Best feel-good drama there is
This is one of those dramas where you press play, sit back and enjoy. Every minute of it.It might feel slow at times, but the scenery, music and acting are so good that you do not want to miss anything. Chemistry between leads is palpable through the screen, and I especially enjoyed the little banters they had and the teasings.
May be an unpopular opinion but I enjoyed this one far more than Hidden love, and would recommend everyone to watch it, even if you are not a fan of C/Kdrama.
The only downside worth mentioning is the FL coming home every day and NOT saying hello to her cat first!
Was this review helpful to you?
Genuine Lead Chemistry Shines in a Slow-Burn Romance, but Repetitive Storytelling Holds It Back
If you enjoy heartfelt performances and a romance that takes its time, this drama might be worth a try for you.What really stood out to me in “The First Frost” was just how sincere and emotional the lead actors were. Their chemistry felt so real that I actually found myself getting a little interested in their relationship, it was genuinely touching to watch. I also liked that the pacing didn’t rush things. The fact that there were episodes after the main conflict made the ending feel more complete, which I really appreciated.
But I have to be honest, some episodes did feel a bit slow and repetitive, especially with all the flashbacks. There were moments where I wished the story would just move forward instead of circling back to the same memories. I also wanted more from the secondary couple and the side plots as they had potential but just weren’t developed enough for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Unnecessarily lengthy
The series could have been shorter like hidden love, most scenes seemed like a drag. It started well, the romance part was good, however I watched the last few episodes in 1.5X speed on Netflix, too much filler and wait time in between dialogues, male lead being hopelessly romantic and supportive from start. I never understood his craze or love for her, they even showed he liked her from the very instance he saw her and tried to woo her.They never told us why the male lead left his job. She even left him twice and lacked communication skills being a reporter which is even weirder, chose a wrong profession clearly. Is there no restraining order against the offender to help protect the victim, the show didn’t address it. The convict roamed freely and did as he pleased, he even messed with the male leads business, I don’t know why he did it when there was clearly no outcome , he was after compensation as well as causing fear for female lead,
I was highly disappointed with the overall English subtitles seemed a miss for me, didn’t feel right at certain places, I am not a Chinese speaker but I felt the sentences could be framed better, so whoever gave the subtitles needs improvement. The outfits for the ladies were plain boring for first as well as second leads, don’t know what they were trying to achieve, as well as the second lead had weird hairstyles in some scenes.
None of the scenes exactly touched my heart for me to cry, hidden love was far better. I naturally kept comparing the songs, dialogues, acting, the depth of conversations between characters, especially Sang Yan played by Victor Ma, although Bai Jung Ting was good for the role. Zhang Ruonan looks naturally beautiful compared to other Chinese actresses who wear lots of makeup. However both leads could have performed better towards the end. I felt bored sometimes instead of feeling connected.
Was this review helpful to you?
"First Frost" vs. "Hidden Love" – A Tale of Two Love Stories
Both First Frost and Hidden Love are romantic dramas that explore deep emotions and relationships, but they offer vastly different viewing experiences. While First Frost is a beautifully crafted story about enduring love, Hidden Love stands out as something refreshingly unique. Here’s why:*Story & Themes"
The First Frost follows a more traditional romance arc—childhood friends, separation, reunion, and emotional struggles. It’s well-executed, with strong acting and heartfelt moments, but it doesn’t deviate much from the classic tropes we’ve seen before......Hidden Love, on the other hand, breaks away from the usual formula. It focuses on a slow-burn, secret crush that evolves into a mature relationship. The storytelling feels more intimate, capturing the nervous excitement of unspoken feelings in a way that’s rare in dramas.
"Chemistry & Characters"
First Frost has solid chemistry between the leads, portraying deep emotional bonds and sacrifices. However, their dynamic follows a somewhat predictable path......Hidden Love thrives on its realistic and tender interactions. The way the male lead gradually realizes the female lead’s feelings—and how she navigates her hidden emotions—makes their relationship incredibly engaging.
"Emotional Impact"
First Frost delivers heavy emotions—longing, heartbreak, and reconciliation—which are moving but somewhat expected in melodramas......Hidden Love tugs at the heart differently. It’s lighter yet deeply affecting because it captures the small, quiet moments of love—the stolen glances, the hesitation before a confession, and the thrill of being seen by someone you adore.
"Final Thoughts"
First Frost is a well-made drama with strong performances, but Hidden Love stands out as something special. It’s not just about love—it’s about the anticipation of love, the fear and excitement of confessing, and the sweetness of mutual pining. If you’ve seen many traditional romances, Hidden Love will feel like a breath of fresh air.
