The First Frost

Tension, Tension, Everywhere

As someone who devoured the novel with the restraint of a squirrel, I was, as usual, a wee bit skeptical about the drama adaptation.

Thankfully, the drama gets so much right with Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruonan as leads. While it makes a few adjustments for pacing and side character development, it stays faithful to the heart of the novel: two people who once let misunderstandings and bad timing tear them apart, finally getting the second chance they deserve. And yes, Sang Yan is still the same smug menace we all love.

Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan’s dynamic is the heart of this story, and the drama adaptation absolutely nails it. Sang Yan is exactly as he should be: annoyingly charming, quick with a joke, and 100% the kind of man who would rather jump down a cliff than admit he’s been emotionally wrecked for years. Meanwhile, Wen Yi Fan remains the warm but emotionally-guarded girl who is composed outwardly but internally, also a wreck.

Sang Yan spends much of the first half acting flippant. Throwing out shameless one-liners? Check. Smirking like he owns the world? Check. When Yi Fan looking at him like he’s an overgrown child? Double check. Bai JT and ZhangRN do this so well.

Come Ep 17 a.k.a. The Moment I Ascended to Another Plane of Existence: Sang Yan, who has spent YEARS acting like nothing matters, finally lays his heart bare with vulnerabilities all laid out, though to a sleeping Yi Fan. The scenes immediately after totally turned the relationship. At this point, my logical self had clocked out. All that remained was my romance-loving soul screaming.

The drama is as much about first love and tardy communication as it is about timing, growth, and learning how to not mess up a good thing for the second time. If you loved the novel, you’ll love this adaptation. If you’re new to the story, prepare yourself for an emotionally -constipated male lead who thinks he is smooth, a sharp and independent heroine who can dismantle his entire existence with a look, AND enough emotional tension to power a small city.

Highly recommended!

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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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Disappointed - drama plot differs from the book

I want to start by saying I read the novel and I was really excited for this drama. Unfortunately, while it is still not a bad watch, I wish they stuck to the original plot of the book. to be completely objective, I'm giving a lower review because they didn't stick to the plot of the book.

SPOILER ALERT!
They changed the plot where WYF runs away a second time when her uncle comes back to intimidate and taunt her. Complete opposite of the book where she faced him head on. The writers also made her abusive uncle a security guard in her work place, but in the book he was waiting for her outside of her work.

I wished the writers followed the plot of the book, since WYF had a character growth and she was now able to stand up to her abusers. I feel like the drama took that away from her and made her kind of damsel in distress and SY is her prince charming/knight. I'm sorry if i keep repeating myself, but she was beautifully written in the book imo. I'm extremely disappointed by the change.

SPOILER END

BUT

Other than the plot change, I loved the acting! I think both BJT and ZRN did a fantastic job. If you didn't read the novel like I did, I do think you will enjoy this drama. All characters are likeable, well written script with no plot holes, very nice cinematography, good music, amazing acting from the cast.

Yes, I would recommend this drama objectively. I just personally feel like they could have done better with the drama.

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Impressive production

Where to begin?
More stories would do well to follow this kind of production. This story is real in that there are people out there like them. The harassment is a reality for some girls growing up.
And there are introverted, caring men like the male lead. He loved her in a soul-to-soul way; I've experienced this kind of love. It's unique, deep, and unbreakable. The other person has the power to hurt you emotionally and yet you keep loving them. You give and give because you genuinely love them as yourself. It's a truly beautiful thing. But there are real painful aspects that come with it.
God bless you all.

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Xiao Bai & Zhang Ruonan Forever!

You know a drama is good when it makes you forget everything else. “The First Frost” gave me peace, love, healing—and one of the best on-screen duos in existence. Bai Jingting and Zhang Rounan act like they were tailor-made for each other. Their chemistry is unspoken, powerful, and incredibly tender. You feel it in every pause and every glance. I watched this with my heart in a puddle and now I’m emotionally attached. To the characters? Sure. But more than that, to the idea that these two humans might just be perfect for each other IRL. It’s giving OTP energy.

