K-Drama 
First half of the drama was so amazing, while the second half left me raging
Cannot fully express how utterly disappointed I am with this drama. The first half, up until their marriage, was SO good, only for the writers to ruin the second half by turning the ML into a simp and the FL into a stone. I was raging so hard towards the end, until I came across some reviews here that felt the same way and finally found some peace lol.Like yes, I know female empowerment is important, but do you really have to force it so hard? And in a historical drama, no less? The second half was filled with so many forced events and conversations just to push the feminist narrative that it became so boring and almost torturous to watch. And in an attempt to make the FL a strong, independent woman, they turned her into someone who wore a stone face 90% of the time around her husband, only showing emotion when interacting with her parents and other female characters. As if having romantic feelings for the ML would somehow make her less strong or independent and no longer fit the narrative.
Not to mention all the forced, textbook-like conversations and politically correct speeches that felt so out of place in a historical setting. Like yes, I KNOW life was difficult for women, especially in those times, and I have nothing against female empowerment. But do we really need to be constantly lectured about it through unnatural conversations that sound like they belong in a modern-day social commentary? And having the male characters deliver some of these speeches makes it even more jarring. The whole thing became so heavy-handed that the story itself ended up suffering. Gone were the smart plotting and interesting developments that made the first half so enjoyable. Instead, the later episodes became an absolute snoozefest, with the plot seemingly taking a backseat to the narrative the writers wanted to push.
And don’t even get me started on the romance. Years of sleeping separately after getting married, and they only consummated their marriage after FOUR years?? And throughout all this time, the FL remained cold towards the ML, keeping him at arm’s length and making him beg for the bare minimum, to the point that I genuinely started feeling bad for the ML/LXY. And what was the payoff for all that waiting? Almost nothing. We’re never even shown how the FL gradually opens up to him or how their relationship develops into something more intimate. Instead, the writers just keep throwing in time skips until we’re suddenly told that they’ve consummated their marriage and she’s now pregnant. Like wtf?? It genuinely feels as though the FL has no romantic feelings for the ML whatsoever, and they only ended up having a child because four years had passed and it was apparently time. No heart-fluttering moments, no emotional payoff, NOTHING.
It’s honestly quite sad that the writers had to turn the ML into a simp just to make the FL look strong and push their female empowerment narrative. Even in the final episodes, when the ML says he’d like to be with her in their next life, she basically tells him that being together once is enough lmao. The ML lost so much of his appeal in the second half that I actually feel bad for the actor. Really hope he gets a more consistently written character in his next drama.
Honestly, I rarely bother writing reviews. If a drama turns out to be bad, I usually just stop watching and move on. But this one started SO well and got me so invested that I was genuinely raging when it went downhill. It actually made me miss The Story of Ming Lan so much that I started rewatching it (last watched it five years ago), which says quite a lot because I almost never rewatch dramas.
Anyway, I see so many entirely positive reviews of this drama, so I’m glad I found some people here who feel the same way. At least I can vent and know I’m not alone lol. Guess this is why we need a drama community in the first place.
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Women's Empowerment? Yes. Romance? No.
The biggest problem with this drama is the main character, Xu Lanxiang. She is a "Mary Sue" for lack of a better term with skewed motivations and confusing actions. She seems unaffected by her biological family's deaths unless or until the plot requires it. It gets to the point where her identity as Shen Jialan is only relevant to explain why she's so good at everything. Towards the middle, she exchanges all of her charisma for stoicism that's simply not enjoyable to watch. And throughout the entire second half, her feelings towards Lin Jinqi are inconsistent. She goes from the silent treatment, to risking her life to save his, to confessing they're not compatible, to consummating their marriage. Even after they have children, she goes from doting wife to literally saying "one lifetime" with him is enough. It's just confusing and quite frankly exhausting; and can we please get my man Liu Xueyi in a historical drama that doesn't turn his character into a complete simp? The female friendships are wonderfully written, but the romances really are not. It's possible for a woman to be inspiring while also being in love 😭Was this review helpful to you?
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To be cast leeward on the least stony shore
As a theme digger, I am interested in messages promoted or accidentally touched upon, especially non-obvious.FUTILITY OF DEDICATION TO POLITICS
Lan Xiang & Han Liang sing Zuo Zhuan’s commentary to “Spring and Autumn Annals”: “The late emperor’s successors rose and shaped the realm / How many emperors were wise, and how many were foolish?” Years later Han, diligent & righteous Minister of Justice, is punished, standing in the snow till he freezes to death.
All state officials knelt for the new emperor. Jin Qi also abandoned his rival-friend to save his family, just like his ancestors had left the Shens (in Asian mentality, failure to help means treason). Soon, finally at home, he succumbed prematurely to the amassed physical & emotional burden. Only Lan Xiang, who tended to the countless war scars on his exploited body, understood why.
Rampant or recumbent, these deaths show that a wrong rule is a waste of potential, efforts, lives. Survival cannot be achieved by opposing or avoiding vicissitudes, only by letting oneself be seized by the current & cast leeward on the least stony shore.
SIGNIFICANCE OF DEDICATION TO SOCIETY
In contrast: Lan Xiang gave herself to society. She showed concern for others’ needs & limitations, deftly stepped aside not to hurt Ji’er’s pride, alleviated maids’ shared misery, provided support to the family who had wronged her. She acted like a bee in a beehive, in spite of feeling lonely & misplaced.
This brought Lan Xiang double success. Fate placed her back in her lost position, though she abhorred it. The other achievement was crucial: the restitution of her family’s honour. Though she did not live to see it, she felt it coming: it transcended her death. New, unknown generations gratified her effort through a peculiar ‘genetic memory’ of the collective spirit.
