The First Frost

Lost in Their World: The Magic of The First Frost

Honestly, there's nothing I can critique about this drama. It's simply perfect. Casting Bai Jing Ting as Sang Yan and Zhang Ruo Nan as Wen Yi Fan was the best decision. Their chemistry was truly outstanding. I could relate to all the emotions they portrayed. I felt deep sympathy for Yi Fan's past trauma and genuinely sensed the immense and sincere love Sang Yan has for Yi Fan was.

I was truly amazed by Sang Yan and Yi Fan's love for each other. Even though they were separated for quite a long time, their hearts never changed. They never dated anyone else. Even time could not change their love for each other.

What makes this drama even more complete is its exceptional soundtrack. Every scene, from moments of joy to times of sorrow, is perfectly underscored by its music. The soundtrack significantly amplifies the emotional impact for me as a viewer, allowing for a stronger connection to the unfolding story.

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The most magnificently alluring romance stories to ever exist in the world...

This is my very first time writing a review like this. Pardon me for my grammar or the way i explained it... oh and that point is enough to tell how magnificent "The First Frost" is until it makes me touched to write a review even though it could be such a mess.. I don't know if this contains spoiler or not but I think it is not... but maybe for some people it is spoiler🥹🙏

First of all, the two main characters are so beautifully written. Wen Yifan, who faced a lot of pain still manages to take care of herself well. She manages to stand up even when she loses everything and has no one to rely on. Even when she could have someone "Sang Yan", she still thinks of how she could have hurt him. She probably thinks it was like keeping "black ink" in her heart, one drop of it could make people around her feel hurt too.. That is why she is always closed her heart to explain more.. She is such an incredible woman, and i am proud to witness her story..

Sang Yan, a boy who used to get everything he wanted as he planned.. He grow up in a lively family.. Then he falls in love with Wen Yifan who hide her heart not because she doesn't love him, but because she loves him, she couldn't bare to see him know her pain... But he is a MAN who keeps his word.. He loves her and he will always do as what he said to her in their highschool.. He loves her in their bright day and their darkest one.. But i feel like, his feeling for her is much bigger than the word "Love" it self.. He adore her, he care for her, he appreciate her, he adore her, he is willing to do everything for her.. But the Bai Jing Ting (xiao bai) and Zhang Ruo Nan (nannan) who played them are nailing it soooo brilliantly🥹The PERFECT Wen Yifan and Sang Yan. I feel so attached and connected with their characters... I really love the way they interpreted their characters.. The chemistry is📈📈 off the charts🥹😭💖🤩 I really hope they will meet again in a new project together..

And that is why The First Frost got me 10/10 for the Story, Acting/Cast, and for Rewatch Value???! Broo the story and acting are so perfect, but we got perfect visuals too?!! hell yeah!! perfect visuals from the cast and the aesthetic videography!! thank you so much to all the of the Team who put everything into making such a brilliantly magnificent ART! OH! and don't forget the OSTs!! I'm currently writing this review while listening to the osts... such a perfect OST... every single song is a hit!! it compiles every scene so perfectly... oh also the background music, the sound, the instrumental oh my...🥹that "hoo hoo hoo~" sound that played during SangYifan Highschool scene is giving a very nostalgic feels.. (context: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtl3nU-dEqU&ab_channel=deepti)

Ohh how i love The First Frost so much🥹😭 I love Wen Yifan and Sang Yan sooo much!!🥹💖 I never ever felt like this before after watching plenty of dramas... you all are so precious to me.. i always wanted to go back to the time when i watched The First Frost for the first time again... i remember thinking about it all the time when i haven't finished watching it yet and even ended up crying plenty of times not just when watching the dramas but when i was just think about it in my head🥹💔💖... when it was ended I'm so not ready to watch the last 2 episode (eps 31 and 32) because i just couldn't believe that it was already ended🥹💖at the end i watched it at March 30th 2025 about like 11 o'clock i guess? until March 31st 2025 at 0:11🥹My Best Drama of All Time!!

