I know it's been a long time since you reviewed this drama, and you might not even remember it clearly, but I watched it recently and mostly disagree with your take. This will be a lengthy response, so if you have the time and patience, I'd appreciate it if you could give it a read. First of all, a person's voice doesn't change dramatically from 17 to 19 or beyond—that's just her natural voice. Not everyone has a deep voice, and that's perfectly normal.I think the reason ZLS kept this higher-pitched voice is because her natural speaking voice is actually pretty deep, and it wouldn't have fit Sangzhi's youthful, bubbly character. The voice choice was likely a deliberate acting decision to better portray the character's personality. I think the portrayal of 19-year-old Sangzhi was impressively mature—such a striking contrast to her 17-year-old self that it was like night and day. Did we even watch the same show, or was her voice alone the deciding factor for your opinion?Yes, she was initially nervous when she met him again, but she got over it quickly. While she naturally acted her age, she consistently demonstrated the ability to stand up for both herself and Jiaxu when situations required it. Once their relationship began, she became his true equal and partner rather than a subordinate. Their dynamic felt genuinely mutual, free from any power imbalance—exactly what defines a healthy relationship. It's also worth noting that the show didn't depict everything chronologically. Between when they started dating and her internship began, one to two months passed off-screen, making their increased physical comfort with each other a natural progression. You mentioned they never had deep conversations like a real couple would—but I'm curious What specific types of conversations do you think would have made their connection feel deeper or more authentic to you? From my perspective, their dynamic actually showed a lot of depth and maturity, just expressed differently. He recognized she was young and let her stay true to herself rather than forcing her to change overnight. Her college experience wasn't compromised—if anything, it became more manageable because she had his support. The fact that he embraced her playful, seemingly immature qualities shows genuine acceptance rather than trying to mold her into someone else.What really stood out to me was how he shouldered all the responsibility and made significant sacrifices, especially in proving himself to her parents. That level of commitment and understanding of what their relationship required shows remarkable maturity on his part. The story structure also works against the impression of shallow conversations—their relationship becomes long-distance, and we jump forward two years. But even within that framework, their dreams and goals felt refreshingly grounded. Unlike many dramas where career ambition overshadows everything, their ultimate aspiration was simply building a meaningful life together—finding fulfilling work and creating a happy home.The conversations we did see consistently focused on their shared future, their individual goals, and how to navigate the challenges ahead. the drama chose to highlight the discussions that mattered most to their relationship's foundation. It's true the brain continues developing through the mid-20s, especially in areas linked to impulse control, foresight, and risk assessment. That doesn't mean decisions made before that are inherently bad Many excellent marriages, businesses, and life choices start in the early 20s.A person does not regret a decision that brought them profound happiness, security, and healing. Even if they got married at 28 there is no guarantee they won't regret it at 35.It just means keep an eye on ongoing growth: people change, and the relationship needs to be able to grow with them.Growth is lifelong ..In their case, they had known each other for 8–9 years before getting engaged, so they knew each other well and her family was also involved. She had plenty of options,space and freedom to move on if she wanted to, and she grew from a kid into a woman during that time. Yet, through all those different stages of her life, her love and admiration for him never faded — her feelings were solid.If it were just childish idealization, it would have faded when she faced reality. Instead, it deepened with reality.Yes, she got engaged at 22 and will probably be married by 23, but that doesn’t mean her life is over. Marriage doesn’t take away a woman’s chance at happiness—if anything, with the right person, it can make life easier, more stable, and more meaningful. Also, getting married doesn’t automatically mean she’ll start a family right away. If we look at the original novel, she actually went on to pursue higher education later, while he supported her along the way. I don’t think Sangzhi is at any disadvantage here—if anything, it’s Jiaxu who carries more risk and responsibility in their relationship. At just 24, he sacrificed career stability, poured his life savings into an uncertain startup, relocated entirely, and essentially invested his entire future on building a life with her. He did all of this so that she could remain close to her family.The difference is, Sangzhi still has a strong support system—her family and community are always there for her. But for Jiaxu, Sangzhi is his entire world; he doesn’t have the same safety net. That makes him more vulnerable. He’s now in her domain, where she could easily have more control if she want to. On top of that, he will always face the constant pressure of being older, being the provider, and living up to the promise he made to her parents—to always treat her well and give her a better life.If one day Sangzhi stops loving him or chooses to move on, she would still be surrounded by support and could find her happiness again. But for Jiaxu, it would be far more difficult to recover—because everything he has is tied to her. Also, what do you mean they don't have friendship? 