Tan Songyun Responds to the Popularity of "Lanxiang Rugu" (Against The Current) in Taiwan
[Actress Tan Songyun Writes About "Lanxiang Rugu": A Good Drama Allows Both Sides of the Strait to Appreciate a Shared Cultural Heritage]
Xu Lanxiang in "Lanxiang Rugu" is originally Shen Jialan, the legitimate daughter of a noble family. After her family's sudden downfall, she changes her identity and lives a secluded life in the inner chambers of the mansion. Despite the ups and downs of her life and the hardships of the household, she always strives to live towards the light. When I first received the script, I realized that this character is not a traditionally outspoken strongman; her strength lies in her forbearance and restraint. From struggling to survive and striving for a better life to protecting those around her, she always confronts the storms of life with a gentle yet firm attitude.
In my heart, the greatest charm of this character is her kindness and wisdom. Even when she herself is in dire straits, she is still willing to lend a helping hand and do her best to help everyone around her, and she repeatedly considers and weighs how to help others. These details show me the thoughts and actions of a flesh-and-blood person.
Despite facing hardships and experiencing the coldness of human nature, she remained kind-hearted, upholding the original intention of "using one lamp to light up ten thousand," warming and illuminating others on her path of self-salvation and growth, ultimately bringing light to all. The filming process was also a journey through Xu Lanxiang's life with me; I truly felt the power of the character's growth and the humanistic warmth of the work. This deeply moving power is inseparable from the meticulous craftsmanship of the production team. Every set construction, every art design, every makeup and hairstyle, and every etiquette instruction was done with utmost care and attention. During filming, I was often deeply moved by the beauty and unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.
The essence of "Lanxiang Remains" lies in this Chinese aesthetic and the expression of the characters' emotions. It doesn't pursue intense, outward dramatic conflict, nor does it engage in straightforward emotional outbursts; all the meaning is hidden in the blank spaces, the subtle nuances, and the details. The ever-changing scenery along the eaves and corridors, the measured manners of bowing and scraping, and the understanding, kindness, and resilience hidden in the characters' lowered eyes, fingertips, and subtle gestures—all follow an Eastern style of restraint and gentleness. The character of Xu Lanxiang perfectly embodies this core: kind yet unassuming, resilient yet understated, gentle yet principled, forbearing yet sharp—like ancient jade, warm and substantial, like flowing water, gentle yet resilient. This "words have limits, but meaning is boundless" expression makes the character's power not an overwhelming shock, but a lingering aftertaste that slowly seeps into the heart, growing more weighty with each reflection.
Living in a secluded mansion, Xu Lanxiang initially needs to conceal her talent and hide all her sharpness. Her forbearance is not weakness, but the wisdom of survival in dire circumstances. Her underlying nature is kindness, but this kindness is never blind; it is choosing to hold onto her true self even after enduring hardship.
"Lanxiang as Before" uses delicate cinematography to depict the myriad aspects of human nature, portraying genuine female bonds and subtle, enduring emotions, showcasing the beauty of mutual help and support among people. The characters in the drama each have their own predicaments and perseverance; there are no unrealistic halos, they are all vibrant people from the everyday world. The screenwriter and director do not deliberately create a sense of gratification, but rather slowly unfold the ups and downs of fate, narrating Xu Lanxiang's struggles, choices, and transformation.
In that era of limited freedom, many people's destinies were bound by birth and social status, with extremely limited individual choices. But Lanxiang's most precious quality is that no matter what circumstances she faced or how low she fell, she always upheld the principles in her heart, slowly taking root in the dust, ultimately becoming a great tree, sheltering others; even after experiencing vicissitudes, her true nature remained unchanged, her fragrance undiminished.
I am also delighted by the enthusiastic response "Lanxiang as Before" received in Taiwan. A good drama allows audiences on both sides of the strait to appreciate a shared cultural heritage. Sharing the same roots, we easily find resonance in traditional culture. We hope to use art as a bridge to promote more exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The
relationship between actors and roles is a brief encounter and symbiosis. After filming "Lanxiang Rugu," Xu Lanxiang and Shen Jialan remain etched in my heart. The characters' stories will eventually end, but the strength they conveyed will endure. Life inevitably involves ups and downs; may Xu Lanxiang's gentle self-control bring comfort and courage to the audience.
(This article was published in the People's Daily Overseas Edition; the author is the lead actress of "Lanxiang Rugu")/Against The Current
Just finished the express. MASTERPIECE. I cried buckets. This will be one of my most fav cdrama of all time. I'm gonna rewatch it again and again but I need to process the ending 1st. 😭
Should I start this? Looks very interesting, The only problem is somehow I cant watch anything with tan song yun…
Better not because u will see her face at every episodes...she is the MAIN character. This is her life story. She dominates the screen. but again u'll miss one of the best writing/directing/casts in a drama which happens once in a blue moon
I love that the fl is observant. Despite having a good foundation (smart) because of her privilege upbringing, she solved most of the issues because of her keen observation. She miss very little. Since she priorities her survival so much, it trains her mind to be quick on judging a situation and makes the best decision for her and people around her.
