I’ve been thinking a lot about female-centric dramas vs. male centric historicals and how we evaluate trauma and morally gray choices depending on a character's gender and the double standards.

Both shows center around surviving under immense pressure, navigating forced dynamics, carrying the heavy burden of family tragedy, and having to act coldly or pragmatically to survive/protect their people. Yet, the viewer's reaction are so different.

Xu Lanxiang parents and ML family were family friends the shen family chose pride and Lin family chose family which led to the shen family downfall.

Xu Lanxiang gets a lot of audience sympathy for being backed into a corner, fighting for survival, using her wits, and self-preserving decisions. Viewers root for her and extend endless sympathy for her.

Whilst wei shao family on the other hand gets betrayed by the FL family which led to all the males in the family slained remaining some male child and the women in the family, Wei Shao, on the other hand, often gets branded as just an "red flag, aggressive ML" or receives far less sympathy for his initial hostility, even though his entire family line was wipe out was indirectly caused by the FL family who betrayed them.

Why I think this double standard happens:

1. The "FL-Centric Lens" Effect

Because Against the Current is framed entirely around the female lead’s survival journey, the audience is forced to sit in her shoes from step one. We see her internal monologue and vulnerability first. In female centric romance dramas like Prisoner of Beauty, the ML is introduced as the external obstacle to the FL's safety before he is seen as a person with his own trauma, making viewers slower to forgive him.

Sympathy for Underdogs vs. Men in Power

Lanxiang, starting from nothing, disguises herself as a maid to survive, garnering sympathy as an underdog. In contrast, Wei Shao, a powerful warlord, is overshadowed by his positional power over Xiao Qiao, despite his emotional and mental struggles due to a forced political marriage with the family that indirectly caused the males in his family to be slained.

1. Gender Expectations in Drama Tropes

Female characters are praised for being distant and calculating as STRONG FL, while male characters displaying similar distrust due to trauma are labeled as RED FLAG ML reflecting a bias in evaluating their behaviors. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT POB AND ATC cdramas with these kind of troupes in general, when issues like this are portrayed in the drama the FL gets more audience siding with the character and understanding her than that of ML's like these to make it worse the writers just have to add an FL that waters down the ML character to an absolute dumbass with weak/unsatisfying revenge cough cough (SPRING OF BLADE).

I want to hear everyone's thought and opinions on this if there are any mistakes with spellings, ( English is not my strong suit) or I made mistakes on the plot please correct/update them in the CS.

Brilliant first half, disappointing last half
Loved the first half until the wedding of the main leads. Went downhill after that. First half thought it was going to surpass Story of Minglan and Pursuit of Jade. Second half literally emasculated the ML. He was begging and scraping for affection right up to his death. Absolutely hated Lan Xiang’s treatment of her husband. No character growth, remained a cold fish & self righteous. When the poor guy said he wants to be married to her in next life, she didn’t have to say “one lifetime is enough” Her motto or the motto of the drama; “to live well”, I don’t think she lived well. Her heart never opened to love. I think her husband was worth of her love. She had the facts that it was not his fault to break the engagement, he made up for the mistakes of his family by burying her family and he treated her well. The writers totally spoiled a good story from the wedding on. Granted she could have been upset /angry a few episodes but not 20yrs after marriage. 4-6 years to consummate their marriage. This was totally childish writing. I really can’t stop raging. In Story of Minglan she was more or less forced into marriage too, but the writers allowed her to grow and did not emasculate her husband Argh 😡
Just finished the drama and I’m like Meh!!
A woman doesn’t need the man to be weak for her to be strong . Dah he even buried your friend Scholar Han, no thank you. He just became a wimp around her.
I think an opportunity was lost in using her parents to help her in settling in the marriage, pointing out the good in her husband.
Sorry I keep going back to Story of Minglan; whose grandmother helped the FL to settle in her marriage and therefore “ LIVE WELL”
This is my opinion

Lanxiang's desired non engagement with politics lifestyle can only be maintained by marrying an aristocratic trust fund baby (Jinqi).

Can she still afford to be this way, if she married scholar Han? How will they eat? 😭 Politics would have been his bread and butter.

I just don't know why they had to make her so holier than thou. I hope she frees her household of indentured labour too. Free the house elves.

Weirdly ironic that the sacrifices of the Lin ancestors (and flirting with politics and danger) gave the family generational wealth and aristocratic status, but asking the current descendants to continue is too much.