🤔 Before dating, they had known each other for years—sharing countless memories and moments, helping each other in various ways, and developing a deep understanding of one another. This foundation is exactly what made their romance so strong. how is that not friendship?I'm genuinely curious about your definition of friendship here..Friendship isn't limited to deep intellectual conversations between adults; that's a rather narrow perspective. Moreover, calling someone "brother" or "sister" in Asian cultures , it’s completely normal to use those terms for someone older or younger—it’s a cultural expression, not a literal family dynamic. Regarding Jiaxu's feelings, it's important to understand the timeline. He didn't fall for her when she was 17 but that's when their story began. His initial kindness toward her stemmed from gratitude; her family had been generous to him, even helping him financially when he needed it. He's explicitly stated that he never truly saw her as a real sister. He treated her with the protective care you'd show a younger person in your life, but as he put it himself, he "treated her like a sister in the cultural sense—not literally—but adored her more like a kid, until her actions proved she wasn't a kid anymore." We don’t see every single detail in the drama, but the show gives us enough to understand the bigger picture. Jiaxu was a lonely man burdened with heavy debts, constantly working overtime, and living under the weight of people’s prejudice. He never truly had inner peace until he met Sangzhi. She was always there for him—not necessarily from a “responsible adult” perspective, but sincerely, from her heart.Even after they lost touch for two years, when they reconnected, she immediately picked up where she left off—supporting him both emotionally and in practical ways.So when you look at it from his perspective, of course he fell for her. She was the person who stood by him during his darkest period...And once he started sensing the possibility that someone else might take her away, it naturally pushed him to act.Importantly, he never rushed. He didn’t pursue her until he was certain she felt the same. When he finally asked if he could court her, it was done in the most reasonable and respectful way. You mentioned that the author initially tried to avoid anything "creepy" by setting boundaries, but then supposedly dropped those safeguards once Sangzhi became an adult. But here's the thing—she is an adult now, so why would those safeguards still be necessary?If meeting her initially at a young age is a problem, it will always be one.. They only became physically intimate about a year after they started dating & Sangzhi herself initiated it, and her family knew about their relationship. That seems like more than enough time to determine whether Jiaxu was rushing or pressuring her into anything.The reality is that he was consistently careful throughout their relationship—asking for her consent before pursuing her romantically, checking whether she was comfortable with intimacy, and always respecting her boundaries. Sangzhi genuinely trusted him, and she often initiated physical closeness herself.So what exactly is problematic about two consenting young adults in love sharing intimate moments together? Absolutely nothing. You mentioned that it would’ve been an easy fix if Sangzhi and Jiaxu had reconnected after 8 years—but think about it from Sangzhi’s perspective too. She herself wondered: if she weren’t 20 but 29, maybe they wouldn’t have faced so many problems. But then, where’s the story? Without those conflicts, the drama could have ended in 10 episodes, feeling flat and dull. That’s not what this drama is about but I genuinely understand why. The portrayal of younger Sangzhi creates an immediate barrier for some viewers. While their earlier meetings were crucial to the narrative structure,providing vital context for the hesitation, struggles, and internal conflicts that defined their relationship I completely understood the discomfort but it was intentional.Just like many viewers, the characters in the drama itself struggled with this issue. The problem was never truly about their age gap, but rather the fact that he had known her since she was 13. Also, if they had met again after 8 years, would it really be realistic? The crush was one-sided—Jiaxu didn’t love her yet, nor did he know about her feelings. Do you honestly think he would have stayed single for 8 years? And from Sangzhi’s side, would it be healthy for her to cling to a crush for that long? If she moved on,, why would she stay single? Now, if you wanted them to have multiple relationships (which is more common in Western storytelling), that could work. But the author wanted them to be each other's first love, so I think they met at exactly the right time. The thing is, you're missing the main theme of the story. It's about a young girl's wish The Wish of First Love that She wrote on Paper Stars came True!! ♥- a secret crush that gets rewarded through time and patience.The person who once felt unattainable eventually responds to her feelings. If you remove the crush element, you lose the entire foundation of the drama. Once that crush disappears, the heart of the story disappears too.
