The First Frost

Some boring parts but still worth it.

Yes, you read that right. Some parts actually bored me and I wanted to skip it but I’m glad I stayed for the main couple.

Honestly, I think the story of the grandfather didn’t add to the beauty of this drama and I wish they just cut it. It was okay at first but after a while, I found myself thinking I wouldn’t mind lesser episodes if they just focused on the main couple. Also, even though I like Zhang Miao Yi, I felt like she didn’t have chemistry with Su Haoan so I wasn’t invested in their story. An example of a great second couple would be from When I Fly Towards You and they just couldn’t compare.

Anyway, with that being said, the story for the main couple is amazing. I really like how they handled Wen Yifan’s trauma and I’m so glad the scenes weren’t too graphic and triggering. It’s just my personal preference. I also think Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan are such good actors and they really brought their characters to life.

I loved Victor Ma in Hidden Love and at first I had a hard time disconnecting him from this drama but I’m so so glad they had BJT as Sang Yan for this because he crushed his role. He gained a new fan in me and I will look out for his upcoming dramas. He was also hoooot during the action scenes and when he shouted at Uncle Che when he went to Overtime. That was very specific, I’m sorry. Haha. He is also good at the sad scenes too and he has the saddest puppy eyes I’ve ever seen, you can’t help but feel sorry for him. Actually, he and Zhang Ruonan both.

Also, I can’t help but mention that the proposal scene was soooo good. Like the way BJT and ZR cried during that scene, you can really feel the love, it felt soooo real hahaha.

Excuse my messy thoughts and long review. I just had a lot to say about this. Haha.

Edit: Updated my rating because I believe this drama deserves more. I can’t move on. Haha.

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When I started watching this series, I was convinced it would be good. I wasn’t wrong — it was fucking amazing and addictive. But I also thought it would be very sweet and “calm,” considering the author’s other works. Turns out, not quite. The series tackles heavy topics that are definitely not for everyone, but they’re handled extremely well — there’s really nothing to nitpick here.

Let’s start with the positives, namely the male lead — Sang Yan. I already loved him in Hidden Love, and here my love only grew stronger. A wonderful man and a massive green flag. I wish every good person could meet someone like him in their life. His unconditional love and immense support for the female lead were beautiful to watch — and at the same time heartbreaking. For two reasons. First, the positive one: he was the only person (aside from her dad) who was always there for her and truly showed her genuine love. Second, the negative one: he suffered a lot because of that love — and he absolutely did not deserve it. Honestly, neither of them did. They both truly fell in love back in high school, and their feelings remained strong even after their paths split. Their reunion showed that clearly, as the emotions slowly resurfaced. This wasn’t just about obvious on-screen chemistry (though it was definitely there, and the kisses were H O T), but about a deep, emotional bond. They were the most important people in each other’s lives, and both wanted what was best for the other.

That led to one moment where I was completely torn: Wen Yi Fan’s second escape to Hong Kong. At that point, two wolves were fighting inside me. One wanted to tear her apart for hurting Sang Yan yet again — a man who was nothing but wonderful to her. That wolf wished them both happiness apart, just so they could finally stop suffering. But the other wolf understood her. She had been through hell — the kind that’s hard to talk about and even harder to forget. She never received the support she deserved, and the people closest to her convinced her it was something shameful and that she should stay silent. Then Che Xing De reappeared in her life. She wanted to protect the male lead by disappearing from his life. That wolf knew that their true happiness existed only with each other — and that they truly shined only together.

