LayarHijau– Rising Chinese actress Zhang Ruonan is taking on a nostalgic new role in the upcoming drama Winter Goes and Spring Comes, where she portrays a small-town singer chasing her dreams in 1990s Beijing. The series, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Zheng Xiaolong (Legend of Zang Hai), has already generated buzz for its thematic connection to Always on the Move—another period drama from the same creative team, starring Bai Jingting.
According to a report by Taiwanese media outlet Upmedia, Winter Goes and Spring Comes is considered a sister production to Always on the Move, though the two series do not share plotlines or characters. Instead, they are linked by their shared focus on the everyday struggles and aspirations of ordinary people during times of great social change in China. While Always on the Move followed railway workers during the 1970s reform era, Winter Goes and Spring Comes shifts the timeline to the booming 1990s and centers on young drifters who come to the capital in search of success.
Zhang plays Zhuang Zhuang, a passionate singer hoping to break into the music world. But her dream of glamorous stages is met with harsh reality—she survives by performing in small venues and navigating the tough city life alongside fellow “beipiao,” or urban migrants. The story unfolds in a modest guesthouse named Dongqu Chunlai, where a group of young dreamers from across the country cross paths.
Photos from set have gone viral, showing Zhang in full retro-styled wardrobe: voluminous waves, a mustard yellow beret, a high-neck white T-shirt paired with a vintage leather vest, plaid skirt, emerald earrings, and a polka-dot scarf. Netizens praised her look as a perfect throwback to early ’90s fashion, calling her “sweet and stylish with an authentic vintage vibe.”
Opposite her is actor Bai Yu (The Long Night, The Bond), who plays Xu Shengli, an aspiring screenwriter constantly rejected by publishers. He sports a laid-back look with a denim shirt and neatly combed hair. In behind-the-scenes photos, Zhang and Bai are seen chatting warmly, hinting at a supportive and possibly romantic dynamic between their characters.
Interestingly, before Bai Yu was officially announced, Zhang was rumored to be paired with top actor Yang Yang. The speculation was widely circulated online, but it was eventually confirmed that Bai Yu had secured the role.
Zhang Ruonan’s return to the small screen follows her breakout performance in The First Frost (难哄) opposite Bai Jingting. The modern romance drama topped the charts in early 2025, amassing over 1.43 billion effective views on Maoyan, with multiple daily, weekly, and monthly #1 rankings. The role also skyrocketed her popularity, earning her nearly four million new followers and solidifying her status as one of China’s new-generation drama queens.
With its emotionally resonant themes, period-accurate visuals, and strong pedigree from the Always on the Move production team, Winter Goes and Spring Comes is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Chinese dramas of the year.
