‘The Untamed’: Every time Lan Wangji should have said “I love you”

Well said. Their performances are intense and in some ways, the censorship made all these tiny moments carry such emotional weight. Kind of like the small things between people in real life are sometimes the most heartwrenching. I don’t know how I stumbled upon this on Netflix but I’m glad I did. I love it. Too much, probably. I didn’t know about the significance of giving chickens in Chinese culture. Thanks for that. I did laugh at the fact that it was two roosters. Clever. These two guys impressed the hell out of me. I’m still kinda in love with both of them. So beautiful, true, but their emotions are what slayed me.

I love this article right on point as a fan of untamed
Their chemistry was able to be seen without words

Just my thougts.
There will always be changes to film adaptations of the novel. For example, in the novel, Wei Wuxian has told Lan Wangji about his childhood and growing up, the mischief he got up to (stealing chickens for example) and so when Lan Wangji got drunk, he wanted to relive these moments with Wei Wuxian and so he does exactly that.
The young Lan Wangji would never have told Wei Wuxian that he loved him. His upbringing and lack of family affection and the strict laws of his family (his ancestor was a monk) wouldn’t allow him to. Until he (thought) he lost Wei Wuxian, he would never express his feelings of affections. Even in the novel, they both didn’t confess (actually Wei Wuxian did it first) until near the very end ( which is of similar style with the author’s other novels).
There was actually one love confession scene which was not included in the film series. In the film series, Wei Wuxian jumps off the cliff and dies immediately after his sister or Shijie died. In the novel, Lan Wangji actually took him away from the scene in Wei Wuxian’s catatonic state. He took him to Luan Zang Gang and tried to heal him. All through the healing process he kept telling Wei Wuxian that he loved him and would stay by his side no matter what. However, Wei Wuxian was having a mental breakdown due to the loss of his sister and only told Lan Wangji to “guan” which means leave. Wei Wuxian had no recollection of Lan Wangji’s confession later.
Lan Wangji’s brother and uncle, and 33 seniors from the clan came along not long after and tried to make Lan Wangji give up Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji did not and ended up inflicting injury to the seniors. Lan Wangji told them to leave and that he would take the punishment after. When Wei Wuxian was stable, Lan Wangji went home and took the punishment, 1 whip for each senior he had injured. In total 33 whips which caused him to take 3 years to recover. Just a fun fact, the 33 whips was the same number of brusht srokes to Wei Wuxian’s name in Chinese character’s.

You should also point out the three vows (I think it is in episode 45 or 46) that represent that at that point, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji already consider each other husband and husband. Because the third vow means that Wei Ying is presenting his husband to his adoptive family. Is a very cute addition, very small and many don’t notice.

You forgot the clearest of them all. When they talk about being “bossom friends”. In the book, in this part, WeiWuxian is still wearing the blindfold and Lan WangJi uses it to steal WWX 1st kiss (WWX is too stupid to realise it’s LWJ and LWJ is too innocent back then and thinks LWJ has kissed plenty of girls, but it is, in fact, both their 1st kiss).
In the series this is substituted by a very emotional scene with the music and exchange of gazes that makes clear that while they say friendship, they are both actually talking about THE love of their lives.

Aaah this is so touching.❤️ It’s kinda sad that Wei and Lan Zhan weren’t able to express their love for each other clearly because of the censorship in China. Wish their would be a second season but I don’t think it’s possible ??

The untamed is my all time most favorite and unforgettable love story without saying ‘I lovevyou’ makes it most precious. The chemistry between Lan wangi and Wei is beyond comprehension. Looking forward to seeing them both together again.

I would have to disagree…..mostly because I read the novel and the show was pretty on point for most of it. Although the name of the song wasn’t revealed in the show, it wouldn’t have been revealed in the Xuanwu cave even without censorship. In the novel WWX is so out of it, he doesn’t really hear it so the readers don’t even know until towards the end.
Their confession and them saying I love you doesn’t happen til literally the very end right when they storm that temple and Jin Guangyao. And the reason for that….well…far too r-rated for me to mention on this platform.

So all those confessions of “i love you” would never even happen in the show until the end. Although they definitely censored the physically intimate scenes. at the end. No way China gonna allow that in.

If you loved The Untamed, please read the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi (there is an online English translation, can’t tell you where bc it isn’t an official one, but a google search will work wonders!) ;-) Read it if only for the confession scene (though incidentally it’s a fabulous novel through and through). This is my favorite literary confession, hands down, and you’re talking to a woman with two literature degrees and a good 40 years of reading under her belt!