As for Wen Yi Fan herself — the female lead — she was a tragic character. The actress played her brilliantly, and I felt her pain in every single episode (I cried in almost all of them). For me, it’s unimaginable how much hell the people closest to you can create in your life — and that was exactly her case. The strongest disgust and resentment I felt was toward her mother, Zhao Yuan Dong. Of course, I’m not defending that piece of trash (Che Xing De), who ended up exactly where he belonged — but it was her mother who allowed this to happen. She could have protected her and didn’t. She didn’t believe her own daughter when she said he tried to take advantage of her. She still wanted her to stay near him, claiming he was a good man. SICK. Years later, she acted like nothing had happened and wanted to fix their relationship (mainly because her new partner left her). I’m glad she didn’t get forgiveness from her daughter, and that the female lead cut her out of her life — she absolutely didn’t deserve to stay in it. Honestly, she deserved even harsher consequences. To make things worse, she let that trash live with her younger daughter, as if she wanted to put another child through the same hell.
Coming back to the female lead — I’m glad she met someone like Sang Yan. She deserved happiness. She was a good person, and her parent gave her the kind of fate no child should ever have. I’m happy that, thanks to him, she slowly started reclaiming happiness in her life. Thanks to him and his family — and we already knew from Hidden Love that his family is wonderful.

Still talking about the main couple — the proposal at the very end was beautiful. That kind of ending is pretty cliché, but here it really worked for me — especially with a small complication added. And one tiny BUT: it was sweet and at the same time slightly terrifying that he followed her around Yihe for six years despite having no contact, simply because he promised her back in high school that he would always be by her side :D

As for any love rivals — we only had admirers for the female lead (which is honestly weird, considering Sang Yan’s looks and personality — how was no one interested in him except me and Wen Yi Fan? :D). Still, both of them were decent guys and not overly annoying.

Now, the secondary couple: Su Hao An and Zhong Si Qiao. In their case, I feel a slight sense of dissatisfaction, though it’s hard for me to fully pinpoint why. Their relationship had huge potential, but somewhere along the way it feels like it wasn’t fully used (though, like I said, I can’t clearly define where it went wrong). What irritated me was that at some point I completely lost track of their dynamic. I thought they were together when they weren’t — or they were together, but she wasn’t sure if he loved her? I honestly got confused myself. On the positive side, both of them had wonderful families. Especially his grandparents — watching them together was a joy. They radiated a kind of happiness and love that had survived many, many years.

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Wen Yifan is an inspiring woman, her story emotional

Greatly impressed by this drama what starts as a unfortunate misunderstanding driving a wedge between two lovers develop into a journey of accepting love, getting more confident and learning to express one's feelings instead of always running away.

For me Wen Yifan's journey was so much more important than the romance itself. The unconditional love Sang Yan gave her was important of course but honestly a repeated plot. I regret Sang Yan only personality was loving Wen Yifan : he was fun, his love for Wen Yifan truly moving but his character outside her didn't moved me honestly. He is just a typical ML, 100% devoted to his lover but has not a real purpose outside this.

Anyway I really liked Wen Yifan, at the beginning we found a quiet woman, having trouble to connect with people, with the this tendency of running away instead of confronting her problems. As the story progressed she grow more confident, affirms her feelings specially toward Sang Yan. Also confronting her past with her "uncle" was so brave after everything she went through the first time.

Her family was frustrating specially her "mom", I just feel some people will never truly apologise for their wrongdoing because of their arrogance and selfishness. The only lesson we can draw from this aspect of the story is to learn to move on, some people will never apologise sincerely even if they know they did wrong specially parents. It hurts but if you can't move on, you'll never be able to live freely.

My only issue was with the Hong Kong arc : while it was somehow realistic it was like going backward because Yifan already started to do some progress. This arc was more an hindrance for the plot than anything. Sang Yan discovering more about Wen Yifan doesn't make this arc more enjoyable because he could've discovered that in an other way. It is also upsetting because Sang Yan did everything he could to reassure her so I don't think he deserved that.

That's also why I was not happy to see him not showing more anger about this. I will always side with Wen Yifan no matter what because I understand her way of thinking. But from his perspective he has every right to be angry and show it : not sulking for months but at least show he was hurt by her. He has to play the prince charmant so of course it's not possible, but I would've loved if he showed more personality.

The 2nd couple was very sweet, some may not like their story because they only like the MC's but they were interesting and not exhausting so a breath of air in the middle of some stressful moments.

