Incredible Drama with Unforgettable Performances!
I have been watching The Early Spring up to Episode 19, and I am completely blown away! This is NOT your typical office romance drama—it feels so much more grounded, mature, and intense.Jing Boran gives a phenomenal performance as the male lead. He doesn't even need words—his eyes say everything. His intense micro-expressions, every gaze, and every emotion conveyed through his eyes are just unforgettable. He has nailed every single detail of his character!
Sun Qian is brilliant as the female lead. Her portrayal of a strong, stubborn, and resilient character is so natural and captivating. She brings so much strength and personality to the screen.
The dynamic between Jing Boran and Sun Qian keeps me glued to the screen every single episode. A huge shoutout to the director and the entire production team for making every episode up to Episode 19 so compelling. I cannot wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds!
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This review may contain spoilers
This is a perfect, sexy, problematic romance that skirts the line but redeems itself by the end. (a discussion of red flags at the end)
If you've worked a high powered career in a big city, you can immediately appreciate how well this show was put together. Both in terms of the career setting and the relationship. From portraying the highs of feeling so lucky and chosen, (that one slo mo scene with the hands from the elevator to the parking garage! ), to the lows of feeling like an embarrassing, dirty little secret.
This is a relationship between adults, it's quite 'lived in', physically and emotionally which is really rare. Luke embodies an entitled, attractive man at the top of his game. Flora goes from naive and enthusiastic to a competent force to be reckoned with was the harder part, and well done.
The 'flip' where the power imbalance between Luke and Flora starts to switch, doesn't happen all at once. Unlike some dramas, where it takes to the 3/4 mark before the hero cracks, here the hero cracks slightly every few episodes, creating an addictive urge to keep watching as you know just another break, another show of strong emotion is just around the corner.
The clothing, cars, and scenery were all great, the music and OST was better than most, I just really am impressed.
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On red flags:
Luke and Flora are both adults when they meet, and they both have had a relationship history. But, in every other way this is a problematic, power imbalance relationship with some troubling dynamics:
- Luke holds the power over Flora's career, and in general he structurally has a lot more privilege than her (he's older, well established in Beijing, wealthy).
- Luke exploits the structural power imbalance when he's feeling insecure in the relationship. He will become condescending or even use their work together to try and 'feel on top' again.
- Luke insults and uses demeaning language towards Flora on a couple of occasions calling her cheap etc. in retaliation for her not doing what he wants
It's the power + control dynamic PLUS a pattern of harmful behaviour that = a toxic, abusive relationship. And this one does cross that line a couple of times. Illustrating why they need to break up.
As the years go on, Flora also tries to emotionally lash back out at Luke. She also tries to hide anything from him that's too sensitive or vulnerable not trusting him to react well or helpfully. But she doesn't have the same obsession with power + control, and she tends to not try to insult or demean Luke directly.
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Does these abusive and/or toxic dynamics, mean that Luke is a lost cause?
Yes, they needed to break up. By keeping the same destructive dynamic going for 6 years, that was years down the drain and it wasn't going to get any better. Flora needed to leave and seek her independence and figure out who she was without Luke. Luke needed to sort out if he could be vulnerable and approach a relationship as equals instead of trying to dominate the dynamics.
Most men like this can't turn it around after the break up. Their need for power and control keeps them from changing, from truly having a safe, warm equal type relationship. They tend to get more obsessive, more dominating, meaner and crueler as the years go on.
Is it dangerous to depict something that rarely happens in real life? I think in this case the drama puts the roadmap to evaluating the recovery . . . Luke apologises and makes amends, he comes to her home turf and lets her call the shots, he's able to be vulnerable, and he does it for a long period of time etc. So I think it works here, it didn't make me want to turn it off.