I did really love this drama..umm actuly both novel n drama looked nice and good even tbe drama not showing love part.. but every time they togather there showing romantic in LWJ x WWX part..and i really love it even they never says love.. in they eyes they aleredy told us…they both inlove towards each other

You must have missed the other embrace in the drama when Jiang Cheng hugged Wei Wuxian upon his long absence.

With the exception of a few small scenes that were cut due to being quite unambiguous in showing that their feelings for one another were not platonic (such as Lan Zhan stealing a blindfolded Wei’s first kiss, a few rather more blatant scenes involving Zhan’s headband, and a couple of incidents of slightly suggestive behaviour while Zhan is drunk – as well as an intimate situation later on while the two were both drunk), the portrayal of all but one of those scenes you mentioned was actually very true to the novel. (The ending scene involved the two stating to Yuan that they were eloping, and they did say “I love you” to each other at the point you mentioned.)

During the bowing scene that Meru Hina mentioned, in the novel Wei silently sends a prayer to his Aunt and Uncle’s spirits to tell them that in his heart he’s offering the three bows of a couple who are marrying, because the one bowing beside him is the love of his life. Later on Zhan essentially says the same thing – the first time they go to have sex after their mutual confessions Wei teases Zhan that he’s “so shameless”, since they aren’t married and thus he’s about to break the rules of his sect. Zhan refutes this, saying that they already did the three bows together before Wei’s ancestors and he considers them to be married.

Zhan is a very stoic, self-controlled and disciplined individual, while Wei is forgetful, mischevious, and oblivious – also in some ways quite comically naive – which keeps causing misunderstandings between the two. Sometimes made worse by Wei’s love of teasing and pestering Zhan in order to get him to react.

Wei takes a long time to even recognize that he has feelings for Zhan in the first place; though in retrospect he acknowledges some of his actions when they were younger in their first life indicate that he actually liked Zhan from the beginning without realising it.

Since Lan Zhan confessed his love repeatedly right before Wei’s death and Wei never gave him any indication of returning the sentiment afterwards – only flirting shamelessly with him after his return as a joke or a distraction in a manner that would have been very cruel if he’d actually remembered Zhan’s confession – Zhan doesn’t admit his feelings again until Wei manages to convince him of his own sincerity.

Zhan isn’t holding back his “I love you”s in all but the last of those scenes because of censorship – he’s holding it back because he’s already told Wei how he feels, and believes that his feelings are unwelcome.

It actually adds to the impact when you consider that his devotion is unfaltering despite the fact that he believes he’s been rejected, and his love is so pure and enduring that he chooses to stay by Wei’s side without doing or saying anything that might make Wei uncomfortable or hint at pressuring him to change his mind. Especially when he knows just how much Wei needs his support and companionship, he refuses to do or say anything that might be considered taking advantage of his vulnerability.

Even believing that Wei is mocking his feelings, or attempting to hint that he’s willing to pay Zhan back with his body out of gratitude rather than having any desire to do so doesn’t prompt him to open up about his own feelings or desires with someone who doesn’t return them – and his love is deep enough that it doesn’t drive him away. He holds back his own heartbreak and hurt to remain loyal to what he believes is an unrequited love despite gaining absolutely nothing but more heartache for all his efforts, without ever once attempting to try to change Wei’s mind. Zhan demonstrates nothing but respect for what he believes is Wei’s rejection of his love, despite Wei’s actions making him think that Wei doesn’t respect his feelings in return.

The depiction of Lan Zhan and his feelings for Wei WuXian in the novel is the single most unequivically powerful example of selfless, unconditional love I’ve ever read.

When Wei learns what happened during the gaps in his memory from the end of his first life, he’s both thrilled and horrified – elated that Zhan does return his feelings, but disgusted by himself for his obliviousness; ashamed of how much he must have been unintentionally hurting Zhan all this time where it would have seemed like he was playing with the other’s feelings. He’s also awestruck and humbled as he’s forced to re-evaluate all of their interactions since his return with his new knowledge and realises the depth of Zhan’s devotion to him and the strength of his character. He swears to himself then and there that he’ll explain himself properly to Zhan as soon as possible, because Zhan doesn’t deserve to suffer another minute of thinking his love is one-sided.

I have to agree with Sarah about the awesomeness of the confession scene in the novel. It’s exceptional and well worth reading chapters 99 and 100 even if you’re not interested in reading the rest of the book – which in itself is well worth reading. (Chapter 99 where Wei learns how Zhan feels about him, and Chapter 100 where he confesses.)

