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From modern-day sweetheart to imperial concubine with a revenge mission, Tan Songyun’s newest role in Against the Current is shaking up the costume drama scene in the best way possible.
Known for stealing hearts in You Are My Glory and The Family Name, Tan is diving headfirst into the high-stakes world of palace politics, reincarnation, and twisted love lines – and fans are absolutely eating it up.
Starring opposite the ever-versatile Liu Xueyi, Against the Current (native title: 兰香如故) isn’t your typical period piece.
With 40 episodes of emotional mayhem on the way, this Tencent Video original is already gaining massive traction even before it hits screens.
A New Life, A New Name – And A Whole Lot of Trouble
Tan plays Chen Xianglan, the tragic granddaughter of a top-ranking official who watches her entire family executed thanks to a power-hungry court.
But fate has other plans: she’s reborn as a lowly palace maid, armed with her past-life memories and a burning need to rewrite her destiny.
What follows? A storm of political scheming, forbidden love, and high-stakes betrayal.
And the juiciest part?
Her love life is an emotional battlefield. One love that slipped away, one she outright rejects, one that fizzles before it even blooms, and one that might just destroy her.
It's messy, painful, and addictively compelling.
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Plot Twists, Power Plays, and a Proper Antagonist
Adding even more spice to the mix is Meng Li – yes, that Meng Li who made waves as the wicked princess in The Double.
This time, she’s back as Zhao Yuechan, the legal wife of Liu Xueyi’s character Lin Jinlou.
Stunning, calculating, and ready to claw her way through the harem to protect her place, Yuechan is exactly the kind of antagonist we love to hate.
Meng Li’s return to a villainous role is one of the most hyped aspects of the show – she’s got the looks, the screen presence, and the acting chops to make every scene feel ten times more intense.
Casting Chaos Turned Perfect Chemistry?
But this drama didn’t arrive without a bit of backstage drama.
Rumour has it the male lead role was originally offered to big names like Ding Yuxi and Zhang Xincheng – with Zhang even briefly confirmed before he ditched the role last minute for the sci-fi series Stellar Constellations.
Cue fan heartbreak.
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Enter Liu Xueyi. Known for his strong historical drama track record and lowkey charisma, his casting ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Industry insiders are already whispering that the unexpected pairing between him and Tan Songyun might just deliver fireworks no one saw coming.
A Bold New Path for Tan Songyun
This drama marks a major shift for Tan’s career.
Usually typecast as the modern-day girl-next-door, Against the Current lets her step into a darker, more layered role – a concubine navigating deceit, loss, and ambition in an empire that never plays fair.
It’s a full-on career pivot and fans are loving every second of it.
Her transformation – both in costume and character – proves she’s got the range and guts to take on tougher, more mature roles.
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| Casting Shake-Up Leads to Surprise Chemistry Between Tan Songyun and Liu Xueyi (Weibo) |
The Hype Is Real – and Totally Deserved
Adapted from the popular novel Fragrance of Orchids by He Yanshan and penned by screenwriter Tong Hua, this drama is already making waves across fan circles and critic corners alike.
The blend of historical fantasy, emotionally rich storytelling, and strong acting performances is setting this one up as a potential top-tier title of the year.
It’s got everything: palace drama, reawakening, ruthless rivalries, and an underdog heroine who’s ready to burn the system down – all wrapped up in 45-minute episodes that’ll leave you wanting more.
In Short? Clear Your Watchlist.
Against the Current is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most talked-about C-dramas.
Between the big-name cast, rich storyline, and career-defining performances, it’s got “obsession-worthy” written all over it.