Jin Qi also had concern for people. He would stand among soldiers, promising to fight for their provisions, fulfil his duty as their commander. We could expect him to rise above the cowardice of the Lins.
VALUE OF ART
The method Lan Xiang chose for her aim was the art. By writing scripts (regarded as an inferior business) she conveyed the message of her family’s innocence. She improvised on stage, drew identikits, acted as a connoisseur of paintings, sang, wrote, taught, analysed to save herself or others. It brought her close to others, making her even more invincible. Art is also the trail that led Jin Qi to Lan Xiang’s identity. A tragic irony is the fact that the brothel from which she narrowly escaped was called a ‘music house.’
IMPORTANCE OF MARITAL SINCERITY
The recurring scenes of mute suffering are among the strongest: during the mass suicide, the brute violence happening to maids, the decreed wedding, the visit to the Shen mansion, on the burial hill. It takes a superhuman instinct to stifle any moan, suppress desire for unbosoming – just to survive.
Yet Lan Xiang’s lack of sincerity towards her spouse does not derive from a survival instinct but stands in opposition to it. Neither does it appease the tension, nor inspire understanding, nor lay a basis for a new start.
First, she refused Jin Qi feedback regarding his fault when forcing her to marry him. Obviously, he was awkward rather than deliberate. Little indeed would be needed to facilitate his remorse.
Second, she concealed her identity, even long into the marriage. The opportunities for sincerity came in a graded series. On learning that her husband had given her family (including her unfortunate double) a proper burial at the risk of conflict with his relatives & emperor, she still decided to retain a false name. After the exposure she refused to utter a word.
A question arises if this love-hate relationship, with no sincerity at its basis, can be called love. On one hand, Lan Xiang decides to sell an orchid & pawn hairpins – gifts from Jin Qi. When enlisting the most important things in her life, Lan Xiang casually skips the husband. Her wedding slap might be taken for a passing fit of anger, but her farewell utterance “One lifetime is enough” is downright cruelty; it is a slap to Jin Qi’s weary, departing soul.
On the other hand, Lan Xiang consistently protects Jin Qi & his relatives long before any idea of marriage arises. She stands for him, comforts him whenever he suffers. She allows him to wrap an eternal string around their bodies.
IMPORTANCE OF FOSTERING
Fostering is viewed as strong bonding that defies genetics. Lan Xiang’s foster parents start acting as if having forgotten that she is not their flesh & bone.
When Lan Xiang is dying, she is holding a sachet from Gui Hua, instead of the paper with the message “Live” from her biological mother.
There are other heartwarming examples: Xiu Ru treats her stepdaughter on equal terms with her daughters. Zhao Xiang decides for Xiu Lai & her children to receive his family name. Shun Hua bequeaths the title of the First Madam to Lan Xiang instead of her female relatives. Former rival Xing Tang gives the same farewell advice as Lan Xiang’s mother did years ago: “Live well.”
DIGNITY VS SURVIVAL
The heroine’s repeated suppression of words & tears shows how much dignity & ambition went lost the moment her family was sentenced. She cannot expect to live a full, satisfactory life. Thanks to exceptional emotional intelligence & good luck, she manages to stay alive. Yet her level of dignity remains high enough to keep her away from becoming desperate & harmful like Xing Tang.
An interesting quest for the restoration of dignity can be observed in Jin Qi. After the slap, he first tries to prevent gossip, then to persuade his wife of his good intentions & only later to take her feelings into account.
One character took a unique way from dishonour to dignity. During the flash marriage negotiation, Xu Wan proved able in an instant to redefine her preconceptions, assess her suitor’s intentions, reckon the risk of full honesty & refute her elders’ reservations.
OBJECTIFICATION OF MEN
In many C-dramas men serve as a foreground for the display of women’s features. Here the main victim of this process is Jin Qi, who has to be inferior to enable Lan Xiang to be superior. His attendants also exist partly for the sake of ‘lifting’ two maids. Lan Xiang’s biological father leaves a bitter sensation of his contemptuous view on servants.
The greatest flaw of this drama is the open feminist didacticism, the pretentious slogans involving stereotypes instead of the more discreet actions.
However, this series does justice to men by showing they also fall innocent victims to political disputes or manor intrigues. Male characters also evince positive features that tend to be reserved for women in world literature.
The early superawkward, possessive Jin Qi later learns to be more subtle, open to the complexity of human condition. His fainting at Lan Xiang’s childbirth, apart from serving as a comical element of the plot, reveals his care & sensitivity.
His fragile brother Jin Lan evinces the same level of restraint & caution as Lan Xiang. He is able to defend his family in a motherly way rather than fatherly; by negotiating the circumstances rather than drawing swords.
Wan Quan is likewise a mild protector. Although innocent in his illiteracy, he is able to dodge the life’s blows almost as efficiently as his foster daughter.
Landlord Lu Xie has an exquisite level of vulnerable insight, which he is constantly trying to conceal under the mask of drowsy indifference.
Jiu Gao cherishes his discovered female side, ready to boast of it in public.
Zhao Xiang grows remarkably flexible in his views, setting aside his pride as a senior for the sake of the innocent.
GLITCHES & FLAWS
The settings & staging are so meticulously performed that I cannot name a single glitch. Perhaps only some scenes with wounds, death or explosives which defy biology & physics – but most C-dramas bear that trait.
However, there are major flaws in the character building:
Lan Xiang’s behaviour during & after the wedding towards her husband & his family is unearned, exaggerated, reckless. The reaction of the Lin family is lenient, considering they lack the knowledge of her mind, let alone agency to change the emperor’s decree.
