No, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji do not explicitly kiss in The Untamed. The series, a live-action adaptation of the wildly popular Boys’ Love (BL) novel Mo Dao Zu Shi, navigates China’s strict media censorship by portraying their deep connection as an intense, soulmate-level bond, often termed “bromance,” rather than overt romance.
I remember scrolling through countless fan forums after finishing The Untamed for the first time, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. Like so many others, I was utterly captivated by the undeniable chemistry between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, their gazes, their unspoken promises, and the profound depth of their connection. Yet, there was always that one question, burning in the back of everyone’s mind, a question whispered in online communities and debated endlessly: “Did they actually… you know… kiss?” The answer, as I quickly learned and as many fans begrudgingly accepted, was a resounding ‘no’ – at least not in the way many Western audiences, or even those familiar with the original novel, might expect or hope for. And honestly, for a show that managed to convey such intense love without a single lip-lock, that’s quite a feat, isn’t it?
My own journey into The Untamed began with curiosity, fueled by friends who couldn’t stop raving about it. “You have to watch it,” they insisted, “the story, the characters, the subtle romance – it’s all just *chef’s kiss*.” I approached it with an open mind, well aware that Chinese television operates under different rules than, say, a Netflix original produced in the West. And while a part of me, the part that loves seeing healthy, diverse relationships portrayed explicitly, might have wished for that clear, undeniable physical affirmation of their love, another part of me was utterly enthralled by the sheer genius of how the showrunners communicated everything without it. It truly felt like a masterclass in subtext and implied emotion, proving that a love story doesn’t always need overt physical acts to be profoundly moving and deeply felt.
The Source Material: A World of Explicit Love
To truly understand why the question “Do Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji kiss in The Untamed?” is so prevalent, we first need to look at its roots: the web novel Mo Dao Zu Shi (MDZS), also known as Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. This novel is unequivocally a Boys’ Love (BL) story, a subgenre of media focusing on romantic relationships between male characters. In the novel, the romantic and sexual relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is explicit and central to the plot.
The novel doesn’t shy away from detailing their intimate moments, from tender kisses to more explicit encounters. It’s a foundational element of their character development and the progression of their relationship. Fans of the novel know without a shadow of a doubt that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are deeply, passionately, and physically in love. This established context from the source material naturally creates an expectation for readers transitioning to the live-action adaptation. They come to The Untamed with a clear understanding of the original narrative’s romantic core, inevitably leading to questions about how this core translates to the screen, especially regarding physical displays of affection.
The Untamed’s Delicate Dance: Navigating Censorship
The primary reason for the absence of explicit romantic gestures, like kissing, between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji in The Untamed lies squarely with China’s media censorship laws. The Chinese government has strict regulations concerning the portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships on mainstream television. Content depicting homosexuality is often classified as “vulgar” or “unhealthy” and is either heavily censored or outright banned from broadcast.
This presented a significant challenge for the production team of The Untamed. How do you adapt a wildly popular BL novel, beloved by millions, without explicitly showing the very element that defines its genre? The solution was a creative, often ingenious, approach known as “bromance” adaptation or “danmei” (the Chinese term for BL) adaptation. Instead of direct romance, the show framed the relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji as an exceptionally profound and intimate friendship, a bond of “soulmates” or “confidantes” (知己, zhījǐ). This allowed the series to pass censorship while still hinting strongly at the romantic undertones for viewers who were familiar with the source material or simply picked up on the pervasive subtext.
The production team had to walk a tightrope, carefully balancing the need to satisfy the novel’s fans, appease the censors, and create a compelling narrative for a general audience. It’s a testament to their skill that they managed to convey so much emotional depth and genuine affection without ever crossing the line into explicit romantic acts. This delicate dance is what makes The Untamed such a fascinating case study in adaptive storytelling and navigating restrictive creative environments.
Beyond the Kiss: The Art of Implied Romance
One of the most remarkable aspects of The Untamed is its masterful use of implied romance. While the characters never share an explicit kiss, the show is replete with scenes, gestures, and glances that convey a deep, abiding love between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. This isn’t just “queerbaiting” – a term often used critically for media that hints at queer relationships without ever delivering – but rather a sophisticated form of queer-coding and subtextual storytelling forced by external constraints. The creators meticulously crafted a narrative where their devotion is palpable, even if unspoken.
