The Early Spring

Sinfully addictive

I’m enjoying this so much I feel like it’s a sin. It’s so addictive I don’t want to do anything else. I went in really not wanting to expect a lot because sometimes you can get burned right away even from first episode. Twelve in and it’s pretty solid. While it’s not just romance, it’s so sugary and honey dripping of a love story for the ages. Gosh stamp the two leads with chemistry award for life.

Good writing to start. It’s simple, nothing so outrageous of office/business dynamics. In fact, what’s so noticeably appreciated by me is the camaraderie of the office staff. Boss may be strict but he’s approachable by his staff, warm fun relations with his top managers. Schemings takes a back burner, and families often disrupting is not a thing (yet?} I think that’s another thing I like in this drama. Focus is the budding character arc, and their eventual growth towards each other.

Good writing needs great acting for execution. Awesome choices. They exude that saying OPPOSITES ATTRACT to a tee. That’s what’s so cute. The acting. Bo Ran somehow knows exactly how to rattle her, his burning looks, slight smiles. Qian knows exactly how to control her emotions, shy, innocent and adorably cute that obviously drives him crazy. The undeniably attraction, that pent up chemistry, to his burning need to see her, is making world viewers crazy. It’s a romance for the ages, exactly written and executed so well, rightly buzzing the world.

The story continues….

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Flora was never the problem.

Recently, on sns girls are taking Luke's side and expressing how they think the real red flag is Flora.
To those girls: There is no way Flora is the red flag. Why would you even think that? Calling her dishonest, cruel and untrustworthy- why?
Do you not see Luke is the real problem? At this point, it's not his mouth anymore; it's his actions too. When Flora showed courage to catch Dony red-handed in assault, she called Luke after that. And what did he say? "You look like the easiest person to control and push around"- even if she was not harassed, would this be a very good teasing thing to say to your girlfriend of 3 years???
Luke was never honest with her. He never expressed his feelings, nor was he open about his thoughts. All the efforts you see Luke giving in their relationship are less than the bare minimum. He did less than he should.
Also, some are saying they should not hide their relationship, and Flora is an idiot for doing that.

First of all, it's in the employee contract; Luke put that clause himself that a subordinate cannot date the boss. He even put the consequences himself. Flora has been flourishing since day one. She earns her promotions herself and gets promoted faster than anyone in the company. If they come out, she has to bear all the consequences and there won't be a single mark on Luke's resume. She will be demoted, harassed, and marked as a vixen who went up for warming the boss's bed. No one can protect her. Worst-case scenario, she loses everything and gets fired from her dream job. She is mature enough to know all this, and Luke isn't. Luke literally lacks EQ and common sense. You say you feel for Luke; congratulations! He has manipulated you.

Secondly, Flora is insecure about her background, whereas Luke is always flaunting his wealth. On her first day, he said she comes from an insignificant background with no connections or skills. He has always deemed her light playfully, which hurt her.
He never corrected himself, even after he knew she felt bad about it and was unhappy. Their relationship for 3 years was based mostly on lust from Luke's side and on genuine feelings and love from Flora's side. Mismatched ratio.

Now, the hard truth- the reason I'm writing this: I'm concerned for you guys. If you ever meet a dashing, hot and charming guy like Luke and fall for him, and he mistreats you as Luke does to Flora, you guys might self-blame. Because the world is a cruel place and guys like Luke do exist. Open your eyes girls.

Flora is young and inexperienced in love. And she is easily impressed. Their date and sleepovers every weekend were the very reason they were still together for 3 years. If they were open, they would have broken up ages ago. Also, there were like 5% misunderstandings, 70% mistreatment and 25% jealousy that made up their relationship of 3 years and eventually split them.

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At first I seriously underrated how well written this is!!

Writing - 10/10
Most spoilers for first 4 episodes, but there is one spoiler for episode 19 at end.