Lan Xiang puts the manor at a risk by concealing the potentially contagious disease of her fellow maid for days. It undermines her image as a mature, prudent, foreseeing person.
Lan Xiang as First Madam rightly treats punishment only as a preventive measure, but her overall attitude starts to fit into the system that has oppressed her.
During the brothel rescue, Jin Qi ignores Ji’er. Lan Xiang forgets her promise to help her, just waiting passively for the news.
There is a false analogy in two acts of burning documents. When Lan Xiang sets fire to a testimony against Jin Qi, she actually puts an end to a morally groundless threat, which would drown her too as Jin Qi’s wife. His act of setting the oppressed prince free was pure act of mercy, even if the emperor would never admit it, since the logic of the state is detached from human reasoning. Some episodes later Jin Qi sets fire to pieces of art & wisdom that might serve as a disputable testimony that Lan Xiang is Jia Lan. Likewise, there is no guilt involved. Nobody would have a motive to harm the survivor: the emperor who persecuted the Shen family is long gone. Similarly, Jin Qi has nothing to fear from his wife: there has been a long history of mutual support & protection, no threat of revenge.
APPEAL
I enjoy the selection of actors for the main roles – predominantly over 30 yet with youthful & natural looks. This corresponds with the atmosphere of wisdom & moderateness. I wish it becomes a trend in C-dramas: instead of exploring the limits (like in Western culture), the novelty can derive from looking deeper (Eastern culture). Wherever extremes are unnecessary, no need arises for plastic surgery, intricate special effects or exaggerated violence.
Written by a nationless spirit confined in the decaying Mid-Europe.
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Story of Ming Lan Vibes & I'm Here For It! (Updating this every few episodes!)
his is one of those slow-building dramas that I adore ala "Story of Ming Lan" & while I doubt it can ever beat Ming Lan's #1 place in my heart... I am holding high hopes it can at least compare. Not gonna lie, by the first bit of episode 2, I had already cried my eyes out twice!! THAT's great storytelling/acting/etc.By Episodes 9-10 I'm truly appreciating the fact that the ML & FL haven't had even a hint of "falling for each other" & it makes sense. The FL is legit still trying to survive and the ML is just cleaning up his mess of a marriage and getting back into being home, etc. The drama is giving me Story of Minglan vibes even more now showing the details of how a servant had to live and hopefully be lucky enough to survive when they were literally property and like the FL's dad said in EP #1 were pretty much "cattle" that could be killed/done with however their owner decided.
In the Story of MingLan, we were seeing how the inner workings of a home with wives/concubines and how they also lived on pins and needles and had to find ways to survive within their limited (by men) world. Here we're seeing the same thing: how servants are trying to survive, still have hope all within their limited (by their owner) world. I adore this kind of storytelling and depth of detail. I see a lot of people commenting about how many "unnecessary" deaths are in the first episodes... but that's the point, isn't it? he FL is living understanding she has really no control over her life/death and that any one of those lost lives could be her next time. High stakes.
EP 11-12 were so good. We see the very intricate scheming of the ML's savior's sister and honestly I find her a bit intriguing. She realizes quickly that she's lost her "hidden agenda" edge with the ML but I don't think that's going to deter her. I find her statement how she'd like to "soar away & not look back" like a man can but all she can do it long for it interesting. She's scheming, smart, and can adapt to the situation/leaves herself a way out (the multiple flowers). This makes her very dangerous.
Another highlight of EP 12 for me was that subtle HINT of the ML finally seeing the FL as an interesting PERSON instead of a clever maid/belonging. & of course... the FL's adoptive parents hushing everyone all morning so the FL could rest was just too wonderful of a scene!!
EP 13-21
These episodes really really sets the pace for our FL. She really shines as a quick-thinker, a compassionate human, etc and we see the ML begin to REALLY fall head-over-heels for her! We also get to see a lot of character growth for many side characters and member of the Lin family as well.
EP 22 -24
So, let's just say I feel so far the only "blip" in this drama happens in these few episodes. Pacing suddenly accelerates and plots/characters come out of the woodwork, and it feels chaotic and messy. Episode 22 up to the 1st half of ep24 was by far the messiest with double kidnapping, new evil family, tons of opera shows/singing, a ghost in a trunk , being sold to a brothel, an opera singing duo on the shore, and yikes so much more it made my head spin. LUCKILY, we got back on track in the very next episode and the pacing literally *click* went back to normal. This makes me think possibly a LOT of editing happened in this spot in the drama, but, I might be wrong.
EP25-30
The edict, the wedding, the slap, and the ML's shamelessness. I was living for it.
The rest of the drama was wonderful and even though a few episodes the pacing suddenly seemed quicker (I'm guessing editing played a part in this) the scene transitions and time skips (which normally I HATE time skips) were done thoughtfully and beautifully. The sheer amount in tiny details in this drama were astounding... the nuances, the deeper meanings.... they all played together so perfectly it made for a drama you'll never forget.
I can't wait to do a re-watch of this drama now that it's completely aired. I know I'm going to notice tons more details I missed the 1st watch through!!
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Stunning Production, But a Miss For Me
Against the Current is an absolutely stunning production with a solid first half. Everything feels very alive and rich across the entire production - costumes, location settings, acting, directing, fight sequences, so on and so forth. This will most likely be one of my comparisons on quality drama making in the future. Additionally, the plot and characters set up in the first half are incredibly interesting. I came to care a great deal about these characters, and the situations they ended up facing felt tense and the resolutions rewarding when the threats were overcome.That said, the second half of the story did not deliver for me. It felt increasing unsatisfactory, frustrating, and oddly unmoored from its initial premise. It failed in two major ways - the main character being sidelined in her own story and the romance.
