The Untamed

Across a continent of rival cultivation clans, the wayward and charismatic Wei Wuxian returns to a society that remembers him with suspicion. Reconnecting with the reserved Lan Wangji, the two men follow a trail of strange deaths and buried secrets that link back to a catastrophic incident years earlier. As they piece together clues, they run into political scheming, dark magic and personal debts that won't stay buried. The show mixes investigation, martial arts and supernatural elements with quieter scenes of friendship, loyalty and grief, keeping its biggest twists for later while letting the characters' relationships develop in stages. It balances humor and tragedy, and often slows to focus on small human moments between action sequences.

Released in 2019, The Untamed adapts Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's novel, with directors Steve Cheng Wai-Man, Zheng Weiwen and Chan Ka-Lam guiding the TV version, and Yang Xia plus Guo Guangyun involved in creation, produced for television and streaming audiences.

The series drew attention at a range of Chinese television and online streaming award ceremonies, collecting multiple nominations for acting, cinematography and sound design. Those nods helped cement the show's industry profile and increased award-season visibility for cast members, even though it didn't win major international prizes.

The Untamed ignited one of the largest fandoms for a contemporary Chinese drama, fueling fan art, cosplay, social media trends and international subbing communities. Its leads became household names, and the series' music, costumes and visual motifs have been repeatedly referenced at conventions and in online fan creations.

Audiences and many critics responded strongly, reflected in a user vote average of 8.579/10, praising performances, on-screen chemistry and high production values. The series grapples with loyalty, moral ambiguity, memory and how past transgressions echo into the present, wrapped in supernatural conflict and political intrigue and the limits of justice.