Reviews

A frustrating but good drama (light spoilers)

I loved this drama and gave it a 9 but holy hell it gave me high blood pressure. the chemistry was fire and intense but the show was so frustrating. I normally hate dramas like this so much and either stop watching or know not to start it from the beginning. I rate this one highly but if it was not done this well it would have been super low rated.

It had many things I hate in dramas. Main one when they are together but dont trust each other/ treat each other as opposition and never feel like a couple (not the whole relationship just a part of it but I feel like it was intented that way). I also hate this constant break ups and when they are always in this gray zone of together and not.

They are both flawed main characters (and its a whole discussion for both of them) and thats what brought out the frustration but the writing and chemistry still kept me going and not thinking of dropping it which is surprising since normally I would get annoyed and drop a show like this immediately. but I was so invested in seeing how it played out. The fact that it had so many troped i hate I still enjoyed it and thats a testament to it being a really good drama

The one thing I would add/change to this drama which I woulf count as a knock against it, is that they should have shown more romantic moment and not just intimate moments between the pair. A bit into the drama I remember thinking do they love each other or just into each other's bodies. And even one or two added moments of them having a connection without main plot drama would have improved this drama greatly for me, possibly pushing it up to a 9.5 or possibly a 10

(edit as I forgot to put what I love about this drama lol)

I loved the progression as both main characters grew as people. Main Character was also sp cute :<. chemistry was amazing and the drama had me wanting to watch more

(edit end)

Ultimately I think this is a really good drama and definitely worth a watch and if you watched it you would know what I mean, even though I complained about it in this review its because it has such a emotional reaction.

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Through the veil of Early Spring:A tale of growth & grace with the deadly dance of ambition of heart

"The Early Spring" is that kind of drama which I didn't have any idea about and never planned to start as I got sick of romance dramas because they got monotonous. To end my months long slump I decided to give it a go because I had a soft spot for Jing Boran. But I was utterly surprised to find it super addicting.

This series was a beautifully crafted modern romance workplace drama that delicately captured the raw emotions of youth, ambition, and the bittersweet journey of self-discovery. This series invited viewers into the world of Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian, two souls whose lives intertwined amidst the bustling corridors of a top global advertising agency, Lime (not lime but li-me lol)

>Characters:
•From the very first episode, Shang Zhitao’s character resonated with me deeply. As a fresh graduate stepping into the intimidating world of corporate life, Zhitao embodied the vulnerability and fierce determination of anyone chasing their dreams against all odds. Her journey was not just about professional growth but also about finding her own voice in a world that often demanded conformity. The struggles she faced from the harsh words of her boss to the internal battles of self-doubt were portrayed with such authenticity that it’s impossible not to root for her.

•Luan Nian, aka Luke, Zhitao’s boss, was a complex figure as he was blunt, demanding, yet quietly protective. His initial coldness masked a deep care and a personal history that slowly unfolded, revealing layers of pain and resilience. The chemistry between Jing Boran’s Luan Nian and Sun Qian’s Shang Zhitao was electric yet tender, capturing the nuanced dance of respect, frustration, and growing affection. Their interactions were filled with unspoken emotions, subtle glances, immense chemistry and moments of vulnerability that spoke louder than words.

•The supporting cast added depth and warmth, each character contributing to the rich tapestry of the story. Lumi, Sun Yuanzhu and Sun Yu were the best thing that happened to Shang Zhitao. Their friendship was everything! In the cold, competitive, ruthless corporate jungle, she found the gems we couldn't. Their own storylines were sensitive and evocative which allowed the emotions to breathe and the story to unfold naturally.

>Acting:
I can't explain enough how much they made me all giddy and excited one moment, and on the other day, I was crying my heart out as if I were Shang Zhitao, Luan Nian, Sun Yuanzhu, and Sun Yu exchanging each other's deep emotions and feelings. Their acting was very natural and organic, as if they were real people with real flaws, problems and boring mundane lives. The success of this drama doesn't depend on the characters or their storylines, it purely succeeds by the actor's way of understanding and then portraying according to the situation and, hell yeah, they aced it!

>Cinematography and artistry:
The cinematography captured the freshness of spring with soft, luminous visuals that mirror the characters’ inner transformations. To be honest, this series was the peak visual experience of feeling warmth and comfort through the lens of the director. Like they wanted the audience to live the drama as if it was a vivid dream; the type of dream which often occurs right before waking up, when you realise you are dreaming while the dream is still ongoing, and you don't want to wake up from that beautiful dream and just keep reliving it over and over again. It was that kind of drama.

