Hidden Love vs The First Frost – Which Sang Sibling Cdrama is for You? Not sure which of these great Cdramas to watch? Maybe this quick decider will help.
- Series Title: Hidden Love (Chinese: 偷偷藏不住)
- Starring: Zhao Lusi, Chen Zheyuan
- Written by: Zhu Yi
- Directed by: Lee Ching Jung
- Network: Youku/Netflix
- Where to watch in the US: Netflix
- Premier Date: June 20, 2023
- # of episodes: 25
- KafeNook Rating: 4.9 sips
- Series Title: The First Frost (Chinese: 难哄)
- Starring: Bai Jingting, Zhang Ruonan, Zhang Miaoyi, Edward Chen
- Written by: Zhu Yi
- Directed by: Chu Yu Ning
- Network: Youku/Netflix
- Where to watch in the US: Netflix
- Premier Date: February 18, 2025
- # of episodes: 32
- KafeNook Rating: 4.6 sips
Hidden Love vs The First Frost — !! Minor Spoilers Ahead!!
I had no plans to watch a Cdrama. After all, there are still plenty of Kdramas left on my watch list. But sometimes shows have a way of finding me. Seeing posts for a new Cdrama coming to Netflix called The First Frost, I was intrigued by the premise. Based on a novel by Zhu Yi, The First Frost is the companion story to Hidden Love which was adapted into a drama in 2023. Without knowing much about either series, I reasoned I should watch Hidden Love first to prepare for The First Frost – especially since the newer show had only started airing. Hours and hours . . . and hours later (Cdramas are so much longer than Kdramas!), I had completed watching both series. And just like that – they became two of my favorite dramas.
The main connection between the stories is the Sang siblings – Sang Zhi, heroin of Hidden Love and her brother, Sang Yan, the male lead of The First Frost. Though several characters appear in both two stories, the dramas are self-contained and easily viewable without watching the other. They also present very different love stories – each captivating in its own right. Maybe, like me, you have seen these shows advertised and want to give one a try but can’t decide which show to watch. Here are 9 questions to help you decide.
1) For a drama about a one-sided teenage crush that matures into true love—watch Hidden Love.
While in high school, Sang Zhi (Zhao Lusi) develops a crush on her older brother’s friend, Duan Jiaxu (Chen Zheyuan). It is a secret she continues to hide even after reconnecting with Jiaxo when she attends college in the city where he lives. Up until this time, Jiaxu has only seen her as his friend’s little sister and the young girl he once tutored. After meeting adult Zhi, Jiaxu is amazed at her maturity and thoughtfulness. How can he help but develop feelings for her? The drama beautifully and carefully showcases the evolution of their romance from a one-sided crush to true love that grows with time and maturity.
2) Prefer a slow-burn romance about reconnecting with a first love? Watch The First Frost.
The First Frost is a drama about reconnection and healing. Sang Yan (Bai Jingting), Sang Zhi’s brother, fell in love with Yifan (Zhang Ruonan) in high school. But after going through some difficult personal circumstances, Yifan rejected Yan. Despite her rejection, Yan still harbors feelings for Yifan years later. When the two meet again and become inadvertent roommates, they are given a second chance at love. Sang Yan, afraid of being rejected again, is reluctant to make the first move toward Yifan and waits for her to pursue him. The initial dialog between the two is sparse as Yan and Yifan navigate their new living arrangement. But their playful innuendos and heartfelt actions more than make up for the loss of words. In later episodes, as their conversations evolve, the two come to better understand each other and build a path for a future together.
3) For a sassy, thoughtful, emotionally intelligent female lead — watch Hidden Love.
As a spirited, wide-eyed teenager, Sang Zhi had scant hope that her one-sided crush would be reciprocated. Five years younger than Jiaxo, she worried he would find someone else before she had a chance to grow up. Though a time comes when Zhi decides to give up her dream of being with Jiaxo, she never completely forgets him. Once they reconnect, big-hearted Zhi showers Jiaxo with all the attention, care, and affection she feels for him. Her emotional intelligence is revealed through the mature, realistic conversations she has with Jiaxo. Zhi’s faith is rewarded when Jiaxo’s feelings toward her change and he begins to pursue her.
