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Such a beautiful love story with a gorgeous cast
I haven't fallen so hard in love with a Cdrama since watching Till the End of the Moon five times through. I am very picky about dramas and often stop after 1 episode if it doesn't pick up. The First Frost is just amazing in every possible way.The heart break that is going on with the female lead the viewer eventually discovers but she keeps it to herself and doesn't tell the male lead.
The male lead is so good - Bai Jingting. The facial expressions and longing for the female lead are filled with longing but not creepy.
Zhang Ruonan has such a sweet face but very lovely and seems fragile but is in fact a strong woman. Together they make a fantastic couple. The music is equally beautiful and one song I especially loved was Amid the Raindrops by Crispy Band. It really conveyed the pain and longing of the couple but especially the female character.
I just can't say enough about this show. China is really making fabulous shows that are the best in the world.
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Some love endures. Some love fights. And some… refuse to die.
The First Frost is, without question, one of the finest modern Chinese dramas today. The cinematography is a quiet masterpiece — with breathtaking shots that perfectly capture the changing seasons and emotional nuances of the story, every frame a portrait, every landscape a poem.The storyline is highly charged and emotionally relentless, a beautifully painful exploration of destiny, sacrifice, and devotion. But what truly sets The First Frost apart is the love story at its core — a love that refuses to be a victim of circumstance. The emotional weight of the story is heavy, a narrative that doesn’t ask for your heart, but takes it completely. It’s a tale of love that refuses to die, no matter how cruel time and circumstance become.
The chemistry between the leads is exceptional — effortless, natural, and achingly real. Together, they paint a portrait of a love that suffers, survives, and ultimately triumphs, not through luck or destiny, but through sheer human will.
A standout element is the male lead’s (Bai Jing Ting) performance. In my opinion, this is easily his best work to date. He delivers a performance so nuanced and breathtaking, it feels less like acting and more like living. His micro-expressions are flawless, capturing every flicker of emotion with raw honesty: a twitch of the brow, a flicker of longing, the quiet breaking of a heart held too long in silence Yet what makes his portrayal unforgettable is the soul he lends to the story’s most profound truth — he did not leave their love to fate. He didn’t leave his character’s fate to chance — he willed it, embodying every moment with quiet strength and heartbreaking vulnerability. His presence alone elevates the entire drama.
He did not leave their love to chance.
He endured.
He bled for it.
He gave.
He waited through winters of loneliness.
He gave everything, piece by piece, until all that remained was a heart that still whispered her name with unwavering and unyielding purpose. Every moment, every sacrifice, every quiet agony was a declaration of love that needed no words
This is a love that survived because one man willed it to exist when fate had long since turned away. A performance, a story, and a bond you’ll feel long after the final frost falls.
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For me, the best 2025'drama
A Masterpiece of Sensibility and HumanityLuckily I waited until the end of the broadcast to watch this drama, because it's impossible to tear this adorable couple away!
Very captivating series from the first episode untill the end. I knew that I really like both leads, but they were just awesome ...
+++ The CL is magical, phenomenal: no one could have brought the ML to life like this, except for Bai Jing Ting (ლ(́◉◞౪◟◉‵ლ). Zhang Nuo Ran is also brilliant in this vulnerable, strong-willed, yet fragile character. ==> Episode 27 is so moving... Bravo to both of them!!
+++ Realistic depiction of the living conditions of the urban poor.
+++ Flawless direction, everything is perfect!
+++ All actors did a great job, giving life to endearing characteres.
+++ Touching story, written with intelligence and subtlety. The feelings of the characters with PTSD are realistic (for once).
+++ Superb soundtracks that perfectly match the atmosphere.
=> Brilliant!! Watch and rewatch it as often as you like.
*****************************************************************
A Masterpiece of sensibility and humanity
Heureusement que j'ai attendu la fin de la diffusion pour regarder ce drama, car il est impossible de se séparer ce couple adorable !
Très accrocheur dès le 1e épisode. Il faut dire que j'aime bcp les 2 leads, mais ici, ils sont juste géniaux.
+++ Le CL est magique, phénoménal : personne n'aurait pu donner vie au ML de cette façon, à part Bai Jing Ting ლ(́◉◞౪◟◉‵ლ) Zhang Nuo Ran est aussi géniale dans ce personnage vulnérable, avec du caractère, mais fragile. ==> l'ép 27 est tellement émouvant... Bravo à tous les 2 !!
+++ Description réaliste des conditions de vie des citadins pauvres.
+++ Réalis° sans faille, tout est parfait !
+++ Story touchante, écrite avec intelligence, subtilité. Le ressenti des tramas est réaliste (pour une fois).
+++ OSTs superbes, qui s'accordent à l'atmosphère.
