The First Frost

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.

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● SHORT REVIEW
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[ --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.


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● IN-DEPTH REVIEW
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[ --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.

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● NOTE
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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 ♥

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First Frost – Overhyped, Awkward and Disappointing

For me, this drama was boring and awkward from start to finish.
The female lead is written as extremely weak, while the male lead is portrayed as the obsessive “hero” who constantly saves her, a dynamic that feels outdated and forced. Almost every other male character is framed as a bad guy who sees her as an object, simply to make the male lead look better. But he’s also stalking her which the plot conveniently romanticizes to win over the female audiences.
Bai Jingting’s portrayal of Sang Yan didn’t work for me. I actually preferred Victor Ma’s performance in Hidden Love , it felt unique and fresh.
Bai Jingting’s acting here is too safe, mainstream and sometimes awkward, especially in scenes with the female lead.
Their chemistry feels wooden and visually, I don’t find him fitting the “so handsome” image Sang Yan is supposed to have. In some angles, his features, especially his large nose made me question if this was really the heartthrob the story claimed.
The female lead, however is undeniably pretty.
Their relationship is equally unconvincing. The plot conveniently forces them to live together despite the FL repeatedly experiencing sexual assault.
In reality, someone with that trauma wouldn’t easily trust any man, yet here she just goes along with it.
It’s another example of the drama prioritizing a cliché romance over realistic character behavior.
Overall, First Frost feels like an overhyped, typical romance drama with little depth, a frustrating portrayal of its leads and nothing truly fresh to offer.

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I love you even with all your flaws, you are worth it, wen shuanjiang

Okay dont quote me on that cause I’m not sure if he did say that or not but he has said some of these words

Anyways I still remember when I first heard the news’s of this drama and coming back once and a while to check on any updates then the excitement of hearing it started filming then it wrapped up filming then impatiently waiting for the airing date (excuse me I’m just getting emotional)

Okay onto the real review
This drama itself is quite slow pace and does have triggering scenes involving SA (I cannot remember all episodes that include SA scenes but those I can remember is ep 25,27,28 maybe there is some in the beginning episodes as well)

if you are a person that is rather impatient I would not recommend this drama but like bai jing ting said in a interview recently for this drama “I hope they give it a chance” cause in the end everything is quite subjective
This drama itself is quite different from hidden love despite having the sang siblings as the main love interest both of their stories are drastically different so please don’t compare them

I enjoyed this drama as someone who has read the manhua but it does have its own flaws such as the arc from ep 24-26 I understand why they did that over the novel version of what was supposed to happen but there is quite some plot holes in that arc
Such as how yifan friends found her so easily in such a big city tho they probably had a ruff idea of where she was

It had its own comedic aspects as well which was nice nonetheless I wish they could’ve handled the second storyline better as there really wasn’t much balance between the main storyline and the 2nd one and sometimes it felt random in certain episodes
I wish they could’ve showed us more of Qiao qiao side of feelings when it came for hers towards haoan
The 2nd lead mu cheng yun was really annoying, it seems he doesn’t have this much of a annoying role in the novel but it looks like they really dialed him up for more dramatic effect

Nonetheless it had many amazing aspects that appreciated them for and it showed just how much effort the director,writer and crew did
The cinematography was beautiful, we were able to see so many beautiful done scenes that added depth in the episode itself
I appreciate how they added flashbacks to their younger days back in highschool in majority of episodes because it really adds more depth to our characters relationships and meanings to some action as well
I don’t know how it was supposed to go in the novel despite not really hearing good things
But I like the direction they took as the fan of the manhua I’m happy
I also appreciate how in a majority of the episodes they add sang yan pov at the end cause we get to see a bit of how he felt or what he did during that episode
Also how they gave us one last scene after a “this story is not over yet” like a bonus scene lol

The soundtrack I loved it and it seems I won’t stop listening cause it’s ending today the drama and I’m too emotional attached to it
A lot of the songs and lyrics fit the drama very well which I’m glad
I used to skip the openings but I learned to appreciate it more and more plus bai jing ting said in the interview for this drama something about how it’s unskippable or something similar but I agree with him

