- Drama Title: The First Frost
- Also Known As: 难哄, First Frost, Eternal Love, Hard to Deceive, Hard to Coax, Nan Hong
- Screenwriter & Director: Chu Yu Ning
- Genres: Romance, Drama
- Cast: Bai Jing Ting, Zhang Ruo Nan
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Date of Release: Feb 18, 2025
- Original Network: Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku, Netflix
- Adapted from the web novel: “First Frost” by Zhu Yi
Hola, dear readers! I was supposed to write this review days ago, but life had other plans. You know how it goes… One minute, you’re just casually thinking about tidying up, and the next, you find yourself deep cleaning the kitchen at 6 AM. I thought it would only take a couple of hours at most, but hours turned into a whole day of cleaning because, well, you can’t leave your living room unattended, right?
From there, it somehow spiralled into the storage room, the bathrooms, and, finally, the front yard. By the end of it all, my lower back felt like it had been through a war, and the next day, I couldn’t even get out of bed.
If there were an award for productive procrastination, I’m pretty sure I’d be the winner. But here I am, finally sitting down, and ready to dive into all my thoughts about The First Frost. It is one of the Chinese dramas released in February 2025. So, without further ado, this is The First Frost drama review, let’s get into it!
The First Frost Drama Synopsis
Wen Yi Fan, a dedicated journalist, unexpectedly met her ex-boyfriend at a bar. The moment she saw him, all the memories came rushing by. Yet, Sang Yan pretended not to know her. To hide the awkwardness, she also pretended not to know him.
But fate didn’t want to let her go. Through a series of coincidences, Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan met again and again. When Wen Yi Fan decided to move from her rental house due to a serious harassment incident, she unexpectedly shared the apartment with him.
After years of being apart, living together as housemates slowly eased the awkwardness between them. Sang Yan’s quiet care and protection helped Wen Yi Fan heal from her painful past. Over time, she began to open her heart and admit her feelings for him. With newfound courage, Wen Yi Fan decided to pursue him openly.
Sang Yan, on the other hand, was hurt by her years of absence and wanted to vent his frustration. But when he saw the struggles she had gone through, his desire to protect her only grew stronger. He approached their relationship carefully, fearing that she might leave him again.
The First Frost Drama Review
Dear readers, for the last few days I feel like my eye bags were getting bigger and darker. I tried to many things to make the panda eyes gone. I tried eye cream, an eye mask, cold compress. Not working.
I drink more water and eat more salad. Also not working. I put cucumber, and tea bags under my eyes. Still not working. My dermatologist told me to get enough sleep. And I say, not working! Because I couldn’t afford it. Not until I finished The First Frost, Ski Into Love, and The Best Things drama, drama review, and ending explained posts.
And after this whole hullaballoo wraps up, I guess I should see another doctor. Those dramas were TOO SWEET, I might have developed a sugar overdose! My heart skipped a beat… literally. Someone should call a cardiologist.😁
But who can I blame? I brought this on myself. I have to binge-watch all these dramas at once. It’s no wonder I’m drowning in sweetness! The level of sugar in these shows is practically off the charts.
The Story – How Their Journeys Melted My Heart
At first, I had a strong resistance to this drama simply because the role of Sang Yan wasn’t played by Victor Ma. I absolutely adored Hidden Love and found myself watching it over and over again. Each time, I couldn’t forget how flawlessly Victor Ma portrayed the unruly Sang Yan.
So, when I found out that Bai Jing Ting would be taking on the role, I couldn’t help but feel skeptical. Would he be able to bring the same energy and charm that Victor Ma did?
I had expected The First Frost to carry the same cheerful, youthful vibe as Hidden Love—but I was so wrong. This drama dives much deeper. We see it through Wen Yi Fan’s story, as she faces harassment, abandonment by her mother, and the struggles of living with a toxic family and difficult circumstances.
To honor the impression I had of Victor Ma’s portrayal of Sang Yan, and to respect Bai Jing Ting’s take on the character, I decided to approach The First Frost as a completely different drama and not a spin-off of Hidden Love. By doing so, I could stop comparing their acting and interpretations of the same role. I hope you understand my reasoning, dear readers…😉
Shifting focus back to the The First Frost drama review.🫡
The first thing that deserves praise in The First Frost is undoubtedly the acting of our main leads, Zhang Ruo Nan and Bai Jing Ting. They did an exceptional job bringing Wen Yi Fan and Sang Yan to life. And I’m sure you’ll agree that the chemistry between them is undeniable.
It’s as if they were destined to play these roles, with their interactions feeling so natural and compelling. Their connection tugs at the heartstrings, making you believe that, despite being separated for years, Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan still meant for each other. This dynamic is undoubtedly the strongest element of the drama, and it’s what makes The First Frost so captivating to watch.
In addition to the main couple, we also have the second souple, Su Hao An and Zhong Si Qiao. They added another layer to the story. Su Hao An, played by Chen Hao An, is a sweet, slightly naïve rich boy, while Zhang Miao Yi portrays Zhong Si Qiao, a character who may seem childish on the outside but is surprisingly mature beneath.