I love that her inner Shen Jialan is more prominent after her marriage...her smartness, her gracefulness, her mannerism scream nobility. If she married scholar Han she will forever be Xu Lanxiang the slave/commoner and her full potential will remain buried with only her and her adopted parents knew about the Shen. Her post marriage aura just scream 'mother' to me. What a powerful matriach
Out of curiosity, why did you end despising the FL in the novel too?
because she's weak for my standard. she's resilient yes, but she's crying like every chapters and keep on enduring horific things. she lacks that edge (just enough) spine the fl in adaptation has. i got frustrated 😓
The fl in the book described as a walking 'buddha'. Graceful, kind, soft, wise, nobility while the ml is as black as night abuser, r*pist, womanizer, controlling, manwh*re...u name it. The fl cried every chapter, she was terrified of him..she ran away so many times. Glad the screenwriter keep her resilience but less pathetic...they did a good job toning down the ml's flaws for the tv, charming even...i couldn't finish the book because i despise both ml/fl....surprisingly i LOVE the adaptation..perfect ml/fl
I love how natural TSY acting is..she makes me empathize with her..she drew me in. Very charming..i've seen several of her dramas and they are all mainly different from each other & she drew me in all of them. So very rare
LanxiangRugu: A Story of Ordinary People Interpreting a Grand Vision# Recently, the TV series " #LanxiangRugu# " , starring Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi, is currently airing on CCTV-8 and Tencent Video. Its popularity on Tencent Video has exceeded 31,000, making it the tentative annual champion in viewership for 2026.
"LanxiangRugu" breaks away from the common "golden finger" trope in period dramas, using the narrative of Xu Lanxiang's turbulent life as an ordinary person to highlight the weight of the era and human nature.
In the drama, the female protagonist goes from being the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official to the daughter of a disgraced minister overnight. Under the protection of a servant couple, she survives as the lowly maid Xu Lanxiang. She becomes an ordinary person in the city, her initial wishes small and simple: to survive, protect her adoptive parents, save money to redeem herself, and simply seek a peaceful life. The plot is rooted in everyday life, depicting the helplessness and plight of those at the bottom of society, showing how she maintains her integrity amidst hardship, and upholds kindness and principles even in adversity. Xu Lanxiang's growth also evolved from merely seeking survival to gradually protecting those around her and pursuing justice. She wasn't obsessed with gratifying revenge, but rather guarded the fragrance of orchids in her heart throughout the long years, upholding the bottom line of humanity in an unjust world.
Not only the female lead, but every supporting character in the drama is a microcosm of the era's turbulent currents. The simple and loyal adoptive parents, the kind-hearted common people, and the scholar who remained true to himself amidst the vortex of power struggles—they used their small acts of kindness and affection to piece together the warmest backdrop of a chaotic world. Great righteousness
is hidden in the mundane, and a grand vision is revealed in the ordinary. This is the core strength that allows "Lanxiang as Before" to break through the conventions of period dramas, achieving both critical acclaim and popularity with its delicate and healing narrative.
can i just say i am so frustrated with the sweeping inability to get up after falling among all the women in all…
you forgot that scene triggered her ptsd after witnessing her family mass suicides...she literally has WEAK knees..her legs turn to jelly. her survival instinct just reached its peak..i love it, feels realistic
I love that the fl got a rebirth (figuratively)..she essentially escaped death and was given a second chance at life with a loving adoptive parents..i love her cautious character but smart..she doesn't do anything reckless and not purely a saint either..i love the theme of the show, survive
Tan Song Yun is sooooo gooood at crying! I get teary eyed everytime she gets emotional. Her eyes speaks. Ah, it feels so good to get to be so immersive in a character again
News 
[Actress Tan Songyun Writes About "Lanxiang Rugu": A Good Drama Allows Both Sides of the Strait to Appreciate a Shared Cultural Heritage]
Xu Lanxiang in "Lanxiang Rugu" is originally Shen Jialan, the legitimate daughter of a noble family. After her family's sudden downfall, she changes her identity and lives a secluded life in the inner chambers of the mansion. Despite the ups and downs of her life and the hardships of the household, she always strives to live towards the light. When I first received the script, I realized that this character is not a traditionally outspoken strongman; her strength lies in her forbearance and restraint. From struggling to survive and striving for a better life to protecting those around her, she always confronts the storms of life with a gentle yet firm attitude.
In my heart, the greatest charm of this character is her kindness and wisdom. Even when she herself is in dire straits, she is still willing to lend a helping hand and do her best to help everyone around her, and she repeatedly considers and weighs how to help others. These details show me the thoughts and actions of a flesh-and-blood person.
