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In 2025, urban romance dramas are evolving beyond cliché love stories, and The First Frost is leading the charge.
It’s become Youku’s fastest-growing hit since 2024 and even cracked Netflix’s Top Ten in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Adapted from a hit Jinjiang novel, the drama racked up 7.92 million reservations before its release.
Once it aired, it dominated the market share for on-demand urban romance series, keeping audiences hooked.
Social media buzz skyrocketed as fans shared their favourite moments, proving just how deeply the story resonated.
Producer Quan Xianglan credits this success to the drama’s emotional depth.
He revealed that The First Frost prioritises strong character connections, making viewers feel every moment.
This shift in storytelling reflects how audiences now crave content that’s not just entertaining but meaningful.
A Faithful Yet Fresh Adaptation
Fans of the original novel were both excited and anxious about the adaptation.
Would the drama do justice to Sang Yan and Wen Yifan’s relationship?
The production team tackled this challenge with a three-step approach: preserving the emotional core, recreating romantic tension, and delivering iconic moments.
One of the most anticipated scenes—Wen Yifan instinctively sleeping close to Sang Yan during a family conflict—captured their growing bond while adding emotional weight.
The drama didn’t just adapt the novel; it expanded on it, adding layers that enhanced character growth and deepened the narrative.
Love Beneath the Sarcasm
Sang Yan and Wen Yifan’s dynamic is the heart of the drama.
He’s her pillar of support, while she struggles to rebuild her confidence.
One of the most touching moments comes when Sang Yan confesses, “After all these years, I just like you.”
Simple words, yet they carry years of unspoken emotions.
Actors Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan bring their characters to life with subtle expressions and chemistry that make every interaction feel real.
Their performances elevate the drama, making it more than just another love story.
A Soundtrack That Stays With You
Music plays a crucial role in The First Frost.
Songs like It’s You by Li Yuchun and Serenade by Mao Buyi don’t just accompany scenes; they amplify emotions.
When Wen Yifan feels lost in her tiny apartment, Serenade plays, reinforcing the loneliness she’s battling.
Every song was chosen to mirror character emotions, helping viewers not just watch the drama but feel it.
The OST also leaves a lasting impact—fans hear these tracks outside the show and immediately relive the drama’s most powerful moments.
More Than Just Romance
Unlike typical idol dramas, The First Frost addresses real-world struggles.
Wen Yifan isn’t just navigating love; she’s battling workplace discrimination, family trauma, and financial hardship.
The drama’s slow-burn storytelling makes these struggles feel authentic, drawing viewers into her journey.
It’s a story of healing—one that doesn’t shy away from heartbreak but also plants seeds of hope.
Quan summed it up best: “People always need to believe in love.”
That belief has made The First Frost a game-changer in urban romance dramas, proving that love stories can be both dreamy and deeply real.