The First Frost

First Frost is not for everyone!!

I never write any reviews publicly; this is the first since I had written notes about this drama on my phone, so I thought of sharing them here.

Love is rarely a straightforward path—it is often tangled with misunderstandings, regrets, and the lingering weight of the past. With that said, love alone cannot guarantee a happy ending. The First Frost perfectly captures the fragile nature of love—one that is hard to coax but even harder to forget.
Wen Yifan and Sang Yan shared a deep but unspoken affection for each other in their youth. Though they never put their feelings into words, they both understood what was in their hearts. When the time finally came for Sang Yan to confess, Wen Yifan ruthlessly rejected him, leaving him alone in the rain—like a loyal dog abandoned by its owner.

I won't be too detailed about their characters because it might take me too long praising how wonderful they are. Sang Yan is indeed a green flag, but someone that you will not find in reality. He have the capabilities and willingness to do everything for her. But imagine if he grew up in a different environment, like not a lovely family? Or what if he isn't wealthy? Would he be able to do anything that he did? I doubt. But I guess Sang Yan will opt for an alternative. What am I trying to say here is that he's too good to be true. Let's be real that you cannot find someone who have both the same level of capabilities and willingness of Sang Yan. Some may have the will, but no capability to do so. Some may have the capability, but get tired easily. Some may have both, but you can't expect them to reach Sang Yan's level. Because he set it too high!!

Wen Yifan, on the other hand, was said to be weak by the other audience but in actuality she's just reserved and hyperidependent; even with all those that happened to her, she still stood tall. In the first few episodes, her innate loneliness aura deeply resonates with me. I remember that when Zhong Siqiao called her, Wen Yifan just listened. She just stood there inside the train, listening but not saying anything. I don't know but that single scene entirely captures her loneliness. That reason alone made me continue watch it. Her eyes speaks so much sadness, no words needed.

Anyway, they finally meet again after few years, but for Sang Yan, it never felt like they had been apart. Throughout the years, he kept his silent promise—to always be there for her, even if it meant flying back and forth between Yihe and Nanwu. Just as he had once traveled from Nanwu to Beiyu every weekend during their sophomore years to accompany her, he continued to go out of his way for her without expecting anything in return. Despite being rejected and treated as a 'backup plan', it didn’t matter. As long as he could watch over her, even from a distance, that was enough.
His love ran so deep that he was willing to let his own special moments slip through his fingers just to witness hers, like missing his own graduation to watch her's. (This is top tier but actually creepy in reality haha)

Even as she pursued her career as a journalist, Sang Yan remained her silent supporter. Every article she wrote, he made sure to buy directly from a newspaper stall in Yihe. I really love how he still did it even though it's not guaranteed that WYF will see his effort.

On the day of her resignation, Wen Yifan found herself mindlessly staring at a strawberry cake—her favorite. Yet, she didn’t buy it. It wasn't because she couldn’t afford it, but because she believed she didn’t deserve good things. This belief had been forced upon her by her terrible aunt, who had ingrained in her mind that she was unworthy—even of something as simple as a bowl of chicken soup.

To Wen Yifan, Sang Yan was the best thing in the world while she wasn't, which was precisely why she pushed him away. She convinced herself that she would only burden him. She knew his personality—knew that he would go to great lengths for her, flying back and forth between cities just to be by her side. What she didn’t know was that, despite her rejection, he still did.

Their story isn't only about rekindling a lost romance. It is about learning to love oneself to fully able to love another without fear and hesitation. To demonstrate one's love, it doesn't require grand romantic gestures; sometimes, you can find it in quiet and awkward moments—stolen glances, silly actions.

Sang Yan prove it that love, no matter how difficult it is to coax, is worth the patience it demands. As Wen Yifan's reluctance to embrace love is deeply rooted in her past, Sang Yan were able to melt her cold defenses with his silent but warm affection—one that is filled with respect, understanding, and consideration0.

After they became roommates, he appears cold yet his actions speaks otherwise. Afraid that the intensity of his love might scare her away, he could only expresses it in quiet and imperceptible ways; even if, in her pespective, he was seen shameless.

It might seem shameless, but for Sang Yan, it is his way to make up for the opportunites he once missed. After all these years, he never loved anyone but her. And for her, it was also the same. Yet, for Wen Yifan, loving—and being loved—was never easy.

It may have seemed selfish for her to accept his warmth then running away without returning it. But in truth, she was selfless. She let him go, giving him the chance to choose someone better—even if it meant she would be left alone once again.

This was reflected in the way she lived—unbothered, in a small and unkempt apartment—despite having the means to afford a better life. It wasn’t about money or circumstances; it was about the belief that had been ingrained in her for years—that she didn’t deserve anything good. That his love was never hers to keep.
She believed she was a burden—someone no one would ever make an effort for. Who would dare love a woman covered in callouses from the scars of her past? Yet, for him, loving her was breathing—effortless, instinctive, and without hesitation. It wasn’t just love; it was unconditional devotion that only Sang Yan can do.

No matter what, he was always there to catch her. No matter how long it took, he would make sure she knew she had a home to return to. So, when she ran away, he never resented her. He simply understood. Even after all the time they had spent together, he realized how little he truly knew about her world. But it wasn’t because she had hidden it from him—it was because her life had always been like a cage, so small that she could only run in circles, forever trapped by her past. Hence, when she finally broke free and ran toward something new, he understood even if it means leaving him behind. What angered him was not her leaving, but the realization that he had been blind to it all along. He had always thought he was by her side, watching over her from the distance—yet, in the end, she hadn’t trusted him enough to fully open up. That was his failure.