4) For a beautiful and talented heroin with a traumatic past– watch The First Frost.
Zhang Ruonan as Yifan skillfully portrays this traumatized character in The First Frost. After the untimely death of her father and subsequent rejection by her mother, Yifan is foisted off on relatives. This sets up series of difficult and painful circumstances for the young teen. Believing the only way to protect Sang Yan is to reject him, she cuts off all contact with him and goes to a different university. Years later when they become roommates, Yifan gradually recognizes her feelings for Sang Yan and how much she hurt him. In a measured, poignant dance between the two, they learn to navigate their feelings for each other while dealing with and healing from their respective traumas.
5) Looking for a handsome and kind male lead who thinks he is not worthy of love? Watch Hidden Love.
Duan Jiaxo may be a computer genius but he is clueless about teenage Sang Zhi’s affection for him. It takes seeing Zhi all grown up for Jiaxo to realize she has made her way into his heart. The problem is, he believes she already likes someone else. Not to mention the fact he has troubles in his personal life that he is trying to overcome. Like Yifan, Jiaxo’s difficult past fills him with insecurity and makes him wonder if he is worthy of being loved. But Zhi sees that despite Jiaxo’s hardships, he is a genuinely good person who treats people kindly. Zhi’s love and unwavering faith in him helps Jiaxo recognize his self-worth and makes him fall for her all the more.
6) Or do you like a strong, confident male lead afraid of being hurt again? Then watch The First Frost.
Sang Yan, portrayed by Bai Jingting, is a recast of Yan’s character from Hidden Love but Bai Jingting is perfect as this Sang Yan. His portrayal alone is worth watching the show. Teenage Yan’s affection for his classmate, Yifan, speaks through the countless acts of service he carries out for her. Years later when they become roommates, a reserved Yan continues to carry out actions that show his love for Yifan even if, at first, she barely registers them. Still deeply hurt by Yifan’s rejection of him in high school, Yan is afraid to be the one to reveal his heart. But the more he learns of Yifan’s difficult life, the more he regrets his hesitancy in confessing his feelings. It takes putting aside his pride to close that final step toward Yifan.
7) For a well-paced drama focused on the main characters— Check out Hidden Love.
Hidden Love focuses solely on the story of heroin Sang Zhi and her crush Duan Jiaxu. Though other characters appear in the drama, they primarily add depth, and sometimes crises, to the characters of Zhi and Jiaxu. Few scenes are wasted on other storylines. Hidden Love is a drama completely devoted to two people slowly moving toward each other.
8) Or, if a longer drama with multiple story lines is your thing—Watch The First Frost.
When Sang Yan and Yifan are on the screen together everything sizzles. However, The First Frost is a 32-episode drama, so the show also features a second couple, Zhong Siqiao and Su Haoan, with their own storylines. Their scenes divert from Yan and Yifan’s love story, but viewers might appreciate a break from the darker elements of Yifan’s story. (Be sure to check out writer Zhu Yi’s other filmed drama, When I Fly Towards You, which, for me, handles a second couple in a more interesting way.)
9) Looking for a drama filled with beautiful cinematography and a great soundtrack? You can’t go wrong with either Hidden Love or The First Frost.
Both dramas set the stage for their respective stories through artful cinematic and soundtrack choices. The early roommate scenes in The First Frost are exquisitely filmed, showcasing the series superb cinematography. While Hidden Love is filled with painstaking details that enhance the realism of the characters.
The Hidden Love original soundtrack boasts the hit song “Falling Star” which plays heavily throughout the series. It’s a charming song that is hard to get out of your head. The OST for The First Frost is packed with one amazing song after another making it one of the best OSTs of any Cdrama. All four main actors in the drama lend their voices to songs included in the OST, my favorite of which is Bai Jingting singing “Invisible Person”.
Final Thoughts on Hidden Love vs The First Frost – Which Sang Sibling Cdrama is for You?
The First Frost is a great drama to watch for the main couple, the cinematography, and the soundtrack while Hidden Love is that comfort drama for romance lovers that can be watched over and over again.
Did this Hidden Love vs The First Frost quiz help you decide which one to watch? Still can’t choose? Watch them both!
