An architectural review of The Untamed

“Why would a living person worry about what happens after they die? I’ll just live freely for as long as possible.”

– Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Mo Dao Zu Shi (2015)

Adapted from the novel “Mo Dao Zu Shi” by Chinese author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, also known as MXTX; The Untamed is a television series aired on the Chinese video streaming website Tencent Video in 2019. Ensuing the fantasy genre of Xiaxia, which follows Chinese mythology and ideologies like Taoism and Chinese folk religion, The Untamed showcases the tale of two soulmate cultivators that learn and relearn each other through similarities and differences, all the while discovering truths and fighting the demons that had left scars on their past. Seeing the critical as well as commercial success of the show, the show was ranked first on the popularity index in late 2019-early 2020.1 

Although it is an epic fantasy with complex yet profound romance at its core, The Untamed had to censor the homoerotic subtexts originally depicted explicitly in the novel due to the broadcasting regulations in China. Even then; the strong plot, the exquisite production sets, and the well-written characters with an equally fitting cast delivered an exemplary performance that conquered the hearts of viewers worldwide. 

Premise: A Scenographic Chronicle

This show follows the story of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji in ancient China, two traditional cultivators raised in the Yunmeng Jiang clan and Gusu Lan clan respectively. While the major storyline takes place in the present, the roots of their story and how they come to know each other are explained through flashbacks. Opposite in their characters, due to their natures as well as differing styles of upbringing; both the paladins meet each other when Wei Wuxian joins his siblings along with other young cultivators to attend training sessions in the Gusu Lan sect. Their first meeting happens to take place on a rooftop, a livid Lan Wangji engaging in a sword battle with Wei Wuxian as the latter ends up breaking multiple rules of the Lan sect without intending to do so. This fighting sequence is one of the many breathtaking scenes that portray the chemistry of the actors alongside developing the roots of their epic tale.

Throughout the show, viewers come across countless stances where the surroundings of a specific scene end up playing a significant role in portraying the relevant emotions, leaving their traces in the minds of the audience. From the cold spring cave of the Lan sect that witnesses their fortuitous union to the lotus pier of the Jiang sect that is built among sprawling lotus ponds in the lazy shallows of a meandering river and shapes the youth of the Jiang siblings2: all the milestones of the story are represented through sets that provide physical as well as symbolic support to the emotional element of the specified scene.

Production: Symbolism in Storytelling

“Let the self judge the right and the wrong, let others decide to praise or to blame, let gains and losses remain uncommented on. I, too, know what I should and shouldn’t do.”

– Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Mo Dao Zu Shi (2015)

A fantasy drama dealing with two people who could not be more different fundamentally, and yet wind up becoming soulmates who understand, support, and love each other through everything, even through different lifetimes: The Untamed reveals many instances where the divergent magnetism or the concept of yin and yang to be direct, comes into play. Although not officially declared, viewers can notice this contrasting pattern in all elements of the production: characters, soundtrack, costumes, sets, as well as dialogues follow the theme of establishing deep connections while rejoicing in the contrasts. This symbolism leads to a major part of the set design concepts as each sect and its production portrays the lifestyle and the beliefs that are particular to that sect.

As a part of the designing process for the sets as well as costumes, the production team put in deliberate efforts in research to provide a footing to the cultural representation which is the basis of the whole storyline. An example of this would be the influences taken from the Song dynasty of 13th century China which are further portrayed in subtle manners in the various settings of the Gusu Lan sect.3 The Song dynasty was the catalyst for bringing systematic societal organisation and administrative sophistication, including but not limited to establishing large cities and encouraging social relief programs. Hints of these are visible in how the sets of Gusu Lan were designed, maintaining discipline and elegance at its core which also pays tribute to the lifestyle followed and encouraged by the Lans. Using darker shades of wood to signify the magnificence of their reign, the architecture for the Lan sect depicts architecture that is similar to that of the Song dynasty.

Similarly, direct references from Jiangshan and Hubei districts are taken into consideration for the portrayal of the Yunmeng Jiang sect. The architectural sets had wide and spacious qualities to them, alongside using yarn to imply transparency.3 The Jiangs led free-spirited and joyous lifestyles, which comes into view through the calm and warm colour tones used in the sets and the costumes. The vast river and the lotus coves surround the entire Lotus Pier, which serves as the residence for the Jiangs.

In conclusion, it is safe to say that The Untamed as a piece of media is an ideal example of the portrayal of culture, storyline, and emotions done right. It successfully conveys the story with appropriate perceptions delivered through a production that remains iconic in the history of not only Chinese media but global popular culture as well.

REFERENCE LIST:

IMAGES :

1. aflyingteapot. The Untamed – Episode 03. Pillowfort. [Screencapture]. (https://www.pillowfort.social/posts/820329?page=1&comment=431518)
2. soukatsu. Twitter/X. [Screencapture]. (https://x.com/soukatsu_/status/1151297265274892289)
3. (a) | [Screencapture].

(b) | The Charm of Song Dynasty. [Photograph]. (https://www.trip.com/blog/the-charm-of-song-dynasty/)

1. (a) | theviolethour3. Lotus Pier. [Art]. (https://www.reddit.com/r/MoDaoZuShi/comments/13dj6kr/lotus_pier/?rdt=51240)

(b) | Exploring Through Time:

Stepping into the Mysterious World of Asian Ancient Towns. CLUB TRAVEL. (https://www.clubtravel.com.hk/en/exploring-through-time-mysterious-world.html)

BIBLIOGRAPHY/EXTERNAL LINKS :

1. Weibo. Available at: https://m.weibo.cn/status/4559979988390428 
2. Beadle, N. Lotus Pier from Chinese fantasy drama The Untamed (with additional analysis). Domestika. Available at: https://www.domestika.org/en/projects/1527514-lotus-pier-from-chinese-fantasy-drama-the-untamed-with-additional-analysis [Accessed: 2 September 2024.]
3. People’s Daily (Chinese). Available at: http://ent.people.com.cn/n1/2019/0705/c1012-31216912.html [Accessed: 1 September 2024.]