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He is her “sun”

This Drama has had a profound effect on me. It is one of the best dramas one of the best filming I have yet to see. Literally Heart fluttering, gut wrenching, heart rendering, superb acting, great writing and story development, beautiful cinematography, with a great musical score that matches. The storyline is very difficult at times due to incredible traumas but yet the gentleness and the healing of kindness takes my breath away. I wasn’t sure I could watch Due to personal traumas in my own family with sexual assault but I’m glad that I am watching because this film does a beautiful job in expressing the healing powers of undeniable love, and friendship and kindness and gentleness can help you heal with the traumas in getting on in life.
I am currently only on episode 7 I am mesmerized by the acting and of the beauty of this film even though the script deals with very ugly and really hard circumstances. The male lead’s unwavering love and his dedication for her even through his undeniable pain is so well written and believable. His behind the scenes never changing devotion-always there for her - His acting ability to portray his pain and sorrow and loss of his first love and anger and all those emotions that go with it yet he never stopped loving her- is truly gifted. They are both very gifted actors. The female lead does such a great job in such a difficult role. She did an amazing job in reflecting how the traumas that she endured as a young girl would and could affect her life -her lack of self-worth, her doubts about herself and worth, the loss of loved ones and the betrayal of loved ones , her shame that she felt unnecessarily, and being a victim of such horrendous neglect and crimes. She was a reporter and a beautiful ballerina -the use of dance for healing and escape from her hell was so well done by the writers.
Gutwrenching, yet I can’t seem to stop watching. I have to say really well done to the writers because these are not an easy topics to portray or discuss when you talk about sexual assault , verbal + mental abuse. Again it really may be one of the most beautiful films I’ve see. My prayer is that there’s some happiness for them for the rest of their lives after everything they’ve been through that’s my my hope and my prayer in watching this to the end.
update:
Now that I’m to episode 10 currently there’s even so much more to this film in the storyline not just sexual assault but family trauma, abandonment, verbal abuse, some physical abuse but also tremendous kindness of others and love from others that can heal those wounds it’s a very intricate and complicated and loving and heart and gut wrenching drama all in one which represents life and how it can unfold.
update: just finished. The writers did not let me down at all. Literally my breath is still taken away.
I cannot say enough good things about the acting of everyone but especially especially the male and female lead. The chemistry is undeniable the love shown between these two over the years through all the heartache was truly amazingly portrayed. It was tough at times because of the subject matter but so well worth the watch I will definitely rewatch. Job Well done to everyone involved in this drama thank you for sharing all your incredible talents.

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love isn’t just about grand gestures....

The chemistry between the ML and FL in First Frost is just chef’s kiss. You can feel the tension, the longing, and the love in every single interaction. It’s not the over the top, dramatic kind of romance , it’s deep, raw, and filled with emotions that linger even in silence.
The FL’s trauma is genuinely heart-wrenching. Her struggles feel so real, and you can’t help but feel for her. Every moment where she hesitates, pulls away, or gets lost in her pain hits right in the feels. And then there’s the ML an absolute green flag. His love for her is unwavering, patient, and so, so touching. He never pushes her, never forces anything he’s just there, steady as a rock, loving her in the purest way possible.
Honestly, if you love slow burn, deeply emotional romance where love isn’t just about grand gestures but about understanding, healing, and being there , this drama is a must-watch.

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Tell me were you sent by my dad to take care of me.....No.....I volunteered.

The First Frost has some of the best lines that will just stick with you. There are so many that I am just going with one. I have never read the novel so I didn't really know what to expect for Sang Yan's story. Even though I do think this focused on more of Wen Yifan's story then his but like I said I have never read the novel. For me this show kept me hooked from the first episode I wanted to know what happened between these two, and what all had she been through that she felt like she had to do everything on her own. Also with the second couple I would of love to see more of their story with less of his grandparents being in it. I loved the best friend of Wen Yifan and would of loved her love story but it felt like it just turned into his grandparents story more than anything.

