September Drama Brand Reputation Rankings Announced
The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for dramas!
The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, community awareness, and viewership indexes of 21 popular dramas, using big data collected from August 10 to September 10.
“A Bona Fide Killer” topped this month’s list with a brand reputation index of 5,233,155. High-ranking phrases in the drama’s keyword analysis included “one shot, one kill,” “Kong Hyo Jin,” and “Jung Jun Won,” while its highest-ranking related terms included “punish,” “satisfying,” and “passionate acting.” The show’s positivity-negativity analysis revealed a score of 95.24 percent positive reactions.
“Our Happy Days” took second place with a brand reputation index of 4,712,721, while “A Trap Called Desire” came in third with a score of 3,352,346.
“Love on the Menu” ranked fourth with a brand reputation index of 2,936,191, and “Our Sticky Love” rounded out the top five with a score of 2,714,471.
Check out the top 20 for this month below!
“A Bona Fide Killer”
“Our Happy Days”
“A Trap Called Desire”
“Love on the Menu”
“Our Sticky Love”
“Four Hands, Two Sonatas”
“Anna”
“Family Register”
“The Apartment Job”
“The Affair Was Just the Beginning”
“A Love Other Than Yours”
“Mousetrap”
“My Bias, My Boss”
“Your Honor”
“Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency”
“OK! Let’s Get Divorced”
“Flex x Cop 2”
“New Recruit 4: Sabotage”
“The Early Spring”
“Korean Peninsula”
Binge-watch all of “A Bona Fide Killer” on Viki below:
Watch Now
And all of “The Affair Was Just the Beginning” here:
Watch Now
Or catch up on “Love on the Menu” here:
Watch Now
And “Family Register” below!
Watch Now
Drama,TV/Film,A Bona Fide Killer,A Love Other Than Yours,a trap called desire,Anna,drama,Family Register,Flex x Cop 2,Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency,Four Hands Two Sonatas,Jung Jun Won,Kong Hyo Jin,Korean Peninsula,Love on the Menu,Mousetrap,My Bias My Boss,New Recruit 4: Sabotage,OK Let’s Get Divorced,Our Happy Days,Our Sticky Love,The Affair Was Just the Beginning,The Apartment Job,the early spring,Your HonorA Bona Fide Killer,A Love Other Than Yours,a trap called desire,Anna,drama,Family Register,Flex x Cop 2,Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency,Four Hands Two Sonatas,Jung Jun Won,Kong Hyo Jin,Korean Peninsula,Love on the Menu,Mousetrap,My Bias My Boss,New Recruit 4: Sabotage,OK Let’s Get Divorced,Our Happy Days,Our Sticky Love,The Affair Was Just the Beginning,The Apartment Job,the early spring,Your Honor#September #Drama #Brand #Reputation #Rankings #Announced1790467800
5 Sun Qian C-Dramas You Don’t Want To Miss
Sun Qian’s turn as Flora has notched up the actress’s popularity quotient by a few notches. In “The Early Spring,” she plays the optimistic and hardworking rookie who steps into the world of advertising, only to get caught up in a steamy romance with her boss, Luke (Jing Bo Ran). However, beyond the drama, the actress has steadily been making her mark with performances that span romance, family drama, mystery, and crime. Whether she is playing a woman navigating complicated relationships, or stepping into darker, more suspenseful territory, Sun Qian has proven she is not afraid to explore different shades of a character.
If you are new to Sun Qian’s work or are simply looking for more dramas featuring the actress, here are five C-dramas which showcase her versatility.
“The Early Spring”
Sun Qian’s Shang Zhi Tao or “Flora” is a bright-eyed graduate who may lack the credentials, but has the drive to push herself and excel at whatever is assigned to her. However, when she joins “Lime,” one of the most sought-after agencies in Beijing, Flora understands that she is at the lowest rung of the ladder. She lacks experience and is nowhere at par with her colleagues. To make her mark, she really needs to stand out. But the issue is Luan “Luke” Nian (Jing Bo Ran), Lime’s uber-cool creative head who takes an instant dislike to her, wanting her to quit.