ROMANCE
I’m going to start with the romance aspect first because I can already hear the people gearing up to write about how it was “not about the romance.” You see, you can say all day long it was not about it, I can even say it was not about it, but the production itself repeatedly centered the ML’s one-sided love and favored romantic beats over character moments throughout the show.
SPOILERS: This show begins on the premise of a marriage between the two main leads, in a roundabout way they end up in the relationship, and their marriage is in many ways a success. The premise laid out for the second half of the show by the ML is his goal to get the FL to fall in love with him. Great, wonderful, can’t wait to see it. And yet by the end I never felt the FL loved him. Did she care and respect him? Sure, I don’t think she would have had kids with him otherwise. But to spend much of the second half focused on them, so many scenes showing his love for her and her lukewarm response to all of it was not satisfying. I either needed her to verbally mention at least one time at the end of the show she loved him OR the production spend less time on the romantic beats/scenes. If the production doesn’t want it to be about the romance, that’s fine, but then stop spending so much time on it.
This is not a knock on the actors as their performances were great. This is a knock against the writing. It felt like the ML was told this was a romance, while the FL was told this was not a romance. It felt one-side and discordant with the premise of the story and the shows own dedication to building it up between them.
XU LAN XIANG
I can’t talk about any of this without SPOILERS so you have been warned.
I think ultimately the second half of the series failed our FL, Xu Lan Xiang. She is by far the heart of the show and her growth in the first half felt moving and memorable. After the wedding (in the late 20s), she becomes an oddly static, angelic figure rather than an actual person. I would argue her character goes through the most storyline changes in the second half without exploring any of them. She kills a person? Time jump. She becomes the head of the entire Lin household? Time jump. A mother? Time jump. She kills another person gruesomely? Time jump. Loses her husband and friends over the years? Time jump by a million.
What happened to exploring these moments? What about the fact that she ends up running the Lin household and holds down a full time career as a playwriter? What about if the friends she made as a slave want freedom too? What about the struggles she may have endured as the new Lin matriarch, if not internally from the family then externally? Did no other servants ever trouble her? Did she not struggle with being a mom? Why is so much time given to a lackluster romance and an overarching political drama rather than the more intimate moments of Xu Lan Xiang?
Perhaps it wouldn’t have felt so mismatched except we watch as the ML and many of the secondary character get fulfilling emotional arcs that feel earned and real. They feel like real people growing and changing through their personally interactions and external pressures of society the entire drama. Our FL essentially reaches complete transformation halfway through the drama and becomes the lynchpin to making plot happen for the rest of the characters as the show progresses.
By the end, I just felt very conflicted about it all. The more I think about it, the more sad I find it. What could have been one of my favorite shows did so little with the main character and shortchanged the romance to be unrecognizable by the end. So many love this show and I’m glad for them. For me, ultimately, it was a great miss.
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No, It's Not About the Romance: It's About the Women
I started this drama with one question: 'How in the hell would she end up married to a man who abandoned her and then made her a servant in the house she was to become a young madam?' I assumed they'd make him save her, then give him some dumbass sob story that she would accept, forgive him, and they'd live happily ever after. I was ready to hate it.But boy was I wrong. The blame is on me since my assumptions were made from reading the synopsis here and seeing the one trailer where she and her adoptive parents talked about saving enough money to save themselves.
After a whopping 47 episodes - the longest Cdrama I have watched thus far - I feel with everything in me that we need more stories like this. Stories that center around the plight of women and what it actually means to live and survive in a world that restrains you. A world that sees you as nothing but a tool, a nuisance, a burden, and, according to the Lin sisters' mother, 'spilled water'.
LanXiang: The 'Cameraman of the Era
Lan Xiang reminds me a lot of ManMan from 'The Prisoner of Beauty '. They are both quick-witted, possess a quiet strength, and the ability to adapt to any circumstance. I love a vengeful, cunning, sword-wielding woman as much as the next babe, but sometimes, It's good to see how the average woman would have survived in such times. LanXiang and ManMan are far from the average historical Chinese woman due to the fact that they are educated and braver than most. IMO, that (the education really) is what helps them accomplish much of what they do.
In one of her plays, Lan Xiang talks about a woman who turns into an eagle to escape her ungrateful, murderous family. Throughout the story, I saw Lan Xiang as that eagle—or rather, a vessel whose eyes I used to view the atrocities women faced. In meme language, she is the cameraman: she sees everything and never dies.
I feel like the aim of this drama was not to portray how one woman beat the odds, making her better than all those around her. But rather, to walk the audience through this time period, showing them, through Lan Xiang, all the atrocities that women had to live through. Lan Xiang is rather modern and forward-thinking for her time, which is why I see her as I, the audience, dumped into this time period. Her desires and thoughts mirror what liberated women in 2026 want and think. She forces us to ponder: "If this were happening to you with your 2026 brain and sensibilities, how would you feel?"
Through her, we see the systemic traps that women faced
• A woman gets kidnapped, yet she has to lie about her whereabouts lest the family decides she was defiled and throw her out to the wolves - Remember the women in 'The Prisoner of Beauty' who were SA'd, and their Lord forced them to go to the frontlines because the loss of their purity meant they were shameful and no longer useful to society?