=> Génial !! A voir et revoir sans modération.
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A Beautifully Crafted Adaptation That Brings the Novel to Life
Let’s talk about "The First Frost" because this drama DELIVERED on its hype (at least for me, a hardcore novel fan!). First off, the casting? Perfection. Bai Jingting as Sang Yan is literally manhwa come to life; his visuals, his smirk, that effortless cool-but-caring vibe? spot on. And Zhang Ruonan as Wen Yifan? she embodied the novel’s Yifan sooo well—beautiful in a quiet, melancholic way, with this comforting warmth that makes you root for her instantly. Her face just screams "I’ve been through a lot, but i’m trying my best" which is exactly how Wen Yifan feels in the book.Speaking of the novel—yes, i read it beforehand (and obsessed over the Bai Jingting + Zhang Ruonan casting rumors for MONTHS), and overall no regrets. Bai Jingting’s acting is flawless. He didn’t just play Sang Yan; he became him, nailing every subtle emotion and bringing the character from page to screen exactly how i imagined. Zhang Ruonan was a wild card for me (since i hadn’t seen her work before), but wow??!! she killed it. Wen Yifan’s early chapters in the novel are heavy with loneliness and overthinking, and Zhang Ruonan portrayed that so well through her expressions and delivery. You feel her struggles without her even saying much.
Cinematography-wise, it’s solid, nothing groundbreaking for a modern romance drama, but no complaints either. The props and sets felt realistic (no cheap-looking stuff, thank god), and the costumes is a chef’s kiss. Shoutout to Bai Jingting for helping style Sang Yan’s looks because yes. And can we appreciate his hair and makeup? The team deserves a raise for unlocking 100% of his Sang Yan aura.
Now, the downsides: (1) Too many harassment scenes (way more than the novel), which felt unnecessary and dragged the mood down. (2) The side plots: like Su Haoan’s grandparents’ story were kinda pointless. I’d rather have more focus on Su Haoan and Zhong Shiqiao’s romance instead.
But overall? Loved it! the production did justice to the novel, the leads had insane chemistry, and the OST are Iconic. Silence Wang’s song is an instant playlist addition. If you’re into slow-burn, emotional romances with depth, this one’s a must-watch! just keep tissues handy for Wen Yifan’s struggles and Sang Yan’s heart eyes. 9.5/10!
**Minor spoiler:** That scene when Sang Yan kissed Wen Yifan in the kitchen? I SCREAMED🔥
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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 beautiful poetic masterpiece
10/10 – A poetic masterpiece that stayed with me long after it ended.The First Frost wasn't just a romance for me-it was a journey through trauma, healing, longing, and unconditional love. Every scene and every dialogue feels intricately woven together. Every interaction carries emotion, nostalgia, or a deeper meaning that slowly reveals itself as the story unfolds.
I know many romance or thriller viewers might find the pacing slow, but as someone who absolutely loves melodramas and slice-of-life stories, this was perfection. The way the drama constantly moves between Wen Yifan and Sang Yan's perspectives, while seamlessly transitioning between their teenage years and adulthood, is one of its greatest strengths. It allows you to feel everything.
The cinematography is breathtaking, the OST is unforgettable, and the acting is phenomenal.
I genuinely don't think anyone could have portrayed Wen Yifan better than Zhang Ruonan. As someone who deeply relates to isolating myself whenever life becomes overwhelming, Wen Yifan felt painfully real. Many people define strength as someone who always speaks up and fights back. But Wen Yifan showed another kind of strength-the quiet strength of surviving. She is a victim of years of trauma, yet she continues to move forward despite believing she deserves so little. I don't think I would've connected with her if she had been written as the typical "strong female lead" who magically overcomes everything. Watching her slowly learn that she deserves love and kindness became the emotional core of this drama for me.
Then there's Sang Yan.
His patience, devotion, and unwavering love are almost impossible to believe. Waiting eight years, quietly going to Yihe just to make sure she was okay-it's unrealistic, yes. But somehow, it heals something inside you. Sang Yan feels like the kind of love people wish existed.
Some of my favorite moments perfectly captured what this story was really about.
When Wen Yifan discovers the countless train tickets Sang Yan kept from all the times he visited Yuehe, it silently reveals years of love that expected nothing in return.
And then comes my favorite line- she tells him she wants to die six years after him to make up for the years she left him alone. That moment completely broke me. It isn't simply romantic; it represents how far she's come.
You can even see it from the very first episode. She avoids remembering Sang Yan because remembering him means reopening wounds she desperately wants to bury. Earlier in the series, when we see Wen Yifan's memories of meeting Sang Yan, she says that for a moment she forgot the whole world, and it felt as though there was another version of herself inside him. Even then, you could already see how deeply she loved him. But by the end, she's finally able to express that love instead of hiding it. Even with her awkward, stoic personality, we see how she later starts to express her love to Sang Yan because she knew that's what he deserved.
