Imperfect People, Real Love and a Romance That Stays With You
The Early Spring is one of those dramas that ended and immediately made me want to go back to Episode 1.What I loved most is that this isn't a perfect romance between perfect people. Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao are both flawed, complicated, sometimes frustrating people, and their relationship feels much more real because of it.
Luan Nian especially is not your typical green-flag male lead. He can be arrogant, stubborn, emotionally immature and incredibly frustrating. There were several moments when I wanted to shake some sense into him. 😂 But the drama never tries to hide those flaws, and Jing Boran somehow makes him lovable without pretending that everything he does is acceptable. His expressions, vulnerability, sarcasm and absolutely shameless pitiful act whenever Zhitao is angry with him were some of my favourite parts of the drama.
Shang Zhitao, on the other hand, is one of the reasons the story works so well. She isn't simply "the female lead" or Luan Nian's love interest. She has her own ambitions, friendships, career struggles, mistakes and growth. Sun Qian makes her feel wonderfully natural and relatable.
And their chemistry is incredible.
What I particularly loved is that the drama doesn't stop at showing two people falling in love. It explores what happens after they become a couple — when attraction turns into familiarity, when love has to coexist with work, insecurities, poor communication and personal baggage.
Their relationship can be romantic, hilarious, frustrating and heartbreaking, sometimes all within one episode. Their little touches, conversations, teasing and even arguments made them feel like an actual couple rather than two drama characters waiting for the next romantic scene.
The workplace storyline was another pleasant surprise. The advertising industry isn't simply a background for the romance. Their ideas, campaigns, competition and professional growth actually matter, especially Zhitao's journey.
I also loved the supporting characters and the humour. The friendships make the drama feel alive, and Luke deserves his own appreciation — both as a character and for those outfits. 😂
Visually, the drama has a very warm and intimate feeling. Small things — a glance, a typewriter, a letter, the letter “L” — slowly gain emotional meaning. Those details are also why I think this drama will be even better on a rewatch.
It isn't flawless. The passage of time can sometimes be confusing, and I wish certain developments near the end had been given a little more time to breathe. There were also moments when Luan Nian tested every ounce of my patience.
But none of that changed how emotionally attached I became to these characters.
The line “You don't have to be perfect to be worthy of love” perfectly represents the drama for me. Neither Luan Nian nor Shang Zhitao is perfect, and neither is their relationship. But their imperfections are exactly what made their story feel human.
I laughed at them, got angry with them, defended them, wanted to yell at them and eventually became far too attached to them.
And even after Jing Boran himself basically warned everyone not to learn from Luan Nian...
I still love him. 😭
If Luan Nian is a red flag, apparently I'm colour-blind.
One of my favourite dramas of 2026. ❤️
Was this review helpful to you?
Chen Qixian has finally married the woman he's loved for so long, but their relationship faces another challenge when a painful secret from the past comes to light—Jiang Mi's mother once suffered because of the Chen family. As old grudges resurface, Chen Qixian finds himself caught between his family's past and the woman he loves more than anything. ❤️🔥
What I loved most about this drama was their relationship. Chen Qixian is completely head over heels for Jiang Mi. He's cold and intimidating with everyone else, but incredibly affectionate with her. And Jiang Mi might seem quiet and gentle, but when it comes to protecting him, she isn't afraid to stand her ground.
And their CHEMISTRY?! 🔥 The attraction between these two feels ridiculously natural, and this drama definitely doesn't hold back on the kisses. 😂❤️🔥 Some scenes genuinely had me putting my phone down for a second just to recover.
Childhood sweethearts, secret marriage, an obsessed husband, family conflicts, and a couple with insane chemistry—this was easily one of the most enjoyable vertical dramas I've watched!
Was this review helpful to you?