The first couple episodes are steamy and interesting - but there were a several “red flags” that the male lead was giving off and I thought, ‘wow, if this was real life, that poor young lady has no idea what she’s getting herself into.’ And my false prediction was that the writers would gloss over these red flags and pretend that they didn’t show anything about his true nature and to what the most likely ending to their relationship would be. In real life, there’s less than a 1% that this guy would ever make a good long term boyfriend/ husband - instead, he would only be a fling to get one’s heart broken before she meets a good guy who treats her well.

BUT - The writer of this story seemed to find the 1% story where, yes indeed he does actually want this to work out.

So why is it typically men hurting women in relationships where sex is involved when they aren’t yet in a committed relationship where children are considered?
Because, if you strip away culture and social pressures, sex for sex’s sake, with someone you have close to a zero attachment to - it is a lower hurdle for men.
Yes, there are men that just have no innate desire for meaningless sex and yes there are women who do want it - but it is heavily slanted towards more men more easily being able to seriously enjoy sex with someone that they have zero (and I mean zero) emotional attachment to.

So - this means(some) men will get into a situation ship with a woman with zero real interest in her as a person just to have sex on a regular basis.
AND —> all the red flags are super easy to spot when you realize that SOME of the men looking for zero emotional attachment will ALSO let the women think there is a possibility of a true connection and use her desire for that to gain access for the sex. If both are looking for a fling, then there is no person’s innocence that’s being damaged - and I have no judgement. But deceiving a woman with false hope is just as bad as rape. Just as deceiving a men with hope to get jewelry is just as bad as theft. Neither sex is perfect —> there are predators and victims on both sides.
The red flags are to spot the liars and deceivers.

All the red flags that this was what he was doing:
1) he talked down to her.
2) he didn’t respect her professionally and showed it.
3) his reputation of having many girlfriends.
4) he slept with her without trying to get to know her first (as she did with him)
5) he accused her of trying to cling to him right after the first time they slept together.

That last one’s a huge one. He never promised her anything other than sex, and this action scream that he was not looking to connect with her.

Later, all the red flags center around him not really admitting or even being aware that he was growing attached to her.

So, why am I listing these out?! Because so many romance novelist ignore all of the above. They create strange scenarios where the red flags are shown, but there is no logical reason for them. The ML does all these different red flags, but they magically don’t apply to him, he was misunderstood.

There was one lady I know that loved this guy who had same type of red flags, flat out said he had no interest in clingy type woman, that women just tried to use men for money and he didn’t want to get married, etc etc. he was in the 1% of the time when a guy would dump girl at any moment - but she waited for ten years - and then he finally asked her to marry him.

This story is that kind of relationship - so yeah, now I believe the writers are good - this isn’t some fantasy bubble about a guy who is good looking and successful but is behaving like a jerk - a fantasy story that he actually loves the FL and is just bad at showing his emotions and suddenly wakes up one day and starts treating her like shes gold.

Bad spoiler thru episode 19 below!

This is a story about real love, and how it works. The path forward with an emotionally distant man (who had a tough relationship with his father that has impacted his ability to connect in an honest and straightforward way) —> this is a hard road. she ends up having to bring up marriage first! This isn’t a glossed over fantasy of the “guy says he never wants to marry but she magically heals him after one heart felt conversation.”
Nope, that type of healing takes a lot of patience and a lot of time.

And she get hurt frequently along the way. She takes time, she slowly tells him what she wants/ need + he starts to do those things.

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Watch the beginning and watch the end…the middle? Nah

As one who has watched this series episode per episode as it was released….I was hooked on this until about episode 19. Then I wished they would just break up. The tug and pull. The misunderstandings. The insecurities and jealousy…became mundane and boring. A relationship not built on trust or communication, how can this last? I love you by my actions and sacrifice but not words or support? Thanks but no thanks Luke is what Flora should have said. The ending is a beautiful tribute to her growth and much repentance… drama such as Shine on Me had much better acting and scripts with strong scenes for the female lead. This? Train wreck and reconciliation. Watch the beginning and end. The middle part? Watch, the middle on two times the speed.

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Loving The Early Spring so far

Hey, just wanted to share. I didn’t expect to enjoy The Early Spring this much, but I’m already hooked and I’m only at Episode 17.

