The First Frost

A Poetically Crafted Story That Deeply Captured The Essence Of An Unconditional Love

"The First Frost" is a modern romance drama adaptation of the novel titled "Nan Hong" which means "Hard To Coax", written by a well-known author, Zhu Yi. It focuses on the romantic tale between Sang Yan and his high school deskmate, Wen Yi Fan. The drama immerses into the nostalgic youthful idea of first love and intertwines it together with the melancholic pining of second chances. While its cinematography visually creates a gloomy and dreamy-like vibe, the OSTs adds a sentimental touch that completely draws you into its romantic tale. However...

The First Frost is no ordinary modern romance drama, it is a poetically crafted story that deeply captured the essence of an unconditional love and engraved it as a lasting imprint. An unconditional love that embodies unwavering commitment and fosters a heartfelt emotional journey which leads to personal growth and self-discovery. It is where love isn't a mere consolation or healer of wounds and scars, instead it is where love is a guiding light that illuminates through the darkness bringing peace and safety. It is also where love is depicted to be more than just an emotion and feeling, but a constant deliberate choice that comes from ones willingness to choose to love every single day without any exceptions — no matter the uncertainty or the storms ahead. This drama meaningfully entails an invaluable love while also beholding an important message about self-love.

STORYLINE₊ ⊹❅
The storytelling follows a nonlinear timeline that instills flashbacks of the main protagonists' high school life into their present adult life exuding a reminiscent nostalgic feel. It generally revolves around the female lead, Wen Yi Fan's point of view but it also glimpses through the point of view of the male lead, Sang Yan by the end of each episode which further adds enrichment to the story. The drama begins with a heartbreaking memory that occurred on one rainy night where Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan separated in tears, then courses straight into more heavier scenes that can be triggering as it tackles a sensitive topic which women in real life faces, these scenes highlighted the life struggles of Wen Yi Fan and serves as a necessary element that allowed viewers to have a clearer grasp of her character. The defining line is drawn here as the drama's trajectory focuses not solely into romance, but also into trauma; its effect on life and love itself.

The first half of the drama creates a somber atmosphere that eventually balances out with warmer tones and a mixture of lighthearted moments as Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan crosses paths once again — they become two strangers living together under one roof with a shared painful past. This showed the contrasting differences in their lives and opened the door to their feelings. What I love during this part of the story is how both yearning and loneliness is set-up so gut-wrenchingly yet soothes it with understated affections through the conscious acts of Sang Yan and the unconscious acts of Wen Yi Fan. I found the sleepwalking scenes of Wen Yi Fan to be made not only as a mere catalyst that shortens the distance between her and Sang Yan, but a significant metaphor that reflects Wen Yi Fan's deep-seated feelings which even her conscious self isn't aware about. How she walked amidst the darkness towards the sun to embrace its warmth speaks about her pains, fears and her desperate call to be found — without knowing the sun she had reached out to was Sang Yan, the only person that ever brought warmth and light to her world — this scene was meaningfully executed and deeply tugged on the heartstrings.

What ultimately shapes the story more coherently lies in the second half as it dives deeper into the main protagonists innermost feelings and their past. This is where an evident romantic progress between Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan is seen, but it is also where the shadow that has long been haunting Wen Yi Fan comes into the picture. I appreciated their sweet and intimate moments which led into a much livelier atmosphere, although it soon transitioned into the angsty and heavy arcs, such transition helped heightened the emotions evoked during these arcs. The separation in Hong Kong wasn't added simply as a mere trope, it showed the comprehensive depth of the story and stayed consistent to Wen Yi Fan's trauma. As much as it is emotionally gripping, it brought out more layers of Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan's characters. This aspect is one of the dramas advantageous feat because of how it had interwoven trauma into the story with an insightful knowledge and at the same time dealt with it respectfully. It did justice in showing how trauma greatly impacts one's life, how coping mechanisms varies greatly for different individuals, and how healing is not linear nor does it heal easily. It gave a realistic portrayal of trauma and wrapped it with a positive message.

As for the romance between Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan, it leans more to slow-burn where their relationship developed intricately, hence, I thought it felt more organic as the characters were made to gradually intensify their feelings. The way their love story was written never felt cringe or cliche, it was mature and brilliantly stood out for how utterly beautiful and unparalleled it was depicted. The drama painted Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan's love story in translucid colors that vividly showed the pure unconditional love they have for each other, to the extent that even the words "I love you" pales away in comparison for how wholeheartedly they conveyed love in more than just three words. The second leads romance wasn't able to fully pique my interest at first as their story felt lackluster however, the latter half of the drama showcased a much more interesting plot for them which eventually made me invested in them as well.

The drama ended on a very satisfying note as all loose ends were neatly tied leaving no room for unresolved matters. The antagonists in the story each faced the consequences of their actions, there was no unnecessary redemption arc as every toxic connection was cut off. Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan's high school memories were remarkably concluded by how they seamlessly weaved all the details together and the addition of Sang Yan's unseen point of view gave light for viewers to see how absolutely profound their relationship actually truly is. As if it couldn't be more perfect, they executed the proposal scene in a way that magnificently captured the raw authentic emotions expressed by Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan during that moment, making it feel so realistic — the evident nervousness, trembling hands and lips, the tears, and heartfelt words. It is the best proposal scene to have ever been created. The ending they had given is beyond just a happy ending, it is an unforgettable and deeply-moving moment that certainly left a lasting impression.

The cinematography artistically enhanced the overall emotional tone of each scene with the constant use of lights, mirrors and reflections that gives off visuals that are a blend of dreamy, melancholic and nostalgic vibes. It was breathtakingly cinematic and definitely elevated the watching experience.

CHARACTERS & ACTING₊ ⊹❅
Bai Jing Ting as Sang Yan
Sang Yan is a character written with so many good qualities in him that it overshadows his flaws and makes him come off as someone too perfect, but actually he is far from perfect. He just happens to have a lot of love in him as he was born surrounded with love which is his greatest privilege. He grew up in a loving home where he is constantly showered with affection and care from his family. He used to be someone spoiled and self-centered as he had never suffered any setbacks in his life, everything had always went well for him and this is what made him flawed. It was through his separation with Wen Yi Fan where he realized that the world doesn't revolve around him. The pain he felt in this heartbreaking experience is one of the important things that helped shaped him into becoming the present Sang Yan. Sang Yan is a character who is the complete embodiment of persistence, regardless of being afraid or the outcome, he just tries and never gives up.

Sang Yan's love for Wen Yi Fan isn't an ever-burning passionate love instead it is a quietly-fierce and unconditional love that is strong and unwavering. Despite how his love is fierce, he had never forced his feelings on Wen Yi Fan. He expresses his love for her through subtle acts of affection, where he notices and cares for even the smallest things about her. What struck me the most about him is how he is able to let down his pride and acknowledge its insignificance compared to the pain and suffering Wen Yi Fan has been through. Sang Yan letting down his pride doesn't necessarily mean he lacks self-respect rather it spoke of his inner strength that emanated from his deep sense of self-worth. Instead of becoming another storm in Wen Yi Fan's life, he became her home, he truly understood and sees through her; not just her heart but her very soul. He is an emotionally intelligent man who loves not because he wants something in return, but because he willingly wants to give love to the person he values — and this speaks about his self-love, he loved himself that loving Wen Yi Fan comes naturally for him.

Bai Jing Ting's acting performance and portrayal of Sang Yan is phenomenal. Every emotion he expressed across the screen was strongly felt. His facial expressions and eye-acting, particularly his micro expressions were so apparent it helped connect with his character in an emotional level easily. His eyes always held so many emotions that his crying scenes are carried out realistically. He is one of the very few actors I know who can really act a crying scene without making it fake. He really gave life to his character.

Zhang Ruo Nan as Wen Yi Fan | Wen Shuangjiang
Wen Yi Fan is a character who suffers from trauma and abandonment issues. She is someone who had lived life wearing a facade to mask away all her pain, but before all the suffering she has been through, she used to be someone bright and filled with love. The biggest turning point in her life was when she lost her father, she didn't only lose the person who cherished and cared for her most, she also lost her home and a part of herself. She is someone who had long stopped believing in love and believing in what she deserves. She had built a wall around herself that even her closest friends aren't able to see through her. She is a damaged person who is afraid to reach out for help because she still carried the betrayal of her mother who left her to suffer alone. Running away has always been her coping mechanism and way of survival. The separation and reconciliation arc in Hong Kong is a major event that helped her character to outgrow her traumas, realize her strength and opened her heart to self-love. Wen Yi Fan is actually a character who is courageous and resilient. Her ability to move forward with life despite everything she has been through and her constant determination to continue to live speaks so much of it.

