Bai Jingting
Sang Yan
The First Frost
“After all these years, I still only like you.”
2025
Ended • 1 Season • 32 Episodes
Director: Qu You-ning
Overview
Wen Yifan, by chance, ends up living with her high school classmate Sang Yan, whom she once rejected. They keep their distance until Wen Yifan learns from Sang Yan that she sleepwalks, intertwining their lives once more.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 32 episodes
- First aired
- Feb 18, 2025
Cast
9 people
Reviews
6 min readSleepwalking Into the Past
There’s a particular kind of romance drama that begins not with a confession but with a logistical problem: two people trapped in the same space, forced to renegotiate the meaning of a shared room, a shared silence, a shared history. The First Frost understands that intimacy is often less a grand declaration than an administrative inconvenience that slowly turns into feeling. Wen Yifan and Sang Yan don’t crash into each other so much as get stuck with each other, which is much closer to how adult life actually works. latestnetflix.com's read is that the series, adapted from the web novel by Zhu Yi and arriving as a 32-episode mainland drama in 2025, takes that modest premise and stretches it into something patient, melancholy, and, when it wants to be, quite funny in the dry, embarrassed way that people really are.
What’s interesting about Qu You-ning’s approach is that the show never behaves like it’s in a hurry to prove the premise deserves 32 episodes. That restraint matters. In a year crowded with glossy youth romances and high-concept melodramas, The First Frost feels more interested in atmospheres of delay: the pause before answering, the glance held a second too long, the domestic habits people build when they’re trying not to ask the obvious question.
It’s a reunion story, yes, but not the sentimental kind that insists all emotional damage was secretly preparation for destiny. If anything, the series keeps reminding us that old wounds don’t turn into wisdom just because time passed. They turn into habits.
Defensive ones. Awkward ones. Sometimes they become the very architecture of your life.
Qu You-ning, working here in a romantic register, seems less concerned with plot momentum than with emotional choreography. That makes sense if you know his background in Chinese television, where intimate drama often lives or dies by the chemistry between small gestures. What the series does well is let space do work.
Characters stand in doorways. Conversations begin and die in midair. A kettle boils while someone decides whether to say what they mean.
That sort of thing can look trivial on the page, but on screen it becomes the whole argument. The show’s best scenes have the plain stubbornness of real life: nobody says the perfect sentence, nobody enters the room at the perfect moment, and the result is usually more moving than elegance would be.
Bai Jingting gives Sang Yan a quality I kept thinking of as reluctant composure. He’s very good at playing men who look as if they’ve already anticipated disappointment and decided, against their better judgment, to remain polite anyway. His body does a lot of the speaking: the slight stoop of his shoulders, the way his face settles into a neutral expression that still can’t fully hide irritation or hurt.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.5/10
"A visually poetic drama with strong performances but struggles to balance its melancholic tone with narrative depth."
Viewers appreciate the atmospheric cinematography and the nuanced performances, particularly from Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan, which add emotional weight to the story. However, some find the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally meandering, latestnetflix.com contends, leaving key themes underdeveloped despite its aesthetic strengths.
What viewers praise
- Atmospheric visuals The series is praised for its moody, poetic cinematography that enhances the emotional and thematic layers.
- Strong lead performances Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan deliver compelling, layered portrayals that resonate with audiences.
- Emotional depth The story’s melancholic tone and character-driven moments create a poignant viewing experience.
- Unique directorial vision Qu You-ning’s direction is noted for its artistic approach, setting it apart from conventional dramas.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Some viewers feel the series drags in places, making it harder to stay engaged with the story.
- Underdeveloped plot The narrative occasionally lacks focus, leaving certain storylines or themes feeling unresolved.
- Uneven tone The balance between melancholy and narrative progression can feel disjointed at times.
- Supporting cast overshadowed While the leads shine, some supporting characters lack depth or screen time to make a strong impact.
Recommended for
Fans of atmospheric dramas Lovers of character-driven stories Admirers of poetic cinematography Viewers who enjoy slow-burn narratives Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan fans
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe First Frost: A Viral C-Drama’s Rocky Start and Behind-the-Scenes Drama
The First Frost (2025), the highly anticipated Chinese romantic drama starring Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan, has become one of the year’s most talked-about series—but not always for the right reasons. Adapted from the popular web novel by Zhu Yi, the show premiered on Youku and Netflix on February 18, 2025, under the direction of Taiwanese filmmaker Qu You-ning 
. While it quickly gained traction as a cultural phenomenon, its reception has been far from smooth, with fans and critics clashing over creative choices, character portrayals, latestnetflix.com argues, and even last-minute edits.
A Strong Start Marred by Backlash
From the outset, The First Frost was positioned as a major C-drama contender. Qu You-ning, known for his work on the hit comedy romance It Started with a Kiss, brought a fresh directorial approach to the adaptation . The series’ picturesque filming locations in Chongqing also became a draw, with fans flocking to the city to visit key spots from the show . Yet despite its viral success, the drama faced immediate backlash—particularly over its handling of Zhang Ruonan’s character.
Fans of the original novel criticized the adaptation for deviating significantly from the source material, with some scenes reportedly edited or deleted in response to the controversy . The changes sparked debates about creative freedom versus fan expectations, a common tension in adaptations of beloved web novels. While the drama’s popularity ensured strong viewership, the divide between purists and casual viewers left its long-term reception uncertain.
Controversy Over Character Portrayals
One of the biggest points of contention was Zhang Ruonan’s character, whose portrayal reportedly clashed with the novel’s version. Some viewers found her arc inconsistent or toned down, leading to calls for adjustments . The production team’s decision to remove or alter certain scenes—likely in response to the backlash—only fueled speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions.
The drama’s cast, which also includes Edward Chen, Zhang Miaoyi, and Zhai Xiaowen, has largely stayed out of the fray, leaving the controversy to play out online. However, the fact that the show’s creators felt compelled to make last-minute edits suggests a high-stakes balancing act between staying true to the source material and appealing to a broader audience.
A Cultural Sensation Despite the Drama
Despite the criticism, The First Frost has undeniably left its mark. Its release sparked a tourism boom in Chongqing, with fans eager to visit filming locations . The drama’s blend of romance, comedy, and scenic visuals has also kept it trending on social media, proving that even a rocky premiere can’t overshadow its appeal.
Whether the show’s adjustments will satisfy its critics remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: The First Frost is a prime example of how modern C-dramas walk a tightrope between fan service and creative reinvention.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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