Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The First Frost, which just premiered on Netflix and has C-drama fans completely obsessed with this heartwarming romance that proves sometimes love gets a beautiful second chance.
The First Frost premiered on February 18, 2025, simultaneously on Youku and Netflix worldwide, delivering this romantic Chinese television drama starring Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan. Adapted from the Chinese novel of the same name by Zhu Yi, the series explores the complexities of love, longing, trauma, and healing through the story of two former high school classmates who reunite after years. What makes this series special is how it delves deep into the psychological aspects of romance, using an unusual plot device – sleepwalking – to bring two people together who have been keeping their distance from each other.
Set in modern China, The First Frost follows Wen Yifan, a dedicated reporter, and Sang Yan, who owns the Overtime restaurant and works as a team lead at a video game company. Their story is a companion to the popular drama Hidden Love, focusing on older brother Sang Yan while the previous series centered on his younger sister Sang Zhi. The series captures that bittersweet feeling of reconnecting with someone from your past when you’re both completely different people than you were before.
Zhang Ruonan’s Nuanced Performance as Wen Yifan
Zhang Ruonan delivers a beautifully nuanced performance as Wen Yifan, the reporter who by chance ends up living with her high school classmate Sang Yan, whom she once rejected. Wen Yifan’s character represents someone carrying the weight of past decisions and unresolved feelings, trying to maintain professional boundaries while her heart pulls her in a different direction.
What makes Ruonan’s performance particularly compelling is how she portrays Wen Yifan’s sleepwalking condition, which becomes the catalyst that intertwines her life with Sang Yan’s once more. The sleepwalking isn’t just a plot device – it’s a metaphor for how our subconscious desires can lead us toward what our waking minds resist, creating intimate moments that force both characters to confront their true feelings.
Bai Jingting’s Charismatic Sang Yan
Bai Jingting brings incredible charisma to Sang Yan, Wen Yifan’s childhood crush who has grown into a successful restaurant owner and gaming company team leader. Sang Yan’s character arc shows someone who has matured from the boy Wen Yifan knew in high school, but who still carries feelings for her despite their complicated history.
During the series’ release, Bai Jingting’s role as Sang Yan became so popular that he ranked first on character popularity charts, proving that his portrayal resonated deeply with audiences. The chemistry between Jingting and Ruonan is electric, whether they’re pretending not to recognize each other or slowly allowing their walls to come down as they navigate their unexpected living situation.
When Distance Becomes Intimacy: The Roommate Dynamic
The series’ most compelling storyline revolves around how Wen Yifan and Sang Yan initially keep their distance despite living together, until her sleepwalking condition forces them into closer proximity. This central concept creates a unique romantic tension where physical closeness happens against their conscious will, allowing for intimate moments that neither character would normally allow.
The roommate dynamic explores how two people with shared history but different life experiences can slowly rediscover each other. Their journey from awkward housemates to rekindled lovers is handled with sensitivity and realism, showing how past rejection and present attraction can coexist in complex, emotionally satisfying ways.
The Overtime Bar Connection
The supporting cast, including Edward Chen, Zhang Miaoyi, and Zhai Xiaowen, creates a rich ensemble centered around the Overtime bar where Wen Yifan first encounters Sang Yan again. These characters represent the different paths and relationships that both leads have developed over the years, providing context for how much they’ve both changed since high school.
The Overtime bar setting becomes more than just a location – it’s the symbolic space where past and present collide, where professional reporter Wen Yifan can let her guard down and where Sang Yan can be more than just a successful businessman.
Success on Netflix and Youku
The First Frost has become the first legitimate C-drama hit of 2025, with industry veterans considering it a bona fide success story. During its release, both Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan were ranked as top C-drama artists in the international market, proving the series’ global appeal. The simultaneous release on Youku and Netflix worldwide has allowed the show to reach audiences across different markets, with early viewer reviews praising its authentic portrayal of modern romance and emotional depth.
Perfect for Romance Drama Enthusiasts
If you love romantic dramas that explore second chances and the complexity of adult relationships, The First Frost is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show delivers everything you want from a modern romance – genuine chemistry, emotional depth, and a story that understands how love can evolve and mature over time.
Why This Romance Hits Different
The First Frost succeeds because it treats its characters like real adults with complicated histories rather than idealized romantic figures. The series offers a mature exploration of how past hurt and present attraction can coexist, making it essential viewing for anyone who appreciates romance stories that feel authentic and emotionally honest about the messiness of love.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 24
Platform: Netflix (also available on Youku)
Release Year: 2025
Current IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Romantic Drama, Modern Romance
Status: Complete series (Available for streaming)
Protagonists: Zhang Ruonan (Wen Yifan), Bai Jingting (Sang Yan)
Antagonist: Past misunderstandings and emotional barriers (no traditional antagonist)