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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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BEST ROMANCE DRAMA EVER

i think one of the reasons why i love the first frost so much is because they portray the intimacy of being in love so intricately like you can feel the melancholia and the longing they have for each other so intensely and a very few shows are able to capture that. THE FIRST FROST having forced proximity,second chance and slow burn romance tropes,REAL yearning,stolen glances,delicious angst,insane visuals,outstanding actors,beautiful cinematography and heartwarming osts and the perfect pacing; thats MY drama.
The cinematography of The First Frost is truly praiseworthy, as if it came to life from the pages of a book. It enhances the nostalgic atmosphere of the cdrama. More people should recognize how stunning it is.

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First Frost - A Visual, Emotional and Introspective MASTERPIECE!!!!

I loved FF from start to finish. It just doesn't get any better than this. Here's why:

The chemistry between the leads simmers beneath the surface, subtle and slow-building—like a spark held just out of reach. It’s the kind of connection that grows with quiet glances, lingering silences, and the ache of what’s left unsaid. Every interaction carries an undercurrent of tension, an emotional gravity that pulls them together even as the story holds them apart.

There’s a tenderness in their restraint—a sense that they’re constantly on the edge of something deeper, something inevitable. When their walls finally crack and feelings come rushing in, it’s not sudden—it’s earned. Their love doesn’t explode; it *unfolds*—carefully, beautifully, like watching dawn break after a long night.

The slow burn makes every moment matter: the brush of a shoulder, the flash of jealousy, the shift from strangers to something infinitely more intimate. It’s a romance that feels not only believable, but deeply felt—one you don’t just watch, but *yearn* for alongside them.

This stays with you long after you have finished it. It's just magical :)

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First Frost is not for everyone!!

I never write any reviews publicly; this is the first since I had written notes about this drama on my phone, so I thought of sharing them here.

Love is rarely a straightforward path—it is often tangled with misunderstandings, regrets, and the lingering weight of the past. With that said, love alone cannot guarantee a happy ending. The First Frost perfectly captures the fragile nature of love—one that is hard to coax but even harder to forget.
Wen Yifan and Sang Yan shared a deep but unspoken affection for each other in their youth. Though they never put their feelings into words, they both understood what was in their hearts. When the time finally came for Sang Yan to confess, Wen Yifan ruthlessly rejected him, leaving him alone in the rain—like a loyal dog abandoned by its owner.

I won't be too detailed about their characters because it might take me too long praising how wonderful they are. Sang Yan is indeed a green flag, but someone that you will not find in reality. He have the capabilities and willingness to do everything for her. But imagine if he grew up in a different environment, like not a lovely family? Or what if he isn't wealthy? Would he be able to do anything that he did? I doubt. But I guess Sang Yan will opt for an alternative. What am I trying to say here is that he's too good to be true. Let's be real that you cannot find someone who have both the same level of capabilities and willingness of Sang Yan. Some may have the will, but no capability to do so. Some may have the capability, but get tired easily. Some may have both, but you can't expect them to reach Sang Yan's level. Because he set it too high!!

Wen Yifan, on the other hand, was said to be weak by the other audience but in actuality she's just reserved and hyperidependent; even with all those that happened to her, she still stood tall. In the first few episodes, her innate loneliness aura deeply resonates with me. I remember that when Zhong Siqiao called her, Wen Yifan just listened. She just stood there inside the train, listening but not saying anything. I don't know but that single scene entirely captures her loneliness. That reason alone made me continue watch it. Her eyes speaks so much sadness, no words needed.

Anyway, they finally meet again after few years, but for Sang Yan, it never felt like they had been apart. Throughout the years, he kept his silent promise—to always be there for her, even if it meant flying back and forth between Yihe and Nanwu. Just as he had once traveled from Nanwu to Beiyu every weekend during their sophomore years to accompany her, he continued to go out of his way for her without expecting anything in return. Despite being rejected and treated as a 'backup plan', it didn’t matter. As long as he could watch over her, even from a distance, that was enough.
His love ran so deep that he was willing to let his own special moments slip through his fingers just to witness hers, like missing his own graduation to watch her's. (This is top tier but actually creepy in reality haha)

Even as she pursued her career as a journalist, Sang Yan remained her silent supporter. Every article she wrote, he made sure to buy directly from a newspaper stall in Yihe. I really love how he still did it even though it's not guaranteed that WYF will see his effort.

On the day of her resignation, Wen Yifan found herself mindlessly staring at a strawberry cake—her favorite. Yet, she didn’t buy it. It wasn't because she couldn’t afford it, but because she believed she didn’t deserve good things. This belief had been forced upon her by her terrible aunt, who had ingrained in her mind that she was unworthy—even of something as simple as a bowl of chicken soup.

