K-Drama 
MAlbrra25:
eliteles1:
eliteles1 VIP 2 minutes ago
This drama is definitely a romance (and better than many). We see intensity in the relationship and in the process of discovery.
I don't like dramas where there are so many hugs and kisses but—because it feels like the characters don't even really know each other—we don't sense the layers of their interaction. But here, in Against the Current, I feel that depth (to the point where it feels like a real relationship)..💓💓💓💓💓💓😊2 Reply
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eliteles1 VIP 23 minutes ago
I saw a clip somewhere (and Lin Jin Qi and Lan Xiang were dressed in white and actually kissing). Is that AI? (Tan Song Yun might have thrown people off the scent and not revealed anything more... which is why she said there would only be one kiss. What a married couple these two are!)
Yes, very well stated! This couple is something else!
💖💖💖
Without a doubt! You'd have to be a bit nearsighted not to see it.💓😊
eliteles1 VIP an hour ago
This drama is definitely a romance (and better than many). We see intensity in the relationship and in the process of discovery.
I don't like dramas where there are so many hugs and kisses but—because it feels like the characters don't even really know each other—we don't sense the layers of their interaction. But here, in Against the Current, I feel that depth (to the point where it feels like a real relationship)..💓💓💓💓💓💓😊
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yellowfruit an hour ago
we want snooz snooz
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eliteles1 VIP an hour ago
I didn't understand what you meant. 🤔
1 Reply
yellowfruit an hour ago
@eliteles1 sex
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eliteles1 VIP 2 minutes ago
@yellowfruit This type of intimacy, purely physical, (is not enough) for a compelling love story. You need this process of getting to know each other, of living together, understanding each other, getting closer in an emotional, psychological sense. Otherwise... it's a void. It's like going to the end of the book without starting the story and arriving in the middle. If I can explain what I mean.
PS: I watched the drama: Unshakable Faith, with Liu Xue Yi and Peng Xiaoran. It's a spy drama (and definitely not a romance), but... the moments between the two, the fights, leave a sense of flirtation, including a fight where she encourages him, we see this understanding between them. There wasn't a single kiss between them, but it makes us happy with the beauty of their interaction. (And "Against the Current" goes much further, because it's a "romance," in the perfect sense of the word.)1 Reply
Lloudkat an hour ago
To me , . Sometimes a certain stare , or a little flirting or a gesture can have more impact than a hug or a kiss . , which sometimes seems forced , fake or just giving a kiss for the sake of a kiss. . Esp in this drama with their story, it’s not simple . They r just learning about each other …Love your take on Lan Xiang and Lin Jinqi
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eliteles1 VIP 12 minutes ago
Thank you! I completely agree with you. There were many flirtatious moments that shaped how we view their relationship—moments that convey a sense of intimacy and poetry at the same time. That is truly interesting.💓😊
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PReid 18 minutes ago
I know some of y'all are saying this isn't a romance, or there's not much romance on screen so far, but I'm going to have to disagree (from my perspective and, honestly, my preference for romantic stories). There's so much love in the latest episodes:
1. Lin Jin Qi smiling with pride as he watches and listens to his wife at the court proceedings. And instead of making a fuss about Scholar Han's appearance, the way he gently reached for and held her hand for reassurance. How she walked with him for a while after, still holding his hand.
2. Lin Jin Qi tying the red ribbon with gold writing to the tree, his wish being that they love each other and grow old together, and then his reluctantly hopeful face when Xu Lan Xiang says, "I hope your wishes come true."
3. Lin Jin Qi trying to celebrate Xu Lan Xiang's birthday by taking her to the family retreat, away from everyone else, so they can possibly connect on some level. She pours herself 3 glasses of wine one after the other and the ML's micro-expressions as his hope for connection turns into patient acceptance. He moves to the seat next to hers and pours the wine for her, as though to say, "No pressure. Today is your birthday. Celebrate it however you want."
4. Xu Lan Xiang stopping the carriage, leaning out the window, and calling after Lin Jin Qi, telling him to be safe. The woman hasn't let go of the past, rightly so, but her action was absent premeditation. She called out because she felt the need to say something, to remind him there were people (her) who cared about his well-being and safety.
5. Xu Lan Xiang had 1000 reasons to send someone else out to rescue Lin Jin Qi, but she went herself. Yes, Lin Jin Qi's life means stability for the whole Lin family, but that would be all the more reason to send out others to save him; servants from the household who are physically stronger, who know how to fight. But she needed to find him, she needed to see him as soon as possible and ensure his safety. The woman is fighting her own feelings at this point, holding the past like a shield against the onslaught of her heart. I love this "trope," when the character doesn't yet recognize their own feelings and therefore their actions run counter to reason.