The feisty Flora proves she is no quitter and works hard, earning the trust of all. But things get a tad complicated when Flora, who is attracted to Luke, succumbs to his seductive charm. What starts off as a one-night stand soon escalates into a torrid love affair but with a complicated emotional dependence between the two. The major issue between the couple is their inability to communicate honestly with each other, which leads to misunderstandings, heartbreak, and a separation.
“The Early Spring” struck a chord with fans for its realistic portrayal of messy and complex couple dynamics. Sun Qian’s Flora is a flawed character with her own strengths and shortcomings, with the actor showcasing the confusion, stubbornness, as well as the sensitivity with style. The chemistry between Sun Qian and Jing Bo Ran is also the highlight of the show, with both actors making their characters feel real and lived in.
“Love Story in the 1970s”
Sun Qian’s Fei Ni in “Love Story in the 1970s” is a bit different from Flora. She is the one calling the shots in the relationship, being extremely confident in her abilities. But if there is one thing the two share in common, it is the stubbornness to excel and achieve their dreams no matter what. Fei Ni wants to go to college but ends up missing the opportunity since admissions are on the basis of recommendations rather than merit. She starts taking care of Fang Mu Yang (Arthur Chen), a wounded soldier, in the hope that the deed would win her points. Little does she realize that Fang Mu Yang is her middle-school classmate who has been secretly in love with her.
The two enter a marriage of convenience on Fei Ni’s suggestion since she wants to get housing. As they start living together, the two navigate the many challenges and grow as people, with Fang Mu Yang encouraging Fei Ni every step of the way.
A slow-burn romance between two very different people, it is an endearing and heartfelt tale of self-growth and love. Fei Ni is an independent and self-reliant person with a resilient spirit, and Sun Qian brings forth her character’s strong personality naturally. Once again, it’s the tender chemistry between her and Arthur Chen that makes you root for this endearing on-screen couple.
Start watching “Love Story in the 1970s”:
Watch Now
“The Islands”
Sun Qian’s Tao Shu Na in “The Islands” is the youngest of three generations of Meng women whose lives, relationships, and conflicts form the heart of the drama. Each woman has her own ideas about love, marriage, family, and independence. But living under the same roof brings their differences as well as long-held tensions to the fore. Tao Shu Na finds herself caught between the expectations of the older generations and her own desire to make her way in life, giving Sun Qian a more vulnerable and layered character to portray.
Her relationship with Zhang Xiao Yan (Chen Jing Ke) adds a sweet romantic thread to the story. Their chemistry is easy and understated, with their playful exchanges and affectionate moments giving the romance a natural quality. The relationship also offers a refreshing contrast to the more complicated dynamics within the Meng family.
“The Islands” is worth watching for its warm yet honest look at family relationships across generations. It explores how women from the same family can love each other deeply while having very different ideas about what makes a fulfilling life. And Sun Qian brings warmth and sincerity to Tao Shu Na.
Start watching “The Islands”:
Watch Now
“Love Song in Winter”
Lu Yan (Sun Qian) is an anesthesiologist whose carefully rebuilt life is disrupted when her former boyfriend unexpectedly returns. Jiang Cheng Yi (Johnny Huang) is now a detective, assigned to special cases. Having had his heart mercilessly broken by Lu Yan in college, her leaving him without any explanation has constantly hurt him.
After going their separate ways eight years earlier, their paths cross again when a mystery involving a series of deaths brings them together. As they investigate what happened, they are also forced to confront the unresolved emotions and secrets from their past.
Lu Yan is a professional woman with her own emotional history and gives Sun Qian room to explore both her character’s vulnerability and strength. The combination of romance, mystery, and suspense also keeps the story from becoming a straightforward love story. And her chemistry with Johnny Huang is another reason to tune in.
“19th Floor”
Chun Yu (Sun Qian) is a university student who wakes up after a school bus crash, only to find herself caught in a mysterious and terrifying survival game. She meets fellow player Gao Xuan (Wei Zhe Ming), and along with their schoolmates, they navigate a series of dangerous challenges while trying to uncover the truth behind what has happened to them.