To Wen Yifan, Sang Yan was the best thing in the world while she wasn't, which was precisely why she pushed him away. She convinced herself that she would only burden him. She knew his personality—knew that he would go to great lengths for her, flying back and forth between cities just to be by her side. What she didn’t know was that, despite her rejection, he still did.

Their story isn't only about rekindling a lost romance. It is about learning to love oneself to fully able to love another without fear and hesitation. To demonstrate one's love, it doesn't require grand romantic gestures; sometimes, you can find it in quiet and awkward moments—stolen glances, silly actions.

Sang Yan prove it that love, no matter how difficult it is to coax, is worth the patience it demands. As Wen Yifan's reluctance to embrace love is deeply rooted in her past, Sang Yan were able to melt her cold defenses with his silent but warm affection—one that is filled with respect, understanding, and consideration0.

After they became roommates, he appears cold yet his actions speaks otherwise. Afraid that the intensity of his love might scare her away, he could only expresses it in quiet and imperceptible ways; even if, in her pespective, he was seen shameless.

It might seem shameless, but for Sang Yan, it is his way to make up for the opportunites he once missed. After all these years, he never loved anyone but her. And for her, it was also the same. Yet, for Wen Yifan, loving—and being loved—was never easy.

It may have seemed selfish for her to accept his warmth then running away without returning it. But in truth, she was selfless. She let him go, giving him the chance to choose someone better—even if it meant she would be left alone once again.

This was reflected in the way she lived—unbothered, in a small and unkempt apartment—despite having the means to afford a better life. It wasn’t about money or circumstances; it was about the belief that had been ingrained in her for years—that she didn’t deserve anything good. That his love was never hers to keep.
She believed she was a burden—someone no one would ever make an effort for. Who would dare love a woman covered in callouses from the scars of her past? Yet, for him, loving her was breathing—effortless, instinctive, and without hesitation. It wasn’t just love; it was unconditional devotion that only Sang Yan can do.

No matter what, he was always there to catch her. No matter how long it took, he would make sure she knew she had a home to return to. So, when she ran away, he never resented her. He simply understood. Even after all the time they had spent together, he realized how little he truly knew about her world. But it wasn’t because she had hidden it from him—it was because her life had always been like a cage, so small that she could only run in circles, forever trapped by her past. Hence, when she finally broke free and ran toward something new, he understood even if it means leaving him behind. What angered him was not her leaving, but the realization that he had been blind to it all along. He had always thought he was by her side, watching over her from the distance—yet, in the end, she hadn’t trusted him enough to fully open up. That was his failure.

When she was gone, she fought the battles within herself. Without facing them, she knew she could never love him the way he deserved. Before she could coax his heart, she had to first learn to coax her own. That's why, you have to treat yourself well, and the world will hold more love for you.

In comparison to the novel, I might have expected a different ending, wishing that they would sneak a wedding clip, but the ending is undeniably portrayed well. Among all the drama with wedding as the ending, I never thought that ending it with a proposal feels this good. It didn't only looked good, but actually made me feel things. I feel proud as if I contributed in making the proposal be successful. Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan acted so well that I totally forgot it's a drama and not their reality.

The cinematography is immaculate as well with the sun almost setting, and the added scenes of other characters giving their blessing to their marriage made me cry more. I thought proposal is just for formalities so I never really think of it as special, but this scene just gave me butterflies. I thought, how nice it is to be proposed with so much effort and consideration. Sang Yan didn't need to kneel down, which actually suited his character, but them sitting in the classroom where their romance started to bloom feels so special. He wasn't wearing a suit, but a school uniform, because to him, their high school life wasn't just a phase but a symbol of their romance. Those little things made it so extra special and authentic for me.

