Reviews

The Case Against Luan Nian: A Character Analysis of The Early Spring

Disclaimer: Luan Nian is a character in a TV show. Any resemblance to your brother, your boyfriend, your situationship, or the guy you're still texting at 2 a.m. is entirely coincidental and legally not my problem. Let's respect each other.

The show wants to gaslight us into believing Luan Nian is a good romantic partner when he is not.

The Early Spring has become a global phenomenon, and with that comes a debate in comment sections everywhere: is Luan Nian a romantic lead or a red flag? I'm firmly in the red flag camp. Here's why.

He tries to control what Zhang Shitao wears with the lace dress, telling her she is not free to do as she pleases. He uses sex as a means to shut her up before a discussion when he senses it is coming. He "punishes" her with more work or overtime when he gets jealous, abusing his position as her boss to get back at her in the public sphere. He never saw her as an equal.

When she tries to make their relationship official and public, he rejects her in the most arrogant way possible, out of his irrational jealousy. The company finds out about their relationship, and the discovery gives them a clean reason to hand the title to Song Ying. But the title was Song Ying's anyway: her father pledged 250 million in ad budget to Lime. The relationship discovery wasn't the cause of her loss, but a cover.

In the end, he is completely wrong, because it doesn't even cross his mind to ask her what she thinks. It is a selfish decision, not something to help her. What she wants is respect from the company and from him, and neither gives it to her, so she leaves both.

This is an excerpt from a longer analysis I wrote. You can read the full essay on my blog here: https://angryessays.substack.com/p/the-early-spring-the-case-against

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Promising start, but falls flat halfway through

The drama started off so promisingly. The dark, tense vibe and the overall theme immediately drew me in, especially since I didn't expect such a serious atmosphere when I started it. Having a FL who acts in a morally grey area was a refreshing change, and I genuinely enjoyed her personal journey, realizing she needed to step back from her workaholism to find her true self and pursue her own dreams rather than her mother's.

Unfortunately, the drama loses its way around the middle. The plot shifts heavily toward niche consulting work that felt alienating and dry for anyone not working in that field, leading me to skip quite a few scenes.

Ultimately, the show lacks a strong main storyline or subject. Near the end, it was so disappointing and rushed that I didn't even realize it was ending. The finale felt completely empty, loose, and left so much unresolved.

Another major issue was the weak character development. The lead characters felt bland and colorless, making it impossible to connect with them. We barely got to know their backgrounds, and when critical details were revealed, it felt rushed and glossed over. For instance, finding out at the very end that the ML's father committed suicide felt like a dropped opportunity, as knowing this earlier could have given his character much needed depth. Similarly, the ML suddenly shifted from a cold, serious person to a completely different persona without a believable transition, and his past divorce was swept under the rug way too quickly.

To make matters worse, all the other couples, including the non second lead ones, felt completely detached from the main plot and completely empty. They were not interesting at all and I skipped most of their scenes. There was no real dynamic or spark between any of the couples. While I like the FL from her other dramas, her acting here felt flat and devoid of emotion. The ML gave a similar flat performance, though I can't tell if that's just his acting style or a fault of the direction.

Overall, despite a strong setup and good individual growth for the FL, the drama fails to deliver due to a directionless storyline, a complete lack of chemistry, and an empty, abrupt ending.

In the end, this is just my personal take. Maybe others will enjoy it more, or maybe I missed a few things along the way, but that is simply how I felt watching it. It was so promising at first, but it ultimately dropped.

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Just sexual assault dubbed as romcom

Klao is like Mineta(from MHA, yk that perverted grape head) if he were a rich, high-morality(except sexually) woman whose dream job was to be a farmer or something, if that gives an idea of how weird she was. Couldn't continue watching it, so I dropped it. If we're gonna get some character development of "I won't take advantage of you anymore," the writers should have used their heads and not written that drunk tit-grabbing scene at the start of ep 4. And idc if it falls under the category of "oh she's drunk" because it clearly came from bad intentions and wasn't a mistake coz that's what she's been doing since ep 1. Ik a bunch of series do this drunk accidental kiss thing, and it usually doesn't come out of bad intentions because they don't go further unless they're dating or have had sober consent, but this show does none of that, since ep 1. Si doesn't care, but that's just my limit. U don't have to care, Si, but I do, and I'm out.

