NoNo misunderstanding Very quick mother refusal but, the big brother likes the male lead sooo much that he will…
I understand the point you're making about trauma, but I think you're mixing up explaining a character's behavior with justifying how the relationship is portrayed.
Yes, Wen Yifan's trauma is real. Abandonment, emotional abuse, victim-blaming, and assault can absolutely affect someone's self-worth and make them avoid intimacy. But a character having trauma does not automatically make every dynamic surrounding them healthy or well-written. Trauma can explain why someone pushes people away, but it doesn't erase the need to examine whether the relationship encourages healing, independence, and healthy boundaries.
My criticism is not that Wen Yifan is "weak" or that trauma responses are unrealistic. The issue is that the story heavily centers her healing around Sang Yan's presence and love, which can create the impression that the solution to deep emotional wounds is primarily finding the right person. A person can be loved and supported while still needing to rebuild their own sense of identity and self-worth independently.
As for Sang Yan, I agree that they have a history and mutual feelings. But having a past connection does not automatically make every action acceptable. Consent is not only about whether someone eventually reciprocates feelings; it is also about respecting someone's current boundaries and emotional state. Someone can love another person and still behave in ways that are questionable. Fiction is allowed to portray that, but viewers are also allowed to criticize it.
And the argument about attractiveness is not really the point. The issue is not "if he were ugly, it would be creepy." The issue is that the same behavior can be perceived differently depending on context, power dynamics, and how the story frames it. A narrative can romanticize something that, in real life, might deserve more caution.
I understand why many viewers connected with their story. A person who feels unworthy of love learning that they deserve happiness is a meaningful theme. But a meaningful theme does not automatically make the execution flawless. It's possible to appreciate Wen Yifan's pain and still question whether the romance is portrayed in the healthiest or most nuanced way.
NoNo misunderstanding Very quick mother refusal but, the big brother likes the male lead sooo much that he will…
Y'all playing the card that I'm insulting sexual harassment is very funny, so, if a drama portrayed sexual abuse or rape, , I should bow to it and like it even if the couple dynamic is very bad and the male lead is toxic ? I don't understand in what part of my previous coment i disrespected sexual abuse victims, you just don't have a brain thant can separate between different parts of the drama and criticise what needs to be criticised, so because she was sexualy assaulted male lead should be a weirdo and I have to be happy about it ? It very hard for me to believe you are anything older than 13 yo
I just start watching.What the hell is going on with niao niao's mother?? I f**ing hate her... She's the worst…
So, in the book, Niaoniao's actually from the future (she time-traveled), but they had to cut that out because China banned transmigration stories. That's why a lot of her personality and what makes her so unique and sometimes misunderstood, even by her own mom, causes so much conflict with her family – it's her modern mindset. Plus, in the novel, since she's a time-traveler, she doesn't really feel a strong connection to her mom. So it was super conflict-ridden, even more than in the show, where her mom's just a tough war general with a rigid mindset.
Both the male and female leads are very mature, and that's a must for me. The male lead is genuinely masculine, which I also really liked.
The female lead is exactly my type of FL, capable, has her own career, supportive, and, most importantly, not childish. I absolutely hate childish female leads, so this was a huge plus for me.
The only reason it's a 9 instead of a 10 is that the plot is pretty simple. It's mostly a slice-of-life romance about two people reconnecting and getting back together after years apart. There isn't much drama or a complicated storyline, but if you're looking for a mature, healthy romance with amazing chemistry, this is definitely worth watching.
My Review (Major Spoilers Ahead) 1 Female Lead – 10/10 The female lead completely surprised me. She is loyal, talented, beautiful, and deeply devoted to the people she loves. I didn't expect her to be this good, but she absolutely delivered. 2 Male Lead – Strong and Honourable The ML was equally impressive. He's a thoughtful leader who genuinely values every life in his kingdom, and his loyalty to his father , despite all the pain inflicted on him — says a lot about his character. 3- The Princess I truly cannot understand the viewers who preferred the princess's storyline over the main couple's. To me, she was naive, childish, immature, and showed zero loyalty to a brother who sacrificed everything for her. She falls for the first brother, then throws herself at the second ,with no backbone whatsoever. Her love interest wasn't better either: an ailing prince willing to sacrifice innocent lives for his own gain. How anyone can prefer that pairing over a mature, consistent main couple with clear values is beyond me. 3 - The second Amnesia Arc – Skip. Unnecessary. That's all. 4- Murong Yao's Betrayal – Too Predictable I figured out Murong Yao was the traitor from the very beginning, which was a little disappointing. Though at this point, maybe I've just watched so many dramas that I've started recognising the patterns! 5 -The Emperor's Death The Emperor was a well-written character, but his death felt like a mistake. Having a largely finished character like the Empress outlast her relevance just to deliver the killing blow through that painfully cliché "let me brush your hair one last time" scene — was, in my opinion, one of the show's biggest writing failures.