Wen Yi Fan's love for Sang Yan is absolutely selfless and unconditional. Her way of loving Sang Yan does not come in the form of wanting to own him, instead it is in the form of wanting the best for him. Wen Yi Fan had always believed that Sang Yan is a person who deserves all the good things in the world, she sees him as someone so precious that she wants to preserve his brightness. Although, her decision to runaway without reaching out to him wasn't a completely right choice, it was still an understandable act as she did it to protect him from the shadow that has constantly been haunting her, because the last thing she would want to happen is for Sang Yan to lose his life. Her love for Sang Yan helped her break through the shackles that had long chained her, she healed not for herself alone but so that she could be the best for him. She values Sang Yan a lot that she willingly meets him where he is at just as much as he willingly does for her too. In the past, she might have broken his heart but she was one of the reason that helped shaped him to become stronger.

Zhang Ruo Nan's portrayal of Wen Yi Fan is worthy of recognition and praise. She really understood and connected with her character that she conveyed every emotional scene brilliantly. Most especially her crying scenes, they were so heartfelt. She wasn't only good at emotional scenes but her drunk scene is deserving of appreciation too for how natural she portrayed it. Her acting performance is outstanding.

OSTs₊ ⊹❅
The OSTs helped set the vibe of each specific scene which allowed every emotion depicted in the drama to come across the screen more impactfully. They weren't only captivating to listen to, each of the songs were meaningfully written and gives highlight to Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan's love. It is definitely one of the key elements of the drama that enriches the watching experience. I love all the songs and my most favorite of them all is 'I'm So Into You' by Xiao Bing Chih.

OVERALL IMPRESSION₊ ⊹❅
The First Frost is a masterpiece that rekindled the feeling of what it is like to have a first love, it is a drama that deeply portrayed yearning and reunion through its rich plot. It is also a drama that takes you to experience an unforgettable and meaningful story that will not only move you, but make you feel seen as well.

The First Frost is a beautiful reminder for when we forget to be kinder to ourselves, for when we forget to remember love..."Treat yourself well, and the world will hold more love for you".

Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruo Nan's chemistry is impeccable. I will never forget their portrayal of Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan, they did justice to their characters and truly brought the love between these fictional characters so powerfully on screen. All the other actors and crew of The First Frost did an amazing job as well in creating this drama, their efforts and hardwork wasn't in vain. The First Frost is now officially my top favorite modern romance drama.

FAVE SCENES₊ ⊹❅
- Wen Yi Fan's sleepwalking scene
- Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan's confession scene in Beiyu noodle shop
- Sang Yan formally introducing Wen Yi Fan as his girlfriend on Qian Fei's Wedding
- Sang Yan taking care of his drunk girlfriend Wen Yi Fan
- Sang Yan's fight scenes
- Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan's hospital talk scene
- Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan's entire high school memory
- Wen Yi Fan finding out about Sang Yan's momento or keepsake box
- Sang Yan's "I volunteered"
- Wen Yi Fan's talk with her younger self
- All their intimate scenes
- Proposal scene

p.s all of Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan's scenes together are my favorite.

˖ . ݁❅𝜗𝜚❅. ݁₊

"When you're old, gray, and sleepy,
you snuggle wearily by the fireside,
and take a random book for company,
you savor the look in your eyes,
when you were chasing your dreams.
You used to have that look,
and be full of affection.
I loved your great and elegant past,
your mistakes, and your true beauty.
There is only one man who has ever gazed,
into your pious and holy heart,
and fallen inlove,
with your sad and aging face.
In the moonlight,
you bowed your head,
stooped, and murmured dejectedly,
in an attempt to escape from love.
Then you sneaked over the hill,
and hid your face.
Someone who is fierce,
who will love me among the stars, until death,
and know that love is as strong as death,
and be on my side,
forever and ever.
I want someone who is fierce,
and will love me until death,
it's you."
— Sang Yan & Wen Yi Fan (Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson)

Read More

Love is selflessly wanting the other person to be happy....Healing Love, ...Unforgettable!

This is a beautiful masterpiece about two people who loved each other and found their way back because one person never gave up on the other. The First Frost is not melodramatic nor is it dark. While the FL had a traumatic experience in her youth, TFF is fun and entertaining with a deep emotional chemistry that will bring tears as well as laughter. I don't think any drama will beat this. I wish I could give this 1000/10.

The First Frost portrays one of the most selfless and enduring love I have ever seen in any drama. It tells the story of Sang Yan and Yi Fan who fell in love in high school. They promised to go to Nanwu University together but YiFan broke her promise and Sang Yan's heart. While Sang Yan thinks Yi Fan left because she didn't want to be with him, Yi Fan kept the pain of her secret from him. Six years later they meet again and end up sharing an apartment. Each episode begins with a flashback to scenes from the past and ends with a "It's not over yet" scene from Sang Yan's point of view. And in the end, all the surprise details fall into place like puzzle pieces. This is the most incredible production!

I started this drama feeling more connected to Sang Yan and his feelings for YiFan than I was for YiFan. While I empathize with YiFan and the fact that she suffered trauma which is the cause for her locked-up emotions, it took me a while to feel connected with her story. I know novel readers felt more connected with YiFan as they went in knowing the full extent of her trauma.

SANG YAN

Bai Jing Ting took this role and made me love Sang Yan more with each episode. I cannot imagine anyone else as Sang Yan. He was perfect! Sang Yan loved Yi Fan since he met her in high school and it didn't end when she broke his heart. Even with 6 years of unanswered questions, his love for her never faded. What made his character captivating was the way he was just there for her. There were little things such as making sure she ate even if he told her he needed her help as he made too much. He senses something is bothering her but he doesn't ask. He never puts any pressure on her. He simply watches her and provides anything he feels she needs. He wants her to happy. And it makes him happy just to see her. What made his love real for me were YiFan's sleepwalking scenes. He sees her pain and tears and he feels them. And he stands next to her waiting for the times she needed to turn to him. Because as he said to her, "I will always catch you."

Sang Yan's point of view is portrayed in the lyrics of "Willful" which begins each episode:
Just for you, I will be brave and willful
I won't regret ever loving you with all my heart
I want to be the gravel that breaks the shadows for you
Even if I have to lose everything, I'll go against the grain for you...


YI FAN

YiFan's character appears strong at first. She is a journalist who does not hesitate to save someone from a car crash. Yet on the inside she was fragile. She was abandoned by her mother after her father died. Her mother remarried and left her to live with her paternal uncle. She not only had to deal with the loss of her father, but she lived in fear of being sexually assaulted by Che Xing D, her aunt's brother. She has PTSD from the night he broke into her room. It was fortunate that she escaped. YiFan's decision to leave all behind, led her to ending her relationship with Sang Yan 6 years before. I felt Sang Yan's pain, and a part of me disliked YiFan for being so cruel, but I also knew with her emotional state back then, I could not blame her. In fact, I admire her for the strength it took for her to protect herself and break ties with her toxic family.

Yi Fan's point of view is portrayed in the lyrics of "It's You" which ends each episode:
It's you who pulled me with all your strength
...You are warm and bright like the sun, and you give me care...
It's you who strides towards me in the storm
It's you who stands by my side and cheers for me
The road has been bumpy along the way, and raindrops have covered the ground,
But with you as my support, I can overcome the darkness in front of me....


YANFAN'S CHEMISTRY (Through all these years, I never loved anyone but you...)

There is a sense of familiarity and trust.....and a sense of having loved and been loved....

YiFan trusts Sang Yan. Even though she takes charge of her life and her struggles, she neglects the little things for her own comfort. It is Sang Yan who provides the warmth and comfort she needs but never asks. It is Sang Yan who reminds her to eat and makes sure she is not alone. She subconsciously turns to a bewildered Sang Yan during her sleepwalking incidences seeking his warmth and comfort. I love those sleepwalking moments because YiFan moves toward Sang Yan and you can feel that these two share a bond of trust. What moves me even more is that the pain in YiFan's face is reflected in Sang Yan's. There is such emotional depth and a sense of yearning between them. But there also humor and familiarity as Sang Yan loves to tease YiFan. There are times I feel he teases her to distract from her worries. And there are times they simply enjoy being next to each other.




