Chinese dramas often captivate audiences with their heartfelt romances and well-developed characters, and Hidden Love (偷偷藏不住) and The First Frost (难哄) are no exception. These two dramas are deeply connected, not just through their characters but also through their themes of love, longing, and personal growth.
If you fell in love with Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s story in Hidden Love, you’ll be excited to know that The First Frost takes that emotional depth even further by exploring the love life of Sang Zhi’s older brother, Sang Yan.
Let’s explore how these dramas are intertwined and why their connection makes them even more compelling.
The Sibling Connection: Sang Zhi and Sang Yan
At the heart of both dramas is the Sang family. In Hidden Love, we follow Sang Zhi (Zhao Lusi), a girl who has secretly loved her older brother’s friend, Duan Jiaxu (Chen Zheyuan), since childhood. Their romance unfolds beautifully as she grows older and reconnects with him in university.
However, while Hidden Love focuses on Sang Zhi’s journey, her brother, Sang Yan (Victor Ma), remains an important yet somewhat mysterious character. He plays the typical protective older brother role, often teasing Sang Zhi but also watching out for her. His character adds humor and warmth to the story, but his own romantic past is only briefly touched upon.
This is where The First Frost comes in. The drama shifts focus to Sang Yan’s life, showing that behind his teasing nature lies a story of heartbreak and second chances.
Sang Yan’s Story: From Hidden Love to The First Frost
In The First Frost, we see a more personal side of Sang Yan. His story revolves around Wen Yifan (Zhang Ruonan), his high school classmate with whom he had an unresolved romantic history. Unlike Sang Zhi’s straightforward love for Duan Jiaxu, Sang Yan and Wen Yifan’s relationship is filled with missed opportunities, misunderstandings, and emotional baggage.
While Hidden Love is a warm, coming-of-age romance, The First Frost has a more mature and introspective tone. It deals with the struggles of reconnecting with a past love, dealing with regrets, and navigating a relationship as adults.
Sang Yan’s experiences in The First Frost add depth to his character, making him more than just Sang Zhi’s overprotective older brother. It also gives fans of Hidden Love a chance to see how the Sang family dynamics continue to evolve.
Parallel Themes of Love and Growth
Although Hidden Love and The First Frost tell different love stories, they share several key themes:
Unspoken Love: Both dramas explore the idea of hidden or suppressed feelings. Sang Zhi hides her love for Duan Jiaxu for years, while Sang Yan and Wen Yifan struggle to admit their feelings due to past wounds.
Personal Growth: In Hidden Love, Sang Zhi matures from a high school girl with a crush into a confident young woman in a real relationship. In The First Frost, Sang Yan must grow emotionally and confront his past to move forward.
Family Bonds: The sibling relationship between Sang Zhi and Sang Yan remains a crucial element in both dramas, showing how family shapes their views on love and relationships.
Why The First Frost Is the Perfect Hidden Love Spin-off
For fans of Hidden Love, The First Frost offers a fresh yet familiar story. It expands on the world introduced in Hidden Love, giving viewers a chance to see another perspective on love. While Sang Zhi’s story was about youthful romance, Sang Yan’s journey is about second chances and emotional healing.
If you were drawn to the warmth and depth of Hidden Love, The First Frost will provide a more mature, introspective take on relationships while still keeping the charm of the original.
Hidden Love and The First Frost are beautifully connected, not just through their characters but also through their exploration of love, growth, and family. Whether you’re a fan of sweet first loves or emotional second chances, these dramas offer a heartwarming and relatable journey that stays with you long after the final episode.
If you haven’t watched any of these chinese dramas then don’t worry. Both Hidden Love and The First Frost are available to watch on Netflix.