Bo Ran as Luke is honestly what keeps me glued. He has that naturally charming, slightly bad boy vibe, but it’s his acting that really stands out. It’s subtle, never overdone, yet every little pause or expression makes Luke feel so real. He completely steals the show for me.

The female lead plays more of a supporting role. Her performance is steady and consistent, but it is Bo Ran’s portrayal of Luke that truly commands attention. The narrative itself also leans more strongly toward the male lead’s perspective, which further emphasizes his central presence in the story.

What I love most, though, is how real and current the drama feels. The way it shows relationships, how people can hurt each other simply by speaking their mind, but can also learn to empathise, apologise and make things right, feels so relatable.

Even the music is spot on. It adds to the mood without ever taking over.

Honestly, I didn’t expect to be this invested, but here I am. ❤️

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The Early Spring its a 10/10

The acting is SO good, and the chemistry between the ML and FL is everything. I’ve watched every episode twice, and some scenes 3–4 times. It’s just that entertaining! I also love the little details and subtle humor. You really have to pay attention. Like when Flora tells her dog, Luke, to call her "sister," and Luan "uncle." Luan didn't like it one bit. That little jab at his age had me rolling!

So many moments show how a facial expression can say more than an entire conversation. Those are the scenes that have made me rewind and watch again, not because I didn't understand what happened, but because I enjoyed the interaction so much. Sometimes, while reading the subtitles, I miss the expressions; other times, while watching the expressions, I miss the words, so I rewatch scenes to get the full experience.

It was a struggle for me to wait between the episodes. I kept checking Netflix for the next episode until I finally realized CST meant China Standard Time, and not Central Standard Time, the time zone where I live. To ease my anxiety about what happens next, I started reading the novel, and it’s given me much more insight into Luan’s background and why he can be so emotionally and socially immature. As the saying goes, “Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” If you’ve never been shown how to love, it’s hard to give something you’ve never experienced. Understanding his background makes his character and his relationship with Flora even more interesting.

Flora is naive; she's young, on her first job, and only her second real relationship. Both characters deserve understanding and patience from the audience and one another. I already know I’m going to rewatch this one MANY more times after it ends. I give the Acting 10/10. Chemistry 10/10 and Entertainment 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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In the guise of flawed characters we get an abuser

Firstly was the drama enjoyable? Yes but it was so insanely exhausting. The actors acted well so i'll give them their flowers. To attractive people dealing with a forbidden work place romance that’s such a good premise and the actors were so good and convincing. Their chemistry ate but that was it the only part of their relationship that felt healthy was their sexual relationship credit to the intimacy coordinator. Other times the relationship felt icky.
How could you expect flora to ever open up to someone who calls her cheap, obedient, accuses her of cheating on him and accuse her of sleeping with him for 6 years for benefits. And then after the 3 year skip he tells her that she’s worse than a dog like are we being for real. How could she forgive him for being so shitty is beyond me. Its not like she isn't flawed but her flaws insecurity, lack of communication and not trusting him are a consequence of his mean behaviour.
Luke asks her if he has ever hit her but his words are sharp enough. Abuse can be verbal aswell he constantly breaks her confidence and his words feed her insecurity. Her issues stem from his behaviour, his position and the idea that he's someone so much better than her.
Luke was not flawed he was genuinely an abusive person all of his vitriol was directed towards flora he was never like this with his friends. Having a horrible childhood is not excuse to be a bad person. The times he was soft with her were some of the best parts of the drama.
Had there been more grovelling i think and actual character development for both of them the drama would have been much better and my rating much higher. I know the drama was shortened from 32 episodes to 24 but they could have managed the pacing better because 3 episodes was not enough to resolve their story.
I loved flora's roommates and lumi. I also liked luke's friend. The osts were amazing and the acting was really good too. But the story, pacing and characterization or character development fell short for both characters.

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I Knew It Was Too Good to Be True

There are dramas that take a few episodes to win you over, and then there are dramas like The Early Spring that grab you by the collar from the very beginning and make you think: “Oh, this is going to be GOOD.”
Unfortunately, this is also one of those dramas that makes you wonder halfway through: “Wait… where did all that momentum go?”