It’s initially hilarious due to a flustered Wei blurting out the most embarrassing and least romantic confession possible in public; but it becomes extremely sweet and romantic when Wei realises that he wasn’t very clear about his actual feelings and Zhan thinks he was just teasing him again. At that point he haltingly offers a very detailed and touching explanation of exactly how he feels about the other man, which continues until Zhan realises he truly means it.

All of those romantically charged scenes and almost-“I-Love-You”s throughout the story beforehand serve to make the actual confession that much more poignant and beautiful when it finally happens. All the build-up prior to that simply lays the foundation to show how very deeply Zhan feels for Wei – despite Wei’s obliviousness and the way he keeps unintentionally hurting Zhan’s feelings. It allows Wei to understand Zhan’s seemingly hot-yet-cold attitude towards him at times, and believe in the depth of Zhan’s devotion once he learns what happened during the gaps in his memories.

Therefore, in the interest of being true to the original story, there are only two scenes in the series where they should have said the words and didn’t – during the final showdown with Jin GuangYao, and the scene you mentioned at the end. The scene where Zhan first confesses to Wei before his death is cut out completely, along with every other explicit reference towards homosexual feelings, and gay sex or a gay relationship between them due to censorship; but the series actually portrays their relationship and interactions quite faithfully to canon otherwise.

I finished the series a few days ago and now watching it for the third time. Even thought the story line was altered it’s still great. The acting was impressive which still brings me to tears watching it again and again. I’m praying for the sequel and most importantly with the same actors. The only thing I can say about The Untamed after I watched Eternal Love, Ashes of Love and more… is that it’s my most favorite drama. Love, love and love it! Btw, is there a novel of this in English for me to buy and where? Please help!!!!!

There’s a scene where Lan Zhan asks Wei Wuxian, “what am I to you?” WWX replies, “I’ve always thought of you as my lifelong confidant (or soulmate, depending on translation). LZ then replies, ” I still am.” Cue intense eye contact. Isn’t that the ultimate declaration of love for each other?

This was a really lovely and well-thought out article to read and relive all of those precious WangXian moments! I do have to say though, I still believe that the real, mutual confession of love as depicted in the novel is a million times better than any other possible confession during any other opportunity in the cannon. Mo Dao Zu Shi, and its adaption The Untamed, are remarkable as they both show the subtle developments relationships between two people who are never able to properly understand the relationship between them; Wei Wuxian in all his goodwill believes truly that Lan Zhan greatly dislikes him- Lan Wanji is unable to come to terms with his feelings for WWX until it’s too late, and after WWX’s assumption of his new body mistakenly thinks WWX has rejected his feelings.

While in the novel the cast ends up ridiculing WWX for his obliviousness during the climax, which triggers WWX’s understanding of LWJ’s true feelings for him, what I love about The Untamed is that it proves no matter how long their feelings are unsure or misunderstood, without needing to be said out loud, their affections for each other make themselves perfectly clear. Even if WWX needed a second incarnation, a little time and travel to realize :)

I’m on episode 35 of the Netflix series and I’ve loved every minute of it from the beginning. The two actors playing Wei and Wangli are excellent in portraying their obvious love for each others with such subtlety. I am going to look for a translation of the novel.

This article is amazing😭❤️ I couldn’t agree more. I just finished the Series yesterday and I already miss them🤧. Sadly maybe we can’t have a season 2 for The Untamed. I realy hope we could😔. I’m a new fan btw😄

I haven’t finished the drama yet but it always seems like Lan Wangji was showing his heart in his eyes but I didn’t say see the same look of yearning from Wei Wuxian. But in the book it seems that Wei Wuxian shows his affection much more.
I still love both versions, the drama and the book but the book is definitely my favorite.

I liked this uwu. Actually WWX and LWJ do hold hand in 3-5 chances: at the boat, at the temple, when Lan Zhan is drunk (two times) and other time I can’t remember atm (but it isn’t that noticeable tho) and there’s actually another hug scenes between WWX and JC after Wei Ying finally came back after being lost for 3 months (episode 20) also idk if it counts but when WWX saved Jin Ling in episode 49 they hug each other. I think the best times are at the Carp tower when they were surrounded, WWX should have said ILY to LWJ at the temple when he was with the “rope” around his neck, when he told LZ to get help and he refused, I think it was the best time (similar to the novel) or once they were inside the temple and Wei Ying told Lan Zhan he didn’t need to do that and Lan Zhan said he did what he had to, and when they’re at the waterfall in the last episode <3 I think LZ wouldn’t tell WY he liked/loved him when they were younger (mostly because I feel he wouldn’t say that to him if he didn’t felt the same/didn’t know if he felt the same).