6- The FL's traitorous "brother" survived far longer than his storyline warranted. Once he was exposed in the prison, there was nothing left for his arc , he should have been written out much earlier instead of limping all the way to the finale.
7- The Romance As someone who watches dramas primarily for the romance, this was my main disappointment. For a show literally called Fated Hearts, the chemistry between the leads felt underwhelming. Across 38 episodes, I never felt those genuine sparks or that deep, consuming love the title promises. They tried with a few scenes, and it was okay , 8.5/10 – Good, but not a rewatch.
I wouldn't mind if the female lead was in her 40s in the drama, but giving a 30-year-old role to a 40-year-old actress who clearly looks 40+ in the drama wasn't good for me.
Amidst a snowstorm of love is this but waaay better
So how can we decide which one is better? It's completely subjective and immeasurable, so your disagreement with my suggestion or preference means nothing. I love snowstorms, maybe because I love the male and female leads' personalities, and I'm a snooker fan and player, preferences are personal. Just suggest what you want without going against mine.
NoNo misunderstanding Very quick mother refusal but, the big brother likes the male lead sooo much that he will…
My idea was super clear, but you still don't get it. I'm not explaining it again, just reread my comments and give yourself another shot at understanding.
NoNo misunderstanding Very quick mother refusal but, the big brother likes the male lead sooo much that he will…
What red flag ? I'll give you one example of difference between red and green flag: in " Road Home, " when the leads meet after years apart, the female lead directly asks if he remembers her, and he responds with straightforward, masculine honesty: "I wouldn't forget you even if I turned into ashes." In First Frost, however, we are given a lot of childish, immature behavior between two people who used to know each other incredibly well. Sang Yan plays dumb and acts like he doesn't recognize Wen Yifan, and somehow she actually believes it. It makes zero sense, she hasn't changed a bit, so how are we supposed to buy the idea that he wouldn't instantly recognize her face? I enjoy watching "red flag" male leads for the sake of fiction and entertainment, but Sang Yan wasn't even an appealing red flag like for ex, Lu Yan (Xi Wei). He was just a massive simp whose stalking, overly dependent, and borderline invasive behavior put me off completely. The core dynamic here isn't a healthy romance; it’s an unhealthy trap that would 100% turn toxic in the real world. You have a female lead who is entirely passive and avoidant, paired with a male lead who is deeply codependent and carrying a massive martyr complex. Instead of jumping into a relationship, both of these characters realistically need a significant amount of therapy.
you like Sang Yan’s stalkerish tendencies because they're being delivered through Bai Jingting’s handsome face and natural charm. But : imagine someone you actually disliked, urgly, or someone you had zero romantic feelings for, doing the exact same things he did. Suddenly, those "romantic gestures" become predatory and deeply invasive. Part of what makes this so uncomfortable to watch is the jarring tonal contrast. Wen Yifan’s experiences with sexual assault and family abuse are handled with a grounded, modern realism that feels far too close to reality. Because the trauma feels so real, trying to resolve it with a juvenile, Twilight-esque YA fantasy feels incredibly wrong. Ultimately, this story feels like it was written by a girl specifically for teenagers and young adult readers. The characters are two-dimensional, and the plot reads like self-insert fan fiction. It relies on a very specific, unrealistic fantasy: a teenage girl is abused by absolutely everyone, suffers alone for years, and then a handsome, perfect man appears out of nowhere to devote his entire life to waiting for her and saving her. I understand why fantasy appeals to some, but it is simply not my cup of tea. And to be clear: just because I dislike this drama doesn't mean I didn't watch it or didn't understand the assignment. I’ve read the manhua and I watched every single second of the Drama, I know exactly what the story was trying to doI just think it was highly overrated
1. Any breakup? 2. Any toxic and annoying parents/family?
why it's red flag I'm just giving ONE EXAMPLE: comparing with Road Home is how maturely the reunion is handled . In Road Home, when the leads meet after years apart, the female lead directly asks if he remembers her, and he responds with straightforward, masculine honesty: "I wouldn't forget you even if I turned into ashes." It is simple, believable, and mature.