"Just finished First Frost and honestly, it was torture. 32 episodes that could've easily been wrapped in 25, with Sang Yan single-handedly carrying the entire show while the FL remained cold and dull. Their romance felt completely one-sided and dry—zero chemistry or mutual spark.
in the end her sudden exit and comeback made absolutely no sense, and I wouldn't be surprised if she bolts again in the future. The whole thing felt like watching someone chase an ice statue.
What's frustrating is how differently they handled Hidden Love. There, they completely transformed Duan Jiaxu from the novel's moody, emotionally repressed character into a vulnerable, gentle lead who actually expressed his emotions. They created a balanced love story where both characters contributed equally—she healed his trauma while he secured their future. The drama added romantic moments and made their physical intimacy feel mutual, which wasn't in the original novel. Honestly, I wouldn't have enjoyed the drama if they'd adapted the source material without changes. Those adjustments made it feel wholesome and watchable.
First Frost, however, stuck rigidly to the novel's characterization, especially the FL's personality, and it shows. This felt like a conquest story—ML finally 'wins' his prize after relentless pursuit. She barely contributed to their happy ending; it's entirely his journey and achievement.
They should've taken the Hidden Love approach and softened her character to create an actual partnership instead of this one-sided chase dynamic."
I just Realized**Hidden Love** uses China's dual age system (traditional vs. official), similar to Korea's system where people can be 1-2 years older than their legal age. **Birth dates:** Duan Jiaxu (May 7, 1994) & Sangzhi (April 22, 1999) **2012 first meeting:** Sangzhi was 13 (official) but called 14 (traditional), while Jiaxu was 18 starting college. **2017 reunion:** They referred to themselves as 19 and 24 respectively, but were officially 18 and 23 (confirmed by Jiaxu's medical report showing age 23). Uses of official age: - Sangzhi celebrated her 19th birthday using international age - She mentioned in episode 23 she will turn 20 next year cz in china for legal marriage ( age: 20 for women, 22 for men, based on the official age) - -Sangzhi said in last episode story of hidden love span: 5 years 2016-2021 ("from his 22 to her 22") Timeline: Jiaxu at Nanwu University (2012-2016), Sangzhi at Yihe University (2017-2021)
First of all, a person's voice doesn't change dramatically from 17 to 19 or beyond—that's just her natural voice. Not everyone has a deep voice, and that's perfectly normal.I think the reason ZLS kept this higher-pitched voice is because her natural speaking voice is actually pretty deep, and it wouldn't have fit Sangzhi's youthful, bubbly character. The voice choice was likely a deliberate acting decision to better portray the character's personality.
I think the portrayal of 19-year-old Sangzhi was impressively mature—such a striking contrast to her 17-year-old self that it was like night and day. Did we even watch the same show, or was her voice alone the deciding factor for your opinion?Yes, she was initially nervous when she met him again, but she got over it quickly. While she naturally acted her age, she consistently demonstrated the ability to stand up for both herself and Jiaxu when situations required it. Once their relationship began, she became his true equal and partner rather than a subordinate. Their dynamic felt genuinely mutual, free from any power imbalance—exactly what defines a healthy relationship.
It's also worth noting that the show didn't depict everything chronologically. Between when they started dating and her internship began, one to two months passed off-screen, making their increased physical comfort with each other a natural progression.
You mentioned they never had deep conversations like a real couple would—but I'm curious What specific types of conversations do you think would have made their connection feel deeper or more authentic to you?
From my perspective, their dynamic actually showed a lot of depth and maturity, just expressed differently. He recognized she was young and let her stay true to herself rather than forcing her to change overnight. Her college experience wasn't compromised—if anything, it became more manageable because she had his support. The fact that he embraced her playful, seemingly immature qualities shows genuine acceptance rather than trying to mold her into someone else.What really stood out to me was how he shouldered all the responsibility and made significant sacrifices, especially in proving himself to her parents. That level of commitment and understanding of what their relationship required shows remarkable maturity on his part.
