The First Frost plot summary: what the drama is about
Years after high school, Wen Yifan and Sang Yan have gone their separate ways. Back then, she turned him down. Now she is working as a reporter in the city, and their paths cross again in the most awkward way possible: circumstances leave them living under the same roof.
Neither seems eager to revisit the past. They settle into a careful routine as flatmates, keeping their distance and their conversations polite. That fragile balance is upset when Sang Yan tells Wen Yifan something she did not know about herself: she sleepwalks. The revelation draws the two of them back into each other’s daily lives in ways neither of them planned.
At its heart, The First Frost (original title: 难哄) is an urban romance about first love and second chances. It explores what happens when two people who share an unfinished history are forced into close quarters. Their old feelings, misunderstandings and the choices they made years ago start to resurface. The story builds gradually from cohabitation and quiet tension rather than from grand gestures, and its tagline sums up the mood: “After all these years, I still only like you.”
The First Frost review guide: what makes it notable
- Cast: Bai Jingting stars as Sang Yan, with Zhang Ruonan as Wen Yifan. The ensemble includes Edward Chen (Su Haoan), Zhang Miaoyi (Zhong Siqiao), Zhai Xiaowen (Xiang Lang), Yuan Ye (Mu Chengyun), Chen Jianan (Su Tian), Fu Miao (Qian Wenhua) and Feng Yunzhi (Zhao Yuandong). Zhang Keyuan appears as Fu Zhuang.
- Broadcaster: a Chinese web series released on Youku.
- Creative team: created by Zhu Yi, directed by Qu You-ning and written by Li Yi-fang.
- Source material: the series is based on a web novel.
- Format: one season of 32 episodes, each running around 45 minutes. The series premiered on 18 February 2025 and has finished airing, so the full story is available to watch.
Who will enjoy The First Frost
- Fans of slow-burn, second-chance romances built on a shared past
- Viewers who enjoy the flatmates or cohabitation trope
- Anyone drawn to contemporary urban C-dramas with a workplace backdrop
- Readers who like screen adaptations of web novels
- Followers of Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan
Where to watch The First Frost in the US
In the United States, The First Frost is available on Netflix with a subscription. You can watch it on a standard ad-free plan or on Netflix Standard with Ads, which is also a paid subscription plan. Because the series has finished airing, all 32 episodes can be watched from start to finish.
Trailer
Cast
Bai Jingtingas Sang Yan32 episodes
Zhang Ruonanas Wen Yifan32 episodes
Edward Chenas Su Haoan32 episodes
Zhang Miaoyias Zhong Siqiao32 episodes
Zhai Xiaowenas Xiang Lang32 episodes
Yuan Yeas Mu Chengyun32 episodes
Chen Jiananas Su Tian32 episodes
Fu Miaoas Qian Wenhua32 episodes
Photo: TMDB
Episode guide
| Season | Episode | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Aired | |
| 1 | 2 | Aired | |
| 1 | 3 | Aired | |
| 1 | 4 | Aired | |
| 1 | 5 | Aired | |
| 1 | 6 | Aired | |
| 1 | 7 | Aired | |
| 1 | 8 | Aired | |
| 1 | 9 | Aired | |
| 1 | 10 | Aired | |
| 1 | 11 | Aired | |
| 1 | 12 | Aired | |
| 1 | 13 | Aired | |
| 1 | 14 | Aired | |
| 1 | 15 | Aired | |
| 1 | 16 | Aired | |
| 1 | 17 | Aired | |
| 1 | 18 | Aired | |
| 1 | 19 | Aired | |
| 1 | 20 | Aired | |
| 1 | 21 | Aired | |
| 1 | 22 | Aired | |
| 1 | 23 | Aired | |
| 1 | 24 | Aired | |
| 1 | 25 | Aired | |
| 1 | 26 | Aired | |
| 1 | 27 | Aired | |
| 1 | 28 | Aired | |
| 1 | 29 | Aired | |
| 1 | 30 | Aired | |
| 1 | 31 | Aired | |
| 1 | 32 | Aired |
Dates are original broadcast dates in the country of origin (Korea/China). Official streaming platforms in your country may add episodes the same day or later.
FAQ
- How many episodes does The First Frost have?
- The First Frost has 32 episodes in a single season. Each episode runs around 45 minutes.
- When was The First Frost released?
- The series premiered on 18 February 2025 on Youku and has since finished airing.
- Where can I watch The First Frost legally in the US?
- In the US, The First Frost is available on Netflix, either on an ad-free subscription or on the Netflix Standard with Ads subscription plan.
- Who is in the cast of The First Frost?
- Bai Jingting plays Sang Yan and Zhang Ruonan plays Wen Yifan. The supporting cast includes Edward Chen, Zhang Miaoyi, Zhai Xiaowen, Yuan Ye, Chen Jianan, Fu Miao, Feng Yunzhi and Zhang Keyuan.
- What genre is The First Frost?
- It is a Chinese urban romance drama centred on first love and a second-chance relationship, adapted from a web novel.
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