• Women raised to believe that marriage is all that matters. A good man is all there is to their world. They are less than if a man doesn't want them and if unmarried by a certain age. And once married, they are shamed and hated within the household for earning an honest living, regardless of whether the man earns enough or not. Starve if you must, but do not show your face in public trying to make money
• Women are forced to stay in not only unhappy but physically and financially violent households because leaving is seen as shameful. And let's not forget that seeking a divorce requires the woman to be punished for shaming the husband, but also, divorce is only granted if the man agrees. If he says no, you are forced to stay. If he says no and claims he 'only beat you a little,' you stay
Crucially, the drama shines a light on women as complex human beings. They aren't evil for the sake of it; they have layers and distinct motivations. We see:
• The Jealous Sister: She rejoices at her older sister’s ruined prospects (possible loss of virginity before marriage), only to save her upon realizing the scandal would not just ruin her older sister but tarnish her reputation as well as that of her family at large
• The Toxic Wife: She treats her husband with disdain, cheats on him, and mistreats the maids from his side of the union — until you learn about the abusive family she came from.
• The Social Climber: A maid who bullies the girl she grew up with and tries to gain favor with the young master of the household, but she later proves to be more than just a surface-level bully.
These women aren't sanitized, and they aren't demonized. As a woman living with the narrative that women are each other's biggest enemies, I love how human this show treats them. I don't agree with all their actions, but I understand them.
Lin Jin Qi: The Patriarchal Cage
I think he was a good portrayal of a patriarchal, classist man. Before he falls for Lan Xiang, he forces her to spy on his wife so he can find a way to break off the marriage. I wonder if, at the time, he thought of the other servant girl that was beaten and sold off. The one he'd bribed to tell him about that book (was it a scripture book?) I forget. I assume he did not, since he went to the brothel she'd been sold to -to save the 'love of his life' - and never recognized her.
Once he falls for her, he does not treat her with the same respect he would women of his standing. He starts touching her and even drinks from the same cup as her. This would have never happened had she been of the same class. Then he uses the emperor's decree to marry her. Does he care how she feels about returning as a wife to the house where she used to empty chamber pots? Doubtful.
He likely believes that she and her family will be elated. A man of his standing found her smart and beautiful enough to deign to marry her. How wonderful! He elevated them!! Then he drugs and drags her to the capital. He assumes that her desire to stay in Jingling must be about another man. He cannot comprehend that she has independent desires outside of romance.
He believes that if he's patient enough, acts cute enough, and takes off his clothes to show off those sexy abs, she'll like him and give him a chance. Thinking about him just pisses me off.
I never understood the viewers begging Lan Xiang to forgive him so the romance could start. Every woman in this story is trying to escape a cage. Lan Xiang finally escaped and built an easy life, and he caged her again! We're supposed to gloss over that for "romance"? Hell no. Her restraint and silent treatment were much kinder than what I would've given him.
He does eventually become a man who deserves her, giving her more freedom than most within the marriage, and he's a great father, so... he wasn't a total lost cause.
The Romance or Lack Thereof
When they finally consummated their marriage - many years later - I didn't know how to feel about it. I hated the thought that she loved him. Not because she's undeserving of love, but because, in my eyes, he'd never deserve her love. However, the more I think about it, the more I feel like she ended up like many women of her time - those who never truly loved their husbands, not in the 2026 sense of all-consuming love, but found ways to care for them.
During those unconsummated years, shared hardships and conversations likely allowed her to trust him. Like water (another Prisoner of Beauty parallel), she learned to adapt to her circumstances and find happiness where she could. I believe that, till his death, he definitely loved her more than she loved him.
The Downsides
Despite everything I loved, 47 episodes were too many. The pacing after episode 38 went straight to the gutters. The resurgence of old enemies and mundane daily life wasn't interesting, and the time jumps didn't help. I fear they cut out most of what the audience needed to see these two, but especially her, bond enough to build trust and a family.
Final Thoughts
As I close the book to this drama, I wonder sadly if Lan Xiang was ever truly happy. Some part of me thinks that some small part of her never learned to be happy. She lived because her mother's dying wish was for her to do so. But can you ever be truly happy after seeing all the women in your life take their lives to escape state-sanctioned sexual slavery? Then later in life have to live in the house that belonged to said deceased family and with the family that played a part in this tragedy? She kept it all a secret and never used her name again. I think this is too much to ask for one person
Ultimately, this is exactly what I look for in stories about women and their struggles. It doesn't sugarcoat the past. Instead, it serves as a powerful reminder to be grateful for—and to protect—everything the women before us fought and suffered for. Things today could certainly be better, but we are living in their wildest dreams. We must never forget that or take it for granted.
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Well-produced and well-acted Family drama that could use more than 47 episodes
There are already many well-written reviews of “Against the Current”, so I am not going to repeat what the plot is and who is who. But I do want to share a few points that stuck out to me while watching this drama.I initially thought this would be a story about Lan Xiang (FL)’s rise to power in the Lin Household (which is true) and her revenge story of actively reclaiming the innocence and name for her Shen family, with the assistance of Lin Jin Qi (ML). The latter point isn’t true. This is in no way a revenge drama. Instead, it has a central focus of women power. There are many dramas shedding light on the unfair treatment of women during those times, but what stood out in “Against the Current” is that almost every single female character has an arc/side story about their struggles. The drama spends quite a lot of time away from the story of Xu Lan Xian and Lin Jin Qi, but focuses on the daughters, daughters-in-law, female maids and other women. Their stories are definitely interesting in their own way, and I feel for them. Each of their stories could be a drama by itself and I would watch them all. However, because time was taken away from the leads, I felt that their story was impacted slightly and I am not getting the romance that I want. I know, I am a sucker for romance, so when it’s not done to my satisfaction, I notice and complain. Additionally, all the stories require a lot of time to tell and might have led to the many time skips in this drama. Central to all the women's stories, is our female lead Lan Xiang. She has a hand in all of them. It’s like she’s the mastermind (not intentionally) and one that everyone seeks out because she’s caring and intelligent. But is she too intelligent? Isn’t it better to have some setbacks? Aside from the first few episodes, she didn’t seem to have such a hard life growing up. I think it would make for a more interesting character if she moves two steps forward, and then one or half a step backwards. She’s a little too perfect here.
