The First Frost

“I've finally caught the shadow that haunted you. From now on your world will only have light.” And now we understand the dream at the beginning. The subtext, children. The subtext ! Subtlety and finesse are... two words from the dictionary.

God, it's beautiful. It's constantly changing, as if someone couldn't accept that we might get bored for even five seconds. All the night scenes are colorful and bright. The light in this series ! The episodes fly by without you even noticing. The same goes for the music ; you don't even notice it. It's mean to say this, yes, but it never stops, so it loses its effect. The moments when the music stops suddenly become unsettling. However, the song whispered in silky vocals stands out.

It's so unfair to see Yifan facing so many trials alone, all those disgusting guys (ordinary ones, let's be clear). We hear about other cases of abusers around her, she has to work on this subject as a journalist, but she's never given the opportunity to talk about what she herself has been through.
We are shown how the family unit takes precedence over the suffering of the victims, which is realistic. A mother who does not come to her daughter's aid, who does not listen to her cries for help or her later requests to be left alone as an adult... Forced to cut off all means of contacting her to pretend she didn't survive the assault, since that's all her mother understands : the right victim is the one who dies. It's a very good choice not to offer redemption to the mother. But on the other hand it's a shame, though, that the series leads a little too easily to the conclusion that, fortunately, there are good guys out there to protect women. (Will we ever get over this ?)

Anyway.

Then I was shocked. What kind of teachers get involved in their students' romantic relationships ? And the family taking over ? Excuse me ? It's even more outrageous when you know the whole story.
And everyone drives a Porsche, apparently. The famous Chinese brand, so inexpensive. Quite normal for Sang Yan, who works at a video game company during the day and owns a posh bar at night. What a hard worker.
I was also surprised by the slapstick humor. Pleasantly so. I didn't expect to see that in this kind of story.

What a beautiful love story, though. I'm talking, of course, about Yifan and her adorable little cat. That brave little creature is so well-behaved, bravo to her, she's the best. The real star of this series.

Meanwhile, it's beautiful how Sang Yan sends messages indirectly and tries to understand Yifan, giving her the choice to respond or avoid the subject ; he is there for her. Without saying a word, he puts protective covers on the furniture to protect her while she sleepwalks. On the other hand, when they're young, this obsession is a bit awkward, but luckily he keeps his distance and is ready to support her.
This young adult couple tortures each other, and circles around each other, repeating over and over how impossible it is to live together, while living together. You're already a couple. Damn it !
Besides that, they are incredibly mature and give good advice about other people's relationships. It's a real running gag.
This attention and listening between the characters is one of the strengths of the show.

However, their friends and the little grandpa, even their coworkers, everyone is so kind and attentive, ready to help, and yet... Yifan suffers alone. She will want to disappear. Leaving her friends devastated, wondering if it's their fault. Far be it from me to accuse her ; this is normal behavior when you experience trauma. I'm certainly not one to judge her. There comes a time when survival becomes unbearable.

The last part of this series is designed to break us into little pieces. And then try to put it all back together again... by refusing to give us the glue for that.
In episode 21, the circular shot in the apartment with their lives playing out over several days in one go, the music rising in intensity... it's as if they want to make us cry. They've succeeded. But I'm not congratulating you, cruel writers.

“Yifan. You deserve the best. Stop saying sorry.”
“There is nothing shameful or humiliating about this. You did nothing wrong. You did the right thing. You protected yourself. You were brave. You should be standing tall, fearless, in the sunlight. That villain is the one who belongs in the gutter.”
“I usually cried all night. But as the pain got worse, I grew quieter, little by little. Until one day, I couldn't even cry anymore.”
I'm so sorry for what happened to you.

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SANG YAN AND YIFAN IS TOO GOOD TO BE MISSED

One thing i can say this drama truly masterpiece. really like the story between sang yan and yifan and how yifan is soo lucky to has sang yan with her. She maybe feel she not worthy to get love but she deserve it. i crying along with yifan and ruonan so gorgeous especially when she crying. Never though she can act very well and yifan is just for her. She lived up yifan very well.

BJT as Sang yan is truly amazing and how he pull off the role very well. BJT should act for more modern drama, he suited this kingd of drama.

OST for this drama soo good. I usually did not really enjoying chinese drama OST but this one not. It soo nice to hear.

