The Chinese costume drama, Against the Current, has gained popularity worldwide, streaming on various platforms including WeTV, Tencent Video’s international platform, Disney+, and others across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Produced by China Central Television (CCTV), Tencent Video, and Star Lotus Pictures, the series follows an ensemble of characters striving to survive through adversity. Its global reach and success have sparked interest in Eastern storytelling.
Against the Current has achieved significant rankings on various platforms worldwide. It has topped charts in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and ranked No. 1 on WeTV in Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the United States. Additionally, it reached No. 1 among popular series on Disney+ in markets including North America, Vietnam, Spain, Portugal, and Japan. The series' success can be attributed to its nuanced character development and restrained storytelling.
The series explores the Chinese philosophy of “living well despite adversity” and has resonated with audiences across different cultural backgrounds. Viewers have shared their reactions on social media platforms such as Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok, generating strong organic word of mouth. Some international viewers who previously did not regularly follow serialized dramas have even subscribed to WeTV to keep up with Against the Current.
Overseas viewers have praised the series as a “high-quality, world-class production,” commending its solid storytelling, well-developed narrative arcs, and natural performances. Discussions on social platforms have also highlighted the drama’s carefully planted narrative clues and the way earlier details are meaningfully resolved later, demonstrating the storytelling depth of long-form Chinese drama.
Against the Current showcases China’s intangible cultural heritage and traditional culture, introducing global audiences to the craftsmanship and architectural wisdom embodied in traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon structures. These structures have received recognition from UNESCO. The series' attention to cultural detail has contributed to its global appeal.
WeTV, Tencent Video’s international streaming platform, now reaches more than 173 countries and regions, supports subtitles and dubbing in 12 languages, and has surpassed 300 million cumulative downloads. The platform continues to bring premium Chinese-language content to global audiences, further expanding the reach of Chinese entertainment.
The international popularity of Against the Current demonstrates the cross-cultural appeal of long-form storytelling. With rich characters, emotional depth, and carefully developed narratives, Chinese long-form dramas are building broader and deeper connections with audiences worldwide. The series' success paves the way for more Chinese productions to gain global recognition.
Key points
- Against the Current has topped charts in multiple countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and the United States.
- The series explores the Chinese philosophy of “living well despite adversity” and has resonated with audiences worldwide.
- WeTV, the streaming platform, reaches over 173 countries and regions, supporting multiple languages and surpassing 300 million cumulative downloads.
