The Early Spring Review: Why This C-Drama Has Everyone Obsessed
The Binge Team- September 24, 2026
I am here absolutely on fire because I've FINALLY watched The Early Spring! I know, I know. It was released on August 26, 2026, on Youku and Netflix, so I'm obviously late to the party. But honestly? I am so happy I didn't skip this one from my watch list because nothing else on my list comes even close!
This drama takes the typical office romance and makes it feel fresh, intense, and completely addictive for a binge watch. The story follows ambitious newcomer Shang Zhitao/Flora (Sun Qian) as she tries to make her way into a tough advertising agency in Beijing, where she immediately clashes with her impossibly strict boss, Luan Nian/Luke (Jing Boran). Their constant fights and undeniable attraction soon spark a secret office romance filled with explosive chemistry, emotional heartbreak, and plenty of career drama.
Why I’m So Obsessed With The Early Spring
I promise you, this show blew the lid off every other corporate romance for me! It gives us a real, raw relationship between two adults with actual stakes, instead of relying on cheesy, sugary fluff. The story spans 10 years and follows two fiercely ambitious people trying to survive and succeed in the business world while their attraction to each other becomes harder and harder to control.
Shang Zhitao (Flora) is such a breath of fresh air as a newcomer trying to find her place in Beijing's corporate world. And Luan Nian (Luke)? Just listen. I am swooning SO hard over this man!
He's sharp, demanding, a perfectionist, cold, and ridiculously attractive. My heart was doing full gymnastics every time he let that colder exterior slip.
It was honestly no surprise that these two ended up having a secret relationship. And the more their complicated workplace dynamic, power struggles, and personal boundaries came into play, the more completely captivated I became.
The Early Spring Episodes 1-4: Flora and Luke's First Meeting
From Episode 1, I was yelling at my TV! Shang Zhitao (Flora) walks into Lime Advertising determined to conquer the corporate world, but she immediately runs into Luan Nian (Luke).
On her very first day, he tells her in no uncertain terms that she's not cut out for the job and would be better off leaving. But she doesn't cry, back down, or let him intimidate her. Instead, she stands her ground, looks him straight in the eye, and refuses to give up.
I was SO happy for her at that moment!
By Episodes 3 and 4, those professional boundaries start falling apart. Late-night pitch deck changes, stressed-out clients, and long hours in empty offices keep pushing them into situations where they're forced to be around each other.
And those little moments had my heart pounding! The gentle eye contact across conference tables, the tension hanging in the air, and those painfully quiet car rides home made it impossible not to feel the chemistry between them.
The Early Spring Episodes 5-10: When the Romance Heats Up
As Episodes 5, 6, and 7 go by, their unspoken attraction turns into a secret love affair. The physical chemistry between them is impossible to miss. Their private moments feel so fiery, so intense, and so grown-up!
Jing Boran and Sun Qian are absolutely explosive on screen together. Half the time, I had to hold my breath just watching them!
Then the agency politics really start heating up in Episodes 8, 9, and 10. Flora is trying to establish herself and prove that she belongs in the industry, while Luke is doing everything he can to maintain his detached, strictly professional boss persona.
And honestly, watching him try to keep his feelings under control while she keeps pushing forward in her career had me completely invested.
The Early Spring Supporting Cast Adds More to the Story
The side characters add so much flavor to this crazy agency world. When Flora is struggling with the pressures of corporate life, her roommate Sun Yuan Zhu (Liu Xiao Bei) and her best friends give her a comforting sense of stability.
I also love her dynamic with coworkers like Lu Mi (Zhang Ye Zi). Those friendships make Shang Zhitao (Flora) feel like a real person with a life, friendships, and ambitions outside of her relationship with Luan Nian (Luke).
On the other side, seeing Luan Nian get called out by his friend Tan Mian gave me some of the most satisfying reality checks in the whole drama. Tan Mian isn't afraid to call him out, and those moments let us see the feelings Luan Nian usually keeps buried underneath that cold exterior.
Honestly, I lived for those moments!
The Early Spring Ending: Luke and Flora Get Their Happy Ending
I was literally dancing around during Episodes 20, 21, and 22 because we finally got the second-chance romance arc!
Luan Nian (Luke) goes to Harbin, but this time, he isn't there to act like her boss. He puts his pride aside and starts learning how to control his more controlling tendencies. He puts his faith in her new business, gives her the space she needs, and doesn't try to interfere with her life.
After years of pride, misunderstandings, and miscommunication, it was finally time for these two to sit down and communicate like adults. I wanted this. I waited for this. And when it finally happened, I was SO happy.
The payoff in Episodes 23 and 24 was so worth it!
Luan Nian (Luke) arranges a beautiful pop-up exhibition called Museum of Time, filled with memories from her 10 years in Beijing. Then, in front of his closest friends, he gets down on one knee and proposes to her.
Shang Zhitao (Flora) is surrounded by her own successful business friends when she says yes, and I was literally sobbing with tears of joy!
The Early Spring Review: Was It Worth the Watch?
I am SO glad I didn't let The Early Spring slip past me!
By the time I finished Episode 24, I was already 100% sold. Those 10 years were absolutely worth it, the character development was incredible, and Jing Boran and Sun Qian had the kind of chemistry that I know I'll remember for months.
I laughed, screamed, stressed out, swooned, and literally cried my way through this drama, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
If you haven't watched The Early Spring yet, take my word for it: go click play.
The Early Spring Season 2: What We Know So Far
When I heard the news about Midsummer Clear Skies, also known as Midsummer Clear and Bright, being officially released by Youku, I almost lost my mind!
Writer Gao Yixian is working on the original screenplay for Season 2, since the original web novel doesn't have a second book.
But honestly, I'm just as confused as everyone else about where the story will go next. Will we get to see Flora and Luke's married life, or will Season 2 focus on the hinted relationship between Flora's colleague Lumi and Will?
Whatever happens, I am already so excited for Season 2!
✦ Watch This If You Loved
Highly recommended for fans of The Early Spring, realistic workplace dramas, strong career-driven female leads, and intense boss-employee chemistry.
Looking for more dramas likeThe Early Spring? Check out our similar picks below:
Drama Info
TitleThe Early Spring (2026)
Total
Episodes24 (Complete)
Episodes24 (Complete)
Review24 Episodes
CountryChina
Genre
Romance · Life
Release DateAug 26th to Sept 9th · 2026
Stream
🎬 Netflix · YOUKU
Main Cast
Sun Qian
Shang Zhitao/Flora
Jing Boran
Luan Nian/Luke
MAB Score
9/10
Overall Rating
Story
Acting
Chemistry
Rewatch Value — 8.5/10
The chemistry between the leads and their character development are so good that I’m already rewatching The Early Spring!