A Beautifully Crafted Adaptation That Brings the Novel to Life
Let’s talk about "The First Frost" because this drama DELIVERED on its hype (at least for me, a hardcore novel fan!). First off, the casting? Perfection. Bai Jingting as Sang Yan is literally manhwa come to life; his visuals, his smirk, that effortless cool-but-caring vibe? spot on. And Zhang Ruonan as Wen Yifan? she embodied the novel’s Yifan sooo well—beautiful in a quiet, melancholic way, with this comforting warmth that makes you root for her instantly. Her face just screams "I’ve been through a lot, but i’m trying my best" which is exactly how Wen Yifan feels in the book.
Speaking of the novel—yes, i read it beforehand (and obsessed over the Bai Jingting + Zhang Ruonan casting rumors for MONTHS), and overall no regrets. Bai Jingting’s acting is flawless. He didn’t just play Sang Yan; he became him, nailing every subtle emotion and bringing the character from page to screen exactly how i imagined. Zhang Ruonan was a wild card for me (since i hadn’t seen her work before), but wow??!! she killed it. Wen Yifan’s early chapters in the novel are heavy with loneliness and overthinking, and Zhang Ruonan portrayed that so well through her expressions and delivery. You feel her struggles without her even saying much.
Cinematography-wise, it’s solid, nothing groundbreaking for a modern romance drama, but no complaints either. The props and sets felt realistic (no cheap-looking stuff, thank god), and the costumes is a chef’s kiss. Shoutout to Bai Jingting for helping style Sang Yan’s looks because yes. And can we appreciate his hair and makeup? The team deserves a raise for unlocking 100% of his Sang Yan aura.
Now, the downsides: (1) Too many harassment scenes (way more than the novel), which felt unnecessary and dragged the mood down. (2) The side plots: like Su Haoan’s grandparents’ story were kinda pointless. I’d rather have more focus on Su Haoan and Zhong Shiqiao’s romance instead.
But overall? Loved it! the production did justice to the novel, the leads had insane chemistry, and the OST are Iconic. Silence Wang’s song is an instant playlist addition. If you’re into slow-burn, emotional romances with depth, this one’s a must-watch! just keep tissues handy for Wen Yifan’s struggles and Sang Yan’s heart eyes. 9.5/10!
**Minor spoiler:** That scene when Sang Yan kissed Wen Yifan in the kitchen? I SCREAMED🔥
Speaking of the novel—yes, i read it beforehand (and obsessed over the Bai Jingting + Zhang Ruonan casting rumors for MONTHS), and overall no regrets. Bai Jingting’s acting is flawless. He didn’t just play Sang Yan; he became him, nailing every subtle emotion and bringing the character from page to screen exactly how i imagined. Zhang Ruonan was a wild card for me (since i hadn’t seen her work before), but wow??!! she killed it. Wen Yifan’s early chapters in the novel are heavy with loneliness and overthinking, and Zhang Ruonan portrayed that so well through her expressions and delivery. You feel her struggles without her even saying much.
Cinematography-wise, it’s solid, nothing groundbreaking for a modern romance drama, but no complaints either. The props and sets felt realistic (no cheap-looking stuff, thank god), and the costumes is a chef’s kiss. Shoutout to Bai Jingting for helping style Sang Yan’s looks because yes. And can we appreciate his hair and makeup? The team deserves a raise for unlocking 100% of his Sang Yan aura.
Now, the downsides: (1) Too many harassment scenes (way more than the novel), which felt unnecessary and dragged the mood down. (2) The side plots: like Su Haoan’s grandparents’ story were kinda pointless. I’d rather have more focus on Su Haoan and Zhong Shiqiao’s romance instead.
But overall? Loved it! the production did justice to the novel, the leads had insane chemistry, and the OST are Iconic. Silence Wang’s song is an instant playlist addition. If you’re into slow-burn, emotional romances with depth, this one’s a must-watch! just keep tissues handy for Wen Yifan’s struggles and Sang Yan’s heart eyes. 9.5/10!
**Minor spoiler:** That scene when Sang Yan kissed Wen Yifan in the kitchen? I SCREAMED🔥
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