The drama is a gripping mix of mystery, suspense, and survival-game elements. Sun Qian brings a natural vulnerability to Chun Yu, whose journey sees her confront her fears and gradually become more resilient. The plot keeps you invested as the characters work together to survive, while each challenge reveals new clues about the mysterious game and the people behind it.
Start watching “19th Floor”:
Watch Now
Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Jing Bo Ran and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.
Drama,Features,TV/Film,19th floor,drama,love song in winter,love story in the 1970s,Soompi Spotlight,sun qian,the early spring,The Islands19th floor,drama,love song in winter,love story in the 1970s,Soompi Spotlight,sun qian,the early spring,The Islands#Sun #Qian #CDramas #Dont1789761866
7 C-Dramas To Watch If You Loved “The Early Spring”
“The Early Spring” has cast its spell over fans with the dynamics between Jing Bo Ran’s Luke and Sun Qian’s Flora. As the two begin a tempestuous relationship at work, they embark on a journey of emotional and self-development, navigating their own feelings set against the competitive world of advertising, their individuality, and more. The scorching chemistry, of course, left viewers breathless, but this modern romance felt relatable in several ways.
Are you feeling “The Early Spring” void? Here are seven such modern love stories dealing with complex couple dynamics, the push and pull between ambition and commitment, and more. The electric chemistry is an added bonus, so sit back and indulge in these bittersweet C-drama relationships for the soul.
“Love’s Ambition”
Xu Yan (Zhao Lu Si) is an ambitious television host who appears to have her life and career perfectly mapped out until her relationship with investment professional Shen Hao Ming (William Chan) begins to unravel her carefully constructed world. What starts as a seemingly well-matched romance soon turns complicated as the two confront their very different ideas about love, ambition, independence, and marriage.
Zhao Lu Si brings a more mature, layered performance to Xu Yan, while William Chan plays Hao Ming as a controlled and calculating man whose emotional vulnerability gradually surfaces. With its focus on two ambitious adults trying to navigate a relationship without losing themselves, the drama makes for an engaging watch if you enjoyed the career-versus-commitment dynamic in “The Early Spring.”
Start watching “Love’s Ambition”:
Watch Now
“Lighter and Princess”
Li Xun (Arthur Chen) is a brilliant but arrogant programming genius who keeps to himself. His reputation as bad news precedes him. Zhu Yun (Zhang Jing Yi ), a determined and academically gifted student, finds herself attracted to him, and her life takes on a different course than what she had planned. As the attraction between the two grows into love, they dream of a future together.
But betrayal by a friend and a tragedy in Li Xun’s life leads to him being in prison and breaking things off with Zhu Yun. The two meet years later, with Zhu Yun determined to win Li Xun back, even though he remains cold towards her. But when Li Xun once again gets ready to sacrifice himself for love, it is Zhu Yun who stands up for him and the future she wants to rebuild with him.
Arthur Chen and Zhang Jing Yi make the central romance particularly compelling, balancing Li Xun’s sharp-edged personality with Zhu Yun’s resilience and determination. Watch it for the intense chemistry, emotional highs and lows, and a romance that evolves alongside its characters as they move from college into the professional world.
Start watching “Lighter and Princess”:
Watch Now
“Will Love in Spring”
This is the story of two people who have taken very different paths in life: Chen Mai Dong (Li Xian), once a rebellious youth, has chosen a life serving the dead and is a funeral make-up artist. Meanwhile, Zhuang Jie (Zhou Yu Tong) is a successful medical salesperson who became disabled after a childhood accident but refuses to let it define her.
The two were once high school classmates and meet once again when Zhuang Jie returns to her hometown. Mai Dong has no room for love and romance in his life, so he remains brusque and aloof towards her, but she is persistent in pursuing him. Love blossoms but brings forth new complications to the surface as the two gradually learn to understand, accept, and support each other.
