Against the Current

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Overview

Synopsis

Shen Jia Lan is the granddaughter of a powerful noble family, betrothed to Lin Jin Qi. Her life takes a horrific turn when her grandfather is accused of treason and her entire family is punished. She’s miraculously saved by slaves who disguise her as their daughter. As Xu Lan Xiang, she enters the Lin household as a maid and refuses to bow to her fate.

My Opinion (No Spoiler)

This is probably the best C-Drama I have seen this year! Here, the story doesn’t focus on romance or revenge, but rather on women’s fate and how they can thrive in a society that limits them. It’s a woman-centric show, displaying many different types of women with different backgrounds and personalities. But they have one thing in common: they refuse to just accept their fate. Xu Lan Xiang is a wise guide who facilitates their emancipation, freedom and journey to independence. I cried so much, felt so proud and shared these characters’ joys and sufferings. This drama is an ode to women that still resonates today despite the different time period. Thankfully, we also got some romance in the show. It’s a slow burn between the leads that evolves through the years and grows deep. I can’t tell you how intense and emotional this drama is. It’s so raw, accurate and genuine. It’s realistic, relatable and there’s some nostalgia regarding the passing of life and time that you can’t stop. This drama broke me, but every tear and laughter was worth it. Finally the cinematography is top notch. It’s a visual masterpiece. Highly recommended!

Analysis

• A woman-centric drama
• The Lin Household
• Xu Lan Xiang, the wise guide
• Lin Xiu Ru, quiet and fierce
• Lin Xiu Wan, the unforeseen rebel
• Lin Xiu Lai, out of the golden cage
• The other women
• Zhao Xing Tang, victim of her condition
• Du Cui Que, broken ambition
• Lu Ji Er, second chances
• The men of the drama
• Lin Jin Qi, devotion embodied
• Han Liang, the perfect scholar
• The romances
• Lan Xiang and Jin Qi
• Xiu Ru and the Marquis
• Xiu Wan and Xie Zhao
• Parenthood
• The power of words
• The opera
• The final portrait
• The cinematography
• The title

A woman-centric drama: Against the Current celebrates women. Though the story takes place during the 15th century under the Ming Dynasty, its lessons still resonate today. Female hardships and struggles transcend time and have an echo in our modern societies. That’s why the drama hits hard. It’s an ode to freedom, independence and emancipation for all women who feel hindered by their backgrounds, their families or simply themselves. We all have the power to accomplish great things if we are willing and if we choose not to let fate, status, people, society prevent us from doing so. This major theme is the reason why most of the characters are actually women and we follow their evolution over time. Each and every one of us can identify with a female character and relate to her struggles.

The Lin Household

Xu Lan Xiang, the wise guide: Xu Lan Xiang (Tan Song Yun), formerly known as Shen Jia Lan, has been raised in an academic family. Her parents and grandparents have taught her that education yields power. Therefore, they have instructed her in various topics (literature, poetry, music, law, history…) and encouraged her to cultivate herself. Lan Xiang also inherited her family’s values such as benevolence, righteousness, fairness, filial piety and honor. Throughout her life, she’s never compromised herself nor her principles to survive. This set of qualities makes her extremely inspirational and forges admiration. Her strength, determination and desire to bend her female fate contaminate others around her who follow in her footsteps. By the end of the show, Xu Lan Xiang has transformed into a wise guide, a lighthouse for all the women in her vicinity. She raised above her station, but never by crushing others and she’s supported and encouraged others’ ambitions and dreams. She’s even accomplished her own dream: write opera plays. Though she married into a noble family and should never have pursued this ‘degrading’ career, she pushed through. She adopted a pen name, hid her identity and spent her life advocating for women’s freedom and independence.

