LayarHijau – The Early Spring, starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian, has finished airing all 24 of its main episodes. However, after the drama wrapped up, Youku’s China platform began releasing special content titled “High-Sweet Version,” with each episode running for about an hour.
The first special episode was released on September 19. Based on LayarHijau’s latest check of Youku’s China platform, four special episodes are now available, titled “High-Sweet Version 01” through “High-Sweet Version 04.”
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These are not new episodes continuing the story after Episode 24. Instead, the “High-Sweet Version” consists of specially edited footage compiled from The Early Spring.
5-Minute Free Previews Are Available for Non-VIP Users
Although the special episodes are VIP content on Youku’s China platform, non-VIP users can still watch about five minutes of each episode for free.
LayarHijau watched the free previews to get a closer look at what is included in the four “High-Sweet Version” episodes. Based on the available previews, the specials appear to be compilations of scenes from The Early Spring.
However, the five-minute previews available for free do not show intimate scenes between Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao. Because of that, it cannot yet be confirmed whether the full-length specials specifically focus on romantic moments between the two main characters, as some viewers in China had previously suggested.
It is also unclear whether the special episodes contain any footage that differs from the versions shown in the regular episodes. That can only be confirmed if the full specials become available for viewing.
Four Special Episodes Have Been Released on Youku China
The four specials are currently available on Youku’s China platform under the titles “High-Sweet Version 01” through “High-Sweet Version 04.” Each runs for roughly one hour.
That gives viewers on Youku China roughly four additional hours of The Early Spring content following the conclusion of its 24 main episodes.
It remains unclear whether these four episodes mark the complete “High-Sweet Version” release or whether Youku plans to add more special episodes.
Not Yet Available on Youku International
Unlike Youku’s China platform, the four special episodes are not yet available on Youku International.
LayarHijau’s search of the international platform also found no information about plans to release the “High-Sweet Version” for viewers outside China. International viewers therefore still cannot watch the four specials in full through Youku International.
Some Viewers Would Rather See Deleted Scenes
The release of the “High-Sweet Version” has not been entirely welcomed by viewers who were hoping for new material after The Early Spring ended.
Some viewers in China and overseas have expressed disappointment after finding out that the special episodes are compilations of scenes from the drama. They said they would rather see Youku release scenes that were cut from the original broadcast than repackage footage that has already appeared in the series.
That interest is tied to scenes from The Early Spring that viewers had previously seen in promotional materials, production footage or behind-the-scenes clips but that did not appear in the 24 aired episodes.
International fans had also previously asked Youku and the production team to consider releasing deleted scenes, an extended version or additional footage for the global audience. A petition launched by international fans specifically asks for deleted scenes, an extended version or a special epilogue.
At the same time, some viewers believe the chances of Youku releasing deleted footage for its China audience would remain low if those scenes were removed because of censorship or content-compliance requirements. Releasing material that could not be used in the domestic version would not necessarily be as simple as adding it to a special episode.
In principle, creating a different version for international markets is not impossible. A series can have different versions for different countries or platforms, provided that the rights holders and distributors have the legal and contractual rights to use the material and the released version complies with the rules in the target market.
However, differences in regulations do not automatically mean Youku can include every deleted scene in an international version. That decision would still depend on the rights holders, distribution agreements, the actual reason a scene was removed, and the regulations applicable in each market.
So far, there has been no official announcement that Youku will release the deleted scenes in an international version of The Early Spring. It is also still unclear whether Youku will release additional “High-Sweet Version” episodes beyond the four already available.