•I loved the silently obvious metaphors of this drama.

>Luan Nian functioned as the "thawing ice". He was pragmatic, emotionally aloof, and hyper-critical. His emotional defrosting was slow, painful, and messy, mimicking the uneven transition of seasons.

>Shang Zhitao was introduced as a raw "Beijing drifter." Her English name, Flora, directly correlates to a flower or tulip bulb that has endured a dormant, freezing winter but slowly broken through the frozen topsoil through sheer endurance. Her trajectory was not a sudden fairy-tale bloom, but a grueling, gradual growth under intense corporate pressure. Also when Luan Nian said she's like a "foxtail flower" which primarily symbolizes endurance, strength, aspiration, and resilience in the language of flowers.

>The typewriter "L" correlates "Luke" to "Love" with the quote "You don't have to be perfect to be worthy of love."

>That broken window in Sun Yuanzhu's bedroom silently said a lot about his life and himself.

>And last but not the least, that fish tank. We saw the lonely white koi mirroring Luke's cold, closed-off personality before Shang Zhitao entered his life and introduced a more colourful mate.

>Music:
I think I found my OST of the year; it's "Her" by Li Yuning and "You should know" by Li Changgeng. Especially the voice of Li Yuning, the lyrics and the pain he conveyed was breathtakingly beautiful to experience. I don't know how many times I have listened to it and don't know how many more times I will keep playing it in a loop. I'm in love~

What made this drama truly special was its ability to weave professions and personalities seamlessly. The workplace was not just the backdrop but a living, breathing entity that shaped and challenged the characters, especially Shang Zhitao. Everyone's character improved by the end of this drama but it was Luan Nian who had 360° character development. After meeting Shang Zhitao, even though sometimes it was late but he took every initiative to unlearn everything because of her. Both of them helped to become a better person in life. The drama explored themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the courage to stand firm in one’s beliefs. It also beautifully portrayed the early spring of life— that fragile, hopeful time when everything feels possible yet uncertain if you look deeper. Personally, this drama was an unexpected cdrama experience for me. I never imagined that a drama could engulf me like this. I surely saw its flaws, criticised the characters, rolled my eyes at their dumb decisions— still, I came back to it every day without any fail. It was like a forbidden drug to me. I knew it was bad and still couldn't stop loving it. This drama was an unworldly experience for me.

In the end, "The Early Spring" was more than just a romance or workplace drama. It felt like a heartfelt ode to resilience, growth, and the quiet strength found in embracing one’s true self. Watching Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian navigating their fears, hopes, and desires was a moving experience that lingers long after the final scene. For anyone who had ever faced the daunting leap into adulthood, the pain of unspoken feelings, or the challenges of chasing a dream, this drama offered a poignant reminder: just like early spring, life’s most beautiful moments often come after the coldest winters.

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Nice short film that could definitely have used more time

As an initial matter, I was very excited to see Iijima Hiroki, who I loved in Our Dining Table. 🥰

I wanted more of this story than 45 minutes could hold. It was very sweet and the characters were sincere. They cared about each other and I wish we had time to explore that more.

Emotionally this had me in my feels! 🥹 I liked these characters and wanted their success and their happiness.

As someone mentioned in the comments, they missed a golden opportunity to have a beautiful throuple. The elements were all there! It would have felt very natural and unforced. Oh well.

Overall this was a good and wholesome watch. Worth the 45 minutes for sure.

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Toxic Character Dynamics Ruin an Otherwise Great Soundtrack

The Early Spring earns a middle-of-the-road 6/10, surviving almost entirely on its incredible soundtrack and reliable cast.
​The absolute highlight of the show is the music (9.5/10), which carries immense emotional weight and sets a beautiful atmosphere throughout. The actors also deliver solid performances (7/10), doing their best to bring life to characters trapped in a poorly written narrative.
​Unfortunately, the story itself falls flat (5/10). The central dynamic is deeply frustrating: Luke comes off as immature and egotistical, while Flora repeatedly takes him back despite enduring constant harsh, hateful treatment. Watching a lead character continually make irrational decisions without any meaningful growth makes the romance hard to root for.
​Because the central relationship is so exhausting, the show has virtually no rewatch value (2/10). It is worth tuning in if you want to enjoy an amazing OST, but the narrative execution leaves a lot to be desired.

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