K-Drama 
T.S.Johnson 43 minutes ago
Writer seems to be trying to straddle the fence with the ML.
But he's not sympathetic at all. And you can't make me feel an ounce of sorry for him. He's a completely unlikable person. And honestly, I hope the FL makes his life hell at least for a little while. lol
Just completely contemptible.
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eliteles1 VIP 2 minutes ago
The author doesn't sit on the fence. The male protagonist comes across even worse in the book (according to readers who wondered, "Am I supposed to root for this 'hero'?"). Yet in the drama, we see a man who is cold and calculating, but... there is still a certain sensitivity in him—something that cannot be hidden. We see it in his interactions with his mother, his father, his subordinates, and even in the chance he gave his unfaithful wife. He isn't unfeeling. I don't know where you saw "despicable" behavior in the drama. He is guarded, resolute, cold, and curt in his dealings with others, but a sensitive side is still perceptible. In a recent interview, actor Liu Xue Yi highlighted this character transformation, showing how he opens up to the world and to genuine relationships through the female lead. And considering she was the wife he had originally hoped for—he was visibly upset in his youth when it seemed he wouldn't marry her—this meeting of souls involves a double wound that needs healing. As for the female lead, despite her natural sweetness, she too harbors a certain coldness toward the world due to her past experiences. Yet, her late mother's plea—"live"—keeps her hopeful and fighting on.
T.S.Johnson an hour ago
Writer seems to be trying to straddle the fence with the ML.
But he's not sympathetic at all. And you can't make me feel an ounce of sorry for him. He's a completely unlikable person. And honestly, I hope the FL makes his life hell at least for a little while. lol
Just completely contemptible.
1 Reply
eliteles1 VIP 5 minutes ago
The author doesn't sit on the fence. The male protagonist comes across even worse in the book (according to readers who wondered, "Am I supposed to root for this 'hero'?"). Yet in the drama, we see a man who is cold and calculating, but... there is still a certain sensitivity in him—something that cannot be hidden. We see it in his interactions with his mother, his father, his subordinates, and even in the chance he gave his unfaithful wife. He isn't unfeeling. I don't know where you saw "despicable" behavior in the drama. He is guarded, resolute, cold, and curt in his dealings with others, but a sensitive side is still perceptible. In a recent interview, actor Liu Xue Yi highlighted this character transformation, showing how he opens up to the world and to genuine relationships through the female lead. And considering she was the wife he had originally hoped for—he was visibly upset in his youth when it seemed he wouldn't marry her—this meeting of souls involves a double wound that needs healing. As for the female lead, despite her natural sweetness, she too harbors a certain coldness toward the world due to her past experiences. Yet, her late mother's plea—"live"—keeps her hopeful and fighting on.
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T.S.Johnson 5 minutes ago
Yeah. I don't agree with any of this. And I'm not comparing the drama to the book. The drama writer is straddling the fence with how he's portrayed. She clearly wants him to come off as somewhat sympathetic. He doesn't tho. His wife does. Him, not so much. Can't stand him actually. lol. But I do enjoy the show.
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eliteles1 VIP a few seconds ago
The screenwriter needs to maintain the protagonist's aloof exterior, as he must undergo a gradual transformation. That way, even if a viewer doesn't warm to him in the early episodes, they might come to empathize with him as the series progresses. The male lead won't be sweet at the start—he wasn't written that way. That indifference is essential to his character.
eliteles1 VIP 30 minutes ago
@T.S.Johnson The screenwriter needs to maintain the protagonist's aloof exterior, as he must undergo a gradual transformation. That way, even if a viewer doesn't warm to him in the early episodes, they might come to empathize with him as the series progresses. The male lead won't be sweet at the start—he wasn't written that way. That indifference is essential to his character.
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99momattos 21 minutes ago
The male protagonist is worse in the book. Total red flag 🚩
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Minoucha 6 minutes ago
Just out of interest, what is it so far that makes the ML such a red flag? Talking about the drama, not the novel. Unless I’m missing something, he was forced by his family to abandon her and marry someone he didn’t love. And his wife has been commuting all sorts of felonies, including making him a cuck. He hasn’t been philandering, drinking or torturing people. He is aloof and cold - what you’d expect from a military dude who’s spent most of his life on the field and has no one he can trust at home.