Lin Xiu Ru, quiet and fierce: Lin Xiu Ru (Ma Fang Ding) is Lin Jin Qi’s (Liu Xue Yi) third half-sister. When we first meet her, she’s a quiet and shy 16-year old teenager. She’s bullied by her older sister and forgotten by her elders due to her timid personality. However, she proves to be quite perceptive, strong-willed and clever. Lin Xiu Ru is my second favorite character of the show. She reveals herself throughout the episodes. Inspired by Lan Xiang’s strength of character, she follows her advice to pursue the life she wants rather than leave it to others. Using her sister’s love incident as a stepping stone to change her fate, she pleads her cause to her grandfather and begs to be married to the Marquis of Yuan (He Peng). From then on, she transforms into a fierce and protective mother, who cleverly plays her game to protect her daughters and herself. Though her relationship with her husband is good, she doesn’t manage to give him a male heir. This deteriorates her place in the household and puts her in a precarious situation. When her mother-in-law imposes her a concubine, Xiu Ru threatens to divorce and negotiates a way out for her daughters. That way, she won’t be tormented by the other family clans and ousted out of her property. This cute little rose proves that she has thorns and is willing to use them when need be.

Lin Xiu Wan, the unforeseen rebel: Lin Xiu Wan (Wu Tian Tian) is another important woman of the Lin household. At the beginning of the drama, she’s immature, capricious and naive. Her mother wants her to get married to a high-ranked nobleman, but Xiu Wan has other plans. She wants to marry someone she loves, not a complete stranger. This mindset is the first spark that will turn Xiu Wan into the rebel no one saw coming. While her mother is discussing her wedding to the Marquis of Yuan, Xiu Wan falls in love with Lin Jin Qi’s war official. Though it’s a plan devised to seduce her, Xiu Wan truly believes he is genuine. Thanks to Lan Xiang and Xiu Ru, she avoids giving herself to this shameless man. Unfortunately, her reputation is tainted. This betrayal marks Xiu Wan who becomes wary of men and refuses to get married. She’d rather spend her time on her own personal growth than on finding a match. Aged 35, she’s considered an old spinster. However, Xiu Wan doesn’t care about this label. She works at a shop, runs her business, makes money for herself as advised by Lan Xiang. I think her character is the one that resonates the most with modern women’s view on life. Getting married and building a family are indeed important to some of us, but we’re not willing to rush into it anymore. We want to enjoy the time we have to grow ourselves first, even if it means that we’re still single in our 30s. In that way, Xiu Wan is the best representation of that rebellion against society and its prejudice that older women have missed the train. In the drama, Xiu Wan finds her match, showing that we all have our own timing.

Lin Xiu Lai, out of the golden cage: Lin Xiu Lai (Pu Tao) is introduced mid-drama when Lan Xiang and her husband arrive in the capital. Though Xiu Lai’s life seems perfect on the outside, she hides a dark secret. Her violent husband constantly beats her up. Her in-laws are aware of the situation but cover their son. Worse, they refuse to free Xiu Lai, considering that it’s her fate and she has to accept it. Even her own family turns a blind eye to the situation, as it’s not their place to meddle into their in-laws’ business. Emotionally drained, physically bruised, Xiu Lai comes close to ending her life. When Lan Xiang and Jin Qi get wind of her situation, they both team up to intervene. Lan Xiang uses her knowledge in law, while Jin Qi bets on his power and influence to free his sister. They eventually succeed and bring Xiu Lai and her daughter back to the safety of the Lin household. After that, Xiu Lai shines as an incredible household head, who’s well-versed in accounting and can handle finances like no other. Though she’s the first Madam, Xu Lan Xiang sees her potential and confers her responsibilities to her sister-in-law. I think Xiu Lai is yet again another great depiction of issues women still face today. There are still many of us who suffer from domestic abuse inflicted by their husband/boyfriend and ignored by their families. But sometimes, it only takes one helpful hand to get out of this hell and start anew.