When she was gone, she fought the battles within herself. Without facing them, she knew she could never love him the way he deserved. Before she could coax his heart, she had to first learn to coax her own. That's why, you have to treat yourself well, and the world will hold more love for you.

In comparison to the novel, I might have expected a different ending, wishing that they would sneak a wedding clip, but the ending is undeniably portrayed well. Among all the drama with wedding as the ending, I never thought that ending it with a proposal feels this good. It didn't only looked good, but actually made me feel things. I feel proud as if I contributed in making the proposal be successful. Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan acted so well that I totally forgot it's a drama and not their reality.

The cinematography is immaculate as well with the sun almost setting, and the added scenes of other characters giving their blessing to their marriage made me cry more. I thought proposal is just for formalities so I never really think of it as special, but this scene just gave me butterflies. I thought, how nice it is to be proposed with so much effort and consideration. Sang Yan didn't need to kneel down, which actually suited his character, but them sitting in the classroom where their romance started to bloom feels so special. He wasn't wearing a suit, but a school uniform, because to him, their high school life wasn't just a phase but a symbol of their romance. Those little things made it so extra special and authentic for me.

Lastly, as someone who easily get cringed whenever I see an unnecessary scene and if the actors would overreact or if they're too underwhelming; for instance, even if they're on the background, they should still act naturally. In other words, I'd like it if everything is logical and natural. Nevertheless, First Frost never made me feel awkward. Although I can feel their awkwardness, I just think that it was so natural and it has the right amount of it. Like, they portrayed it so well that it made me love their awkwardness and sillyness. (the subplot is little annoying at first but it's because I always crave for SY and WYF momsnts, so it needs to be rewatch with much patience)

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The First Frost changed the trajectory of my life and will forever be etched in my heart.

The First Frost is not for the faint-hearted. It tackles themes of suffering, sexual harassment, and heartbreak, but beyond that, it delivers an important message: the pursuit of justice is essential, especially for those who, like Yifan, have endured unimaginable pain. Above all, it tells the beautiful love story of Sang Yan and Wen Yifan, who faced countless trials before finally getting their happily ever after.

Bai Jingting perfectly embodied Sang Yan’s blend of shamelessness and arrogance, while also capturing his deep yearning, empathy, and unconditional love for Wen Yifan. His portrayal feels raw and genuine, as if he’s living Yifan’s pain. Zhang Ruonan’s portrayal of the gloomy Wen Yifan is equally powerful — her performance will move you to tears.

What I love most is how involved the actors were in creating certain scenes, including contributing their own ideas. This collaboration made these moments feel incredibly authentic — especially the proposal scene.

Finally, the soundtrack. Every OST was so thoughtfully chosen, perfectly complementing each scene and deepening the emotional experience.

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A Drama that Will Stay with You

I went into this drama with high expectations, and even so, those expectations were far surpassed. There are certain dramas that stay with you long after you've finished them, that consume your thoughts and emotions. This drama is unquestionably one of those. It’s not just the plot, but the depth and connection between the characters that will stay with you for a long time.

From the very beginning, it’s evident that the cast and crew poured their hearts into this project. Every element was thoughtfully crafted, designed to resonate deeply with the audience. It was clear that there was a genuine love for the story and the characters. The way every detail was brought to life made the entire experience feel intimate and personal, almost as if the drama was crafted just for you.

Let’s talk about the OST—it’s absolutely beautiful and haunting. The music elevates each scene, enhancing the emotions being conveyed. It’s not just background noise, but an essential part of the storytelling, weaving through every moment and making each one more poignant. I found myself deeply moved by the way the music added layers to the drama, enhancing both the sadness and the joy of the characters’ journey.

The Plot
The plot is excellently written. It’s a story of love, but also a journey of healing and self-discovery. I found myself feeling for the leads in a way that felt both heartbreaking and rewarding. The pain they went through was so real, especially because they are both such beautiful souls who truly deserved better. It’s a delicate balance between tragedy and hope, and the way the story unfolds is nothing short of captivating.

The Male Lead (Sang Yan)
Now, let’s talk about the ML. Sang Yan—what a character. His character brought to life by BJT sets the bar so high that I can’t imagine any other male lead coming close. His presence on screen, his visuals, and his performance are captivating. But what truly sets him apart is the depth of his feelings for the FL. The way he expresses his love through his eyes and actions makes every girl watching swoon. His devotion, his longing, and his commitment to the FL made my heart race. This is the kind of love we all dream of, and I truly hope every one of us gets our own Sang Yan someday.

The Female Lead (FL)
The FL is someone I deeply admired. Her strength, her resilience, and her ability to rise above the challenges she faces are truly inspiring. She’s a character I could relate to on a personal level, and her journey of healing felt incredibly authentic. She deserves so much more than what life has given her, but fortunately, she has the ML by her side to help her heal and rediscover her worth. Their connection and the way their love story unfolds is raw, emotional, and beautiful.

Themes of Healing and Love
While the central theme of the drama is love, it is also about healing. It’s a journey of confronting past traumas, battling insecurities, and learning to trust someone else to catch you when you fall. This drama also explores the importance of self-acceptance and knowing when forgiveness is not enough. Sometimes, the only way to heal is by letting go, even when it’s someone close to you, your family. These deeper layers made the drama more than just a love story—it became a profound emotional experience.

