Finished The Early Spring and looking for your next C-drama? You are not alone. This 2026 Chinese romance drama quickly caught viewers’ attention. It combines workplace romance, career struggles, emotional tension, and strong chemistry.
The story follows Luan Nian, a talented advertising executive, and Shang Zhi Tao, a young newcomer. She is trying to build her career in a tough workplace. Their relationship starts with some tension. Soon, their feelings begin to grow. But career goals, misunderstandings, and personal choices keep getting in the way.
That mix makes The Early Spring easy to binge. It is more than a simple love story. The drama also explores career dreams, personal growth, and complicated relationships. If you loved these elements, check out these 10 C-dramas like The Early Spring.
1. Love’s Ambition
Starring: Zhao Lusi and William Chan
Why watch it: Mature romance, career ambition, relationship conflict
Did you enjoy the career and romance in The Early Spring? Then start with Love’s Ambition.
The drama follows Xu Yan, a successful broadcaster. She meets Shen Haoming, a successful businessman. At first, they seem like a perfect couple. However, their different views on relationships soon cause problems.
Xu Yan is ambitious. She also wants control over her own life. Shen Haoming is successful and confident. However, he can also be very controlling. Their relationship becomes harder as they face their differences.
The drama explores love, marriage, independence, and career goals. These themes make it more than a simple romance.
If you enjoy mature romance with emotional conflict, give Love’s Ambition a try.
2. As Beautiful As You
Starring: Tan Songyun and Xu Kai
Why watch it: CEO romance, ambitious heroine, workplace romance
Looking for a modern C-drama with romance and career goals? Try As Beautiful As You.
The story follows Ji Xing, a talented professional. She leaves her corporate job to start her own company. Her journey brings her closer to Han Ting, a successful businessman.
Their professional relationship is not always easy. They disagree and challenge each other. Over time, they begin to respect each other. Their relationship then takes a romantic turn.
The drama gives strong attention to Ji Xing’s career. She has her own dreams and works hard for them. Romance is important, but it is not her only goal.
If you liked Shang Zhi Tao’s career journey, this drama is worth watching.
3. Lighter & Princess
Starring: Chen Feiyu and Zhang Jingyi
Why watch it: Intense chemistry, career growth, separation and reunion
Want something more emotional and intense? Try Lighter & Princess.
The story begins with Zhu Yun, a hardworking university student. She meets Li Xun, a brilliant computer science student. He is confident and difficult to understand. Their personalities clash from the start.
Despite their differences, they slowly become closer. Their relationship soon faces serious problems. Ambition, misunderstandings, separation, and painful choices change their lives.
The drama also follows their journey into adulthood. Their careers become an important part of the story.
If you enjoyed romance mixed with personal growth, this is a good choice after The Early Spring.
4. Will Love in Spring
Starring: Li Xian and Zhou Yiran
Why watch it: Mature romance, emotional healing, second chances
Want a more emotional and realistic romance? Add Will Love in Spring to your list.
Zhuang Jie and Chen Maidong were classmates in the past. Years later, they meet again. By then, both have changed.
Zhuang Jie is ambitious and focused on her career. Chen Maidong has chosen a different path. He is also more guarded about his feelings.
As they spend time together, they slowly understand each other. Their past experiences also shape their relationship.
The drama takes its time with the romance. It focuses on healing, emotions, personal growth, and understanding.
If you enjoyed the mature romance in The Early Spring, this drama is worth trying.
5. The First Frost
Starring: Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan
Why watch it: Slow-burn romance, emotional tension, complicated feelings
Loved the emotional tension in The Early Spring? Then try The First Frost.
The story follows Wen Yifan and Sang Yan. They knew each other during their school years. After several years, they meet again.
Their old feelings have not completely disappeared. Unexpected events also bring them closer. Soon, they must face their shared past.
The romance develops slowly. The characters deal with memories, misunderstandings, and emotional barriers.
The drama has a more emotional tone than The Early Spring. Still, both stories show how difficult love can become.
If you like slow-burn romance, this one deserves a place on your list.
6. Eat Run Love
Starring: Chen Feiyu and Zhuang Dafei
Why watch it: Second-chance romance, career dreams, separation
Do you enjoy second-chance romance? Then give Eat Run Love a try.
The story follows Gan Yang and Ding Zhi Tong. They come from different backgrounds. They also have different dreams.
Gan Yang dreams of creating sports shoes. Zhi Tong wants to build a stable future. Despite their differences, they fall in love.
Life eventually pulls them apart. Years later, they meet again. Their old feelings soon return.
But they are not the same people anymore. Both have changed since their first meeting. Their past still affects their choices.
If you liked the separation and reunion in The Early Spring, you may enjoy this story.
7. Love For You
Starring: Song Weilong and Zhang Jingyi
Why watch it: Long-term feelings, reunion, emotional romance
Some love stories begin with years of history. Love For You is one of them.
Chen Yi and Miao Jing have known each other since childhood. Their families are also connected. As they grow older, their relationship changes.
However, an unexpected event separates them. Years later, they meet again.
Their reunion brings back old memories and unresolved feelings. Family problems also become part of their story.
The romance develops slowly. The leads must deal with the past before moving forward.
If you enjoy emotional romance and reunion stories, this drama is worth checking out.
8. Love Between Lines
Starring: Chen Xingxu and Lu Yuxiao
Why watch it: Modern romance, mystery, unusual relationship dynamics
Want something a little different? Try Love Between Lines.
This 2026 Chinese drama mixes romance and mystery. That gives it a different feel from The Early Spring.
The story follows Hu Xiu, who becomes involved in a mystery game. There, she meets Qin Xiaoyi, played by Chen Xingxu.
Later, she meets the actor behind the character in real life. This creates an unusual situation. Soon, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur.
It is not exactly like The Early Spring. However, it offers modern romance, mystery, and complicated identities.
If you want something less traditional, add this drama to your watchlist.
9. You Are My Glory
Starring: Yang Yang and Dilraba Dilmurat
Why watch it: Adult romance, career pressure, strong chemistry
Want strong chemistry between successful adults? Try You Are My Glory.
The story follows Qiao Jingjing, a famous actress. She reconnects with Yu Tu, a former schoolmate. Their reunion begins through an online game.
Their lives are very different. Qiao Jingjing has a busy acting career. Yu Tu is also dealing with important career choices.
Their relationship grows as they think about their careers, dreams, and future.
This is not a workplace romance like The Early Spring. However, both dramas show adults trying to balance love and career.
The tone is also lighter and warmer. It can be a nice change after a more emotional romance.
Which C-Drama Should You Watch After The Early Spring?
It depends on what you enjoyed most about the drama.
Want more workplace romance and career ambition? Try Love’s Ambition or As Beautiful As You.
Looking for emotional tension? Check out Lighter & Princess or The First Frost.
Prefer a mature romance? Add Will Love in Spring to your watchlist.
Love second-chance stories? Try Eat Run Love or Love For You.
Want more romantic chemistry? You Are My Glory and Hidden Love are both worth watching.
There is no exact copy of The Early Spring. Its appeal comes from the mix of romance, career pressure, personal growth, and emotional conflict.
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