NOVEL DEVIATION SPOILER (EP 24)

The one major deviation concerning YanFan is in ep 24 when Yi Fan left for Hong Kong. In the book she followed him to Yihe, but the drama chose to have her run off to Hong Kong for 6 months. I thought I would be upset also but on watching it, I saw Sang Yan visiting all the places in Yi Fan's life and filling in some of the missing details. The director added flashback scenes for the viewers to see the little details falling into place. I felt the purpose of sending Yi Fan to HK was to build empathy and understanding for Yi Fan through Sang Yan's eyes. It also provided her the time to reconnect with her passion for dancing. Some viewers felt Sang Yan should have shown anger for Yi Fan leaving him again. But I disagree. He would not be Sang Yan had he not felt deep pain for her trauma and felt he somehow failed to protect her. There is no way he would feel anger. He was too much in pain over her suffering, so much so that he wished he was the reason rather than the truth about her traumatic experience.
I dislike that Sang Yan was left again because he suffered enough for 6 years. But I am not going to harp on it as there is so much more to love about TFF. Just put it down to creative license and drama. And the positive side is that the couple reunited and the hotel scene from the book was picked up right after. Enjoy and move on.


OVERALL VIBE

Overall, this drama is one of healing love, comfort, and security.
It is not melodrama. I feel the darkness lies below the surface and acts as part of the conflict. But the overlying vibe is emotionally hopeful, humorous, sweet, and loving.

The OST adds to the mood. "Like a Sunny Day, Like a Rainy Day" by Silence Wang adds the same mood we get from "Just Want to Secretly Love You" by Silence Want and Zhao Lusi in Hidden Love. This delightful vibe links the emotions of both dramas even though TFF has more emotional depth. The lyrics in "Willful" tells the story from Sang Yan's point of view. The lyrics in "It's You" tells the story from Yi Fan's point of view. They hit the core of The First Frost beautifully.

The lighting adds warmth and charm. The soft tones used in conversation between the leads add calm and a sense of peace and comfort. The First Frost will go on my permanent rewatch this. I know I will have a hard time moving on, but I will rewatch when I miss my YanFan couple. Okay! I will admit that my bias is Sang Yan. You will know when you see him.


POSITIVES

* Bai Jing Ting- He made Sang Yan my favorite character. I could read his thoughts just by his expressions.
* Witty conversations
* Beautiful cinematography- this includes Sang Yan dressed in black 💗
* Amazing chemistry💗🔥🤗
* Directing- beautiful heartfelt moments
* Production- an incredible work of art
* Episodes flow smoothly from one to another. I am always surprised when the episode ends. It feels like 10 mins instead of 45.
* Emotional Depth
* Lots of skinship and intimate scenes🤗💋🛏🔥
* An original and emotional proposal scene scene. It was beautiful!💞💍🥰
* Extended ending over several episodes. This is one of the most satisfying ending to a drama I have ever seen.

NEGATIVES

*The second couple is interesting and cute but for some reason, the sml's grandpa hijacked their story. I found myself skipping their story because the grandpa's issues didn't fit in with it all. I got into the second couple's story around ep 26 and liked them so much that on rewatch I will pay closer attention to them. But what about Grandpa? Only someone who watched his scenes can say.


I have never seen a drama with a more satisfying ending. It spanned from ep 29 to 32. Everything fell into place and there were some beautiful surprises. I wish I could forget them so I can experience it all over again. This was the most beautiful journey.

Read More

Exquisite masterpiece after a long time:)

This is my first review and here it goes!❄️🍃
The First Frost has a special place in my heart! That happy feeling that you've just finished one of the best shows you've ever watched and also that empty feeling that you've just finished one of the best shows you've ever watched. That's what it feels like when you complete this drama. This is a story of a girl who carries lots of trauma and emotional distress with all her relationships, wants to take a chance and find her happiness, starts with Sang Yan.

I actually haven't watched a cdrama for quite a long time, so when TFF started airing, I learned that it was Sang Yan's story. I remember that after HL ended, the announcement for TFF was confirmed later. So, I knew it was supposed to air, but didn't follow much. One day, when I discovered that TFF started airing, I didn't expect much and started watching it late, believe me, I couldn't stop watching. The story felt so real because it wasn't what I expected, and I was hooked. And it wasn't too much fluff. It is just perfect. The perfect story with the perfect romance. I've never really felt the way I feel now about a drama. I did enjoy WIFTY and HL but this one just hits different. I didn't expect the characters to be this real, the experiences they went through, the way they love each other, everything felt so real. The ML and FL complement each other really well. The only drawback was that the SML story with grandparents felt a bit lengthy, and could've been shorter. But I was blinded by ML and FL, so I just didn't mind it. Later, I realised that the grandfather was kinda similar to WYF on how they reciprocated their feelings.

If you're someone who wants to watch slow burn with tender and soft romance, you should definitely start this! It has some intense emotions too, it was rollercoaster. I'm all here for the second chance, the first love, and these two huge green flags. And their chemistry was top notch. Every single detail, be it fluff, trauma, emotion, heartwarming moments, romantic ones, they nailed it! Their acting was great and so were the dialogues and the OSTs were chef's kiss. The way they look at each other, their chemistry, even the dialogues, everything is so heartwarming and thoughtful! Never did it feel cringey for a second. I also loved how the opening OST was SY's POV and the ending OST was WYF's OST. I feel the HK arc was necessary to add to the emotional depth of the leads and how much trauma affects an individual, and to show that trauma doesn't disappear overnight like magic. WYF is the strongest FL I ever witnessed in a drama, and SY is the biggest green flag I ever saw. And the emotional depth depicted in the drama and it's importance was insane. This was probably the drama with the most satisfactory ending. This drama brought me back to cdrama again. This is the best drama of 2025. And probably the best of all time to me. The First Frost will always be special to me. Thank you Bai Jing Ting, Zhang Ruo Nan for the perfect portrayal of Sang Yan and Yifan. Thank you to the cast and crew for making this unforgettable masterpiece. I enjoyed every second of this drama, and it was worth the wait;)

I can't believe it's done, I already miss them! It's hard to let go and say goodbye - and I'm sure I'll re-watch the drama again and again. Let me conclude by saying: EVERYONE NEEDS A SANG YAN IN THEIR LIFE!

P.S: I rewatched twice already, and their dating era once, and still rewatch many episodes and can't watch any new drama. I listen to the OSTs everyday, such an unforgettable drama. SY raised the bar so high and their love feels eternal. They deserve each other and love each other unconditionally. TFF will always be my comfort and healing drama. The direction, production and cinematography was top-notch. Once again, thank you to the cast and crew for creating this masterpiece.

Read More

Frost Descent: Love That Withstood the Storm

The First Frost is an adaptation of the novel Hard to Coax (Chinese title: Nan Hong) by author Zhu Yi. While it is a romance drama at its core, it goes beyond just love. The First Frost paints a deeply emotional journey where love is not just about passion but also about finding warmth and solace in another person.

SUMMARY ⋆˚✿˖°

The First Frost isn’t just a love story, it's about healing, resilience, and the bonds that shape us. Sang Yan and Wei Yifan met in high school, their friendship quietly deepening into love, though neither of them ever said it out loud. They had dreams of a future together, but when Yifan broke their promise to attend Nanwu University, it left Sang Yan devastated. On the surface, it seemed like she abandoned him, but deep down, he never fully believed it. A part of him always questioned why, and even after their separation, he could never truly erase her from his thoughts, memories of her lingered, and sometimes, without meaning to, he found himself in places that reminded him of her.

Six years later, fate brings them together again, forcing them to confront everything left unsaid. But The First Frost isn’t just about their love, it's about survival, overcoming trauma, and reclaiming one’s voice. The drama delves into PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and the lasting wounds of sexual violence. It highlights the devastating effects of predators, the struggle victims face in their aftermath, and the importance of standing up for women as a society. Alongside this, it explores the power of friendship, the weight of family expectations, and the quiet fight to heal.
Each episode moves between past and present, with moments that seem small at first but later fit together like pieces of a puzzle. And at the heart of it all is Sang Yan holding onto the feeling that their story was never truly over.