The power of the gaze, for instance, is utilized to its fullest. Lan Wangji’s eyes, in particular, often speak volumes. His unwavering focus on Wei Wuxian, the concern, admiration, and longing etched into his expressions, convey more than any dialogue or physical act could. Similarly, Wei Wuxian’s playful yet deeply trusting and reliant interactions with Lan Wangji constantly reinforce their unique bond. The subtle touches, the way they instinctively move to protect each other, the shared understanding in moments of silence – all contribute to building a profound emotional intimacy that transcends the need for a physical kiss.
Moreover, the show’s musical score, particularly the iconic theme song “WangXian” (a portmanteau of their names), plays a crucial role. This melody, composed by Lan Wangji for Wei Wuxian, becomes a leitmotif for their relationship, appearing in moments of joy, sorrow, and reunion. Its emotional resonance amplifies the unspoken feelings between them, serving as an auditory representation of their intertwined souls. This layered approach to storytelling ensures that while the kiss may be absent, the love story is undeniably present and deeply felt by its audience.
Key Moments of Undeniable Connection (Without a Kiss)
While an explicit kiss never happens, The Untamed is overflowing with moments that, for fans, serve as powerful affirmations of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s profound connection. These scenes are often the ones cited when discussing how the show managed to convey such deep love without direct romantic acts.
Indoctrination at Wen Clan & the Cave
Even in their youth, during their confinement at the Wen Clan’s indoctrination camp, their bond starts to form. In the Mystic Cave, when facing the Tortoise of Slaughter, Lan Wangji shields Wei Wuxian, and Wei Wuxian, in turn, cares for Lan Wangji’s injured leg. The sharing of core energy, the raw vulnerability, and the trust they develop in this harrowing situation lay the groundwork for their lifelong devotion. Lan Wangji sings the unnamed song (later named “WangXian”) to Wei Wuxian, a deeply personal and intimate act that foreshadows their future. Their close proximity, shared pain, and mutual reliance here are early indicators of their unique connection.
The Sunshot Campaign and Aftermath
Throughout the Sunshot Campaign, Lan Wangji’s unwavering support and concern for Wei Wuxian become increasingly evident. Even as Wei Wuxian delves into demonic cultivation, Lan Wangji is always there, trying to protect him, trying to guide him back to a path he believes is safer. His pleas, his worried glances, and his quiet determination to stand by Wei Wuxian, even when they disagree, speak volumes about his deep feelings. When Wei Wuxian falls into the Burial Mounds, Lan Wangji’s despair and later his desperate search are starkly portrayed, hinting at the depth of his grief and attachment.
The 16-Year Separation and Reunion
The 16-year gap between Wei Wuxian’s supposed death and his return is characterized by Lan Wangji’s profound sorrow and unwavering loyalty. He searches for Wei Wuxian for years, plays “WangXian” on his guqin, and even adopts Wei Wuxian’s nephew, A-Yuan (Lan Sizhui), raising him in Wei Wuxian’s image. Upon their reunion, there’s a tangible relief and an unspoken understanding that passes between them. Lan Wangji’s immediate recognition of Wei Wuxian playing “WangXian” on the dizi, despite Wei Wuxian being in a different body, is a powerful symbol of their soulmate connection. His protective instincts immediately kick back in, demonstrating that his devotion has not wavered.
Drunken Lan Wangji’s Confession
This sequence is perhaps the closest the show gets to an explicit confession. While drunk, Lan Wangji reveals his true desires and thoughts. He clings to Wei Wuxian, expresses his envy of Wei Wuxian’s freedom, and even goes as far as to tattoo himself with the same brand Wei Wuxian bore. He admits to Wei Wuxian, “I want to bring you back to Gusu… hide you away.” This line, delivered with a mix of longing and possessiveness, is taken directly from the novel and clearly indicates romantic intent, even if Wei Wuxian, at the time, doesn’t fully grasp its depth. The intimate setting, the vulnerability, and Lan Wangji’s actions speak louder than any sober confession could.
The Guanyin Temple Scene
The climax at Guanyin Temple is an emotional powerhouse. Here, both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are at their most vulnerable, confronting past traumas and their true feelings. Lan Wangji stands steadfastly by Wei Wuxian’s side, even against his own brother, Lan Xichen, who questions Wei Wuxian’s motives. The trust, the unwavering support, and the deep understanding they share in this moment are palpable. Wei Wuxian confesses his reliance on Lan Wangji, and Lan Wangji’s protective stance reinforces his devotion. The sheer emotional intensity of their exchanges here transcends any need for physical intimacy.