On the acting both leads did such a good job so did the supporting characters and the villain
To me bai jing ting did a great job at portraying sang yan it’s as if I saw him come to life from the story honestly and his subtle acting through his eyes in important scenes such as ep 27
Zhang ruonan did a great job as well portraying wen yifan especially the dead eyes in a way to make us see how Wen yifan really live in a way but just like BJT it’s as if I saw wen yifan come to life despite yifan being described more as a cold beauty and zhang ruonan having more cuter features she did a very nice job
The actors who played her family did a nice job as well cause they made me hate their characters so much

I love this story because we get to see two characters who are flawed in their own ways, learn and grow from the past selves so I hope you give this drama a chance than just listening to reviews and decide for yourself if you like it or not

This part is more of my own opinions/view on both Sang Yan and Wen yifan
So I hope that if you ever struggle to understand them this could help offer you a new perspective

The comment section on MDL (here) has been quite hell for the past few days because of certain opinion that has resurfaced many times to the point it’s scary how similar they are

For Wen Yifan it’s clear since the beginning that the girl has issues and pain
She was abandoned by her own mother, got SA by her aunt’s little brother(he’s a grown middle aged man) , got told to hide this SA by her mom and aunt and that it’s shameful and at her previous work place she got harassed
However I have seen the same argument come up in a lot of people’s opinion
“I understand her pain but why is she so selfish and not one ounce intelligent enough like she was described or she’s a reporter”
It makes me wonder did you really understand her? Or that she just went through pain and trauma?
It’s clear to me that WYF decided to lock that part away in hopes that it will be forgotten
and has been surviving everyday trying her best to be away and afar from her own family who caused her pain
Ultimately when her perpetrator showed again and hurt Sang yan bar’s reputation she spiraled after the threats her perpetrator made and now hurting her lover then went to threaten them hoping that this could be the end but it wasn’t and she ran because she only knows how to do that and even in these moments where you’ve spiraled it’s hard to think “rational” like someone said
I myself see a lot of me in wen yifan that’s why I love her as character and I know what it’s like to spiral and honestly during those times I was more overwhelmed by emotion then able to think smart or rational

I saw a lot say they don’t prefer this coward and weak FL and wish she stood up and stop being a weakling
Nevertheless haven’t we all been a coward in our life? Courage isn’t something you earn the moment you’re born
The reason why she ran away was after all those years of not confronting her trauma ultimately led to this situation we saw in ep 23-24
It’s not that she doesn’t trust Sang Yan and her coworkers or friends, it’s that she’s too scared she’ll be the reason why they get hurt whether reputation or physically even
During that arc of ep 24-6 I don’t think she was healing but took the time to find her courage and properly process the situation also to give herself time to think
Dont we all sometimes take a walk to clear our minds? In a way this is what I mean and she was planning to return after that long walk so she wasn’t planning to live there hiding

Some people forget that legal action or police reports always need evidence or her perpetrator can get out of it easily then
So I don’t understand why call her dumb when you’re dumb of not thinking that
Seeking help isn’t always easy especially someone like wen yifan who got abandoned and no one bothered to care about she thinks, trust issues are there but also who’s to say they would believe her? In our modern day, victims get more scrutiny than the perpetrators
Isn’t that ironic? Instead of asking if she was okay, it’s more she was the one who seduced him by her looks or provocative clothes in response

She herself has acknowledged that she hurt Sang yan with her words back in beiyu and how the moment she chose to run she knew and left it in her vague letter that she doesn’t deserve to ask for sangyan forgiveness

Not everyone is gonna react the way you want them to, she did her best as an adult to stand up for herself despite no one being there, she got distant and cold cause that was the only way to protect herself from anymore pain
After all this pain, I admire how strong she is for still even living and breathing and got herself a career

