The First Frost Cdrama- Ongoing Review

The First Frost (2025) is an amazing modern-day, romance drama based on a Chinese novel. The drama is available on Netflix and is based on a novel by the same name.

SUMMARY of the PLOT:

The drama begins with the meeting of the two main characters, Sang Yan and Wen Yifan, after their separation 6 years ago. The drama often transitions between the current story and the characters' past interactions when they were in high school. During their high school years, the main characters became friends, and despite their clear interest in each other, Wen Yifan ended their relationship. The characters meet again at Sang Yan's bar and soon become roommates by accident.

It is an incredible adaptation for those who have read the novel and were waiting for this drama, like me. It sticks to the source material quite well, and the extra scenes that are added only help the story. Currently, I have watched till the most recent release at episode 12 and would give the drama an 8.9/10.

IMPORTANT NOTE for NEW CDRAMA VIEWERS:

For those who do not watch many Cdramas, it is important to understand the relationship of Sang Yan and Wen Yifan as high schoolers. In China, having a relationship during high school is not looked at favorably by adults since students should focus on their studies and pass the Gaokao exam with high marks. It is often discussed in many coming-to-age dramas that students who like each other should work hard to attend the same prestigious university and date in their university years. This understanding is the basis for why Sang Yan and Wen Yifan are not officially dating in their high school years and had originally promised to attend the same university together. Although they were not officially a couple, it was clear that their promise to attend the same university would have led to a relationship had Wen Yifan not broken their promise. At the last minute, she changed her application to attend Yihe University, and Sang Yan attended Nanwu University. (Both the cities and universities are fictional.)

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PROS:

Where do I even start! The drama's aesthetic, lighting, and tone are some I absolutely love and rarely see in the Cdramas. The darker scheme fits perfectly with the heavier topics of sexual harassment that Wen Yifan endured throughout her life. It is also a reflection of her closed-off heart and detached personality towards others. Overall though, I enjoy the dark aesthetic for its stylistic beauty the most.

For fans of the original novel, this drama follows the script of the novel well. It is different from the novel, where we have the thoughts of Wen Yifan blatantly written out for us. Her personality here feels even more detached from most people in her life. There are some additional scenes and more development of the side characters in this story, but it only adds to the drama's development and does not impact any important scenes.

I love that the drama portrays Wen Yifan's character and the growth of her connection with Sang Yan in a slow manner. Additionally, I really like that the female lead is not a bubble personality, which is the norm in Cdramas. Rather, the character is detached due to her upbringing and changes in family life, but her warmth shines with her best friend and her passion for dance and news reporting. She is clearly well-mannered and reserved in many areas of her life, but her level of comfort with Sang Yan leads them to banter, and eventually, her behaviors and words are less restrained.

Do not be disappointed that Victor Ma was not cast as Sang Yan. I loved the actor in Hidden Love and almost felt reluctant to watch The First Frost without him, but the current actor for Sang Yan is incredible. He has aired in other top dramas and absolutely nailed them, and he nails this drama too!

Sang Yan's character growth is minimal in the novel and drama, but overall I believe that it actually adds to the drama. His home life is full of love; thus, he can give boundless love to Wen Yifan. The patience and kindness he shows are consistent throughout the drama. This consistency is what Wen Yifan falls for in the novel, as she realizes that he is her safe haven both in the past and current storyline. Sang Yan's main growth is his ability to understand Wen Yifan's intentions. As a high schooler, Sang Yan takes Wen Yifan's words at point-blank and does not find out why she broke their promise. However, in the current storyline, he has matured and realizes there are many facets to her life and intentions he does not know of yet. His ability to analyze both her words and actions will ultimately grow in the drama as it does in the novel.

CONS:

I do not have major cons for this drama; however, I believe that those who have not read the novel could struggle to understand Wen Yifan's character. Without knowledge of her inner monologue or a clear prior understanding of her family life, other viewers could struggle to understand her thinking in the first few episodes of the drama. Some of her actions and attitude may be difficult to comprehend for people who have not read the novel, but these pieces become more clear after the first 5ish episodes.

Moreover, some people feel that the female actor's acting is too stiff, but I believe it is a perfect representation of her character and personality at the beginning of the story. I initially did not like the interactions of the characters because I felt a sense of awkwardness and even slight apprehension between them. I nearly forgot that they had a separation and old history between them. So for others who did not feel a chemistry between the leads, please do not stop watching yet. The initial interactions are awkward intentionally and will make sense as their backstory is revealed and they grow closer.

Another aspect of the drama that many push away some viewers is the expectation that it is similar to Hidden Love. The dramas and source novels are entirely different despite being written by the same author and existing in the same fictional universe. The First Frost's thematic exploration of sexual assault and harassment, the detached female lead, and sleepwalking triggered by trauma are entirely different from the lighter tone of the Hidden Love drama. Viewers who expect a lighthearted watch will feel that the tone of this drama is quite different.

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CONCLUSION AND RECS:

I love this drama and the source novel as well! I have been waiting months for it and look forward to watching it every night. Overall, the aesthetic, interesting female character's personality, and growing romance are the best parts of the drama. The drama is perfect for those who have read the novel, as additional scenes add to the storyline without changing the important scenes. I highly recommend this drama with an 8.9/10 rating.

I will update my review as the drama progresses, but if it follows the source material well in subsequent episodes, then I expect my rating will rise to 9.1/10.

My recommendations:

Hidden Love (2023): This drama is within the universe and written by the same author. It has a more lighthearted tone than The First Frost. This show gained immense popularity in China and abroad. It stars one of my favorite Chinese actresses and I loved the actor who played Sang Yan in the drama as well. My rating is 8.8/10

Meet Yourself (2023): This is one of my favorite dramas ever, and the growth of the female lead is incredible. This drama has a special place in my heart, but the first few episodes start off a little choppy. The dram is centered around the healing of the female lead in a small, scenic town where she helps the male lead develop the town's tourism business. Both dramas have great acting, growth of the female lead, and incredible chemistry. My rating is 9.2/10.

You Are My Hero (2021): This drama has the same male lead actor, and remembering this drama is what led me to watch The First Frost as soon as it aired. The actor is incredible in this and I simply loved the relationship of the main characters. My rating is 9/10.

My Journey to You (2023): This drama is a Wuxia romance, but I recommended it simply for its aesthetic. It has a dark scheme that is similar to The First Frost which is rare in Chinese dramas. The drama is incredible in its own way, with fabulous acting, world-building, and the chemistry of both couples. My rating is 8.8/10.

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