According to QQ, the modern romance drama The Early Spring concluded its run with remarkable success, becoming one of the few productions in recent years to surpass a 40% viewership share. As a result, the production team, along with lead actors Sun Qian and Jing Boran, held a farewell event to celebrate the drama’s conclusion.
During the event, Jing Boran gestured toward Sun Qian, who then stepped forward and discreetly held his hand. The actor responded with a gentle smile, creating the impression that they were secretly dating. The seemingly subtle interaction, however, sparked mixed reactions online.
Supporters argued that the two actors were simply recreating the famous “holding hands in the parking lot” scene from the drama at the fans’ request. The secret office romance storyline served as one of the main attractions of The Early Spring.
In the drama, Sun Qian plays Shang Zhitao, a newcomer to the workforce, while Jing Boran portrays Luan Nian, a demanding boss. After returning home from work, the two develop intense feelings for each other and secretly date for years. The hand-holding moment between Sun Qian and Jing Boran at the farewell event garnered nearly 70 million views.
Some viewers praised the pair, stating that the two actors were fully committed to their roles and provided audiences with a complete experience. During the event, they were still portraying their characters from the drama. “This is a professional way to promote a production, with both actors completely immersed in their roles and bringing the series to a perfect conclusion,” one Sohu commenter wrote.
Others, however, accused Sun Qian and Jing Boran of “going too far with the act.” Jing Boran has been in a long-term relationship with supermodel Liu Wen, leading critics to argue that he failed to maintain appropriate boundaries with his co-star. Sun Qian was also criticized for relying on her “outgoing and carefree personality” to become overly intimate with an older, taken male co-star.
Previously, Sun Qian had commented, asking for a shirt worn by Jing Boran. After the actor sent her the shirt, she wore it and posted a photo on social media.
While the debate over boundary management between co-stars during drama promotions continues, The Early Spring has undeniably emerged as a hit on the Chinese television scene in summer 2026.
Jing Boran and Sun Qian are not typical “traffic stars” with massive fanbases. However, thanks to their strong chemistry and convincing performances, they attracted a massive audience. The drama surpassed 10,000 points on Youku’s popularity index for 14 consecutive days, with average daily views exceeding 50 million alongside numerous other records.
Following the success of The Early Spring, Jing Boran received widespread praise for his acting depth and ability to anchor a hit project. Meanwhile, Sun Qian has been recognized as a standout actress among the post-1995 generation who excels in modern romance dramas. Consequently, both stars have seen a dramatic rise in popularity.
Sun Qian broke down in tears during the farewell event for her character, sharing that playing Shang Zhitao helped her gain widespread public recognition.