T.S.Johnson an hour ago
I didn't say he was a red flag. I said he was unlikable. Those two things aren't the same.
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AngelaK 7 minutes ago
@T.S.Johnson Saying the ML is unlikeable is very different from saying he is completely contemptible. At this point I have not seen anything that justifies "completely contemptible". As mentioned above, he had no choice in the canceled engagement. He was forced to marry the wife. Yes, he did not treat her well, but neither did she. She was a bi**ch on their wedding night. She set the tune of their hate-hate marriage. The wife's activities are so much worse. She frames a slave and almost beats her to death, cheats on the ML, steals from the Lin family assets to lend out money for high interest loans (a loan shark), destroying many families. But you find her sympatric. Having a sad story doesn't justify doing evil things.
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eliteles1 VIP a few seconds ago
👏👏👏👏
AngelaK 3 minutes ago
@eliteles1 The male lead is a major draw. He is a very complex person. I'm looking forward to discovering more of his traits. We've only seen the hard ass side, plus a bit of the soft side when he is with his mother. I loved their re-union after 6 years. He's very relaxed and affectionate around her.
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eliteles1 VIP a few seconds ago
Yes, Liu Xue Yi's character has all that appeal, that complexity, and room to evolve within the plot, revealing various layers. (Yes, his interaction with his mother is very sweet, and we’ll certainly see that with his four sisters as well.)
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T.S.Johnson 16 minutes ago
@rikki76 I agree with a lot (not all) of this. But what folk seem to keep overlooking is that in his war with his wife he uses the slaves/servants the same way as the women do. People want to be mad at the women for their cruel use, how is he any different? He uses them and doesn't care about their lives like everyone else. As I've said, none of the characters are likable except for the FL and her parents - some are still sympathetic (like the wife and Ji'er). he is neither.
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eliteles1 a minute ago VIP
He doesn't act the same way. He didn't kill anyone, nor did he torture any innocent people like his wife (for whom you have sympathy) did. His mother stepped in to stop the wife from continuing her cruel acts. She was going to leave the female lead out in the freezing cold even longer, but she stopped out of fear of crossing the Lin family (which shows that the Lin family is the side of the story that possesses some humanity), whereas her own family's side is truly cruel—and she emulates them. He needs the maid's (the female lead's) help to solve a problem. That doesn't mean they won't need each other as the story unfolds; they will help one another (both will have to save each other). That is exactly what the preview for the next episode reveals right off the bat: him getting her out of a jam. And you might say he was the one who put her there in the first place, but the fact is, she is his wife's maid and obeys her orders above all else.💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠
T.S.Johnson 8 minutes ago
@eliteles1 He put their lives in danger. lol. Asking a maid to spy on her mistress knowing what she's done to the other maids is cruel. The veiled threat with her family. The setup of the third class maids that eventually led to Ji'er being beaten and removed. What are you talking about? He uses his power differently but the end result is the same. Slaves/servants are just pawns to be used and discarded as they (the Msters) see fit.
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T.S.Johnson 8 minutes ago
@eliteles1 Lin family has no humanity. What show are you watching???
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eliteles1 VIP 4 minutes ago
@T.S.Johnson The veiled threat involving her family. The setup against the third-class maids that ended up getting Ji'er beaten and sent away—a scheme orchestrated by the wife herself, who enjoys torturing others and flaunting her power; it had nothing to do with the Lin family, who actually protect the maids. (Did you not follow the story?)
P.S.: No, it’s not the same thing at all, because he is the protagonist. And we know a storyline of mutual aid is going to unfold. It’s written between the lines, in the subtitles—it’s everywhere.1 Reply
eliteles1 VIP 2 minutes ago
@T.S.Johnson We are watching two different stories. (Keep watching your story). And I’ll keep watching mine. Bye.