First Frost (Great, but familiar) but Hidden Love (Unique, addictive, and unforgettable)
If you want deep, dramatic love, First Frost is a good pick. But if you crave a love story that feels real, tender, and different, Hidden Love is the one to watch. ❤️......lastly this is what I feel and my POV.
Was this review helpful to you?
I didn’t expect this drama to grip me like this, but it did.
THE FIRST FROST – DRAMA REVIEWIf I were to describe The First Frost in one sentence, it would be: A hauntingly beautiful tale of rekindled love, quiet trauma, and tender second chances wrapped in subtle storytelling and poetic cinematography.
I’ll say this first – this is not your average romance drama. It feels different. The atmosphere, the soundtrack, the characters – everything is designed to immerse you into a world of unspoken regrets, lingering pain, and love that never really went away.
WHAT I LOVED
1. The Vibe – Melancholic, Consistent, Beautiful.
From the opening episode with "Goodbye, Sang Yan" to the slow burning tension in their shared apartment, the tone is masterfully held throughout. The drama starts with a bittersweet re-encounter and continues to bleed nostalgic hues all over its plot. The rainy nights, dim lighting, quiet bus rides, stolen glances – it’s all so soft yet heavy. The soundtrack? Always on point. It swells with the emotion of each scene and lingers long after the screen fades to black.
2. The Character Depth.
Wen Yifan is one of the most complex female leads I’ve seen in a while. She’s not outspoken. She doesn’t yell. She doesn’t explain herself often. And yet, you feel her pain, her guilt, her hesitation in every single expression. The sleepwalking? A literal manifestation of her past trauma and emotional suppression. And then there’s Sang Yan – the quietly wounded, lovesick boy turned man who’s been carrying the weight of a heartbreak he never truly understood. His affection is consistent, almost annoyingly so – from protecting her silently to setting up safety precautions in the house because she sleepwalks. And don’t even get me started on how he remembers her birthday, her perfume, and her university switch even after years of silence.
3. The Acting – Micro-Expressions Carry the Whole Show.
There are moments where no words are exchanged, but the tension is louder than anything. Their chemistry is aching. So real.
4. The Flashbacks – Piecing the Puzzle.
The drama beautifully balances past and present, slowly peeling back the layers of what went wrong.
WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE
1. Mu Chengyun. Just… No.
Persistent in a way that wasn’t charming but invasive. He doesn’t understand boundaries. Keeps popping up where he’s not wanted. Even after being told no, he keeps pressing. I get that he represents a parallel love interest, but he didn’t need to be this annoying.
2. Wen Yifan's Reluctance Sometimes Feels Drawn Out.
I understand her trauma. Truly, I do. But there were times where her refusal to acknowledge Sang Yan’s obvious affection, or her own feelings, felt a little too prolonged. Girl, how much more do you need? Maybe it was meant to mirror her fear of loss, but a part of me wanted her to at least apologise sooner or make a bold move without hiding.
3. Su Haoan's Tragic Backstory – Felt Forced.
This is going to be controversial but… I didn’t feel much when he talked about his trauma story. It felt inserted to give him depth, but it didn’t land for me. Compared to the emotional realism of Sang Yan and Wen Yifan’s arc, his came off more as a plot device.
All in all, it's a beautiful story of how healing can come in the form of one person who never gives up on you. Someone who shows up, and patiently waits for you to come around – again.
Rating: 9/10.
Would’ve been a 10 if not for Mu Chengyun and the mid-season drag. But this one will stay with me for a while.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good drama, but had the potential to be much better.
What I liked:I feel like there are very few romance dramas I’ve watched that actually explore the FML’s trauma in great detail, as it’s done here. In Hidden Love and WIFTY, we get a glimpse of the ML’s trauma but the FML’s issues are rarely discussed, if ever at all. It was nice seeing the reverse for the change. As with every ML that Zhu Yi has written, Sang Yan is such a green flag and I really liked how protective and supportive he was of the FML despite how frustrating she was at times. The FML, despite her issues, was a very interesting character and I think the show did a good job of depicting how she didn’t let her childhood trauma affect her ability to become successful in life.
