Abstract: Near-inertial wave propagation in the ocean and its interaction with mesoscale eddies represent a fundamental research focus in physical oceanography. This paper reviews research progress on near-inertial wave propagation, with particular emphasis on its concentration in anticyclones. We first revisit early observational and theoretical studies, highlighting the two dynamic regimes: "trapping" and "strong dispersion". The pioneering theoretical model by Young and Ben Jelloul (YBJ) is then introduced. Distinct from the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation that mandates spatial scale separation, the YBJ framework provides a novel paradigm for understanding the interaction between near-inertial waves and mesoscale features. On this basis, this paper discusses key research findings derived from YBJ in detail, paying particular attention to the scale dependence of near-inertial wave concentration in anticyclones, whose physical mechanism has been deeply elucidated through analogous studies with quantum mechanical conservation laws and uncertainty principles. Finally, future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the importance of nonlinear effects investigations and flow field data analyses to advance understanding of near-inertial wave propagation.