In conclusion, I am absolutely in love with this drama. I know I’ll be rewatching it countless times, and each time, I’ll be just as moved as the first. Even though it’s fictional, the unconditional love and the profound emotional journey it offers feel so real and meaningful. If you're on the fence about watching, I wholeheartedly recommend it. But dear viewers, keep a box of tissues nearby, and prepare to swoon over the ML—you won’t regret it.

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Slowburn or boring?

I watched this after all the hype I saw online, I also really enjoyed Hidden Love so I was excited to get this spinoff focusing on the brother. The acting was good and I enjoyed how the characters were portrayed. I was surprised by Sang Yang and how different he is in this compared to the character in Hidden Love. The music was good and visually the entirety of the show was nice to watch.
The plot is where I find the show to be the most lacking, I enjoyed how the writers tried to go for a more taboo and serious storyline but the execution was questionable. I found myself getting annoyed at how most of the men in the show were 1 dimensional and wanted to get with Wen Yi Fan or force themselves on her. It was just one after the other, it made the plot feel a lot less serious than it actually was. Also, I thought it was weird how Yi Fan would confront her uncle but also run away from him 2 minutes later, It felt out of character.
The pacing has to be this shows worst enemy, it was so slow and for no reason. Nothing happened for many episodes and I was bored out of my mind, I ended up watching it at a 1.75x speed and skipping a lot of scenes.
Overall I feel like this show had a strong premise but it was poorly executed. The acting and visuals were the only strong thing about it. It felt like a big downgrade from Hidden Love. I don’t think I could ever put myself through rewatching this show or the leads romantic scenes, not that they were cringe or lacked chemistry, I just got to a point where I didn’t care at all.
Cdrama are always a hit or miss for me and this one was a big miss.

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Humorous and Melancholic All in One

Updated 18/03/2025 (10 to 8): I came into this drama without any expectations as I was just looking for something new to watch. Little did I know I was going to binge watch the first 6 episodes that came out. It’s the characters that make it so endearing and their dialogues make it fun. You will often see them carry a “sharp tongue but a soft heart”.
Mind you, the FL is not your typical Cdrama fluffy or fun lead. She is a melancholic yet silently strong character that has dealt with a lot of trauma in her past, which slowly reveals itself as the drama moves along. ZRN is perfect for this role in every way - her looks, her acting, just brilliant. She is a mixture of melancholic and adorable that you just want to eat her up.
The ML is consistent with his character in Hidden Love (from a loving family, confident, “soft but I will never let you see that” vibes) and it hits different when you see it in a romantic setting. It makes him so appealing, and BJT brings this to life superbly. His micro expressions are top notch.
PRODUCTION (10): The overall production is amazing - I must say these actors look so good in this drama than when compared to their other appearances. This can't happen if it weren't for the whole team - lighting, stylists, makeup artists, etc. From the details in clothing choices (e.g. baggy clothes for the trauma ridden FL) to the chosen actors/actresses for the roles, you can see the attentiveness given to this series. The director uses music to its max to sensationalise your feelings, which I thought was very effective.
ATMOSPHERE & PACING (9): The drama excels in creating a palpable atmosphere. There's a subtle tension that permeates each scene, hinting at deeper secrets and emotional scar, without losing its sweetness. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the characters to breathe and the audience to truly connect with their inner turmoil. It's not a fast-paced, action-packed drama; instead, it's a slow burn that builds anticipation and emotional investment. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the nuances of the characters' expressions and the beauty of the setting, which adds to the overall melancholic yet beautiful tone.
STORY (8): This is where I dock points, from what would have been legendary to an excellent watch. Throughout the drama, there were small details that nagged at me and I couldn't help wondering, could there have been a better way? And the answer for me is yes. Where the screenwriter could have opted for a powerful, logical narrative of the FL reclaiming her agency, he instead chose the more sensationalistic approach. It does bring out the emotions, but makes it a missed opportunity to showcase her survivor spirit more prominently.

Spoilers below.
These are the little nags that bothered me. Its a lot, and its a fight between my logic and my emotions. I think my rating is very high for all these little nuances, but I chose it because the characters are so loveable, the overall story has more depth than typical romances (thank the source material), the atmosphere and vibe is so beautiful, the buzz it created among the audience and I did enjoy it. A good emotional ride is still a good story, even if some things don't make sense. I did not read the novel btw, but have read up on the differences by commenters, which makes me wish that the drama had follow the novel more.

****SPOILERS****:
Harassment arc: There were so many instances that the FL was harassed. I think it would have been more impactful if they just showed one. In a short space of time, she is shown to be harassed so many times by DIFFERENT people which I felt was gratuitous. "80-90% of sexual assaults are by people you know. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), on average, there are 463,634 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States, out of a population of roughly 169 million women (2023 stats)." I'm just giving these stats just to give an idea of how unnecessary it was to show so many instances in this timeline. And the source material did not have so many instances.
CXD arc: Her perpetrator gets a job at her place of work, and she still allows herself to be the last person to leave the office at night. This is very contradictory to her character to me. They could have followed the novel here which makes more logical sense, or dealt with it in a way that didn't 'assume the characters or audience are dumb'.
Yihe arc: ML goes to her university plenty of times to see how she is after she explicitly said she does not want him around her anymore. It sounds sweet, but if someone did that to me, even if its someone I like, I'd be scared of how his mind works. I totally understand people who call him a stalker, although I'd prefer not to think that way because we've seen what a beautiful soul SY has. Once again, the novel does this more logically. He goes once to see how she's doing.
MCY arc: He just randomly shows up at the downstairs of her place of living, unannounced, strong-arming her to show him her apartment? Like the screenwriter wants to make every male creepy in her wake? Come on.
HK arc: The arc that caused the most controversy. It wasn't badly done but it changes the narrative. It uses the well-trodden trope of self-sacrifice for the person you love, instead of one which could have been about agency and power of a survivor. This is the missed opportunity I'm talking about that could have really transcended the novel version.
2nd Couple: They were initially fun but it did get a tad bit boring with the focus on the grandparents.

