This review may contain spoilers
A Good Mix of Romance and Drama
I would not keep this review long. Imagine Sang Yan going to Yihe frequently just to see her. That's the true meaning of "If he wants to, he would". His love did not end after they ended their communication. I also love how Sang Yan waited for her all these years even though he was hurt that she left. He yearned for her for so many years, and when she finally said the reason for her departure, I love how Sang Yan tried to console her and fight for her to give her justice. Overall, this is such a good series to watch and I can definitely see myself watching it over again.Was this review helpful to you?
Really enjoyed it
It was such a good series, the story was good the acting was good, at first i was a bit sceptical about the choice of characters in the series but then i started liking them together more and more with every episode. I was having a small issue with the length of the series, i think it could have been a lot shorter (like 24 episodes instead of 32) I had to spoil a lot, i think this is why i probably won't be watching this series again, what a shame it was such a good story. The support roles could have been better.Was this review helpful to you?
A Sloooow-Burn Romance.. but...Keeps You Hanging On... and it is WORTH THE WAIT
The First Frost is a slow-burn romance, which isn’t usually my preference, but I find myself invested in the story. The two main leads have strong on-screen chemistry, and with their solid acting skills, I knew they would deliver compelling performances.The non-linear storytelling, smoothly transitioning between past and present, is well-executed. However, some interactions felt drawn out, and I did find myself skipping certain moments that didn’t hold my interest. The subplot involving the second leads didn’t resonate with me and felt unnecessary to the overall story.
That said, The First Frost is an emotionally rich drama that delves into themes of love, trauma, and personal growth. While its slow pacing and character-driven narrative may not appeal to everyone, viewers who enjoy deep, introspective storytelling will likely find it a worthwhile watch.
Update EP 25
One of the most heart-wrenching moments in the series is when YiFan leaves Sang Yan yet again, without a word of explanation or goodbye. YiFan's decision to leave Sang Yan is undeniably heartbreaking. After years of separation, she walks away once more, leaving him in a state of confusion and despair. Sang Yan, who has consistently been a pillar of support and unwavering love for YiFan, is left to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart. His confusion and pain are palpable, and it’s impossible not to feel for him as he struggles to understand why the person he loves would leave him again.
From a viewer's perspective, YiFan's actions may come across as selfish. While her reasons for leaving might stem from feelings of unworthiness or the belief that she is protecting Sang Yan from her struggles, it’s hard not to see her departure as a denial of his love and support. Love is about being there for each other through thick and thin, and by leaving, YiFan denies Sang Yan the chance to stand by her side. It raises the question: is it truly selfless to leave someone you love, or is it a form of self-sabotage that hurts both parties?
YiFan’s actions, while frustrating, are a reflection of her internal struggles and insecurities. The drama doesn’t shy away from showing the darker sides of love—how fear, guilt, and self-doubt can drive people to make decisions that hurt those they care about the most. It’s a reminder that love isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes, the people we love the most are the ones we hurt the deepest.
Update 10 Mar after watching EP 32
The acting in First Frost was nothing short of superb. Both the male lead (ML) and female lead (FL) delivered performances that resonated deeply, showcasing a profound emotional connection to their characters. The nuances of their emotions—hurt, pain, relief, anger, sadness, and regret—were portrayed with such depth and authenticity that it was impossible not to be drawn into their world. The actors skillfully guided the audience to empathize with their struggles, making you feel every emotion alongside them. Their ability to convey such a wide range of feelings was truly remarkable and stands as one of the show's greatest strengths.
While the slow-burn pacing of the series was not entirely to my liking, the payoff towards the end made it worthwhile. There was a sense of catharsis and quiet happiness for the characters, leaving viewers with a satisfying conclusion to their journey. Despite its deliberate pace, First Frost ultimately delivers a poignant and emotionally resonant experience, thanks in large part to the outstanding performances of its leads.
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A beautiful love story
The story itself for me are different than any kind of cdrama i've watched. It is really break stereotype, its a fresh idea. I mean the sleepwalking plot? I never see drama use this kind of plot, and too much suffering for female lead bcs usually the suffering one is came from the male lead. Zhang ruonan really deliver wen yifan soooo damn good until i realise that she is actually an E girl. I cried whenever she cried. For sangyan i kinda agree why the writer said that he is like and accesories so whoever suffering like wen yifan hope that they will find their own sangyan. I mean bro?? Bro is sucessful, handsome and rich. And yet he still wait for his first sight love who hurt him so much. But i wont blame yifan for this. Bcs no one ask sangyan to wait for her, while yifan suffering too much :( my poor babygirlWas this review helpful to you?
Will stay with me for a long time
For me everything is perfect, from the cast, the story, the music, directing, the vibe of the drama, really everything clicks for me.Brings so much nostalgia and feelings in every single episode. This is a drama to savor and I did not lie when I said I cried at every episode, not because it is super sad or depressing each episode, not at all. but because it is very touching and personal for me. I really love how ZRN and BJT portrays sangyifan. They are the perfect actors for this.
