K-Drama 
2
5
Delightful, moving, heart breaking but a beautiful, beautiful story
Against the Current is a gem. It challenges current CDrama storytelling. The acting is first class. The OST is wonderful, the songs by Seven a real treat. The costuming, makeup and sets are a standout. The opening credits are breathtakingly beautiful. They tell a story on their own.
In all honesty, the show needed 70 - 80 episodes. At 47 episodes, the number of time skips needed made the story a little disjointed. I watched this on Viki and like any show on that platform, when they slow down to one episode a day, I set this show aside until I could binge the final six episodes.
In short, the show unfolds over many decades, although there is plenty of time devoted to each key development in between each time skip. The beginning is dramatic. The attention to what happens next is sublime. The unfolding of our leads is a mature take on life, whether as a servant or as a noble. One message is clear: never take life for granted.
As I looked through many comments around the place, there was a lean towards how this drama was feminist in its portrayal. I have to disagree with this sentiment. If you look at the story from the point of view regarding how women are responsible for running a household, the challenges this brings, the pressure on the matriarch, the jostling for position and acceptance, the lack of interest by the menfolk as they pursue their own interests, we get to see something similar to Minglan.
Xu Lan Xiang is intelligent, sage and patient. Lin Jin Qi is masterful, impetuous and loyal. Lan Xiang is the saviour. Jin Qi carries the weight of the nation on his shoulders. The defining moment in their relationship is when she suggests he leaves the royal court. Other viewers will pick other moments but for me, and anyone who has been married for some time, knows how powerful and meaningful such a moment is.
The adversaries are magnificent. Very fine performances, scurrilous, pouty and unforgiving. Each has an ending that is fitting for who they are.
The use of Chinese Southern Opera to give the people a voice, an avenue for Lan Xiang’s talents as a writer is extremely well done. I enjoyed the attention to detail from the makeup, costumes and sets through to the delivery of the stories themselves. It took Jin Qi time to catch on regarding the use of the Opera but he got there eventually.
My final reflection is on the parents. Lan Xiang’s mum and dad were amazing. The dad was clueless but developed due to Lan Xiang’s guidance. Her mum was a beautiful person who only ever wanted what was best for her daughter. Jin Qi’s mum as the Lin family matriarch was wonderful: strong but fair, doting, biased against Lan Xiang until her brilliance saved the family. Sadly, his father was a wastrel. The grandfather was the powerful scholar and he too went through his own personal development at such a late stage in life.
Even if you aren’t inclined to watch this, at least listen to Seven’s wonderful singing of the theme songs - delightful and moving.
In all honesty, the show needed 70 - 80 episodes. At 47 episodes, the number of time skips needed made the story a little disjointed. I watched this on Viki and like any show on that platform, when they slow down to one episode a day, I set this show aside until I could binge the final six episodes.
In short, the show unfolds over many decades, although there is plenty of time devoted to each key development in between each time skip. The beginning is dramatic. The attention to what happens next is sublime. The unfolding of our leads is a mature take on life, whether as a servant or as a noble. One message is clear: never take life for granted.
As I looked through many comments around the place, there was a lean towards how this drama was feminist in its portrayal. I have to disagree with this sentiment. If you look at the story from the point of view regarding how women are responsible for running a household, the challenges this brings, the pressure on the matriarch, the jostling for position and acceptance, the lack of interest by the menfolk as they pursue their own interests, we get to see something similar to Minglan.
Xu Lan Xiang is intelligent, sage and patient. Lin Jin Qi is masterful, impetuous and loyal. Lan Xiang is the saviour. Jin Qi carries the weight of the nation on his shoulders. The defining moment in their relationship is when she suggests he leaves the royal court. Other viewers will pick other moments but for me, and anyone who has been married for some time, knows how powerful and meaningful such a moment is.
The adversaries are magnificent. Very fine performances, scurrilous, pouty and unforgiving. Each has an ending that is fitting for who they are.
The use of Chinese Southern Opera to give the people a voice, an avenue for Lan Xiang’s talents as a writer is extremely well done. I enjoyed the attention to detail from the makeup, costumes and sets through to the delivery of the stories themselves. It took Jin Qi time to catch on regarding the use of the Opera but he got there eventually.
My final reflection is on the parents. Lan Xiang’s mum and dad were amazing. The dad was clueless but developed due to Lan Xiang’s guidance. Her mum was a beautiful person who only ever wanted what was best for her daughter. Jin Qi’s mum as the Lin family matriarch was wonderful: strong but fair, doting, biased against Lan Xiang until her brilliance saved the family. Sadly, his father was a wastrel. The grandfather was the powerful scholar and he too went through his own personal development at such a late stage in life.
Even if you aren’t inclined to watch this, at least listen to Seven’s wonderful singing of the theme songs - delightful and moving.
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