The story structure also works against the impression of shallow conversations—their relationship becomes long-distance, and we jump forward two years. But even within that framework, their dreams and goals felt refreshingly grounded. Unlike many dramas where career ambition overshadows everything, their ultimate aspiration was simply building a meaningful life together—finding fulfilling work and creating a happy home.The conversations we did see consistently focused on their shared future, their individual goals, and how to navigate the challenges ahead. the drama chose to highlight the discussions that mattered most to their relationship's foundation.
It's true the brain continues developing through the mid-20s, especially in areas linked to impulse control, foresight, and risk assessment.
That doesn't mean decisions made before that are inherently bad Many excellent marriages, businesses, and life choices start in the early 20s.A person does not regret a decision that brought them profound happiness, security, and healing. Even if they got married at 28 there is no guarantee they won't regret it at 35.It just means keep an eye on ongoing growth: people change, and the relationship needs to be able to grow with them.Growth is lifelong ..In their case, they had known each other for 8–9 years before getting engaged, so they knew each other well and her family was also involved. She had plenty of options,space and freedom to move on if she wanted to, and she grew from a kid into a woman during that time. Yet, through all those different stages of her life, her love and admiration for him never faded — her feelings were solid.If it were just childish idealization, it would have faded when she faced reality. Instead, it deepened with reality.Yes, she got engaged at 22 and will probably be married by 23, but that doesn’t mean her life is over. Marriage doesn’t take away a woman’s chance at happiness—if anything, with the right person, it can make life easier, more stable, and more meaningful. Also, getting married doesn’t automatically mean she’ll start a family right away. If we look at the original novel, she actually went on to pursue higher education later, while he supported her along the way.
I don’t think Sangzhi is at any disadvantage here—if anything, it’s Jiaxu who carries more risk and responsibility in their relationship. At just 24, he sacrificed career stability, poured his life savings into an uncertain startup, relocated entirely, and essentially invested his entire future on building a life with her. He did all of this so that she could remain close to her family.The difference is, Sangzhi still has a strong support system—her family and community are always there for her. But for Jiaxu, Sangzhi is his entire world; he doesn’t have the same safety net. That makes him more vulnerable. He’s now in her domain, where she could easily have more control if she want to. On top of that, he will always face the constant pressure of being older, being the provider, and living up to the promise he made to her parents—to always treat her well and give her a better life.If one day Sangzhi stops loving him or chooses to move on, she would still be surrounded by support and could find her happiness again. But for Jiaxu, it would be far more difficult to recover—because everything he has is tied to her.
Also, what do you mean they don't have friendship? 🤔 Before dating, they had known each other for years—sharing countless memories and moments, helping each other in various ways, and developing a deep understanding of one another. This foundation is exactly what made their romance so strong. how is that not friendship?I'm genuinely curious about your definition of friendship here..Friendship isn't limited to deep intellectual conversations between adults; that's a rather narrow perspective. Moreover, calling someone "brother" or "sister" in Asian cultures , it’s completely normal to use those terms for someone older or younger—it’s a cultural expression, not a literal family dynamic.
Regarding Jiaxu's feelings, it's important to understand the timeline. He didn't fall for her when she was 17 but that's when their story began. His initial kindness toward her stemmed from gratitude; her family had been generous to him, even helping him financially when he needed it. He's explicitly stated that he never truly saw her as a real sister. He treated her with the protective care you'd show a younger person in your life, but as he put it himself, he "treated her like a sister in the cultural sense—not literally—but adored her more like a kid, until her actions proved she wasn't a kid anymore."
We don’t see every single detail in the drama, but the show gives us enough to understand the bigger picture. Jiaxu was a lonely man burdened with heavy debts, constantly working overtime, and living under the weight of people’s prejudice. He never truly had inner peace until he met Sangzhi. She was always there for him—not necessarily from a “responsible adult” perspective, but sincerely, from her heart.Even after they lost touch for two years, when they reconnected, she immediately picked up where she left off—supporting him both emotionally and in practical ways.So when you look at it from his perspective, of course he fell for her. She was the person who stood by him during his darkest period...And once he started sensing the possibility that someone else might take her away, it naturally pushed him to act.Importantly, he never rushed. He didn’t pursue her until he was certain she felt the same. When he finally asked if he could court her, it was done in the most reasonable and respectful way.