In First Frost, however, we are given a lot of childish, immature behavior between two people who used to know each other incredibly well. Sang Yan plays dumb and acts like he doesn't recognize Wen Yifan, and somehow she actually believes it. It makes zero sense—she hasn't changed a bit, so how are we supposed to buy the idea that he wouldn't instantly recognize her face? Beyond that setup, Sang Yan’s arc genuinely creeped me out, to the point where I mentally checked out of the drama whenever it took center stage. I enjoy watching "red flag" male leads for the sake of fiction and entertainment, but Sang Yan wasn't even an appealing red flag ( EXAMPLE like Lu Yan (Xi Wei).) He was just a massive simp whose stalking, overly dependent, and borderline invasive behavior put me off completely. The core dynamic here isn't a healthy romance; it’s an unhealthy trap that would 100% turn toxic in the real world. You have a female lead who is entirely passive and avoidant, paired with a male lead who is deeply codependent and carrying a massive martyr complex. Instead of jumping into a relationship, both of these characters realistically need a significant amount of therapy. you overlook Sang Yan’s stalkerish tendencies because they're being delivered through Bai Jingting’s handsome face and natural charm. But let’s imagine someone you actually disliked, ugly , or someone you had zero romantic feelings for, doing the exact same things he did. Suddenly, those "romantic gestures" become predatory and deeply invasive. Part of what makes this so uncomfortable to watch is the jarring tonal contrast. Wen Yifan’s experiences with sexual assault and family abuse are handled with a grounded, modern realism that feels far too close to reality. Because the trauma feels so real, trying to resolve it with a juvenile, Twilight-esque YA fantasy feels incredibly wrong. Ultimately, this story feels like it was written by a girl specifically for teenagers and young adult readers. The characters are two-dimensional, and the plot reads like self-insert fan fiction. It relies on a very specific, unrealistic fantasy: a teenage girl is abused by absolutely everyone, suffers alone for years, and then a handsome, perfect man appears out of nowhere to devote his entire life to waiting for her and saving her. I understand why that fantasy appeals to some, but it is simply not my cup of tea. And to be clear: just because I dislike this drama doesn't mean I didn't watch it or didn't understand the assignment. I’ve read the manhua and I watched every single second of the drama series. I know exactly what the story was trying to do, I just think it was highly overrated
NoNo misunderstanding Very quick mother refusal but, the big brother likes the male lead sooo much that he will…
My #1 C-drama of all time is Joy of Life. That's what I would call a truly complex drama. My #2 is Nirvana in Fire, which is even more layered, with intricate plotting, political schemes, and characters whose motivations constantly evolve.
So I definitely don't have a preference for simple or straightforward stories.
As for modern C-dramas, I've watched most of them, and very few can genuinely be described as complex. First Frost is far from being one of them. Beyond its strong production quality, attractive cast, and the popularity it inherited from the manhua fanbase, it's still a fairly simple romance. I've already explained in previous comments the issues I have with its writing and characterization, so I won't repeat them here.
Even a drama often dismissed as a "youth drama" like Go Ahead has far more depth in both its characters and storytelling. It explores abandonment, adoption, parental responsibility, emotional trauma, identity, and the long-term consequences of family relationships. Nearly every major character has their own emotional arc, internal conflicts, and meaningful growth. It also manages to tackle difficult topics without glorifying red-flag behavior or presenting unhealthy dynamics as romantic ideals.
My point is simple: don't accuse me of being shallow just because I don't worship a drama you like. And please don't act as if understanding First Frost requires exceptional intelligence or sophistication. It doesn't. People can fully understand a drama and still criticize it or find it overrated.
Yes, Wen Yifan's trauma is real. Abandonment, emotional abuse, victim-blaming, and assault can absolutely affect someone's self-worth and make them avoid intimacy. But a character having trauma does not automatically make every dynamic surrounding them healthy or well-written. Trauma can explain why someone pushes people away, but it doesn't erase the need to examine whether the relationship encourages healing, independence, and healthy boundaries.
My criticism is not that Wen Yifan is "weak" or that trauma responses are unrealistic. The issue is that the story heavily centers her healing around Sang Yan's presence and love, which can create the impression that the solution to deep emotional wounds is primarily finding the right person. A person can be loved and supported while still needing to rebuild their own sense of identity and self-worth independently.
As for Sang Yan, I agree that they have a history and mutual feelings. But having a past connection does not automatically make every action acceptable. Consent is not only about whether someone eventually reciprocates feelings; it is also about respecting someone's current boundaries and emotional state. Someone can love another person and still behave in ways that are questionable. Fiction is allowed to portray that, but viewers are also allowed to criticize it.