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A love letter to Wen Yi Fan

"No one loves me anymore, only you."
"I will only love you..."

It's been a long time since I've felt as deeply about a drama, enough to write a review about it. It's a love at first sight story, and the chemistry between the two actors is out of this world.

Bai Jing Ting plays Sang Yan, the greenest of green flags. If you've watched Hidden Love, you would have a deeper understanding of the environment he grew up in. Both he and Zhi Zhi (his younger sister) grew up in the healthiest environment, full of warmth, love, and support. At first sight, he falls for Wen Yi Fan played by Zhang Ruo Nan. Wen Yi Fan's upbringing was also full of warmth, love, and support until her father passed away. Her entire life was turned upside down and spiralled into the most horrific nightmare.

Wen Yi Fan deserves a separate paragraph as much as she deserves a happy ending. I've only skimmed through the novel and didn't have a firm attachment to it. I want to extend my gratitude to the director for being trauma-informed and giving us a beautiful love story without sweeping under the rug all the uncomfortable things that come with complex PTSD. It's rare for a Chinese drama to portray the recovery journey of PTSD accurately. Mostly because people are uncomfortable with the ebb and flow of healing. We like things to move in one direction - forward. But the reality of working through PTSD is back and forth, full of mistakes and darkness, which I think this drama portrayed incredibly well.

I've been a fan of Zhang Ruo Nan ever since her first drama, "Everyone Wants to Meet You". She truly outdid herself in this drama. Wen Yi Fan is a heavy character to embody. Zhang Ruo Nan carries Wen Yi Fan's sorrow and pain incredibly well. From the sleepwalking scenes to that moment when her mum abandons her on the worst night of her life, her portrayal of Wen Yi Fan's emotions will stick with me for a long time.

I'm also a huge fan of Bai Jing Ting, and goodness, if a man like Sang Yan truly exists, I will wait forever for him to arrive by my side. He loves Wen Yi Fan wholeheartedly. Some call it an obsession; some have called him a doormat, a simp, a loser - I see it as pure. His love for her is untainted, despite all the pain they had to experience to get their happy ending. By the end of the drama, there is no doubt that he is as loved by Wen Yi Fan as Wen Yi Fan is loved by him.

I don't know if there is another modern C-Drama that is on par with this one. I can count on one finger how many dramas I've rated a 10/10, I didn't even hesitate to give this drama full marks. It's slow, it's healing, and it engages with all your emotions (including the uncomfortable ones).

Lastly, if there is a Wen Yi Fan somewhere in this world, I hope you know how brave and strong you are for surviving all that you have experienced. And I hope there can be more Sang Yans in this world, walking alongside their Wen Yi Fan during her darkest days without ever giving up on her.

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HOW DO I MOVE ON FROM THIS!!!

OMG...It has been a while since I've watched a drama that was this PERFECT!!!
To say it was worth the wait is an understatement!
So how do I move on from this???!!!
An amazing series that had me addicted from Episode 1!
The Soundtrack will make you swoon...
The casting ABSOLUTELY PERFECT...
The storylines amazing...
THIS IS ONE FOR THE AGES.
Everything about this drama is perfect, the music, the casting, the storylines, the production itself...just amazing!
Watching it, I was truly drawn into this beautiful complex story.
I thought the acting of Zhang Ruo Nan as Wen Yi Fan was superb in this complex role. Portraying a character innocent yet flawed and damaged was quite a feat! She was so very believable! A young woman with a past of crippling encounters with males, tentatively opening up and trusting her lover was so beautifully handled by her!
Bai Jing Ting as Sang Yan was the perfect combination of bravado and fragility together in his portrayal of Wen Yi Fan's first love/protector. Both of them, as innocent truly ""first time" lovers was, I can't think of a better word, then precious.
The secondary couple, Edward Chen as Su Hao An (my first encounter with him and I think he is fantastic!) . And the wonderful Zhang Miao Yi as Zhong Si Qiao (who I watched in my very first Asian drama: "When I Fly Towards You "...so she holds a special place in my heart) were really wonderful and I found myself almost as invested in their storyline as in the Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan story!
Where many dramas rush the end/resolution of their story, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that The First Frost took the time to give us two beautiful episodes after the "conflict" was resolved to just develop the end to their story...creating such a satisfying feeling of closure to this drama ....perfect!!
Kudos to the director, writers and cinematographer for gifting us with this amazing series...it is one I will savor for a long time, probably rewatch many times in the future and for sure buy the DVD when it is available!
A MASTERPIECE!!!!
Do NOT miss this!!

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Certainly the best modern C-Drama I've ever watched :)

I don't normally write reviews, and if I'm being honest, this is only my second review ever. Now after watching The First Frost, for some reason I felt very much obliged to write this review (definitely due to how much I enjoyed this drama and how powerful I think the drama is). I'm not really a review writer so I'll hopefully keep this short!

