Chasing Dramas

The highly anticipated reunion of Meng Ziyi (孟子义) and Li Yunrui (李昀锐) following their success in Blossom (九重紫) hasn't quite lived up to expectations.After watching the first 20 episodes and having read the original novel, Cathy shares her first impressions of what works, what doesn't, and why the drama's beautiful production and compelling political intrigue are being undermined by questionable writing decisions and a rushed romance.#cdrama #chinesedrama

Karen and Cathy go over 6 Chinese dramas that were airing in October and now through early Nov. Where the Mask Ends dominated the charts and was another hit for both Tian Xi Wei and Youku. Xiao Zhan saw his Small Town Remedy break 10,000 on iQiyi. Tigers Sniff the Rose unfortunately is not meeting the hype from such a strong IP. The Lament of Autumn is doing well on Hunan Television, but falters on online streaming numbers.

China's fashion world was buzzing this week! From Dilraba's show-stopping appearance at Vogue China's Forces of Fashion event to the online controversy surrounding Zhao Lusi's couture looks at Harper's Bazaar, there was plenty of drama beyond the red carpet.In this episode of In the Know, Karen and Cathy break down the trending topics, the allegations, the fandom battles, and the significance Chinese entertainment fans attach to designer recognition.What do you think of the controversy? Let us know in the comments!

Karen provides initial thoughts of the new C-Drama - Where the Mask Ends starring Tian Xi Wei and Yan An. There's inconsistencies with plot and uneven performances from Tian Xi Wei that prevents this from being good. But, there's enough twists and turns and fun romance tropes that makes this a watchable show.

Against the Current (兰香如故) starring Tan Songyun (谭松韵) and Liu Xueyi (刘学义) is one of Karen's favorite historical C-Dramas of 2026!With fantastic ensemble acting, richly developed characters, intricate storytelling, and a beautifully realized historical setting, Against the Current is so much more than just a romance. At its heart, this is a moving story about kindness, resilience, family, female empowerment, and what it means to live a fulfilling life.Karen breaks down what makes this drama so special, from its natural performances and compelling supporting characters to its thoughtful exploration of women's lives. She also discusses where the drama falls short, particularly its rushed final episodes.Despite its flaws, Against the Current left a lasting impression.