CHARACTERS⋆˚✿˖°

Bai Jing Ting As Sang Yan🍀☼

Sang Yan grew up in a loving home and comes from a wealthy family. His brother’s arc has already been portrayed in Hidden Love, so The First Frost focuses on his relationship with Wei Yifan. Some have criticized his character for lacking a well-developed arc since his story revolves around Yifan, but that’s exactly why his role is significant. Sang Yan already has everything: stability, love, and success yet he chooses to be with Yifan not because he needs her, but because he truly loves and understands her. His character embodies unconditional love, patience, and kindness. He has a high emotional intelligence, which is necessary for their love story to work. If he didn’t, their relationship wouldn’t have been possible. The way Sang Yan and Yifan match as characters highlights their relationship dynamics. He never pressured her to accept his feelings. As a friend, he was always there during her darkest moments, but he wasn’t just a friend he became her family, her backbone. Instead of hurting her further, he chose to protect her. He understood her when others didn’t, and, as he admitted, he set aside his pride to understand her more. That shows true emotional strength. Unlike some characters who make everything about themselves, Sang Yan never did, and that doesn’t make him weak or useless, it makes him the kind of person who truly values and respects the woman he loves. Understanding a woman doesn’t make a man lesser; it makes him someone who genuinely cares instead of forcing his own expectations onto her.

Sang Yan is not a stalker. He visited Yifan’s school more than once three times, to be exact. He never made his presence known, never disturbed her life, and never forced a confrontation. He also appeared on her graduation day, but rather than approaching her, he simply watched from a distance. Yifan even saw him that day and ran after him, but he was already gone. His actions weren’t about obsession or control; they were moments of longing. He wanted to talk to her but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Even after they separated, he quietly kept memories of her achievements, like the first article she published in Yihe. He cherished these moments, but he never crossed a line or did anything to harm her. This isn’t the kind of behavior that can be classified as good or bad stalking, it was simply his way of holding onto the past without forcing himself back into her life.

Bai Jing Ting’s portrayal of Sang Yan was spectacular. His micro-expressions added depth to the character, making every moment feel natural and real. His acting was effortless, capturing Sang Yan’s flirty, caring, teasing, kind, funny, supportive, and understanding nature. I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role. Sang Yan was made for Bai Jing Ting alone, and I absolutely loved his performance.

Zhang RuoNan As Wei Yifan/ Wen Shuangjiang ₊°｡❆

From the start, Wei Yifan is a character trapped in a cycle of expectations whether it’s from the people around her or from the audience watching her story unfold. But what makes her so compelling isn’t just her actions; it’s how people perceive her. She’s constantly under scrutiny, often judged more harshly than how male leads are judged for making decisions that, while flawed, are incredibly real.
There’s this idea that a female lead has to be a certain way strong, decisive, never uncertain. And that’s where the criticism of Yifan gets frustrating because she isn’t written to fit that mold. Her story isn’t about being a perfect heroine; it’s about surviving. She went through so much she’s a sexual assault survivor, she grew up without love from her mother, and she lost her father young. The trauma she carries isn’t something you just “get over.” And yet, people act like she’s weak for not handling everything in a way that’s "ideal." But the truth is, Wei Yifan is incredibly courageous. It takes real strength to keep going after everything she’s been through.

That’s why the Hong Kong arc mattered so much. It wasn’t pointless at all, it was a turning point for her. It gave her the space to realize who her real family was, to finally start letting go of the fear that’s been holding her back for years. That fear of being abandoned, of not being enough, of never really belonging she started to outgrow it, and that shaped her into a better version of herself.
Her love for Sang Yan was also beautifully explored. She wasn’t just some passive love interest; she actively cared for him, took care of him, and when she finally opened up about the things she’s been carrying for so long, it was because she found warmth in him. He was someone who made her feel safe enough to share her pain, and that’s not something she ever had before. Yifan isn’t weak, she's just someone who has spent years protecting herself because the world hasn’t been kind to her. But when she finally found someone who wouldn’t leave, she allowed herself to be vulnerable, and that’s such an important part of her growth.

Even outside of romance, she’s a strong character. As a journalist, she faced mistreatment in her workplace but still kept pushing forward. And even though there were bad experiences, she also met good people along the way, co-workers who respected her, moments that reminded her why she pursued this career in the first place. That balance was so well done because it showed that she wasn’t just defined by her struggles; she also had moments of hope and support.
Wei Yifan is shy and quiet, but not weak. That’s just how she grew up after losing her dad, but it never stopped her from voicing her opinions when it truly mattered. She’s not someone who demands attention, but when she speaks, it counts. She really suffered so much, and if there’s anyone who deserves happiness and sunshine, it’s her.

Zhang Ruonan portrayed Wei Yifan effortlessly. Everything about her acting was real and authentic, whether it was her emotional moments or the softer, cuter sides of her personality. And it never felt forced or cringy; it was natural. She fully embodied Yifan’s workaholic side, her reserved but loving nature, and even those little mini housewife moments that made her character feel so lived-in. She brought Yifan to life in a way that made every moment, whether heartbreaking or heartwarming, feel genuine.
Wei Yifan is a character that deserved better not just in her story, but in how people talk about her. She wasn’t weak, she wasn’t useless, and she wasn’t a “bad” female lead. She was just real, and that’s what made her one of the best-written characters in the drama.

EXPLAINING HK ARC ⋆˚✿˖°

I want to explain the Hong Kong arc that so many people criticized Yi Fan for because I keep seeing people say it was unnecessary or had no impact on the story, when it actually did. I’ll add some lines from the drama later to back up what I’m saying, but first, let’s break this down.
People keep saying, “She’s terrified to lose him, but she left him.” That’s exactly the point. Fear doesn’t always make people hold on tighter, it can make them push others away. And this wasn’t about her not valuing Sang Yan. It was about her believing that being with him was selfish, that she was ultimately going to hurt him, and that leaving was the better option. That’s not the same as taking him for granted.

And about the whole “She left him holding the bag with their apartment and her cat” thing let’s talk about the cat. People act like she dumped the cat on him without care, but she already left the cat with him multiple times before. This wasn’t new. She left the cat to keep him company, even when she was trying to leave. That wasn’t abandonment. That was Yi Fan, in her own way, still wanting to stay connected to him even as she tried to walk away.
The argument that she would’ve never come back if Si Qiaoand Su Huoan hadn’t tracked her down doesn’t hold up either. Because the drama makes it clear that she wasn’t happy in HK. She wasn’t thriving. She was stuck. Even if no one had come to find her, she would have eventually realized that running away didn’t fix anything. The thing about trauma is that it doesn’t follow a logical timeline. Just because she’s been independent for years doesn’t mean she suddenly knows how to navigate love without fear. And the thing is, she did realize running wasn’t the answer. In one line, she even admitted that at the end of the day, running away doesn’t solve anything, it only hurts others more.

Before her friends even showed up, the ballet teacher’s story had already touched her, making her reflect on her own choices. Yi Fan had always been attached to the idea of escaping when things got overwhelming, but this time, her friends and Sang Yan people who already saw her as family chose to look for her because they didn’t want her to be gone for too long. And the most important part? They didn’t meet her with anger,they didn’t punish her for running. They simply reminded her that she didn’t have to run anymore.
As for Sang Yan, people say the Hong Kong arc made him unrecognizable, but it didn’t. He wasn’t suddenly a “neurotically desperate” person; he was someone who knew Yi Fan better than anyone else. That’s why he didn’t move on. Because he understood her fear, even when he was hurt by it. If he had truly believed she didn’t love him, that’s when he would have given up. But he knew the way she left wasn’t because she didn’t care, it was because she cared too much and didn’t know how to handle it.

And finally, the idea that “if she really valued him, she would have quickly realized she screwed up” ignores how deep her fears ran. She was healing in her relationship with Sang Yan, but healing isn’t a straight line. She had already come so far, but this was the last hurdle learning that she could trust herself in a relationship, that she could stay instead of running. The Hong Kong arc mattered because it forced her to finally face that.

OST/ CINEMATOGRAPHY ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆
The OST was really good, and it matched the tone of the drama perfectly. It was used thoughtfully in certain scenes, enhancing the emotional impact and making the beautiful moments even more memorable. The cinematography was stunning, with shots that captured the leads perfectly. The dreamy, ethereal vibes it gave off fit the drama so well, and I really liked how it all came together.

FAV SCENES ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂)⸝♡
Sang Yan and Yi Fan’s first meeting
Sang Yan taking care of a cute, drunk Yi Fan
Sang Yan and Yi Fan’s adorable moment at Qian Fei's wedding
Everything about Sang Yi Fan
Wen Yi Fan discovering Sang Yan’s memory box
Sang Yi Fan scenes in episode 31
SangYifan First Date
Wei Yi Fan comforting her younger self
All the kissing scenes (blushes)
The best emotional proposal
I love Dian Dian- Yifan's Cat scenes
Sang Yan’s quote: "You’re looking for a job?" / "The jobs are looking for me."
Yi Fan’s ballet dance

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS .☘︎ ݁˖
The First Frost is a well-written drama and a masterpiece for me because it doesn’t just talk about love, it deeply explores trauma, SA survivors, and friendship. Sang Yi Fan’s love story beautifully portrays the unconditional feelings of first love and how they aren’t easily forgotten, depending on how strong that love is. I love how yearning is depicted in this drama, and Yi Fan’s journey felt incredibly realistic. I’m happy she fought her great battle alongside Sang Yan and found a new home filled with happiness and warmth to shield her from the cold,I never felt bored or skipped any scenes.

