The First Frost

Starts as captivating tristesse, shows us the healing power of love

I binged the 10 first available episodes on Netflix, and then I was eagerly awaiting and watching as the next episodes became available. I have now finished all episodes, and have added to my initial review.

These are my first thoughts and impressions from the ten first episodes:
…wow…this just captivated me straight away. The whole feel of it is so complete; the acting, the dialogues, the music, the lighting and videography … it sets this melancholic, tristesse feeling.
The story is (so far) also very well written, slowly, bit by bit, uncovering the causes of the FL’s emotional wounds.

Up to ep. 20:
Glimmers of light in the grey.
The character of Wen Yi Fan is very well written, and to follow her development and how she gradually, tiny stone by stone, takes down the wall she has built around herself, is creating a strong connection to her.
As for Sang Yan, he is just such a sweetheart. How he, without knowing exactly the underlying reasons, seems to understand she is carrying some sort of emotional burden, and manages to gently push through her barricades with care and patience.

The rest of the episode/ total series:
I absolutely loved this as a whole; it is very well-made, and especially FL’s character development is so beautifully portrayed. This must be one of her strongest performances so far.
ML is also very suitable for this role, but his character didn’t give him as much room to show diversity in his acting I think. He was a bit more “two-dimensional”; loving or stone-faced.

The supporting couple’s side story didn’t add that much to the story, besides showing another kind of healing love. If that sidetrack was removed, I don’t think I would feel anything missing.

Her change of mindset (Hong Kong) felt a little abrupt; I think maybe the “trigger” could have been a bit stronger or clearer.

I think this hit me stronger than Hidden Love, especially the first episodes.

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literally a shining stry of love and life ?

okay ! first of all bai jinting is my adulthood crush ! he is awesome and fabulous, his acting skills is amazing, U feel so real whenever U saw him portraying any character! he just made the character alive . such a green flag 💚.. In this drama , the man he portrayed is the dream man and hero of all girl wish for ! the stry is so relatable,makes me emotional sometimes! I can't explain in a word , a girl's strength to live in a trauma and after so much mental struggle finally came out from past and shining in present was so wonderful 😊! I wish every girl in real life can let go her traumatic past ! so as I ! overall this stry so sweet and lovely with a lots of lovely scenes! it never bore U , I swear U will enjoy this 💓... wish best of luck to the First frost team and cast ..they have done so well !!

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BEST POTRAYAL OF LOVE

This drama broke me, healed me. every character had depth and a story no character felt empty. I don't give many 10/10 review but this...

one of the best part was yeifan not forgiving her mom, because believe it takes a lot to hate your parents. There will always be someone telling you, "at the end they are your parents", no matter how bad you've suffered.

I love when sang yang calls yifan's name. The way he was not like other leads where to make it funny they potray the lead as someone who can't control himself. He waited so long still was very respectful with yifan. I love them

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Another masterpiece

Zhu Yi doesn’t disappoint. If you love Hidden Love, you’d love this. I dare say I like First Frost better. It’s not a competition don’t get me wrong but this drama, I’m telling you, is near perfection.

The journey in both dramas are completely different even though they are a spin off each other. I’ve been watching a lot of content on Tik Tok about this drama (even the algorithm knows how obsessed I am with the drama), there were many comments about the Sang siblings have healed Wang Yi Fan and Duan Jia Xu which is completely spot on. Just like Sang Zhi, you see Sang Yan quietly supporting and loving Wang Yi Fan from afar. Two very different characters but giving the same energy.

We often see “domineering CEO” plots which display the male lead as arrogant and powerful but turns mush when they meet the female lead. It’s rare to see a character like Sang Yan, this arrogant, rich and smart guy whose character remain consistent, be it in front of the person he loves so deeply, his friends or his family. Of course, there are moments when you’ll see his vulnerability in front of Yi Fan but it doesn’t feel completely out of character. That to me, is very interesting to see. For once, a pure love drama that doesn’t necessarily thrive on triangle love or jealousy - just one that shows a couple going through struggles and traumas in this journey called life together.