You mentioned that the author initially tried to avoid anything "creepy" by setting boundaries, but then supposedly dropped those safeguards once Sangzhi became an adult. But here's the thing—she is an adult now, so why would those safeguards still be necessary?If meeting her initially at a young age is a problem, it will always be one.. They only became physically intimate about a year after they started dating & Sangzhi herself initiated it, and her family knew about their relationship. That seems like more than enough time to determine whether Jiaxu was rushing or pressuring her into anything.The reality is that he was consistently careful throughout their relationship—asking for her consent before pursuing her romantically, checking whether she was comfortable with intimacy, and always respecting her boundaries. Sangzhi genuinely trusted him, and she often initiated physical closeness herself.So what exactly is problematic about two consenting young adults in love sharing intimate moments together? Absolutely nothing.
You mentioned that it would’ve been an easy fix if Sangzhi and Jiaxu had reconnected after 8 years—but think about it from Sangzhi’s perspective too. She herself wondered: if she weren’t 20 but 29, maybe they wouldn’t have faced so many problems. But then, where’s the story? Without those conflicts, the drama could have ended in 10 episodes, feeling flat and dull. That’s not what this drama is about but I genuinely understand why. The portrayal of younger Sangzhi creates an immediate barrier for some viewers. While their earlier meetings were crucial to the narrative structure,providing vital context for the hesitation, struggles, and internal conflicts that defined their relationship I completely understood the discomfort but it was intentional.Just like many viewers, the characters in the drama itself struggled with this issue. The problem was never truly about their age gap, but rather the fact that he had known her since she was 13.
Also, if they had met again after 8 years, would it really be realistic? The crush was one-sided—Jiaxu didn’t love her yet, nor did he know about her feelings. Do you honestly think he would have stayed single for 8 years? And from Sangzhi’s side, would it be healthy for her to cling to a crush for that long? If she moved on,, why would she stay single? Now, if you wanted them to have multiple relationships (which is more common in Western storytelling), that could work. But the author wanted them to be each other's first love, so I think they met at exactly the right time.
The thing is, you're missing the main theme of the story. It's about a young girl's wish The Wish of First Love that She wrote on Paper Stars came True!! ♥- a secret crush that gets rewarded through time and patience.The person who once felt unattainable eventually responds to her feelings. If you remove the crush element, you lose the entire foundation of the drama. Once that crush disappears, the heart of the story disappears too.
in the end her sudden exit and comeback made absolutely no sense, and I wouldn't be surprised if she bolts again in the future. The whole thing felt like watching someone chase an ice statue.
What's frustrating is how differently they handled Hidden Love. There, they completely transformed Duan Jiaxu from the novel's moody, emotionally repressed character into a vulnerable, gentle lead who actually expressed his emotions. They created a balanced love story where both characters contributed equally—she healed his trauma while he secured their future. The drama added romantic moments and made their physical intimacy feel mutual, which wasn't in the original novel. Honestly, I wouldn't have enjoyed the drama if they'd adapted the source material without changes. Those adjustments made it feel wholesome and watchable.
First Frost, however, stuck rigidly to the novel's characterization, especially the FL's personality, and it shows. This felt like a conquest story—ML finally 'wins' his prize after relentless pursuit. She barely contributed to their happy ending; it's entirely his journey and achievement.
They should've taken the Hidden Love approach and softened her character to create an actual partnership instead of this one-sided chase dynamic."
**Birth dates:** Duan Jiaxu (May 7, 1994) & Sangzhi (April 22, 1999)
**2012 first meeting:** Sangzhi was 13 (official) but called 14 (traditional), while Jiaxu was 18 starting college.
**2017 reunion:** They referred to themselves as 19 and 24 respectively, but were officially 18 and 23 (confirmed by Jiaxu's medical report showing age 23).
Uses of official age:
- Sangzhi celebrated her 19th birthday using international age
- She mentioned in episode 23 she will turn 20 next year cz in china for legal marriage ( age: 20 for women, 22 for men, based on the official age)
- -Sangzhi said in last episode story of hidden love span: 5 years 2016-2021 ("from his 22 to her 22")
Timeline: Jiaxu at Nanwu University (2012-2016), Sangzhi at Yihe University (2017-2021)