One of the things I really appreciated about this drama is how the dialogue is just as important as the actions. We often talk about how what characters do shapes the story, but the way they communicate, the things they say, and how they say them, can carry just as much weight. It’s through dialogue that we really get to see their personalities, vulnerabilities, and intentions. What stood out to me is how every line feels purposeful whether it’s a small quip or a heartfelt confession. It adds layers to the characters and deepens the relationships, making everything feel more genuine. It’s a reminder that words can move the plot just as much as actions can.

Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruo Nan had such natural chemistry that never felt forced, and their characters’ love story never came across as one sided. Every member of the cast played their roles well, and I’m grateful to the director for guiding them so effectively the hard work truly paid off. The First Frost became one of 2025’s best dramas and a certified hit.

QUOTES I LOVE •ᴗ•
Ep 29 Title - Love Means Being Each Other’s Light
Si Qiao : “Those who cannot forgive themselves suffer the most. That’s why we need to be kinder to ourselves.”
Sang Yan: “I want you to fly free forever. I want to give you wings and destroy all your pain.”
Wei Yifan: “I want someone who is fierce and will love me until death. It’s you, Sang Yan.”

To everyone who read this review to the end, just like the TFF quote ending, “Treat yourself well and the world will hold more love for you.” I will miss the Nanwu Squad, Thanks for healing and warming my heart. SangYifan, I don’t want to say goodbye, but I hope we meet again ❄️🍃

Thanks For Reading ⋆｡‧˚ʚ🩰ɞ˚‧｡⋆ 🔆 I hope in this Evil World, You will Continue To Soar High Up To Skies 🌟

Read More

Timeless And Unforgettable… Now A Forever Rewatch..

The First Frost is perfect in ways I never imagined.. So perfect that an entire book could be written just to describe how perfect it is and how deeply it touches the heart..

From the opening credits I was pulled into a world I didn’t know I needed.. A world where emotions run deep and where heartbreak feels as real as my own.. Made me laugh when I least expected it.. Emotional when I tried not to and scream in frustration when the angst kicked in.. Yet through all the pain and happiness, I stayed.. Because how could I not?? TFF gave me moments of warmth and tension that left me breathless.. It is a slow burn romance that makes you travel through a story of longing, healing and unwavering love..

I have to say this.. The first ep itself is a cinematic experience.. I couldn’t believe how good it was.. SY and WYF, their chemistry, the visuals, the soundtrack and everything just clicks.. That soft, melancholic feel was absolutely stunning..

I was really impressed by BJT and ZRN.. Bai Jing Ting's portrayal of Sang Yan, with his calm intensity made his character's pain and longing feel so real.. Zhang Ruo Nan's performance was good as well.. She really captured her character's reserved nature and emotional depth.. The dual perspectives in storytelling added a compelling layer.. It showcased how perceptions and emotions shape interactions.. And I loved Wen Yifan’s journey from isolating herself to loving herself.. Which is portrayed with sensitivity while Sang Yan’s unwavering support offers us a fresh view of a ML who is emotionally intelligent and selfless.. He truly was selfless.. Their scenes were sweet but also a little sad at times and somehow, it just works.. The show shifts between her perspective and his.. So you really understand why they are so hesitant.. Its done in such a thoughtful way..

There is a scene that creates a misunderstanding about why she left him and went to another university.. The pain in his eyes, the way she immediately looked at him and shook her head.. Trying to reassure him that it wasn’t what he thought.. That moment alone proves just how good and involved they both are as Sang Yan and Wen Yifan..

" I suddently want to fall in love.. In love with Sang yan "

It took me a while to finish ep 22 because i kept rewatching her drunk scene with Sang Yan.. I watched it so many times it felt like an entire episode on its own..

" No matter what.. I will always catch you "

Some scenes.. Some episodes.. Some moments and some performances will pull at your heart so hard that you might just break..

Special appreciation No. 1 goes to the camerawork.. What can I say? Absolutely dreamy..
Special appreciation No. 2 goes to whoever was in charge of their outfits.. Absolutely perfect and outstanding.. They dressed them to perfection..

Now.. I didnt like two things in the drama.. First.. I really hated was how she left just like that again.. She said she would be brave this time but the moment another problem came up, she ran again.. She knew he had a hard time the last time she did the same thing.. She knew he would do anything for her.. He literally waited six years.. What did she think would happen?? Yes, she wanted to keep him out of her problems.. But weren’t they past that by then?? It was obvious he would blame himself again and suffer even more than if she had just opened up to him.. It just felt so senseless..
Second.. I didn’t like the casting for Sang Zhi and Duan Jia Xu.. She literally looked like a kid.. I guess she is a Kid.. How did they think that was okay?? The age difference was so obvious and it just didn’t look right on screen..

Most of the men around the FL were creeps.. Including Mu Cheng Yun.. Honestly calling him a creep feels like an understatement.. On the other hand, I really liked Xiang Lang’s character even though he didn’t get much screentime.. He knew his boundaries and genuinely respected WYF.. The bad people did get punished.. But it didn’t feel like enough compared to the years of pain she had to endure.. And honestly I wanted her mother to suffer more.. So much more.. She deserved every bit of it..

" Then the prince endured countless trials..
Mastered all kinds of skills and crossed snowy mountains, deserts and forests full of monsters..
In the end, he saved the princess and they lived happily ever after.. ”

" Tell me.. Were you sent by my Dad to take care of me??
No.. I volunteered.. "

The last two episodes stand out as a perfect example of how to end a drama.. They resolved all the major problems and gave us a happy ending.. A long satisfying happy ending.. No unnecessary angst, no last minute realizations, no dramatic separation just to hug each other in the last moment.. Instead they gave us a full hour long preview of their happy life, their happy ending.. It completely justified their entire journey and every moment I spent watching.. That’s how you conclude an epic romance..

And the best marriage proposal in a CDrama goes to The First Frost.. What a beautifully planned and deeply thoughtful proposal that was..

" Later i realised Sang Yan picked this ring in the shape of a ribbon..
He said, its because we are each others precious gift.. "

I have watched over 500 Asian dramas.. And only two have ever earned a perfect 10 from me.. This is one of them.. That alone says everything about how much I loved it.. One of the most beautiful dramas I have ever seen.. It is not just a story, Its a memory I will carry with me always..

Read More

"I Will Always Catch You."

Very proud of BJT for this role; he took his usual almost comedic persona and created a character who was deep, emotional, sensitive, and an iron wall of protection for his high school sweetheart dealing with trauma and tragedy of her past. Even though this series is in the Hidden Love universe (character names, more or less timeline, family, locations), it's a totally different world from the bubbly and happy romance we saw there. This story is so much deeper and more emotional than that one. One thing is for sure, both Sang siblings brought their traumatized yet loved significant others home to a warm and loving environment.

Pros: I watched this show for BJT, I didn't know it was going to be dealing with trauma, abandonment, PTSD and sleepwalking, and a love so strong from one person, even in his darkest moments, he still made sure she was safe and ok. Sang Yan is the iron wall behind the girl he fell for at first sight. He doesn't know what she has to go through or ultimately went through until their reunion 6 years later. All he wants to do is love and protect. He doesn't know what so silently as we see in the ever well crafted flashbacks in the beginning of the series (that are essentially puzzle pieces that slowly come together as the series comes to a close) and the "the story is not over yet..." at the end (where we see something that happened during the episode that explains a missing piece of the episode). We see what they went through, what their lives became and how through becoming roommates he got a glimpse into her inner world of pain and self torment.

WYF seems like she has it all together on the outside; good job, cares about strangers, wants to improve herself, has a friend. But on the inside she's a scared, traumatized young woman with scars that run very deep. She was abandoned by her mother soon after the death of her father and tossed from one house to the next until she landed at her uncle's where a relative nearly SA'd her; she had to jump from the second floor balcony to get away from this monster at the expense of her foot and being unable to dance again which was her passion. We see her break her promise to SY to attend the same university and break up with him in a cruel manner because of the shame, blame, and fear she had. She then ran away from everything and everyone. And still ran into a different freak at her internship after college where she had to quit her job though she got justice. It was like she never had any security anywhere she went and only during her college days when she functioned like an automaton. SY though still followed her and was always watching her silently, protecting.

