The First Frost (难哄) is a highly anticipated Chinese romantic drama set to premiere in 2025, featuring acclaimed actors Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan in leading roles. Adapted from the novel by Zhu Yi, the storyline revolves around two former high school classmates who, after spending years apart, serendipitously find themselves living together as roommates.
This poignant narrative delves into themes of love, nostalgia, unresolved issues, and personal growth. Notably, The First Frost serves as a prequel to the successful 2023 drama Hidden Love, and is available for streaming on platforms such as Youku and Netflix globally.
In the series finale of The First Frost, protagonists Sang Yan and Wen Yifan finally achieve their happy ending. They embrace their new life together as engaged partners, reconnecting with family and loved ones.
Recap of The First Frost and Ending Explained: Wen Yifan’s Journey Towards Healing
The narrative kicks off with Sang Yan’s initial meeting with Wen Yifan on her first day of high school. As they navigate the school year together, an underlying romantic tension grows between them, brought to life through their interactions as desk partners.
However, Wen Yifan’s world shatters following her father’s death, compounded by her mother’s remarriage which subjects her to an unstable living environment. This emotional upheaval forces her to shift between various relatives, leading to significant distress.
Despite their plans to attend Nanwu University together, Wen Yifan distances herself by opting for Yehi University, both of them heartbroken by this decision.
Fast forward six years, Wen Yifan returns to Nanwu and unexpectedly bumps into Sang Yan, who is now the owner of a bar. While she has taken on the role of a reporter, her career is marred by challenges, including a traumatic experience at her rental, prompting yet another move.
This new housing situation witnessed fate intertwine their paths once again, with Sang Yan becoming Wen Yifan’s roommate following a disastrous fire that forced him out of his home.
The unresolved issues from their past resurface as they navigate the complexities of cohabitation. Despite their efforts to keep a respectful distance, Sang Yan’s protective instincts reveal enduring feelings for Yifan.
The plot further reveals a flashback: Wen Yifan rushes to the hospital after her mother’s desperate call, with Sang Yan covertly trailing behind. Witnessing her father’s critical condition, Yifan collapses under the weight of grief.
As Chinese New Year approaches, Sang Yan reveals plans to stay at the bar, leaving Wen Yifan feeling lonely. In response, she volunteers to work overtime but is later surprised by his arrival with homemade dumplings, brightening her evening.
Meanwhile, flashbacks detail Yifan’s past struggles—her father’s death, her mother’s new marriage, and the feelings of alienation she faced while living with relatives.
Throughout these trials, Sang Yan remained a steadfast figure in her life. During their school years, he bravely defended her after confessing his affections, though she rejected the idea of a relationship at that time.
As they coexist, memories of their youthful bond begin to resurface. While Sang Yan seeks opportunities to grow closer, Wen Yifan remains emotionally guarded due to her fear of emotional vulnerability and guilt over their past.
The evolving dynamics deepen when Sang Yan falls ill after being caught in rain. Wen Yifan takes care of him, drawing them closer and intertwining their emotional journeys filled with unresolved pain and missed opportunities.
Upon returning to Nanwu, Wen Yifan’s history of sleepwalking reemerges, linked to her troubling familial environment. Unbeknownst to her, these episodes lead to increasingly intimate encounters with Sang Yan, complicating their living arrangement further.
As her work involves investigating a missing person with her intern, Mu Chengyun, Sang Yan’s jealousy simmers beneath the surface. Concurrently, Wen Yifan grapples with ongoing family strife and career obstacles, often resulting in heightened emotional distress that exacerbates her sleepwalking episodes.
Despite the chaos, Sang Yan remains a pillar of support for Yifan. His attempts to comfort her during her birthday reveal the extent of his feelings, as he secretly organizes a cake and gift for her celebration.
Eventually, Wen Yifan halts her emotional running and seeks out a relationship with Sang Yan. Engaging her past with playful gaming and planned outings, she faces an unforeseen work crisis that leads her to prioritize a developing news story over her intentions for Sang Yan’s birthday.
Though she sends him a cake and a heartfelt letter expressing her feelings via a phone call, Sang Yan surprises her by showing up in Beiyu, and they confirm their love, marking a significant moment in their relationship.
As they embrace this new phase, the narrative also reveals complications surrounding Zhong Siqiao and Su Haoan’s relationship, who face their own misunderstandings. Meanwhile, Yifan and Sang Yan’s bond strengthens as they enjoy their transition into couplehood.
However, shadows from her past rise again when Wen Yifan encounters Che Xingde, her estranged aunt’s brother, who begins to stalk her. His malicious intentions cause havoc, directly affecting Sang Yan’s restaurant and driving a wedge between the couple.
In a moment of panic, Wen Yifan abruptly leaves Sang Yan, propelling him into a quest of emotional turmoil, uncovering shocking truths about her past, including prolonged workplace harassment and her struggle to break free from her family’s grip.
Flashbacks reveal the devastating assault Wen Yifan suffered at Che Xingde’s hands during her adolescence, which led to a life-altering escape attempt that left her injured.
Once she opens up about her harrowing experience to the police, Wen Yifan finds kindness in Officer Chen’s home, where she forms a crucial bond with his daughter, as her own family offered no support. This incident robbed her of her dream of becoming a ballerina, ultimately steering her to Yehi University.
As the narrative converges, Sang Yan, along with mutual friends Su Haoan and Zhong Siqiao, relentlessly searches for Yifan. Meanwhile, she finds a measure of peace through dance classes in Hong Kong but continues to carry the weight of her past scars.
Upon reuniting, the emotional catharsis allows Wen Yifan to share her struggles, including her past injuries linked to Che Xingde. Sang Yan reassures her of her innocence in their situation, encouraging her to embrace a fresh start and career at a television station.
In a gripping turn of events, while investigating a cold case, Yifan uncovers incriminating evidence against Che Xingde, transforming him from predator to fugitive, reigniting the threats against her.
Sang Yan’s resolve to protect her culminates in a confrontation with Che Xingde, leaving him injured but ultimately leading to the assailant’s capture and trial. Che Xingde’s sister also faces legal repercussions for complicity in his crimes.
With her past behind her, Wen Yifan looks forward to a renewed life with Sang Yan, choosing empowerment over fear. A pivotal dance performance at an office gathering reignites her love for ballet, rekindling a dream she thought lost forever.
Freed from familial ties and the emotionally turbulent past, she embraces her future with open arms, being warmly welcomed by Sang Yan’s family, including Sang Zhi and her partner Duan Jiaxu.
Sang Yan and Wen Yifan start anew, moving into a shared home filled with dreams of marriage. They revisit their school alongside friends Su Haoan and Zhong Siqiao, who are now a couple, reminiscing about their shared history.
During a poignant reunion in their former classroom, Sang Yan surprises Wen Yifan with a heartfelt video, featuring blessings from close companions and family. This nostalgic journey culminates in his proposal, symbolized by a treasured childhood keepsake—a ring nestled within Yifan’s toy box.
Overcome with emotion, Yifan joyfully accepts his proposal, sealing their moment with a kiss, which marks the conclusion of The First Frost.
Will There Be a Season 2 of The First Frost?
While the narrative of The First Frost reaches a satisfactory conclusion with a definitive happy ending, a second season seems improbable as all primary conflicts are resolved. Nevertheless, the series’ immense popularity could inspire a sequel focused on exploring their married life and new adventures. As of yet, no official announcements have been made regarding the renewal of The First Frost.
The complete series is currently available for viewers on Youku with all 32 episodes, while Netflix streams 28 of those episodes.