Their personalities complement each other perfectly. However, I couldn’t help but feel that their relationship was a bit lacking in excitement compared to the complexity of their individual stories.
For a bit of eye candy, we also have Zhao Xiao Wen as Xiang Lang. Having seen him in Always Home drama, it was refreshing to witness his more mature side in this drama. And I had to admit that he looked absolutely dashing in natural tones and gold-rimmed glasses. 😍
The Story-A Slow, Steady Rise
The title The First Frost is inspired by Wen Yi Fan’s nickname, Shuang Jiang. She once told her classmates that she was born when the first snow descended, and that’s why her parents called her Shuang Jiang.
To double-check, I did a quick search and found on ccchague.org that Shuang Jiang translates to ‘The Frost’s Descent’ in English. It marks the transition from autumn to winter. I found this to be quite poetic. Wen Yi Fan’s father must be a romantic at heart.
When it comes to the pacing, the story moves at a slow, measured pace. It mainly focusing on two key themes: Sang Yan’s pursuit of Wen Yi Fan and Wen Yi Fan’s journey to cope with her traumatic past. Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan’s relationship began many years ago, back in high school. This is where flashbacks scenes play a pivotal role in revealing the backstory.
Thankfully, the flashbacks are mostly placed at the beginning of each episode, making it easier to piece together the past. If they had been scattered throughout the middle of the episodes, it would have been much harder for me to follow. 😆
The beginning of the story is straightforward, and I quickly grasped the dynamics between Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan, as well as her struggles with the trauma she faced. However, one thing that puzzled me was Wen Yi Fan’s living situation. She chose to live in a cramped house with strangers, despite seemingly having a decent income.
Although money might play an important role, I expected Wen Yi Fan to choose a better living situation. Given her traumatic past, she would likely want to avoid being around strangers, particularly men. But, of course, this is just my thought. 🤷♀️
Wen Yi Fan’s sudden encounter with Sang Yan wasn’t particularly surprising, but his reaction to her certainly was. I expected him to approach her with a longing gaze, but instead, he greeted her with anger and coldness.
It seemed like he was venting the frustrations and longing that had been bottled up inside him for so long, which honestly came across as rather childish.
But, then again, Sang Yan does have his moments of immaturity. What’s more interesting is that despite his childishness, he’s also incredibly sensitive. He’s not impulsive when it comes to the things he cares about and tends to tread carefully, afraid of losing something he’s not ready to let go of.
On the other hand, Wen Yi Fan struck me as timid when it came to Sang Yan. When she’s in journalist mode, she’s fearless and decisive, and with her friends, she’s more at ease. So, why does she become like a timid rabbit when Sang Yan is around?
But I can easily understand why Wen Yi Fan behaves this way. It’s because of the burden of guilt towards Sang Yan. She failed to keep the promise she made back in high school and abandoned him without offering a proper explanation.
However, despite the years of separation, the love they shared never truly faded. This is the essence of The First Frost. It’s the idea that first love leaves an unforgettable mark on our hearts, and sometimes, it persists for much longer than we expect, even lasting a lifetime. More importantly, the power of love has the ability to heal wounds and mend broken hearts.
Typically, the beginning of a drama is light, filled with the sweetness of the story. As the plot progresses, the tone usually deepens, building up to a climax before the conclusion. However, in First Frost, the start was surprisingly distressing.
The opening scene felt like something straight out of an action drama, with a car chase and a crash. Then came the sight of Wen Yi Fan’s grim living situation, followed by Sang Yan’s cold, distant demeanor, and it all peaked with a harassment attempt. It was a far cry from the usual light-hearted beginning.
After a powerful start, the story soon shifted to the sweetness of love as Sang Yan and Wen Yi Fan grew closer, gradually opening their hearts to each other.
There were still moments that tugged at the heartstrings, such as Wen Yi Fan’s painful past being revealed and her journey to heal from it. What truly stood out to me were the playful moments between them.
I couldn’t help but be amazed at how Bai Jing Ting effortlessly transformed into such a charming, mischievous Casanovawhen the moment called for it. Their scenes had me smiling, with my heart racing a little faster and even blushing at their undeniable chemistry.
The Story-A Message That Resonates
The important aspect of The First Frost is Wen Yi Fan’s experience with sexual harassment and the toxic family that have deeply impacted her. The trauma and stress she endured were profound and long-lasting, affecting her both psychologically and emotionally.
On the outside, Wen Yi Fan appeared fine, especially since she kept her painful past hidden from everyone, including Zhong Si Qiao and Sang Yan. The feelings of shame and guilt weighed heavily on her, and she blamed herself for everything that had happened.
This trauma manifested in Wen Yi Fan’s low self-esteem, which caused her to shut down emotionally and distance herself from her relationship with Sang Yan. Despite all of this, she still holds a sliver of hope for her mother, Zhao Yuan Dong. Therefore, Wen Yi Fan never fully severed ties with her mother, even though she keep some distance from her and her new family.