When the monster gets out of prison and comes after her again, we learn that she was not his first nor his last sadly, just one of two that got away with their lives to boot. Meanwhile, in the apartment the two (SY and WYF) share as roommates, SY starts to see the sleepwalking and other signs that show things are far worse than he thought originally of just an unhappy home life in the past and her not wanting to be with him. Though there is humor (more on his part as she is very shy) and great chemistry, we know that at some point she has to tell him everything so there are no more misunderstandings. As he says to her, "I will always catch you." His love is unconditional no matter what; from the moment she walked back into his line of sight in the first episode, he would always be there, hovering like an earthbound angel protecting soundlessly.

What she had to learn and understand was that she could lean on those she loved and tell them the truth. She didn't have to face everything alone. It was SY that ultimately captured the bastard that traumatized her who was on the run for an unsolved murder years prior and assault on his brother in law's wife. It was SY who safe proofed the house so she wouldn't hurt herself when she sleepwalked. He walked beside her always calmly talking to her even during the times she just walked around and cried. It was SY who had his heart ripped to shreds when she ran away a second time; this time he didn't know where she was though he chased down more leads than the cops ever did. He even went to where she actually was off a tip from her childhood friend who thought he saw her and other leads and even though they happened to be in the same locations, they conveniently missed each other. But he was the one who never gave up and she had to let him in.

The second couple is ok, both deserving of love especially the guy who went through a lot of tragedy, trauma, and self blame himself. I think as best friends of the leads, they deserved a bit of their own storyline told.

I'm glad she cut ties with her "mom" and the bastard and his sister went to prison (with him sentenced to death). Going to the Sang house for a holiday made her see and appreciate what a real warm family with caring parents looked like. Their chemistry was great and they had great kisses and decent skinship; it was just enough for this story. I was glad she found out about all of his travels to Yihe, kept all of her article clippings, and the fact that he went to her graduation. For 6 years he never left her; he was always just behind or on the sidelines. The proposal was unique and heartwarming and SY getting emotional was beautiful; definitely a tear jerker. We even see that it was he who initiated their first contact, so love at first sight it was for sure. Even the ring was symbolic because it had a ribbon on it and SY explained they were each other's most precious gifts.

OSTs, modern sets, camera angles were all good.

Cons: I don't agree with her leaving a second time. I don't read the source material but it didn't jive with her character development at all. A few days before she had confronted her "family" bastard included and told them that if they came near her or her loved ones again she would go to the police and yet still she ran? It just didn't match up. Furthermore, her reasoning was that if she left, SY wouldn't get hurt? Yeah ok, because it wasn't the bastard that was harassing a woman at SY's restaurant and then got into a fight with SY where he told him kind of what happened 6 years before. That it didn't shatter SY's heart to know how badly she was harmed, that he didn't know, couldn't help and now not knowing where she was. To a man like him, it was the ultimate heartbreak. Plus, as a journalist, she should know that predators will go after their prey's loved ones if they can't find their prey. They want to harm the ones that person loves the most. They're all hard wired like that. So her choice didn't hold water for me and shouldn't have deviated. Production could have chosen for her to tell him some other way finally and not have him and friends run around the entire country looking for her. Though he did learn a lot of what she went through in the years away from him, I just think a more balanced version of who her character had become would have been best in that situation. Then she got mad at him at the hospital after he went against the bastard and caught him; he felt like a man, the man she deserved as before he felt useless. But she's mad? Because she would have done what? Run away for a third time? Come on now. Her anger was misplaced; yes most likely more fear for his safety and worry but still, she had to see it from his side of things.

It always felt like though she said she loved him and trusted him, there was a hesitation and the running away the 2nd time was a huge example of that. Communication with her character was lacking; she would declare things and then take two steps back. No wonder SY felt less than even after all this time. Also wish WYF when kissed or just in a general conversation with SY didn't have her eyes roll around on her face like she didn't know where she was or what was happening, again didn't quite fit her characterization.

Several characters were completely unnecessary like that Mu guy, his whole point of being there was what? And the grandparents love line was unnecessary too. They could have just been there to bring the 2nd leads together and let SML get past his own trauma. Their entire point was lost on me. Also the once in a blue moon HL storyline that didn't quite match up in timeline sequence could have been overlooked.

Would I recommend it? Definitely. I gave .5 higher than HL because this one was darker and deeper and the ending was much more satisfactory (not knocking HL, as that one was also good but just a much lighter version) and totally came full circle in more ways than one. BJT is definitely the perfect SY for me. Give it a chance.

Read More

The First Frost A Slow, Emotional Journey That Stayed With Me

SUMMARY

The First Frost was never in a rush to impress. It followed Sang Yan and Wei Yifan over the years as their relationship slowly shifted from quiet familiarity to something deeper and more intimate. It wasn’t just a romance, it was a story about healing, trust, and choosing yourself after years of silence. The pacing was deliberate, allowing every emotional beat to land without being overplayed. It took its time, especially with Wei Yifan’s trauma, and that made the final payoff feel real and well-earned.

CHARACTERS
Bai Jing Ting as Sang Yan
Bai Jing Ting brought a calm steadiness to Sang Yan that grounded the entire drama. His character wasn’t loud or dramatic, but his presence had weight. He played Sang Yan with restraint and warmth, making every small gesture, from a glance to a simple touch, feel significant. What stood out most was how he showed patience without pity, how he supported Wei Yifan without ever trying to “fix” her. It’s a quiet performance, but an incredibly memorable one.

Zhang Ruonan as Wei Yifan
Zhang Ruonan had the harder task: portraying someone who had learned to stay small to survive. Wei Yifan’s past, especially her strained relationship with her mother, shaped so much of who she was. Zhang Ruonan made those layers visible. There was a constant tension in her, a fear of taking up space, and when she finally started choosing herself, it hit hard. She played Wei Yifan as someone both fragile and brave, and it made her growth feel personal to watch.

What I Loved
This was a slow burn in every sense. The drama didn’t rush into love confessions or dramatic confrontations. It let moments breathe, letting glances, silences, and routines do the work. It acknowledged trauma without making it the whole story. The characters had to earn their happy ending, and that made it more satisfying. What I appreciated most was how it emphasized mutual care, especially from Sang Yan’s side. He waited for her, not out of obligation, but because he respected her pace.

Favorite Scenes
The first date: It was understated, but it said everything about how far Wei Yifan had come. She let herself want something and let Sang Yan in.

The sleepwalking scenes: They were oddly intimate. Watching Sang Yan care for her so gently while she wasn’t fully aware said more than words could.

The proposal : Simple, sincere, and completely in character. There were no grand gestures, just a feeling of safety and certainty.

Wei Yifan leaving her mother: This was one of the most powerful moments. She wasn’t angry, she was done. That quiet strength hit harder than any confrontation could.

Final Thoughts And My Written Poem for SangYifan

The First Frost wasn’t a drama about falling in love quickly. It was about learning how to live again, slowly, and choosing to love someone not in spite of their past, but with full understanding of it. It wasn’t flashy, but it was full of feeling. And because of that, it stayed with me.

For Sang Yan and Wei Yifan 💝,

Two people who found something rare when they least expected it
someone to walk beside, without fear.

He gave her the space to breathe again,
to trust that some things, some people, would stay.
Not by force,
but by being there, quiet and real,
like the sky after a long storm.

And she
she loved him deeply,
not just in the easy moments,
but through the complexities, the quiet doubts,
and every soft step they took together.
She loved him with a quiet strength,
showing him that love can be gentle,
and yet powerful enough to transform everything.

Together, they built a love not out of grand moments,
but out of quiet mornings, shared laughter,
silent comforts only they could understand.

Sang Yan and Wei Yifan
a love that healed,
a love that stayed,
a love that made even the coldest winter feel gentle again.

Read More

After every dark night, you will have a brighter day.

"The First Frost" is not your typical romance drama with lots of fluff and a little bit of angst. It is more about fighting your inner demons, loving someone unconditionally and the process of healing is not a straight line. It is my favorite work of the author, so I went in with huge anticipation though I had this fear that they might ruin the novel for me. They didn't. In fact they enhanced the novel at so many levels. There are flaws, but those flaws are not equal to the emotional ride this drama took me on. It is a drama which has right amount of fluff, angst and pain. I felt every emotion I can name with this drama. The cinematography is chef's kiss.

