
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