Let's start with the good stuff, because there is a lot of it.
The opening episodes are fantastic. The story immediately creates an interesting dynamic between Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian, and instead of spending forever waiting for something to happen, the drama gives us tension, attraction, awkwardness and conflict almost immediately.
And then there are Jing Boran and Sun Qian.
These two have chemistry. Not the kind of chemistry where the script tells you, “Look! They like each other!” and you are supposed to believe it. I'm talking about the kind where they can simply stand in the same room and you can feel that something is happening.
A look.
A pause.
A change in tone.
The distance between them.
Sometimes they don't even need dialogue.

Jing Boran is particularly good at playing Luan Nian's complicated personality. He can be arrogant, difficult, controlling and occasionally incredibly frustrating, but he never makes the character boring. There is always something underneath the surface, and Jing Boran knows exactly how much to show and how much to leave unsaid.
Sun Qian is equally important to this chemistry.
I've seen quite a few discussions where most of the praise goes to Jing Boran, and I actually think that's unfair to Sun Qian. She is an essential part of why this pairing works. Shang Zhitao may sometimes come across as passive or uncertain, but Sun Qian gives her enough warmth and sincerity to make the attraction believable.

Another thing I appreciated is that The Early Spring doesn't feel like a typical fluffy office romance.
These are adults with careers, ambitions, insecurities and responsibilities.
Shang Zhitao isn't simply introduced as “the girl who will eventually get the handsome boss.” She has her own professional journey, and watching her find her place in a competitive environment is an important part of the story.
I also liked the contrast between her and Luan Nian.
She is more straightforward and tends to take things literally, while he is much more complicated and often communicates through implications, half-truths and carefully controlled emotions.
The workplace setting also works surprisingly well. The office isn't simply there so the leads can bump into each other every five minutes. Their careers and professional choices actually influence their relationship, which gives the romance a more mature atmosphere.

Unfortunately, somewhere before the halfway point, I started feeling the drama losing itself.
Not all at once.
That's what makes it worse. Instead, you start noticing that the story isn't really moving anymore.
The romance becomes repetitive.
At first, the push-and-pull between Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao is exciting. You want to know whether they're going to take that next step.
Then they get closer.
Something happens.
They pull away.
You think: Okay, NOW they're finally going to talk about it.
Nope.
They go backwards again.
Then the story gives you another moment that makes you think they're finally going somewhere.
And once again… back to square one.
At some point I started feeling like I was watching the same emotional conversation in different outfits.
And this is where the drama lost me a little.
Meanwhile, the final episodes suddenly have to carry all the emotional development that the middle section could have been building gradually. Things that deserved time to breathe are suddenly happening one after another.

I also think the drama could have done more with its characters.
Luan Nian is fascinating because he is flawed. I actually prefer complicated male leads to perfectly polished green flags, so his personality didn't bother me as much as it might bother other viewers. What bothered me more was seeing how often the same emotional patterns repeated.
He has his issues.
She has her insecurities.
They clearly care about each other.
They clearly understand that something is happening between them.
And yet they keep making things unnecessarily complicated.
Sometimes it works because that's who they are.
Sometimes it just feels like the plot needs them to misunderstand each other for another episode.
I don't dislike Shang Zhitao, and I actually like that she has her own professional aspirations. But I wish the drama had given her more consistent development instead of allowing so much of her emotional journey to revolve around Luan Nian.

I wish the writers had trusted the relationship enough to let it develop naturally instead of repeatedly resetting it. I wish some of the middle episodes had been used to actually deepen the characters rather than prolonging the same conflict. And most of all, I wish the final developments hadn't been squeezed into the last couple of episodes.
Still, I can't deny the appeal.
Because whenever Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao are actually together, talking, looking at each other, fighting, teasing each other or simply existing in the same space… the drama comes alive again. And that chemistry is impossible to ignore.
So my final feeling is basically: Amazing beginning. Incredible chemistry. Beautiful atmosphere. Frustrating middle. Rushed ending. The Early Spring gave me a taste of how good it could be, and unfortunately, it never quite managed to live up to that first impression.

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