POV CDRAMA: THE FIRST FROST

 For this 2025 I became aware about the spin-off of Hidden Love which was The First Frost both were written by Zhu Yi. The story took place during their high school years of Sang Yan and Weng Yifan but for some reasons  when they were about to go to the same college, Yi Fan opted to enroll elsewhere. Thus, ending their teen-age romance. Fast forward after six years, they were able to see each other again by accident at the Gastropub Overtime which Sang Yan co-owned together with their male high school classmate. 

Wen Yifan became a reporter while Sang Yan became a online game programmer -designer. Circumstances made them housemates and they slowly rekindle their old romance. 

As the story progresses, it was revealed that Wen Yifan's relatives were the culprit. Her dad's sudden passing signaled her spiral down her youth and almost losing her dignity in the hands of her aunt's brother (her father's sister - in -law). Her own mother knew it but cowardly left her defenseless; since then on Yifan became independent and ultimately leaving Sang Yan fed in lies that she did not want him nor interested with him.  

I cried a lot during in one episode where Wen Yifan suffered again from sleep walking and some flashbacks were shown. My heart broke to all fellow women who also have some unlawful experiences with men. I, for one, encountered some men who would tease me for having a large breast and still single up until now. Some men would tease me to have sex with men and would state sweet words about having a partner in life. I am like "who cares, get out of my sight.. and so on. Quite a few times I would fight back like punch them in the face, kick their ass and scream foul words until I get the attention of some passerby that I need help. 

Wen Yifan also defended herself in the way she knows. The touching moments which I adore where the scenes where Sang Yan would do everything for Yifan. He would made her dream come true which was practicing ballet at the rooftop of another school, would wake-up early in the morning just to get in the bus and save a seat for her, would also follow her from school to the apartment of Yifan's estranged relatives just to make sure she was safe. By the time they got back together, he made sure that Yifan would have the best things in life which Yifan seemed to view those things as luxury, since she did not got the chance to enjoy since her father's death.

Zhu Yi, the author, did a fantastic job when she wrote this story, It seems the storyline break the traditional set-up of how the girl meets the boy. It seems like Sang Yan is the male version of what a woman ideally searching and praying for. Some viewers share that Sang Yan is like a "sorry version" of Zhu Yi to all the women who felt wronged by men in some point of their lives. 

For me, while watching the whole 32 episodes it made me cry, laugh and prayed to find a Sang Yan someday. A man who would me make me feel safe, willing to wait, support your dreams, accept your flaws and past, secretly fulfills the dreams you missed somehow and always notice the small details. 

I do not want to be a spoiler.  For those who have not watch it kindly watch The First Frost available at Youku. Prepare some napkins or tissues just in case you might feel crying as well.  https://www.youku.tv/?lang=en_US