“Every Day Means Every Day”
This phrase, a callback to a novel line where Lan Wangji proposes marriage with “Every day means every day,” becomes a subtle yet powerful declaration in the drama. While not explicitly stated as a marriage proposal, the context in which it’s used in the show, combined with Lan Wangji’s consistent desire for Wei Wuxian to stay by his side, clearly communicates a deep, lifelong commitment. It’s an inside nod for novel readers and a potent symbol for all viewers of Lan Wangji’s unwavering desire for a shared future with Wei Wuxian.
The Final Scene(s)
The ending of The Untamed, with its two slightly different interpretations (the cut scene and the broadcast version), still delivers a powerful emotional punch. In both versions, the implication is that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji choose to remain together, their paths finally aligned. The lingering gazes, the genuine smiles, and the profound sense of peace they share leave no doubt that they have found their way back to each other, destined to walk together. While a physical kiss is absent, the profound joy and mutual understanding in their final exchange are more impactful than any explicit act could have been under the circumstances. They find their peace and their home in each other.
These moments, woven throughout the series, demonstrate how The Untamed meticulously built a love story through subtext, character reactions, visual storytelling, and powerful performances by Xiao Zhan (Wei Wuxian) and Wang Yibo (Lan Wangji). The absence of a kiss, therefore, becomes less about what’s missing and more about the incredible artistry of what was achieved despite the constraints.
The “What Ifs” and Fan Creations
The intense emotional connection portrayed in The Untamed, coupled with the knowledge of its explicit source material, naturally fueled a vibrant and extensive fan community. For many, the implied romance wasn’t enough, or it simply ignited a desire to see what could have been without censorship. This led to a flourishing landscape of fan creations, exploring the “what ifs” and giving voice to the explicit romance that the show couldn’t outwardly display.
Fanfiction, in particular, became a massive outlet. Thousands of stories sprung up across platforms like Archive of Our Own (AO3), delving into everything from domestic slice-of-life scenarios for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to detailed, explicit depictions of their romantic and sexual relationship. These stories often picked up where the show left off, imagining their life together after the series finale, or re-interpreting key scenes with the explicit romantic elements from the novel. Fan artists, too, contributed greatly, creating beautiful illustrations, comics, and even animated shorts that depicted kisses, embraces, and other intimate moments between the two characters, fulfilling the visual longing of the fandom.
This thriving fan culture isn’t just about wish fulfillment; it’s also a testament to the power of the show’s storytelling. Even without explicit scenes, The Untamed so deeply resonated with its audience that it compelled them to actively participate in expanding its narrative. The “what ifs” became a communal experience, allowing fans to collectively imagine a world where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s love could be openly celebrated in all its forms, cementing the show’s status as a cultural phenomenon that transcended its on-screen limitations.
Why The Untamed Succeeded Despite Constraints
It’s easy to assume that removing the explicit romantic elements from a BL novel adaptation would inevitably lead to its downfall. Yet, The Untamed not only succeeded but became a global sensation. Its triumph lies in several key factors that allowed it to transcend its censorship-imposed limitations:
- Unparalleled Character Depth: The show meticulously developed Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, giving them complex backstories, motivations, and growth arcs. Their individual struggles and triumphs resonated deeply with viewers, making their bond feel earned and profoundly meaningful.
- Exceptional Chemistry Between Actors: Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, who portrayed Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji respectively, delivered performances that were nothing short of phenomenal. Their on-screen chemistry was palpable, conveyed through subtle glances, body language, and shared emotional intensity. They truly embodied their characters, making their connection believable and deeply moving.
- Masterful Visual Storytelling: The directors and cinematographers employed a sophisticated visual language. Lingering shots, close-ups on hands, eyes, or subtle expressions, and the strategic use of framing allowed them to convey intimacy and emotion without dialogue or overt physical acts.
- Evocative Musical Score: The original soundtrack, especially the recurring theme “WangXian,” played a critical role in setting the mood and amplifying emotional resonance. The music often filled the gaps where explicit dialogue or actions could not, signaling the depth of their bond.
- Universal Themes: Beyond the romance, The Untamed explores universal themes of justice, loyalty, prejudice, loss, and redemption. These themes resonate with a wide audience, regardless of their interest in the romantic subtext. The story’s focus on standing up for what’s right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition, has broad appeal.
- Respectful Adaptation: Despite the censorship, the production team showed immense respect for the source material. They retained key plot points, character personalities, and the essence of the relationship, allowing fans of the novel to recognize and appreciate the adaptation, even with its necessary changes.
These elements combined to create a narrative so compelling and emotionally resonant that the absence of explicit romance became less of a flaw and more of a testament to the show’s creative ingenuity. It proved that a powerful love story can be told through subtext and implication, challenging preconceived notions about what constitutes a “complete” romantic depiction.