I really recommend this drama, because it's worth it even if the story can heavy sometimes. The OST were good and the actors all did a great job (Big S/O to Zhang Ruonan, she did so well ♥️).

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Starts slow but is worth it as it gets very good

9/10 is my rating.



Review

(Scroll down for synopsis and spoilers)



This is a very heartwarming romance that will give romantics the warm fuzzies that we look for in romance dramas. I liked it a lot and would highly recommend it for anyone that likes romantic dramas with some roots in some hard realities. My main critique is it started really slow. I am not, in general, a huge fan of just straight up drama.  Up until about episode 10, I was wondering what people liked about it.  But then it started to get REALLY good and I understand why it was very popular. And I also understood, a little, why that long, seemingly slow lead up mattered. But it was a really frustrating later as it kept flashing back and filling in details. There are few instances where I like stories told as flashbacks. I would rather just get the story in the order it occurred.  A technique that gets overused is to tell a skeleton of the crucial events and then use the flashbacks as the reveals. To me, the character finding out those details could be the reveals. Traveling back and forward in time can easily become disorganized chaos. In this story they use a realer like time line and show, as you travel back and forth, where you are at on that timeline during the cut scenes. That helped. But the fact that was necessary is an indicator of how much the story moved back and forth in time.



Synopsis



This is a 2025 Chinese Romantic drama with 32, 45 minute episodes. It was adapted from a novel by Zhu Yi and has the same title.  The main lead character in this played the brother in another Chinese drama "Hidden Love." There are references to the characters from Hidden Love and even a cameo or so. In terms of timeline this takes place partially, in the flash backs, during the same timeframe as the high school scenes in hidden love but after the main part of the story after high school.





Sang Yan (Bai Jingting) and Wen Yifan (Zhang Ruonan) were a high school couple until a series of misunderstandings drove them apart. Wen Yifan broke up with Sang Yan and they were both heart broken. Eight years later they are living very different lives. Sang Yan wealthy and lives in a nice apartment and is part owner of a popular bar and also a video game programmer. Wen Yifan is trying to break into the news reporting industry. She works for a smaller news program and is trying to get a big story to get more recognition and so she is promoted. Because of her limited economic means, she lives in a very impoverished area. Because she has very little resources and is alone in the world she lives in an apartment with multiple virtual strangers to keep living costs down. Due to her beauty she suffers many unwanted advances and has even been assaulted by unwanted admirers. Wen Yifan has avoided Sang Yan for over eight years but starts to bump into him more frequently and then finds herself in a co-habited rental where she knew she was getting a new roommate but did not realize it was the man she was trying so hard to avoid.



Spoilers



Her mother is among the worst I have seen. Call me vindictive but I was glad she told her just pretend like I was a victim of that serial killer you refused to save me from. Because, really, if she hadn't been a tough victim, that is what would have happened.  It was heart breaking when she called her mother begging her to get her out of the situation and saying she didn't feel safe and her mother basically saying suck it up. If you are that cold to someone, anyone, let alone your own child, you deserve to spend the rest of your life thinking of what you could have done better. She tried with her. FL did. She went to her house when the mom reached out but then her horrible aunt was there.  Her last string of trust was betrayed.  The fact that she did not forgive her made me like the show more.

I am also glad FL did not fall for her half-sister's ruse that she wanted to be close to her. I thought it was all about being able to get in with the ML through her. I loved that about the FL. I give you every chance to be a good human but if you don't take any of them then that bridged you burned is not repairable.  You reap what you sow.

If ever you wanted a ML who would walk through literal fire for the FL this was it. He loved her with a conviction and unwavering determination. Some might say he was "stalking" her.  I would agree if he ever approached her and she indicated she did not want him around.  There can be a fine line between the two. But he was clearing watching out for her. Checking in on her. 

I am not usually a fan of people leaving but, in her case, I totally understood. The treatment she dealt with was both physical and psychological torture. She genuinely thought people she cared about would do better without her. There was no malice in her actions.



