This review may contain spoilers
A Slow Burn Romance with Unforgettable Chemistry
The casting of Sang Yan as Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruo Nan as Wen Yi Fan was absolutely perfect. They had amazing chemistry, and you could truly feel the longing they had for each other.
Bai Jing Ting as Sang Yan was a match made in heaven. I had my reservations when I first heard he was cast in the role, as I thought Victor Ma was excellent as Sang Yan in Hidden Love. But now I understand why they chose him. Bai Jing Ting has a wide acting range, and the role seemed to come naturally to him.
Wen Yi Fan’s portrayal of Zhang Ruo Nan was equally brilliant. In moments when her character feels awkward or shy around Sang Yan, you can see the hesitation in her expressions before she speaks. Her gestures when scared, the trembling, the crying, and the hurt in her eyes are incredibly believable. It was absolutely captivating.
The story begins with Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan meeting in high school, when their relationship should have started but did not because of Wen Yi Fan’s dark past. The drama then flashes forward to the present, where their paths cross again under unexpected circumstances. They become roommates. Sang Yan initially keeps his walls up because of the pain Wen Yi Fan caused him, appearing standoffish and cold. But it is clear that he still loves and cares for her. He gives her the better bedroom, pays for her snacks, and even cooks for her. During this time as roommates, his walls gradually come down and he softens considerably. The first half focuses on them rebuilding their bond.
The second half of the drama is much darker, as Wen Yi Fan’s past, the darkness she has desperately tried to run from, finally catches up to her. She leaves Sang Yan to protect him from getting involved. Sang Yan does everything he can to find her. As he retraces her steps, he learns more about her past and grows increasingly angry at himself for not being there to protect her when she needed him most. I really liked how the story builds up this part, allowing viewers to fully understand how dark Wen Yi Fan’s past truly was.
I also liked how Sang Yan respected Wen Yi Fan’s boundaries; he never forces his feelings onto her. He grew up in a privileged, happy, and loving environment, and while his world is very different from Wen Yi Fan’s, he is willing to do anything to be a part of hers. In the beginning, Sang Yan is rather carefree and directionless, while Wen Yi Fan wants to be independent and unaffiliated with the people she once called family. When they separate for college, it deeply hurts Sang Yan, and you begin to see his outlook on life change.
This story is a slow burn, but it is intriguing and never feels dragged out. It shows just how powerful love can be, how it can pull someone out of darkness, and give them courage. Sang Yan heals Wen Yi Fan, and you can see that only someone born and raised in a loving, happy home could become the man he is. The love Sang Yan has for Wen Yi Fan is unconditional and selfless. He simply wants her to be happy and have the best in life.
Besides the main leads, I didn't really care for the other characters. It felt like the people casting didn't put much thought into who they chose for the supporting roles. I felt that the friends of Sang Yan in Hidden Love were cast much better, but that may be because the friends didn't play as significant a role in The First Frost compared to Hidden Love.
Bai Jing Ting as Sang Yan was a match made in heaven. I had my reservations when I first heard he was cast in the role, as I thought Victor Ma was excellent as Sang Yan in Hidden Love. But now I understand why they chose him. Bai Jing Ting has a wide acting range, and the role seemed to come naturally to him.
Wen Yi Fan’s portrayal of Zhang Ruo Nan was equally brilliant. In moments when her character feels awkward or shy around Sang Yan, you can see the hesitation in her expressions before she speaks. Her gestures when scared, the trembling, the crying, and the hurt in her eyes are incredibly believable. It was absolutely captivating.
The story begins with Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan meeting in high school, when their relationship should have started but did not because of Wen Yi Fan’s dark past. The drama then flashes forward to the present, where their paths cross again under unexpected circumstances. They become roommates. Sang Yan initially keeps his walls up because of the pain Wen Yi Fan caused him, appearing standoffish and cold. But it is clear that he still loves and cares for her. He gives her the better bedroom, pays for her snacks, and even cooks for her. During this time as roommates, his walls gradually come down and he softens considerably. The first half focuses on them rebuilding their bond.
The second half of the drama is much darker, as Wen Yi Fan’s past, the darkness she has desperately tried to run from, finally catches up to her. She leaves Sang Yan to protect him from getting involved. Sang Yan does everything he can to find her. As he retraces her steps, he learns more about her past and grows increasingly angry at himself for not being there to protect her when she needed him most. I really liked how the story builds up this part, allowing viewers to fully understand how dark Wen Yi Fan’s past truly was.
I also liked how Sang Yan respected Wen Yi Fan’s boundaries; he never forces his feelings onto her. He grew up in a privileged, happy, and loving environment, and while his world is very different from Wen Yi Fan’s, he is willing to do anything to be a part of hers. In the beginning, Sang Yan is rather carefree and directionless, while Wen Yi Fan wants to be independent and unaffiliated with the people she once called family. When they separate for college, it deeply hurts Sang Yan, and you begin to see his outlook on life change.
This story is a slow burn, but it is intriguing and never feels dragged out. It shows just how powerful love can be, how it can pull someone out of darkness, and give them courage. Sang Yan heals Wen Yi Fan, and you can see that only someone born and raised in a loving, happy home could become the man he is. The love Sang Yan has for Wen Yi Fan is unconditional and selfless. He simply wants her to be happy and have the best in life.
Besides the main leads, I didn't really care for the other characters. It felt like the people casting didn't put much thought into who they chose for the supporting roles. I felt that the friends of Sang Yan in Hidden Love were cast much better, but that may be because the friends didn't play as significant a role in The First Frost compared to Hidden Love.
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