Why ‘The Untamed’ became a global C-drama obsession

When The Untamed dropped in 2019, few expected a 50-episode xianxia fantasy drama based on a danmei novel (Mo Dao Zu Shi by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu) to become a cultural juggernaut. But it did!

With Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo leading the charge as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, the series exploded across Asia and beyond, redefining what Chinese dramas could be — and who they could reach.

So what made The Untamed so wildly popular? Let us break it down.

1. The soulmate energy of WangXian

At its core, The Untamed is a love story — coded, censored, but unmistakably tender. The chemistry between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is built on micro-expressions, lingering gazes and emotional loyalty that transcends genre. Despite censorship limitations, the show leaned into symbolism and subtlety, making their bond feel even more powerful.

“The way [Lan Wangji] looks at Wei Wuxian like he hung the moon and stars… it’s a great portrayal of a character who’s largely known to be expressionless and therefore all the harder to play,” says Soompi.

2. Acting that hits you with the right ‘feels’

Xiao Zhan’s portrayal of Wei Wuxian is mischievous, layered and heartbreaking. Wang Yibo’s Lan Wangji is stoic but emotionally rich. The entire series anchor on their performances, making even the most fantastical moments feel grounded in human emotion.

3. Morally complex storytelling

Forget black-and-white morality. The Untamed thrives in the gray. Characters make questionable choices, villains have depth and the show constantly asks: “What defines right and wrong?” This philosophical undertone gives the drama emotional weight and re-watch value.

“You’ll find yourself torn over the characters, their stories and their actions — a result of fantastic story writing,” Parcinq says.

4. Family and emotional catharsis

From sect loyalty to chosen bonds, The Untamed explores themes of grief, redemption and belonging. The dual timelines allow viewers to witness character growth in real time, making the emotional payoff deeply satisfying.

5. Global fandom and cultural impact

The Untamed is not just a trend — it built a fandom. International viewers created fan art, memes, translations and even academic studies. It introduced global audiences to danmei, xianxia and Chinese cultural aesthetics “D E F.”

6. Aesthetic world-building

Despite budget constraints, the drama’s production design — costumes, sets, props — became iconic. The visual language of the show, from swordplay to sect symbolism, created a fantasy world that felt immersive and emotionally resonant.

7. Timing and accessibility

Released during a time when global audiences were hungry for new content (early pandemic), The Untamed was available on platforms like Netflix and WeTV, making it easy to binge-watch. Its accessibility helped it cross cultural and linguistic barriers.