Definitely a must-watch for people who has not believed in love for a long time.
Nothing's perfect in the world but their love outweighs all the imperfections and makes them perfectly fit for each other.Love isn't scary if it's between Wen Yifan and Sang Yan. Nothing is more powerful than their will to be with each other.
Definitely a must-watch for people who has not believed in love for a long time.
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Worth to wait a year!!
I have checked this page probably every day for the last 3 months, but I have been waiting at least a year for it to come out. Absolutely worth it! I love a good slow burn, and this delivered more than a slow burn! It has a great story, amazing acting, amazing visuals and amazing stories. Even with my favorite show, I am known to skip forward a lot and I never start a show before it is finished. I have never skipped one scene, not even the old grandparents, more than that I watched many scened a few times. This was so warm and heartwarming.Sang Yan is one of the greenest flags I have ever seen, and Wen Yifan has one of the best character developments ever. At first, I was skeptical about Bai JinTing. I love the man in comedies, he delivers so well, even with his eyes... However, he played the cold-faceted yet golden-hearted, silly goose in love so well! His looks made it even better. I am so glad he was chosen to act as Sang Yan.
FL has displayed the scared and scarred little teenager to the brim. She reflected the emotions and love so well. I was about to get annoyed with the character right around the ending but, no, quick saves!!! And as characters, they were both super understanding and willing to grow out of it. Although I believe he needs the comfort of having her trust and safe harbor, he was there for her without judgment.
I appreciate this drama so much. I think it will go down as my all time favorite show in the history.
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Incredibly dreamy & beautiful ❄️and
Never thought that I would be loving a spin off of Hidden love more than Hidden Love but here we are. The leads are INCREDIBLE and Extremely good while portraying complex characters of Sang Yan & Wen Yifan - A beautifully melancholic story of pain, trauma & endless wait to say it what they feel about each other & life.He literally drew stars over her scars & she became a warrior beating her traumas. The use of lights, mirrors, glass and reflections & transparent umbrellas in this drama is CINEMA.
Cool tonned & hazy frames until episode 16 & warm tonned and glossy frames from Episode 18 hinting at the thawing frost ❄️ by the ☀️ was so beautifully done.
It's an adaptation for decades to love. Definitely worth a rewatch every season when the first frost descends. Sang Yan is the Amazon Forest of mankind & deserves to be loved by every living being.
My pet peeve would be the plot change but it's understandable for adaptations sake. The scene of her opening up about SA trauma to Sang Yan was followed by a bed scene which is a little inappropriate but maybe comforting for their story but still, I'd rate is equal to Hidden love & Lighter and Princess - My roman Empire trio of Cdramas.
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Slow burn
I’m really impressed about how the movie teaches a lot and explains how love can be so patient and understanding all at once. I just wish the movie didn’t have to end and probably end where the married and grew old together. I love the movie and would want to watch something again from this director 🥺❤️ thank youWas this review helpful to you?
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Beautiful and captivating drama
This is just a beautiful drama.There are not so many dramas in recent years that have me smiling , giggling and excited for the couple. This is one of the few. I loved this so much, I gave a review after the 10th episode and the review stayed consistent till the end.
The chemistry was through the roof and the acting was superb. Very big kudos to the actress for portraying her character so well. I felt the depression, trauma , tears through the smiles. She really did a very good job.
Now the ML has caught my attention in previous dramas like reset and you are my hero (both amazing dramas). He is such a natural and didn’t disappoint at all. His character here is the greenest flag I have ever watched in a ML. His love and gestures towards the FL is very reminiscent of the kind of love in older k dramas. I can’t even explain it but I was hooked lol .
The OST/ music wow….., let me just say my Shazam was working overtime. The music captured the emotions in the scenes and made them more impactful. I don’t remember liking any Chinese drama ost but this one , every song was perfect.
The Side characters were also very good. I loved the bromance and the friendships. The toxic Family dynamics were portrayed well. I felt bad for the FL mum until I didn’t feel bad for her anymore lol. I am glad there was no unnecessary redemption arc.
What I didn’t care too much for:
- Grandpa and grandmas story , it was cute at first then they started getting more screen time, I had to skip a lot of their scenes.
- The second ghosting arc was unnecessary and the reunion after that was also too forgiving and quick.
- The flash backs became redundant at some point towards the end.
Overall
Highly recommend this drama, especially if you are in a drama slump. It’s just a great watch. I wish I didn’t watch it yet so I could watch it for the first time again 😅
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Best modern Drama of 2025 so far
I went into this drama a little scared cos I knew how heavy it was going to be,and I was scared of how it would turn out bcs not many actors know how to potray grief,depression etc but ruonan literally devoured like she’s amazing. the way she potrays her pain is so beautiful,and let’s not even talk about BJT he never disappoints and he definitely wouldn’t start now,Sang Yan is on my top 3 characters played by him. He embodies this role so well. BJT and Rounan’s chemistry are really of the charts,they make me giggle and blush so hard. So far out of the modern drama’s of 2025 this is the best.Was this review helpful to you?
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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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