The other women

Zhao Xing Tang, victim of her condition: Zhao Xing Tang (Li Meng) is the first villain we meet in the drama. She belongs to the Zhao, a powerful family who wants to take control over the Lin household. To do so, Xing Tang’s parents married her off to Lin Jin Qi. This union has never satisfied anyone. Lin Jin Qi spent most of his time on the battlefield, while Xing Tang wallowed in a household where she was clearly not welcomed. She turned into an evil character who takes pleasure in making her maids suffer. This despicable behavior only increased Jin Qi’s despise and disgust for her. Lonely and in need of affection, Xing Tang cheats on her husband, but is uncovered. This leads to her divorce and her going back to her family house. This event is a turning point in understanding this character. In reality, Zhao Xing Tang is a woman victim of her condition. Unlike Lan Xiang, she’s let her family choose for her and paid the consequences. She’s seen as a product to be married off to anyone who can advance the family status. Her parents don’t care about her well-being or her feelings, they only think about their personal gains. Additionally, Xing Tang has given her heart to a man who betrays her, showing that even her sincerity can be soiled. Finally, she’s not even allowed to escape her situation by making money, as the fortune she amasses either goes to her husband or her family’s safe. From her perspective, she’s got a losing hand on every aspect. I believe these limitations are also the reasons why she became so twisted. She has so much resentment towards the world that she feels the need to punish it by asserting the little power she yields on others. Xing Tang reappears by the end of the drama, only to meet a tragic end. She’s once again been abandoned by men, dishonored by bandits and stripped of her possessions. Her true nature comes out in her last moments when she repays Lan Xiang’s kindness with a secret that can destroy Lin Jin Qi.

Du Cui Que, broken ambition: Du Cui Que (Zhen He Hui Zi) is the second villain of the drama. Theoretically, she could’ve had a peaceful life, but her greed got the best of her. When she arrives at the Lin household, she’s immediately treated as a special guest. Jin Qi’s mother appreciates her and promises to find her a decent husband. But Cui Que doesn’t want to marry someone of medium condition. She wants Lin Jin Qi. She ambitions to become the lady of the household. As she mentions it herself, there are not a lot of means for a woman to raise above her station apart from marriage. Women can’t have businesses, they can’t earn their own money, they are forced to rely on a male presence. Marriage is the only way out. Coming from a poor background, Cui Que only wishes to use that only opportunity to survive. And she’s willing to do everything to succeed, even if it means poisoning the whole household. But Lan Xiang uncovers her scheme and disrupts her plans. Cui Que is sent away, only to reappear 16 years later. She’s revengeful and now wants the downfall of the Lin household. She’s allied with the enemy state and is ready to send the country into turmoil to satisfy her newly-found ambition: becoming the King of Jingling. But she hadn’t reckoned Lan Xiang who stops her once again. Misplaced greed and cruel behavior are eventually punished and Cui Que is met with the cleansing fire.

Lu Ji Er, second chances: Lu Ji Er (Liu Mei Han) enters the Lin household as a maid with Lan Xiang. She dreams of falling in love with Lin Jin Qi and becoming his concubine. But her dream is crushed by the current first Madam, Zhao Xing Tang, who sees right through her. Jealous, she throws her out of the house and on the brink of death. Ji Er miraculously survives and Lan Xiang meets her again years after, when she’s kidnapped by bandits and sold to a brothel. In the past, Lan Xiang’s words are what saved Ji Er and stopped Xing Tang from killing her. Now she repays her debt by leading her savior out of the brothel. Lan Xiang then makes her a promise: she’ll come back for her. And that’s what she does. The two friends eventually find their way back to each other. Lan Xiang provides Ji Er with shelter and money before the latter decides to sail off to another city far away from everything she’s been through. There, she’s heard that women can have business and get more freedom. Even if this is only just a dream, she still wants to give it a go. The relationship between Ji Er and Lan Xiang is living proof that kindness will always be repaid with kindness. Lu Ji Er also embodies second chances in a ruthless world where starting over is achievable only if you’re willing to take the risk.

