This review may contain spoilers
A good love story. That’s it.
The first credit I would like to give to this story, is that it relatively feels real. Usually dramas are too fictional to relate to (ceo/yn, rich/poor), obviously this had a few aspects like that, but they didn’t take over the plot. The story is real, that’s what it was that attracted me to it. I actually felt the character growth in a way (a bit lacking) but still the ml especially deserved an honorable mention. By the end, the ml didn’t blame her, or anybody else, he knew that he saw some signs and he ignored them, and that he shouldn’t have done that. For the fl, the steps she had taken, are inspiring. Having gone through such traumatic events, she managed to slowly find herself and even got to her own conclusion by herself, that running away won’t get her anywhere. HOWEVER, one thing that bothered me till the end, is their relationship with their best friends. I know that this is a romance story, I know that the result is supposed to be « Now they can be together happily ever after forever », but at the end it felt like the fl genuinely did not care about anybody but the ml, she created a dependency which in real life would be too frightening. And even putting that aside, they were both bad friends, not once did they value their best friends enough to prioritize them. The ml outright skimmed through the dog passing away part and the fl never cared about her best friend’s feelings when she disappeared or even just when it’s obvious that she’s upset. Keeping in mind that their best friends both respectively prioritized them at so many other occasions.So overall, if we’re just focusing on the romance, it was a nice story, but the best friends aspect was genuinely disappointing.
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Extraordinarily good
I can hardly stomach long and slow dramas, I tend to get bored like that *snap fingers* and I can't stand slow scenes where actors stare at each other for 15 mins unnecessarily... BUT!! I was willing to throw everything aside to continue watching this series despite being -according to my preference- a very slow and long drama.Story is exceptional, but can be told in like 20 episodes and we all would be extremely satisfied, and everything would be shown and explained perfectly.
Acting was amazing, I loved the chemistry between the leads, I don't remember much of Hidden love so I don't know if they did the whole parallel stories without mistakes or plot holes because they both are interconnected and I'm a details freak but I'm glad I don't remember tbh because now I can enjoy it without thinking much.
Romance is spectacular, I want someone like Sang Yan, I believe every girl deserves love like Sang Yan's, and I don't mean the obsessive, clingy, over-8-years, can't-seem-to-be-moving-on, slightly-stalking type of love, just simply the devoted, unchanging and caring type.
Comedy is something I missed, because it's non existent here, in HL it was a excessive in a good way and ironically it was because of Sang Yan, I couldn't relate to the same character he was completely different here even his interaction with his sister felt like they are two different people in each series, but if you treat them as such, you won't be bothered by the lack of comedic relief.
Overall, pretty long, but at the same time entertaining and captivating, you won't feel bored watching it and the romance is spectacular.
Highly recommended ~~
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good
The acting of these actors is very harmonious and I enjoyed watching this drama because the storyline is unique from others. I'm too lazy to write a long story because this story is really goodThe acting of these actors is very harmonious and I enjoyed watching this drama because the storyline is unique from others. I'm too lazy to write a long story because this story is really good
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Every dude’s out here scheming, and she’s the only saint in a world of snakes
A Gorgeous Mess Where Innocence Is A Superpower and Every Man’s a Villain✨ THE GOOD:
Visuals that slap — Cinematography so stunning you might forget you’re stuck in this drama mess.
Lead actress nails it — Playing innocent like it’s an Olympic sport.
Atmosphere on point — Cold, bleak, and perfectly matching the mood of endless betrayal.
🤦♂️ THE “SERIOUSLY, EVERY MAN?” MOMENTS:
Plot = male conspiracy factory — Every guy’s trying to ruin her life like it’s a hobby.
Innocent goddess syndrome — She’s flawless, pure, and somehow the only one not shady in the entire cast.
Story takes a backseat — It’s all about her suffering and their villainy; where’s the nuance?
❄️ THE “CAN’T LOOK AWAY” FACTOR:
It’s exhausting but addictive—like watching a slow-motion car crash with pretty costumes.
The drama is so extra, you’ll laugh, cry, and rage all at once.
🎯 VERDICT:
"Like a winter fairytale where the ice queen is the only decent person, and everyone else lost the plot."
Watch if: You enjoy epic melodrama, innocent heroines, and men behaving badly.
Skip if: You want balanced characters or a plot that doesn’t revolve around endless betrayal.
Best paired with: 🍷 Something strong to sip while you shout at the screen.
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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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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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This review may contain spoilers
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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This review may contain spoilers
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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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.Was this review helpful to you?
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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Healing and unconditional second chance romance
To me, this drama is like a warm hug. An endless warmth after a blistering snow storm.Wei Yifan is so sad and lonely with a painful past, but Sang Yan is just so incredibly caring. He carries a quiet intensity that no matter what life throws at them, he will be the one to keep them afloat. It's funny how it seems like it's the cold ML x naive FL cliche. The dual POVs reveal that their misunderstandings are due to fear to hurt the other when there actually is such a depth of love.
Yifan's trauma is intense and almost triggering. It's understandable why she is the way she is, her strength is quiet but unyielding. Sang Yan is the most chalant nonchalant man I ever witness. He is such a loser in-love that it hurts my eyes.
A second-chance romance that actually is a first love story, Sang Yan had never let go.
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