LayarHijau – Against the Current (兰香如故) has opened early access to its final episode, allowing viewers who purchase the early viewing option to see the ending ahead of its regular release. But the emotional conclusion has left many viewers heartbroken over the characters’ fates. Even lead actress Tan Songyun admitted that she was too afraid to watch the final episode despite already purchasing early access.
On October 5, Tan Songyun revealed that she had already bought early access to the finale of Against the Current. However, she still could not bring herself to press play because she was not ready to face the ending.
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After learning about this, Jiang Xin immediately warned her, “Don’t watch it… you’ll cry yourself to death.”
Jiang Xin had previously made it clear that she was genuinely following Against the Current as a viewer. She even revealed that she renewed her subscription just so she could continue watching the drama.
She also said that she could sing the drama’s theme song, “Return From A Great Dream” (大梦归). Her enthusiasm made it clear that her interest in the series came from genuinely enjoying the story rather than simply being part of a promotional campaign.
The interaction between the two actresses then turned into an unexpected nostalgic moment for Chinese drama fans.
Jiang Xin left a comment in character, writing, “Jialan, you’ve suffered so much.”
Tan Songyun responded by playing along in character as well: “Is the wind cold? Lanxiang will keep you warm.”
The brief exchange immediately delighted netizens. Many described it as a “cross-time after-sales service” for Hua Fei and Chun’er, the characters the two actresses played in the popular series Empresses in the Palace (后宫甄嬛传).
Jiang Xin played Hua Fei in Empresses in the Palace, while Tan Songyun portrayed Chun’er. By responding to each other through their old characters, the two actresses seemingly brought Hua Fei and Chun’er together again, around 15 years after the original series first aired.
The moment felt even more special because the actresses did not merely reference their former characters. Their exchange made fans feel as if they were getting another glimpse of the two characters interacting, albeit in an entirely different context.
Why Against the Current Ending Is So Emotional
The ending that left Tan Songyun reluctant to watch is indeed an intensely emotional one.
In the finale, Lin Jinqi, played by Liu Xueyi, suffers from an old injury sustained while helping suppress a rebellion. His condition eventually deteriorates, and he dies in Xu Lanxiang’s arms.
Before they part, the two promise to meet again in their next lives, using a red thread as a symbol of their promise.
After Lin Jinqi’s death, Xu Lanxiang spends more than 30 years living alone at the Lin family residence. She raises their children and writes opera scripts to defend her family’s reputation and expose the injustice they suffered.
Xu Lanxiang eventually dies peacefully at the age of 80.
Tan Songyun had previously revealed that the latter part of Against the Current was filled with farewell scenes. While filming the scene in which 80-year-old Xu Lanxiang dies, Tan Songyun became so immersed in the character that she shed tears that were not even written into the script.
It is therefore understandable that Tan Songyun was still not ready to watch Xu Lanxiang’s final journey herself. Jiang Xin, who had already finished the drama, was also deeply affected by the emotional story.
In the end, Against the Current not only left viewers deeply moved by its heartbreaking conclusion, but also gave fans an unexpected nostalgic moment as Jiang Xin and Tan Songyun brought Hua Fei and Chun’er back to life through their playful exchange.
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