The men of the drama: Although women are at the core of the show, we can’t overlook that the drama also portrays brilliant men.

Lin Jin Qi, devotion embodied: Lin Jin Qi is fair, righteous, benevolent, clever, but he has one defect. He believes that his power can be a solution to everything and that it is sometimes the only way out of precarious situations. When he meets Lan Xiang, he falls for her personality, but also her principles. She’s inspirational, admirable, educated and wise. His love for her is immense, but he’s also conscious that the difference in their status is a major hindrance. His family would never allow him to marry a maid. So, he uses his power and pleas the Emperor to arrange his marriage. That way, no one can stop this union. Lin Jin Qi will spend the rest of his life paying for it. He took Lan Xiang’s freedom away and forced her into a marriage she didn’t want. Nevertheless, the male lead proves to be Lan Xiang’s perfect match. His patience, love and constant devotion for her transpire through the screen. He’s a green flag who’s always supported her in everything, listened to her advice, cared for her opinions, and let her do what she wanted. At the end of the drama, he even conveys her learnings to their children by teaching their daughter how to sword fight for example. He’s a feminist at heart, ahead of his time. The end of the show is synonymous with his ever-lasting love for Lan Xiang where he asks her to become husband and wife in their next life.

Han Liang, the perfect scholar: Han Liang (Niu Jun Feng) is Lin Jin Qi’s love rival. He too could have been the perfect husband for Lan Xiang. Unfortunately, fate is not in his favor and he loses her. This precipitates his own destiny. He’s a brilliant scholar who has a vision for the future of the Empire. Losing Lan Xiang forces him to study even more and pursue his career as an official. Years after, he has become an important minister who guides the Emperor. He and Lin Jin Qi even join hands on the political scene to advocate for the peace and stability of the realm. Han Liang eventually gets married to a wonderful woman, but he’s a prisoner of the court. As a minister, he needs to make do with the palace intrigues, greedy schemings and cunning officials. He meets his end by exercising his duty and staying true to his principles.

The romances: Even if the drama displays first and foremost the emancipation of women, romance plays a big part in their stories too.

Lan Xiang and Jin Qi: These two represent the perfect noble couple. They have similar qualities and share the same vision. They are also complementary. When Jin Qi provides unconditional love, support and devotion, Lan Xiang sets her husband on the right path. She’s the one who advises him to stay away from politics if he wants to stay alive. They are also a perfect duo when crisis arise. Lin Jin Qi takes his sword and leads the battle, while Lan Xiang acts in the shadows to protect the household. There is however a real question that remains: Has Lan Xiang fallen in love with Jin Qi? My view is that she’s developed feelings over time. She’s learned to trust and respect him as her partner in life. Jin Qi’s love has never wavered and he’s always put her on an equal level as him. I think Lan Xiang took some time to forgive him for taking her freedom away, but eventually bended. She found herself caring for him, worrying for his safety and longing for his return. Proof of their love for each other is when Lan Xiang burns Xing Tang’s farewell gift that contains Jin Qi’s treason. Later on, he does the same when he uncovers that her real identity is Shen Jia Lan. Though it may have stemmed from the wish to avoid another family massacre, I want to believe that they also did it out of love for each other. They also have two children together, so I truly think Lan Xiang developed real feelings for him.

Xiu Ru and the Marquis: This is an interesting couple. Contrary to Lan Xiang, I think Xiu Ru has never developed feelings for the Marquis. She has a cordial and loyal relationship with him. They get along, but it’s unclear whether she’s felt love. And the question is two-sided. The Marquis wanted a second wife to give him an heir, not a woman to fall in love with. The concubine incident makes me think that Xiu Ru got married for herself rather than out of love. Indeed, the Marquis realizes that he’s underestimated his wife all along. She used the concubine as a pretext to protect her daughters from ruins in the future, not because she wanted to keep her husband for herself.