First off, I can hands down say that this was the best modern C-Drama I've ever watched, and maybe THE best C-Drama I've watched in general. The story was amazing, emotional, and impactful - a true masterpiece. I'm a simple person. I don't ever give my opinion about a drama publicly - usually I just give each drama I've watched on my watchlist a rating and move on (no matter how good or bad) - but The First Frost stirred something inside me. Dare I say that the realistic nature of the show had some sort of grip on my emotions. It had everything; it was comforting, captivating, compelling, and let's not forget about the romance. I think the mature nature and the slow-burn love story really shone through.

Now, massive massive credit to both Zhang Ruonan and Bai Jingting. Absolutely incredible acting, and I can see why they were chosen as the main leads. The way they portrayed the drama's love story was powerful, raw, and passionate. Fantastic chemistry between the two. They made the drama feel so personal and immersive, and I felt like I was there experiencing everything with them. I understand why The First Frost went so viral on Chinese social media now, and why it was trending every single day. The acting + storyline was and is certainly at the peak of modern C-Dramas.

I think the two main things that stood out to me were both the cinematography and the soundtrack. I've watched plenty of modern C-Dramas in the past, and from the moment I laid eyes upon episode 1, I knew The First Frost was going to be one of, if not, the best Chinese show I've ever watched (and it was!). Everything was beautifully shot, from the choice of lighting, the transitional flashbacks, and the story's pacing. - absolutely flawless. The way everything was laid out felt so different to other C-Dramas I've watched and for some reason felt more professional in a sense? I hope other dramas in the future take note of this type of production level.
Of course, a work of art drama requires a work of art soundtrack, and boy did The First Frost deliver! I'm never one to listen to a show's soundtrack, nor do I ever go out of my way to search up certain music pieces in a drama, but once again, The First Frost changed that. The way the drama intertwined the background music to fit with each respective scene was perfect and very much highlighted the impactful nature of every single scene. Do make sure to read the lyrics of the intro song - those lyrics represent the lead couple's love story so accurately and so intensely that it really does make you feel sentimental once you fully understand it. Absolutely incredible choice of music and was without a doubt the best I've ever heard.

Definitely recommend watching The First Frost. I don't think I'll watch such a powerful and impactful C-Drama for a while now as I have doubts that a new modern C-Drama will be able to surpass the level that The First Frost showcased for a long time. Will 100% rewatch :)

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If it doesn't speak to you, you won't like this

Objective rating 7/10, subjective rating 8.5/10

This story is:
- a vibe (atmospheric)
- heartbreaking
- slow-paced and drawing you in slowly
- glorifying romantic relationships
- not about healthy relationships either
- delivering on all your dramaland fantasies

Storytelling:
We get thrown right into the very confusing relationship between both, no explanations given. Heartbreaking music wants to convince us that every single scene is utterly dramatic, yet what we see looks like a random dramaland breakup scene. Skipping between past, present and trauma, we only get to know each character painfully slowly. What do they like, what is their life like - all we get is melancholic slow-motion with heartwrenching music while watching the characters live their life. Something clearly is off, but what is it?

Tiny pieces of Wen Yifan's past - the only thing that initiates and drives the plot - are thrown out to make up your own mind about it. For me, it was too little too late, but the atmosphere still had me hooked. Until these scenes became too repetitive as we never saw any of them from a different angle or adding a different detail - nothing changes. While at first that felt realistic, it later felt like buying screen time. As we saw Wen Yifan grow in character, so should have her interpretation of her past.

The plot:
There isn't much plot apart from the relationships forming. I really liked how they showed the couple do the most mundane daily tasks together and although it was slow-paced, the build up was made very well.
The family drama was realistic, its closure very anticlimactic. Wen Yifan's story ended up feeling a bit rushed, over the top and lost its relatability when they tried to make it even more dramatic later on. I wish they would have stayed closer to reality instead of one-upping it unneccessarily. For me, that sent the wrong message and the topic could have been handled with a bit more sensitivity, especially after they dealt well with it for the most of it.
Certain archs were understandable, but I still strongly disliked them and wish the drama had explored their neccessity for the characters in a bit more depth. And of course, nobody ever goes to therapy.

The couples:
This story should have centered entirely around the main couple or at least have portrayed the friendships they had a bit stronger. Instead, we got a second couple thrown in that I personally fully could have done without. Their story lacked depth, and as individual characters they got so few screentime that it was almost impossible for me to root for them. They barely had any relevance to the story and seemed to barely impact the main couple's life. It felt like they were meant to include some story about the true meaning of life and love without considering if that was actually the atmosphere this show was going for.

The second couple felt like that one person hitting the light switch after you've gotten cozy in a dark room. You get sucked into the pretty yet cruel world of the main couple, heartwrenching music, warm colours and soft imagery everywhere, just to then get thrown into bright, crystal clear images with standard music, standard bickering and standard "cute petite happy-go-lucky woman". Others might have found that relieving, I almost skipped their parts as I found them too disruptive.

Characters:
Wen Yifan was the star of the show and actually the only one with clear characterisation and character development. She had things she loved doing, a work life, a past and clear issues to resolve. Sang Yan revolved so much around her, he seemed to not have a life of his own. I don't mind romantic dedication, carrying the damsel in distress to her happy end, but he barely had any personality to him. Instead, we had a green flag guy with a big red flag called stalking. No hobbies, no work life, no past aside from her, no issue beside trying to win her over. The side characters in Wen Yifans life all worked towards giving us an impression of her life, adding outside perspectives of her, while everyone else seemed like an NPC without a real purpose.

