LayarHijau – Jing Boran and Sun Qian lead the Chinese drama The Early Spring (《早春晴朗》), playing Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao, a couple whose relationship is filled with arguments, reconciliations, and emotional push-and-pull. Bringing that complicated dynamic to life required the two actors to develop a natural rapport both on and off screen.
In an interview with Sohu Entertainment, Jing Boran and Sun Qian opened up about how they grew closer before and during filming. As fellow Northeasterners, they found an easy point of connection through their shared background, including chatting in their regional dialect and bonding over a surprisingly simple topic: malatang.
Support Layar Hijau
Layar Hijau is an independent media outlet dedicated to sharing news and stories about the Asian dramas you love. If you enjoy our content, your support helps us keep going and bring more stories to fellow drama fans.
Every bit of support means a lot to us. Thank you for reading, following, and being part of Layar Hijau's journey.
For supporters in Indonesia
For international supporters
For more information, click here.
Being Fellow Northeasterners Helped Them Get Close
Jing Boran and Sun Qian had already crossed paths at several events before working together on The Early Spring. Jing Boran said he had been interested in working with Sun Qian for some time.
“Among the younger actresses, I think Qian Qian is very distinctive. She has an artistic quality and feels like someone with a lot of stories to tell,” Jing Boran said.
Sun Qian, meanwhile, admitted that she was excited about the prospect of working with Jing Boran. However, Jing Boran initially thought she seemed somewhat aloof because of her appearance.
That impression changed once they started spending more time together and discovered that they shared the same Northeastern roots.
“After getting to know her, I realized she was just like me. We’re both from Northeast China, so we’re basically from the same hometown,” Jing Boran said.
Their shared background became an easy way for them to relax around each other. Jing Boran said he would often switch to his Northeastern dialect when chatting privately with Sun Qian.
“I feel like Qian Qian is my Northeastern-language buddy. I only speak Northeastern dialect with Sun Qian,” he said.
Sun Qian also enjoyed the habit and joked that Jing Boran’s Northeastern accent was much stronger than hers.
“His Northeastern dialect is definitely on another level compared with mine,” Sun Qian said.
Jing Boran explained that this was something he specifically did when talking to Sun Qian. He normally speaks other languages with some of his friends, making their Northeastern-style conversations something of a private routine between the two co-stars.
Their Chats Were Mostly About Malatang
Their conversations outside the set were surprisingly ordinary. Rather than constantly discussing work or their characters, Jing Boran and Sun Qian often talked about food, particularly malatang.
“What else do Northeasterners have to talk about? Mostly malatang,” Jing Boran joked.
Sun Qian confirmed that food recommendations were indeed a recurring topic in their chats.
“If you look through our chat history, it’s basically all malatang. We’re always talking about some new malatang place we’ve discovered,” she said.
Malatang (麻辣烫) is a spicy soup dish in which diners choose ingredients such as vegetables, meat, tofu, noodles, and other items to be cooked in a seasoned broth. Although the dish originated in Sichuan rather than Northeast China, it has become hugely popular in the Northeast, where a distinctive regional style known as Northeast-style malatang has developed.
That distinction is important because malatang itself is not a Northeastern dish by origin. Its popularity in the region, however, makes it a familiar part of everyday food culture there. The topic also became a natural point of conversation for Jing Boran and Sun Qian as two Northeasterners getting to know each other.
Getting to Know Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao
The familiarity they developed off screen also helped them understand the very different personalities of their characters.
Jing Boran described Shang Zhi Tao as a woman who may appear vulnerable at times but remains clear-headed, independent, and ambitious. After meeting Luan Nian through work, she grows both professionally and emotionally.
“Shang Zhi Tao is a girl who is both humble and clear-headed. She’s very independent and ambitious. After meeting Luan Nian at work, she goes through a very graceful transformation in both her career and her relationship,” Jing Boran said.
Sun Qian described Luan Nian as someone who initially has a sharp tongue but gradually learns to take other people’s feelings into consideration.
“He may seem very cutting with his words, but as he interacts with others and grows, he gradually learns to think more about other people,” Sun Qian said.
Jing Boran believes Luan Nian’s blunt personality is also part of what makes him compelling.
“Luan Nian is a pretty sharp-edged person. But the good thing is that you never have to guess what he’s thinking because he expresses himself very directly,” he explained.
For Jing Boran, the character’s flaws are actually central to his appeal.
“The character is attractive precisely because he has more flaws than strengths,” he said.
Shang Zhi Tao Is Luan Nian’s Strongest Counter
Sun Qian believes Shang Zhi Tao is particularly well equipped to deal with Luan Nian’s sharp tongue. She may be hurt by his words, but she does not stay down for long.
“Shang Zhi Tao can handle him pretty well. Normally, if someone talks to you like that, you’d feel hurt and upset. But with Shang Zhi Tao, it just doesn’t work,” Sun Qian said.
She described her character as the strongest possible shield against Luan Nian.
“After he insults her ten times, she’ll go home and feel miserable for a while, then say, ‘It’s fine.’ The next day, she’s back to being the best version of Shang Zhi Tao,” she said.
Jing Boran agreed that this resilience is exactly what makes Shang Zhi Tao so effective against Luan Nian.
“That’s also what gets to Luan Nian the most,” he said.
