This review may contain spoilers
To everyone who is here for a hidden love 2.0 I’m sorry to tell you this is not it.
First Frost is a complex story that deals with several darker themes like, SA hurt/comfort, verbal and physical assault and a feeling of abandonment from family.Hidden Love was told from the eyes of Sang Zhi, who was a literal child when the drama started and was still a well protected child even as she grew up, hence the themes in the drama are lighter, more softened and overall a brighter landscape.
Here however, Wen Yifan grew up in a completely different household. Her family is a mess and she had to suffer being SA’d by her uncle, and even after that he came back to harass her, asking for money and other things from both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan was really a light at the end of the tunnel for yifan. A safe space for her to let her guard down in.
I’ll tell you exactly why Sang Yan I green-forest coded:
The reason I love Sang Yan is because his love language is literally acts of service. He knows she doesn’t eat much and that’s why she’s so baka-piece (thin) and so he always buys or makes extra food so he can *act nonchalant* and give it to her. When he finds out about her sleepwalking, instead of being frightened he’s more concerned about her hurting herself in his absence so he babyproofs the entire room and puts lights around just so that she would be safer.
[ NOVEL SPOILERS AHEAD ]
One of my favourite thing from the novel was in the last chapter where Sang Yan and Yifan were at the police station and Sang Yan goes “Remember, I am your pillar of support” like he is always there for her to lean on when she needs him.
[ SAFE ]
another thing I really like about the Zhu yi-verse (we might as well call it that now) is that now we can think of it as points of view, ykwim? Like in Hidden Love with CZY playing DJX we can imagine that is what DJX looks like from SZ point of view and Victor Ma is what Sang Yan looks like from SZ’s point of view, and in First Frost, in Wen Yifan’s view, BJT is what Sang Yan looks like and that cutie who played DJX is what DJX looks like to Sang Yan. It’s a funny little thing.
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Damn, This Is the First Time I’ve Written Such a Long Review!
I first heard about The First Frost a year ago because of Bai Jing Ting, but at that time, I had no idea it was about Sang Yan. Then, about six months ago, I found out through the comments section that this drama is actually his story—and that got me so excited! I loved Hidden Love so much that I rewatched it 3 to 4 times within just 10 days of its airing. But one thing always bugged me—I wanted to know more about her brother. I never imagined he had his own novel, let alone a drama adaptation!Now, let me be clear—this drama is not for everyone. If you're expecting the same vibes as Hidden Love, you might be disappointed. But if you watch it with a fresh perspective, I’m 100% sure you'll love it. Yes, some episodes felt a bit slow—not because of the main leads, but the second leads’ parts didn’t interest me as much. Who knows, though? Maybe after my second or third rewatch, I’ll end up liking them too.
For me, the best episodes were from 1 to 15. Then, between episodes 15 to 26, they gave more screen time to the second leads and their grandpa, which I personally found a bit boring. But hey, you might like those parts—it really depends! What I can say for sure is that the editing, music, and cinematography are top-notch. The flashbacks of their high school days and Sang Yan’s POV clips? Damn, they added so much depth to the story. That’s what made me fall for this drama even more than Hidden Love. Don’t get me wrong—I still love Hidden Love. Its story is great, but it only really stabilizes after she enters college. The First Frost, on the other hand, is solid from start to finish.
So my advice? Give it a try. Watch until at least episode 15-20 before deciding whether to drop it. Honestly, this is the best C-drama I’ve watched so far—yes, even more than Hidden Love (No hate to Hidden Love! This is just my opinion—no one or drama was harmed in the process of writing this review. Just chill 😆).
Oh, and one last thing—please listen to the OST and read the lyrics. They are absolutely amazing. I’ve never liked C-drama music as much as this before, and now I’m actually thinking about learning Chinese just so I can understand the lyrics without needing translations!
So yeah—just try it, and you’ll know what I mean.
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After all the pain he went through, he should have exploded, told her everything he had on his heart, instead of simply forgiving her without any explanation after six months of absence.
Their love would have been even stronger if they had gone through this real emotional confrontation. It’s a shame the drama skipped this step!
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Simply Excellent
Just to be brief without any frills or spoilers... This series is truly excellent. Zhang Ruo Nan once again proves she is sensational and grounded in her work. The acting from the entire cast, but especially Zhang Ruo Nan and her costar were so immersive. They embodied and played their characters with amazing depth and it was clear that the direction and writing were attuned and brought out the best in their performances. The story was well developed, well paced, and each piece worked cohesively with the characters allowed to drive the action. I am just so deeply impressed and proud to see Zhang Ruo Nan in this amazing role. I heartily recommend!Was this review helpful to you?
Enjoyable but not impressive.
I really enjoyed this series. Some aspects of repetition worked well but on the whole I felt there was too much repetition. Too much going back to their school days and reliving the exact same thing over and over. The love story was very nice, their chemistry was good. But family life was not portrayed in a good light at all. No forgiveness, no real understanding of each other. One scene annoyed me and didn't seem necessary - when on the same day he was being checked in hospital for a wound and he'd had 8 stitches in his hand - she asked him to carry her and he did so without a problem... that seemed a bit odd. On the good side - it was about the possibility of healing and sharing the truth with people around you for support.Was this review helpful to you?
the best chinese drama ive ever watch
the best of the best cdrama ive ever watch 😭 been watching cdrama since 2015 and this made it to the top for me. i dont think i will ever move on from it, from the plot, the actors, the songs, everything 😭🤍 became my source of happiness and comfort since february. i hope there would be a s2, or even just a special episode. wanna see the marriage life of sang yan and wen yifan 🥹 ++ the actors have the most amazing chemistry!! i hope they will have another project together someday!! 🥹🫶Was this review helpful to you?