Definitely one of my few lifetime drama, I really like that it is a bit of a slow burn, a reunion too, and when they finally get together it is perfect. Love love love the acting from both the main leads once again I can not stress how perfect they are.
Will be rewatching this often like how I reread some of my fav novels just because.
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A Promise To Always Be By Your Side
"Did my dad send you to take care of me? No I volunteered."The First Frost is based off of a novel of the same name by Zhu Yi who has given us a number of great dramas with beautiful portrayals of youth, love and friendship but this one takes the cake for its lovely showcase of healthy relationships, trauma and healing.
The female lead Wen Yifan had been hurt over and over again, abandoned by those she considered family and had a lot of trauma, but for her all her flaws and inhibitions she had someone who loved her irrespective and vowed to be by her side no matter what. Sang Yan, was a proud and aloof teenager who seemed to have no real interest in the world or people until he met Yifan and she changed his world forever. He gained dreams, motivation, purpose and most of all he learnt what it means to love someone. Their issues tore them apart but the tightly wound red string of fate brought them together once more to fall in love and understand both each other and themselves.
Story: Since it was based off a novel I hold very close to my heart, I had huge expectations for the drama adaptation of the story, and for the most part they did a great job. While a good number of changes were made, most controversially changing the most pivotal plot scene, the team did what they could to display their love story in its most raw visual form. Naturally, the expression between written and visual material is bound to be different and this drama covered a lot of those points very well. The heartfelt conversation between the leads and the slow progression of their dynamic was a pleasure to see. The drama team also made an inclusion with the story of the second couple, which I personally found a little draggy but the concept of love as a healing agent was still very much present.
Acting: This was possibly the best thing about this drama and the delicacy and finesse with which all the actors played their roles was lovely to see. Zhang Ruonan's Wen Yifan was exactly how I had pictured her to be, with all the subtle nuances and soft yet tough character who let most things go but could stand up for herself when she needed to. Bai Jingting as Sang Yan was amazing as he showed the yearning and careful approach to let her feel comfortable. His cheekiness and laid back confident aura was also very well portrayed.
Music and Cinematography: The cinematography of this drama really really elevated it and brought out its emotional undertones in an incredible way. The passage of time and seasons, the constancy of their love, the light to their shadows were all very well portrayed and gave it such a pleasant viewing experience. The soundtrack was also amazing and perfectly complemented the scene onscreen and the lyrics spoke their minds.
All in all, this is a drama I will cherish for a long time and will always recommend for the healing experience it gives not just to its characters but to its viewers who are losing faith in themselves and relationships to show that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. There will always be someone who accepts you for who you are and no matter how desperate things may seem, you will always be worth it. This wasn't a story of second chances, it was a story of a love that never stopped and continued to flow despite the changing seasons. It wasn't a story claiming love to be a cure-all but a guiding light on the path to cure. It was a story of promises to always be there for the people who matter the most.
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Very good
For starters, I'm a big fan of Hidden Love, so First Frost happening in the same universe has inevitably influenced my experience; more about it below.The biggest plus of the whole series is certainly the FL, who is a very interesting and very likeable character and probably the best role of Zhang Ruo Nan so far. She alone was worth watching the drama. Compared to her, the ML comes somewhat short. First of all, I couldn't help but compare him with the Hidden Love counterpart, and eventually settled with First Frost happening in an alternate universe instead of a shared one, as I couldn't see him as "that Sang Yan" (goes for most of the other shared characters). It's my personal preference, just a heads-up in case you also watched Hidden Love. "This Sang Yan" also feels a bit flat - his arrogance is slightly overdone, and unlike the FL he lacks any other nuances. As a result, the first half of the drama wasn't completely smooth to watch, however once the romance properly kicked in things improved a lot, since the romance was top notch.
The drama was a bit longer than it should be. I would cut out the second couple and their circumstances completely - while they were alright characters on their own, their relationship added nothing to the overall plot. The Hong Kong part (apparently not in the novel and added only for the drama) was also pointless, somewhat out of place and with literally no consequence despite its "real time" length. On the other side, consequences weren't missing for the "evil" characters, and I truly appreciate them being there instead of going the "we are family so let's forgive ourselves" route.
Overall a recommended watch for fans of romance, complex female characters and "dedicated" male characters.
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Ultimate yearning
It’s official, the main couple in this drama is going up there as one of my all-time favorites. Wen Yifan is a rare FL that’s quiet and reserved but still straightforward and stands up for herself when the situation calls for it. And Sang Yan is just the most amazing ML I’ve seen — he’s supportive and unwavering and funny, and the way BJT plays him is just so heartfelt.The drama plot hits the sweet spot between angsty and uplifting. The leads give us really adorable moments, but when it comes to Yifan’s backstory and how her family has made her feel unworthy of love, the drama becomes heart-breakingly relatable and both the lead actors play their characters beautifully, and the amazing OST certainly adds a lot to each moment.