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Semi-situationship
Okay, disclaimer - I think enjoying certain types of media is very different from what is actually appropriate and/or healthy in real life. This drama is a 10/10 in entertainment value for me, in that I love watching them together throughout the course of their whole semi-situationship but I absolutely would not endorse this kind of behaviour if it happened in real life.The ML is, let's be real ... a bit of a red flag. This guy needs therapy. He lashes out with hurtful words whenever he doesn't like something and says something demeaning to the FL and you're like oh. Okay. You're a gigantic asshole??? However, his saving grace is his looks, money & of course, they show that he actually really does care about the FL (which, you know, doesn't excuse his actions but it helps a lot that he's a fictional character). There's definitely a power imbalance between the both of them, but while the FL comes off a bit like a mouse at the beginning, she's actually very willing to speak up about things when it comes important matters, and we see her grow to be more confident in herself. She's also not afraid to actually initiate physical touch with him, which I found to be super refreshing, especially for a C-drama, and both of them were super natural with it too. Chemistry was definitely a 10/10.
These two are not the healthiest couple in drama-land but I do think they're perfect for each other. Kind of.
Oh yeah, they also have shared custody the most cutest Samoyed. 11/10 for dog.
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They cut a lot of episodes which lowered my experience, but otherwise a good story.
From beginning to end, I couldn't understand all the hype surrounding this drama. Yes, I liked it and enjoyed the story, but the number of episodes they cut impacted my experience a lot.At one point, the side characters' stories were practically removed from the screen, and we only learned about what was happening with them when they mentioned it to one of the leads. That was a huge downside for me, because I liked some of them more than I liked any of the leads, and I was really invested in their lives.
Another downside was how hard it was to follow how much time had passed. Sometimes it was days, sometimes months, and sometimes even longer... and they never explained it properly, leaving me guessing most of the time. That made the story a little disorienting.
But other than that, it's a great story about two flawed people trying to build a relationship where their flaws are their biggest obstacles. There were a lot of miscommunications, toxicity, insecurities and a lack of trust. The road was bumpy, but it only made them grow and eventually become better versions of themselves.
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"You don't have to be perfect to be loved"
🌸 The Early Spring is such a beautiful and unforgettable drama. From the very beginning, I was completely drawn into the story. The chemistry between the leads is incredible—their emotions feel so natural and genuine that every interaction between them is captivating..I love love the chemistry of Jing Boran and SunQian. They fit so perfectly that having them on my screen for 2 weeks is really pleasing to look at and in awe of their compatibilities.
And the music deserves its own praise. The soundtrack fits the atmosphere perfectly and adds so much emotion to the story. Some scenes simply wouldn’t have had the same impact without the beautiful music accompanying them. 🎶 We have Luke's very own OST "HER", Flora's " This Moment" and when Luke&Flora, there are "Passing Sunshine" "You Should Know""You Are My Light"
The plot itself is engaging, emotional, with enough romance, drama, and meaningful moments to keep me invested throughout. It’s the kind of story that stays with you even after you finish watching.
Overall, The Early Spring is a must-watch for anyone who loves a well-written plot, amazing chemistry, talented casts, and a gorgeous soundtrack. Definitely one of those dramas that makes you laugh, ache, smile, and fall in love with the characters. 10/10! 💕🌸
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What is everyone's problem?
Upon seeing so much discourse on these characters, here is the only thing I have to say:I really don't see everyone's issue with both these characters. Why do we constantly start labeling them as 'red flag' and 'green flag' every single time they make a decision or choose to act a certain way, then switch up the next second when they do something different?
Humans often make irrational, emotional, and conflicting choices all the time, shaped by circumstances and previous experiences, good or bad. If everyone were perfect, then relationships—and by extension, life— would be bland and unnecessary. You live, and you learn, which, clearly, these characters are doing. The most important thing is ownership of mistakes and growth, which, again, these characters are doing.
It is refreshing to see how each person's personality and worldview impact their words, actions, and decisions, and how they work with each other to morph into better people. I am a little tired of seeing the same tropes again and again, where everyone has life and relationships figured out, making them predictable and unrealistic. I do not hate tropes. I love the predictability most of the time, but I can appreciate and applaud when things go off script. I truly don't understand why everyone is so pressed when they act like real people, just this ONE TIME.
I think both Flora and Luke's issue is that they cannot be fully vulnerable to each other, which is why there is such a big gap in their communication and a lack of complete trust, especially on Flora's end.
