Sep 09, 2026 10:00pm IST
Decoding ‘The Early Spring’ Craze: ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Comparison, Power Games and Sizzling Chemistry
The Chinese romantic drama “The Early Spring” is having a major moment online. The series follows an ambitious young rookie and her sharp-tongued, genius superior at a high-pressure advertising agency, who fall in love. On paper, it’s a familiar office-romance setup. But clearly, something about “The Early Spring,” which is based on the web book, is clicking with audiences.
The ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ connection
Fan edits have drawn comparisons between several scenes in the series and Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson’s 2015 film “Fifty Shades of Grey.” But the similarities go beyond a few visual references. Like the E.L. James novel, the show has the power disparity between its two protagonists firmly at the center of the story. However, it steers clear of the explicit BDSM and graphic content of its book and film. Unlike its English-language counterpart, however, the series makes its leads equally magnetic, making their romance far easier to root for.
The Shifting Dynamic
“The Early Spring” leans into the almost-red-flag behavior of its male lead, Luke, aka Luan Nian (Jing Boran), and rarely attempts to soften his attitude towards Flora, aka Shang Zhitao (Sun Qian). His good intentions, often buried beneath unkind words and dismissive behavior, would definitely rile viewers, who find themselves waiting for Flora to push back, speak her mind, and hold her ground. In the second half of the series, the dynamics begin to shift, allowing the relationship to evolve beyond its initial power imbalance.
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Musical control
The C-drama’s soundtrack has also worked strongly in its favor. Popular singer-actor Liu Yuning lends his voice to another hit with the title track, but it is “You Should Know” by Li Changgeng that has emerged as the show’s biggest earworm. The series deploys the song during its romantic moments, giving it an almost Pavlovian effect: viewers know exactly what is coming the moment those first strings begin to play.
When Censorship Meets Creative Storytelling
Despite China’s restrictions on same-sex romance, excessive skin show and the popular trope of wealthy CEOs falling for ordinary women, “The Early Spring” has managed to navigate the censors with surprising ingenuity. The series often uses a fish tank to obscure its more intimate romantic moments.
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The Wattpad romance
At its core, “The Early Spring” is a classic romance about two people who cannot help but fall for each other despite the circumstances keeping them apart. The series raises questions about power, control and emotional vulnerability, while letting those dynamics mature alongside the relationship. Its character arcs and heightened romantic tension echo the addictive storytelling of popular Wattpad romances—dramatic, swoony, and designed to keep readers, or in this case viewers, coming back for more.
There’s more drama ahead. The upcoming episodes promise a tragic turn in the relationship, with a possible reconciliation on the horizon. For now, that promise of heartbreak, redemption and romance is enough to keep viewers hooked until the very end.
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