This isn't simply the story of two people falling in love.
It's Wen Yifan's journey of healing from trauma and learning to accept love, while Sang Yan's years of unwavering devotion finally bear fruit.
The First Frost feels less like a romance and more like a poem. I became so attached to these characters that I genuinely didn't want the story to end. Every episode carries a sense of longing and nostalgia that lingers with you long after you've finished watching.
For me, Wen Yifan is one of the most realistic female protagonists I've ever seen, while Sang Yan is probably one of the most unrealistic male protagonists ever written. Somehow, that contrast creates something incredibly beautiful.
After everything Wen Yifan endured, Sang Yan truly felt like God's gift to her.
This drama won't be for everyone. If you're looking for constant plot twists or a fast-paced romance, you may find it slow. But if you love character-driven melodramas that quietly explore grief, trauma, healing, and unconditional love, The First Frost is nothing short of a masterpiece.
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My forever love
Cdramas have always been my refuge, providing solace during my toughest times. However, The First Frost felt like a magical escape, a delightful surprise that transported me to a world filled with rainbows and sunshine. It’s said that an actor must deeply understand their character’s past and develop empathy to truly embody the role. Nannan and Xiaobai’s portrayal of Wen Yifan and Sang Yan showcased their profound understanding and emotional depth, allowing us to connect with the characters on a much deeper level. Thanks to director Qu Youning and the entire crew, who poured their hearts, time, and creativity into this endeavor. With brilliant direction, a cohesive team, and a beautifully crafted storyline, the aesthetic and breathtaking cinematography have left me in awe—truly a masterpiece! Thank you to everyone involved in this project, including the supporting actors, whose contributions are invaluable. Every appearance they make enriches the story. Thank you, Xiaobai and Nannan, for breathing life into Sang Yan and Wen Yifan. No one could have captured the essence of these characters and their journey better than you. My beloved SangYifan will always hold a special place in my heart, forever. Nan hong you'll always be loved.🍃❄️Was this review helpful to you?
It so cute and funny
And the interaction are deep and gives serotonin
When they interact
I really like it
A grayish color background a chair and a person sitting in that chair wearing black suit and have foggy theme and has face of teen boy novel style
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A Beautifully Acted and Written Show
This show was one of my most awaited shows for 2025 since the release of those brilliant trailers, and it surely didn't disappoint.Storyline: The story of our main leads, Sang Yan and Wen Yifan, was genuinely one of the most beautiful love stories I have seen in my years of watching television. It was told with such a delicate touch of warmth and compassion. I know people were unhappy with the deviations from the novel, but in my opinion the changes were well intended and suited the characters and their dynamics better. The only problem I had in this department was the excessive time given to unnecessary side characters, who did not contribute much to the story and were an annoying addition. I wish the storyline was more compact with only the leads but in the end it was a satisfactory results.
Acting: Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruonan give performance of a lifetime here. They truly understood the core of the characters and what was demanded of them, and delivered exactly what the show needed. The chemistry was natural, giving you a sense of warmth and comfort.
Music: Again, 10/10 across the board. One of the beautiful album I have come across, each and every song is beautifully poignant. I wish they used the intro song by MayDay more frequently in the actual show, which was easily the standout in the album.
Rewatch Value: This will easily go down as one of my comfort shows to rewatch whenever I am need of that warmth and comfort.
The superficial fluffy shows are cute, but these stories where characters have years of history and yearning between them truly enchant me like no another. I am grateful this show was made and to BJT and ZRN for playing our Sang Yan and Wen Yifan. You guys will be missed.
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This review may contain spoilers
The story
"First Frost" offers a captivating blend of youthful romance , masterfully portrayed by Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan. Their on-screen chemistry is electric, seamlessly transitioning between tender moments and intense confrontations. The drama's pacing is well-managed, keeping the audience engaged with its intricate plot twists and emotional depth. While some viewers might find the pacing slow in the beginning, the payoff is well worth the wait. Though not without its minor flaws, "First Frost" is a highly recommended watch for fans of angst romance dramas, showcasing excellent performances and a compelling story.Was this review helpful to you?
Fate works hard, but Sang Yan works harder
This drama brought me back into a full-on C-drama spiral — seriously.The First Frost is a story that quietly shows how love, at its core, is selfless. Selfless enough to want the other person to be happy, even if that happiness doesn’t include you. Selfless enough to stay behind their boundaries when they don’t reach out first. Selfless enough to keep showing up silently, even when your heart is breaking.