Acting:
Zhang Ruo Nan did an amazing job at portraing that strong-willed yet always wary character, trying to be stronger than the past that kept haunting her. Her story spoke to me on more levels than it should. Bai Jing Ting did a great job at portraying his character with the few personality traits he was given. His facial expressions were the only reason he didn't come off as the guy with no personality who doesn't really care about the FL either. At least he visibly cared. Apart from that, I am very convinced they tried to pull the face-card with their cast to enhance the atmosphere they were trying to create.

OST:
The music was beautiful, but as mentioned above, seemed a bit over the top not knowing all that had happened. Slowly increasing its intensity through the course of the episodes instead of throwing it at the viewers right away could have helped build and maintain suspense even with the slow pace. The repetitiveness left an impression too, but I wish they used it more selectively. And sometimes, silence can create a lot more tension than any soundtrack could. 10/10 for the music, 6/10 for its use.

Final conclusion: This drama lived from the atmosphere it created, the mysterious depressing aura around Wen Yifan and the viewer's despair to see her have her well-deserved happy end. If you look behind its incredibly beautiful facade, you will find that this drama actually leaves a lot to be desired. But then again, a beautiful fairytale from time to time won't hurt. As I slowly grew to like the silent and calm beauty of it all, Wen Yifan's story deeply spoke to me. I never knew I could fall in love with heartache like this.

PS: I still can't get over the clock in the background of the living room always showing the exact same time.

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He was her safe haven......

A drama that I cannot ever move on from . I love how wen yifan's heartbreaking yet beautiful love story was depicted. All I could say is that he was her safe haven .

The cast were perfect in their roles , i don't think that anyone could play sangyan and wenyifan better than BJT and ZRN . They practically lived in their roles. I really liked the pacing of the drama . From the first 10 or 12 eps there's nothing much happening if u go back and think about it but it never felt boring , it was like I was watching their life go on standing on the side.

In most of the rare happy moments that wenyifan had in her life sangyan was there or were influenced by him in some way . And everything that sangyan had done has traces of wenyifan in them. If you think back she really had no one and by that i mean NO ONE in her life to take care or support her. Only he was the one beside her and truly cared about her . I loved her courage to chase sangyan , she wasn't embarrassed about it and just straight up admitted that she was the one pursuing sangyan. She comes off as a soft and weak girl but she is the strongest and most courageous girl ever . People in her situation would straight up take their lives, to keep on living is the most bravest thing that she could do in her position and I RESPECT her for that . I really liked the decision that she took about her mom , for a second i thought she was about to forgive her mom which i didn't like . But I'm glad that she didn't and she cut off all the connections with her. Realising their mistakes and coming back to take care of their child doesn't wipe off all their mistakes that they did in the past just because they gave life to you. If i were in her place i would do the exact same thing , the mom is non forgivable . The amount of times that she called and asked her mom to take her away with her , the way she was crying and begging , my heart broke . No matter how much the mom begged her , the ignorance that she showed to yifan is non negotiable.

The moment that broke me the most was when she was harassed but the asshole uncle and aunt was gaslighting by saying he was drunk and entered the wrong room and her mom couldn't even take the time to stay with her daughter after literally being 🍇ed and went off just like that . The look in her eyes .............. i just couldn't anymore.

And if we have to talk about sangyan 😭😭😭 that guy is the GREENEST flag ever . I couldn't understand why people were saying that he was the greenest flag ever but after watching the series i do. He is the non existent type of greeflagyness. I wonder would a man truly ever love like sangyan loved wenyifan . I loved the moments that he teased her and they didn't skip out on the steamy scenes ( which I'm glad for ) .

The side characters were cute to watch too . Loved edward chen to see working again with the same director for your name engraved herein ( a movie which broke me apart , but that's for a another day ) . The Ost's were a cherry on the top. I loved the cinematography of the drama , a lot of reflective angles were taken which made the screen dreamy to look at . I could definitely sense some taiwanese directing for this drama , which I loved.

An absolute 10/10 for me <3.

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Not Hidden Love but BETTER

I'd like to start off by saying that for all you Hidden Love fans who've been waiting for this (spin-off? prequel?? not sure...anyway) the only similarities you will get are some of the character names, locations and one song from Hidden Love played at OverTime, Sang Yan's bar. This drama has a completely different vibe, tone and cast. I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of melodramas because they can be dark, dreary and draggy but this one had me hooked!

The story: As I said before, you're not going to get the light-hearted sugary fluff here like we got with Hidden Love. (WARNING: This story centers around the FL's past trauma of abandonment, loss and s*xual abuse. So if any of those topics are triggering for you I do not suggest you watch this show. Nothing is shown to the full extent and the romance is still plentiful/ beautiful but her trauma is a big part of the story.) The OST and cinematography are drastically different as well. This drama is way more adult and lays on the real-life issues thick. For a melodrama with a dark setting, I was expecting a slow/boring start. But there is A LOT going on within the first 2 episodes in terms of action and plot building incidents. Right out of the gate our FL is put through so much. It's almost hard to focus on the love story with how traumatizing her life is. But seeing how strong and genuine of a person she is, you can't help rooting for her happy ending. The slow burn is intense and has a very organic feeling so it's not frustrating at all.