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Minoucha 2 hours ago
Just out of interest, what is it so far that makes the ML such a red flag? Talking about the drama, not the novel. Unless I’m missing something, he was forced by his family to abandon her and marry someone he didn’t love. And his wife has been commuting all sorts of felonies, including making him a cuck. He hasn’t been philandering, drinking or torturing people. He is aloof and cold - what you’d expect from a military dude who’s spent most of his life on the field and has no one he can trust at home.
SabarinathVk 10 minutes ago
Why are all blaming the ML here? He was young when things with Lin happened. he was married off to save his family at a young age. The wife was already having an affair with someone, although the ML didn't know that. He tried to have a normal life with her but was rejected on the first day of the wedding and then to get away from this he had to go to military risking his life, when he comes back he knows that the so called wife was lending money at high interest rates and lot of people were dead, his maids were married of to some fools by his wife. Yes, he is not a generous green-flag ML, but I haven't seen anything that would make me hate him or call him unlikeable. I like the FL too; she is trying to stay away from all the problems and just survive. She can read all the plots and schemes and help herself get away from them.
DRAMAobsessedGIRLIEpants 8 minutes ago
I dont get why they choose such old leads to play such young characters.im not going to lie the FL still looks young as heck even though shes 36 so she actually pulls it off but the ML looks 40 already. im not saying hes not handsome im just saying its kind of a joke to pretend hes like what, 24? or however old hes supposed to be right now? hes a great actor and ive loved many of his shows its just off putting because I cant stop focusing on that hes supposed to be super young but does not look young at all.
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eliteles1 VIP a few seconds ago
No, because you shouldn't look at it that way: this drama is more realistic, and back then, people of a certain age didn't look so young. Perhaps that’s why they married at such a young age—almost as children—so they would still look young. And he doesn't look 40; he looks his age (36). He is handsome and youthful, but not like a teenager.
MAlbrra25 4 hours ago
I have been reflecting on why this engaging drama was titled "Against the Current".
Here are my insights:
** This captivating drama is aptly titled "Against the Current: because it serves as a profound dual metaphor for swimming against the cruel tide of fate and consciously refusing to swim with a corrupt, unjust society.
** Its poetic Chinese title, "Lan Xiang Ru Gu", translates beautifully to "The Orchid Fragrance Remains as Before"—signifies that Shen Jialan's core virtue and purity cannot be washed away by tragedy—the English title, "Against the Current" focuses on her active, daily battle
to survive with her soul intact, morally and with dignity.
**** When a story is written this well, as like this drama—and acted by professionals like Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi who care about the craft—every single detail, right down to the title, has a purpose. It acts as a beautiful reminder for the audience that even when the tides of life are completely overwhelming, we still have the power to choose how we swim. ****
Hence, my associates and I, who worked in the legal industry, considered this drama as:
"Our Very Best Chinese Drama for the Year, 2026!"
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Tricimc 4 hours ago
I completely agree with you. The title Against the Current is so meaningful because it captures not only Shen Jialan’s struggle against the circumstances surrounding her, but also her determination to hold on to her principles, dignity, and inner purity despite everything she faces.
I especially love the contrast between the Chinese and English titles. “The Orchid Fragrance Remains as Before” beautifully represents the preservation of her true self, while “Against the Current” emphasizes the courage and strength it takes to keep moving forward when life is constantly pushing against you.
It really is a beautifully written and acted drama, and I agree that every detail—including the title—feels intentional. Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi brought so much depth to their roles. For me too, it stands out as one of the most memorable Chinese dramas of 2026. ❤️7 Reply
MAlbrra25 4 hours ago
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing the same insights!