The plot may seem typical, two people loved each other and they found their way back later on. Sang Yan & Yifan met in high school, but then fate has to separate them because sometimes life is just cruel. Years ahead, they were reunited and ended up sharing a house. In which, all things started to unfold, all feelings start to get resolved and it ended on a very satisfying note as all loose ends were neatly tied, beautiful!
Again, I'm not a fan of slow-burn romance, but somehow TFF managed to make me want to see how their relationship develops. Sometimes, C-dramas tend to get cringey with forced romantic moments — but not this one. Their interactions feel natural. Their connection grows gradually and organically. It’s subtle. Real. Earned.
The characters - SANG YAN SANG YAN SANG YAN YOU SET THE BAR SO HIGH. I've seen some interviews where Bai Jing Ting said the director has taken the best image he could ever have, and he has this fear of not being as perfect as Sang Yan later on (lol!). His small gestures are everything. His micro-expressions. The way he holds back but still loves so fully. The way he chooses quiet gestures over grand ones — like he's scared that reaching out too directly will make her leave again. He expresses his love for her through subtle acts of affection, and he doesn't think twice to let go of his pride and acknowledge the significance of Yi Fan's pain. "Through all these years, I never loved anyone but you" what kind of psycho would hear something like this and not breaking down into their knees?!
Wen Yi Fan is a character who suffers a lot. She used to be someone bright, but then again life doesn't go as planned. She is someone who had long belittled the thoughts of what she deserves in this life. But then again, she has always seen Sang Yan as someone who deserves all the good things in life; she protects his light, even when she’s lost her own. Her character development on opening up and being gentler with her feelings definitely makes me feel more sympathetic towards her.
I've seen some mixed opinions regarding the differences between the novel plot and also the drama. But being someone who saw both, I think both versions have their own charms. Since in the drama version, it focuses more on the SA plot but then again it makes the overall vibes of the drama more mature and complex. My own personal downside is probably how the grandfather's arc kinda feels like fillers overtime. At first the interactions and relationship progress between the second couple was fun to watch. But then, it starts getting repetitive with all these characters revolving around the Grandpa.
The OSTs are TOP NOTCH, been on replay in my playlist. And i just found out that Bai Jing Ting also sing for one of the OSTs!
Anyway, it takes me AGES to finish this drama. Since after episode 27 to 30 i keep on going back to rewatch previous episodes. It takes so much time for me to finally watch the two last eps just because it feels sad to say goodbye to this beautiful drama. This drama made it on top of my favorite modern C-drama list, and I’ll keep going back to it.
Over and over.
Happily.
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This review may contain spoilers
"First Frost": The Second-Chance Romance That Hit Different
Okay, so I just binged "First Frost" and I'm OBSESSED! This is not your typical slow-burn Chinese drama where you're waiting five episodes for them to make eye contact. The chemistry between Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan had me hooked from episode one!Let me break it down for you. This show follows Yi Fan, a reporter who runs into her high school deskmate (and former crush) Sang Yan at a bar he co-owns called Overtime. They both pretend not to recognize each other at first (the TENSION), but then through some classic drama shenanigans, they end up becoming housemates. Talk about an awkward situation turned second chance romance!
The storytelling? Absolutely chef's kiss. The way they weave flashbacks with current events is so smooth you're never sitting there like "wait, what timeline are we in?" Each flashback drops exactly when you need it, giving you those "aha!" moments that explain why these characters are the way they are.
Can we talk about the acting though?! The male lead deserves ALL the awards. By episode one, I could literally feel the pain through his eyes even though we don't know his backstory yet. His face was doing THINGS. The emotional range this man has is insane.
The vibes of this show are immaculate—one minute I'm ugly crying, the next I'm cackling. It manages to tackle some pretty heavy themes without making the whole show feel like a therapy session.
NGL, the female lead sometimes had me yelling at my screen like "GIRL, JUST TALK TO HIM!" She has this habit of running away instead of opening up, even after everything the ML does for her. Like, I get she has trauma from abuse and abandonment, but watching her leave him a SECOND time after he waited EIGHT YEARS for her?! Red flag behavior 🚩
But what makes this show hit different is how relatable it is. For him, it's all about love, persistence, and sacrifice. For her, it's about learning to trust again, accepting herself, and rediscovering joy after years of trauma.
And let's be real—unlike those PG dramas where couples in their 30s act like holding hands is scandalous, this show gives us some actually realistic romantic moments. The intimate scenes are tasteful but steamy enough to make you feel things. Their chemistry is just... I can't even. UNREAL.
If you're looking for your next binge-worthy C-drama that will have you in your feels while also serving major eye candy and relationship goals, "First Frost" is IT.
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