
The Early Spring
Taste attributes: dramaromanceslowwholesomerealisticlinearenclosedemotive & stirringcomplex relationshiplove conquers all
Boxlist takeEmotional and warm-hearted: a slow-burning drama series, grounded rather than fantastical. Best if you like warmth over edge.
Taste details
Pace: slow · Originality: balanced · Tone: wholesome · Weight: balanced · Realism: true to life · Story: balanced · Structure: linear · Look: balanced · Scale: confined · Emotional punch: very stirringHow we score
Quality rating
8.1 /10
TMDB · 30 votes
Where to watch
We don't know of anywhere to watch The Early Spring in the US right now.
Season
Season 1
· 2026 · 24 episodesA warmhearted new employee and her gifted boss navigate a fast-paced workplace, all while harboring a secret relationship that may jeopardize everything.
Episodes (24)
1You Are Not Suitable26 Aug 2026
After botching a job interview at a reputed agency, Shang Zhitao scrambles to find her footing in Beijing while befriending her new roommate.
2The Workplace Isn’t Some Kind of Child’s Play26 Aug 2026
At a celebration dinner for landing a new project, Nian steps in to help Zhitao. Meanwhile, a mistaken identity threatens the peace at Sun Yu's place.
3Repaying Favor With Your Life26 Aug 2026
After Zhitao escapes an assailant during a rainy mountain shoot, she and Nian must rely on each other when a landslide leaves them stranded.
4Follow Me Home26 Aug 2026
A woman from Nian's past derails his dinner with Zhitao, while a chance encounter at a bar brings his growing jealousy to the surface.
5Can You Control the Feeling of Love?27 Aug 2026
After an unexpected night with Nian, Zhitao insists on keeping their relationship strictly professional despite his efforts to win her over.
6The First Cup of Osmanthus Milk27 Aug 2026
Determined to distance herself from Nian, Zhitao applies for a job transfer, but his refusal to let her go tests the boundaries they agreed upon.
7An Ambitious Person Will Never Be Defeated by Life28 Aug 2026
Zhitao tries to focus on work and avoid Nian, but a new project forces her to seek his help as jealousy begins to cloud their judgment.
8The First Person To Fall in Love Will Lose Everything28 Aug 2026
While Zhitao earns praise for her database, Nian is suspended over a malicious complaint, prompting the two to go on a mountain retreat together.
9Love Is Stolen Candy29 Aug 2026
With a limited budget, Zhitao secures sponsorship for the basketball tournament, impressing her colleagues as Nian makes a surprising proposal.
10Being With You Is Like a Leap of Faith29 Aug 2026
A secret romance blossoms between Zhitao and Nian, but a workplace blunder threatens the careful balance they've worked to maintain.
11Love Begins on a Bittersweet Note30 Aug 2026
When Zang Yao accepts the flowers sent to the office, she unwittingly causes Zhitao to get the wrong idea and take a break from work with her roommates.
12Snow Falls With You Beside Me31 Aug 2026
Tensions rise between Nian and Zhitao when he tries to take care of her over the holiday break. Meanwhile, Yao decides to make a move on her crush.
13Do We Have a Future?1 Sep 2026
Zhitao receives an unexpected job offer during a company retreat in Phuket, but a seaside conversation leaves her at odds with Nian.
14Love Is Making Exceptions2 Sep 2026
While her roommates Yu and Yuanzhu are occupied at the hospital, Zhitao faces harassment from a shady rental agency, prompting Nian to intervene.
15Two Persons, One Heart3 Sep 2026
While Zhitao wrestles with doubts about her future with Nian, a new general manager works to erode his authority at the office.
16Thinking of You This Second Seeing You the Next4 Sep 2026
Dony tries to lure Zhitao to his side as Nian grows increasingly wary of his new boss. Meanwhile, Zang Yao prepares to return to the UK.
17Courage Is Acting Despite Fear5 Sep 2026
After learning of Dony's inappropriate workplace behavior, Zhitao takes matters into her own hands, causing an uproar at work and worrying Nian.
18Bucket List6 Sep 2026
Nian's jealousy flares after a misunderstanding at a speed-dating event, and a chance encounter with Zhitao's ex deepens the divide between them.
19Another Leap of Faith7 Sep 2026
Nian grows wary when Zhitao considers pursuing work opportunities outside the city. A health scare finally forces the couple to confront their future.
20I Will Watch Over You From Beyond This World, Until Your Life Is Whole8 Sep 2026
Yuanzhu finally confesses his feelings to Zhitao, but when devastating news arrives, Nian mistakes her compassion for something more.
21A Grand Retreat9 Sep 2026
An office scandal dampens Zhitao's chances of winning a company award, pushing her to reconsider her career — and her future with Nian.
22The Number You Dialed Is Not in Service9 Sep 2026
Nian uncovers the truth behind Zhitao's sudden departure, while she returns to Harbin to care for her father and begin again.
23Luke Is My Dog Too9 Sep 2026
Nian tries to win Zhitao's forgiveness after finding her in Harbin, using visits with Luke to slowly work his way back into her life.
24Shang Zhitao, Welcome Back to Beijing9 Sep 2026
A financial crisis draws Nian back to Harbin, where helping Zhitao gives the former couple a chance to confront their fractured relationship.
StrongsampleWhy this match?ShowHide
What lines up
- Emotional punch: Emotive / stirring, just how this profile likes it
- Linearity: Linear / logical, just how this profile likes it
- Setting / scale: Small / confined, just how this profile likes it
What might not click
- Intricacy: Balanced intricacy, where this profile leans smart / intricate
- Wholesomeness: Wholesome, where this profile leans unsavoury
This is a sample for Hard Hitter. Take the taste test to see your own match for The Early Spring.
Synopsis
New to Beijing, Shang Zhitao crosses paths with Luan Nian, a true creative genius. Bold and open-hearted, she grows stronger step by step and gradually breaks through the defenses around Luan's guarded heart. Drawn to each other, they find themselves caught in an intense, on-again, off-again relationship in the urban jungle. To love is to summon all your courage and leave no regrets, to heal each other, and to grow together. But when love and her career pull her in different directions, she puts her career first. When she has come into her own and he has learned to soften his sharp edges, they finally stand as equals, ready to write a new ending together...
Synopsis: TMDB
Taste Attributes
Characteristics
Where this title sits on each taste spectrum
Cast
Details
- Genre
- Drama
- Year
- 2026
- Status
- Ended
- Studio
- Youku
- Taste scores
- How we score
Similar in feel
Matched on pace, tone, themes and style, not just genre.