Klao is just a pervert and a borderline rapist. I'm all for sussy women, but u barely know Si, and peeking to see her naked is just creep behavior idgaf, because why is someone so comfortable doing that? Idk why we're romanticizing this

Si isn't that amazing either coz then she proceeds to kiss Klao without consent when she's drunk too. Drunk consent isn't consent, but in this case, drunk consent wasn't a considered thing either. And she's also a terribly written character coz there's not much to root for. Just a rude, rich girl.

Jiw is the best character here(and tbh the only character that had PLOT - and apparently he's dead, so what DOES this show have to offer besides immoral characters). He's the only character worth watching the show for. I love LMSY as much as the next person, but this show is so buns. Both Klao and Si seem like assholes to me, and that's why they work out well together ig. They don't have any character development either (at least till ep 4; can't be bothered to know if they do end up having any later)

I think the part that pissed me off the most was how this was labelled a "romcom" and just glazed over assault like that. Because if it was dark comedy, or yk under a more serious framework, I would have at least known what I was getting myself into, because the last thing I need is a romcom that's supposed to make me feel better just to have the main character doing stuff that's not a laughing matter. This show is rated 13+(here in mdl), btw, so a teenager (I'm a teen too) could watch it, see Klao and what she's doing, and consider her behavior excusable, but it's not. The tags could at least have made it clear that this isn’t simply a romance and comedy show. Women can be sexual assaulters too.

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perfection

I understand now why everyone raves about this drama. the FL was so sweet and it was endearing to see how she attracted people who love her along the way. I like that there was a different law case almost each episode but also a longer story of if she will continue being a lawyer and this mystery of her mother. the love story being almost background to the main character’s life really added to the overall show. and no love triangle was also sweet. the way the ML loved and cared for Young-Woo was absolutely adorable and the way they both learn to communicate with each other and work it out. literally one of the best dramas I’ve seen.

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cute drama no notes

I think this is my new favorite drama. the ML and FL were so good and their chemistry was so sweet. I usually hate a miscommunication trope, but this one ended up being my favorite. both characters grew and the ML was so cute as he’s falling for both of these women who are the same woman. the fact that he liked HER was so cute. his being unsure and then finally picking his secretary because the things he liked about “Veronica Park” were all things that reminded him of his secretary was peak. there was no unnecessary love triangle (even though I am a huge fan of those) but there wasn’t anything toxic about this drama. just sweet and wholesome.

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Born to Wear White

Doctor X: Mafia in White is a medical drama starring Kim Ji Won, adapted from the Japanese version titled with the same name (except the Mafia part). Medical dramas have always intrigued me, the genre in general just captivates me. Doctor X is no different.

Both the Japanese and its Korean counterpart are good, and I was worried about the fact that this one is an adaptation - but I worried for nothing. Both the first episodes are very similar, but the character 'Doctor X' is vastly different.

Kim Ji Won plays her role brilliantly, she turns Doctor X into who she is, which is Gye Su Jeong. Gye Su Jeong is completely different from Daimon Michiko in terms of style and attitude. I like how this version didn't follow the character and story beat for beat, and instead is its own drama. The concept is still there, but they changed it for the 'better'. I do want to note that when I say that I don't mean the Japanese version is bad, in fact, its brilliant. I don't want to compare either, they both are great dramas that can stand alone as their own. I'd give it to the original for doing it first though.

Having a women centered drama is important, and Kim Ji Won is the perfect choice for this role. She delivers an intense performance, but is believable as this woman with amazing skill. Her confidence is earned, and it's beliebable because of the delivery of the actress.

This drama is interesting, and a good watch. So far it isn't anything 'amazing', but I'm amazed by how its got my attention span. I hope it becomes more intense with the story and tone for a good payoff all the way through. Maybe it will even get another season....

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Right to the point! Best Drama story adaptation so far this year!

Best CDrama of the year so far in The first 4 eps were so good - right to the point without wasting time!
My assumption: One of the twins were killed - OR - the main daughter was replaced by a fake one.
Either way we have one evil and one cunning FLs. They look like twins but we won't know until the story unfolds.

So far chemistry between leads are good, mystery is riveting, and more importantly, no wasting time. With so many female characters, I was afraid that this will happen - ie - bickering and fighting among females.
Ratio of females to males: 5:1 ( so many females as they survive because they didn't need to die in battles).

I was expecting the pace of the first 4 eps to continue but CDrama tends to have the issue with a strong storyline. 7-8 seems to drift into idol drama territory.

Also, the male lead is not a good actor. So a lot of time FL carries the show.

