21/07/2025
“Returned Master” vs. “The Untamed” — Tale of Two Legends
Both "The Returned Master" and "The Untamed" have sparked passionate fanbases with their compelling characters, strong emotional bonds, and rich world-building. But while they share similar themes — brotherhood, loyalty, and destiny — they tell very different stories. Let's dive into how they compare.
🌌 1. Story & Genre
"The Untamed" is a xianxia fantasy filled with sects, cultivation, magic, and spiritual warfare. It follows Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, whose relationship becomes a pillar of emotional strength across political conspiracies and personal tragedy.
"The Returned Master" blends modern and mystical storytelling, centered on a lone wolf character returning to his people after years of exile. The emotional core focuses on identity, healing, and rekindled bonds — with a more grounded, tribal or wilderness tone.
Which storyline felt more immersive to you — the epic spiritual battles in The Untamed, or the emotional reconnection in Returned Master?
🤝 2. Bromance / BL Undertones
The Untamed (adapted from the BL novel Mo Dao Zu Shi) had to tone down the romantic elements due to censorship, but fans still felt the deep, unspoken love between the two leads.
Returned Master leans even more subtly into emotional closeness and loyalty, making the relationship between the characters feel less romantic and more ancestral or fraternal — but still very intense.
Do you prefer the quiet intimacy and shared pain in Returned Master, or the poetic, soul-bound connection of The Untamed?
⚔️ 3. Characters & Development
Wei Wuxian is charismatic, rebellious, and tragic — a hero who walks a dark path for noble reasons. Lan Wangji is disciplined, stoic, yet deeply loyal.
Returned Master presents a more introspective protagonist — someone shaped by exile, trying to reclaim identity and trust. His journey is slower, more emotional than action-driven.
Which character arc spoke to you more? The redemption of The Untamed’s Wei Wuxian, or the return to origins in Returned Master?
🎥 4. Cinematic Style
The Untamed offers stunning costume design, spiritual battles, and otherworldly landscapes.
Returned Master is more grounded visually, focusing on natural landscapes and symbolic storytelling, sometimes even documentary-style realism.
Which visual storytelling style did you find more powerful — the fantasy elegance of The Untamed or the nature-rooted emotion of Returned Master?
🗣️ Final Thought
Both shows explore bonds deeper than friendship — connections that defy time, death, and duty. One is set in a mystical world of swords and spirits; the other, a reflective tale of tribal return and inner strength.
> 🧠 Question for You:
If you could recommend one of these to someone new to C-dramas or bromance genres, which would it be and why?