SANG YAN-
Is probably one of the best male leads to ever be seen. He is just way to good to be true. He never gave up on Wen Yifan and never moved on from her. Even when he believed she had just dropped him because he had a one sided love for her. Sang Yan was never mad at her for her doing this to him either just devastated and still try to find some ways to be involved in her life. (Even though some people may find this a be a bit of a stalker like behavior). He even blames himself for not seeing everything she had been through when he was still in her life.

WEN YIFAN-
This poor girl has just been through so much and even didn't have her family on her side. Her whole world came crumbling down when her dad dies granted she got to stay with her grandmother for a little bit but she couldn't take care of her for very long. Sang Yan was her only light through everything she had been through but to get away from her family she ran from everyone including him. I don't see how anyone couldn't feel for this girl through her story. She did what she thought was best for her at such a young age when her mother wouldn't even help her. She does love Sang Yan and doesn't move on from him either.

ZHONG SI QIAO-
I have to mention this girl through my review cause I really liked her and believe everyone should have a best friend like her in their lives. She is always there for her friends even when the tend to forget about her and she always wants whats best for them and that they are always happy. She doesn't act like other friends in dramas when a boy she likes actually likes her best friend and not her. She doesn't get mad at Wen Yifan doesn't blame her or even turn on her. She will not let a boy stand in the way of their friendship. Like how can you not like this girl through this drama. Even though I thought the whole grandparent story could of been shorter still really enjoyed watching this girl.

The First Frost is definitely going to be a top modern drama for me. I have such trouble with modern dramas so when I do get ones I really do enjoy it does mean something. I have very few modern dramas I have actually loved. Sang Yan and Wen Yifan's story is one that will definitely stay with me for awhile, but as I always say everyone is different and you may not agree but give it a chance and see.

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Love That Lasts a Lifetime

I made a mydramalist account to write a review for this drama.... so you get an idea of how much I loved it.
Chinese people have a penchant for making the most spectacularly heartful slice of life dramas. Even though this has romance as the main plot, it still heals something inside you.
The story follows Sang Yan and Wen Yifan, in two timelines, one the past (when they met) and one the present. The best trope that could describe it would be second chance and very heavy he fell first and fell harder.
The characters in themselves are very impressive. Yifan is a unit of a woman and honestly reminds me of Cinderella in her mannerisms. She's someone who's been through hell and yet never holds a grudge against the world, she silently perseveres and lives her life as dull as it is. She is strong as hell and honestly I don't think the drama gives her enough credit for they way she handled her woes silently. Sang Yan... now this man, everyone deserves someone like him. He is just phenomenal in his persistence. Man should get an award or smth, for his selflessness. Gosh, he gave me so many butterflies, its ridiculous.
The romance itself is very heartwarming and there are a lot of cute moments just sprinkled here and there. Zhou Rhounan is honestly such a beauty and Bai Jing Ting is just handsome all around. Love them together, love the cute moments of the second couple too. There is a little bit of comedy sprinkled here and there, primarily relying on the charm of the leads. But love it nonetheless.
However, I had one major gripe with the story telling, they focus a little too heavily on the main plot-point: the main love story, the second lead couple had a story too, but it felt filler at most, only present to give us breaks from the heavy dominance of the lead couple. The child actor, interning at Yifan's office was dropped mid-way after he no longer served any purpose and the character's themselves as people weren't explored.
Most of the relationships in the drama are also developed only to the point where they help in progression of the story. The only relationships properly explored are the ones with the antagonists (Mom, Aunt and Uncle) and the main couple. Aside from that nothing is adequately developed.
The relationship Sang Yan has with his family and Yifan with her dad are also not explored. They are only present as hindsight, and doesn't really allow for any major character arc to form.
Even the main leads themselves aren't developed, especially Yifan. For someone who's been through so much, I expected to see a hell lot of 'suffer in silence moments', even in the flashbacks... but almost all of those moments are shown in Sang Yan's light to push the "he cares for her" agenda. Sang Yan too, his own heartbreak is mellowed over in the ending as "Oh it helped him grow". You don't see how they grew up to be people, which is kind of weird considering they had 32 whole episodes to do so.
BUT, BUT, BUT.... I STILL LOVE IT
If you have no problem with a little too much focus on the main storyline, then this is DEFINITELY your jam. It's still one of the more poetic dramas I've seen, very quiet and mellow. Definitely perfect after a heavy day, for relaxing along with a bucket of popcorn. If you love romance, and love the idea of the red strings of fate, this is definitely for you.
HAVE FUN

