LayarHijau – Chinese drama The Early Spring (早春晴朗), starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian, has sparked plenty of discussion on social media. One topic that has caught viewers’ attention is the character Luan Nian, played by Jing Boran, who some believe bears striking similarities to a real-life figure: singer Liu Lian.
The speculation, however, centers on Luan Nian as he was portrayed in the original novel The Early Spring, written by author “Guniang Bie Ku” (姑娘别哭), rather than suggesting that Jing Boran himself was modeled after Liu Lian.
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Several details have led readers and viewers to draw comparisons between Luan Nian and Liu Lian, from their educational backgrounds to their careers in the advertising industry.
When Liu Lian was asked about the theory, she also made it clear that she would like to hear the answer directly from the original author and find out whether she was actually the inspiration for the character.
Who Is Liu Lian?
Liu Lian is a singer who also built a successful career in advertising. She graduated from Peking University’s School of Archaeology and Museology.
In 2012, Liu Lian gave up an opportunity to continue her studies through Peking University’s recommendation program and instead joined Ogilvy Beijing as an intern earning 3,500 yuan a month.
She eventually worked her way up to become a creative director. During her time at Ogilvy, Liu Lian also pursued music alongside musician Du Kai. The pair formed the vocal jazz duo Mr.Miss and won Best Vocal Group at the 28th Golden Melody Awards.
Liu Lian was also named to Forbes China’s 30 Under 30 list in 2018 and appeared on the music variety show The Big Band in 2019.
Her profile grew significantly after she joined Sisters Who Make Waves in 2022. Following her rise to fame on the show, Ogilvy allowed her to take leave from her position, earning her the nickname “Ogilvy’s living billboard.”
Why Do Fans See Similarities Between Luan Nian and Liu Lian?
In the original The Early Spring novel, Luan Nian is the general manager of a multinational advertising company called Lingmei. The character was later adapted for television, with Jing Boran taking on the role.
Fans began comparing the fictional character to Liu Lian because both have ties to Peking University and have worked for major international advertising companies.
There is another striking similarity involving a Samoyed.
In The Early Spring, Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao have a Samoyed named Luke. Liu Lian also has a Samoyed, whose name is Taotao.
What makes that detail even more intriguing is that Taotao is also Shang Zhi Tao’s nickname in the story. That coincidence has added fuel to the theory that certain details from Liu Lian’s life may have found their way into the novel.
The names Luan Nian and Liu Lian have also been noted by fans for their similar pronunciation in Mandarin. Meanwhile, some readers have drawn parallels between the fictional advertising company Lingmei and Ogilvy, where Liu Lian built her career.
Taken together, these similarities have led some netizens to speculate that Liu Lian may have been one of the inspirations behind Luan Nian when the author created the character.
Liu Lian Wants to Ask the Author Herself
Liu Lian eventually addressed the speculation on the podcast Jiejie Kuai Xingxing (姐姐快醒醒), where she discussed the theory with short-drama actress Wang Gege.
When the possibility that Luan Nian was inspired by her came up, Liu Lian admitted that she had no idea whether it was true.
“I really don’t know. I really want to ask the original author whether I was actually the inspiration,” Liu Lian said.
Her response is particularly interesting because Liu Lian did not claim to know that she had inspired Luan Nian. Instead, she said she wanted to hear the answer directly from the author of the original The Early Spring novel.
So far, the author, who writes under the name “Guniang Bie Ku” (姑娘别哭), has not publicly responded to the speculation that Liu Lian inspired the character.
For now, the connection between Liu Lian and Luan Nian remains a theory among fans. Their shared Peking University background, experience in the advertising industry and the intriguing Samoyed connection have certainly made the comparison fascinating, but there has been no confirmation from the novel’s author that Luan Nian was actually based on Liu Lian.
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