The Untamed () is a 2019 Chinese television series starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. Based on the danmei novel Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, the series follows the adventures of two soulmate cultivators who travel to solve a series of mysteries that link to a tragic event in the past. It aired in China on Tencent Video from June to August 2019. A 20-episode special edition aired on WeTV on December 25, 2019. NewStyle Media Group (NSMG) owns the intellectual property of the series.
The Untamed was a critical and commercial success, both locally and internationally, with critics praising its strong plot, well-rounded characters, and elaborate clothing and makeup. The show was one of the highest-earning dramas of 2019.
According to Research Report on China's Internet Audiovisual Development for 2019 and the beginning of 2020, The Untamed ranked first in terms of popularity index. Due to the series' success, two spin-off movies focusing on supporting characters were released in 2019: Fatal Journey and The Living Dead. The series passed 9.5 billion views on Tencent Video in June 2021, a few days before the second anniversary of its airing date, making it one of the highest-viewed Chinese dramas on the platform. A mobile game based on the series was also set to be released by NetEase Games, though the project is assumed to have been canceled due to legal disagreements.
Synopsis Wei Wuxian, a loathed cultivator of "dark and demonic arts", is resurrected sixteen years after his tragic death. His return to the world brings him to reunite with the people in his first life, including his soulmate, the honoured Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian begins to remember his time before his demise, from his beginning as a young cultivator using traditional tools like the sword and musical instruments, to his very personal methods of using resentful energy of departed beings, with the help of innovative tools of his own creation.
The scheming behind his tragic death is slowly unraveled, along with the mysterious death of other people he knew from his past life.
Sixteen years ago, the spirited and unconventional Wei Wuxian arrived at the Gusu Lan Sect to undergo training, where he encountered Lan Wangji, a reserved and principled man from a noble lineage. Despite their starkly contrasting personalities, the two formed a deep bond through shared adventures and trials. After completing his training, Wei Wuxian returned to his home, but a series of tragic events compelled him to sacrifice his spiritual powers to save his martial brother, Jiang Cheng. Stripped of his strength, Wei Wuxian was cast into the Burial Mounds by Wen Chao of the Qishan Wen Sect. He reemerged three months later, practicing demonic cultivation—a forbidden and feared dark art.
Lan Wangji implored Wei Wuxian to abandon the path of demonic cultivation, but his pleas went unanswered. Wei Wuxian's unorthodox practices caused him to be ostracized and vilified, though Lan Wangji remained steadfast in his efforts to guide him away from darkness. Ultimately, during the fateful battle at Nightless City, Wei Wuxian's actions led to the deaths of many disciples from other sects, including his beloved martial sister, Jiang Yanli. Overcome with grief and despair, Wei Wuxian ended his life by leaping off a cliff, despite Lan Wangji's attempts to save him.
In the present day, Wei Wuxian is resurrected through a ritual performed by Mo Xuanyu, whose body he now inhabits. Despite this new identity, Lan Wangji recognizes him instantly. Together, they embark on a journey to unravel long-buried mysteries, uncovering the truths of their past and the events that shaped their fates.
Episodes
The series aired Thursdays and Fridays (GMT +08:00) with two episodes released. VIP members have early access to two additional episodes. On the first day of its release, six episodes were available to VIP members. On June 30, 2019, their official Weibo website published a new release schedule and shifted the release from Mondays to Wednesdays. The series concluded on August 20, 2019 totaling 50 episodes. During an official fanmeeting event on July 29, 2019, it was announced that VIP members would be able to watch all the episodes starting August 7.
Cast and characters
Main Actor Character Introduction Xiao Zhan Su Yaxin (young) Wei Wuxian ()Birth name: Wei Ying () Also known as the Yiling Patriarch (), Wei Wuxian is the son of Changse Sanren (a rogue cultivator) and Wei Changze (Jiang Fengmian's friend and servant), who died in a battle when Wei Wuxian was young. He was found by Jiang Fengmian on the streets of Yiling and then was adopted by him. He then became Jiang sect head disciple who later chooses to pursue demonic cultivation. He wields a sword called Suibian () and a flute called Chenqing (), and is known for his ability to invent new spiritual techniques and inventions such as the Stygian Tiger Amulet (). He is kind-hearted, optimistic, mischievous, and loyal, and cares deeply for his friends and family. However, due to his nature as a demonic cultivator, his identity as the Yiling Patriarch turned him into a supposedly psychopathic murderer and a boogeyman figure to many. He regards his twin flame, Lan Wangji, as his soulmate. In the original novel, he and Lan Wangji are lovers. Mo Xuanyu () The illegitimate son of Jin Guangshan and ex-disciple of the Jin sect. He sacrificed his body to Wei Wuxian through a ritual in order to fulfill his revenge plans, fueling the plot. Wang Yibo Chen Junkai (young) Lan Wangji ()Birth name: Lan Zhan (). Also known by the title Hanguang Jun (), he is the second young master of Lan sect and one of the Twin Jades of Lan. He is the younger brother of Lan Xichen and the second son of Qingheng-Jun (In the original novel, he gets heavily injured when Wen Xu of Qishan Wen Sect burns down The Cloud Recesses and then succumbs to death. However, in the drama, he is already dead) and Madam Lan (dies of an unknown illness when Lan Wangji was six years old). He wields the sword Bichen () and a guqin called Wangji (). He is cold, strict, distant, and difficult to get along with, but has a good heart and a strong sense of justice. He holds a soft spot for his twin flame, Wei Wuxian, whom he regards as his soulmate. In the original novel, he and Wei Wuxian are lovers.