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Seriously , I just don't get the hype!
Meaning I keep seeing this drama in my TL these days therefore I decided to give a try expecting something new but unfortunately this show has nothing particularly special to offer except for the visuals of the cast. The story isn't anything compelling or unique. While watching shows, the factors that make me keep watching is basically the plot or the acting . But here, there was neither of the two!!The acting of the male lead whom I have seen for the first time, is pretty cold and I feel like he can't genuinely convey his feelings to the viewers! Like seriously ,, he's got no expression mannn 😶 On top of that, I can't really understand why he's pushing so hard to tryna look cool like that 🙄? I m sorry to have said this but he literally has no aura of being a CEO to say the least and he's way more suited to play in idol dramas instead! As for the female lead, I think I have seen her before where her acting was pretty good but here I just found her performance stiff. Several things of this drama has been blown out of proportion including the chemistry between the mc which feels pretty forced and medicore to the core. In a frank way, I didnt find any hotness or tension between them. There are many c-drama couples in chinese tv I know whom despite having no kisses or bold scenes still managed to hold up the tension on - screen. But here the romance totally fails even with tons of kıssın . I think if the leads were actors like Sean Xiao or Landy Li , who can easily connect their feelings to viewers, conveying the required emotion then that would have definitely worked and make a memorable combination despite the average plot!
The supporting cast is also very weak here. Usually in C/K dramas even in case I don't love the male lead character , somehow I end up falling for the second lead guy or the morally grey antagonist. But in this show there is none that's worth to mention like what the helllll 😭?! The supporting cast felt like more as if they were just filling up the show for the time being hahaha. But the music of this drama are sort of pleasing ngl and I guess this might be the only thing I enjoyed here so far.
If not for Netflix push, it doesn't seem to me like anyone would want to invest their time in this drama of those same repetitive storyline 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, in the end, I said what I said and I am glad that the douban reviews exists that way I could be sure that I'm not the only one who feels that way 🫣.... I just hope this show ends sooner so that I no longer have to keep watching this on my feed all day lol
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Poorly written romance, but not terrible overall
This might be controversial, but I think the romance was the worst part of the whole series. That doesn't mean it's not worth watching, but if you're looking for something with a well written romance plot, this is not it. The relationship felt weird and toxic the whole time up until the second half of the last episode; and maybe that was the point, but it still left me thinking "wow I want to see more of " and then I'd have to sit through another 5 minutes of "Luke and Flora failing to communicate" being introduced as a major plot-point.In addition, I'd like to call out the obviously AI generated b-roll shots that appeared in nearly every episode, it made the whole thing feel cheap.
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One of the best dramas of 2026 so far!
This series was so good! Yes, it had its flaws, but overall, it was a really solid watch. The acting was great, and honestly, I feel like the casting was perfectly done. I can’t imagine anyone else playing these characters the way they did.And yes, I don’t think Luo Nian is as toxic as people make him out to be. That doesn’t excuse his bad behavior, but most of the time, I feel like he was simply misunderstood.
I also really loved the OST, especially the opening song/scene. It set the mood so well!
Honestly, I think it’s unfair that some people are trying to give this drama such a low rating. It definitely has its flaws, but overall, it’s a very solid drama and absolutely worth watching. ❤️
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Girl Power Rules, Male Redemption Sells
The Early Spring is a show about a man who says rude and nonsensical things whenever he feels intimidated, and a woman who enters into a relationship with her boss expecting a completely advantageous arrangement. She uses her sexuality to navigate her way out of sticky situations and consistently withholds important information from her boyfriend—both when it happens and even afterward, despite being asked. Forget friends with benefits; this is employee with benefits. The show seems to teach that a woman never needs to apologize, reflect, or reconsider her own behavior. Redemption is a man’s job. Even something as simple as calling a dog by BF's name is apparently not something she needs to reconsider —or even recognize as problematic. The man, naturally, is the one expected to reflect, change, and redeem himself.Was this review helpful to you?