Xiu Wan and Xie Zhao: This is the love we were not expecting. Xie Zhao (Wu Jia Kai) was forced to get married to a powerful household to satisfy his greed and family’s ambitions. However, he realized that this was a mistake. When he lost everything, he started wandering the world on his own. He let go of his desire to have power and took refuge in books and travels. Xiu Wan was also disappointed with love and encountered setbacks in life. She remains single until her mid-30s when she meets Xie Zhao. It just clicks between the two of them. They have the same life aspirations which are traveling the world and enjoying life with someone. When Xie Zhao discovers Xiu Wan’s identity, he doesn’t want to make the same mistake and lose his timing. He immediately asks for her hand. I was honestly so happy to see this couple. They showed that sometimes people take a long detour, but eventually reunite if they are meant to be. These two had met long ago, but the time just wasn’t right and they needed to experience failures and hardships first before getting back to each other.

Parenthood: Parenthood and family in general occupy an important place in the drama. I would essentially focus on two parents. The first one is Lin Jin Qi’s mother. She’s a symbol of tolerance. As the First Madam, she could’ve been jealous and resented her husband’s concubines and their children. But she chose to embrace them. She never discriminated and always did what was fair and right. She’s the pillar of the household which is the reason why her death was so traumatic for me. Even with Lan Xiang, she’s behaved as the best mother-in-law possible. She accepted her despite her low status and trusted her with her people. The second set is Lan Xiang’s adoptive parents. They are saints who accepted to switch their daughter’s dead body with Lan Xiang’s in order to save her. They repaid their debt when nothing obligated them to. Later on, they considered Lan Xiang as their own child. They protected her, supported her and gained so much in return. In the end, Lan Xiang spent more time with them than her real family. Their bond is just so overwhelmingly beautiful. They have put their past behind without really forgetting their dead. But they have learned to love each other as a true family.

The power of words: I loved how the drama was punctuated with anecdotes, proverbs, historical sayings, oftentimes all shared by Lan Xiang’s, to prove a point, give advice or simply warn others. Lan Xiang is educated and well-versed in literature. So she reuses the lessons from the past to make decisions in the present. This is truly what a wise person would do and that’s how she also gets herself out of many bad situations. Words have power. This is especially relevant when you consider the mantra she’s lived by: ‘You should live’. Her biological mother, then her adoptive parents, then several people throughout her life remind her that life is precious and that she should live it fully and make the best out of it.

The opera: Opera is Lan Xiang’s passion. She first discovers it when she leaves the Lin household and settles down with her parents. This discipline opens up so many possibilities for Lan Xiang. It’s the perfect vector to encourage women to be free, to share her ideas, but also to tell the story of her real family, the Shen. Through her art, Lan Xiang keeps them alive and honors them. The female lead keeps on writing operas until her death, spreading her knowledge and wisdom for decades.

The final portrait: The final scenes of the drama are so beautiful and moving. Xu Lan Xiang is now an old woman. In her courtyard, she reminisces all the women she’s been with throughout her life and that she’s helped. From Fu Rong who shares her passion for opera, to her maids who have taken control of their lives, to her sisters from the Lin household who have gained freedom and made choices for themselves. The final scene is particularly intense, as we see Lan Xiang finishing her last opera, going to bed and peacefully waiting for death. In her hands, she holds the sachet that was embroidered by her adoptive mother and that contains her biological mother’s final note asking her to live. This picture showcases that both her mothers played a huge part in helping her survive and in return, Lan Xiang never failed her promise to them.

The cinematography: The cinematography of this show is just spectacular with an incredible work on the sets, the costumes, the lights and even details like the flowers that we see throughout the drama.

The title: There couldn’t have been a more perfect title than Against the Current to illustrate Lan Xiang’s journey – and other women’s – in the drama. They all go against society’s expectations, against their family wishes, against prejudice and taboos. That’s what makes the story so beautiful and accurate.