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China's Top TV Drama 'Against the Current' Centers on a Ming Dynasty Divorcé Who Weds His Former Maid

other · 2026-10-14

China's highest-rated television drama, "Against the Current," follows a high-ranking Ming dynasty divorcé who marries the maid who once served him. The show sits within a broader wave of Chinese series built around divorced male leads, a trend that has drawn scrutiny from the country's internet users, who remain unconvinced by the premise. The program's central romance pairs a man of elevated Ming-era status with a woman formerly in his household employ, a pairing that anchors the series' dramatic arc. Coverage of the show and the surrounding debate appeared on Sixth Tone, the English-language outlet that reported on the audience reaction. The drama's position as the country's current top-rated series places it at the center of discussions about how Chinese television portrays divorce, remarriage, and class difference in historical settings. The online skepticism described in the report suggests viewers are questioning whether such storylines resonate or hold up to scrutiny, even as the show maintains its ratings lead. No further production details, broadcast dates, cast names, or network information were provided in the source material.

Key facts

  • "Against the Current" is China's current top TV drama
  • Its lead character is a high-ranking Ming dynasty divorcé
  • The character marries his former maid
  • The show is part of a trend of dramas featuring divorced men
  • China's internet users are skeptical of the trend
  • Sixth Tone reported on the show and the reaction
  • The series is set in the Ming dynasty
  • The report focused on audience doubts rather than production details

Entities

Institutions

  • Sixth Tone

Locations

  • China

Sources