The First Frost: The new Netflix Chinese drama on love, heartbreak, and closure

Dubai: If you're expecting another sweet, feel-good romance like Hidden Love, then you are barking up the wrong tree with The First Frost, out on Netflix now.

This new series, that premiered today, takes a completely different turn—one that delves deep into regret, heartbreak, and the weight of unresolved emotions.

This new drama follows the story of Sang Yan (Bai Jingting) and Wen Yifan (Zhang Ruonan), a pair whose past is riddled with pain, misunderstandings, and a love that never fully bloomed.

Unlike Hidden Love, which explored young love and discovery, The First Frost is a more mature, emotionally intense journey.

Sang Yan and Wen Yifan once shared a deep connection, but life has left them with scars that make rekindling their bond anything but easy. Wen Yifan, carrying the trauma of a past assault, struggles with emotional barriers, while Sang Yan silently battles years of longing and regret. Their interactions are charged and there's that raw, unspoken tension.

This drama isn't a direct continuation of Hidden Love, even though Sang Yan was first introduced in that series.

Bai Jingting takes over the role (originally played by Victor Ma), bringing a quiet intensity that makes Sang Yan's pain all the more palpable. Zhang Ruonan, meanwhile, delivers a powerful performance as Wen Yifan, whose guarded nature hides layers of emotional turmoil.

What sets The First Frost apart is its emotional depth. Every moment is loaded with meaning, and rather than grand romantic gestures, the series thrives on subtlety—stolen glances, hesitations, and the aching space between two people who can’t quite bridge the gap. The dual-perspective storytelling, which presents events first through Wen Yifan’s eyes and then through Sang Yan’s, adds a compelling layer to the narrative, showing just how much perception and emotions shape their interactions.

Early reviews and reception:

With only six episodes available so far (out of a total of 32), early reviews praise The First Frost for its emotionally charged storytelling and powerful performances. Viewers appreciate the slow-burn tension and deep character exploration, though some may find the pacing a bit deliberate. Instead of rushing toward resolution, the series allows its audience to sit with the emotions of its characters, making the heartbreak feel all the more real.

For those looking for a drama that explores love beyond fairy-tale endings—one that grapples with past trauma, emotional scars, and the complexity of human connection—The First Frost promises to be a compelling watch.