Also, the writer is lazy. Suspense is created using flashback to show what the audience didn't see.
This is the worse type of suspense!

Writing inconsistency:
Key Facts About Fraternal Twins

• Genetics: They share about 50% of their DNA, making them genetically similar to regular siblings born at different times rather than exact copies

Brother and Sister are fraternal twins! It's hard to believe that their children look EXACTLY the same, especially, different partners!

Verdict: 8-8.5 for being an entertaining idol story.

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Where the mask ends & the awards start!

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨I have finished watching the initial four episodes. It was quite an engaging experience, and I'm looking forward to diving into the next ones. The storyline is captivating, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds further. Each episode has left me eager for more, and I'm excited to continue this journey. As noted by a commentor, it's high time we recognise Tian Xiwei with some awards! The talent and dedication she has shown truly deserve acknowledgement. Let's not wait any longer—she's earned it!
The beginning is incredibly gripping, setting a powerful tone right from the outset. The ensemble of actors is outstanding, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. Additionally, the attention to detail in the costumes is remarkable, enhancing the overall visual experience and immersing the audience in the story. I'm absolutely thrilled about the upcoming episodes! I can't wait for them to be released; once they are, I'll be all in and ready to enjoy every moment! 🫰✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

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GMMTV fails again...

The longer you are at GMMTV the worse the scripts get - or so it seems. Their first series was the best and that was because Keen could carry the show with his talent and support his co-star who was still very shaky. For some reason GMMTV decided, all nerds need to wear glasses because what is a GMMTV show without any stupid cliché? The then shaky Co-Star Sea has to act like a robot. He sprouts "interesting" things about the universe, but every kid that did not sleep through school should know all this facts. This gets very repetitive and annoying as well.

Keen's character is a tuned down athletic with a short temper. But he is not flamboyant or has any other quality, he comes across as bland. Both together they are boring af. There is not really a spark which makes the whole story believable. Of course we have the comedic bits which are not funny but the sound editor has to do some silly soundeffects. There is at least one conflict with Nirans family and his misunderstandings and here Sea can show his talent, but otherwise the whole series is just like a desert. It did not excite me or give me any reason to root for that couple.

Production quality was good as expected, music was ok, but they used generic background-music we heard from other shows. Overall this was a disappointment. A mediocre show with an especially bland finale. And there was just one half-assed kissed in the finale without any passion. Yep, a series you can watch but also a series which I will forget tomorrow.

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Some questionable choices, but plenty of moments worth staying for

This drama is the kind of chaotic ride where I’m laughing, rolling my eyes, and weirdly invested all at the same time. It starts off looking polished enough that I genuinely admired the CGI, but the deeper I got, the more the cracks started showing—like someone slapped a beauty filter and hoped viewers wouldn’t notice.

By the second half, the razzle-dazzle just started waning Suddenly we’re dealing with dizzying shots like somebody was trigger happy with their GoPro.. Likewise, the filler arcs were layered thick enough to insulate a house. Not to mention an entire episode dedicated to watching one person die as if the editors were padding a school assignment. And don’t get me started on their divine messaging system. Immortals who can teleport between realms but apparently can’t receive news for five days. Maybe the heavens ran out of pigeons.

But here’s the thing: the characters, especially Shen Li, kept me hooked despite the inconsistency in logic. She’s one of the rare fantasy heroines who actually behaves with emotional clarity. When the divine god she loved pretended to be a stranger, she didn’t chase him or fall apart. she cut ties with him cleanly with a razor sharp blade, mourned the mortal version she lost, and moved forward with her shoulders and back straight. Her self-esteem is so refreshing it almost feels rebellious in this genre. And her willingness to shoulder responsibility, even agreeing to a political marriage to save the three realms, gives her a grounded strength the plot doesn’t always earn.

On the other hand, Xing Zhi made me laugh without meaning to. His idea of disguise—smearing mud on his face and pretending to be a fisherman —was comedy gold. Who exactly did he think he was fooling? A woman who already fell for him once isn’t going to mistake devotion for casual kindness.

The romance swings between being adorable and questionable. For most part of the drama, Xing Zhi walks like a green flag until he confines Shen Li in the Extranatural heavens, like imprisoning someone “for their own good” would make Lord Bicang — who has been known to defy conventionality and abhors being tied to anything that remotely resembles a pole — sit put and wait while looking at her manicured nails. Then the drama tosses in last‑minute Stockholm syndrome by secondary characters as if that’s a valid emotional arc.