THE BEST SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just finished watching The First Frost, and I am absolutely in awe!Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan have officially stolen my heart. Bai Jingting as Sang Yan—wow, just wow. His ability to portray those deep, quiet emotions had me glued to the screen. You could literally feel his inner struggles and every bit of longing. And don’t get me started on his soft, heart-melting gaze.
Zhang Ruonan brought Wen Yifan to life in such a beautiful way. Her performance was the perfect mix of strength and vulnerability. She made every scene feel so real, and the way she expressed emotions with just her eyes? Goosebumps!
Their chemistry is unreal! It’s that kind of slow-burn romance that just makes you root for them with every fiber of your being. I caught myself holding my breath during their scenes together—every glance, every small gesture felt so loaded with meaning.
And oh my gosh, the cinematography! Every shot felt like a painting. The melancholic visuals, the delicate use of light and shadow, and the way the camera captured even the smallest of emotions—all of it added such a rich, dreamy layer to the story. It wasn’t just a drama; it was pure art on screen.
The First Frost isn’t just a show—it’s an experience. The story, the acting, the visuals—everything comes together so perfectly. I’m still not over it, and honestly, I don’t think I want to be!
I just want to forget everything so that I can watch the show again
If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for? Prepare your hearts—you’ll thank me later!
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This review may contain spoilers
Heartfelt Second-Chance Romance
As a huge fan of the webtoon and drama of Hidden Love, I had high expectations when I found out The First Frost was being adapted into a drama. Fortunately, it did not disappoint. The casting of both the male lead (Sang Yan) and female lead (Wen Yi Fan) was perfect—they truly embodied their characters, especially when it came to their visuals. I still remember the scene at the bar when Sang Yan and Yi Fan cross paths unexpectedly. He looked absolutely stunning, almost angelic, and that moment really set the stage for their reunion.One of the things I really loved about the drama was how Sang Yan took things slow with Yi Fan. There was no rush in their relationship; he remained patient and loyal, which made their connection feel authentic and deep. His dedication to Yi Fan was incredibly touching and gave their romance a sense of stability and sincerity.
I also enjoyed how the drama subtly weaved in aspects of Hidden Love, which was a nice treat for fans of the webtoon and drama. There were several emotional moments that really struck me, especially when Yi Fan says, “Nobody loves me anymore, only you, SY.” That line hit hard, and you could really feel her vulnerability and longing.
However, while the story was beautiful, the ending left me a bit unsatisfied. The conclusion, focusing mostly on their school days, felt incomplete, and I couldn’t help but wish for more closure. A glimpse of their future, like a wedding scene, would have been the perfect way to wrap things up. Despite that, the overall story was moving. I loved how the male lead never stopped loving the female lead, and how she worked to become a better version of herself. Some might see it as unrealistic, but for me, it was comforting. It's the kind of love story that gives you hope, something beautiful that we may not always experience in real life.
All in all, The First Frost is a touching and emotional drama, with a romance that stays with you. While the ending left me wanting more, the journey of the characters was more than enough to make this story memorable
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I hope the story can develop in the future.
It turned out to be better when reading the manhwa. Here the director messed up the story too much, so it became uninteresting.Wen Yifan's character is indeed beautiful and gentle but looks stupid, does not get meaningful and substantial dialogue. Quite disturbed by music that does not match the conditions. Compared to the previous sequels which are very memorable in terms of story, characters and music that is often played and helps build a sweet atmosphere. Yes, maybe the genre and story are different, but at least make it memorable. Romantic atmosphere is given a romantic song, a sad atmosphere and full of emotion too. But this does not come together At all.Secondly, the second couple actually attracted attention with their funny behavior. It's a shame, even though our main characters are talented and amazing, they are given a lot of parts. But the conversations and things in them are not important at all for character development.
I'm starting to stop watching it, and waiting for the end. There might be something interesting. But for now it's very lacking.
There are several advantages, namely cinematography and the handsome face of the main actor 🙂
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Chinese Drama which raised the bars
You know the cdramas are mostly about bright, funny, lovely story lines and screen plays. This drama take the lovey dovey small moments and blends it with a pretty strong stroy. Music is my favourite and heros acting some of his looks, he just makes you feel like crying for some reason just by his expressions and mind you I didn't watch the more serious scenes yet. The base story line isn't new but the screen play, story telling and if you compare it with other dramas you will find noticeable difference In many locations. Loving my time with this dramaWas this review helpful to you?
Guarenteed Bittersweet, Slowburn, & Gentle Smirks
Overall, delicate production and visually pleasing. Lovely acting and chemistry between Bai and Ruonan, raising up my curiosity every upcoming episode. The back and forth flow of the story makes a bitter, rather sweet feeling. Those who are looking for a drama that offers portrayal of everyday life and it's tough, but real challenges of the world, and just contents that makes you lowkey smirk, this slow-burning pace will surely entice you! Reminds you of how imperfect human are, and how one action after another will change a person as a whole, whether it's an awful deed, or a positive one.Was this review helpful to you?