And the argument about attractiveness is not really the point. The issue is not "if he were ugly, it would be creepy." The issue is that the same behavior can be perceived differently depending on context, power dynamics, and how the story frames it. A narrative can romanticize something that, in real life, might deserve more caution.
I understand why many viewers connected with their story. A person who feels unworthy of love learning that they deserve happiness is a meaningful theme. But a meaningful theme does not automatically make the execution flawless. It's possible to appreciate Wen Yifan's pain and still question whether the romance is portrayed in the healthiest or most nuanced way.
There is a love rectangle lmao.
But , the contrast with the male lead is huge he is clearly the one and only love interest for her
Both the male and female leads are very mature, and that's a must for me. The male lead is genuinely masculine, which I also really liked.
The female lead is exactly my type of FL, capable, has her own career, supportive, and, most importantly, not childish. I absolutely hate childish female leads, so this was a huge plus for me.
The only reason it's a 9 instead of a 10 is that the plot is pretty simple. It's mostly a slice-of-life romance about two people reconnecting and getting back together after years apart. There isn't much drama or a complicated storyline, but if you're looking for a mature, healthy romance with amazing chemistry, this is definitely worth watching.
1 Female Lead – 10/10
The female lead completely surprised me. She is loyal, talented, beautiful, and deeply devoted to the people she loves. I didn't expect her to be this good, but she absolutely delivered.
2 Male Lead – Strong and Honourable
The ML was equally impressive. He's a thoughtful leader who genuinely values every life in his kingdom, and his loyalty to his father , despite all the pain inflicted on him — says a lot about his character.
3- The Princess
I truly cannot understand the viewers who preferred the princess's storyline over the main couple's. To me, she was naive, childish, immature, and showed zero loyalty to a brother who sacrificed everything for her. She falls for the first brother, then throws herself at the second ,with no backbone whatsoever. Her love interest wasn't better either: an ailing prince willing to sacrifice innocent lives for his own gain. How anyone can prefer that pairing over a mature, consistent main couple with clear values is beyond me.
3 - The second Amnesia Arc – Skip.
Unnecessary. That's all.
4- Murong Yao's Betrayal – Too Predictable
I figured out Murong Yao was the traitor from the very beginning, which was a little disappointing. Though at this point, maybe I've just watched so many dramas that I've started recognising the patterns!
5 -The Emperor's Death
The Emperor was a well-written character, but his death felt like a mistake. Having a largely finished character like the Empress outlast her relevance just to deliver the killing blow through that painfully cliché "let me brush your hair one last time" scene — was, in my opinion, one of the show's biggest writing failures.
6- The FL's traitorous "brother" survived far longer than his storyline warranted. Once he was exposed in the prison, there was nothing left for his arc , he should have been written out much earlier instead of limping all the way to the finale.
7- The Romance
As someone who watches dramas primarily for the romance, this was my main disappointment. For a show literally called Fated Hearts, the chemistry between the leads felt underwhelming. Across 38 episodes, I never felt those genuine sparks or that deep, consuming love the title promises. They tried with a few scenes, and it was okay ,
8.5/10 – Good, but not a rewatch.
In First Frost, however, we are given a lot of childish, immature behavior between two people who used to know each other incredibly well. Sang Yan plays dumb and acts like he doesn't recognize Wen Yifan, and somehow she actually believes it. It makes zero sense, she hasn't changed a bit, so how are we supposed to buy the idea that he wouldn't instantly recognize her face?
I enjoy watching "red flag" male leads for the sake of fiction and entertainment, but Sang Yan wasn't even an appealing red flag like for ex, Lu Yan (Xi Wei). He was just a massive simp whose stalking, overly dependent, and borderline invasive behavior put me off completely.
The core dynamic here isn't a healthy romance; it’s an unhealthy trap that would 100% turn toxic in the real world. You have a female lead who is entirely passive and avoidant, paired with a male lead who is deeply codependent and carrying a massive martyr complex. Instead of jumping into a relationship, both of these characters realistically need a significant amount of therapy.
you like Sang Yan’s stalkerish tendencies because they're being delivered through Bai Jingting’s handsome face and natural charm. But : imagine someone you actually disliked, urgly, or someone you had zero romantic feelings for, doing the exact same things he did. Suddenly, those "romantic gestures" become predatory and deeply invasive.
