Zhao Lusi to make her directorial debut with her upcoming drama
On September 16, Youku unveiled its 2027 lineup, officially announcing Midsummer Clear Skies (literal title), a follow-up to The Early Spring, with the original main creative team returning. A concept poster was also released simultaneously.
Following the announcement, the official character accounts for The Early Spring, "Luan Nian_Luke" and "Shang Zhi Tao_Flora", also made posts. Netizens expressed their excitement, with many saying they were "looking forward to Jing Bo Ran and Sun Qian teaming up again."
The Early Spring follows Shang Zhi Tao (Sun Qian), who, with her ordinary educational background, unexpectedly lands a job offer from a world-leading advertising agency and becomes a rookie in the workplace. On her very first day at the company, her sharp-tongued boss, Luan Nian (Jing Bo Ran), advises her to give up. The exceptionally talented "genius" Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao, who has just begun her life in Beijing, cross paths.
The drama was filmed in the Tiantongyuan community, capturing the lively vibe of everyday life there. For young people who have moved to Beijing to pursue their dreams, it is more than just a geographic location — it is also the warmest haven for people like Shang Zhi Tao in a big city.
The drama uses nuanced cinematography to portray the authentic lives of ordinary young people settling down here. Whether it is a brief moment of rest on the bus after work, discounted bread picked up on the way home, or the warmth of a steaming hot pot shared around the table with caring roommates, these everyday moments all become Shang Zhi Tao's earliest warm memories of Beijing.
The C-drama ranked second on Netflix Global Top 10 (non-English) from September 7 to 13, staying on the list for three consecutive weeks, trending in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
The details — story, cast, release date — of the follow-up to The Early Spring are yet to be revealed. Stay tuned!
Source: Shandong TV News
