🎬 Just One More Episode Presents:
🫰 Because I have feelings, subtitles, and no self-control.
A River Runs Through It (上游)
Country: China
Episodes: 36
Aired: Aug 2, 2021 – Sep 1, 2021
Aired On: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday
Original Network: Youku
Duration: 38 min.
📺 Where to Watch:
Viki – Free (sub)
YOUKU (优酷) – Subscription (sub)
YoYo English Channel – Free (sub)
✨ Synopsis
Transferring to a new school right before the national college entrance exams wasn’t in Xia Xiao Ju’s plan, but life had other ideas. Flustered and out of her element, she quickly becomes entangled with a quirky, endearing group of classmates: the compassionate Cheng Lang, straightforward Lu Shi Yi, often-dazed Qiu Yue Tao, and her loyal new best friend Lin You. Together, they navigate the trials of high school, looming exams, and the messy chaos of first love. Of course, Xiao Ju is in love with a boy who only has eyes for Lin You, while Shi Yi’s quiet feelings for her grow unnoticed. Will she finally realize the love right in front of her?
🪶 Adapted from the novel Yan Lei De Shang You (眼泪的上游) by Ming Qian Yu Hou (明前雨后).
👥 Cast
💫 Wang Rui Chang — Lu Shi Yi
“The slow-burning, steady ML whose quiet patience makes your heart skip a beat. Every look he gives Xiao Ju is just the right amount of ‘I might care more than I let on.’ My soul hurt in all the best ways.”
💫 Hu Yi Xuan — Xia Xiao Ju
“Awkward, flustered, endlessly endearing, and impossible not to root for. Her charm is perfectly relatable: you laugh at her missteps, cheer her on, and secretly wish she were your best friend.”
🔥 Chen Bo Hao — Cheng Lang
“The loyal, occasionally chaotic classmate who steals your heart without even trying. Softie energy in overdrive.”
💎 Qi Yan Di — Lin You
“Best friend and accidental love rival, keeping everything grounded while sprinkling her own brand of chaos.”
💎 Jiang Zhuo Jun — Qiu Le Tao
“Dazed, hilarious, and unintentionally adorable—one eyebrow raise and your day is made.”
💎 Tan Quan — Huang Jun
“Supporting comedic relief, charming whenever the story needs a little sparkle.”
💬 Ratings
🎭 Story: 💖 — 9.5/10 — “Sweet, nostalgic, and beautifully paced; every emotional beat lands.”
💫 Acting/Cast: 🌟 — 9/10 — “Adorable chemistry, charming performances, zero notes.”
🎧 Music: 🎵 — 7.5/10 — “Soft, warm, and mood-perfect—even if not playlist material.”
🔁 Rewatch Value: 💖 — 10/10 — “Peak comfort drama; endlessly rewatchable.”
🏆 Overall: 💖 — 9/10 — “Warm, heartfelt, and ridiculously lovable.”
📝 Review (WARNING: Potential Spoilers — I’m Not Saving You from Emotional Damage)
This is absolutely one of my ultimate rewatchables. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Xiao Ju and Shi Yi flows naturally; every awkward glance, every miscommunication, every flustered moment lands just right. The slow-burn romance is balanced beautifully with laughs and genuine heart, mostly delivered by the supporting cast, who shine in ways that keep you glued to the screen even when the leads hesitate to fully express themselves.
The plot’s transition into adulthood is… chaotic, to put it mildly. One minute they’re figuring out college life, the next they’re suddenly navigating adulthood like the narrative hit a fast-forward button. It’s frustrating, a little jarring, and yet somehow still amusing to gripe about. Family dynamics add weight and realism, reminding viewers that life isn’t all picture-perfect, and the occasional absurd chaos—like someone’s butt getting blown up by firecrackers—is pure comedic gold.
Wang Rui Chang’s performance deserves its own fan club; his voice, his presence, the subtlety in his expressions—my heart was not ready for the sheer emotional “boom” of it. And yes, full disclosure: I ended up singing the first line of Xiao Ju’s big moment in Mandarin in my living room, even if my pronunciation was questionable. This drama strikes the perfect balance of sweetness, humor, and heartfelt romance, and the supporting cast ensures it never feels empty, even when adulthood sections stumble a bit.
💭 Final Mood
💖🔥 Smooth enemies-to-lovers, quirky chaos, rushed adulthood aside, Wang Rui Chang’s voice, and mandatory Mandarin karaoke. Basically a heart-fluttering masterpiece.
🏷️ Tags
#JustOneMoreEpisode #ARiverRunsThroughIt #XiaXiaoJu #LuShiYi #SlowBurnRomance #HighSchoolToCollegeDrama #WangRuiChang #EmotionalDamageApproved
