A Slow Burn That Pays Off
When this drama first came out, I discovered Hidden Love and decided to watch them in order of release since they’re set in the same universe. I absolutely adored Hidden Love, which made me really excited to watch The First Frost. No one warned me, though, that it would be such a different kind of drama.
Before starting The First Frost, it’s important to understand how much perspective shapes the story. In Hidden Love, we see Sang Yan through Sang Zhi’s eyes—her annoying, "ugly" older brother who’s always teasing her. The tone is playful and lighthearted because it reflects her youthful point of view. In contrast, The First Frost is told from Wen Yifan’s perspective, which gives us a completely different view of Sang Yan. From her side, he comes across as more distant, quiet, and emotionally guarded. But as the story unfolds, we begin to see his soft side and the quiet ways he cares for her. It’s not that Sang Yan has changed; it’s that we’re finally seeing the parts of him that were hidden in Hidden Love.
I went into The First Frost expecting the same cute, heartwarming vibe as Hidden Love and When I Fly Towards You, especially since all three dramas are based on novels by the same author. But this one carried a lot more emotional depth and complexity.
At first, I honestly wasn’t enjoying it and even thought about dropping it around episode 6. But I’m really glad I didn’t. While the pacing felt slow and the story dragged at times, everything eventually came full circle. In the end, it was unexpectedly satisfying and meaningful, even if not everything made perfect sense.
One of the most rewarding parts of the drama is watching the characters grow. Both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan face personal struggles and insecurities, but over time, they learn to open up and trust each other. Their growth feels genuine, showing how love and understanding can help heal past wounds. Even the side characters have their own arcs, which adds layers to the story and makes the world feel more real.
(Be warned—this drama may make you cry.)
Before starting The First Frost, it’s important to understand how much perspective shapes the story. In Hidden Love, we see Sang Yan through Sang Zhi’s eyes—her annoying, "ugly" older brother who’s always teasing her. The tone is playful and lighthearted because it reflects her youthful point of view. In contrast, The First Frost is told from Wen Yifan’s perspective, which gives us a completely different view of Sang Yan. From her side, he comes across as more distant, quiet, and emotionally guarded. But as the story unfolds, we begin to see his soft side and the quiet ways he cares for her. It’s not that Sang Yan has changed; it’s that we’re finally seeing the parts of him that were hidden in Hidden Love.
I went into The First Frost expecting the same cute, heartwarming vibe as Hidden Love and When I Fly Towards You, especially since all three dramas are based on novels by the same author. But this one carried a lot more emotional depth and complexity.
At first, I honestly wasn’t enjoying it and even thought about dropping it around episode 6. But I’m really glad I didn’t. While the pacing felt slow and the story dragged at times, everything eventually came full circle. In the end, it was unexpectedly satisfying and meaningful, even if not everything made perfect sense.
One of the most rewarding parts of the drama is watching the characters grow. Both Wen Yifan and Sang Yan face personal struggles and insecurities, but over time, they learn to open up and trust each other. Their growth feels genuine, showing how love and understanding can help heal past wounds. Even the side characters have their own arcs, which adds layers to the story and makes the world feel more real.
(Be warned—this drama may make you cry.)
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