The Global Impact: A Lesson in Subtext
The Untamed didn’t just succeed within China; it became a global phenomenon, captivating audiences across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its international success sparked a significant amount of discussion about representation, adaptation, and the power of subtext in storytelling. For many Western audiences, accustomed to more overt and explicit representations of romance, The Untamed served as a compelling introduction to a different mode of storytelling.
The show demonstrated that emotional intimacy and romantic love could be effectively conveyed through subtle cues, intense gazes, protective gestures, and carefully crafted dialogue. This forced viewers to pay closer attention to nuances, to “read between the lines,” and to actively participate in interpreting the characters’ relationships. This approach, born out of necessity, inadvertently deepened the viewer’s engagement and appreciation for the craft of filmmaking. It proved that a story’s emotional core doesn’t always require explicit visuals to be profoundly impactful.
Moreover, The Untamed opened up conversations about the challenges faced by creators in censored environments. It highlighted how artists can find innovative ways to express themselves and connect with their audience, even under strict limitations. Its global reach also brought increased attention to Chinese drama (C-drama) as a whole, introducing many to a rich and diverse landscape of television productions they might have otherwise overlooked. In essence, The Untamed became a cultural bridge, offering a unique perspective on storytelling and the universal language of love and human connection, irrespective of cultural or political boundaries.
Checklist: How The Untamed Conveyed Love Without a Kiss
Here’s a quick rundown of the brilliant techniques The Untamed employed to communicate Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s profound love without any explicit kissing:
- Intense Eye Contact: Lingering gazes, meaningful glances, and eyes that consistently sought each other out.
- Protective Body Language: Instinctively standing in front of, reaching out for, or shielding one another.
- Subtle Physical Proximity: Consistently standing or sitting closer to each other than to other characters.
- Shared Music/Melodies: The significant role of “WangXian” as their theme, composed and played by Lan Wangji for Wei Wuxian.
- Unwavering Loyalty: Sticking by each other’s side through thick and thin, even when it meant defying family or tradition.
- Exclusive Emotional Connection: Sharing vulnerabilities, secrets, and an understanding that no one else truly grasps.
- Dedicated Actions: Lan Wangji’s 16 years of searching, his physical scars for Wei Wuxian, and his adoption of A-Yuan.
- Loaded Dialogue & Subtext: Lines like “I want to bring you back to Gusu… hide you away,” and “Every day means every day,” hinting at deeper romantic intentions.
- Mirroring Gestures: Subtly reflecting each other’s actions or expressions, indicating deep empathy and connection.
- Emotional Vulnerability: Openly expressing deep feelings of concern, joy, or sorrow only in each other’s presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is The Untamed a Boys’ Love (BL) drama?
While The Untamed is widely considered a Boys’ Love (BL) drama by its global fanbase and is adapted from the explicit BL novel Mo Dao Zu Shi, its official classification and on-screen portrayal in China adhere to the “bromance” genre. This distinction is crucial due to strict censorship laws in China that prohibit the depiction of same-sex romantic relationships on mainstream television.
The production team masterfully navigated these restrictions by focusing on the deep, platonic-sounding bond between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, emphasizing their “soulmate” or “confidant” connection (知己, zhījǐ). However, the narrative is imbued with so much emotional depth, longing gazes, and subtextual cues that it is overwhelmingly interpreted as a romantic relationship by viewers who are familiar with the source material or are simply adept at reading between the lines. Therefore, while it is not *explicitly* a BL drama in its direct visual content, it absolutely functions as one for its audience, skillfully employing queer-coding to convey the original story’s romantic essence.
Q2: Why couldn’t they just show them kissing?
The inability to explicitly show Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji kissing, or engaging in any overt romantic gestures, stems directly from the stringent media censorship policies in mainland China. The Chinese government classifies content depicting same-sex relationships as “vulgar” or “unhealthy,” and thus, such portrayals are either heavily censored, altered, or outright banned from broadcast on television and major streaming platforms.
For a production like The Untamed, which aimed for a wide release and commercial success, adhering to these censorship guidelines was non-negotiable. Deviating from these rules would have resulted in the show being pulled from broadcast, facing severe fines, or even the blacklisting of its cast and crew. The creators had to make a pragmatic decision: adapt the beloved novel in a way that respects its core story and characters as much as possible, while still ensuring it could be seen by millions. This meant translating the explicit romance of the novel into a more ambiguous, yet deeply felt, “bromance” on screen, carefully crafting every scene to imply love without ever visually confirming it through physical acts like kissing. It’s a testament to their creativity that they managed to convey so much within these strict boundaries.