#FirstFrost

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opportunity IS FOR YOU !!!!

irst Frost is a masterclass in the "slow-burn" romance genre, offering a poignant and mature exploration of how first loves can evolve and heal over time. As a sister production to the hit Hidden Love, the drama shifts its focus to the more grounded, bittersweet story of Wen Yifan (Zhang Ruonan) and Sang Yan (Bai Jingting). The series excels by leaning into the tension of their reunion in Nanjiang, where years of unspoken regrets and past traumas initially create a cold barrier between them. Bai Jingting perfectly captures Sang Yan’s signature "tsundere" arrogance hiding a heart that never actually moved on while Zhang Ruonan delivers a nuanced performance as a woman navigating her own vulnerabilities. With its high-quality cinematography and a soundtrack that perfectly mirrors the wintery, melancholic atmosphere, First Frost is a deeply satisfying watch for anyone who believes in second chances and the quiet strength of enduring affection.Honestly, First Frost hits different because it feels like a weighted blanket on a cold night. While Hidden Love was all about that sweet, dizzying first crush, this show is about the quiet ache of a love that never really went away. Sang Yan isn't the "annoying brother" here; he’s a man who has been holding a grudge for years just to hide how much he’s still hurting. The way he looks at Wen Yifan when she’s not looking? It’s devastating. And Wen Yifan is such a relatable lead she’s not a damsel, she’s just someone trying to keep her head above water while dealing with a past that keeps dragging her back. It’s slow, yeah, but every look and every "accidental" run-in feels earned. It’s the kind of show that makes you want to wrap yourself in a scarf and go for a long walk in the rain.

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The First Frost: A Healing Drama That Made Sang Yan My Standard

It's been quite a long time since I last watched Chinese dramas. I've mostly been watching K-dramas, but lately many of them have started to feel repetitive, so I decided to switch to Chinese dramas for a change. Also, there haven't been many new dramas from the actors I usually like.

I ended up watching The First Frost because I was drawn to the visuals of the lead actor and actress on the poster. Before this, I didn't know either Bai Jingting or Zhang Ruonan, so I watched it with no bias or expectations at all. Since this was the first drama I'd seen featuring them, I could judge it purely on its own merits.

Their acting was truly amazing.I was so captivated by Bai Jingting's detailed and nuanced acting that I can't even imagine anyone else playing Sang Yan. His performance was incredibly convincing and brought the character to life in such a natural way.

The way he portrayed Sang Yan was so good that Sang Yan has become my ideal standard. I genuinely feel that the acting was exceptional, and he delivered one of the best performances I've seen.

I also think the story is an excellent healing drama. It delivers comfort and emotional healing in a very meaningful way.

I believe that if someone had a person who loved them the way Sang Yan loves Wen Yifan, they could eventually overcome all the difficulties and trauma they had experienced in life, just as Wen Yifan did. The drama made me feel that genuine love, support, and understanding can help a person heal and move forward from even their deepest emotional wounds.

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This review may contain minor spoilers.

This show is easily an 11/10 for me. I finished all 32 episodes in about a week, and it turned into one of those “just one more episode” situations that you don’t really realize you’re stuck in until it’s over. Now that I’ve finished it, I genuinely feel kind of empty in a way I didn’t expect. Everything about it just worked for me. The pacing, how the story is structured, and how scenes connect all feel really smooth and intentional. Visually, it’s also really strong the lighting and overall aesthetic are consistently soft and atmospheric without feeling overdone.

The music deserves a mention too because it really elevated a lot of scenes for me. The OST fits perfectly with the tone of the show and makes emotional moments hit even harder. For me, the music is also a 10/10 it genuinely stayed with me even after episodes ended.

Character-wise, Sang Yan is the standout. He’s easily my favorite part of the show and honestly an 11/10 character on his own. The way he’s written and portrayed just feels very natural, especially in how his emotions come through in small expressions and subtle moments. The romance worked really well for me too. It’s a slow build, but in a way that feels realistic rather than dragged out. Nothing felt rushed, and when emotional moments happened, they actually landed because the foundation was properly built. The main leads also have really strong chemistry, even in quieter scenes.