Li Xian gives Mai Dong a quiet intensity beneath his seemingly aloof exterior, while Zhou Yu Tong makes Zhuang Jie spirited and ambitious without reducing her character to her disability. This drama is worth watching for its mature romance, nuanced characters, and its refreshing take on complicated relationships.
Start watching “Will Love in Spring”:
Watch Now
“The First Frost”
Wen Yi Fan (Zhang Ruo Nan) is a journalist who unexpectedly crosses paths with her high school crush and classmate, Sang Yan (Bai Jing Ting). Sang Yan has always loved Yi Fan, but their unspoken feelings were never articulated after Yi Fan ends everything and walks away, leaving him distraught.
After their chance reunion, circumstances lead the two to become housemates, forcing them to confront the feelings they have long kept buried while navigating the hurt and misunderstandings of their past as well as deep secrets.
Bai Jing Ting plays Sang Yan as confident and teasing on the surface but deeply caring underneath, while Zhang Ruo Nan brings vulnerability and quiet strength to Yi Fan as she tries to move forward from a difficult past.
With its slow-burn romance, second-chance love story, emotional baggage, and undeniable chemistry between the leads, “The First Frost” is an easy pick for anyone who enjoys romances where the journey toward each other is as important as the relationship itself.
“As Beautiful As You”
Ji Xing (Tan Song Yun), an intelligent and ambitious tech professional, leaves her corporate job after years of struggling to make her mark. She takes the leap into entrepreneurship. As she builds her own company in the AI and healthcare space, she crosses paths with Han Ting (Xu Kai), a successful CEO who becomes her investor and mentor, though his tough approach often puts them at odds. Their professional partnership gradually develops into something more as Ji Xing proves that she is far more formidable than Han Ting initially expects.
Tan Song Yun brings determination and warmth to Ji Xing, while Xu Kai gives Han Ting the confidence and controlled intensity of a powerful businessman whose softer side emerges around her. Watch it for the career-driven heroine, the workplace dynamics, the romance between two ambitious people, and the sparks between Tan Song Yun and Xu Kai.
Start watching “As Beautiful As You”:
Watch Now
“Eat Run Love”
Gan Yang (Arthur Chen), a cheerful university student and aspiring sports-shoe designer, falls for Ding Zhi Tong (Zhuang Da Fei), an academically accomplished senior who is too focused on escaping her financial struggles to make room for romance. Despite their different backgrounds, the two eventually fall in love, but their relationship is tested when Gan Yang’s family business collapses, and he hides the truth before breaking up with her.
Years later, they meet again in the business world, with Zhi Tong determined to secure an investment from the very company connected to Gan Yang, bringing old feelings and unresolved resentment back to the surface. Chen Fei Yu plays Gan Yang as warm, persistent, and deeply devoted, while Zhuang Da Fei brings strength and determination to Zhi Tong as she tries to protect herself from being hurt again. Watch it for the second-chance romance, the angst, the career ambitions, and the complicated dynamic between two people who once knew each other better than anyone else.
Start watching “Eat Run Love”:
Watch Now
“Love For You”
The lives of Chen Yi (Song Wei Long) and Miao Jing (Zhang Jing Yi) become intertwined when their parents’ relationship brings them together as children. As they grow older, their bond deepens into love during their university years, but a devastating incident forces Chen Yi to push Miao Jing away to protect her.
Years later, they cross paths again when Miao Jing returns back home for work, bringing unresolved feelings and painful memories to the surface. Song Wei Long brings a brooding intensity to Chen Yi, a man shaped by family trauma. He hides his vulnerability behind a rebellious exterior, while Zhang Jing Yi makes Miao Jing warm, resilient, and emotionally grounded. Watch it for the slow-burn romance, layered characters, and the emotional push and pull between two people whose lives have been intertwined for years.
Start watching “Love For You”:
Watch Now
Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Jing Bo Ran and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.