I have to say, considering the amount of details put into Hidden Love, I had the same expectations for First Frost. After watching HL, you can help but observe the timeline and similarities in terms of events in both dramas and I do see some disparities. However, that doesn’t really matter because they are meant to be spin offs and standalone dramas.

One major ick I had about the drama is the amount of screen time invested in the second leads’ story which 80% of the time I would hit the skip button. I wish they spend more time building the story between Yi Fan and Sang Yan.

Overall, this drama is surely topping the list of best dramas in 2025 so far. The chemistry between the leads are amazing and the visuals of the drama are so well done. Gonna watch this on repeat for sure.

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A LOVE THAT I WANT!!!

The First Frost – My Solace C-Drama of 2025

The First Frost quietly captured my heart in a way few dramas ever have. Beneath its slow, atmospheric pace lies a rich emotional tapestry of healing, love, and rediscovery. It doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or loud declarations, it embraces stillness, silence, and the small moments that leave lasting marks.

At the heart of the story is Yi Fan, whose quiet strength and vulnerability mirror the weight of the trauma she carries. Her journey isn’t rushed or romanticized. Instead, it’s portrayed with empathy and realism, making her growth all the more powerful. Opposite her is Sang Yan, a character whose gentle presence becomes a safe harbor. He is patient, grounded, and deeply human a rarity in modern dramas.

What sets The First Frost apart is its atmosphere. The cinematography is poetic, filled with soft lighting, symbolic use of space, and intimate silences. There’s a sincerity in how the story unfolds how it allows its characters to breathe, stumble, and slowly find warmth in each other after the long winter of their individual pasts.

There are no grand villains or chaotic arcs just people navigating grief, connection, and memory. Even the supporting characters serve subtle yet meaningful roles. The emotional payoff feels earned, and by the end, I didn’t just watch a romance, I witnessed healing.

As my solace drama of 2025, The First Frost gave me quiet comfort. It’s the kind of series you carry with you after it ends, like a lingering song or a familiar scent. I’ll remember the longing in their eyes, the weight of unspoken words, and how, even after everything, love found its way back.

Sometimes, it’s not the loudest stories that stay with us it’s the softest ones. And The First Frost is exactly that.

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No matter what genre you love or hate you will enjoy this.

This is my first time writing a review as i feel that this show is worth it. have not ever seen a man as perfect as Sang Yan. I fell in love with the character so much(no homo) that I found myself smiling as soon as he comes on screen. I have watched episodes as they released and truly felt the essence of each and every second. The songs compliment the scenes so much. My favorite ost now is by Silence Wang 像晴天像雨天（电视剧《难哄》心动曲.

I also truly felt the emotions of wen yi fan. I felt the pace was perfect for me. The post credits have equal amount of importance and they provide such a good angle to the story. The sweet melo romance of them connecting back is so lovely.

My personal favourite parts that I have rematches 100s of times and clipped them are the scenes of her sleepwalking and him teasing her the next day. Oh the butterflies you will feel.

This is truly one perfect drama. You should give it a shot no matter what genre you like. You will love this drama.

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A Levelled Up Cinderella Story

This is a Love Story drenched in Deep, Heavy Sadness.

The female lead, Yi Fan, is Extremely Unlucky. She was born into a happy family, but after her father's death, her life took a hard turn from Joyful to full of Suffering. Still, in the middle of all her struggles, she's Deeply Loved by the male lead, Sang Yan, a guy who’s Incredebly patient, kind, and has a heart of gold. 😍

Bai Jing Ting (Sang Yan) and Zhang Ruo Nan (Yi Fan) totally nailed their roles. The chemistry between them? Off the charts. The emotional scenes hit hard, and yes, the kiss scenes are the real deal, no awkward lip-pressing here. ❤️

If you’re a hopeless romantic who watches with your Heart, this is a "Must Watch". You’ll fall hard for this series. Yi Fan, despite being kinda immature and selfish, is basically a Cinderella blessed with a perfect Prince Charming in Sang Yan. 👩‍❤️‍👨