Lastly, as someone who easily get cringed whenever I see an unnecessary scene and if the actors would overreact or if they're too underwhelming; for instance, even if they're on the background, they should still act naturally. In other words, I'd like it if everything is logical and natural. Nevertheless, First Frost never made me feel awkward. Although I can feel their awkwardness, I just think that it was so natural and it has the right amount of it. Like, they portrayed it so well that it made me love their awkwardness and sillyness. (the subplot is little annoying at first but it's because I always crave for SY and WYF momsnts, so it needs to be rewatch with much patience)

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Realistic and touching modern cdrama that isn't what you'd expect

What really made this cdrama stand out from the other modern ones I’ve watched is the steady, but realistic plotline and pace of the story. The conflicts faced by the characters are ones many people in the world experience. I think BJT and ZRN did an amazing job portraying the trauma and healing process between SY and WYF. I really want to shout these two actors out because they really blew this out of the water. I can’t imagine anyone else playing these two characters the way they did. The chemistry was literally unmatched. They didn’t rush into their relationship; it was a slow burn. And this also played into the realistic aspect because someone like WYF who had gone through so much would definitely be cautious when committing to a relationship. Some people thought the drama was too slow, but I think this is what makes it so attractive. It doesn’t sugarcoat or fluff up trauma recovery. Rather, it validates that it takes time to heal from these things, and you will always be supported and loved throughout. You shouldn’t think you are unworthy of care because everyone deserves to be loved. The First Frost brings many societal issues into light, such as sexual assault. It’s a really sensitive and deep theme that I didn’t expect to see in a romance, modern cdrama like this one. I think it’s important that cdramas represent more of these problems and accurately portray how they are in society. Additionally, the First Frost doesn’t pretend the conflicts the characters face are easy to solve and everything favors them. In fact, it didn’t for like 8 whole years. There was a steady character growth and subtle changes that made the story seem more relatable. In other modern cdramas, a lot of unrealistic events occur that make the plot seem super fake or impossible in real life. However, in the First Frost, all the plot events make sense for the circumstances the characters are in.

I also want to note the First Frost gained so much global traction. It’s really interesting to see more American audiences making the First Frost so popular. Edits of the First Frost have literally been flooding my social media pages. I’ve seen so many influencers say how they’re out of their “cdrama slump” or ditching “kdramas” for the First Frost. It gives me pride that people are recognizing cdramas but I also feel sort of frustrated that people don’t give enough attention to the hundreds of other AMAZING cdramas that have already been produced. I think cdramas deserve so much more recognition and admiration.

There honestly isn’t anything I didn’t like about this cdrama. The OST was stellar, actors amazing, cinematography CRAZY GOOD, story soul touching. This director really does a good job with creating perfect modern cdramas. Highly recommend people who haven't watched it to watch it. It’s a really rewarding journey.

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Bad pacing......... over hyped....... unbelievable characters

I belong to those minority group that did not like " The first frost "....... let me explain why :

1. the biggest show stoper for me was the FL..... many might criticize me but hear me out..... the fl faced may hardship in her life, but some of them could have been avoided if she had just faced them.... every time a problem occurred the first thing she did was run away.... most of the time I was frustrated because she never speaks out her problem, the show just shows that she is so miserable she cant say any thing..... there was so much build up up to episode 19 were the leads were finally able to behave like couple but then suddenly her uncle came back and started blackmailing her..... she initially showed some spine by warning them to not interfere with her life but then in the next episode she runs away without saying any thing to any one, even the ml...... so what was the point of everything..... the ml was miserable for those 6 months and she was trying to forget everything and move on in her life.... the show only focusses on portraying the fl as weak and miserable where as they should have also shown how she fought back her misery...... she was basically sheltered by the ml........ in her previous work place where her boss misbehaved her and the wife of boss slandered the fl, the fl was just standing still there listening to all the accusations without replaying any thing.....

2. the ML in a nutshell : a guy who helped fl endlessly but the fl dumped him ( with the excuse if she goes some where far away then her problems might stop ), after he got dumped by the fl he remained single for 8 years, after meeting the fl again after 8 years he again supported her but then got dumped again searched for fl for 6 months again....... this kind of person even for a story is unbelievable.... the ml was there in the show just to help the fl....

3. the pacing : the show has pacing issue but i watched the first 16 episodes at 1.5x speed.... the cinematography, music were great, but the show focused too much on the hardship of the fl rather than her fighting her problems.....

4. the chemistry : for me the chemistry between the ml and the fl was ok.... they had their sweet moments in some episodes which i felt wasn't enough ( especially if you are marketing the show saying romance genre)

It was just my personal opinion regarding the show.

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Is this really a spin off of Hidden Love??

While watching The First Frost...i really wondered,would this drama be this much popular if it wasn’t connected to Hidden Love?