Main Characters: Wen Yi Fan is a very sad character and not your typical FL. She's timid, soft spoken and has these innocent doe eyes. Her sweet disposition will melt your heart instantly. She doesn't act babyish or use a whiny voice at all like some FLs but her mannerisms and microexpressions are naturally cute. She is also kind of ditzy and bad at math, which she manages to make endearing somehow. And in every decision she makes you can tell that despite all she's been through she still has a good heart full of compassion and resilience. At first, it's strange to see a character like her choose to be a journalist because she isn't naturally aggressive or assertive like most journalists are. As the show progresses she explains why she loves her field so much and it's because she can help people like her through telling their stories. This is all probably why she has such a chokehold on our poor Sang Yan. Zhang Ruonan was perfectly cast for this role. Her beauty was on full display and her acting just got better and better. All of her emotional scenes had me ugly crying with her and it takes a lot for me to cry during a drama.
Bai Jing Ting's SY is different than Victor Ma's but appropriately so. He needed to be more serious for this story but also even more charming. What was consistent were SY's style, pride and arrogance. BJT did a great job of keeping those characteristics while putting his own spin on the role. We see a completely different side of SY here which is his bleeding heart that is glued to WYF. Even though it's clear that she hurt him in the past, it's like he is programmed to automatically give to her and help her. It's both sad and endearing actually because in the beginning, although he cares for her, he doesn't trust her enough yet to tell her the real reason he does the things he does for her. Yet, he still never really punishes her for rejecting him in the past. And that's a testament to how deep his love is for her and how pure his heart is. He stalked her a lot back then but once you learn he made a promise to always be with her, it becomes obvious that it was out of concern. He's always sensed that something was wrong back then and although he didn't have the confidence to confess to her all those years they were apart, he still took it upon himself to be her guardian angel. My heart was so full once they finally got together because their obsessions with each other only grew. Sang Yan really is the perfect boyfriend. He's always just what WYF needs and he helps her to heal and grow with confidence. Although she's beautiful, he loves and accepts all of her- her flaws, her baggage, her ditzy side. It seemed like where most people who run from someone who had all these problems, he loved her even more because of them. I thought BJT killed this role. It also helps that BJT has the eternal face of a high school boy with the voice of matured man. This made the flashbacks more realistic. ZR also has a versatile face and acting style. The two of them together were flawless.

Side characters: Siqiao is easily one of my favorite 2FLs of all time. She is smart, hardworking, and a great friend to WYF. When Xiang Lang rejects her, the thought of being bitter towards WYF doesn't even cross her mind. She's WYF's cheerleader and support in every situation and doesn't give her bad advice like drama bffs usually do. I also love that within her own life, she takes care of everyone around her but when it comes time to seize her own happiness, she doesn't get desperate and jump right into something with Su Haoan. She knows he's been jumping from one bad relationship to another so she tells him to court her and fall for her slowly, so that he can learn how to be in a healthy relationship. I found this really impressive and mature of her.
Su Haoan was funny and good friend to SY but other than that I didn't feel much for him. Xiang Lang is very handsome but has the personality of a block of ice so I found his character to be a useless filler.
Sadly Duan Jiaxu and Sang Zhi are only side characters here and honestly added nothing to the story accept familiarity. But their unimportance really doesn't affect anything for me. This drama stands on it's own.
Finally...the family from hell. I don't think I've ever been more disgusted with a drama mother. This woman has no soul and my heart broke for WYF this whole drama because of how she was discarded time after time. Although her aunt and "uncle" hurt her tremendously, I still hate her mother the most. Because if her mother had cared for her properly, none of the horrible things would've happened to her.

OST & Cinematography: I liked the OST from Hidden Love. This one isn't better per say, but the songs are still catchy, and fitting for the drama. The one song from Silence Wang is my favorite. I couldn't help but laugh while it played when SY was walking up to the noodle shop in Beiyu in the rain. It looked just like a music video.
The cinematography is brilliant. I don't know how to describe it but along with the solid directing/writing, the whole production was gold. The transitions, camera angles, layers of color and lighting really draw you into the emotions in every scene. Especially when there is no dialogue the scenes speak for themselves. For example, when WYF is living in her first place the setting and production really gives you the feeling for how sad her life is. The trains go by her windows in her tiny room all day long, casting non stop flashes of light off the walls and off of her face putting on full display how depressing her life is. Also the scene when SY beats up those guys who threatened her, all lot was said with no words in this scene and not having dialogue here was way more powerful and effective. Even the lighting in their apartment looks romantic and dreamy when they're together. But when she's not there the rooms look grey and somber. The attention to detail was impressive and the production team really created the perfect setting to fall in love. *chef's kiss*

The ending: Perfection...I don't think I've rated a drama a 10/10 since LBFAD. This drama was a masterpiece from beginning to end. The writing, the acting, the chemistry, the pacing, the cinematography, the overall story...all perfect. I don't even know what drama to start next because the bar is so high now!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