A Relationship Built on Constant Push and Pull
Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao’s romance is anything but smooth. They argue, make up, and then find themselves arguing all over again.
“These two are both pretty difficult,” Jing Boran said. “They can’t stay on good terms for more than a few seconds before they start arguing again, then they make up and repeat the whole thing.”
Sun Qian offered a simpler explanation.
“Maybe it’s because they love each other too much,” she said.
But for Jing Boran, the heart of their relationship goes beyond the constant arguments. What matters is how the two characters gradually change one another.
“It really comes down to how they change each other over the course of their long journey together,” Jing Boran explained.
Shang Zhi Tao initially becomes so consumed by love that she almost loses herself, while Luan Nian, who is accustomed to putting himself first, slowly learns to let go of that self-centeredness for her.
“Throughout this long journey of love, they help each other grow. I think that’s the most extreme part of their relationship,” Jing Boran said.
A Coordinator Helped Them Film Intimate Scenes
Another challenge for the two actors came from the drama’s intimate scenes, which had already attracted attention through behind-the-scenes footage and promotional clips.
Jing Boran revealed that the production had a coordinator for intimate scenes to help the actors navigate those moments. The coordinator provided guidance on the visual aesthetic and helped them work out the movements and physical expressions required for the scenes.
“First, she gives us guidance on the aesthetics. Then she shows us how to handle the movements and how to express that aesthetic,” Jing Boran said.
Having someone there to guide the process also helped both actors feel less nervous.
“Because she was there, the two of us were able to relax more,” he added.
Sun Qian agreed, emphasizing that the support was particularly helpful on a psychological level.
“It was genuinely very helpful, especially psychologically,” she said.
Luke Became the Emotional Link Between Them
Their on-screen relationship also revolves around Luke, the dog who becomes an important part of Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao’s story. Some behind-the-scenes footage featuring the two actors and Luke even prompted viewers to joke that the couple seemed more in love with the dog than with each other.
Jing Boran sees Luke as something much more significant.
“What they love is the home they missed and lost,” he explained.
According to Jing Boran, Luke serves as an emotional link between the two characters, almost like their child.
“Luke is a very important bond between them. He’s almost like their child,” Jing Boran said.
That is why their arguments over Luke are not really just about who gets custody of the dog. Jing Boran believes Luan Nian is using Luke as a reason to hold on to Shang Zhi Tao.
“More than anything, Luan Nian is trying to win Shang Zhi Tao back. He can only use this child, this dog, as an excuse to talk about it,” he said.
The actors also had to build their own rapport with Luke during filming. They spent more time interacting with the dog and used treats to win him over and make their scenes together feel more natural.
“He’s the actor who matches the original character perfectly,” Jing Boran joked. “So privately, we had to interact with him more and build that sense of understanding, like you’re trying to win over a little kid.”
Luan Nian’s Wardrobe Reflects His Emotional Growth
Jing Boran also took an interest in Luan Nian’s wardrobe, using clothing details to reflect the character’s emotional development.
At the beginning of the story, Luan Nian is emotionally closed off, which is reflected in his formal and tightly structured outfits.
“At first, he’s completely emotionally closed off. His ties are very formal and tightly done,” Jing Boran explained.
After Shang Zhi Tao enters his life, his appearance gradually becomes more relaxed and colorful.
“The buttons gradually start to come undone. It’s also a signal that he can no longer keep himself restrained from the outside world and his work environment. Even the colors change. After meeting Shang Zhi Tao, this mature man starts to become more colorful,” he said.
Interestingly, Jing Boran and Sun Qian also happened to attend the same fashion week during the production period. They were even staying at the same hotel at the time, creating another coincidence between their off-screen experience and the fashion-conscious world of Luan Nian.
From their Northeastern dialect and casual conversations about malatang to the more demanding intimate scenes and their time working with Luke, Jing Boran and Sun Qian found plenty of ways to become comfortable with each other during The Early Spring.
That familiarity ultimately gave them a foundation for portraying Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao’s complicated relationship—a romance defined not only by arguments and reconciliation, but also by two people who gradually learn to change and grow for each other.
Chinese dramas products
Rosy Zhao Rosydoedian Authentic Dachshund Plush Doll Squeaky Soft Stuffed Decorative Throw Pillow Collectible Gift
Authenthic Dachshund plush doll from Zhao Lusi's Rosydoedian.
It's only available for shipping to certain countries.
Official Genuine Pursuit of Jade Drama Collectible Photocards Zhang Linghe Tian Xiwei Photo Trading Cards Holiday Gift
Official genuine collectible photocards These Pursuit of Jade Drama collectible photocards are officially licensed and authentic, featuring beloved characters Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei. Perfect for fans seeking genuine memorabilia from the popular drama.
High-quality packaging and design Each card comes in a premium original box with clear, vibrant printing. The 100000015 measurement unit ensures precise packaging for collectors who value neat organization and presentation.
New Drama Fangs Of Fortune Official Merch Collectible Cards Zhao Yuanzhou, Wen Xiao Characters HD Photocard Cosplay Gift
Official Merchandise from Fangs of Fortune This collectible card set is officially licensed Fangs of Fortune merchandise, featuring beloved characters Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao in high-definition detail for true fans.
High-Quality HD Photocard Design Crafted with sharp, vibrant visuals, each card delivers HD photocard quality, capturing character expressions and costumes with stunning clarity and color accuracy.