I will say that this drama was a little more dramatic than I anticipated — it’s pretty steady most of the time but there are a few fights and backstories that were extremely intense. To add, I’ve always hated the separation trope, and yeah this drama has it. It lasts quite a few episodes and it is frustrating and depressing, but I think this is one of the few cases where I think it really makes sense, and I like how it was resolved not by the ML finding the FL again, but by the FL realizing there were good people around her, being brave, and choosing to call him again. This IS Yifan’s story, and that gave her a lot more agency. It also makes the conversation they had where she finally lays out all her cards on the table feel earned.
The biggest “blah” part of this drama for me is, unfortunately, the side characters. I loved the SFL in WIFTY, and I loved the SML in Your Name Engraved Herein, and they’re both fine when they’re acting either as Sang Yan or Wen Yifan’s friend, but when it comes to their romance, I really could not care less. They have a few arcs — something with a dog, something with a car accident. I’m sorry but I could not tell you a single thing that happened (lol). For this reason I've been bouncing between a 9.5 and a 10, but I think I love the main couple so much I can't bear to give this any less.
Other than that…folks, this is one for the books, and I mean it when I say I think this drama had the best finale I’ve ever seen. It wrapped everything up beautifully, revisiting all the moments between our leads and capturing their growth. I cried my eyes out.
I also just want to take a moment to say that the cinematography in this show is GORGEOUS. You can tell that there is so much thought put into each shot, and it captures the warmth, the angst, whatever the scene calls for — perfectly.
Watch this to understand real yearning.
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SLOWBURN ROMANCE NOT TYPICAL FLUFFY DRAMA
SPECIAL APPLAUSE TO RUONAN FOR POTRAYING MY FAV CHARACTER WEN YIFAN!!it is not easy to potray this character but ruonan did it super proud of her! her eyes is crazy like u can feel the sadness deep inside too..eventho lots of ppl said they felt boring i do particularly think this drama is for those who loves slowburn,melancholy and healing.. it heals part of me who always think that i’m undeserving of something that is precious..the last 4 eps are superrrrrrrgoooddddd (pls skip ep 24&25 if u cannot handle a runaway arc haha) may all wen yifan in this world will find her sangyan and eventho if u cant find your own sangyan pls do know everyone is precious especially to ourselves!!! give yourself a good hug after everything u gone thru 🤍🤍🤍 shoutout to bai jin ting,other casts and production team for producing my fav healing cdrama with goood ost and cinematography 🫶🏼!!
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First love, second chance ❄️
This is a drama that follows the two main leads, Wen Yifan and Sang Yan, who have had feelings for each other since school. However, due to circumstances and insecurities, they couldn't be together. After years apart, they meet again. Although they pretend not to recognize each other, they end up getting close once more when the protagonist, due to a past trauma, needs Sang Yan's help. Together, they face old feelings…The phrase "Wherever you go, I'll go with you" reflects the deep bond and evolution of their relationship.
My thoughts: This drama is emotional, with a good mix of romance and personal growth. The main characters have strong chemistry, and the unresolved feelings over the years create an interesting tension in the plot.
Would I recommend it? Yes, it's worth your time. 🎀 𓂃
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I can't get over
It's been a very long time that I could finally watch a wonderful story. The whole story was so heart touching, I simply can't get over it.The plot, the characters, the side actors, you can't find a single flaw, and as the story progresses you will fall in love with them ❤❤
I could explain it further, but you don't have to read a review to watch it, just watch it, and I'm sure, I'm going to watch it again sometime
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Bai Jingting delivers a heartfelt performance as Sang Yan — a man who hides his guilt and affection behind sarcasm and restraint. His every glance carries emotion, his quiet moments say more than words ever could. Zhang Ruonan as Wen Yifan is equally compelling — fragile yet resilient, she embodies a woman who has learned to protect herself from love, only to rediscover its warmth through patience and understanding.
Their chemistry feels natural, grounded, and beautifully understated. The drama doesn’t rush them; instead, it lets the tension breathe. Shared silences, hesitant smiles, and small gestures become the language of love. Every episode feels like watching two people slowly melt the frost around their hearts.
Visually, the series is stunning — filled with muted colors, soft lighting, and quiet cityscapes that mirror the emotional distance between the leads. The pacing is calm but deliberate, allowing each moment to linger.
What makes “The First Frost” special is its honesty. It doesn’t romanticize pain — it acknowledges it, showing that healing isn’t instant and love doesn’t erase the past, but helps us move through it.
In the end, it’s a story about timing, forgiveness, and the courage to begin again. “The First Frost” doesn’t shout to be heard — it whispers, and somehow, that whisper stays with you long after it ends.
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