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Chinese Drama The Early Spring Becomes One of Indonesia Most-Watched Series, Ranks No. 2 on Netflix Global Top 10

todaystageSeptember 3, 20260 Comment

The Mandarin-language office romance has captured audiences worldwide, with Jing Bo-ran and Sun Qian’s undeniable chemistry emerging as one of the show’s biggest attractions.

Chinese drama The Early Spring is quickly blossoming into a global hit.

Starring Jing Bo-ran and Sun Qian, the Mandarin-language office romance has made a strong impact since its premiere on August 26, earning a spot among the most-watched series in Indonesia while also debuting at No. 2 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows chart.

For the week of August 24–30, The Early Spring recorded 2.4 million views and 21.5 million hours watched, placing it second on Netflix’s global ranking for non-English shows. The series also appeared in the weekly Top 10 in 22 markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Qatar.

The drama has been particularly successful across Asia, reaching No. 1 on Netflix’s weekly TV charts in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

A Slow-Burning Romance That Keeps Viewers Hooked

Directed by Chiang Chi-cheng, known for Had I Not Seen the Sun, and written and produced by Gao Xiao-xian, The Early Spring follows Flora Shang (Sun Qian), an enthusiastic and sincere newcomer entering the corporate world, and her brilliant yet sharp-tongued boss, Luke Luan (Jing Bo-ran).

As they navigate the pressure and intensity of a fast-paced workplace, an unexpected romance begins to develop between them. But keeping their relationship a secret proves far more complicated than either of them anticipated.

Much of the series’ appeal comes from the slow-burning tension between its two leads. Rather than relying solely on dramatic romantic gestures, The Early Spring builds its relationship through subtle interactions, intimate moments, and an emotional rhythm that feels more grounded and mature.

The natural chemistry between Jing Bo-ran and Sun Qian has quickly become one of the drama’s most talked-about elements, with viewers praising the pair for bringing a nuanced and believable sense of romance to the screen.

Chiang Chi-cheng also believes the two actors bring something different to the relationship.“Their differences in personality and the chemistry between them feel very natural. They are not the typical idol drama couple; they have their own aura and emotional rhythm,” the director said.

Jing Bo-ran Brings Style and Charisma to Luke Luan

Jing Bo-ran plays Luke Luan, a brilliant creative director with a sharp tongue and an effortlessly sophisticated presence.

With his impeccable style and undeniable charisma, Luke has quickly become the kind of character viewers can’t help but be drawn to.

Producer and screenwriter Gao Xiao-xian praised Jing’s commitment to understanding the character, revealing that the actor frequently discussed Luke’s emotional journey with the production team before filming.

“Jing Bo-ran always comes prepared. Before filming, we often discussed his character’s emotional journey in detail,” Gao said.

Jing also took an active role in shaping Luke’s fashionable image. He worked with his own wardrobe collection as well as pieces from well-known brands to create the character’s polished and contemporary look.

To fully embody Luke, the actor even maintained a near-daily workout routine during production.

Sun Qian Finds a Personal Connection With Flora

Sun Qian stars as Flora Shang, a spirited newcomer whose complicated relationship with her boss becomes the emotional heart of the series.

The actress admitted that filming some of the drama’s intimate scenes initially made her nervous, as she had not performed many similar scenes before.

“I hadn’t done many intimate scenes before, so I was shy and nervous at first,” Sun said. “But our intimacy coordinator helped make the process more comfortable and natural.”

One of her most memorable moments came during a body-charades scene.

“That scene was especially unforgettable. I could barely think of anything while we were filming it!” she recalled.

Beyond the romantic scenes, Sun has also received praise for her expressive performance and ability to convey Flora’s emotional growth with subtlety and depth.

The actress says she feels a particularly strong connection to the character because of their similar life experiences.

“Like Flora, I’m from Harbin and moved to Beijing to pursue my career. Her story spans ten years, and this is also my tenth year in the entertainment industry. I feel very connected to her journey,” Sun shared.

She also expressed her gratitude to viewers, saying she hopes audiences can find inspiration and strength in Flora’s courage, resilience, and determination.

A More Mature Take on Love

For the creative team behind The Early Spring, the goal was never to create a conventional office romance.

Chiang Chi-cheng wanted the series to approach love from a more mature perspective, while also experimenting with its visual style, character dynamics, and portrayal of intimacy.

“I wanted to create something different from a conventional romance drama—from the visual style and character dynamics to the way intimacy is portrayed—and explore love from a more mature perspective,” Chiang said.

The director admitted that he did not expect the series to resonate so strongly with audiences around the world.

“I never expected the series to touch the hearts of so many viewers. The response has been incredibly rewarding,” he added.

Gao Xiao-xian similarly emphasized that casting was one of the production team’s top priorities. The actors needed not only to capture the essence of their characters, but also to communicate their emotional depth.

According to Gao, Jing successfully brings Luke’s elegant and sophisticated charm to life, while Sun captures Flora’s youthful spirit alongside the maturity she develops throughout her journey.

A Romance Only Beginning to Bloom

Spanning a decade filled with longing, conflict, heartbreak, and transformation, The Early Spring is ultimately a story about two people learning not only how to love each other, but also how to grow into themselves.

Luke is a creative genius with a free-spirited nature, while Flora is a newcomer trying to find her place in the corporate world. Their mutual admiration gradually develops into a forbidden office romance, but the realities of life in a demanding big city repeatedly pull them apart.

As they face heartbreak, difficult choices, and the challenges of growing up, Flora begins to discover her own identity while Luke slowly learns to open his heart.

Their journey is not simply about finding love. It is about healing, building an equal relationship, and finding the courage to begin again.

And just like its title suggests, their story has only entered its early spring—a season when something beautiful is beginning to bloom.

The first 14 episodes of The Early Spring are now available to watch globally on Netflix, with the remaining episodes set to arrive soon.