Q3: How do fans know they’re in love if there’s no kiss?
Fans understand that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are in love through a combination of powerful narrative techniques and the context provided by the original novel. Firstly, the original source material, Mo Dao Zu Shi, is unequivocally a Boys’ Love (BL) novel, where their romantic and sexual relationship is explicit. This pre-existing knowledge deeply colors how novel readers approach the adaptation, allowing them to interpret the subtext more readily.
Secondly, the show itself is a masterclass in subtextual storytelling. The directors and actors utilized a rich array of non-verbal cues: Lingering gazes that convey longing and adoration; subtle touches that linger a moment too long; protective actions where they instinctively place themselves in harm’s way for each other; and profound, shared silences that speak volumes. Lan Wangji’s unwavering loyalty and actions over 16 years, such as searching for Wei Wuxian and adopting his nephew, are not typical of mere friendship. Additionally, the emotional intensity of their interactions, the way they confide in each other, and the exclusive nature of their bond clearly signify a deeper, unique connection. The evocative musical score, particularly the “WangXian” theme, consistently underscores their profound emotional link, solidifying for viewers that their relationship transcends typical platonic boundaries.
Q4: Did the actors, Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, ever talk about the romance?
The actors, Xiao Zhan (Wei Wuxian) and Wang Yibo (Lan Wangji), have consistently maintained a professional stance when discussing their characters’ relationship in The Untamed, especially in public interviews and appearances. Given the censorship laws in China, they had to be incredibly careful not to explicitly confirm the romantic nature of their characters’ bond.
Typically, they would refer to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji as “soulmates” or “confidantes” (知己, zhījǐ), aligning with the show’s official narrative of a profound friendship. They often spoke about the deep mutual understanding and trust between the characters, or how their characters supported each other through adversity. However, both actors frequently praised each other’s professionalism and their undeniable chemistry on set, which played a crucial role in bringing the characters’ complex relationship to life so convincingly. While they never directly acknowledged a romantic portrayal, their comments often hinted at the depth of the connection, and their off-screen interactions and behind-the-scenes footage frequently showcased a palpable camaraderie and understanding that further fueled fan interpretations of the on-screen relationship.
Q5: Are there other C-dramas like The Untamed that adapt BL novels?
Yes, The Untamed is part of a growing trend in Chinese television of adapting popular Boys’ Love (BL) or “danmei” novels into live-action series, often with similar strategies to bypass censorship. These adaptations typically transform the explicit romantic elements into a deeply intense “bromance,” focusing on the protagonists’ profound friendship, shared destiny, and loyalty to each other.
Some notable examples include: Word of Honor (山河令, Shan He Ling), adapted from Priest’s novel Tian Ya Ke, which aired in 2021 and was highly praised for its storytelling and the strong chemistry between its leads, Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing. It also pushed the boundaries of what could be implied under censorship, leading to intense fan discussions. Another example is Guardian (镇魂, Zhen Hun), released in 2018 and based on Priest’s novel of the same name. This series, while suffering from some visible censorship edits, also gained immense popularity for the dynamic between its main characters, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan. More recently, series like A League of Nobleman (君子盟, Jun Zi Meng), based on the novel Zhang Gong An, have continued this trend, albeit with varying degrees of success in conveying the underlying romantic tension. These dramas collectively demonstrate a creative approach to adapting beloved source material while navigating a challenging regulatory landscape, relying heavily on subtext, strong acting, and visual cues to tell their unique love stories.
Conclusion
So, to circle back to the burning question: Do Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji kiss in The Untamed? No, they do not. The creators of this beloved C-drama made a conscious and necessary decision to forgo explicit physical romance, including kissing, due to the realities of Chinese media censorship. However, to view this absence as a failing or an incomplete story would be to miss the extraordinary achievement of the series.
Instead, The Untamed stands as a powerful testament to the art of implied romance and subtextual storytelling. It proved that true love, in all its profound complexity, can be conveyed through the most subtle of gestures, the most intense of gazes, and the unwavering devotion between two souls. The connection between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is not diminished by the lack of a kiss; rather, it is elevated by the ingenious ways the show managed to communicate their deep, abiding love despite external constraints. It’s a story where glances speak louder than words, and a shared melody resonates more deeply than any physical embrace. For countless fans around the globe, the love between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji in The Untamed is palpable, undeniable, and utterly unforgettable, a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most powerful expressions of love are the ones whispered by the heart, not shown on the lips.