Drama The Early Spring Based On This Singer?
Chinese netizens are speculating that the lead character in the popular Netflix drama 'The Early Spring' is based on the real-life career of singer Liu Lian. Fans have identified several parallels between the character's background in advertising and Liu Lian's own professional history.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing trend of audience engagement where viewers actively cross-reference fictional media with real-world figures, influencing how content is consumed and discussed online.
Chinese netizens think The Early Spring’s Luan Nian may be inspired by Liu Lian, and these are all the similarities they found to keep that theory going.
Bryan Wong 13 Sep 2026 at 15:00 Share Bookmark Bookmark Share on Facebook Share on WhatsApp Share on Twitter Share on WeChat Set 8days as your preferred source on Google Add 8days as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Liu Lian Early Spring Jing Boran Ogilvy Chinese drama Chinese drama The Early Spring is topping Netflix charts in Singapore. The workplace romance drama follows sharp-tongued advertising executive Luan Nian ( Jing Boran ) and his secret office romance with newcomer Shang Zhitao (Sun Qian).
But as viewers get increasingly invested in the couple, Chinese netizens have started obsessing over how reel life may have found inspiration from real life.
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