Supporting
Gusu Lan Sect Actor Character Introduction Liu Haikuan Shen Yifeng (young) Lan Xichen ()Birth name: Lan Huan (). Also known by the title Zewu-Jun (), he is the leader and first young master of Lan sect, and one of the Twin Jades of Lan. He is the elder brother of Lan Wangji and the first son of Madam Lan and Qingheng-Jun. He is known as one of the Three Zuns alongside his sworn brothers Jin Guangyao and Nie Mingjue. He wields the sword Shuoyue sword () and the flute Liebing (). In contrast to his younger brother, he is a kind, gentle, and trusting person. Huang Ziteng Lan Qiren ()The respected elder of Lan sect. The uncle of Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji. An extremely strict teacher who doesn't get along with Wei Wuxian. Zheng Fanxing Jiang Yiting (young) Lan Sizhui () Birth name: Previously Wen Yuan (), now Lan Yuan (). A disciple of Lan sect. He was found by Wei Wuxian among the remains of the Wen sect and was raised by him, and later brought back to the Lan sect by Lan Wangji, who raised him after Wei Wuxian's death. He is a calm and elegant individual who carries himself intelligently and sensibly, and is very mature for his age. As a child, he was more of a troublemaker. He is close friends with Lan Jingyi, Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen. Guo Cheng Lan Jingyi () A disciple of Lan sect. Compared to the tranquil personalities of most of his fellow Lan sect members, he is short-tempered and impatient, but kind at heart, and known in the fanbase as the "most un-Lan Lan to ever Lan in the history of Lan". He is close friends with Lan Sizhui, Jin Ling and Ouyang Zizhen. Carman Lee Lan Yi () The only female head in the history of Lan sect. She invented the infamous Chord Assassination technique, and was responsible for guarding a piece of the Stygian Iron (). She was also a best friend of Baoshan Sanren.
Lanling Jin Sect Actor Character Introduction Shen Xiaohai Jin Guangshan (Chinese: 金光善)The leader of Jin sect. The father of Jin Guangyao, Jin Zixuan and Mo Xuanyu. He is known as a womanizer and has many illegitimate children. Hu Xiaoting Madame Jin (Chinese: 金夫人) The wife of Jin Guangshan and mother of Jin Zixuan. Zhu Zanjin Jin Guangyao (Chinese: 金光瑶) Birth name: Meng Yao (Chinese: 孟瑶). Also known as Lianfang-Zun (Chinese: 敛芳尊), or Hidden Fragrance Master, he is the illegitimate son of Jin Guangshan and became the leader of Jin sect after the latter's death. He is known as one of the Three Zuns alongside his sworn brothers Lan Xichen and Nie Mingjue. He wields the Hensheng (Chinese: 恨生 pinyin: Hènshēng) sword. He worked as a servant of the Nie sect and as a spy in the Wen sect before winning his father's approval to join the Jin sect after the Sunshot Campaign. Due to his identity as a prostitute's son, he feels inferior and is determined to prove himself. He is known for wearing a mask of pleasantry and his smooth demeanor. He greatly admires Lan Xichen, who is the only person who does not look down on him because of his low birth. Cao Yuchen Jin Zixuan (Chinese: 金子轩) The son of Jin Guangshan, Jin Ling's father and Jiang Yanli's husband. He is proud and vain, but also upright and just. He scorns Jiang Yanli at first but grows to care for her and eventually falls in love with her. Wei Wuxian loses control over Wen Ning and then Wen Ning murders him. Yao Shuhao Jin Zixun (Chinese: 金子勋) The cousin of Jin Zixuan. He is arrogant and conceited and holds immense dislike for Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian loses control over Wen Ning and then Wen Ning murders him. Jin Luying Qin Su (Chinese: 秦愫) The wife of Jin Guangyao, who she happens to be related to; the daughter of Qin Cangye, leader of the Laoling Qin sect, a subsidiary of Jin sect. Later, Qin Su kills herself after knowing some secrets. Qi Peixin Jin Ling (Chinese: 金凌)Courtesy name: Jin Rulan (Chinese: 金如兰). The sole heir of Jin sect, Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian's nephew, and the orphaned son of Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan. He wields the Suihua (Chinese: 岁华尊) sword and is also an excellent archer. He has a dog named Fairy who often torments Wei Wuxian as comic relief. He is prideful, somewhat immature, and short-tempered, but can also be kind and loyal if necessary. He is close friends with Lan Sizhui, Lan Jingyi and Ouyang Zizhen. Wang Yifei Luo Qingyang (Chinese: 罗青羊) Also known as Mian Mian (Chinese: 绵绵). A disciple of Jin sect. She is unafraid to speak up for what's right and later left Jin sect due to differing beliefs on Wei Wuxian, being one of the only characters aside from Lan Wangji who is willing to speak up for him. Liu Yinjun Jin Chan (Chinese: 金阐) A disciple of Lanling Jin sect. He bullied Jin Ling, but is stopped by Wei Wuxian.
Qinghe Nie Sect