She herself is a flawed character that’s what makes me love her more, I relate to what she went through despite not going through the same pain. She herself is a complex character that’s not many understand after all they say “you should walk a mile in someone’s shoes before you judge them” and I guess seeing so many not understanding her means you probably lived a better life then her which you should be very thankful for & dont take it for granted
She is flawed but aren’t we all? So is the Justice system, we get to see her grow even tho the journey might be slow as hell for many but love can’t heal wounds such as trauma
Somehow we get to see a different side of a story that not many has seen in real life or fiction

Sang yan
many have complained about how this guy is too unrealistic and a SIMP
But pray to god we get a guy who is emotionally intelligent, chose to understand someone
And knows how to take care himself and devoted/loyal, he gets labelled as a doormat
These individuals can’t help but make their comment come off as rude and hateful
I didn’t see people complain about other green flag guys who are “simps” instead they get praised for that, example sungjae from lovely runner or minhyuk from strong women do bong soon

However I have seen majority a dissatisfied with how it seems yifan barely makes much effort as he does (we do see she cares like in ep 28 or how she bothered to cook for him)
She does care it just that not all of us are quite expressive in words or actions and I know well enough that if this is reversed y’all would be slamming the guy like no tomorrow

The thing about him is that since reuniting with her, he never had hopes the she would reciprocate his feelings. After all the young him that separated with her didn’t knew of her pain and struggles and believed what people said around him
To quote what user (u10146071) said in the comment “And he buys into the narrative that then everyone in school would have: oh, SY played himself. That pretty admired girl was never serious about him. How embarrassing.”

In ep 28 we see him say that lowering his pride means nothing for him now especially if it can put her perpetrator behind bars because the young him never understood why she hurt him with those words that day in beiyu until he learned of her past by himself and through her own words. He learned that he was immature and foolish to have had those thoughts about her with his broken pride

He was frustrated with her decisions especially that in ep 24 because then he didn’t understand why but still chose to give her space well he did search for her like a maniac so one can say he maybe lost his mind

Nonetheless he told her how his world crumbled and how sorry he was for his judgments about her back then

The sang siblings love surely is selfless they both don’t expect anything back from their lover but some individuals complain on “his behalf” saying this dynamic is bad
Let’s be honest sang yan himself never expected anything back from WYF, he just hoped that she lives a better life and one she deserves above all he just wanted to make sure she lived a good life and a happy one and he would have been satisfied

He simply saw what life she lived and decided to stay to help her and make sure she knows that he is there for her, that she isn’t alone

So I hope this could’ve offered you a different perspective on these two characters and what I thought of them and If you have made it this far omg congrats I typed a lot

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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!

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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.

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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.

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"Love that Waited, Pain that Endured: The First Frost’s Silent Strength"

In a television landscape often dominated by conventional storytelling, The First Frost emerges as a breath of fresh air — a drama that trades fast-paced plots for emotional depth, and grand romantic gestures for quiet, patient love. It is a drama about trauma, recovery, and the slow journey of healing, all wrapped within the emotionally rich romance between Sang Yan and Wen Yifan.

The love story between Sang Yan and Wen Yifan is not one born of fantasy, but of real, lived emotional experiences. Their reconnection is marked by unhealed wounds and years of silence, and what follows is a process of rediscovering each other through empathy, patience, and emotional intelligence.

Sang Yan, portrayed with understated brilliance by Bai Jingting, is not your typical romantic hero. He is steady, warm, emotionally intelligent, and, most importantly, patient. His love for Wen Yifan is never performative; it’s quiet yet powerful, rooted in understanding and genuine care. His journey — from a heartbroken teenager confused by a painful breakup to a man willing to set aside his pride to protect the woman he loves — is a masterclass in nuanced emotional writing. Bai Jingting brings layers to the character: vulnerability, restraint, and fierce devotion. His performance, particularly in pivotal scenes such as Episode 27, is a standout — communicating anguish, fear, and love with just a glance.

