The First Frost

For me, the best 2025'drama

A Masterpiece of Sensibility and Humanity

Luckily 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.
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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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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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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.

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"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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Emotionally devastating in the best way—10 is for the ache it left behind..

I didn’t plan to watch this, but after reading the reviews, I gave it a try. And it completely wrecked me.

I know this drama isn’t directly connected to Hidden Love, but still, at the end of 2023, I fell in love with that show. I didn’t think anyone could live up to Victor Ma’s Sang Yan, and I loved the original cast so much that I questioned why they’d even bother changing something that already worked.

Then Bai Jing Ting showed up in episode one… and destroyed every single one of those doubts.
HE is Sang Yan.
He didn’t just play the role—he embodied it. His expressions, emotional control, subtle mannerisms… he gave so much depth that I found myself wondering, “Where do I go to hire a Sang Yan?” I wasn’t a fan before this, but he completely earned my respect.

Zhang Ruo Nan was just as fantastic. Her emotional delivery of Yi Fan, her presence, and the growth as the show progresses were all very believable. She made every difficult decision feel understandable. I rooted for her even when I didn’t fully agree, because she was able to show she made the best decision "for her" at the time. Her performance was also outstanding throughout.

Now, I still gave this a 10—but I did have one gripe.
I couldn’t connect to the second couple much. Their dynamic didn’t feel as grounded or compelling. But more importantly, Yi Fan’s friend Qiao Qiao frustrated me, especially in the second half. Her friend's stance was so narrow-minded.

At first, I tried to understand her skepticism. When Yi Fan and Qiao Qiao first met Sang Yan after six years, she didn't know him, and she only had rumors to go on. From that perspective, he did seem cold and distant.

But after they found Yi Fan in Hong Kong? Her attitude was baffling.
This was the same man who’d never stopped searching. The man who tried to understand Yi Fan’s pain, even when she left without warning. The man who carried his heartbreak across cities. Qiao Qiao saw that up close. She spent six months with him.

And still she said things like (to Hao An):

“Don’t tell Sang Yan we found her.”
“She left him, and we don’t know what happened, so we should stay out of it.”
“She can find someone better.”

I was genuinely angry on Sang Yan’s behalf. He wasn’t selfish. He didn’t chase her out of ego. He chased her because he loved her deeply and unconditionally. And yet her friend acted like his pain didn’t matter. It's almost like her friend (actually, both of her friends acted that way) kept holding him responsible for her decision to leave when they admitted that she tended to bottle things up.

I don’t mean to turn this into a rant. But truly… give the guy a break.

Oh, and also her mom has to be one of the worst moms in Cdrama history for me. It's one thing to mistreat your child or pressure them (with good intentions). It's a completely different ballpark to slowly push them aside, ignore their cries for help, and pretend all is still well. By the end, her mom was just as culpable as Che Xing De in my eyes (if not more), and the gall of her to look for sympathy. Glad Yi Fan was strong enough to cut her off.

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Unexpectedly Beautiful ❤️

I've always been a go to k-drama watcher, for me they produce always the best dramas out there, but sometimes i also watch c-drama when it's over hyped or the actors and actresses are so popular.

It's my first time trying to watch a drama without any expectations or any knowledge about the plot and the cast, and oh boy it surprised me, i never thought that c-drama could produce a show like this, and i can say it is on par with those popular k-dramas out there, and for me i can say that it even exceeded those.

Life is a journey with full of challenges, it can be everyday, or sometimes. But the lesson you will get on this drama is, even though it is really dark and you feel like there is no hope, there will always be a light that will come after the darkness, it may be in a form of someone, or something but believe in it it will come.

I love this drama so much it is truly worth the watch, a slow burn for the ages indeed,

Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruonan, truly delivered with the acting, im a new fan 🫶. Bye bye Wen Yifan and Sang Yan, i will miss TFF so much. 🍃❄️

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Bai Jing Ting's strong genre, ZRN had left weird impression

I had watched almost all BJT drama, atleast gave them a try of atleast for 5ep, BJT had given best for this drama, for me, his strength is in acting helpless,caring,pity,fomo and jealousy, and SY has it all, living completely for his loved, So it kept me driving till the end and more, but I had mixed feelings on ZRN as WYF/WSJ her emotional scenes were almost killing me but her reactions before and after acting shyness,walking style, dumbness were very weird, which became better from ep 16, I didn't feel the character needed that dumb flavor becuz she is prominent reporter which would require fine and pleasant reactions, although the costume designer did a decent job, few choices would have been perfect, you can give it a try if u like BJT work in you are my hero, new life begins etc

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Absolutely amazing

How do I even begin to describe how much I loved this drama. Everything was perfection. I can’t think of a single thing I would change. It had just the right amount of everything you need for a perfect show.
The actor’s chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥. The secondary cast was 😍! The story was beautiful. The music was very good! The production was beautiful & flawless.
I never write reviews and I couldn’t watch this show and not leave some kind of admiration for it.
My husband who doesn’t really care for my dramas watched some of it. I know y’all don’t know my husband or me, but that’s saying a lot 😂😂 I wish I could watch it again for the first time. It’s that good.

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Don’t miss watching this gem!

From beginning to end, this is a great drama! It’s a dramatically told love story than spans several years of love found, then lost and later rekindled. After watching literally hundreds of dramas over the years, I put this drama in the league with the 10 best I have ever seen. the acting is stellar, the love they have for each other is palpable and you feel it. The male lead is outstanding and sincerely expresses his love and devotion to this girl he loves so deeply. The female lead shows raw emotion in her deeply troubled unfortunate life and her low self esteem and feelings of inadequacy, leading her to feel she doesn’t deserve such heartfelt love. It really is a superb drama, so don’t miss it.

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Disappointing

If others don't dare to speak up then I will. This is very important!!!!

The story is very boring, even the dialogues seem a lot unimportant. It is much more comfortable when reading the novel or manhwa. The atmosphere is much more pronounced, while this drama seems not Obviously. Okay I don't know what Asian fans think, why this drama is so popular. Maybe because they are waiting for a spin off from the previous story. Only if this is a standalone drama I think this could be considered a failure.With actors like Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruo Nan, they are unable to sustain this uninteresting story. Even though they have tried to explore the characters and characteristics of the shop.But the dialogues and script are very bad, I even feel that Wen Yifan here is like a stupid woman who doesn't know how to talk.Please, this makes me restless, a drama that should be good has become like this and no criticism or suggestions are given.The audience is too blind to the trend and high expectations because this is a famous story with Bai Jing ting's very stunning visuals. But honestly this drama is not good.

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