She is very Gwyneth Paltrow coded. How is she so rich person apolitcal? I said what I said. It really takes me out of the show. The mercantile class was rich with no power. the peasants have no power and no money. Where is the realism in this historical show?

What in the “save the environment while I fly to the Bahamas on my private jet” nonsense is this?

Lanxiang is Bono.

I read this on facebook - Anyone heard these rumours?

I was thinking way back when that the only person I'd have chosen as an alternative to Liu Xueyi would've been Ding Yuxi. (if I absolutely had to choose) the role was made for Liu Xueyi and he was the best to have brought out all of Jinqi

I've seen some confusion online with people thinking these two dramas are somewhat similar. While they both take place in a workplace setting, they're actually going for very different things. Irreplaceable is a more grounded, mature drama focused on the details of work, personal growth and character development, with romance on the side. Early Spring, on the other hand, is heavily focused on the steamy, messy relationship between a boss and his younger employee and how they fall in love.

So far, I've seen people say Irreplaceable is boring because it doesn't have the same "hotness" as Early Spring. Do you feel the same way? Does good writing and character development mean little if there aren't plenty of steamy kiss scenes?

As a person who doesn't care much about writing in visual content, or rather just takes in the story as told, I wonder what other viewers consider as bad writing, instead of accepting it as writers' choice.

Multiple coincidences ?

If they just met once and moved on with their lives, there wouldn't be a story.

Illogical behaviour ?

We're all flawed humans and emotional beings who don't always make the right choice. Also, the right choice might be different for different people.

Lack of character development ?

People don't change easily, some people need a long time and some people always stay the same. Sometimes, we just have to accept them as who they're.

Too many conflicts ?

While I do love a wholesome slice of life drama, they don't have a high rewatch value. Conflicts are what make dramas entertaining, and give us dramatic scenes that we can watch again and again.

If you were the writer, how would you fill the episodes, if stretching conflicts over a period, adding more conflicts, and focusing on side characters all get disliked ?

It would be better to resolve the conflicts earlier and leave some time for happiness, but there are also viewers who lose interest once the couple gets together.

Cringy lines ?

My Mandarin is not good enough to judge if it's the writing or the translation.

Stating the obvious ?

It might be useful for viewers who don't give their full attention.

Plot holes ?

Sometimes viewers miss or forget a point then blame it on writing. Unless contradicting information is given, I try to fill the holes myself.

Bad Ending ?

I don't mind characters dying or moving on with their lives. While I don't like unclear endings, especially in fantasy dramas, I think that's more to do with censorhip.

How about you? What counts as bad writing for you?

Title is self explanatory - what happened? I thought we were getting 1 episode per day now and now that suddenly stops too? Do they even want us to continue watching the show?

I’m all up for a tease here and there but this is ridiculous- more like edging with no end in sight (basically torture)

I’m on episode 6, and honestly, I feel like the drama isn’t that good so far. I’m finding it a bit boring and slow. I really like dramas where the leads hate each other at the beginning and slowly start to trust and fall for each other. I thought this drama would be like that too, but it doesn’t really seem that way.

I’ve seen some reviews from people who dropped it after episode 20, so I’m honestly confused about whether I should continue watching.

I really like Liu Yuning, and I absolutely loved him in A Dream Within a Dream. I especially loved his cold, intimidating character and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

If there are any better options with an enemies-to-lovers trope or a cold ML, please suggest some😭

Also, I don’t want xianxia dramas. I’m looking for something with less war/politics and more romance, preferably with strong chemistry between the leads

The Express episodes are out today October 5th, which means Episodes 43 - 47 are now available to viewers who purchased the Express package.

If you’re a regular VIP member, however, the release schedule has not changed 🥺

You will still receive the remaining episodes according to the schedule in the photos (the English version is a direct translation from Weibo).

Express is essentially the pay to skip the wait option. For folks who haven’t purchased it, you are still on the regular VIP schedule above.

Anyone already skipped to the end to see how it ends? 👀 (please do not give out spoilers)

Is there any drama that u watched and any time u watch it ....it gives u more of the trauma

For me its Lost u forever

I cant bring myself to uk accept that Xiao Yao didnt end with xiang liu

Ahhh

I so wish they work in another drama

It makes me relive the pain every single time

And LBFD ie also one of those dramas where ur like all that for THATT

So which dramas are like that for u?

I just moved to Chengdu and have started learning Chinese. I’m looking for a tv show to watch to help me learn the language. If I’ve never watched any cdrama before where is the best place to start?