What I disliked:
Given the premise, I expected this story to be darker compared to Hidden Love, with the FML’s trauma serving as a central plot point in moving the narrative forward. While this drama does a good job of illustrating how Yifan’s trauma has shaped her personality and career, it falls short in portraying her character growth, and how she was able to heal and move past her fears despite her past experiences. Throughout the story, we saw some signs of growth, such as her standing up for Sang Yan and going to her mother’s house after her uncle appeared to frame Sang Yan’s restaurant for food poisoning. Also her choosing not to forgive her mother for not taking care of her after her father died. Aside from that though, I feel like it could’ve been executed a lot better. Yifan never opened up to anyone about her issues, which is understandable to an extent given the negative circumstances she was in. Although I was getting increasingly annoyed in the later half of the story when she and Sang Yan were already in a relationship, and not only did she lie to him about what happened but she completely up and left him and her entire life in Nanwu without any warning. I understand that in certain situations, people with PTSD have a tendency to make irrational decisions. But I really wish she had at the very least, told her friends and Sang Yan the reason behind why she left. Their reunion felt extremely underwhelming too. I feel like Sang Yan and Yifan needed to have a more serious conversation about her issues. I was also hoping she’d finally open up to her best friend about her past trauma after they reunited, but that never happened. I feel like this show had more opportunities to delve into her communication issues and family trauma but instead half of its runtime was spent on the 2nd lead couple (which btw, barely contributed anything to the main leads’ story) and grandparent’s relationship, which I did not care for at all. Speaking of which, I thought the 2nd leads’ relationship had a lot of potential in the beginning, but fell short because much of their relationship revolved around Su Hao’an’s grandpa, rather than them actually getting to know each other as people. Another complaint I have about the ML and FML’s romance is the development of their relationship felt a little shallow for my liking. Aside from being conventionally attractive, I’m not entirely sure what it was about the FML that captivated the ML so much. Don’t get me wrong I loved seeing Sang Yan display his unconditional love for Yifan but some of his actions felt a little over exaggerated. For example, him following the FML home without her knowing, flying to Yihe for her graduation, following her around the airport. I also felt like it was obvious that his devotion to the FML was also probably the only reason she even noticed him to begin with. As a result, Sang Yan’s character felt a little bit one dimensional for me and I wish the story could’ve explored his struggles separate from Yifan’s.
Despite the glaring issues I had with this drama, it was still enough of an enjoyable experience for me to recommend watching it. Although if you’re like me, and get frustrated with a lack of communication, slow pacing, and too much screen time spent on the secondary couple, then you might be left somewhat disappointed.
Was this review helpful to you?
Why The First Frost Touched Me So Deeply
The First Frost (2025)Cast:
Zhang Ruonan as WEN YIFAN (FL)
Bai Jingting as SANG YAN (ML)
Zhang Miaoyi as ZHONG SIQIAO (FL’s childhood friend)
Edward Chen as SU HAOAN Sang yan's childhood friend
Why did I watch this ?
I decided to watch The First Frost because it had been on my watchlist ever since its release in February of this year, and I was eagerly waiting to hear good reviews. It took me some time, but I’m glad I finally watched this masterpiece.
From start to finish I felt this drama deeply it was exceptional storytelling almost like watching poetry beautifully unfold in the form of a series. The strong performances from the cast left me speechless, especially the female lead, whose character felt so relatable.
Plot Summary:
The First Frost follows Zhao Yiran, a spirited yet fragile girl, and Xu Zhirui, a quiet but determined young man, whose fate intertwines one winter. As they navigate love, pain, and unspoken truths, their bond becomes a journey of healing, resilience, and hope in the midst of life’s coldest season
.
My Thoughts on the Characters:
I personally loved the female lead. Zhang Ruonan’s acting was surreal and heartfelt, making Zhao Yiran’s struggles and emotions feel real. Her character carried layers of pain abandoned by many, she grew into an introverted soul who never wanted anyone else to suffer because of her. Despite her dream of becoming a dancer never coming true, she found strength and purpose in her job as a reporter. Watching her journey was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The male lead, Xu Zhirui, was another standout for me. Bai Jingting portrayed him as confident yet reserved, a caring and innocent soul who never gave up on his girl. His love for Zhao Yiran was quiet but truly noticeable he secretly cherished her from the beginning to the very end. I was touched by how much emotional growth his character had throughout the series.
And let’s be honest
his collection of black outfits gave him this mysterious, almost magnetic charm.
The supporting characters also added depth to the story. Zhao Miaoyi was portrayed as a bubbly on the surface, but her character revealed layers of care and loyalty toward those around
Her character was especially so perfectly crafted that I loved her too . She brought a different kind of warmth to the narrative, making her role more than just a side character.
Final Words:
Overall, The First Frost was more than just a drama for me
it was an emotional rollercoaster...
With its poetic storytelling, beautifully written characters, and heartfelt performances,
it’s a series that stays long after the final episode.
.
.
Was this review helpful to you?
Really love the actors. Falling in love with Ruonan too.