Your words are profound and thought-provoking, too,
For even in this modern society, most of us are also swimming against the current of of so many aspects of our human lives.3 Reply
Tricimc 3 hours ago
@MAlbrra25 The pleasure is mine. I believe that in this life, whether you are an orchid or a salmon, you need inner strength to grow with honesty and dignity. An orchid that loses its fragrance becomes nothing more than a weed; a salmon that lets itself drift with the current simply dies without leaving a legacy. Knowing that we share these reflections makes the journey in search of something better so much more bearable. After all, even when we feel like we are swimming against the current, we often discover that others are navigating the very same river—and that is what makes life worth living. 🌊✨
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noor1234 2 hours ago
'Its poetic Chinese title, "Lan Xiang Ru Gu", translates beautifully to "The Orchid Fragrance Remains as Before"—signifies that Shen Jialan's core virtue and purity cannot be washed away by tragedy'
I'll just disagree & comment on this portion: because I doubt FL would've been THIS person that we see in drama IF she didn't have poverty-stricken slave adoptive parents. If she had lived as a noblewoman, she would've never interacted not understood the plight of maids & staff the way she does now. She also would've taken her privilege & money for granted. In fact, who knows how many maids / families got into trouble working for Shen household. I believe FL is MORE EMPATHETIC, more understanding and TOUGHER because of new circumstances. Goodness is not innate, it's a choice. It's easier to be 'good' when you are rich, tougher when you cannot eat meat, live in a leaky roof, don't have warm clothes & live in a stinky place. FL assimilated. She is more virtuous than she ever would've been as a Shen noblewoman or Lin wife 6 years ago. She carries the lessons of her elders, but she is a different woman.
Nightingale 5 hours ago
ep12 LJQ looked so sad, guilty and small faced when he was staring at the dead soldiers and the fake coats of the angry soldiers awww 😭😭
liu xueyi is doing a great job with those subtle expressions. earlier when lanxiang said she wanted sth from him, he had a smile as if to say 'ofc they always do' but then he heard it was just ointment for her mom and his smile changed. little moments that speak louder than words.
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AngelaK 5 hours ago
His subtle expressions are really good. You don't need dialogue to understand his feelings/thoughts.
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Nightingale 5 hours ago
exactly, i wasnt caring much about him initially but then he started showing up more and expressions were doing all the talking on behalf of him and i cant help but feel him now
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redshoe1000 3 hours ago
same thing when they started calling out the delphinium hairpin earlier, you can quite literally see his internal dialogue, ah shit, the hell is this, okay how do I fix this, resignation to his fate...then that quiet relief where he almost wants to smile but won't. our man has been wasted in some of these dramas he's been in the last few years and it's so exciting to see this level of recognition finally.
Jovana Du 7 hours ago
I really want to watch but I'm bit anxious, but before I need some spoiler from those who read the novel... plss
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Jovana Du 7 hours ago
Is Lin Jin Qi just as much of a red flag and as violent in the drama as he is in the novel?
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AtsukoM 6 hours ago
No, he's pretty likeable in the drama compared to the novel.
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xXFlowerpetals 6 hours ago
He is very much a green flag so far at least but there has been not too much interaction between him and the female lead through episode 14. Not sure how things will get after they start getting more involved. He seems to be very upstanding and empathetic so far and great/loyal to good people. For whatever reason I have tried reading some c-novels in the past after liking dramas but the male leads are always different and actually very toxic in them compared to shows 😅I was to get into them because I like the shows so much and that is the original works (the books), but how can I when the show makes them so much better and the plot makes more sense?😅
eliteles1:
FrankieD 39 minutes ago
Oh gosh! 🥹 Look at the lyrics of the song playing when he gave her the ointment in episode 15. The female lead doesn’t know it yet but they are truly fortunate to find each other again.
🎶 Look at us!
We have shared countless beautiful moments.
Through life’s winding road, we’ve weathered countless trials.
I’m blessed to spend each peaceful day and night with you.
However deep the joy or sorrow.
There will always be someone to share it with.
Our bond runs deep.
Binding us closely together.
After all the questions life has brought
This love has never faded in the slightest.
A trace of fragrance lives on.
How fortunate to find one person in a lifetime.
Through the gentle passing years.
My heart remains as true to you as ever. 🎶
Wow! Such an amazing lyrics!
So beautifully written.
What is its Chinese Title? Is this the main theme song of the drama or that song sung by Tan Songjun?
Do you have the link of this melodious lyrics in YouTube?
Thank you so much.
