So far 2026 has yielded three C-dramas hits so to speak, starting with Pursuit of Jade then The Early Spring right into Against the Current. We may have another one as When the Mask Ends with Tian Xi Wei is so far off to a good enough start, but more importantly momentum trending in the right direction. If AtC was slow and measured with the revenge and plotting, Mask is like a makjang on speed as it barrels headlong into every plot, fight, freakout, and reveal. Tian Xi Wei got early flack for overacting as the villainess noble lady character but since then it’s been working out as that crazy bitch overacting has been entertaining and the nice poor girl female lead role she’s doing well with that steely conviction and smarts. Male lead Yan An is serviceable as being manly and sharp but you can tell his acting is limited and still in the development phase. It’s the cadre of supporting female characters that are making this drama pop, so much conflict and backstabbing and conniving it certainly delivers in spades on entertainment. This drama if it keeps going well will definitely give Tian Xi Wei another boost in her career what with two big dramas in the same year.