This drama is spectacular and so cinematic. I really love both leads and now I don't think if I ever love a characters besides them. I love it's slowburn scenarios and each episode were such a healer to me. Definitely my favourite drama out of all. Also, doing all these just because of this drama. The First Frost really set my standard too high when it comes to C-dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
oh, to be loved
There's something so beautiful about being loved by someone who has patience for you and sees you as someone worthy of kindness, understanding, and support. Their love doesn’t rush, doesn’t demand, but instead gently supports you in silence. (YET SO LOUD) In their eyes, you are a piece of art! Every part of you, every emotion you feel, is met with grace and tenderness. It’s not just about the grand gestures or the moments of intense passion it’s the quiet moments, the ones where they wait for you to open up, to feel safe, and trust. They find joy in your laughter, pain with your sadness, and peace in your presence. You become the most beautiful person in their world, not because of anything you do or don’t do, but because to them, you are everything. To be loved by someone who wants nothing but your happiness, who takes the time to understand you and always encourages you to be your best self, is a rare and precious gift. It’s the kind of love that makes life feel lighter, easier, and fuller. I don't think you should live for love, but i do believe that a life that gets to experience this kind of love, is a life well lived.Was this review helpful to you?
Greenest Flag of 2025
Can his flag can any greener??! Cuz daaaaamnHe’s one cheeky green flag.
One of the sweetest, charming, loving drama I've watched for 2025.
I know they are just acting, but their chemistry was through the roof.
Though it included a bit of "thriller", it was worth it.
A lot of messages are in this series.
When I say this man knows what love is and knows how to love, believe me!!!
Their love grew soooooo deep for each other.
I am glad the FL let go of all the negative persons in her life.
I just had to add, episode 21- bro was to eating her face up lol
Ummm, I just have to say it and its just me - the FL wardrobe, they could have done a better job.
A little scene in the last episode gave me WIFTY vibes and got me teary because this man will give up the world just to make her happy.
WRITER, THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING DRAMA!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The masterpiece of our generation
A heart wrenching love story about healing, acceptance and love. Absolutely wonderful in every aspect you could possibly think of and well deserving of the total rating of 9.0.I'll do the unconventional method of reviewing and start from the ending. I've never seen a proposal in any drama, movie or tv-series that was so beautifully executed and so emotional that I just could not stop crying or smiling. The way the main characters were so genuine, so utterly and completely in love with each other, was so touching. The normally put together and shamelessly arrogant Sang Yan turned into a complete mess of nervousness and hope and expectations that he couldn't even speak. He turned into the goofy and clumsy teenager we saw in his POVs at the ends of the episodes and I loved it so much. I also loved the video where everyone told Wen Yifan and Sang Yan's love story from their point of view. I could fell Yifan realizing there were so many people in her life who genuinely cared about her and see her teenage self healing. Just beautiful.
Now to Yifan's family dynamics. I really feel like Yifan did the right choice in cutting ties with her mother. She was never there for her, never thought to think about how Yifan fealt, how she was doing or whether or not she was safe. She literally saw what Yifan's uncle did to her, how broaken and hurt and miserable she was. Heard how scared she was. And....ignored her. What mother would ever even question whether or not her own child was speaking the truth about someone assaulting or harrassing her? Even if she realized she was wrong and that her actions, or more like lack of it, hurt Yifan, it's too late now. I don't even think she genuinely felt remorse, I just think she realized that she was all alone now that her husband had left her and her "family" was going to jail. She realized how empty and miserable it was to be all alone and was selfishly trying to keep at least one person in her life.
Yifan went through so much and even though I kind of understand she didn't feel like she should let Sang Yan into her life, I just wish she didn't hurt him a second time. When she left and ran away to Hongkong, I wanted to scream at her and demand that she'd return to Sang Yan. The first time was fine, she was a scared teenager, but now she was an adult and should've fought harder to stay. What was the point when in the end she didn't even need to be persuaded to come back? The second she set her eyes on Sang Yan she was more than happy to return.
My heart ached each time Sang Yan found out about Yifan's horrible past. The first time he saw where and how she lived? In a shabby little shared apartment with slimy perverted men? When he realized she didn't keep in touch with her family and why. When he learned about her sleepwalking. When he found out about the reason she sleepwalked. When he found out about how she was treated when her "family" saw her sleepwalking. When he found out about why she had to stop dancing...
This drama is worthy of each and every praise it has gotten so far. It was an emotional rollercoaster I wish I could re-visit for the first time again. And in my opinion, 10 x better than Hidden love.
Was this review helpful to you?
Really captured your heart from the start!
Though this is a slow burn series but it tells a beautiful story of main leads first love from high school. Love the storytelling of a beautiful love story reuniting after years of separation . The story touched you deeply and lots of teary moment. Absolutely enjoyed the series and beautifully written and produced. Great job, 👏🏻 everyone especially the Director.Was this review helpful to you?