6. Lin Jin Qi using his last bit of strength to teach Xu Lan Xiang how to use the gun to protect herself and, when he collapses from exhaustion, she knows his intentions are only good and pure.
Two things can be true at the same time. Xu Lan Xiang can be stubbornly resistant to falling in love with the person who FORCED her to marry him, but still fall for him nevertheless. The years of patient pining and care are high key romance. Lin Jin Qi's character growth and recognition of the ways he failed her are also high key romance. The quiet moments of understanding, or seeking to understand, or trying to change for the better are HIGH KEY romance.
They're not on the same page yet. Both characters are deeply flawed and still have a lot of growing to do. But I'm enjoying the incremental, methodical steps they're taking toward each other so, so much. I wouldn't have it any other way. <3
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eliteles1 VIP a few seconds ago
🤗👏👏👏
Reny 2 minutes ago
Very well said. I also love this kind of mature, slow burn romance. Love doesn't always have to start with a burst of passion. The love between them grows gradually out of mutual respect and affection. In my opinion, a love like this is built to last.
monquettej7 40 minutes ago
I’ve seen some viewers call Lanxiang the “ice queen” because she hasn’t fully opened her heart to Jinqi yet, but I’ve noticed so many little moments where she’s clearly fighting her feelings. In episodes 36–37, especially during their heartfelt conversations in the barn and back at the capital, you can see it in her mannerisms. While Jinqi is pouring his heart out to Lanxiang, she slightly lowers her head and avoids his gaze, almost like she’s trying to hide those fluttery feelings from hearing how highly he speaks of her and seeing that he finally understands who she really is and is taking accountability for his actions.
I love a good slow-burn romance because the leads don’t always have to say how they feel. Their eyes, expressions, and little gestures say so much. With these two, it’s always the subtle moments that have me waiting for the affection to finally be shown on both sides.
Eventually, they’ll be happily married with two kids, and I’m here for the journey. This is some of the best onscreen chemistry I’ve seen in a long time. The slow burn is definitely worth the wait.
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PReid 23 minutes ago
omg YES! Exactly this.
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Falala 21 minutes ago
You are right at "She's clearly fighting her feelings". I see that too. Its the predicament she is in - her hidden true self identity, the family tragedy, that is conflicting her. We will see how this is unpacked between the couple before she can really be honest with her feelings.
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monquettej7 4 minutes ago
Exactly...with women they might not say how they feel but its the actions that speak louder than words. Lanxiang's character should be given some grace considering how her life has been a turbulence. So of course its going to take her some time to open up to Jinqi. She is just now facing her trauma and trying to deal with it one day at a time. Her actions seem to be genuine love and care, she's just putting her walls up until she doesn't have to anymore.
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RilakkumasBubbleTea 6 minutes ago
BUT I believe it has been YEARS since they were married. She's not going to get a divorce so why not have a true marriage. She doesn't hate him and he doesn't know she is SJL so she can't hold that against him. Is she going to hold a grudge against the forced marriage forever and wasted her youth.
lolalovesdramas 2 hours ago
Just watched ep 33, 34 and 35 back to back. What a riveting masterpiece. I felt as if I was watching a movie. I love how all the military/battles scenes are shown and not just skipped over it heightens the intensity. FANTASTIC, ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. So far this is Drama of the Year for me. Wow, wow, wow
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Sweety 2 hours ago
It's a masterpiece only thing the ice queen has been dragging on for far too long!!
3 Reply
the drama queen 30 minutes ago
im ngl, i had to drop this one. Not only is the romance & the show itself so SLOW, but the ML is just... ew.
& not in the physical way, I actually think this is the most attractive LXY role so far with his dimples and his smile. But the choices he's made has just really turned me off of this show. When he basically forced her to marry him, i was grossed out but I wanted to let the plot cook, thinking maybe he'll change and he'd never do something like that again. It was a 1 time thing because he desired her SO bad that he went to great lengths to have her. Is it still gross? YES but i wanted to see if there was some redemption there.
But then, he doubled down and decided to drug her!! And that's where he lost me, im sorry. Like I get that she eventually wanted to go to the capital anyway but... he didn't know that! My brain keeps trying to make excuses for him but girl... this is the second time he would've been taking her choice from her! What if he does it again? If he did it twice, there's more than likely a chance that he'll do something weird again and it's just not my cup of tea. Plus now im reading the comments and it sounds like the romance is STILL not moving?