-Dian kitty is so adorable. I want one just like him.
-EP 4: WYF being bad a math is kind of adorable and we can tell SY acts annoyed but thinks so too.
-EP 8: SY is WYF's sun in her dreams and in real life. He brings her warmth and light in her dark life. The romance and poetry in that just gives me the feels... Then it's the morning after our first stolen hug and WYF wakes up like she just had the best sleep of her life, meanwhile our poor boy SY is still sitting wide awake in bed all disheveled and frazzled. Oh the power of one hug from WYF XD
EP 9: More math struggles for WYF lol That umbrella check SY gives the intern (I refuse to use his name) was great. I sympathize with SY during the movie. I'm also scared with him bc the movie clips they showed were actually terrifying. But WYF trying not to laugh at him is too funny/cute. "Jobs are looking for me" LOL typical SY comment.
-EP 11: The misunderstanding with both Sang Yan and Jiaxu in their robes at the breakfast table. Siqiao's laugh is everything. For someone who is so prideful and arrogant, SY never ever truly punishes WYF for hurting him in the past. I think because he's always had a gut feeling that something else was going on based on what he silently observed when they were in school.
-SY babyproofing the house.
EP 12: WYF must have never seen someone drunk before because SY's act was not good. Hilarious. But not good...However, SY man handling the intern and throwing him over his shoulder like a ragdoll...very good. He emasculated that boy for life. The next morning...I've never seen someone get into an elevator in a sexy way but leave it to SY ;)
EP 14: There's not much else to say in this episode other than YAY. Also SY's bed does look more inviting and comfortable. Where did he get that set of sheets from?...And he definitely came out of that shower shirtless on purpose. His hand gestures are so funny as he follows her around the table complaining that she always handles everything the same way. I would assume he was faking drunk again if he hadn't ended their conversation with that vulnerable request she stop spending time with other guys and then coming home and feeling him up LMAO
-EP 15: WYF having enough emotional intelligence to not believe that SY is being nice for revenge when people suggest that. WYF's self control because if BJT dared me to violate him I would have to take that dare
EP 16: If this phone can't contact WYF anymore SY doesn't want it anymore. Time for a new one.
-EP 17: WYF is slowly gaining confidence and opening up to the women around her. She's finally having girl talk with her friend at work and bff and it's great to see her finally caring about herself and her feelings. Hopefully she will open up to SY soon because it's definitely living with him that's giving her her self worth back! And Siqiao is actually a great friend. She's hardworking, there for WYF whenever she needs her and doesn't give terrible advice or act annoying. She's very down to earth and cute.
- EP 18: SY SHOWING UP at the noodle shop in Beiyu. SWOON. And then their sweet confession outside in the rain. And then the flashback to remind us how she broke his heart under an umbrella last time, but they are now reconciling under similar circumstances in the same town. Ahhh, it's been a while since a romance had me smiling and giggling like a school girl. In the epilogue when they show him from the back walking with the umbrella up to the noodle shop with the song playing, it reminds me of the most romantic music video I've ever seen XD
-EP 19: SY doesn't even know about her s*xual abuse and yet can sense how skittish she is so he only teases verbally, never pushes the limit physically. Also these two are equally obsessed with each other which is making for the cutest honeymoon phase ever.
-EP 20: Okay, I'm a puddle on the floor. Someone come mop me up! The first official kiss on the ferris wheel was perfect. I love how SY starts wearing khaki colors now because WYF likes it. Their first dinner together and I'm crying too. WYF is just so sweet, earnest and beautiful. If I was a man she would have me wrapped around her finger too with how sweetly she's opening up and showing her vulnerable side. Also SY saying "Just like your choice in partner, you deserve the best of everything." lol another typical SY one liner.
EP 21: I'm happy that Siqiao doesn't want to be a rebound or liked just because she helped Haoan and now he has hero syndrome. She's really smart and strong for saying that to his face. She's also weary to trust him because she knows he's a hopeless romantic and she's seen the type of girl he previously dated. She also tells him to fall for her slowly because she knows how quickly he's jumped into things in the past. I really like and respect her. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite 2FLs...I'm still rooting for them because he seems to have woken up and realized what type of woman deserves his devotion and special treatment. They are both givers and it's time they both received.
EP 22: I appreciate the attention to detail. WYF's dorm in Yihe is identical to Sang Zhi's in Hidden Love. The intern's confession is silly. He thinks he's more important in WYF's life than he is. She never cared what he had to say lol Moving on...this couple walks in a room and turns heads. That whole wedding was admiring how good they look together. Drunk WYF is too funny. She's definitely me when anyone tries to wake me up. SY is a GOOD BOY. Really shows how much he loves and respects her, all the restraint he shows. She really makes it hard too because she is velcro when she's drunk. Couldn't help but laugh watching him pull her fake eyelashes off.

Dislikes:
-They dress WYF like a school teacher sometimes. But I realize she doesn't like to draw attention to herself or believes that she deserves to buy pretty things to wear.
-How much she gets obsessed over and sexually harassed. There's no denying that WYF is beautiful but it's a little dramatic to think that every male she crosses paths with is a deranged pervert. The incident with her uncle is traumatic enough but then adding in her first roommate, her old boss, her new colleague etc...It's just a bit much. We could still get the point with less of this.
-SY getting a "real job" just bc WYF asked if he had one besides the bar? Since when is owning a bar/restaurant not a respectable business? Idk, thought that was weird and unnecessary but maybe I'm missing something.
-Creepy college kid with a crush on her. He's an aggressive little weasel and makes my skin crawl.
-WYF's weird drunk kitty/SY hallucination. Was this supposed to be funny? I hope so...
-How low her self worth/esteem is because she was discarded when she was young. She doesn't believe SY has evil intentions towards her but she doesn't believe he could still care about her or that she deserves him. It's so sad :*(
-They're pushing the Pizza Hut product placement hard in this drama. Which is more funny than annoying I guess but as someone watching from the states where we don't have a lot of good Chinese food, seeing Pizza Hut is triggering lol
-Introducing the gaming pen pals trope late in the game just seemed pointless and like lazy writing.

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