The Early Spring is making waves internationally and giving Chinese dramas a major boost on Netflix. Starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian, the workplace romance premiered on August 26 and has quickly caught the attention of viewers around the world. Directed by Jiang Ji Zheng and adapted from Gu Niang Bie Ku’s web novel Zao Chun Qing Lang, the 24-episode Chinese urban drama takes viewers into the fast-paced world of advertising, blending workplace ambition with a slow-burn romance. And it is breaking records on the streaming platform.
The Early Spring makes a strong global debut
The series has opened at No. 2 on Netflix’s Global Weekly Chart, marking a historic first for Chinese television as the first Chinese series to enter the Top 3. According to Netflix’s weekly figures, The Early Spring recorded 2.4 million views and 21.5 million hours watched between August 24 and 30.
The drama had already made its presence felt on Netflix’s daily rankings soon after its August 26 premiere. Within just two days, it climbed to No. 6 on the Global Daily Chart and featured in the daily Top 10 across 54 countries and regions. The Early Spring also took the No. 1 spot in several markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Brazil. It topped the charts in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Indonesia as well, while in India, the series is currently at No. 4.
The is only behind Swedish series Blood Sacrifice: Season 1, which topped the list with 9.1 million views and 37.9 million hours viewed. The No. 2 debut also gives the Chinese drama a new record on Netflix. It has overtaken Pursuit of Jade, starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, to become the highest-charting Chinese drama in the platform’s history. The costume drama debuted at No. 6 with 1.9 million views and 34.2 million hours viewed in March 2026. It stayed on the chart for two weeks and eventually accumulated 3.7 million views.
{{/usCountry}}The is only behind Swedish series Blood Sacrifice: Season 1, which topped the list with 9.1 million views and 37.9 million hours viewed. The No. 2 debut also gives the Chinese drama a new record on Netflix. It has overtaken Pursuit of Jade, starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, to become the highest-charting Chinese drama in the platform’s history. The costume drama debuted at No. 6 with 1.9 million views and 34.2 million hours viewed in March 2026. It stayed on the chart for two weeks and eventually accumulated 3.7 million views.
{{/usCountry}}What is The Early Spring about?
The story follows Shang Zhitao (Sun Qian), a young woman who leaves her hometown for Beijing in search of better opportunities. With an average academic background, she never expects to land a job at Lime, one of the world’s top advertising agencies. On her very first day, she meets Luan Nian (Jing Boran), Lime’s strict and blunt creative director, who soon becomes her boss. What starts as a strained equation between the two slowly turns into a secret relationship that continues for six years.
But their relationship eventually hits a breaking point as misunderstandings and the realities of life come in the way. Shang Zhitao walks away without saying goodbye, leaving their story unfinished. Years later, the two cross paths again, giving them an opportunity to address the things they never said and understand what went wrong. "A warmhearted new employee and her gifted boss navigate a fast-paced workplace, all while harboring a secret relationship that may jeopardize everything," reads the official Netflix synopsis.
An excerpt from Hindustan Times review reads, “The Early Spring refuses to hand viewers a sugar-coated fairy tale, and that refusal is its greatest triumph. It is a messy, emotionally intense, and highly addictive exploration of flawed people trying to navigate love and ambition. If you have a low tolerance for overbearing male leads or workplace power imbalances, this might not be for you, especially the morality police. However, if you crave a mature, fast-paced romance with sizzling chemistry, complex character growth, and a beautiful cinematic style, this drama is an absolute must-watch. It demands your attention and easily stands out as one of the most compelling modern C-dramas of the year.”
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