The First Frost

Will your first love stay in your heart forever?

I know maybe it's too early to write a review here, but I've already fallen in love with this drama.
I'll be writing about what I think and what my heart feels while watching this drama.

At first, I started watching it just out of curiosity because I had nothing else to watch. I haven’t seen the parent story or read the novel, so I had no expectations at all. But it turns out, from the very first episode, I completely fell in love with this drama. 😻

As a regular viewer, I can truly feel the pain in Yifan’s gaze—how she faces life and carries her burdens alone. Meanwhile, for Sang Yan, his lingering love is so obvious, yet his sadness is also deeply conveyed.

My heart feels so heavy watching this. Their first meeting after years apart felt awkward yet natural. I also realized that this drama has a very realistic depiction of everyday life. For example, Yifan’s best friend’s family lives in a large household in a public housing complex, which is different from most dramas where characters often live in modern apartments.

The transitions between scenes are incredibly smooth. As someone who appreciates visuals, I really enjoy how the cinematography is presented in this drama—the color tones are perfect and easy on the eyes. And let’s not forget the OSTs—they're absolutely amazing! I immediately searched for the songs to add to my playlist.

I’m adding this drama to my list of favorites, and I’ll definitely rewatch it in the future.

I’ll update the story rating if it goes well until this drama finish. ✨

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you know a show is SO good when you write a review about how good it is before finishing it!

Sang Yan the man you are!! oh boy i still didn't finish it but this gives me k-drama vibes. I've never watched something like this in a c-drama so it feels different. So in love with this, really!! i was hesitiant at first because i don't like Life/meldodramas. this is really really deep, it touched me deeply, sang yan i've never seen someone so loyal in their love and devotion, he really IS the standard. I had to pause, smile and giggle all on my own and then continue watching. Never skipped a scene! which is very rare of me to do. got hooked up from ep 1 and throughout the story.
10/10 for me and i don't need to finish it determine that its a 10/10.

P.S: this is my first review ever!! this is how much i loved this show, felt the need to write a review.

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Yearning, check! Rage-inducing, check! A man devoted, check!

This was slow-burn and emotional and even rage-inducing at times. I thought it started strong and ended strong. It got a little rocky for me in the middle there, not gonna lie, only because I felt like we're going in circles at times, I tend to feel that way in cdramas because of the amount of the episodes honestly. Still, the payoff was good. The characters are loveable and definitely ones I ended up rooting for. Both Sang Yan and Wen Yifan had quiet strength and intensity in them which I liked.

Utimately, I like that Sang Yan and Yifan brought out the best in each other. When they're together, both of their personalities shine which was also what I was missing during the middle parts of the drama. I just wanted that oomph from both of them, you know?! Anyway, Sang Yan's love was truly admirable. He was so patient and selfless and it was unconditional. I think he was emotionally intelligent and for the most part, he understand Yifan and him are on different journeys that's why he just checked in on her quietly through the years. I guess there's some negative reaction about their dynamics but I don't know, I'll buy this one, seeing the whole picture and all. I am proud of Yifan's growth in here overall. It was slow and there was a push and pull there but in the end, she took back her life.

The last scene between Yifan and her mom was probably my favorite because it was just so rewarding. I'd be mad if we didn't get that scene. Her monologue was everything and again, I'm so proud of her for putting her mom in her place. Yes, of course, that abusive man and his sister was rage-inducing but Yifan's mom? [screams]. Her daughter was literally begging and telling her that her life was in danger! And when something did happen (girl literally jumped off the window to get away from that man!), she still didn't believe her. And for what?! Just because Yifan, her teenage grieving daughter didn't get along with her step-daughter who is also a teenager?! I'm glad Yifan brought out this fact too, that she can afford to take her in, she just chose not to.

I also adored the second leads here. They're just so cute and interesting and their storyline has also kept me engaged. So nice to see Zhang Miao Yi in an adult role. I've only seen her play the sunshine-y high school girl so. (But then again, if someone was going to get a pass for playing a high school girl multiple times, it's probably her lol).

Great proposal scene too by the way! It was so personal and intimate which I loved. (well, their two best friends are also there lol but they're all happy about it so it's just really a sweet, happy, emotional moment)

Overall, I thought this was well done. Visually beautiful too! Both Zhang Ruo Nan and Bai Jing Ting portrayed the roles of two young people in love, including the awkwardness of it all, really well. Then in adulthood, oh the yearning was delivered! We love yearning here lol. I thought they're also really good with the emotional scenes. So yeah, this was a great watch.

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A storytelling masterpiece about romantic and self love wrapped in a bow of excellent production

It’s been a few days since I finished the show and while I can’t remember every single detail, there are certain plot choices I want to highlight because of how good they were:

- **Flashback set up:** I normally don’t love jumping between timelines, but the way this show does it is phenomenal. It not only builds up their romance, but also helps unravel who they are as individuals and who they have grown into.
- Usually when we flashback, the actors are so obviously adults it’s disturbing but Bai Jing Ting & Zhang Ruo Nan have faces that really allowed them to seamlessly play high school and adult characters. So the casting for these two was 10/10.
- **The “set up” for assault:** I hate sad stories only because the real world is full of them. 1 in 4 women experience sexual assault including attempted sa. ~ 78% of rape cases involve someone the victim knows so to have this story really set the stage for this creepy uncle with concerning easy access to a young vulnerable girl was important to me in terms of properly representing that it’s not just strangers that hurt women.
- **When she talks to her past self (Ep. 29):** This scene almost broke me. It was such a great visual representation of healing and moving on from the scars that can haunt you.
- **Her mother’s apology (Ep. 30):** We can see that Yifan’s mom does not deserve her daughter, but Yifan for much of the show is still trying to meet her mom half way, so you aren’t really sure as a viewer how she will finally make peace with her mom. I love that she chose to let her mother completely go.
- **Secondary romance:** I usually enjoy the secondary couples in these romance shows, but Zhong Si Qiao and Su Hao An were such an excellent story. They felt like a different show (in a good way). Their plot didn’t overshadow Sang Yan & Wen Yi Fan but it also wasn’t so basic as to feel underwhelming/unneeded. It’s usually that the secondary couple(s) are “assigned” a basic trope and their story is squished in the few extra minutes the show has where its not a bad romance but there isn’t enough substance to really care or root for them. But I truly feel like we got to see Zhong Si Qiao and Su Hao An grow as individuals as well as a couple. I would LOVE a show that follows their kind of romance of oopies to old classmates to friends to lovers.

And OF COURSE the main romance. This is it’s own essay that it can’t be a bullet point. I have a lot I want to say about this relationship.

- It’s practically impossible for fated mates trope to be used for a contemporary romance, and yet, this show truly made me double think that. These two were truly made for each other and are fated.
- Sang Yan: He is stubborn, narcissistic, and brooding – but so very hot and perfect. Even with his “negative” traits at the forefront, we know his heart absolutely belongs to Wen Yi Fan. It real life, there is a bit of a creepy, stalker aspect to how in love he is with her even after she breaks his heart, but some how in this story it just works. Probably because Wen Yi Fan has been abandoned by her family and is alone in this world, but Sang Yan keeps his high school promise that she will never really be alone because she has him.
- Wen Yi Fan: She is traumatized and insists on running rather than facing trouble onwards BUT we can understand very well why. Her actual personality is witty and kind with a sprinkle of cutie-patootie. I love that she has always adored Sang Yan but that life and haters held her back from really indulging her feelings. Watching her grow into herself to gain confidence and defend herself was really beautiful. Seeing her find strength within herself but then learn how to depend on those that love her was the cherry on top.

All in all, this is not a light and fluffy romance, but it is a storytelling masterpiece with a happy ending.

### Original Thoughts & Ideas

- I wish parents had more counseling and guidance about how to really care for their child. Yifan was not wrong when she said the worst betrayal was not her aunt and uncle, but from her very own mother. This woman birthed and raised her for ~15 years, but just completely abandons her when hard times hit.
- Parents are not *owed* forgiveness when their actions play a direct role in your deepest hurts. While some children can make space to try and repair their relationship, sometimes the damage and hurt is too deep to ignore and that is okay.

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LOVE-SWEET-WONDERFUL

I only watched this series because of the ML (watched Mobius which he was in and liked him from that series). This is the 2nd Chinese series I’ve seen. (I watch K-dramas)! I so loved this series, although a little long for me, I prefer shorter series.
I loved both the ML & FL, they were awesome I thought (as well as all the supporting actors). It had a lot of sad moments and issues, but this series I think is truly about true love and to see how much he truly loved her was amazing, just melted my heart.
And of all the K-dramas I’ve watched, I have to say this had the best ending (yeah it made me cry) but a happy cry. The ending was just amazing, so sweet, so full of love, so everything. I LOVED IT! MADE THE WHOLE SERIES!

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This is my 15th C-Drama and it's the first time I give a 10 in a review...

(Spoilers are at the end with a warning.)

I'm not sure what to say other than you have to watch it to form your own opinion; it may or may not resonate with you. But from the outstanding worldwide ranking this drama received, it speaks for itself.

As I was watching it for the first time, I was completely drawn in by the story and the people within it. I caught myself smiling the whole way through, falling in love with the characters as the story unfolded, and wishing I had met this special someone in my life. It made me discover new actors, and Bai JingTing is now part of my Top 3 favorite actors.

Rarely does an OST feel like a heartbeat running through a story. This one does.
It's the first time I love all the songs of an OST except one. I usually enjoy 1 to 3 songs at the most and discard the rest. This OST has now become part of my regular favorite songs playlist.





--------------- Spoiler: Do Not Read if you haven't watched the Drama --------------

I'll point out 2 things I found questionable in the story. It's minor, but since I gave a 10 and there is no such thing as perfection, I need to rant a little bit!

1- In the real world, when someone stalks someone else, it usually never ends well.
Sang Yan's behavior was a little obsessive in the wrong way during the years Wen Yifan was in Yihe. I do get that he was deeply hurt while suspecting something was off, so in a way, he was "investigating". But going there once a month over the 2 years she was working after graduation is not a healthy behavior.


2- In episode 31, we finally see the complete “Day 1” scene—their very first meeting.
It’s the first day of school, and both are running late. Sang Yan spots Wen Yifan, and in a sudden impulse, he dashes up the stairs to position himself, pretending to play basketball, hoping she’ll notice him.

It’s meant to be a cute moment, but it just doesn’t land: why would someone fall for a girl he’s seen for less than 30 seconds? Why go out of his way to get her attention, especially when he has no idea where she’s headed? The campus is vast, with several paths, and her actual destination turns out to be nowhere near those stairs. She might as well never have gone up there at all.

It would have been more plausible if he had just been goofing around, and she bumped into him by sheer chance.

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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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