Story: It is the first love which turns into true love kind of story. ML and FL are high school sweethearts but due to the problems in FL's life, they separated. The FL has many problems, traumas and issues. These issues are not irrational. She went through so much that she should be applauded for how kind she is towards the world when the world was never kind towards her. She loves the ML but her problems are much bigger at that time. The ML has a perfect life. He has everything one could wish for. He has IQ, EQ, wealth, family and looks. His devotion towards the FL, even after the heart break he suffered was truly commendable. It is very rare to see MLs who are emotionally intelligent and he is one of the very few. He still cared for her after everything. The relationship is not one sided at all. FL hold ML at a high level because of how he affected her life, she calls him Sun and want to do everything to protect him from the shadows of her dark past. FL heals with time, becoming a better version of herself. The director showed how healing is not a straight line. You will have many setbacks on this journey but with the unconditional love, right support and help, you will eventually heal.

The love story is not really typical cdrama kind. It runs deep, feels raw and authentic. It has genuine and unconditional love and it is excuted too well.

Acting/Cast: ZRN and BJT embodied the characters really well. ZRN's acting is really commendable. She went from an emotionally distant character to portraying an attempted Se**al Ass**lt victim. You can feel the helplessness and how she lost her soul in the process. Her eye acting is amazing. BJT embodied a devoted man who loves and supports the woman amazingly. The way he used to tear up seeing the FL in pain was emotional to watch. The side characters too did a convincing job. The chemistry between both of them is electrifying. An eye contact between them will make you blush. The kisses were amazing. No fish kisses. It was realistically handled as the kisses went from awkward first kiss to sizzling hot kisses. There are many kissing scenes. The actors are treat to the eyes as well. The visual chemistry is beautiful. They both look so gorgeous onscreen that you might need to repeat few scenes just because you were too focused on their visuals. They compliment each other too well.

Music: The beats are nice and the songs are very meaningful, depicting the journey of the couple beautifully.

Rewatch Value: It is amazing but it has scenes which are heavy and emotionally draining. The actors will seep you in.

Overall: I absolutely love this masterpiece. There is a few things they added which I didn't personally liked but it is not enough to affect my love for the drama. It is my favorite Zhu Yi's work and now, my most favorite c-drama. WYF is the character which will make you sob for her. Unfortunately, there are many WYFs in the world but not everyone has the courage to start fresh. Not everyone has their own SY. The love between the leads is just heartfelt and consuming. The last episode had me in tears. SY's love and understanding won me over. His emotional maturity is just amazing. Not many MLs are like him and being emotionally mature towards someone who had went through the hardest things doesn't make you a doormat. He loves her and she loves him too. Love is not a transaction that he will see what he is getting in return. It is one of those dramas which will stay with you in the long run.

Some people call SY doormat or a flat character. He is not. He had been grown up in a healthy environment, never struggling for anything and he was not ambitious. He is naturally gifted. He is intelligent and excels at whatever he does. The only setback he ever faced was loosing his first love. At the age of 16, he saw WYF for the first time, had a crush on her which gradually changed into love as they became deskmates. He did everything he could to make her his and suffered a setback but soon, he pulled himself out. He graduated, opened a gastropub, did excellent job and is an amazing person with a pure heart holding no malice towards anyone. Just because he loved FL with everything, doesn't make him a doormat. He knew she went through a lot, so rather than being impatient, he did what an understanding person will do. Loving someone with mental traumas is not easy. You have to be careful in every step you take. His love for her was the purest form of love I have seen in a drama. We need more people like him with emotional intelligence.

Some people call him stalker too. SY is not even aware about what goes on in WYF's life. He only knows her college. He waits at her college gate to just catch a glimpse of her, sees that she is PHYSICALLY fine and leaves. It happens once in a while. He does this not because he is obsessive or something, but he had promised her to always be there for her. Once, he went to her work place because she expressed negativity towards life. Do you guys even have any idea how frightening it is to know that the woman he loves so much has such negative perception towards life. If he really stalked her as some people claim, WYF wouldn't have to suffer so much. She would have known she is getting stalked. You will ultimately realize if someone follows you all the time but she never saw him, means he didn't followed her or did something inappropriate. He wasn't even aware that WYF returned back to Nanwu. He always knew that her family is not there for her, so he took it upon himself to at least check if she is doing fine.

I would have never defended him if he really followed her like a creep. He never did it. He was always respectful towards her. They lived in a house for 1 whole year as roommates but not once did he enter her room or her personal space. He let go of the bigger room so that she will be comfortable as it has an attached bathroom.

WYF is a person who is always on high alert mode. If he really stalked her for 6 years, do you think she wouldn't have known. He looked out for her in those 6 years, knowing no one was by her side. He knew nothing about her life. I don't know how people go on calling him stalker.

WYF is one of the strongest female characters I came across. Going through so much, she still had a smile on her face. She don't go around screaming, but she does take stand for herself when needed. You might feel she is docile, but she is not. She is ignorant of the things not concerning her. Her love for SY is selfless, always looking out for his well being. ZRN really did a fabulous job of bringing a character as complex as WYF to life. What I really liked was how she healed herself. She might haven't made good decisions in the process, might have made mistakes too but healing yourself is always a journey. She healed herself because it was her duty to do it. She took her time, analyzed everything and with time, she was healed. The people around her might support her, but her healing shouldn't be them. It is not their duty to heal her because after sometime, they will feel burdened and she knew it. She worked on herself, became better and accepted the blessing god bestowed upon her as Sang Yan. SY supported her throughout this journey. Love doesn't always heal you, especially with the trauma she went through. It was time and her inner strength which healed her and made her better.

Read More

Zhang Ruonan & Bai Jingting Shine in The First Frost

I finished the first frost a month ago but i’m still emotionally wrecked in the best way possible. This drama hit all the right notes — from its quiet emotional depth to the beautifully layered love story between Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan.

Wen Yi Fan is such a complex, quietly strong character, and Zhang Ruonan absolutely nailed the performance. You could feel her pain, her hesitation, and her growth so clearly — especially in those subtle moments when she’s just trying to hold herself together. She made Wen Yifan feel raw and real.

And Bai Jingting as Sang Yan? Easily one of the most emotionally grounded male leads i've seen in a while. He brought this calm, steady presence to the character that made all of Sang Yan’s little acts of love feel incredibly impactful. He’s not your typical male lead — there’s no over-the-top drama or flashy gestures. His love is quiet, patient, and unwavering. Bai Jingting portrayed Sang Yan with such sincerity and warmth.

Their chemistry is the kind that simmers — not loud or overly dramatic, but full of longing, warmth, and emotional depth. You really believe in their bond and root for their healing, both individually and together.

Also, the drama’s cinematography and music add such a nostalgic, dreamlike vibe that it honestly just pulls you right in. If you're into slow-burn romance with a lot of heart, emotional storytelling, and characters that actually grow, this one’s for you.

The First Frost is 100% worth watching. Beautiful story, beautiful acting — especially by these two. Definitely a standout in the modern romance genre.

I love this drama so much and Sang Yifan will forever be in my heart.

Read More

Yifan is a beautiful lotus flower

Zhang Ruonan and her character Wen Yifan is so beautiful. I'm not talking about just physically. She is resilient and strong in the face of adversity even if she's more delicate on the inside. The girl is a survivor when the world keeps throwing things at her. She reminded me of the lotus flower, a symbol of overcoming adversity. Even in the murky waters, the plant can survive and a flower is able to bloom. Through it all, she is still kind and gentle. And as already shown in the series, Sang Yan is the sun in her life. If Yifan is the lotus flower, then Yan is the sun that helps her warm up after the rainy moments and gives her the light she needs. While the pacing of the series may not be for everyone, I greatly enjoyed the time it took to craft the story and characters. Beautiful story, beautiful characters, beautiful acting, beautiful cinematography, and beautiful music. Beautiful job to cast and crew!

Read More

very somber, but also very swoon-worthy

I initially became interested in watching this drama because I watched "Hidden Love". While initially saddened that this drama would have a different set of cast, I was not disappointed in the choices, especially Bai Jingting as Sang Yan. I have seen him in "Destined", and I absolutely loved him there. I think my favorite thing was just trying to imagine Jingting replacing Victor in "Hidden Love" scenes and vice versa with picturing Victor in "The First Frost". I also recognized Edward Chen from "Your Name Engraved Herein" and Zhang Miaoyi from "When I Fly Towards You", so I was pretty familiar most of the central roles aside from the female lead. After watching this, I will say Zhang Ruonan will be another name and face I will recognize and look out for in the future.