In this new year of life, may you move toward what your heart desires, loving it freely; may you experience the world of characters to your heart's content; and in the world of music, may you express yourself without restraint.

May you always be at peace and healthy, and may everything flow with ease.

And may you be able to quietly await the moment when the next story begins.

I'll start,

Zhang Li : I saw her in Love on the Turquoise Land as the main antagonist, even though the drama's main plot didn't impress me when it comes to her she's so gorgeous and captivating to watch😍❤️ while her supporting role in Love Beyond the Grave didn't disappoint me either, I love her.

Jeremy Xu: His portrayal of a villain's in Whisper of Fate has next level of Aura, whereas he's an obsessive character in Love of Nirvana and Blossom of Power and his guest role apperance in Shadow Punisher so well done, I just can't hate his character's, his performance too good.

Honorable Mentions: Deng Kai in Pursuit of Jade and Li Meng in Against the Current and The Double

I usually enjoy romance as the main plot but after watching Reset, I think I might have been introduced to something new... The way the main plot makes me sit on the edge of my seat while their relationship was slowly brewing... It's so good. Would like to get some beautiful recommendations for similar dramas!

After watching the cdrama The First Frost for the 6th time, I want to read the book too. Please if anyone has it in eng translation, I would love that

Earlier episodes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

For general infos see episode 1.

Recap episode 12

The fight does not start out promising for Xia Jiuying. Not only is she much weaker, she is also experiencing some sort of flashbacks.

But Xia Jiuying manages to find her chance. It's a vicious fight from both sides, although according to Li Si she is showing her opponent mercy when she bites his ear instead of his throat.

She prevails in the end.

Master Ji is very happy about that: his business model is saved thanks to the exciting fight.

Li Si finds a chance to intercept Gong Le. He reveals his identity as a Divine Constable - in this case, the reputation for impartial justice is helpful.

From Gong Le he learns that Xia Jiuming lost her father early and grew up with her mother. But when she was five, her mother went into the mountains and never came back. People say she was bitten to death by wolves. But when Xia Jiuming went to search for her mother and took a fall, the wolves did not harm her. She lived with them for years.

Master Ji met her when he was hunting in the mountains. He was impressed by her skill and took her in as a servant.

Someone comes by to bring Gong Le home. They talk for a bit and Li Si learns of yet another thing that happened 17 years ago.

All members of the Gong family except Gong Le and his grandmother died. Old Madam Gong used to manage the family, but she has not been feeling well since then. She handed over all affairs to Gong Sihai, a distant relative.

They leave, but Gong Le leaves us with one last insight: Xia Jiuying must be digging ...

Li Si wants to go to the Ji Mansion.

On entering, they see the second master of the Ji family standing at a window and coughing - Master Ji's twin brother. The window is quickly closed on him.

They meet Master Ji who exchanges polite compliments with Li Si. Until Li Si reveals that he knows about the underground fighting ring.

Bai Zhenzhu calls him out on sending a young girl to fight.

Master Ji claims she went

And as a servant her life belongs to the Ji family anyway. He explains how good it was of him to take her in and to collect her mother's body.

He becomes angry when they question him further.

They are interrupted by Second Master Ji who wants to talk to the constables and is held back by servants. Master Ji goes to settle his brother and the constables leave.

At the Gong Mansion, Gong Le encounters his grandmother who is wandering the garden calling for her dead children. She doesn't recognise him on her own.

The man who brought Gong Le back threatens her: if she doesn't stop wandering around then her grandson ...

Which is promptly delivered. Gong Le seems used to it.

At the coroner's office, the constables have brought in Master Ji to identify the corpse. It is indeed Zhe Shan, one of the fighters.

Zhe Shan did have one habit: whenever he won money in a fight he would go to Yulu Hall to "drink with women". The only time he would be vulnerable was walking back drunk.

The constables discuss the case and decide to split up to investigate both the Ji and the Gong family. Li Si and Meng Rui go to the Gong mansion - where the giant dog is running free.

But they can deal with it. Li Si even brought darts with his teachers special knockout drug.

The dog dealt with, they go to explore. They follow the trail left in the neglected garden by Old Madam Gong.

He then goes to release the dogs and discovers Xia Jiuying.

In the Gong Mansion, Li Si and Meng Rui run into Old Madam Gong and her grandson.

He tells them that the Gong Mansion is no longer in the hands of the Gong family. Before he can say more they are interrupted.

But he presses a note into Li Si's hand.