I know this is not a romance-centered drama going in and that’s OK. I know this is going to be a slow burn and that’s OK. But even after resetting my expectations, I am still disappointed. The romance feels very one-sided to me. I like how Lin Jin Qi slowly falls for Xu Lan Xiang. I like seeing how his view of her changes throughout the drama from indifference, to noticing and recognizing her talents, to admiration and love. I was surprised at how arrogant he was with the marriage proposal, but it creates a great story for the end when they speak about their different paths and beliefs. But I don’t think the drama shows us that Xu Lan Xiang is in love with Jin Qi. She definitely cares for him, loves him as a family, and even admires his decision in the end regarding his career choice. But she’s never in love with him. Is that really what the writer/director wants to convey? Is it the writing that’s not living up to what it wants to portray? I was baffled at the sudden change in their marriage after the time skip. All of a sudden he came home and you consummate your marriage? What happened? Did I miss a few episodes? I enjoy the initial attraction from Lin Jin Qi, and especially their openness in talking about their different beliefs and paths, and sharing of secrets. But somewhere in the middle, an important component is lost.
This is a well-produced period drama. It’s serious without additional and useless comedic moments just to brighten the seriousness. It has excellent acting across the board, ever-changing and beautiful costumes and hairstyles for the cast. Actors using their own voice and may even have some live recording (or very good studio recording). Everything feels grand and right. It’s one of the rare recent Chinese dramas that I felt didn't have much to complain about the production. Even the few action scenes are done well and hardcore. I love all the songs. I am not always a fan of Seven Tan’s singing, but when her song comes up, I totally get all the feels (though it was played too often). Almost forgot, I don’t think we need a heroic entrance music in this drama, but we have that not only for ML, but also his two bodyguards. Doh!
“Against the Current” tells the tale of Xu Lan Xiang and those around her for over 20 years. This is a long time to tell a story this long and 47 episodes didn’t seem enough. This is the first drama I watched that’s over 40 episodes after China revokes the censorship. Maybe the writer forgot how to write a longer drama, or they are worried that the audience needs time to re-adjust to watching a 70-ep “Story of Min Lan” or “Rise of the Phoenix”. But the amount of time skips is a constant complaint that most reviewers and viewers have voiced. By the last third of the drama, we either skip a month or two, or 6 months to a year, here and there. But what I want to point out also is the intelligent way the drama does these skips. Not only does it show on the screen the words of the time, but you can tell from the changing seasons, changing costumes, walking from one frame to another, and by what the characters are doing. Did you notice the little girl selling flowers who shows up ever so often? Did you see her growing up before our eyes from being a little girl, a teenager, an adult, a pregnant woman, selling with her baby and then her boy, and then an older woman with a son and daughter? What a smart way of showing us the change of times. Throughout the drama, I keep on looking out for her. In the drama, the young ones all grow up with older actors playing these characters. Yet, the adults are the same actors no matter how old they become. It’s somewhat weird to see the 5-year old is 15 and then married with kids and played by different actors, and then their parents and grandparents look just about the same with a few more gray hairs only.
If you watch enough period Chinese family dramas, you notice a pattern of evil parents, concubine fighting, cousin fighting and all trying to gain whatever fortune they want. The amount of in-fighting within the family is amazing. I just finished watching “Spring of the Blade” so to watch a totally different “Against the Current” is a breath of fresh air. I love seeing the two Madam Lins supporting each other. All the cousins are lovely and truly care and support each other. Big brother Lin Jin Qi steps up each and every time when his sister or cousins are in need. No cousin is jealous of each other, even the in-laws, except for one. We have two great mothers in Madam Lins, although their way of mothering is very different. The fathers might be useless, but they don’t cause much trouble. It’s lovely to see a family drama, where all family members do love each other.
Well, this review is getting long. If you like a serious, well-produced Chinese historical family drama, “Against the Current” is a great choice. It has excellent acting all around and interesting stories to keep you engaged throughout those 47 episodes. But the drama is not without flaws. If you are looking for romance, you will be disappointed. This is not a drama you casually watch as you might miss details that show up on the screen rather quickly.
Drama Completed: 10/11/2026 Review #729
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A tale dedicated for women
This is one of the best dramas I’ve watched in recent years, a masterpiece leaving you that lasting melancholic unease to say goodbye.It has all the elements for a hit: logical characters, beautiful soundtrack, aesthetically satisfying frames, appreciation for the beauty of seasons and Oriental culture, deeply engaging and well-woven plot, well-thought narration with many meaning layers embedded to each details, leading viewers from one to another wonder; and last but not least, the most impressive touch that I value most in any narration: a sensible framework to navigate human relationships and feel for each souls, and a highly perceptive and humanistic view of women against fate, life &hardships, one that deeply resonates to us, women in the present time. A drama made for and dedicated to women.
Found myself deeply feel for each female character portrayal and their tales here… and pondering about life, courage, commitment, compassion and hardships.
Truly recommend this drama to all the lady’s, especially those with their own families
Great work don’t need many inviting words. Feel it your way!
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Loving this series
Looking at the bad ratings with full essays written without even finishing the series.This series is exactly what its title is "Against The Current"
Its about empowering oneself. Make the best of what is in your own control (She makes use of her knowledge learned from her scholars or tutors and her family of officials, Her father was an official in the ministry of justice.)