Imperfect perfection
I loved how flawed both characters were. I honestly think this is the first time I've watched a drama where I enjoyed the couple's fights, especially towards the end. I kind of wish their breakup was longer, though. Aside from ZS and LN, I really enjoyed the side characters as well. For me, this was a very fun, enjoyable watch, especially too, because I didn't take things too seriously. I think the issue some people had while watching this was taking this show too seriously. ZS and LN were in a 6-year situationship. That was bound to be messy and showcase the ugly sides of both characters. They are human, and too many people watching the show kept trying to view both characters in black and white/ red flag vs green flag when, really, everything was grey. Neither one of these people are villians. If you go into it with this mindset, I think you'll enjoy the show. Are there things both characters did or said that annoyed me? Sure, but that's life. There's never going to be perfect characters because human beings are naturally flawed.Anyways, highly recommend. This is the first drama with both leads that I watched, and I really enjoyed it. Will be looking out for their future works, as well as the supporting actors/actresses.
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The Early Fall
In my opinion this drama is so much ridiculously over-rated! 🤷♀️Warning: This ranting is bound to bring on plenty of disagreement and criticism! ⚠️
BUT....
Let's be Real: The romance is not ANYMORE romanticizing..
Maybe it is unpopular opinion, but I just ended up writing all these rantings about Mr. Luke "our ideal Male lead of this season"... 😅😭🤡😏
"The Early SPRING"❌️-------> "The Early FALL"✅️
Call it an early fall, because the temperature on this 'romance' plummeted to freezing conditions before the first petal even opened... 🧊🥀 Especially I’m practically shivering from the sheer attitude of his red flags... 📉 This couple would be the most frustrating for me in this year... 😶🤐
Officially dropped it, I am feeling like forcing myself to push with every episode after ep 13, while it already got draggy between 8 and 11 but still gave it a chance after that... but I think now it is time to give up totally on it for the unhealthy dynamic of leads, and for the story...
At the start, to be honest the drama was enjoyable and I was sharing their romantic vibes moments without complaints though felt the drama began on the wrong foot, when male was a premium "defective product" masquerading as a dream guy...🤡 So I admit that I was tricked when seeing so much tempting high ratings of this show... BUT it turned out to be delusional when diving in more episodes later and discovering the truth behind this facade of main character energy vibes of our legendary Male lead... 🤡🤦♀️
It started illogical that how he turned from that harsh, disparaging one to her one to that completely different person soft gentlman in a blink of eye... In my opinion, it was so ridiculous making the pace of romance igniting into rapidly a fiery chemistry just within 2 to 3 episodes... 🤔
At ep 13, Male is really so possessive and toxic, wanting to take advantage of her talents at work just for himself to be besides him, in his team, only for him.... 🤦♀️
Male is just a PRO in SEDUCING female for such unfruitful relationship, making her clumsily falling head over heels for him... He misled her and wanting to set the rules of love as he desires while she should have been more aware of such relationship that fastly developed in such passionate bond when she was nothing to him at start! 😏
He provoked me with this mindset to come back being so hateful with his sharp tongue not respecting her decisions looking for a better opportunity and him getting overly jealous over nothing when she is discussing business with her superior... but also getting jealous over a pet that he is calling "stupid" while not looking at himself, when all the flaws are tarnishing him from head to toes... 😏🤡
I am feeling repulsion for how a fickle person like him would change the overall connection with her in such chaotic relationship, this is not a romance concept but just him making from her a toy, to play in his own rules...
●WHAT WAS THE MOST WORTHY THROUGH ALL THE PART I WATCHED??
This drama was only worth watching for this cute fluffy ball—he was the TRUE STAR who stole the show! Honestly, nothing else compares to this adorable little cutie! 🤌✨️🔥
A 10/10 performance exclusively brought to you by this absolute icon! 👌💫❤️🔥 I was literally only interested in every scene he was in before almost dropping the show entirely! 😭🥲😅 I skipped straight past all the frustration just to hit pause on this fluffy superstar for an instant serotonin boost! 😭 More than every cast of humans, he was the real lead and character that carried the show on his precious little paws! 💖❤️🔥🔥🐾 🐶
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