The acclaimed Chinese drama The First Frost concluded its captivating 32-episode journey on March 10, 2025. As a prequel to the immensely popular Hidden Love, the series features standout performances from Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan and is adapted from Zhu Yi’s novel bearing the same name.
Central to the narrative is Sang Yan, the elder sibling of Hidden Love‘s protagonist, Sang Zhi. The drama intricately explores Sang Yan’s tumultuous relationship with Wen Yifan, charting their evolution from high school acquaintances to lovers, enduring periods of separation, and ultimately culminating in their poignant reunion.
Unveiling the Subtle Symbolism in The First Frost
The First Frost is not merely a love story; it is a richly layered drama filled with symbolic references and intricate details that offer deeper insights into the characters and themes. Viewers are invited to notice the subtle nods to its sequel, Hidden Love, enhancing its narrative depth.
Let’s explore some of the profound details embedded within the series:
1) The Significance of ‘First Frost’ Perfume
In a heartwarming gesture, Sang Yan presents Wen Yifan with a perfume titled ‘First Frost’ on her birthday in episode 16. The Chinese translation of the perfume ties directly to Wen Yifan’s nickname, Wen Shuangjiang, which celebrates her special day known as the Frost’s Descent in the Chinese calendar. This meaningful gift beautifully encapsulates their relationship, establishing a symbolic connection to the series’ title.
2) Literary Reference: Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Watch the promotional clip here
A promotional poster features Ashin, the lead vocalist of the Taiwanese band Mayday, holding the novel Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (橘子不是唯一的水果)—the same book read by Wen Yifan in the final scene. The rich tapestry of connections continues with the drama’s OST track, 任性 (“Willful”or “Stubborn”), resonating with the themes of both the drama and its literary inspiration, highlighting the complexity of emotional relationships.
3) Engaging Episodic Structure: Split Sentences
Each episode opens and closes with a split sentence, creating an intriguing narrative device. For example, episode 29 begins with “Love Means…” and concludes by completing the thought with “Love means being each other’s light.” This structure enriches the storytelling by adding emotional depth and impact.
4) Revisiting Hidden Love: The Drinking Scene
The drama cleverly revisits a scene from Hidden Love, where Sang Yan, troubled over Duan Jiaxu’s departure, drinks excessively during episode 6. This moment echoes in The First Frost where it is explored through another character’s perspective, offering deeper insight into Sang Yan’s emotional turmoil and persistent affections for Wen Yifan.
5) Wedding Connections Across Dramas
In a grand wedding event featured in episode 13 of Hidden Love, significant romantic developments occur, paralleled in episode 22 of The First Frost. Here, Wen Yifan arrives late to join Sang Yan, now officially his girlfriend, marking a pivotal moment in their narrative arc.
6) The Confrontation at Yihe University
The emotional tension builds when Sang Yan rushes to confront Duan Jiaxu at Yihe University in both dramas, demonstrating how intertwined their stories are. This moment’s parallel showcases the shared themes of family, love, and conflict.
7) The Snowflake Bracelet
Sang Yan’s black bracelet, gifted by Wen Yifan, serves as an emblem of their bond and reflects her nickname ‘First Frost.’ Its appearance in both dramas highlights the enduring connection throughout the series.
8) The Recurring Snowflake Motif
The recurring snowflake motif, visible not only on Wen Yifan’s phone case but also throughout the series, reinforces her connection to the theme of frost and character identity.
9) The Door Lock Password Symbolism
In episode 31, Sang Yan sets the door lock password for their new home to the date of his first meeting with Wen Yifan, symbolizing the deep emotional significance of their initial encounter.
10) A Proposal Filled with Meaning
Sang Yan proposes to Wen Yifan with a ribbon-shaped engagement ring in the series finale, a gesture that symbolizes their mutual significance in each other’s lives. The choice of their high school as the setting adds emotional weight to this heartfelt moment.
11) An Empowering Final Message
The series wraps up with a poignant reminder:
“Treat yourself well, and the world will hold more love for you!”
Fans of Chinese drama can stream The First Frost on both Youku and Netflix, further exploring this intricate and heartfelt story.