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The Drama I Almost Gave Up On Became One of My Favourites

When The First Frost first came out, I tried watching the first episode but ended up dropping it. A few months later, I decided to pick it up again, and I honestly can't believe I almost missed out on this beautiful drama.
The First Frost is one of the most emotionally intense dramas I've watched. It’s full of angst, longing, heartbreak, and healing, but every painful moment feels worth it. It’s the kind of slow-burn romance that quietly pulls you in until you realise you’re completely invested.
Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruo Nan were incredible. Their chemistry, the atmosphere, and the soundtrack created such a beautiful and melancholic feeling. I especially loved seeing Wen Yifan’s journey of healing and Sang Yan’s unwavering support. He is such a rare type of male lead — patient, emotionally mature, and deeply caring.
What made this drama special was seeing both perspectives. You understand their fears, their misunderstandings, and why their love takes time to grow. Their story is heartbreaking, but also incredibly warm and comforting.
I'm so glad I gave The First Frost a second chance because it became a drama that stayed with me.

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The first frost- we shape each other into our best version✨?

Moonly💕✨
After discovering fantasy dramas, I didn’t come back to modern dramas for a long time. This one however, brought me back to modern dramas again. It all started with two tiktok edits I saw about “The first frost”. I hesitated at first, but, after giving it a try, I realized that it is really different compared to other modern dramas I have seen.
The story starts with two high schoolers, Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan. They study in the same class and become close friends with a hint of mutual love. They promise to enter the same University but a broken promise separates them. It was until they met again after 8 years when they saw each other again. Their second meeting was a second chance for them continue their unfinished love story…

This drama is all I could ask from a romance drama. Their journey together is simply amazing. Healthiest relationship I have ever seen.

Once they became roommates, all the fun started. Wen Yifan’s sleepwalking definitely helped them a lot! I shouldn’t forget about the guy whom Sang Yan borrowed a basketball from to impress her, literally the main reason they grew closer.
Although the plot focuses mainly on romance, there is a side plot about trauma and how it affects your life.
Wen Yifan was abandoned by her mother, left to her uncle and aunts care. Unfortunately, she was seen as an outsider and they have always been harsh to her. Losing her father and grandmother left her all alone. She was also SA’d by his own uncle as well as men who shared a flat with her. She couldn’t seek any help and felt insecure because all the people who should be close to her left her out and made her feel unworthy. This shaped Wen Yi Fan into a person who is distance from everyone, even her friends who support her wholeheartedly. She felt unworthy to be with Sang Yan but he put so much effort into relationship and made her smile once again. Sang Yan was explained as her sun and it couldn’t be more true. He supported her through hardships and became a man whom she is comfortable with. He gave his all to understand about her sleepwalking and didn’t want her to keep things for herself because it would hurt her more and more. He is a type of character that makes you say “He is unfortunately fictional”. It’s truly difficult to explain how good of a partner he is. He is considerate and caring. My all-time favorite scenes of him are of course his fighting scenes with the people who tried to take advantage of her. Sang Yan changed Wen Yifan so much. She was happy and radiant. Her wings were broken but he repaired them ❤️ There were moments of Sang Yan being so considerate and it gets better every time. Such moments always leave me in awe.
Wen Yifan also changed Sang Yan to his best version. He was unmotivated and didn’t want to study at all – a type of boy who only goes to school because of the person he likes. She gave him hope and he became the man he was today. Just like that a chemistry that is powerful formed between them.

The romantic scenes never disappointed. The hesitation and yearning for each other were done right. Sang Yan flirted first but let her continue and waited till she was comfortable enough to respect her boundaries. He was the only exception ❤️✨

Besides from the plot and characters I want to mention about acting and visuals. Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan’s acting is impressive because they were so much in their character. Another thing I want to mention is the intro and outro songs. Intro spoke Sang Yan’s thoughts while outro had Wenyifan’s words to him. I enjoyed how story slowly unraveled with a bit of their past life and their current life. I love how each episode had its title as well as Sang Yan or Wen Yifan’s pov to give us further explanation.

Sentences that simply melt my heart:
- I want to live 6 years longer than you.
- Why?
- That way I can love you for 6 more years. To make up for all the days that I left you behind

- Also, I don’t feel comfortable living with male flat mates.
- What about Sang Yan?
- He…He is an exception

- I know; I have a face that makes people want to commit crimes. But, we are both adults. Can’t you have a little self-restraint?
- I can’t

I enjoyed this drama so much and it is a 10 out 10 with no doubt!!

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Captivating!

I enjoyed every single minute of The First Frost! The love story was absolutely breathtaking—almost unreal, just like something out of a dream. The chemistry between the leads was incredible, making every moment feel magical. Every stolen glance, every heartfelt confession, and every bittersweet moment was so beautifully portrayed that it felt like I was experiencing their emotions firsthand.

The cinematography was stunning, perfectly capturing the quiet beauty of winter and the warmth of their love. The soundtrack complemented the emotions so well, making every scene even more poignant. It’s the kind of drama that lingers in your heart long after the final episode. A truly captivating and unforgettable watch! Highly recommend it!

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I can hardly contain my excitement about it.