Drama,Features,Soompi,TV/Film,As Beautiful As You,eat run love,Lighter and Princess,love for you,Love’s Ambition,Soompi Spothlight,the early spring,The First Frost,will love in springAs Beautiful As You,eat run love,Lighter and Princess,love for you,Love’s Ambition,Soompi Spothlight,the early spring,The First Frost,will love in spring#CDramas #Watch #Loved #Early #Spring1789668326
6 Jing Bo Ran C-Dramas That Showcase His Irresistible Charm
There is no denying that Jing Bo Ran’s Luan Nian in the steamy office romance “The Early Spring” has conquered hearts and minds. His turn as the suave, sharp-tongued, incredibly sexy, and stylish boss who sweeps Sun Qian’s Shang Zhi Tao off her feet has had fans swooning over the passionate and messy relationship dynamics as it unfolds on screen.
Jing Bo Ran’s seductive charm in the show may have crowned him the man of the moment, but we need to pause and track back to his filmography, which proves it’s hardly a new phenomenon given the actor’s versatile talent. From the brooding and fearless special ops officer, to a sensitive radio jockey, or an astute criminal psychology professor, here is a recap of the many shades of Jing Bo Ran for your viewing list.
“The Early Spring”
Shang “Flora” Zhi Tao (Sun Qian) is an ordinary graduate who arrives in Beijing with big dreams of working at the biggest advertising agency Lime. However, she is written off by the caustic Luan “Luke” Nian (Jing Bo Ran), the agency’s brightest, sharpest, and stylish lead. Telling her that she is inept at her job and should resign, his aloofness soon gives way to a fondness and an almost begrudging admiration for the young girl. What follows is a steamy one-night fling which soon blows into a secret, passionate affair between the two.
Though caught in a situationship, the dynamic between them is intensely volatile. Their different personalities and social status as well as their own personal ambitions create constant friction. While on one hand, Luke’s blunt and sarcastic tone rattles Flora, she is equally stubborn and headstrong in her attitude, and the lack of communication creates a push and pull between the couple, leading to misunderstandings. What starts off as a no strings attached relationship grows into one of deep, emotional, yet complex dependency which is intense and passionate.
After six years of being in a secret and an intense relationship, the two part ways, only to realize how much they meant to each other more than they had allowed themselves to acknowledge.
Jing Bo Ran’s Luke may oscillate precariously between the red and green flag zone, given his inability to communicate with the person he loves and cares for the most. Even though his rough edges have a soft side, somewhere it gets caught between his own inability to express his true feelings toward Flora. The actor portrays the complexities of his character with such finesse that you cannot help but fall for him just the way Flora does.
The insanely electric chemistry between him and Sun Qian is the official scene-stealer, keeping fans hooked and so invested in their turbulent and rocky romance. Not to mention, Jing Bo Ran’s immaculate styling notched up the style quotient by a few degrees.
“Road Home”
Jing Bo Ran’s rugged and tough Lu Yan Chen in “Road Home” is very different from the sophisticated Luke. The only thing similar between the two characters is their tough relationship with their fathers, but their pasts shape them differently.
Unlike Luke, Yan Chen is reserved and keeps to himself until he falls in love with his high school classmate Gui Xiao (Tan Song Yun). But when Yan Chen joins the police academy, and the burden of a long distance relationship and certain situations lead Gui Xiao to break things off, it leaves him hurt and dejected. He decides to move on, respecting her decision, but he never forgets about her.
Years later, the two meet, but Yan Chen has nothing to say to Gui Xiao and keeps his distance. As she tries to win him over, she realizes the ordinary school boy is now one of the most extraordinary officers in the police force, committed to his job and respected by all. Can these two one-time sweethearts find their way back, or is it the end of the road?
“Road Home” is a classic romance of long-lost lovers finding their way back to each other. Jing Bo Ran brings the brooding intensity of a man who is committed to protecting his people. Gentle and reliable, despite being hurt by those around him, he doesn’t let it embitter him.
Once again the scorching chemistry between Jing Bo Ran and Tan Song Yun wins the day, and though there are some moments in the story which are stretched, the show keeps you invested.