Zhang Ruonan as Wen Yifan delivers a quietly devastating performance. Wen Yifan is a complex character — traumatized, guarded, yet fiercely trying to survive in a world that has not been kind to her. Ruonan’s portrayal captures this duality: the dead-eyed stares of someone numbed by pain, and the flickers of warmth when she begins to trust again. Her arc — from a woman running from her past to someone finally learning to stand tall in spite of it — is executed with grace and empathy. Zhang Ruonan makes Wen Yifan not only believable but deeply relatable, especially to those who’ve known what it means to live with invisible wounds.

The core of The First Frost lies in how it explores healing not as a grand moment of catharsis, but as a slow, often painful, and deeply personal process. Wen Yifan’s trauma is not something love instantly cures, and Sang Yan’s devotion is never about "fixing" her. Instead, the drama beautifully illustrates what it means to hold space for someone else’s healing. Their relationship is defined not by romantic highs but by emotional intimacy: shared silence, gentle confrontation, late-night conversations, meals cooked and eaten in quiet company. They grow, stumble, and slowly learn how to coexist with their pain while reaching for something better together.

Flashbacks to their youth further enriches their bond, showing the youthful innocence they lost and the maturity they gain. Sang Yan’s POV moments at the end of several episodes serve as emotional anchors that allow us to fully empathize with his quiet but unyielding love.

Visually, The First Frost is a work of art. The cinematography — soft, grounded, often wistful — perfectly mirrors the emotional tone of the drama. The use of natural lighting, muted color palettes, and subtle framing adds texture to each moment, especially during emotionally charged scenes. The soundtrack deserves its own praise — emotionally resonant, unobtrusive, and deeply tied to character beats. The opening song, which initially feels skippable, grows on you and eventually becomes a part of the storytelling itself.

The directing and writing team clearly approached this project with deep care. There’s a remarkable attention to detail — from character expressions to scene transitions — that reflects their understanding of the source material and their commitment to doing it justice. While the supporting characters add texture, though the balance between the main and secondary arcs falters at times. The second storyline, particularly the Qiao Qiao-Haoan dynamic, feels underdeveloped, and the drama could’ve benefited from showing more of Qiao Qiao’s emotional landscape. Despite these hiccups, they do not undermine the power of the central story.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The First Frost is not a story for those in search of lighthearted entertainment or fast-moving plotlines. It is a drama for those willing to sit in silence, to feel deeply, and to embrace the messy reality of healing. Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan deliver some of the best performances of their careers, breathing life into two flawed, beautiful characters. And behind them, a production team whose dedication is felt in every frame.

In a world that often celebrates grand gestures and instant resolutions, The First Frost reminds us that true love is found in understanding, patience, and the quiet act of staying.

To the cast and crew, especially Bai Jingting, Zhang Ruonan, the director, writers, and everyone who made this story possible—thank you. You didn’t just make a drama. You told a story that stays with us long after the screen fades to black.

“Wen Shuangjiang, I’ve finally waited long enough for you.” — Sang Yan

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"The First Frost" – A Beautiful, Poetic Journey Through Time and Emotion

The First Frost is a Chinese drama that captivates not only with its stunning visual aesthetic but also with its emotionally resonant story. This series beautifully balances delicate moments of love, personal growth, and the passage of time, all while weaving a narrative that is rich in symbolism and cultural depth. From its mesmerizing cinematography to its poignant themes, The First Frost is a must-watch for anyone seeking a heartfelt, visually enchanting drama.

"A Visual Masterpiece"

From the very first frame, The First Frost envelops its audience in a world of beauty, where nature plays as important a role as the characters themselves. The titular "frost" is not just a seasonal change; it becomes a metaphor that the series uses to explore themes of time, memory, and transformation. The crisp, frosty landscapes serve as a canvas for the emotional and physical journeys of the protagonists. Snow-capped mountains, delicate frost patterns on windows, and the soft hues of early winter mornings are expertly captured, giving the drama a dreamlike quality.

The careful attention to detail in the cinematography is one of the defining aspects of the show. Every scene feels like a painting, every gesture of the characters as subtle and fleeting as the frost on a morning leaf. The visual metaphors of the changing seasons tie perfectly into the narrative, reflecting the inner transformations of the characters. The coldness of the frost in the beginning gives way to warmer moments, mirroring the thawing of hearts as love and understanding bloom. It’s a beautiful visual metaphor for life’s inevitable cycles.