Take responsibility for your own action (lduty, loyalty and integrity) and not trying to empower yourself through marriage, evil schemes, or stealing. Surving , striving and rising above adversity or any situation.
This series getting more interesting. I think episode 25 should get a "Sub title" - The Retribution of the Rebel Emperor 🙃
It feels like her deceased family souls can finally be put to rest.
I'm waiting for the next episodes which I will name - "The Lin families betrayal of the Shen family." 🤪
Ep 29: The slap at the wedding and FL not acknowledging his family is justified.
Then, I like her coldness as I can get to see his clingy, cute and childish side. Does he think his wife will stab him with a sewing needle? Why do I feel he is a little afraid of her? 🤭
The change in him.
He started wearing plain clothes.
He is so happy about the coat her mother made for him and that he finally gets to wear it to meet her parents. 🥰
He shows her parents that he has a frugal side of him as he was away from home most of his life protecting the borders.
Ep 30: The Capital
He drugs and takes her with him to the Capital. He was afraid to leave in the Lin residence since his elders does not acknowledge her as his wife. I think he was afraid they would mistreat her.
He even demonstrate how he tricked her into thinking he drank the wine.
His eldest sister lives in the deceased Shen family home. 😔
This, again remind her of the Lin family breaking off the engagement.
I also note that he has never been to the Shen residence, as he explains that the emperor granted him the residence recently.
The eldest sister story is about to begin...
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A promising drama, yet too dry emotionally and too much lecturing
Against the Current starts with a strong title and themes. The premise is promising, and the story sets a clear direction as a career drama, a social commentary, and a story of women’s empowerment. ATC could have become China’s Jewel in the Palace (2003) or Oshin (1983) if only it had stayed true to its promise instead of going off track. Unfortunately, after episode 20, everything starts to fall apart. Calling ATC a masterpiece would be an overstatement, given how much it still has to learn about telling a meaningful story about women.Admittedly, there are aspects of this drama that deserve appreciation. First and foremost is its impressive production quality. It reflects a significant leap in Chinese drama production, showcasing the producers’ growing technical ability to create something aesthetically pleasing and elegant that still feels modern and contemporary rather than dated. And what I love most about ATC is how it manages to capture the beautiful side of humanity despite the dystopian world it portrays, where slavery exists, and women are treated as property, denied the same rights as men. Even in a society shaped by oppression and inequality, there is still room for kindness, compassion, and human connection. Moreover, ATC realistically portrays ordinary people and family life. It gives its community real substance. The city is not merely a backdrop for the characters’ stories or a temporary stop along their journeys. It feels like a living, breathing place where people build relationships and find support. It is somewhere they can return to, call home, and feel safe.
However, the drama has serious flaws that steer it away from its intended direction and ultimately undermine its aims.
First, all viewers know the central question posed in the very first episode: “Why do some people become slaves?” The question comes from a young noblewoman, and the story unfolds as she herself becomes a slave and comes to see the world from the bottom up. However, the story that follows offers little reflection on this social issue. Instead, it shifts toward a feminist narrative in which women are portrayed as victims of a tyrannical society who must be liberated, even though men suffer under the same system of oppression. This imbalance is genuinely frustrating and makes the story feel contrived. When the FL finally rises to become a high-ranking lady herself, we don't even get something as simple as her helping the poor escape the grip of poverty, giving alms to low-ranking servants, or showing kindness to their families. By this point, the protagonist should have learned the answer to the very question that started her journey in the first place.
Second, ATC focuses on women's achievements as they become more empowered and gain greater freedom. Strangely, it barely shows how they learn or what they go through in the process of learning. This entire aspect is missing, and its absence feels particularly jarring in a drama that aspires to tell a story of women's empowerment. There are no scenes showing the FL learning anything new, as if she had already become a perfect woman under her grandfather’s guidance back when her noble family was still thriving. Nor do we see her friends making an effort to learn to read or develop skills beyond domestic work. In this drama, people seem to become accomplished overnight.
This is where ATC differs so profoundly from the legendary Jewel in the Palace, for example. The learning process is at the very heart of Dae Jang-geum’s story: we follow her journey from a low-ranking palace cook to a physician serving ordinary people and eventually a royal physician. Even by the end of the series, she never stops learning, exploring, and discovering new things. Her achievements feel earned because we get to witness the struggles, grit, curiosity, and continuous learning that make them possible. Everything feels super rewarding, and viewers get the chance to celebrate every milestone of her journey from zero to hero.
On the contrary, in ATC, after the FL is freed from slavery, she works at a shop, but the drama never shows how she actually runs it as an entrepreneur. She just somehow manages to bring in huge profits. Later, she becomes an opera singer, but we never see her explore the art form or learn to sing. She just happens to have a beautiful voice. Eventually, she becomes a playwright, yet the drama never shows her learning the craft or going through the creative process. She simply becomes successful. In the end, the only answer the audience is left with is, “Because she used to be Shen Jialan.” Even when she was still a slave, there was barely any trace of who she used to be as a learning person. There was no sign of her secretly learning new things, being curious, or trying to better herself.
Third, the FL’s perfection is another problem that makes the drama increasingly boring. There is simply no character development. She reacts to changes in her surroundings, but she herself never really changes. Her worldview, thinking, skills, and personality remain just as perfect as ever. As the story’s moral anchor, she is too righteous, too self-righteous, and too preachy toward the people around her. Yet she never seems to learn from them or allow herself to be challenged or corrected. She comes across more like a goddess or a saint who comments on everything happening in the story rather than someone who is actually part of it. Meanwhile, the other characters keep singing her praises, leaving the audience wondering exactly what makes her so deserving of all that admiration, since we never get to see the process by which she becomes the person they claim she is.
