AGAINST THE CURRENT Chinese Drama — Release Date, Where to Watch, and What to Expect

Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi Lead Historical Romance Against The Current Coming in 2026. (Photo: Weibo)

Upcoming Chinese historical romance fantasy drama Against The Current (兰香如故) is officially confirmed to premiere in 2026, and fans are already counting down. Starring Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi, this 40-episode Tencent production is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated C-dramas of the year, with global streaming set via WeTV/Tencent Video.

Directed by Huang Ying Xiang, the drama blends period romance, family politics, emotional growth and light humour into a layered story of resilience. The newly released couple poster for Valentine’s Day has only fuelled excitement, especially after behind-the-scenes clips showed strong on-screen chemistry between the leads.

While the exact premiere date is still TBA, recent reports confirm Against The Current will air in 2026, with expectations pointing towards mid to late 2026. The drama will broadcast domestically on Tencent Video and internationally on WeTV, making it easily accessible for global fans.

The series consists of 40 episodes, meaning viewers can expect a fully developed character journey with detailed storytelling rather than a rushed romance.

Tencent Video

Adapted from the novel Lan Xiang Yuan (兰香缘) by He Yan Shan, the drama follows the turbulent life of Shen Jia Lan.

Once the respected granddaughter of a noble family, Shen Jia Lan’s life collapses after her family is falsely accused of treason. Overnight, her social status plummets. To survive, she assumes the identity of a servant within the household connected to her former fiancé, Lin Jin Qi.

Adding to her heartbreak, Lin Jin Qi initially abandons her during her family’s downfall. Forced into a humiliating new reality, Shen Jia Lan refuses to surrender to fate. Through intelligence, resilience and emotional strength, she navigates the dangerous internal politics of the family courtyard.

What makes the story compelling is not just the romance, but her gradual rise through class barriers. She earns back dignity, rebuilds trust, wins Lin Jin Qi’s heart again, and ultimately clears her family’s name. It’s a classic fall-and-rise narrative wrapped in palace intrigue and romantic tension.

Leading the drama is Tan Songyun, known for bringing warmth and depth to period roles. Her styling here reportedly reminds fans of her earlier historical work, with elegant hairpieces and refined costumes enhancing the noble-to-servant transformation arc.

Opposite her is Liu Xueyi, whose character styling is more understated this time. Instead of flamboyant warrior energy, he appears more restrained and intellectual, almost like a period strategist managing household power dynamics. 

Recent character stills also highlight the strong female presence in the drama, giving it an almost harem-style visual dynamic, though the story remains centred on Shen Jia Lan’s journey.

Supporting cast members include Li Meng, Zheng He Hui Zi, Ye Qing, and more, strengthening the ensemble appeal.

Tencent Video

Expect layered family politics, slow-burn romance, emotional confrontations and light humour woven into daily household life. The drama promises:

• Strong female character growth

• Reconciliation romance with tension

• Intricate internal family politics

• Visually rich period costumes

• Emotional redemption arc

Behind-the-scenes footage circulating on Weibo already shows natural chemistry between Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi, which is often a key factor in period romance success.

International fans can watch Against The Current on WeTV once it premieres in 2026.

Here’s how:

1. Download the WeTV app or access it via web platform.

2. Search for Against The Current (兰香如故).

3. Select the version with English subtitles (WeTV typically provides multi-language subs for major Tencent productions).

4. Episodes are usually released according to a weekly schedule, though VIP members may get early access.

In some regions, availability may vary slightly, but Tencent’s major costume dramas are usually prioritised for global streaming.

If you’re into historical romance with strong female leads, redemption arcs, emotional payoffs and a dash of humour inside a layered family setting, this drama should be on your 2026 watchlist.

Are you excited to see Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi in a courtyard politics romance? Do you think this will become 2026’s breakout historical hit?