Muy buena reseña!!! Tantos “TE AMO” que sólo vemos en sus miradas!!! No pude leer más porque sería todo un spolier porque aún no la termino. Amo esta historia!! <3

I AM A DIE- HARD FAN OF SEAN XIAO ZHAN….I LITERALLY FELL HOPELESSLY IN LOVE WITH HIM….I CAN’T CONTROL MYSELF OVER HIM…EVEN READING THIS MY HEART WAS RACING….I AM A TEENAGER WHO IS WILLING TO MARRY ZHAN EVEN IF HE IS 99YEAR OLD….I AM CLEAR OF MY DREAMS…I WILL TRAVEL WORLD AND DO EVERYTHING IMPOSSIBLE TO COMMON..MY ONE GREAT DREAM IS TO MEET ZHAN…I CAN WORK EVEN AS HIS SLAVE TO SEE HIM…THIS STORY HAS A PLACE NEXT TO MY HEART…I ACTUALLY DON’T HOOK UP WITH A GUY IN MOVIE OR DRAMA FOR MORE THAN A WEEK…BUT ZHAN HAS ALREADY TAKEN 20000 PICS IN MY GALLERY….AND ALSO 3 CHAMBERS OF MY HEART…I SIMPLY DREAM OF HIM…I HAVE SEEN MYSELF AS A ACTRESS IN A DRAMA WITH HIM…I AM NOW WRITING IT DOWN…I AM A POET ALSO…I HAVE WRITTEN POEMS ON HIM AND UNTAMED…I WONDER WHY… NOTHING STOPS ME EXCEPT HIM…THIS IS MY FIRST GOOGLE COMMENT…JUST FOR MY LOVE…SEAN XIAO ZHAN…❤️

I know that in China the fans of this genre (boys’ love) are mostly heterosexual women. I’m curious if it’s similar here.

I loved this series so much that I’m still watching it, I believe I’m on my 15th round, not an exaggeration. I love the subtle nuances hay the actors were able to portray their feelings for each other. I love Wei Wuxian’s scattered brained, flirty, mischievous character to Lan Wanji’s more stoic, cold but loving nature. They are truly the perfect pair. I love how Wei Ying was obviously enthralled with Lan Zhan from when they first met as teens but wasn’t truly aware of his feelings. Or that Alan Zhan falls madly in love with him but has to withhold his feelings because of Wei’s flirt with everyone behavior and it not be something easily accepted at the time. The dedication they had toward each other and how Alan Zhan would always defend him always gave me goosebumps. I love their live for each other and that makes it hard to stay away from the story. It’s so well written and developed

I have a theory, to me the most annoying character is Jiang Chen. Does anyone else think that he was jealous not only of Wei because his father seemed to favor him but because he maybe had a crush on him too?

This is a great article! Though at the beginning of the article I think there’s some misconstruing on why they couldn’t get together in the first place. Being gay wasn’t unacceptable in ancient China. At least for two men it wasn’t. There is a famous story of an emperor who was sleeping next to his lover-a man-who was partially laying on his sleeve. Not wanting to disturb him, he cut his sleeve off. This led to the famous term ‘cut sleeve’ when referring to gay men specifically. It doesn’t have an equivalent in English because at the time it had a romantic connotation.
Western and Central Asian influence did seep into China in the Tang Dynasty but homosexual relationships were still fairly common at least among the upper classes and royal court. The Qing Dynasty was the first to institute a law against consensual, non-monetized homosexuality, however this was possibly due to the government limiting relationships outside of government monitoring. By the 20th century more stringent laws and regulations were enforced as homophobia was imported to China from the west.
I know this article focuses on the Untamed which is really historical fantasy, and doesn’t take after historical events, but the novel is depicted in a XianXia world which has its roots in the Warring States period. Anyhoo, I just thought I would put in my two cents! I think the fact that they’re relationship could develop without having to be ashamed with being attracted to and in love with another man, although other political, social and personal elements (Lan Zhan’s disdain for base sexual needs at the beginning, for example) all played parts in preventing them from actually getting together until after Wei Wuxian was brought back 13-16 years after his death (the year discrepancy is from the novel and the live action drama).

you left out an important one!

in episode, I think it’s 27 or 28, Lan Wangji tells his brother “there is a man I want to take back to Gusu and hide.”

this is when he reveals to his brother that he loves Wei Wuxian and wants to essentially hide Wei Ying away like his father his his mother away.