Start watching “Road Home”:
Watch Now
“Psychologist”
Jing Bo Ran’s Qian Kay Yi is a radio host who is dealing with several emotional issues. He meets He Dun (Yang Zhi), a psychologist whose career has taken a hit after negative feedback. Rattled by this, she has given up on life, and it’s Kay Yi who comes to her help. He onboards her to co-host a mental health show where the two turn psychological cases into public discussions.
As they help He Dun confront a dark secret from her past, Kay Yi’s own hurtful past surfaces as well. The chemistry between the two is easy as they find love and companionship amongst the chaos in their own lives. Jing Bo Ran gives Kay Yi a playful energy; a man bogged down by emotional baggage, he seamlessly pivots from the goofiness of his character, showcasing the vulnerability of a fractured soul.
Start watching “Psychologist”:
Watch Now
“Sunsets Secrets Regrets”
Perceptiveness and an astute mind are often recurring traits in Jing Bo Ran’s characters. In the crime thriller “Sunsets Secrets Regrets,” he plays Jiang Han Sheng, a brilliant professor of criminal psychology who reunites with his two childhood friends, Zhou Jin (Elvira Cai), an investigator, and Qin Jun Jee (Jiang Cheng), an undercover cop, to investigate a tragic five-year-old cold case that resurfaces after new clues. Together, the trio navigates a web of secrets, mutual suspicion, and immense psychological tension to bring down a crime syndicate from the inside.
Jing Bo Ran sheds the romantic idealism of his “Road Home” character for a stark, more cerebral performance rooted in shadow and intense calculation. He effortlessly balances an outwardly detached, cool academic demeanor with a fiercely protective emotional core, using his sharp profiling skills to outwit people in the syndicate.
“Regeneration”
Yet another one in Jing Bo Ran’s list of psychological suspense thrillers is “Regeneration.” The mysterious death of Fei Ke (Jing Bo Ran) leads He Shan (Zhou Yi Ran), a journalist, and five others, who are complete strangers, to attend his memorial service. Those gathered quickly realize they each knew a completely different version of him and retrace their memories to uncover his true identity. However, the intricate puzzle reveals a massive web of deception, hidden agendas, and financial scams where everyone has something to hide.
For fans looking to see Jing Bo Ran’s absolute peak acting range, this drama is the perfect showcase as he plays the shifting faces of Fei Ke. Rather than portraying a fixed character, he morphs seamlessly between a struggling student, a wealthy socialite, a sharp corporate executive, and a ruthless con-artist based on who is narrating the story. He demonstrates his ability to play a deeply complex, untrustworthy protagonist with chilling layers and intense psychological texture.
Start watching “Regeneration”:
Watch Now
“A League of Nobleman”
Lan Jue (Jing Bo Ran) is a polished and diplomatic Ministry of Rites official who is constantly embroiled in court politics. He is secretly trying to clear his late father’s name from a treason charge, but his carefully calculated life is thrown into chaos when he crosses paths with Zhang Ping (Song Wei Long), an impoverished, brutally honest scholar with an uncanny, genius-level knack for reading crime scenes. Despite their contrasting ideals and vast difference in social status, the two form an uneasy partnership to solve bizarre capital cases and expose royal corruption.
Jing Bo Ran brings an air of haughty poise, courtly grace, and deep inscrutability to the role of Lan Jue. As he balances an outwardly gentle, diplomatic facade with a heavily guarded, deeply scheming internal struggle, it makes his intellectual “yin-and-yang” dynamic with Song Wei Long the driving force of the show.
Start watching “A League of Nobleman”:
Watch Now
Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Jing Bo Ran and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.
Drama,Features,TV/Film,A League of Nobleman,drama,Jing Bo Ran,psychologist,regeneration,road home,Soompi Spotlight,sunsets secrets regrets,the early springA League of Nobleman,drama,Jing Bo Ran,psychologist,regeneration,road home,Soompi Spotlight,sunsets secrets regrets,the early spring#Jing #Ran #CDramas #Showcase #Irresistible #Charm1789299059