Not every side storyline fully held my attention (the grandparents’ love story wasn’t really for me), but it didn’t take away from the main focus or enjoyment of the show.

There were also small details and connections throughout that made it feel more layered without being overwhelming, which I appreciated. Now that it’s over, it’s definitely going into my comfort list. I’ll probably rewatch it at some point because I already know it’s one of those shows I’ll miss.

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This drama has become my favorite Chinese drama of 2025 (even though today is the last day of the year). I highly recommend it.

I’m in love with this story. It was perfect. The story, the characters, the music — everything. Ever since the broadcast was announced, I couldn’t wait for it to air. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to finish it earlier, and avoiding spoilers until now was a real challenge. But hey — what better way to end the year than with a high‑quality, heartwarming series.

For fans of Hidden Love: don’t skip The First Frost. Or the other way around — depending on which one you watch first. For me, there’s no comparison between them; each drama has its own charm, and both are worth watching. While Hidden Love is lighter, funnier, and sweeter, The First Frost is darker, deeper, and more emotional.

One of the things I loved most was the atmosphere — the soft lighting, the muted colors, the quiet moments that say more than words. Even the smallest details in the cinematography felt intentional, adding depth to every scene. The transitions between the past and present were incredibly smooth, with each timeline blending naturally into the next, making the story feel cohesive and alive.

This drama pulled every emotion out of me. I laughed at the sweet, awkward moments between Wen Yifan and Sang Yan. I cried during the heartbreaking scenes, especially when they revealed the past, and most of all during the final proposal — complete emotional meltdown, one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever seen. I was angry at Wen Yifan’s family, especially her mother. Some people simply don’t deserve to have children. This drama is proof that family isn’t always defined by blood. And I’m more than happy that Wen Yifan managed to break free from all her chains, while Sang Yan was her support the entire time — even when he was in the shadows and she had no idea. This is a story about pain, about the shackles that can hold you for years, and about the person who can become your light and your anchor.

I have a question: where can I get myself a Sang Yan. Seriously — this man is unreal. Everyone needs a Sang Yan in their life. Why do they create men like this in dramas/books — it makes all real men look fake. Bai Jingting portrayed his character phenomenally — attentive, patient, and emotionally intelligent.

Zhang Ruonan as Wen Yifan was exceptional. She managed to portray the pain, loneliness, and strength needed to endure everything her character goes through — alive, fragile, and brave all at once.

The dynamic between Wen Yifan and Sang Yan is sweet, awkward, painful, warm — everything a good romantic drama should be. Their relationship grows in a way that feels natural and earned, full of small moments that slowly build into something powerful.

The second lead couple was also surprisingly well‑developed. None of their scenes felt unnecessary; they had their own charm, chemistry, and emotional depth. They added warmth, humor, and grounding moments that enriched the story and made the world of the drama feel more complete.

The OST fits perfectly with the tone of the drama, enhancing the emotional weight of the scenes. Some tracks linger long after the episode ends, pulling you right back into the story.

This is a beautiful, well‑crafted story about life’s hardships and the light that gives you hope for a better future. The First Frost is a beautiful, well‑told, and emotionally rich drama that stays with you long after the finale. I hope 2026 brings more masterpieces like this one.

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I’m finally out of my drama slump !!!

WOW.
it was magic i literally couldn’t stop watching it.

what i loved the most :

- wen yifan : this character is so powerful without knowing it, she’s so strong, she went through so many things and at the end she finally lets it go and face it with her real family

-sang yan : i really appreciate how he yearns his high school lover and he never got over her en en if she « rejected » him.

- the story : around episode 20 I tought it was going to be just the two protagonists but the PLOT TWIST OMG, each episode made you wanna keep watching

-THE ACTING : I found it so deep and amazing, we really felt everything the characters felt. The actors really did an amazing job really.

