The Early Spring has become a global streaming sensation since arriving on Netflix on August 26, 2026. Starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian, the 24-episode workplace romance debuted at No. 2 on Netflix’s Global Non-English TV list with 2.4 million views and 21.5 million hours viewed in its first week. The series has reached the Top 10 in 22 countries, including India, Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam, according to Netflix’s official data. The story follows Shang Zhitao, a newcomer to Beijing who joins a top advertising agency and falls into a secret relationship with her sharp-tongued boss, Luan Nian. The show’s mature take on love, ambition, and power imbalance has left viewers wanting more. For those still recovering from the finale, here are five Chinese dramas that deliver similar romantic tension and workplace drama.
Only For Love
A determined financial reporter named Zheng Shu Yi is chasing a career-defining interview with Shi Yan, a young CEO who invests in startups. Their professional meetings slowly turn into something more personal as they navigate teasing, misunderstandings, and growing feelings. Bai Lu and Dylan Wang lead this 36-episode romantic comedy-drama. The push-and-pull between the leads mirrors the tension that made The Early Spring so addictive. The series is available on Viki and iQIYI for viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, the UAE, India, and most global markets.
My Boss
Cheng Yao is an optimistic aspiring lawyer who lands a job at a prestigious law firm. Her new boss, Qian Heng, is demanding, strict, and impossible to please. The situation gets more complicated when she discovers he is also her new roommate. Zhang Ruonan and Chen Xingxu star in this 2024 workplace romantic comedy that relies on the classic grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic. The show ran for 36 episodes and blends legal workplace stories with cohabitation humor and an enemies-to-lovers arc. Streaming options include Viki and Amazon Prime Video across major global regions.
Fake It Till You Make It
Tang Ying is a junior lawyer at a Shanghai law firm who catches the attention of Xu Ziquan, a confident investment banker. Their playful, flirty relationship gets complicated when a wealthy older man also shows interest in her, adding pressure to her already demanding career and family life. Cai Wenjing and Han Dongjun lead this 14-episode series that first premiered in 2023. The shorter episode count makes it an easy follow-up for viewers who want a sharp, modern take on urban romance without a long commitment. It streams on Viki for audiences worldwide.
Love’s Ambition
Xu Yan is a successful television host who grew up in a small town and worked her way to the top. Shen Haoming is a wealthy, controlling businessman. They marry and appear to be the perfect couple, but their different backgrounds and his behavior create cracks beneath the surface. Zhao Lusi and William Chan star in this 32-episode drama that mixes romance with class struggles and emotional tension. The morally complex leads and their journey toward healing offer a similar mature tone to The Early Spring. The show is available on Viki and WeTV for international viewers.
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Love Is Sweet
Jiang Jun is a bright analyst who joins a top investment bank, only to find that her new boss, Yuan Shuai, is a childhood friend who once bullied her. Their history creates friction at work, but the tension gradually shifts into respect and romance. Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi lead this 36-episode romantic comedy that first aired in 2020. It remains a fan favorite for its sharp banter and strong chemistry between the leads. The series streams on WeTV, iQIYI, and Amazon Prime Video, making it widely accessible across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, the UAE, India, and other regions.
Each of these dramas shares the core ingredients that made The Early Spring a global hit: driven characters, workplace settings, complicated relationships, and the kind of romantic tension that keeps viewers pressing play on the next episode. Whether you prefer the legal world of My Boss or the advertising agency backdrop of Only For Love, there is a show here to fill the gap left by Luke and Flora.
Also Read: Loved Zhang Linghe in Pursuit of Jade? Here Are 6 C-Dramas of His You Need to Watch Next
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