LayarHijau – The Chinese drama Irreplaceable, starring Wei Daxun and Zhao Jinmai, premiered on September 28, 2026. The drama quickly became a topic of discussion among Chinese netizens because several elements reminded viewers of The Early Spring, the drama starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian that recently concluded.
The similarities have even led some netizens to call Irreplaceable “The Early Spring 2.0.” The comparison mainly stems from the fact that both dramas combine romance with the workplace, are set in Beijing, and feature elite male characters holding senior positions in their respective industries.
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One particular similarity has made the comparison even more noticeable. After viewers of The Early Spring became familiar with Luke, the English name of Jing Boran’s character Luan Nian, Irreplaceable introduces Richard, the English name of Wei Daxun’s character Ye Xinzhi.
Luke and Richard Are Both Elite Professionals
In The Early Spring, Jing Boran plays Luan Nian, an elite executive in the advertising industry who goes by the English name Luke. Luan Nian is portrayed as cold, sharp-tongued and fairly tough in the way he manages people.
Meanwhile, Wei Daxun plays Ye Xinzhi in Irreplaceable. His character is an elite partner in the consulting industry who uses the English name Richard.
The similarities between their positions have led some viewers to feel as though they are seeing a similar character pattern in two dramas airing close to each other. Both are experienced professionals in senior positions who become closely connected with women building their careers.
There is also a similarity involving English names. In Irreplaceable, Xu Chi, the main character played by Zhao Jinmai, uses the English name Tracy. The Early Spring also has a character named Tracy, but she is not the female lead. Tracy is the English name of Liang Xin, an HR manager at the advertising company Lime.
The female lead of The Early Spring, Shang Zhitao, played by Sun Qian, uses the English name Flora.
Luke and Richard Have Different Personalities
Despite the similarities in their character frameworks, Luan Nian and Ye Xinzhi have different personalities and approaches to their relationships.
Luan Nian is known for his sharp remarks and cold demeanor. His relationship with Shang Zhitao, or Flora, is filled with emotional tension and push-and-pull dynamics.
Ye Xinzhi, on the other hand, is calmer and gentler in his interactions with Xu Chi, or Tracy. Rather than taking a harsh approach, he offers guidance and helps Xu Chi develop professionally.
These differences have led viewers to compare the two characters in terms of how they approach both work and romance. On Chinese social media, some viewers have joked that after going through the “Luke” phase, they now have “Richard,” who is seen as calmer when dealing with relationships and workplace issues.
Irreplaceable Viewers Defend the Drama
The debate over the similarities between the two dramas has not been limited to criticism of Irreplaceable. Some viewers have defended Wei Daxun and Zhao Jinmai’s drama and argued that calling it “The Early Spring 2.0” is unfair.
They point out that Irreplaceable is not a remake, adaptation or sequel to The Early Spring. It is based on an original script and began filming before The Early Spring.
Irreplaceable began filming on August 11, 2025, while The Early Spring started filming on August 31, 2025. This means that although Irreplaceable premiered after The Early Spring, filming had actually begun earlier.
The different origins of the two stories have also been cited by viewers who reject the idea that Irreplaceable followed The Early Spring. Irreplaceable is based on an original script, while The Early Spring is adapted from a novel of the same name.
For that reason, some viewers believe the similarities that became noticeable when the two dramas aired close together are more closely related to the popularity of urban workplace romance. Established professionals, senior-junior relationships and career competition are elements that can appear in dramas with similar themes.
The Story of Irreplaceable
Irreplaceable follows Xu Chi, a woman who enters the consulting industry and tries to build her career in a highly competitive workplace.
Along the way, Xu Chi meets Ye Xinzhi, an elite partner with extensive experience in the consulting industry. Their relationship initially develops through their professional connection, as Ye Xinzhi guides Xu Chi through various challenges at work.
As the story progresses, their professional relationship becomes more complicated. They must deal not only with workplace challenges but also with changes in their personal lives and feelings for each other.
Irreplaceable premiered on September 28, 2026, starring Wei Daxun and Zhao Jinmai in the lead roles. The drama is also available internationally on Netflix under the official English title Irreplaceable.
With the two dramas airing so close together, comparisons between Irreplaceable and The Early Spring have naturally become a topic of discussion among Chinese viewers. While both combine romance and the workplace and feature elite male characters such as Luke and Richard, the two dramas have their own stories and character dynamics.