Throughout the drama, we witness Wen Yi Fan’s struggle to overcome her trauma. Thankfully, she doesn’t wallow in self-pity. Instead, Wen Yi Fan showed a strong determination in her life. This is evident in how she solve her sleepwalking issue, by seeking help from a doctor and keeps track of her habits. She also poured all her energy into her schoolwork and career, using them as distractions from her emotional chaos.
In Wen Yi Fan’s life, emotional support is scarce. Her closest friends are Zhong Si Qiao and Su Tian from the news station, and of course, Sang Yan. Initially, Sang Yan is unaware of her struggles, but once he learns of her trauma, he becomes more gentle, protective, and caring. Rather than pushing her to open up, he patiently waits, providing the stability and protection Wen Yi Fan desperately needs.
As for the ending of The First Frost, I have to admit it wasn’t entirely satisfying. While it was well-written and didn’t feel rushed, I would have liked more detailed closure, especially when it comes to the villains. I wanted to see them face proper retribution for their terrible actions. But fret not, dear readers… this story has a beautiful ending.
The Characters
Sang Yang (played by Bai Jing Ting)
One of Sang Yan’s most distinguishing characteristics, which is evident from the very beginning, is his pride. Beneath this exterior, however, he’s also a passionate and kind-hearted person. Coming from a wealthy family, Sang Yan is both confident and humble.
Despite being a bit unruly in his younger years, Sang Yan has matured into a more emotionally controlled person, although he still retains a bit of his cunning nature.
Sang Yan now makes thoughtful decisions after carefully understanding the situation, showing a high level of empathy and genuine concern for others. Although he doesn’t often show it, Sang Yan cares deeply for his family, especially his sister Sang Zhi.
Sang Yan is also incredibly romantic. The opening of his Overtime Bar was actually inspired by something Wen Yi Fan said when they were in high school. She had mentioned that she wanted to create a place where people could relax and relieve stress after work.
At that moment, my heart was truly touched. How could someone be so sweet and devoted? ? I think loyalty and devotion ran in her family, as Sang Zhi was also completely fixated on Duan Jia Xu for years.
Wen Yi Fan / Shuang Jiang / Dian Dian (played by Zhang Ruo Nan)
Wen Yi Fan is a complex character who underwent significant growth throughout the story. She begins as a cheerful high school student and becomes a shy and introverted young woman. Later, under Sang Yan’s attentive nurturing, she rediscovers her original character, which was still cheerful and bright. But now it was colored with maturity and a lot of empathy.
Wen Yi Fan’s colleagues recognized her as intelligent, sharp, strong-willed, and hardworking. Her friends see her as sensitive, gentle, and caring, with a resilience and independence that stand out. She takes responsibility for her life and carves her own path, without relying on others for protection or guidance.
Behind closed doors, however, Wen Yi Fan tends to isolate herself, unable to fully open up to those around her. This emotional distance reflects the walls she’s built up as a result of the pain she’s endured. This inner conflict makes it difficult for her to open up to Sang Yan. But when she finally decides to openly pursue him and express her feelings, it marks a significant milestone in her journey. Yay! You go, girl! 📣
Zhong Si Qiao (played by Zhang Miao Yi)
Zhong Si Qiao is Wen Yi Fan’s closest friend. They have been close since kindergarten. She is a very energetic, strong-willed and independent person.
Despite her own hardships, Zhong Si Qiao never lets her family see her struggles, as she cares deeply for them and feels a strong sense of responsibility towards them.
Although she can afford to rent her own apartment, she chooses to stay in her cramped family home due to her concern for her mother’s health. Like any woman, Zhong Si Qiao has moments when she longs for a loving partner to take care of her.
Su Hao An (played by Chen Hao Sen)
From the moment he first appears, Su Hao An shows himself to be a spoiled young master from a wealthy family. However, he is far from arrogant. In fact, he is deeply sensitive and caring, always keeping his emotions in check, especially in difficult situations.
As a friend, Su Hao An is very loyal to Sang Yan. He genuinely cares for him, as he was the one who witnessed how badly Sang Yan was hurt when Wen Yi Fan left him.
As the only one in his family, Su Hao An grew up with his grandparents after losing his parents in an accident. He was very close to them, but as Su Hao An grew older, he became more focused on his own life and friends, and gradually drifted away from his family.
The Conclusion
The First Frost is a complex drama that combines a heartwarming romance with a deeper multi-layered story that explores heavy themes, such as psychological trauma. The pacing is quite slow, but I didn’t mind because I was fully immersed in the story.
In the end, no matter how many tears I shed, how many times my heart skipped a beat, or how many cucumber slices I put on my eyes, I’d happily experience it a few more times. The story is simply that good.
So, dear readers, if you decide to add The First Frost to your watchlist, be prepared. This drama will tug at your heartstrings, stir your emotions, and make you reach for more tissues. Be sure to stock up on snacks, because you’ll probably be indoors for a few days.
And don’t forget to stay hydrated. Remember that getting enough sleep is very important. So avoid binge-watching all through the night. Well, thank you for stopping by dear readers. Hope this The First Frost drama review helps. I’ll see you in the next drama review. Until then, goodbye!