I can hardly contain my excitement about "The First Frost"! This drama is an absolute masterpiece! The characters are so well-crafted, the story is riveting, and the mix of struggles and shared joy creates an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you breathless! I didn’t expect to become so incredibly attached to a TV show, but here we are! Every moment I spent watching was worthwhile. It never felt like a show; it made me feel part of this captivating world.

I awaited each new episode with bated breath, and every single one exceeded my wildest expectations! The pacing was impeccable—I never once felt a dull moment. And let’s talk about the love story between Sang Yan and Wen Yifan! It’s undeniably the most enchanting romance I’ve ever witnessed. Sang Yan, with his unwavering support for Wen Yifan, even when she was oblivious to it, is nothing short of extraordinary. His determination to stand by her, despite her reluctance to be close, is genuinely inspiring. He became the rainbow in her gray life, and he deserves all the happiness fate has to offer—and he got it!

Then there’s Wen Yifan, a girl who has faced heartbreak and loneliness, especially after her father’s passing. She truly needed someone like Sang Yan in her life. Sang Yan beautifully transforms all her past pain, neglect, and struggles into a future filled with love, comfort, and support. Her darker past has paved the way for a luminous future, and she deserves to experience boundless happiness! These two are the perfect match, destined for a colorful life together.

I’m still reeling from how deeply I connected with their journey! With its stellar acting and stunning music selection, this drama has won my heart in every possible way! I can’t get enough of it!

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I adore hidden love and this one is great but the inconsistencies in the characters are a turn off.

First off I have no problem with Bai Jing. he’s amazing. He is a total green flag, the best lover and every girls dream but man I wish he had atleast some similarities to the Sang Yan we knew and loved in HL too. I’m missing the sibling bickering, the family coziness they had, and most of all I’m missing his friendship with juaxu! This Sang Yan is only about his obsession with yifan. It seems like he has no life, no other attachment in life except her. Even when they’re apart. I get it it’s his POV and about his love life but come on , they turned a fun and loving guy into an only obsessive lovey guy who only cares about one girl and not even his own family. I found it hard to finish the last few episodes, it felt boring, too repetitive, and it just lacked charm. I could watch HL twenty times over and still love each scene. This I can’t. Also I respect Yifans story and her trauma. I’m all for a good story but yifans character was boring. She’s pretty only, she’s half dead in half the drama and schoolgirl shy in the rest. Sang Yan deserved more come on, he suffered more alone.
Also I don’t get why they fell in love. Because she was pretty? okay I get that but she had no character , no charm , no personality! Such obsessive love deserves atleast more depth of personality. even drunk she’s boring. Gosh I feel like such a hater but I wish wish this was as good as hidden love was. true hidden love was a simpler story but the EMOTIONS man.. it was a roller coaster. this was a slow train and I didn’t feel euphoric at the end.
Everything that connected HL to TFF is inconsistent. Firget actors, I don’t mind them having new actors but atleast keep their personalities, their timelines , their roles the same. Okay even if I don’t compare the two even then TFF is okay but not the best. still I’m rating it 9 stars because I love this world too much and I loved Sang Yan a lot. Just wish he had Victor Ma’s humor and spunk too. peace out .

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A Slow Burn That Pays Off

When this drama first came out, I discovered Hidden Love and decided to watch them in order of release since they’re set in the same universe. I absolutely adored Hidden Love, which made me really excited to watch The First Frost. No one warned me, though, that it would be such a different kind of drama.

Before starting The First Frost, it’s important to understand how much perspective shapes the story. In Hidden Love, we see Sang Yan through Sang Zhi’s eyes—her annoying, "ugly" older brother who’s always teasing her. The tone is playful and lighthearted because it reflects her youthful point of view. In contrast, The First Frost is told from Wen Yifan’s perspective, which gives us a completely different view of Sang Yan. From her side, he comes across as more distant, quiet, and emotionally guarded. But as the story unfolds, we begin to see his soft side and the quiet ways he cares for her. It’s not that Sang Yan has changed; it’s that we’re finally seeing the parts of him that were hidden in Hidden Love.

I went into The First Frost expecting the same cute, heartwarming vibe as Hidden Love and When I Fly Towards You, especially since all three dramas are based on novels by the same author. But this one carried a lot more emotional depth and complexity.

At first, I honestly wasn’t enjoying it and even thought about dropping it around episode 6. But I’m really glad I didn’t. While the pacing felt slow and the story dragged at times, everything eventually came full circle. In the end, it was unexpectedly satisfying and meaningful, even if not everything made perfect sense.

One of the most rewarding parts of the drama is watching the characters grow. Both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan face personal struggles and insecurities, but over time, they learn to open up and trust each other. Their growth feels genuine, showing how love and understanding can help heal past wounds. Even the side characters have their own arcs, which adds layers to the story and makes the world feel more real.

(Be warned—this drama may make you cry.)

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