Yet somehow, the leads’ chemistry and charm kept me watching. This drama is somewhat messy, sometimes illogical, occasionally ridiculous, but undeniably entertaining in that “I can’t believe I’m enjoying this” way that only certain fantasy dramas manage to pull off.

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What Exactly Am I Watching?

I genuinely came across this show and decided to watch it because I thought it was a new “live-action” series. I'm not someone who keeps up with news about upcoming releases, but when I come across something that catches my attention, I'll give it a try. And that's exactly what happened here.

But now I'm genuinely wondering: is this a live-action series or an AI experiment? Because I know these are supposed to be real human actors, but the amount of AI usage has me questioning the entire production.

I only gave this show a chance because it looked legitimate. Had I known it relied so heavily on AI, I wouldn't have bothered watching it in the first place. I'm not someone who deliberately watches shows I know I'll dislike just so I can come online and talk badly about them. That's not how I approach watching or reviewing shows, which is why this experience has left me so perplexed.

I've dropped so many shows recently because of their AI usage, and honestly, it's getting ridiculous. It's sad, genuinely. Do the people behind these productions think viewers can't tell? When the directors and production teams sit down to review their work, do they genuinely look at some of these scenes and think, yes, we've done a good job here? Because I really want to understand.

And perhaps part of the problem is that there will always be consumers willing to overlook these things, whether because they don't notice the AI or simply don't mind it. As long as there's an audience willing to consume it, some productions will continue making these choices.

But that doesn't make it any less disappointing.

I watched one episode, and that was enough for me. Gave it a 5 because the actual human actors deserved some credit, I guess? I genuinely don't know, but what exactly was that?

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Falling Into You (2022) — I Really Wanted to Love This One

Status: Dropped at Episode 11

I genuinely wanted to love this drama. It had been sitting on my watchlist for years, and with so many positive reviews praising its chemistry and romance, I finally decided to give it a proper chance.

Unfortunately, after 11 episodes, I still couldn't feel the romantic spark everyone was talking about.

My biggest problem wasn't the age-gap romance. I have absolutely no issue with an older woman falling for a younger man. What I struggled with was understanding why these two characters were supposed to be such a compelling romantic match.

Luo Na is portrayed as accomplished, independent, confident and professionally capable. I was hoping for a relationship where both characters could stand beside each other as equals. Instead, Duan Yucheng's jealousy, impulsiveness and occasional emotional outbursts made their dynamic feel less mature than I had hoped.

I understand that he's young, passionate and still growing. Perhaps that's exactly what makes him endearing to other viewers. Unfortunately, it wasn't the romantic dynamic I was looking for.

I love slow-burn romance. I don't need an early confession or kisses every other episode. Give me stolen glances, unspoken longing, subtle gestures, emotional restraint and two people desperately trying to hide their attraction, and I'll happily wait twenty episodes for a confession.

But there's a difference between slow-burn romance and a romance that barely feels like it's burning at all.

For me, the first 11 episodes felt overwhelmingly focused on athletics, with a one-sided crush occasionally appearing between training sessions. While the sports storyline has its merits, I found myself waiting for the emotional connection to develop rather than becoming invested in it naturally.

Ironically, one of the few moments that genuinely entertained me was when Duan Yucheng's friends were frantically worried about him drowning, only to discover he was safely asleep in Luo Na's bed. Someone jokingly suggested that if he could swim back to shore while drunk, perhaps he should switch from high jump to triathlon!

That unexpected little comment genuinely made me laugh.

I even sampled some later romantic moments, hoping the chemistry would change my mind. Sadly, it still didn't quite click for me.

I can understand why others enjoy this drama. The sports journey, youthful determination and gradual romantic development clearly appeal to many viewers. And perhaps, had I connected more strongly with the central couple, I would have appreciated the story differently.

But I watch romance dramas for that emotional pull — the moments that make my heart flutter, my stomach fill with butterflies and my fingers instinctively reach for the replay button.

I kept waiting for that one scene that would make me understand the hype. It just never arrived for me.

Perhaps the most disappointing part is that I didn't drop this drama because I hated it. I dropped it because, despite genuinely trying, I couldn't make myself emotionally invested in the romance.

Final verdict: A sports-focused, coming-of-age romance that may appeal to viewers who enjoy youthful, enthusiastic male leads and gradual relationship development. Unfortunately, it simply wasn't the romantic experience I was hoping for.

Sometimes a drama can be loved by many and still not be the right story for you.

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