Fourth, ATC underappreciates the ML and has far too many antagonists. Moreover, the ML and antagonists are poorly characterized. While ATC glorifies its perfect FL, it fails to give the other characters much depth or explore their more positive sides.
The ML, a highly capable military man, is reduced to a man hopelessly in love with the FL, spending years pining for her while being stripped of his broader social role until he ends up doing little more than staying at home. Personally, I don't need a woman-empowerment story if it ends up perpetuating a subtler form of injustice toward men, portraying them as foolish, blind, and incapable of living up to their full potential. What makes the ML’s fate even more tragic is that he keeps professing his love for the FL until the very end of his life, without ever receiving so much as a single word of reciprocation or even a thank-you for loving her. Was this intentional on the writers’ part? Why is the FL so reluctant—or downright stingy—when it comes to expressing her feelings or reflecting on what love means to her while her man is still alive? Even in her old age, she seems to have no fond memories of the life she shared with the ML to look back on. That is why the romance in ATC is so poor, bland, and dry emotionally.
Meanwhile, the antagonists are portrayed as one-dimensionally evil, irrational, crazy, and stupid, with little effort to explore their humanity or what drives them to act the way they do. The antagonists have no stories of their own and seem to exist solely to highlight the FL’s righteousness and moral superiority, lecturing the audience on what a person is supposed to look like. Another thing I don't understand is why none of the antagonists gets a chance at redemption. They all meet tragic ends, paying for their wrongdoings with their lives. One dies after being raped and severely injured, another takes her own life by slitting her throat, and yet another dies in a fire. They are women, too, so why does the story show them so little compassion? Where is the gentleness and humanity that the drama seems so eager to celebrate in other parts of the story?
Fifth, I'm not entirely sold on Tan Songyun's casting as the adult Shen Jialan. She does a good job with the role, but her facial features look noticeably different from those of the actress playing the younger Shen Jialan. The resemblance is weak enough to make it harder for me to buy them as the same person. Perhaps the production team could have found a younger actress who looked more like Tan Songyun, or an adult actress who more closely resembled the younger version.
Ultimately, what disappoints me most about ATC is not that it fails to become another Jewel in the Palace or Oshin, but that it comes so close to becoming something truly meaningful, only to squander its own potential. It has the production quality, the premise, and the world-building to tell a compelling story about social injustice, human growth, and women's empowerment. Yet, somewhere along the way, it seems to lose sight of what should have made this story worth telling in the first place. Instead of letting its characters grow, struggle, learn, and earn their achievements, it takes shortcuts, glorifies an almost infallible FL, and leaves the rest of its characters emotionally and morally underdeveloped. What a waste of such a promising story. I went into ATC hoping to watch a woman rise against the current, only to find a drama that doesn't quite understands what it takes to make that journey worth rooting for.
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The storytelling, acting, narrative, cinematography—everything was so beautifully done. But what stayed with me most was the FL.
She’s intelligent, yes, but more than that, she’s wise. The kind of wisdom that made me stop and think, How does someone see things from so many different angles?
Things don’t always go according to her wishes, but she doesn’t waste herself fighting reality. She looks at the situation, understands the people involved, and finds the best way forward. Calmly. Thoughtfully. Often with nothing more than her words.
She doesn’t need a weapon, money, status, or brute power to be formidable. She can be delicate and still be powerful. She can be gentle and still navigate an entire world through understanding, diplomacy and sheer emotional intelligence.
A woman doesn’t have to become hard to become powerful.
I’ve only encountered this kind of FL once before—in A Prisoner of Beauty, which I love dearly.
And perhaps that’s why this drama felt so peaceful to watch. Not because nothing difficult happens, but because watching someone meet difficulty with wisdom instead of chaos is strangely comforting.
I wish I could feel this kind of peace every day.
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An amazing portrayal of the lives of women in ancient time!
If you're looking for a deep story, great pace, women empowerment, amazing character development, nice depiction of the Ming Dynasty, good portrayal of supporting characters who are not use as props for most of the show but also have their deep story we get to hear and a slow burn romance looking like a one-sided love with amazingly talented actors that will make you feel all the emotions their characters are going through, you must watch this drama!The cinematography and the costumes are to die for. The pace and the flow are on point! The storytelling is incredible because despite the drama being a lot of episodes, at no moment you will want to fast forward or will feel like you're watching a filler episode. On the contrary, you will keep on wanting more, lol. This drama gives you imperfect and complex characters as well as topics that will make you think and get you even more attached to the universe of the show. Matter of fact, you might even question yourself because somehow you may be rooting for someone that did a bad action. Nothing is black or white, simplicity does not have its place, everything serves a purpose. We have well crafted arcs.
Unfortunately, the final arc was not well brought up as the transition to it left a lot of people confused. You just have to accept that the vibe has changed and you just passed the peak point of the drama. The main flaw of the show to me was how to highlight the female lead competences and wisdom beyond her years, it seems the other characters got dumb down on the second part of the show, she is the one with a solution to everything for everyone. That was a major turn off and what made me not gave this show a perfect score. :/
Do not hesistate to check out comments because the show references a lot of chinese culture and history so there will be a lot of things you will miss because you are unaware. Reading about them in the comments will help you understand a lot of scenes better and give more depth to the drama too.
The OST and the music overall are beautiful and well placed in the show, it gets you even more in your feelings while your watching.
Honestly, this drama will become a classic of c-dramas if that is not already the case. JUST WATCH IT!!!
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