I’m seriously impressed by the original writer, Zhu Yi. The script is full of poetic and touching lines. One moment that got me was in Episode 30, when Sang Yan piggybacks Yi Fan after she says goodbye to her toxic mom. She breaks down and says, “No one loves me anymore. Only you.” And he replies, “I only love you.”
WHEW!!! That hit me right in the feels. 💘

If you’re the rational type, you can give it a try, but no promises you’ll love it. There are a few things that just don’t make sense logically:
First: Sang Yan isn’t just a green flag guy, he’s a whole green forest. Guys like him don’t exist in real life. I mean, sure, kind and loving guys are out there. But one who sticks around and still loves you even after you’ve hurt him for no good reason? Yeah, not likely. 🤔
Second: After Yi Fan left Sang Yan before college, Sang Yan kept quietly visiting and watching Yi Fan from afar. If you look at it romantically, it’s sweet. But from a logical angle? Kinda stalker-ish, not gonna lie. 😅

Anyway, that’s my review. I’m not a big fan of Cinderella-style stories, but for me this one is REALLY SWEET! 🥰🥰🥰

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supercifial & over-hyped

Let’s start with the fact that the male lead is one of the most flat characters I have watch so far.

Male character was created to be just marely a decoration or an objection of fantasy for it’s audience, like those male characters from games that females would have variety to choose from, a male character who’s sole purpose in the story was to cater to the female lead.

Hi dreams, his job, his every action all revolves around the female lead and lacks agency.

not to mention, the male character falls for female lead bec of her physical appearance, yes because she is beautiful, follows her around, and if he is not handsome, people would be calling him creepy, but hey he is gorgeous so it’s okay, but the same audience are annoyed when an intern on her job does the same, following her like a puppy.

female lead rejects him and what did he do? ahh yes he kept visiting and watching her without her knowledge, talk about romanticizing a stalker, but hey again he is gorgeous.

female lead at least has substance, she is someone who experience trauma and made bad decisions during her youth as she is powerless (which i appauld for making it realistic), but the writer made a creative decisions that doesn’t make sense in the context of the story or the character, a journalist who has a trauma, during first episode, her body initial reaction is to help someone, but when face with her own villian, she left everything and decided strangers are better to be around than her love ones (boyfriend & best friend), a journalist is someone who had a knowledge of how the law works (could have filed an harrasment as she has receipts of his threats) but hey blame it on trauma - okay, but then she got back with ml, talk about the traumatic past and slept with him the same night, very contradictory.

it’s like being diagnose with a condition of depression and you see some random dramatic ones who claim to be depressed just for being sad without really knowing the feeling of having one.

but hey most viewers could careless about logic and realistic characters and just want a fictional character they could fantasize for their own.

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Overrated , so - so drama

speed- too much slow . lagging
Actors- good looking , but bland no expressions , awkward
Romance - didn't feel like real no butterflies , no aww moments
Story - was good biasedly not my type , shouldn't be compared to HL
Overall opinion - though it was not that bad and this is my fully biased opinion , this drama is not worth a rating of 10 . Everything felt unrealistic SY's character was something I absolutely loved in HL but here it was totally changed . His only motive in life was yifan here he was completely obsessed which is creepy actually , but since it is a drama and she didn't mind it , everything was fine . His character is potrayed as a full green flag but in just some cases he isn't . I mean he's great but it's over the limit . Also the drama leaves question marks in some scenes for the viewers who've already watched HL . The timing doesn't sync but guess that's okay not a big deal . It's just that it was a bother . as a HL fan . FL's character ....I don't know she was great but not my type , her acting was a bit obvious . Haoan was good though , I was kinda more invested in his story but it wasn't shown greatly .
Finally , it can be definitely watched (once) , and may seem and feel better if you haven't watched HL or don't compare this drama to HL while watching . and ofc all the actors are worth a applause and appreciation .

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