Chinese dramas and films

On August 26, 2026, the 24-episode drama «The Early Spring» (早春晴朗) starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian premiered on the Youku platform. The project is also available to international viewers on Netflix in more than 190 countries worldwide.

The series is based on the novel of the same name. A graduate of an ordinary university, Shang Zhi Tao (Sun Qian), lands a job at a top advertising agency in Beijing by sheer luck. On her very first day, she comes face to face with her tough and demanding boss, creative genius Luan Nian (Jing Boran), who almost immediately advises her to quit.

The story spans about a decade, tracing the heroine's journey from an insecure intern to a successful professional.

He is a demanding boss who criticizes her publicly but quietly mentors and teaches her the craft; she is a diligent but insecure newcomer secretly in love with her supervisor.

A complicated relationship and a romance develop between them, which they carefully hide from their colleagues. Their affair lasts about six years, but Luan Nian is in no hurry to confess his feelings, keeping his distance and making no promises. Zhi Tao loves deeply and devotedly but never feels secure. One day, Zhi Tao musters her courage and openly confesses her love to Luan Nian, only to be rejected. This hits her like a heavy blow. She cuts all ties, changes her phone number, and leaves Beijing to start her life over. In her hometown, she opens a small restaurant and runs events. Four years pass before Luan Nian finally realizes the true depth of his feelings. He suddenly reappears before Zhi Tao and begins a long, difficult «pursuit», trying to win back her trust and heart on equal footing.

Special attention was paid to the visual aesthetic and creating a realistic atmosphere. The hero's home was designed in cold tones to convey his emotional distance, the office in businesslike gray shades to reflect corporate tension, and the heroine's dorm room in warm tones to symbolize comfort and the support of friends.

For maximum authenticity, the production team eschewed studio sets and shot exclusively on location.

Filming took place in Beijing's central business district, the residential area of Tiantongyuan, and Harbin, where iconic landmarks such as St. Sophia Cathedral and Central Street appeared on screen.

The production cycle ran from September to November 2025.

One of the most discussed topics was the filming of the kiss scenes. In an interview, Jing Boran revealed that a special intimacy coordinator was present on set, whose role was not only to choreograph movements but also to ensure the visuals were aesthetically appropriate. According to the actor, having a professional on hand helped him and his co-star relieve psychological tension and feel more at ease.

Positive reviews following the first episodes praised the high production quality, the carefully crafted atmosphere, and the rejection of the «syrupy sweetness» typical of many modern romantic dramas. Viewers have commended Sun Qian's performance, noting her convincing portrayal of insecurity and the growth of her character.

Critics, however, have expressed dissatisfaction with the softening of the male lead's character, arguing that it undermines the «toxic genius» persona from the original source material.

The project has been dubbed a «dark horse» of the year. Ahead of the premiere, the number of pre-registrations on Youku and Weibo exceeded 4 million, while the popularity index on Youku reached 4600. The premiere episodes also featured a significant volume of advertising: the first 4 episodes contained 20 ad inserts, with 6 appearing in the very first episode alone.

It remains to be seen how the viewership dynamics and audience retention will play out in the coming weeks.