Part of what makes this so uncomfortable to watch is the jarring tonal contrast. Wen Yifan’s experiences with sexual assault and family abuse are handled with a grounded, modern realism that feels far too close to reality. Because the trauma feels so real, trying to resolve it with a juvenile, Twilight-esque YA fantasy feels incredibly wrong.
Ultimately, this story feels like it was written by a girl specifically for teenagers and young adult readers. The characters are two-dimensional, and the plot reads like self-insert fan fiction. It relies on a very specific, unrealistic fantasy: a teenage girl is abused by absolutely everyone, suffers alone for years, and then a handsome, perfect man appears out of nowhere to devote his entire life to waiting for her and saving her. I understand why fantasy appeals to some, but it is simply not my cup of tea.
And to be clear: just because I dislike this drama doesn't mean I didn't watch it or didn't understand the assignment. I’ve read the manhua and I watched every single second of the Drama, I know exactly what the story was trying to doI just think it was highly overrated
I'm just giving ONE EXAMPLE:
comparing with Road Home is how maturely the reunion is handled . In Road Home, when the leads meet after years apart, the female lead directly asks if he remembers her, and he responds with straightforward, masculine honesty: "I wouldn't forget you even if I turned into ashes." It is simple, believable, and mature.
In First Frost, however, we are given a lot of childish, immature behavior between two people who used to know each other incredibly well. Sang Yan plays dumb and acts like he doesn't recognize Wen Yifan, and somehow she actually believes it. It makes zero sense—she hasn't changed a bit, so how are we supposed to buy the idea that he wouldn't instantly recognize her face?
Beyond that setup, Sang Yan’s arc genuinely creeped me out, to the point where I mentally checked out of the drama whenever it took center stage. I enjoy watching "red flag" male leads for the sake of fiction and entertainment, but Sang Yan wasn't even an appealing red flag ( EXAMPLE like Lu Yan (Xi Wei).) He was just a massive simp whose stalking, overly dependent, and borderline invasive behavior put me off completely.
The core dynamic here isn't a healthy romance; it’s an unhealthy trap that would 100% turn toxic in the real world. You have a female lead who is entirely passive and avoidant, paired with a male lead who is deeply codependent and carrying a massive martyr complex. Instead of jumping into a relationship, both of these characters realistically need a significant amount of therapy.
you overlook Sang Yan’s stalkerish tendencies because they're being delivered through Bai Jingting’s handsome face and natural charm. But let’s imagine someone you actually disliked, ugly , or someone you had zero romantic feelings for, doing the exact same things he did. Suddenly, those "romantic gestures" become predatory and deeply invasive.
Part of what makes this so uncomfortable to watch is the jarring tonal contrast. Wen Yifan’s experiences with sexual assault and family abuse are handled with a grounded, modern realism that feels far too close to reality. Because the trauma feels so real, trying to resolve it with a juvenile, Twilight-esque YA fantasy feels incredibly wrong.
Ultimately, this story feels like it was written by a girl specifically for teenagers and young adult readers. The characters are two-dimensional, and the plot reads like self-insert fan fiction. It relies on a very specific, unrealistic fantasy: a teenage girl is abused by absolutely everyone, suffers alone for years, and then a handsome, perfect man appears out of nowhere to devote his entire life to waiting for her and saving her. I understand why that fantasy appeals to some, but it is simply not my cup of tea.
And to be clear: just because I dislike this drama doesn't mean I didn't watch it or didn't understand the assignment. I’ve read the manhua and I watched every single second of the drama series. I know exactly what the story was trying to do, I just think it was highly overrated
So I definitely don't have a preference for simple or straightforward stories.
As for modern C-dramas, I've watched most of them, and very few can genuinely be described as complex. First Frost is far from being one of them. Beyond its strong production quality, attractive cast, and the popularity it inherited from the manhua fanbase, it's still a fairly simple romance. I've already explained in previous comments the issues I have with its writing and characterization, so I won't repeat them here.
Even a drama often dismissed as a "youth drama" like Go Ahead has far more depth in both its characters and storytelling. It explores abandonment, adoption, parental responsibility, emotional trauma, identity, and the long-term consequences of family relationships. Nearly every major character has their own emotional arc, internal conflicts, and meaningful growth. It also manages to tackle difficult topics without glorifying red-flag behavior or presenting unhealthy dynamics as romantic ideals.
My point is simple: don't accuse me of being shallow just because I don't worship a drama you like. And please don't act as if understanding First Frost requires exceptional intelligence or sophistication. It doesn't. People can fully understand a drama and still criticize it or find it overrated.