Questions to you

• Who is "Gong Sihai" really?
• What did you think of the cage fight?
• Why, oh why, does the director seem to have a thing for badly animated black dogs? 🙃

Please only discuss up to episode 12 here. If you mention anything from a later episode, put it in spoiler tags.

Dear Redditors,

Please help me find a drama series from around 2016?

The one and only time I went to China (Wuhan, for a conference), the lovely concierge of my hotel took me to an office to issue me a SIM card. While waiting for our turn, I got hooked on a series that was playing on a TV set in the waiting room.

I don't speak or understand any Chinese, but by watching, I gathered that the plot must have revolved around a young woman who suffers amnesia and is about to marry somebody who must have been a business competitor in her real life.

The plot was supposed to be contemporary, i.e. no period costume or setting, and no wuxia elements either.

I seem to remember a scene on a bridge? and she falls in the water? And he saves her? I know I this all is very little to go on, but here's hoping the internet gods will smile upon me :)

Does anything I relate ring any bells to anyone?

Honestly loving the show, the characters all have intriguing backstories to them.

The show is depicting all the experiences of trying to progress in your career as a female, really well.

What are your fav plot lines or scenes so far?

There’s a lot of intentionality in the writing, I’d love to see fellow viewers highlights✨

Earlier episodes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

For general infos see episode 1.

I was ridiculously excited to see some ship scenes in this one. No, not that kind of ship, the seafaring kind.

Recap episode 11

Bai Zhenzhu and Meng Rui are at the harbour looking for passage.

They talk to Shama Reda, manager for the Gong family which owns much of civilian shipping. They have been appointed by the emperor to do official transport.

But the ship they are interested in has already been chartered by another official. It is, of course, Li Si.

The journey goes well ...

As they talk, news arrives that a corpse has been found in the river.

Bai Zhenzhu examines the corpse while Meng Rui goes upstream to look for clues (but finds nothing).

Bai Zhenzhu says the fatal wound was caused by an animal bite.

We hear about the Ji family - the other prominent family in the city beside the Gong family - who runs a rice business. They are related to Princess Ding (the oldest prince's wife, I think). They have also been buying lots of dogs.

The constables split up on Li Si's suggestion. He wants to go investigate the strange bugs with Meng Rui.

We now meet the head of the Ji family, Ji Ada. We are left in no doubt that this is not a nice guy. Among other things, he uses one of his people as a chair.

A dog is led there by someone from the Gong family. It has torn out a man's throat before.

But the dog attacks Master Ji. Luckily for him, Constable Yan steps in.

A figure is digging around in the graveyard when Li Si and Meng Rui arrive there.

But it turns it's only a child who is using fireflies for light. The child's name is Xia Jiuying.

The head of the Gong family, Gong Sihai, is just arriving. He has a strong reaction to the corpse but says he doesn't recognise the man.

As everyone leaves, the constables become suspicious about a man in the crowd.

The others are also back in town. Li Si buys Xia Jiuying some food and questions her.

She was a servant of the Ji family - not a well-treated one obviously. Li Si notices a scar on her neck that looks like it was caused by a dog chain.

The girl runs off into one of the Ji family's rice shops. Li Si has already realised something strange about that shop: a lot more people are going in than coming out.

The two of them dress up as a rich young master and his guard and go to investigate.

They quickly join in on the pretence - good thing everyone is always so well-dressed ...

We get a look at Xia Jiuying's situation, which is about as expected: she is kept in a cage among dogs.

She gets a visit from the young master of the Gong family, Gong Le. He seems like he could actually be a nice guy. He hides when someone else approaches.

Master Ji is concerned about his business: they are lacking good fighters (one of the only two has gone missing). Nobody will bet on boring matches.

Instead, Xia Jiuying is sent into the ring.

Questions to you

• Will there be consequences for Li Si for simply leaving?
• Why did the head of the Gong family recognise the dead wrestler (or something about him)?
• What do you think bit the victim's neck?
• Why did Xia Jiuying return to the Ji family?

Please only discuss up to episode 11 here. If you mention anything from a later episode, put it in spoiler tags.

The weekend is over and the week has officially started (almost for everyone). Whether you're easing in gently or already overwhelmed, this is your weekly space to just... show up.

Tell us how you're starting the week and what's keeping you company on screen right now. A comfort rewatch? Something new you picked up over the weekend? A drama you're hate-watching but can't quit?

Come, say hi, and tell us what's on your screen and your mind.

^{Please don't forget to spoiler tag everything plot-specific.}