Cause if you enjoyed Hidden Love,this drama compels you to compare both of them and guess what,Hidden love wins and its not even close! When I watched Hidden Love, everything got me hooked to the screen,the story,acting,chemistry,direction,cinematography... everything. I could see Sang Zhi's yearning for Duan Jiaxu,her slowly turning from a rebellious teen to a mature adult who can definitely be a support to Jiaxu....Jiaxu's perspective changing when he realized its not the same girl he once saw,she has grown as a woman,as a person,She's strong and can take care of him and thats where the story shone. You can see them growing as person,being in love from both sides,building a very healthy relationship.Everything was evident,the innocence, the yearning, the support,the care,the love,the understanding... everything. This is where TFF falls flat,this drama couldn’t show the depth of the bonding between Sang Yan and Wen Yifan.

The plot in TFF is quite darker than HL... and thats what bothered me in the first place,why making this dark story into a sunshine rainbow with so many filters when it itself had the capacity to stand strong as it originally is?It could become much more touching,heart wrenching love story if everything didnt look so perfect, so polished, so much filtered.Wouldn’t it be so much better if they made it into a more dramatic way instead of following the same filtered dreamy tone??

If i come to character writing, both male and female lead lacks substance. Male lead had no other personality, character arc except being in love and it became boring after some episodes. He's arrogant, cocky but in a middle school teenager way.His whole life revolves around Yifan,he does everything only for Yifan.He spent his whole high school and uni life travelling to Yifans city,he took a job for Yifan, opened restaurant for Yifan, cooks for Yifan, leaves his family meetings for Yifan,plays games for Yifan,is left heartbtoken by Yifan, waits for Yifan,looks for Yifan.... in his life,there's nothing but Yifan which is really unrealistic and very much one dimensional character writing.It wasnt clear why he became so obsessed with Yifan in the first place when female lead was practically showing no emotions towards him in their early age..It really felt like a one sided love story cause it was all him,always him,yearning,loving,caring,living with broken heart still never forgetting and always forgiving.

Female lead is a victim of sexual assault and many other abuse in her extremely traumatic life.... But somehow this drama made her without personality too with little to no expression. She leaves whenever she wants without explaining anything.... she cant express herself,she can't talk,she lacks emotion... At some point you will feel bad for Sang Yan for being so much invested in her... like,why??? Sang Yans emotions towards her could be felt to some extent,he possibly did everything to be with her,but I couldn’t feel the same emotional attachment from Yifan.Even the dialogues doesn’t deliver anything, you can't feel the depth of Sang Yan's desperation or Yifan's communication... There is not even a proper I love you from Yifan's side when Sang Yan was ready to burn the whole world only to save her. She was cold to Sang Yan's action, lost in her thoughts...and mostly unsure. Everything that happened between them will leave you in confusion about the base and depth of their relationship.

I couldn’t care less about the grandpa plot or second lead couple or that annoying ass intern... They're just not entertaining. Had to skip Everytime they showed up on the screen.They also wasted so many times of the show which could be used to make a better plotline for main leads.

Another thing that was really annoying was the amount of repetitive flashbacks they used....it became boring and hard to focus at some point.And the slow pacing wasn’t helping either.Many things happened for no reason,could've avoided easily and added nothing to the story. The whole thing would be much much better if ended within 25 episodes.

Also,was the Hong Kong arc really necessary?? Haven’t yifan and sang yan suffered enough already that they had to give them more sufferings? There could be thousand more possible better ways to show the character development of the female lead than her just leaving everything and running away. This part really bothered me. Sang Yan is right there,she could just always talk,at least try to talk.Its understandable her trauma took a huge toll on her and the way she expresses herself...but this plotline really made me question the whole buildup of their relationship... wasn’t there any other way?? What was the need??Sang Yan had every reason to be angry with her....I really wish there was at least one scene of him being angry with her. When she did it first time,understandable, she was helpless, probably couldn’t think of anything else. But doing the same thing again without any explanation.... So unnecessary... The story writing had no logic here.

I really wish this drama was made by the same team of Hidden Love. The story had potential, it really did. But poor direction,screenplay,lack of depth of the characters,dialogue writing ... everything made a hot mess.Its not a bad drama,not at all. I could see the actors trying to make the best out of whatever they're given which is really appreciable. Many people enjoyed it, i also tried. But just couldnt.

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