-------------------------------------------
● SHORT REVIEW
-------------------------------------------

[ --LIKES-- ]

✔ Amazing OSTs

✔ Beautiful cinematography

✔ Strong female lead capable of standing up for herself. Despite her introverted and soft nature, she is far from weak. On multiple occasions and scenario, she has been shown to stand up and defend herself, not needing someone to come save her. She is her own heroine.

✔ Male lead is likable. Although he tries to act cool and nonchalant, he is very caring and sincere.

✔ Yifan's friend Siqiao is smart, capable, and cares a lot for her friends.

✔ Loved when Yifan's current superior Mr. Gan made sure no one was causing her problems at work and also helps defends her when her job is questioned due to gossip.

✔ Enough cute and romantic moments to balance out the bleakness of Yifan's story

✔ Love the consistent format of the series with a flashback at the beginning and a bonus scene at the end


[ --DISLIKES-- ]

✖ I admit the beginning of this series was slow for me. The sadness of the female lead's situation made it a lot harder to watch, especially compared to the lighter vibe of Hidden Love. Being set in winter also adds to the somber vibes. However, it gets better as the story progresses and we also get some cuter, lighter moments.

✖ Not sure how I feel about Mu Chengyun as a character. I felt like his character was there just for the sake of being there, but he never felt like anyone with an effect on the lead's relationship other than being a slight annoyance. He did a couple of annoying things like self inviting himself into Yifan's apartment and also lying about things Sang Yan said, but neither of those scenario were shown to really impact the leads' actions in the grand scheme of things. Our male lead was confident and the female lead never wavered or sided with Chengyun. I feel like we could've removed his character and it wouldn't change the story much, if any. I felt maybe having Xiang Lang (the guy best friend) was sufficient enough.

✖ I love Siqiao and Haoan's story, but I wish we spent a little less time on the grandparents' story. Would have loved more of Siqiao and Haoan's story outside the context of the Haoan's family stuff.

✖ Probably because I watched Hidden Love and adored the siblings interaction there, I kinda hoped there would be more scenes with the Sang siblings. I loved their bickering in HL, and I also understand First Frost has a more serious tone but I peronally would have loved a few more scenes/interactions with the sister, even if it's more serious and heartfelt rather than light and comedic.


-------------------------------------------
● IN-DEPTH REVIEW
-------------------------------------------

[ --STORY/PLOT-- ]

I'll begin by saying that even though "The First Frost" shares the same universe as "Hidden Love" and involves some of the same characters, you don't really need to have seen HL. With that said, I do recommend checking out HL though if you haven't, especially if you want to learn more about Sang Yan's sister Zhi and his best friend Jiaxu. It's kind of fun to see how the timeline/events line up between the two. The vibe is also a lot more lighter.

"The First Frost" adopts a more sad and serious tone and deals with much heavier topics. Yifan's life has been full of hardship. She deals with loss, assault, workplace harassment and gossip, and lacks love, care, and protection from the people who are suppose to be her family, especially her mother. However, when there was no one there to save and protect her, Yifan defended and stood up for herself. She does this on multiple occasions and I love that about her. While she appears to have a quiet and gentle nature, she is far from weak. She is capable of fighting for herself when it matters. Yifan is the hero of her own story. As a result, she is independent. This is both a good and bad thing. It's good that she is capable and solves problems on her own. However, since she's so use to handling things herself, she keeps her problems to herself and suffers alone instead of asking for help. It's understandable though given her own mother ignored her in the past. Despite it, she does her best to take of herself and even tries to protect Sang Yan from the traumas that haunt her.

As a contrast to Yifan, we have Sang Yan, who comes from a loving family. In the somber vibe that is Yifan's story, Yan brings light and warmth to it. He gives Yifan the deserved love, care, and comfort she lacks in her life. He is someone who makes her feel comfortable and helps her (and the viewers) smile. It's funny watching the male lead keep up a cool and calm demeanor but is actually really caring, cute, and sometimes even silly. I think that was much needed when the series feels very melancholic. The first time I actually grinned during this series was during a flashback of Yan getting his sister Zhi to pretend to be lost so he could meet up with Yifan. For me, that was my first impression of a lighter moment in such a heavy series. He does a lot of things like that to get her to notice him and it's somewhat endearing. Yan's involvement in Yifan's life gives us quite a few swoon-worthy moments with some nice cinematography. An example that stood out for me was after their Ferris wheel kiss, when Yifan was thinking about it. I loved the artistic way they showed her thinking about the kiss while lying in her room.

Yifan is not the only capable female in this series. Her best friend Zhong Siqiao is also very capable, hard-working, and smart. Siqiao is also selfless and cares a lot about the people around her. This is shown through her interaction with Su Haoan and helping him deal with his family problems. She is very likeable and I appreciated that. Sometimes, with Chinese series, the support female best friend role can have an annoying personality or traits, but the main females are both strong characters and I love that. Siqiao and Haoan's story is much lighter but still have a lot of heartfelt moments that should not be overlooked. Their story also deals with similar themes of love, family, trauma, and healing.

[ --ACTING/CAST-- ]

As briefly mentioned before, I was already acquainted with some of the cast going in. I was already a fan of Bai Jingting from watching "Destined", Edward Chen from "Your Name Engraved Herein", and Zhang Miaoyi from "When I Fly Towards You". All of which are series and a movie that I've rated highly, so I already suspected I would like this series a lot. I didn't know Zhang Ruonan, but after watching this series, her name is one I will look more into. I think everyone, main and supporting case alike, did a great job. Che Xingde, the aunt, and mom invoked anger in me so I commend the actors for their portrayal. Both our male and female leads conveyed the emotional and heartfelt scene very well and very naturally. Whether it was Sang Yan's sincere, tender, and persistent care and love or Wen Yifan's anxieties and sadness, I felt it all.

[ --MUSIC/OST-- ]

Much like Hidden Love, this series introduced to me so many great OSTs that gave me the feels. They were all memorable. Each added values and greatly enhanced the scenes they played in. I added most of them to my playlist, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be '像晴天像雨天' (Like A Sunny Day, Like A Rainy Day) sang by Silence Wang.

[ --REWATCH VALUE-- ]

As far as romance series go, this one is up at the top as one of the contenders for my favorite.

[ --FINAL THOUGHTS-- ]

Overall, this series has a lot of memorable scenes enhanced by great cinematography and/or great music, supported by great acting, and features likable main characters. The story is somber but balances it out with some very sweet moment. I loved the Sang Yan in "Hidden Love", but I like the character even more here in "The First Frost". Wen Yifan is a survivor, and I absolutely love her. I also really enjoyed the second couple, and they also had a lot of cute moments. The first couple of episodes will be kind of rough to get past, but much like Wen Yifan's life, it will get better with persistent like Sang Yan's love.

-------------------------------------------
● NOTE
-------------------------------------------

I'll always conclude my review by saying that ratings and reviews is not really a indicator of whether you may enjoy something. We all have different criteria and standards. Don't let a bad rating, review, or comment discourage you from watching something. My advice will always be to give something a chance if the premise interests you, and only use the ratings/reviews to determine priority if you have a list, or if you're deciding if you want to continue it due to time limitations.

♥ Thanks for reading my review! Feel free to comment or hit me up if you want to discuss anything ♥

Read More

Ultimately a letdown

The concept of showing past and present moments side by side had promise, and the cinematography and OST were beautifully done. However, the pacing dragged so much that I felt I could’ve started from episode 20 and still gotten the full picture. The character development lacked depth, and the female lead remained emotionally flat throughout. While the male lead had charm, he felt too idealized, like he was written solely to support the female lead’s arc. It made him less believable and took away from his character's individuality.

The leads had some chemistry, but many of their scenes felt forced rather than organic. The uncle subplot wasn’t convincing, and the sudden murder twist near the end felt like a rushed device to push Wen Yifan toward growth. Side characters were forgettable, and the grandpa had more screen time than necessary, without contributing meaningfully to the story.

Casting-wise, this drama could have hit harder with different choices. As much as I like Bai Jingting, I didn’t fully buy him as Sang Yan. Someone like Victor Ma (Sang Yan from Hidden Love) could’ve brought more energy and emotional nuance to the role, he would’ve absolutely nailed it. The female lead also lacked emotional presence, which made it hard to feel invested in her journey.

The ending offered some closure, though most of the final episode was just a recap of earlier scenes.
Overall, a visually appealing drama with a few interesting elements, but let down by uneven writing, flat performances, and missed potential.

Read More