The new Xianxia drama The Unclouded Soul (逍遥), starring Tan Songyun (谭松韵) and Hou Minghao (侯明昊), dominated streaming charts immediately after its release. At the heart of the conversation is its leading actress. Tan Songyun, 35, plays a youthful, mischievous character with such effortless conviction that viewers are left in awe.
Online comments joke that she seems to defy time, looking exactly as she did when audiences first met her years ago. This isn't merely about a youthful appearance, however. It is the product of profound skill, where seasoned acting technique meets an authentic, spirited presence. Her performance challenges rigid industry norms about age and casting, proving that compelling character portrayal transcends a number.
Mastering Duality
In The Unclouded Soul, Tan Songyun takes on the challenge of a dual role. Her primary character is the carefree, money-obsessed The Unclouded Soul, who poses as a demon hunter to run petty scams. In these comic scenes, she is all sly glances and exaggerated bravado, completely believable as a street-smart hustler. When a scheme fails, she shifts seamlessly into the persona of a furious, finger-pointing village woman, her frustration palpable and hilarious. This greedy, self-serving facade, however, is just one layer.
Beneath this cunning exterior lies a genuinely soft heart. Tan skillfully reveals this other side in quieter moments. In the demon realm, she shows remorse for her actions and helps Yao (妖) with mundane tasks. In classroom scenes, she embodies the classic underachiever—sleeping, passing notes, whispering. This contrast paints a complete picture: a flawed yet inherently kind young woman, simply trying to navigate her world. Tan captures this vibrant, unburdened spirit without relying on cliché, making The Unclouded Soul feel wonderfully real and relatable.
The second role is Princess Ning'an (宁安), The Unclouded Soul's tragic past life. In a flashback to her wedding day, Ning'an must sacrifice her beloved to save humanity. Tan's performance here is a masterclass in restrained anguish. Her eyes well with unshed tears, her hand trembles holding the sword, and her face contorts with unbearable pain as she makes the fateful strike. The silent scream of grief after the deed is devastating. The emotional gravity Tan brings to Ning'an creates a stark, powerful contrast with the lively The Unclouded Soul, showcasing her impressive range within a single series.
An Evolving Artistry
Tan Songyun's journey to this point is marked by consistent growth. She first gained wide recognition as Chun Guiren in the legendary palace drama Empresses in the Palace. Though young, she left a lasting impression, perfectly embodying the sweet yet subtly scheming nature of her character. This early role demonstrated her innate understanding of how to make a character memorable, even within a vast ensemble cast.
She further solidified her place in popular culture with roles in youth-oriented series. In With You (最好的我们), she played the lead role of Geng Geng (耿耿), a high school student. Her round face and genuine expressiveness made her the perfect fit, earning her awards and cementing her status as a rising star. Perhaps her most beloved modern role is Li Jianjian (李尖尖) in Go Ahead (以家人为名). As the funny, academically challenged but big-hearted daughter, Tan delivered a performance full of warmth and humor that resonated deeply with families, earning her further critical acclaim.
Her recent work in Against The Current (兰香如故) signaled a deliberate shift. Portraying two more mature and complex characters, she moved away from purely lively roles to reveal deeper layers of resilience and subtlety. This progression demonstrated her refusal to be typecast and her conscious effort to expand her repertoire. Each character has been a stepping stone, building the technical and emotional reservoir she now draws from in The Unclouded Soul.
From a naive imperial consort to a resilient modern daughter, and now to a dual-role fantasy heroine, Tan Songyun's path reflects purposeful evolution. She does not simply play characters; she inhabits them, finding their unique heartbeat. This dedication to her craft is what allows her to embody the youthful The Unclouded Soul so convincingly at 35. It is not about pretending to be young, but about accessing a character's core truth—a skill that only deepens with time and experience.
