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The ongoing Chinese drama The First Frost has garnered immense attention, not only for its storyline but also for its casting decisions. While fans of Hidden Love were expecting Victor Ma to reprise his role as Sang Yan, the character was instead recast with Bai Jingting in the lead. This significant change has led to widespread curiosity about why Victor Ma was not part of The First Frost, especially given his memorable portrayal of Sang Zhi’s older brother in Hidden Love.

Victor Ma, who played Sang Yan in Hidden Love, has spoken candidly about his struggles with acting in romantic dramas. In 2024, the actor shared in an interview:

“After filming a romantic drama, I realized that I'm really not good at acting in romantic dramas because I'm very slow at reacting. I can act domineering, but I'm not suitable to act out sweet scenes. Because I'm incapable of feeling that sense of rhythm. There's just something to it that I'm unable to grasp, and so I'm forever slow to react. When there's a sweet scene, I realize I'm unable to grasp it... I'm capable of acting as the elder brother, like I did in Hidden Love, but many times I was imagining if I were to act as the romantic version of Sang Yan, I wouldn't be able to.”

His statement provides a clear reason why he was not cast in The First Frost, which delves deeply into Sang Yan’s personal love story. Unlike Hidden Love, where he played a supporting role as an older brother figure, The First Frost required an actor who could navigate an emotionally charged and romantic narrative.

The First Frost is based on Zhu Yi’s novel First Frost, which exists in the same universe as Hidden Love. While Hidden Love focused on Sang Zhi (Zhao Lusi) and Duan Jiaxu (Chen Zheyuan), The First Frost shifts the focus to Sang Yan’s past and his relationship with Wen Yifan (Zhang Ruonan).

When Hidden Love premiered in 2023, its overwhelming success led to The First Frost being developed as a high-budget A-Level drama. This shift not only increased the production value but also influenced the casting decisions. Since The First Frost required a lead actor who could portray both Sang Yan’s playful and emotionally complex sides, the production team ultimately decided to recast the role with Bai Jingting.

Unlike Victor Ma, Bai Jingting has extensive experience playing romantic leads. His past performances in dramas such as You Are My Hero and Destined demonstrated his ability to balance charm, wit and deep emotional expression—qualities necessary for Sang Yan’s character in The First Frost.

In Hidden Love, Sang Yan is primarily seen through Sang Zhi’s perspective as an overprotective and humorous elder brother. However, in The First Frost, he is viewed through his own and Wen Yifan’s perspectives, making him a more layered and emotionally vulnerable character. The story explores his first love, heartbreak and eventual reconciliation with Wen Yifan after years of separation.

 
 
 
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Although The First Frost and Hidden Love exist in the same universe, their narratives run parallel rather than one being a direct continuation of the other. Hidden Love covers Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu’s relationship, beginning when Sang Zhi is 14 and following her into adulthood. Sang Yan appears in the drama but his personal life remains largely unexplored.

 
 
 
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Meanwhile, The First Frost starts much earlier in the timeline, when Sang Yan is 15 and Wen Yifan first enters his life. Their story unfolds over the years, detailing their separation due to Wen Yifan’s personal struggles and eventual reunion when she returns to Nanwu. The drama showcases Sang Yan’s emotional depth, making it a stark contrast to his comedic presence in Hidden Love. Victor Ma also sang an OST Be Your Light for Hidden Love and it has received wide love from fans of the C-drama.

For fans of Hidden Love, Victor Ma remains the perfect older brother figure. His portrayal of Sang Zhi’s protective yet annoying sibling was widely loved and many were initially disappointed by the recast. However, given his own admission that he struggles with romantic roles, the decision to cast Bai Jingting allows The First Frost to fully explore Sang Yan’s love story with the necessary emotional depth.

Victor Ma’s version of Sang Yan worked perfectly for Hidden Love, where the character served as a lighthearted and comedic contrast to the main love story. However, for The First Frost, which is more romance-driven and requires deeper emotional resonance, Bai Jingting’s casting aligns better with the narrative needs.

Also Read: Obsessed With The First Frost? Watch Hidden Love And Other C-Dramas Based On Zhu Yi's Novels

Also Read: The First Frost Episodes 20-24 Release Dates In India; Bai Jingting And Zhang Ruonan’s Undeniable Chemistry Keeps Fans Hooked