Caitlin

The First Frost is honestly not the kind of romance drama that I would describe as simply “sweet” or “fluffy.” It is much heavier than that. From the beginning, Wen Yifan and Sang Yan already carry their own emotional baggage, and their relationship is deeply connected to things that happened in the past. Watching them slowly find their way back to each other is what made this drama so emotional for me.

What I really like about The First Frost is that the characters actually feel like real people. They aren't perfect, and they don't always make the right decisions. Wen Yifan has her own fears, guilt, trauma, and emotional walls, while Sang Yan also has his own feelings and frustrations. Their problems aren't simply solved because they love each other. They have to confront the things that hurt them before they can truly move forward.

Wen Yifan especially made me feel a lot of emotions. Sometimes I understood why she pushed Sang Yan away, but there were also moments when I wanted to scream at her and say, “PLEASE, JUST TELL HIM WHAT YOU'RE FEELING.” She tends to keep things inside and believes that leaving or distancing herself is the best way to protect everyone, even when it clearly hurts both herself and Sang Yan.

And then there's Sang Yan...

This man really has patience.😭

He can be stubborn, jealous, emotional, and sometimes he doesn't know how to properly express what he's feeling either. But what I appreciate about him is that underneath all of that, he genuinely cares about Wen Yifan. He doesn't simply want to possess her or force her to stay. He gradually learns to understand what she's going through and gives her the space she needs while still making it clear that he isn't going to abandon her.

Their relationship therefore feels much deeper than just “childhood acquaintances who fall in love.” There is so much history between them. The feelings they had in the past, the misunderstandings, the separation, and everything that happened afterward all affect how they interact as adults.

And honestly, some of the most painful parts of the drama aren't even the romantic conflicts. It's seeing how much Wen Yifan struggles with herself. Her trauma affects the way she sees love, relationships, and even her own worth. That's why I think the healing aspect of the story is so important.

I also really appreciate that the drama doesn't treat love as a magical cure for trauma. Sang Yan loving Wen Yifan doesn't automatically make everything disappear. She still has to face her own pain, and he has to learn how to support her without trying to solve everything for her. That's what makes their relationship feel more meaningful to me.

Of course, the drama isn't perfect. There are definitely moments where the pacing feels slow, especially because the story spends so much time dealing with emotional conflicts and Wen Yifan's internal struggles. There were also times when I felt like certain misunderstandings lasted longer than they needed to.

But at the same time, I think the slower pacing is partly what allows the characters' emotions to develop. This isn't really a drama where everything happens quickly. It's more about two people slowly confronting feelings and wounds that they've been carrying for years.

And I have to mention the chemistry between the leads because IT'S THERE. The quiet moments between Wen Yifan and Sang Yan can sometimes feel more intimate than the big romantic scenes. The way they look at each other, the small gestures, the protectiveness, and the moments when they simply stay beside each other all contribute to their relationship.

Another thing I liked is that the supporting characters don't feel completely useless. Their friendships, family relationships, and personal struggles help make the world around Wen Yifan and Sang Yan feel more complete. The drama isn't only about “Will they get together?” It's also about the people and circumstances that shaped who they became.

By the later episodes, what matters isn't just whether Wen Yifan and Sang Yan love each other. It's whether Wen Yifan can finally allow herself to be loved without constantly feeling guilty or afraid. And that's what makes the conclusion more satisfying emotionally.

Overall, The First Frost is a beautiful but emotionally heavy romance. It can be frustrating, heartbreaking, slow at times, and occasionally make you want to yell at the characters to just communicate already, but I think that's also part of why the story works.

Did it make me frustrated? Absolutely.
Did I cry or get emotionally affected? Definitely.
Did I like Wen Yifan and Sang Yan's relationship? Yes.
Did I think their love story was just about romance? No.

For me, The First Frost is ultimately a story about two people who have loved, lost, hurt, and misunderstood each other, but eventually learn that loving someone also means giving them a safe place to heal.

It isn't a perfect drama, but it has heart. And honestly, that's what I'll remember most about it.

A slow, emotional, bittersweet love story about finding your way back to someone—and, more importantly, finding your way back to yourself.