The incredible success of The Early Spring has catapulted its two leads, Jing Boran and Sun Qian, to stardom but has also brought about a slew of challenges for them. The controversy surrounding them has even impacted people in their inner circle.
According to QQ, The Early Spring, featuring Jing Boran and Sun Qian, has been lauded as a series that “revived the romance genre” due to its high quality and the undeniable chemistry between the two leads. This on-screen pairing became immensely popular, drawing audiences who became deeply invested in their characters.
However, the immense popularity of the show has led to a host of real-life issues for both actors as some viewers have formed strong attachments to the fictional couple, Luke Luan Nian and Flora Shang Zhi Tao.
The controversy began when male lead Jing Boran attended Li Ronghao’s concert in Shanghai on September 25 with his girlfriend, supermodel Liu Wen. During the event, Li Ronghao referred to Jing Boran as his character Luke, introducing Liu Wen as “a crucial figure in Luke’s life.”
However, certain fans of the on-screen couple argued that Luke Luan Nian should only be associated with Flora Shang Zhi Tao. They perceived linking the character Luke with Jing Boran’s real-life relationship as a betrayal of viewers’ emotional connection to the show.
One complaint read, “He doesn’t have to stop dating or getting married. It’s just that the show has only been out for a month and is just starting to air on TV. Many people are still rewatching it. Did he really need to rush into revealing his relationship with a supermodel and flaunt his romance? Couldn’t he have kept things low-key until the end of 2026?”
Subsequently, Jing Boran was confronted with 18 alleged “charges” related to his role in The Early Spring. These accusations ranged from blurring the lines between himself and his co-star, showing affection toward his girlfriend during filming, to using his personal life for publicity.
Despite being lauded as the “most beloved CEO on screen in 2026,” Jing Boran came under fire from some viewers of the series and fans of other female celebrities involved in the saga. Past controversies involving the actor resurfaced, with critics branding him as “fake” and accusing him of using his personal life for self-promotion.
However, many critics deemed the “charges” unjustified and a sign of obsessive behavior among certain fans. They argued that hardcore fans of the “Luan Nian–Shang Zhi Tao” pairing were struggling to differentiate between fiction and reality, taking their admiration for the stars too far.
While Jing Boran refrained from directly addressing the turmoil, he did like several supportive comments from fans, including messages advocating for staying true to personal choices amidst all the noise.
While Jing Boran seemed unfazed by the criticism, his girlfriend Liu Wen bore the brunt of some viewers’ frustration over the drama, despite her efforts to keep a low profile.
Liu Wen faced criticism for merely liking a picture of Jing Boran on social media, with some accusing her of trying to steal the limelight and seeking unnecessary attention. Despite keeping a low profile in public with her boyfriend, the supermodel continued to receive negative comments from extreme fans on her social media platforms.
By September 28, Liu Wen appeared visibly worn out when seen at the airport. After receiving encouraging words from supporters, she was seen shedding tears.
Sun Qian also found herself on the receiving end of backlash. Certain fans accused her of benefiting from the negative attention aimed at her male co-star.
Some criticized Sun Qian for engaging intimately with Jing Boran despite his relationship status, claiming her actions fueled the intense interest fans had in their on-screen duo. She was even labeled a “green tea” by some critics after requesting Jing Boran for a shirt.
Sun Qian’s studio released a statement saying, “There are already enough issues at play. Let’s not prolong this further,” indicating their weariness with being pulled into disputes between fans and other celebrities.
As per 163, the controversies surrounding The Early Spring have consistently dominated Weibo’s trending topics, causing significant disruption beyond the show itself.
Opinions are divided, with some suggesting that actors in romance dramas should be more cautious about public displays of affection during the show’s run to maintain the audience’s immersion in the fictional romance.
On the other hand, some argue that viewers should not involve themselves deeply in celebrities’ personal lives, emphasizing the distinction between fictional characters and real individuals. They believe that certain fans have become overly emotionally invested, leading to extreme behavior and a lack of respect for celebrities’ privacy.
