LayarHijau – The sequel to The Early Spring (早春晴朗), Midsummer Clear and Bright (Shengxia Qinglang (盛夏晴朗)), is back in the spotlight after Taiwanese media reported information allegedly obtained from a Youku insider about efforts to bring Jing Boran and Sun Qian back as Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao.
Youku previously officially announced Midsummer Clear and Bright as a sequel to The Early Spring, with the key creative team from the original drama returning. However, the platform has yet to officially announce the sequel’s main cast. BabyYou.me (via Yahoo Taiwan) also highlighted the possibility of Jing Boran and Sun Qian returning as one of the biggest questions following the sequel announcement.
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According to the Taiwanese report, a source described as being from inside Youku claimed that casting preparations for Midsummer Clear and Bright had already begun in late 2025. The production team was reportedly preparing a list of potential cast members and had already held three rounds of talks with Jing Boran’s team in an effort to bring him back as Luan Nian.
If accurate, the claim suggests that development of Midsummer Clear and Bright may have been underway internally long before Youku officially announced the project in September 2026. In other words, plans to continue Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao’s story were reportedly being prepared before The Early Spring had even aired to the public.
However, the information is not enough to conclude that Youku had planned a series of multiple sequels or even a trilogy from the beginning. So far, the only project officially announced is Midsummer Clear and Bright as a sequel to The Early Spring.
Sun Qian Also Expected to Return
Sun Qian is also at the center of discussions surrounding the sequel’s cast. In The Early Spring, she played Shang Zhitao, Luan Nian’s partner, played by Jing Boran. The two characters were at the heart of the drama’s romance, making the possibility of their reunion a major point of interest following Youku’s sequel announcement.
Jing Boran and Sun Qian also reposted Youku’s official announcement of Midsummer Clear and Bright. Jing Boran wrote, “Summer, no ice carving,” while Sun Qian wrote, “I told you this wouldn’t be the end.”
Weibo Rumors Reveal Possible Story and Filming Schedule
Before the latest Taiwanese media report, a series of rumors about Midsummer Clear and Bright also circulated on Weibo on September 22.
The rumors claimed that the sequel would use an original screenplay rather than continue the story from the novel that inspired The Early Spring. The story was reportedly set to move directly into Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao’s married life after they decided to get married.
If the rumors prove accurate, Midsummer Clear and Bright would focus on the challenges that emerge after the couple enters married life, including their careers and everyday lives. Luan Nian was reportedly set to undergo changes after marriage, while Shang Zhitao would continue to maintain her independence and career ambitions.
The same rumors also claimed that Midsummer Clear and Bright would begin filming in December 2026 in Changchun, Jilin Province, with the drama targeting a 2027 release.
The information about the original screenplay, the characters’ married life and the December filming schedule all originated from Weibo rumors and were not part of the Youku insider claim reported by the Taiwanese media.
Jing Boran and Sun Qian Remain the Key Question
The report about casting preparations dating back to late 2025 provides new context for the possibility of Jing Boran and Sun Qian returning for Midsummer Clear and Bright. However, Youku has yet to officially announce the sequel’s main cast.
For now, Midsummer Clear and Bright has been officially confirmed as a sequel to The Early Spring and is part of Youku’s 2027 lineup. The reported efforts to bring Jing Boran and Sun Qian back, along with the rumored married-life storyline and December filming schedule, remain tied to their respective sources until Youku makes an official announcement.
