The Early Spring Starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian Sizzles With Chemistry and Rising Ratings

The Early Spring (早春晴朗) is currently airing and having gone in without any expectations, that very first scene, a preview of the sizzling chemistry between leads Jing Boran and Sun Qian, certainly made it hard to look away. It’s no surprise that the show, which didn’t have a strong start in terms of viewership nor traffic stars drawing fandoms, has now been propelled by word of mouth.

In less than four days, The Early Spring has surpassed 10,000 heat index on Youku, making it the fastest contemporary romance drama in 2026 to hit the milestone on the platform. It has also topped various ratings charts, including Yunhe and has now climbed to No. 6 on Netflix’s global charts, while also reaching No. 1 in several countries, including Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Hotness Behind the Rising Ratings

The Early Spring is adapted from a popular novel of the same name by Gu Niang Bie Ku (姑娘别哭). The story follows Luan Nian aka Luke, a hotshot creative director in the advertising industry, and Shang Zhitao, a newcomer who has moved to Beijing in pursuit of her career. What begins as a superior-subordinate relationship gradually develops into a secret romance.

Who would’ve thought an office romance could be this intense? From stealing glances and holding hands behind closed doors to pretending to be nothing more than colleagues, the drama knows exactly how to build that delicious tension. And then there’s the hotness. It’s kind of funny to hear Sun Qian revealing how Jing Boran was suddenly panicking and working out before an intimate scene, with the actor explaining that their scenes prior to that had all been in the office, so he wasn’t quite prepared for the moment when he had to show some skin. Whatever the case, it certainly paid off.

Combined with an engaging storyline set in the field of advertising and a realistic dynamic between two adults, it’s no wonder many are hooked. The series has also marked new milestones for both leads, with Jing Boran and Sun Qian interacting with each other on social media and celebrating the show’s success. This is the first time a drama starring either actor has hit 10,000 heat index on Youku, making the achievement all the more special.