"A Story of Love, Loss, and Personal Growth"

At its heart, The First Frost is a love story, but it is so much more than that. It’s about the quiet, intimate moments that define relationships and the difficult, often painful, growth that comes with them. The series explores the notion of change—not just physical change, but emotional and spiritual transformation. The characters are multifaceted, each with their own personal struggles, dreams, and fears. Their paths are not easy, but each challenge they face becomes an opportunity for growth.

The central romance is tender and slow-burning, built on moments of shared vulnerability and understanding. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, but what makes their connection even more compelling is how their relationship develops. There is no instant love here; instead, we see two people evolve, both independently and together. This is a slow-burn romance in the truest sense, but it’s all the more rewarding for the patience it requires from the viewer.

Beyond romance, the series also dives deeply into themes of loss and longing. Characters grapple with the ghosts of their pasts—decisions they regret, people they've lost, and paths they wish they'd taken. The emotional depth of the characters is one of the drama’s greatest strengths. Each character feels real, flawed, and painfully human. This realism creates a connection with the audience, making every triumph feel hard-won and every sorrow feel deeply personal.

"Rich in Symbolism and Cultural Resonance"

The beauty of The First Frost is not only in its visual presentation and emotional storytelling but also in its rich symbolism and cultural depth. Frost, in Chinese culture, often represents the end of a season and the beginning of introspection, a time for reflection and renewal. In the drama, this symbolism is used to perfection, with the "first frost" acting as a turning point for the characters, a moment when everything seems frozen, but within that stillness, new growth is quietly beginning.

The series also beautifully incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture, from its music to its philosophy. The quiet wisdom of the characters—often expressed through subtle dialogue or introspective moments—gives the show a depth that goes beyond surface-level drama. The interplay between personal desires and the broader cultural and familial expectations adds complexity to the characters’ journeys. This rich cultural backdrop creates a sense of timelessness, as if the struggles and joys of the characters have been mirrored in generations past.

"A Soundtrack That Speaks to the Soul"

Complementing the stunning visuals and emotional depth of The First Frost is its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. The music perfectly encapsulates the mood of the drama, with soft, melancholic tunes that underscore the emotional weight of the story. The music is never overpowering; instead, it lingers in the background, amplifying the more poignant moments and adding layers to the scenes. The way the music intertwines with the frost-heavy imagery is poetic in itself, enhancing the feeling of winter's quiet embrace and the gradual thawing of hearts.

"A Story that Transcends Time"

What truly sets The First Frost apart is its ability to convey universal emotions—love, loss, and self-discovery—through the lens of a uniquely Chinese cultural perspective. While it is deeply rooted in its cultural and seasonal metaphors, the themes of the drama are universal. It speaks to anyone who has ever had to face the coldness of the world or their own heart, yet found solace and warmth in the quiet moments that follow.

The way time is explored in the drama is also remarkable. The title, The First Frost, hints at the fleeting nature of time, capturing the sense that no moment lasts forever. Just like the frost that graces the earth but soon fades away with the rise of the sun, the drama reminds us that every season, whether of the year or of our lives, eventually gives way to something new. The subtle passage of time within the story gives a nostalgic feel, but also a hopeful one—after the frost, there is always the promise of renewal.

CONCLUSION

The First Frost is a captivating blend of visual beauty, emotional depth, and cultural richness. It’s a series that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it, offering a reminder of the fragility of time, the power of transformation, and the quiet strength found in love and personal growth. Its slow-burn romance, heart-wrenching moments, and stunning visuals make it a memorable viewing experience that resonates long after the final episode.

If you’re looking for a drama that is as poetic as it is profound, The First Frost will not disappoint. It’s a reminder that, even in the coldest of times, there is warmth to be found—sometimes in the most unexpected places.