Despite facing hardships and experiencing the coldness of human nature, she remained kind-hearted, upholding the original intention of "using one lamp to light up ten thousand," warming and illuminating others on her path of self-salvation and growth, ultimately bringing light to all. The filming process was also a journey through Xu Lanxiang's life with me; I truly felt the power of the character's growth and the humanistic warmth of the work. This deeply moving power is inseparable from the meticulous craftsmanship of the production team. Every set construction, every art design, every makeup and hairstyle, and every etiquette instruction was done with utmost care and attention. During filming, I was often deeply moved by the beauty and unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.
The essence of "Lanxiang Remains" lies in this Chinese aesthetic and the expression of the characters' emotions. It doesn't pursue intense, outward dramatic conflict, nor does it engage in straightforward emotional outbursts; all the meaning is hidden in the blank spaces, the subtle nuances, and the details. The ever-changing scenery along the eaves and corridors, the measured manners of bowing and scraping, and the understanding, kindness, and resilience hidden in the characters' lowered eyes, fingertips, and subtle gestures—all follow an Eastern style of restraint and gentleness. The character of Xu Lanxiang perfectly embodies this core: kind yet unassuming, resilient yet understated, gentle yet principled, forbearing yet sharp—like ancient jade, warm and substantial, like flowing water, gentle yet resilient. This "words have limits, but meaning is boundless" expression makes the character's power not an overwhelming shock, but a lingering aftertaste that slowly seeps into the heart, growing more weighty with each reflection.
Living in a secluded mansion, Xu Lanxiang initially needs to conceal her talent and hide all her sharpness. Her forbearance is not weakness, but the wisdom of survival in dire circumstances. Her underlying nature is kindness, but this kindness is never blind; it is choosing to hold onto her true self even after enduring hardship.
"Lanxiang as Before" uses delicate cinematography to depict the myriad aspects of human nature, portraying genuine female bonds and subtle, enduring emotions, showcasing the beauty of mutual help and support among people. The characters in the drama each have their own predicaments and perseverance; there are no unrealistic halos, they are all vibrant people from the everyday world. The screenwriter and director do not deliberately create a sense of gratification, but rather slowly unfold the ups and downs of fate, narrating Xu Lanxiang's struggles, choices, and transformation.
In that era of limited freedom, many people's destinies were bound by birth and social status, with extremely limited individual choices. But Lanxiang's most precious quality is that no matter what circumstances she faced or how low she fell, she always upheld the principles in her heart, slowly taking root in the dust, ultimately becoming a great tree, sheltering others; even after experiencing vicissitudes, her true nature remained unchanged, her fragrance undiminished.
I am also delighted by the enthusiastic response "Lanxiang as Before" received in Taiwan. A good drama allows audiences on both sides of the strait to appreciate a shared cultural heritage. Sharing the same roots, we easily find resonance in traditional culture. We hope to use art as a bridge to promote more exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The
relationship between actors and roles is a brief encounter and symbiosis. After filming "Lanxiang Rugu," Xu Lanxiang and Shen Jialan remain etched in my heart. The characters' stories will eventually end, but the strength they conveyed will endure. Life inevitably involves ups and downs; may Xu Lanxiang's gentle self-control bring comfort and courage to the audience.
(This article was published in the People's Daily Overseas Edition; the author is the lead actress of "Lanxiang Rugu")/Against The Current
"LanxiangRugu" breaks away from the common "golden finger" trope in period dramas, using the narrative of Xu Lanxiang's turbulent life as an ordinary person to highlight the weight of the era and human nature.
In the drama, the female protagonist goes from being the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official to the daughter of a disgraced minister overnight. Under the protection of a servant couple, she survives as the lowly maid Xu Lanxiang. She becomes an ordinary person in the city, her initial wishes small and simple: to survive, protect her adoptive parents, save money to redeem herself, and simply seek a peaceful life. The plot is rooted in everyday life, depicting the helplessness and plight of those at the bottom of society, showing how she maintains her integrity amidst hardship, and upholds kindness and principles even in adversity. Xu Lanxiang's growth also evolved from merely seeking survival to gradually protecting those around her and pursuing justice. She wasn't obsessed with gratifying revenge, but rather guarded the fragrance of orchids in her heart throughout the long years, upholding the bottom line of humanity in an unjust world.
Not only the female lead, but every supporting character in the drama is a microcosm of the era's turbulent currents. The simple and loyal adoptive parents, the kind-hearted common people, and the scholar who remained true to himself amidst the vortex of power struggles—they used their small acts of kindness and affection to piece together the warmest backdrop of a chaotic world. Great righteousness
is hidden in the mundane, and a grand vision is revealed in the ordinary. This is the core strength that allows "Lanxiang as Before" to break through the conventions of period dramas, achieving both critical acclaim and popularity with its delicate and healing narrative.