无羁（《陈情令》的《忘羡》)

I just discovered the TV movie series《陈情令》. It’s the first TV movie series from the mainland China that has seriously impressed me. The storyline is good, the costume design is excellent, and the set locations are pretty amazing. Even the martial arts choreography and digital enhancements didn’t look cheesy like they did ten years ago. You can watch it on Netflix in the original Chinese (only in Mandarin, unfortunately!–really wanted it dubbed in Cantonese…), with English subtitles (also in Spanish, Vietnamese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese). It’s called The Untamed.

Although the song is titled Untamed《无羁》, in the movie itself, it was named Wang & Xian《忘羡》by the character who sung it (蓝忘机). The song is named for the two lead male characters, Wei Wuxian 魏无羡 and Lan Wangji 蓝忘机. It’s essentially “their song.” Xiao Zhan 肖战 is the actor who plays Wei Wuxian 魏无羡 and Wang Yibo 王一博 plays Lan Wangji 蓝忘机. They are such talented actors! Actually, all of the actors in this TV series were absolutely wonderful and portrayed their characters excellently!

FYI, in case you’re wondering why two guys have a “their song,” the movie is based on a gay novel by 墨香銅臭 titled 《魔道祖師》. Really good read! The movie is a good adaptation of the book, but of course, China is very anti-gay, so there’s a few adjustments to the plot to avoid showing too much gayness to appease the censors. However, you can definitely see how their relationship develops and find hints (some quite obvious!) on when they fall in love with each other if you’re paying attention. 😄

肖战 (魏无羡)：闻笛声　独惆怅　云深夜未央
Hearing the sound of a flute, alone, desolation fills my heart;  deep in the clouds, the night has yet to end.

王一博 (蓝忘机)：是与非　都过往　醒来了　怎能当梦一场
Right or wrong, all is in the past. Alive again, how can I brush off the past as just a dream?

肖战 (魏无羡)：红尘中　毁誉得失如何去量
In this world, how do you measure fame and dishonor; success and failure?

合：萧萧血热　刀锋凉
Wild and hot blooded; the sword edge is cold.

肖战 (魏无羡)：山高水远
Faraway in the high mountains,

王一博 (蓝忘机)：又闻琴响
Again, I hear the guqing playing.

合：陈情未绝　卧荻花月如霜
The sound of Chenqing¹ lingers. I lie in the silvergrass under a frosted moon.

肖战 (魏无羡)：煮一壶生死悲欢　祭少年郎　明月依旧　何来怅惘
Heat a jar of life and death, sorrow and joy in memory of a young man. The moon is still shining as brightly as always; why are you so desolate?

王一博 (蓝忘机)：不如潇潇洒洒　历遍风和浪
Live life to the fullest; experience all of life’s trials and tribulations (winds and storms).

合：天涯一曲共悠扬
The melody of our song ripples to the end of time.³

王一博 (蓝忘机)：穿万水　过千山　路尽人茫茫
Traveling for so long through endless rivers and countless mountains, I am at a loss at the end of the road.

肖战 (魏无羡)：是与非　都过往　醒来了　就当它梦一场
Right or wrong, all is in the past. Alive again, let the past be just like a dream.

王一博 (蓝忘机)：红尘中　毁誉得失如何去量
In this world, how do you measure fame and dishonor; success and failure?

合：萧萧血热　刀锋凉
Wild and hot blooded; the sword edge is cold.

王一博 (蓝忘机)：山高水远
Faraway in the high mountains,

肖战 (魏无羡)：又闻琴响
Again, I hear the guqing playing.

合：陈情未绝　笑世事多无常
The sound of Chenqing lingers. I laugh at how capricious the world is.

王一博 (蓝忘机)：煮一壶生死悲欢　祭少年郎　明月依旧　何来怅惘
Heat a jar of life and death, sorrow and joy in memory of a young man. The moon is still shining as brightly as always; there’s no need to be so desolate.

肖战 (魏无羡)：不如坦坦荡荡　历遍风和浪
Live life to the fullest; experience all of life’s trials and tribulations (winds and storms).

合：天涯一曲共悠扬
The melody of our song ripples to the end of time. 

王一博 (蓝忘机)：煮一壶生死悲欢　祭少年郎　明月依旧　何来怅惘
Heat a jar of life and death, sorrow and joy in memory of a young man. The moon is still shining as brightly as always; there’s no need to be so desolate.

肖战 (魏无羡)：不如坦坦荡荡　历遍风和浪
Live life to the fullest; experience all of life’s trials and tribulations (winds and storms).

合：天涯一曲共悠扬　天涯一曲共悠扬
The melody of our song ripples to the end of time. The melody of our song ripples to the end of time.

¹ Chenqing is the name of Wei Wuxian’s black bamboo flute.

² This line refers to drinking alcohol and the young man is Wei Wuxian. Traditionally, alcohol is sealed in ceramic jars and some wines/liquors are best warmed before drinking. One of Wei Wuxian’s favorite things to do is drink alcohol, so the best way to remember him is to toast him with a drink.

3 天涯 is better translated as “to the end of the world,” but in this case, it’s more lyrical to use “to the end of time.” To me, this gives the sentence a more comparable impact in English that it carries in Chinese.