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A Slowburn For The Ages

I feel like a lot of people are here from watching hidden love and wifty, both of which were decent dramas but not exactly to my liking. Hidden love felt like too much fluff and not as much of an interesting storyline, and I do like the characters but eventually it kind of fell flat to me. Wifty I really enjoyed for that high school nostalgia, friendships, and youth, but it was only the second couple that kept me going near the end. I feel like First Frost has characters and development that's more to my liking from what I've watched so far, and I'm enjoying this slowburn. And to preface, I haven't read any of these novels/manhuas before, so I'm starting the show completely unbeknownst to me as to what will happen.

I want to first praise the fl, Zhang Ruonan, for her amazing portrayal of Wen Yifan. Again, I haven't read the novel, but from my understanding, she completely embodies her character that's an introvert, someone who keeps so much to herself, lives a simple life she believes to be boring, but also someone who has deep trauma from her family relationships that have haunted her until now. The way she speaks, her actions, gestures, and eye movements feel so accurate for someone who appears to be kind of socially awkward with people she isn't close with. I guess another thing I really like about her character is simply because of how relatable she is in terms of her personality, depicting my exact feelings in my own personal life. This is also my first time watching her and she's killing it. Not to mention she's unbelievably gorgeous and adorable. People are talking a lot about the ml, Bai Jingting but Zhang Ruonan is undoubtedly stealing the show right now.

Like I mentioned, the story is about Wen Yifan, a news reporter who lives a quiet life. Ever since her father passed away in high school, shes been unwelcomed and assaulted by her family, she chooses to cut off all ties with them. She keeps to herself, only has one close friend, doesn't like socializing at work, and lives on her own. Every episode has that melancholic vibe, which I personally like because it feels like a reflection of my own feelings most of the time. This drama does also talk about sexual assault and how this has affected her daily life, and she carries these traumatic experiences with her in her interactions. It's not a one and done sort of topic, the drama shows her journey healing, and it makes my heart hurt whenever she thinks back to these times. Shes gone through way too much, and you spend each episode just wishing that she's happy. To her, she feels as if there's no meaning or joy in life, and she's fine with continuing her uneventful routine every day as long as she can live in peace. But that all changes when she meets her first love again, Sang Yan. He was unfortunately someone she also had to cut off when she graduated high school, not because she wanted to leave him, but because she believed he deserved better, and that she couldn't give him what she wanted. Long story short, they end up living as roommates, with Sang Yan OBVIOUSLY trying to get her back and Wen Yifan being totally oblivious because he actually do be confusing as hell with his communication lmao. I know some people might have complaints about the male lead and how he's so cold with her and how they don't talk much, but genuinely I believe that this is way more realistic than him actively trying to flirt with and pursue her. I see this as him giving her space and carefully tracking for signs that she might just feel the same way he does as hes been in love with her the entire time. What's the drama have 32 episodes for then if they get together right off the bat??? You'll immediately notice the tension between them and the loser that's Sang Yan trying to act non-chalant around her 24/7 but goes out of his way to do everything for her. I'm enjoying this phase of them before they date, and I like that this story shows the timeline, and we get to see their interactions improve the longer they're together.

This is a story about a girl who carries a lot of heavy baggage and trauma with all her relationships, who wants to take a chance and begin her pursuit of happiness, starting with Sang Yan. I'm all here for the second chance, the first love, and these two beautiful green flags. If you're looking for a slowburn with tender and soft romance, you should definitely start this.

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A heartwarming series

I will apeak honestly ,I didn't watched the trailer nor did I know the synopsis ,I just watched a clip and wanted to watch it.
I don't regret a single second.Everything was perfect start to end.A 45 minut episode passes out so quickly and I wouldn't realise it.worthwatching drama .not only it is a love story bilut it also tells us about society where we live .Full of emotions FL is not weak .she is strong .At the time when she was harassed she didn't care and wanted to jump out.Her character is definitely worthwatching.
Sangyan is perfect.his favial features and the mole are exceptional.plus the black dresses he wear look so good.Baijingting is cool.its his fifth continuous drama topping the charts.
1000000000/10🤩🤩🤩🤩

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