I was in a drama slump and i found it ( or he found me ???) and i don’t regret it.
+1 to my comfort dramas list

The second story between Qiao and Su Haoan was really good !

anyway if you want to cry, laugh, enjoy a drama : run watch the first frost!!!!!!!

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Fluorescent Green Flag

I’ve never written a review before, so this will be a learning process for me. It’s also a testament to how much I love the series, as I’ve thought about writing reviews for other shows, but never have.

Disclaimer: I started the First Frost purely for BJT, and had little expectations for this drama. It is one of the last dramas with him that I’ve seen, and I held off on watching this series because the synopsis made me avoid it for the longest time due to the misunderstandings between the ML/FL. I thought it would have a really frustrating, angsty beginning phase, but from the start it was surprisingly calm and mellow. It was really a very healing story. I suppose a parallel drama would be The Best Thing with Zhang Linghe, in that they both are love stories with a healing, comforting vibe and over-the-top, fluorescent-green flag MLs. And BJT is the ultimate green flag. No other drama has a guy ever been that devoted to someone else ever. He sleepwalk-proofed the house, was extraordinarily patient in everything Wen Yifan did, was the most understanding and undemanding friend/boyfriend ever, totally forgave her for leaving him twice, and was a bit of a stalker in the best way possible (he must have spent a fortune on plane tickets).

While I really love this series, I will voice a few critiques scattered throughout this review. I really liked the FL (Zhang Ruonan/Wen Yifan), but I was frustrated by some of her life choices. I understood the logic behind them, but thought she could have made the same choices differently without hurting Sang Yan as much. For example, she could have just told him the truth and explained why she was going to Yihe instead of Nanwu for school, and asked if he wanted to follow her. Or she could have broken up with him in a less traumatic way. The redeeming thing is that later her character realized this, too.

Story: I knew going into the series that the FL would leave for HK, so I happily wasn’t surprised. As with other reviews I’ve read, I found it bizarre that she decided to go to HK after saying she would go to the police right before making that choice. Her determination in her statements, followed by just leaving without a word, was perplexing. Even knowing it was going to happen, I was bewildered, thinking “what just happened!? She just said she’d go to the cops if they messed with her and her friends…” And why do people go to HK when they want to vanish? They did the exact same thing in Our Generation too…I wonder if there’s something about HK in cdrama’s that says “let’s go here to disappear” 😊

I loved the flashbacks and the “the story is not over yet” parts. They wonderfully fleshed out the story in the best way, like extra snippets and visual postscripts. I also liked how the show didn’t dwell on the flashback where Wen Yifan explicitly told Sang Yan he was a backup. They showed other scenes of their initial separation many times throughout the series but didn’t replay that particular scene more than once or twice. And they also showed it at the very beginning of the series, which was refreshing.

The cinematography is beautiful. It’s a bit abstract in its lighting, and I liked how, in the emotional parts of the show that prelude something ominous, the camera is often handheld, conveying a sense of shakiness.

Acting: I can see why some people would say the FL’s acting was a bit wooden, though I felt the FL/ML had a charming dynamic in their interactions and dialogue. BJT’s acting was extraordinary, and ZRN was almost as good. The more I watch of her, the more I like her. She has this shy/confidence that is hard to describe until you see it. The second leads were okay. That is why I gave the show a 9.5/10 for acting. The second couple was sweet, but I think they could have had a better getting-together story than troubleshooting the grandparents' relationship. I have no idea why the grandparents got so much airtime. Rewatching it now, I always skip past them.

BJT's demeanor is super awesome too 😊 He may be a fluorescent green flag, but one with a lot of confidence and attitude. And ZRN complements him well with a more subtle demeanor.

Music: Awesome. The more I listen to the soundtrack, the more I like it. I have a few of the songs on my playlists now 😊

Rewatch value: I definitely think this show is worth rewatching multiple times. For me, when I finish shows I really like, I slowly move on by rewatching them, and I am still doing that with this drama.

This drama really hit me in the most wonderful way. I recommend that anyone who is on the fence about watching this show give it a try 😊

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