Nat

Alright, ladies, gather 'round because I'm about to tell you about your next TV boyfriend. If you're a romantic fiction junkie like me, then Chinese drama "The First Frost" is about to become your new obsession.

All you have to do is find it on your Netflix and click Play.

Now, I'll be real with you—I’m a huge fan of Chinese fantasy, but I'm usually not one to venture into the world of contemporary C-dramas. The culture differences after watching so much Western TV is jarring and I do need to be in the right mood. But Netflix kept on showing "The First Frost" to me since I already watch a lot of international content, so I decided to check it out.

First of all, this show has all my favorite tropes (high school sweethearts, second-chance romance, forced proximity—hello, roommates!), plus an epicly (is this even a word?) swoon-worthy male lead.

And let me tell you, this drama does not disappoint. From the jump, the production value is off the charts. The cinematography is so dang stunning. For someone who has worked on sets and did years of photography, this was so visually satisfying. The angles, the bokeh, the tricks the crew used with lights and fixtures. My eyes were so happy.

Seriously, the way the production team uses the visuals to set the mood and really draw you into the characters' journeys? Chef's Kiss

Now, let's talk about our leading lady Wen Yi Fan played by Zhang Ruo Nan. Yes, she might come across as a little weak at the beginning, but remember, this is a different culture, with its own set of societal norms. So, you need to adjust your expectations accordingly. And typically, a couple of episodes is enough to get into the groove.

As we watch the show, we also see the progress in Wen Yi Fan. The way she's been shaped by her traumatic past reflects on her personality greatly. But she makes up for her weakness by standing up for herself when it counts. Her relationship with her high school crush Sang Yan and how it develops in the present is also showcasing her character arc. I’ve seen some unconvincing leading ladies and Zhang Ruo Nan does an amazing job playing a victim of domestic violence and assault. Her performance is nuanced and believable. It’s endearing to watch her come into her own, to make the right decisions for herself and her happiness, to learn how to trust again. She looks fragile, but she has a lot more power than the viewer expects.

Writers did an amazing job with her character overall, and I think the actress was able to bring it to life wonderfully.

And then there's Sang Yan, our male lead. Fans self.

Honey, this man has been simping for Wen Yi Fan since high school, and let me tell you, the actor they cast absolutely nails it. Just a small piece of info in case you didn’t know: “The First Frost” is a spin-off of another popular TV series “Hidden Love,” in which there’s a different actor playing Sang Yan. He was recast for “The First Frost” because someone with more experience in romantic roles was needed for this drama.

I am so happy with the casing choice. Bai Jingting is a total sweetheart. He is nonchalant where it’s necessary and caring in a quiet, brooding way, but no overbearing. He knows Wen Yi Fan is the one for him, and he does everything to make her life easier. As someone who’s been writing romance novels for ten years and publishing them for six out of those ten, I can tell when the actor really puts his heart into a role. Sang Yan does everything for Wen Yi Fan that a gentleman will do, including sneaking in that cat tree into her room. This was such a sweet moment.

I’m also going to say that no matter how good the actors are, if there’s no chemistry between them, then it’s just not going to be convincing. Well, this show has no chemistry problems. The sparks between these two are off the charts, and the little moments where he shows his devotion? Swoon central, I tell you.

Another interesting thing I noticed is that Sang Yan is a green flag. Mostly, there will be some red flags in male leads in Asian shows, at least if you watch them from the Western point of view. If you are used to Asian content, then you will not notice. I have to constantly switch my brain depending on what I watch and tune in my expectations, but that’s just me.

Lastly, I want to talk a little about intimacy in this show. C-dramas are pretty tame. You’re lucky if you get more than one or two kisses over the course of 40 episodes. There’s no skinship whatsoever. You will hardly see a woman in a bra. Male torso will most definitely be shown. So, knowing how it typically is, I was pleasantly surprised that while “The First Frost” didn’t go full-on Hollywood style and open bedroom scene, there was a lot more steamy moments overall between the couple than in most C-dramas I’ve seen, which will be pretty satisfying for romance fans. These moments are quite important because they don’t just showcase a couple getting closer, but the trust the female lead puts into the male lead, which is part of her character development.

Side notes.

There’s a second couple, and they are cute, but I think the storyline about the grandparents bogged down the main plot a little and took a lot of time. But I also know why it was there, so I just skipped the lengthy dialogues that were meant to be educational.

We also had this hiccup of an arc that happens on almost all Asian romance dramas, where one has to leave the other because they think that the other is better off. (I actually understand why, because I would have probably done the same thing in my current medical situation to let the one I care about lead a better life. But I’m not 26 YO, and these people are effing healthy). I always roll my eyes at this trope because it’s becoming tiring, but the rest of the drama was very good. Overall, the story is so well-crafted, the characters so compelling, and the romance so darn swoony, you won't even care about this bit.

My verdict.

If you're in the mood for a drama that's gonna make your heart flutter, and your eyes tear up, you gotta check out "The First Frost." And trust me, you're gonna be thanking me later when you've found your new TV boyfriend in Sang Yan.

Music.

I need to say a couple of words about the soundtrack. It’s amazing and I even saved a few songs into my playlist.

Favorite song from the show: 想悄悄住进你的灵魂 (Want To Quietly Live in Your Soul) - 萧秉治 (Xiao Bingzhi)


P.S. And yes, it’s in Mandarin and it has English subtitles.

P.P.S. I have been trying to bring myself to watch Hidden Love just to see what the hype is about, but I have started and stopped twice now, simply because the cinematography in Hidden Love is not as good. I will give it a try again at a later date.