Yeah, this is going into the dropped list. Love the FL though, what a strong woman! I'll probably be back to just watch the episode when they inevitably find out who she is but i'm not watching all of this, its too slow girl.
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Jenny 11 minutes ago
You didn't get lin jinqi's personality at all. He is an arrogant person and lanxiang's status was just of a maid so he always thought that for lanxiang to marry him and become the first madam of the household would feel like an honour to her. He thought the only reason she was angry at this marriage was because she was in love with han liang. Though in ep 37 he does talk with her and apologize her for not understanding what she wanted and she too admits her mistake. In their relationship his biggest flaw is that he does things while assuming that he is doing it for her own good and lanxiang's just being stubborn because she likes han liang. Beside this flaw he is actually a respectful gentleman who listens and cares about his wife more than any husband in that era would.
But if you were watching this series for romance then this series is indeed not suitable for you cause for me it's all about lanxiang trying to survive and live a good life. I'm watching it for the slice of life and the way the smart lanxiang solves the sticky situations. There are twists and turns but not much romance so yeah.2 Reply
eliteles1 VIP 5 minutes ago
In my view, the romance is just right. Lin Jin Qi is one of the most romantic characters in this type of drama (I believe he was elevated to a whole new level compared to the book). He is persistent and makes mistakes at times, yet he is patient and often makes sacrifices. He is loving and drop-dead gorgeous. Deeply in love. Sometimes so mature, while at other times he seems like a teenager—a multifaceted male character that only Liu Xue Yi could portray.💓💓💓💓💓
P.S.: And Lan Xian is his match; his cleverness is almost always complemented by hers. Sharp, observant, and psychologically complex. A top-tier drama couple.1 Reply
eliteles1 VIP 4 minutes ago
In my view, the romance is just right. Lin Jin Qi is one of the most romantic characters in this type of drama (I believe he was elevated to a whole new level compared to the book). He is persistent and makes mistakes at times, yet he is patient and often makes sacrifices. He is loving and drop-dead gorgeous. Deeply in love. Sometimes so mature, while at other times he seems like a teenager—a multifaceted male character that only Liu Xue Yi could portray.💓💓💓💓💓
P.S.: And Lan Xian is his match; his cleverness is almost always complemented by hers. Sharp, observant, and psychologically complex. A top-tier drama couple.
Hello.
The discussions that you all have here are so interesting.
Reading your notes hete seems that I am reading the novel of this captivating drama.
I am very much impressed with your insights.
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and feelings towards this "Against the Current", my First and my Best Chinese Drama for 2026!
😊💖😊💖
Thank you for your kind words. It is wonderful to know that I am helping you have a better experience watching this beautiful drama.🤗😊😊💓😁
Liu Xue Yi started filming a new drama today.⬇️
P.S.: Scholar Han is also one of the lead actors (this one won't be a sugary, fluffy romance).⬇️
eliteles1 VIP a few seconds ago
When hungry, he ate any gossip
3 hours ago Entertainment blogger
#刘学义新剧开机帅的好突出# Liu Xueyi's new drama starts filming and looks so handsome! Standing among the cast of "China 1927," she really stands out[拜托]No wonder it's certified by CCTV mom—a face made entirely for serious dramas~ (cr: Internet)
https://weibo.com/1351293632/RkwGCrB8VPS:
Marunian Fish Bubbles
-----Is this a movie or a TV series? What kind of thing is it?
Divine Lamp on the Ground:------ A TV drama, a tribute drama about major events that occurred in 1927
39 minutes ago From Henan
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Wow! That is one good news for today.
And Scholar Han is there.
These two actors have a good friendship with each other, which is good.
P.S.: To my disappointment—since I wanted a xianxia—it’s fantasy again. He has starred in so few of them.
But if I can watch it, I want to watch it to appreciate Liu Xue Yi's performance. I hope there are happy moments in this drama.
Yes, the camaraderie between the two of them will help them in their portrayal of the drama.
Wow! That is one good news for today.
And Scholar Han is there.
These two actors have a good friendship with each other, which is good.P.S.: To my disappointment—since I wanted a xianxia—it’s fantasy again. He has starred in so few of them.
But if I can watch it, I want to watch it to appreciate Liu Xue Yi's performance. I hope there are happy moments in this drama.Yes, the camaraderie between the two of them will help them in their portrayal of the drama.
What drama is the two are in?
Modern or fantasy?