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It is all about love, loss and new beginnings

Wise men said accidents change people. It's true.

Accident brings out the worst from you, makes you feel loser and even alters your belief. Yi Fan changed over the years, but her heart still rang loudly when spotted Sang Yan after all these years.
Generated from the universe of Hidden Love, this story delves into the life of senior Sang. Sang Zhi’s brother falls for a girl whom he spots on a random day while going to school. He gains her interests and starts running around her. Maybe our adorable Sang Zhi got her adorable love shot attitude from her brother. Things get complicated as she dumps him one day and decides to join Yihe University.

He waited, cried his heart out till one day she resurfaced in his life again.

Parents are the biggest support system of one’s life. Yi Fan lost herself as she faced the untimely death of her father. And lack of support offered by her mother made her more broken. Her mother not only betrayed her but never offered her support to the little girl who kept on looking for her support.

Yu Ning not only brought a love story alive. He successfully painted the scar people face in their own home. Betrayals when they come tip toed leaves a deeper scar than imagined. He dared to put hostility and sexual threats women face at home alive. They are forced to keep quiet for the sake of the roof steals their sense of belongingness.

The journey of Yi Fan is not about falling in love. It is about finding your true self, getting free from all the darkness that holds you behind and starting to take stand for yourself. It is easier to say fight for yourself, than doing it in real life.

The chemistry between Yi Fan and Sang Yan is smooth like butter. They did not burn the screen but poured warmth as they melted in each other's arms. Story of Qiao and Hao running in parallel drew attention to the importance of staying true to yourself and your partners. Even if you think your words can hurt them, you should not stop yourself from sharing.

The first Frost is about learning how to stay in love even when you both are flawed. Love is not just holding hands or hugging. You need to understand each other in your darkness and light.

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A Perfectly Sweet Romance with the Best Boyfriend Ever

Okay, The First Frost is EVERYTHING. If you loved Hidden Love, you’re in for a treat, because this one follows the lead elder brother from Hidden Love, and let me tell you—he is just as swoon-worthy. This drama is like the perfect mix of cute and intense, with a slow-burn romance that’ll have you smiling like a fool and feeling all sorts of emotions.

First off, let’s talk about the male lead. Honestly, he’s the epitome of the perfect boyfriend—handsome, sweet, caring, and always there when the female lead needs him. Like, if there was a "boyfriend goals" checklist, he would tick every single box. He’s so patient with her shy, quiet nature, and watching him slowly break through her walls is so heart-melting. He’s supportive, understanding, and, let’s be real, every girl’s dream. Seriously, he’s the guy we all wish existed in real life.

And speaking of the female lead—her shy personality is honestly the cutest thing. Her awkwardness and innocence just make her so endearing. The way she blushes or gets flustered around him is adorable and makes the slow development of their relationship feel so authentic.

The chemistry between them is chef’s kiss—the tension is perfect, and the whole story has this light, warm vibe that makes you want to root for them from the start. Yes, the plot can be a little predictable at times, but honestly, it’s the characters that make this drama so special. It’s just one of those feel-good, heartwarming romances you can’t get enough of.

In short, The First Frost is everything you need if you're craving a slow-burn romance with a dreamy guy and an adorable, shy girl. It’s sweet, it’s cute, and it’s got the feels!

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