LayarHijau.com – Speculation about a film adaptation of the hit Chinese drama The First Frost (难哄) resurfaced after director Qu Youning (瞿友宁) made intriguing remarks during a fan event in Taiwan. Rather than focusing solely on the potential movie, the director’s comments about the show's lead actors, Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan, sparked even greater attention online.
The event, held on June 15, 2025, was a photo book signing session for The First Frost. Qu Youning—well-known for works like Your Name Engraved Herein, It Started with a Kiss, and Go Go Squid!—engaged with fans and media in a casual yet revealing atmosphere.
The drama gained widespread acclaim after its release, amassing over 1.7 billion views and earning its spot as one of the most-watched series of the year. Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan’s on-screen chemistry was so compelling that fans began calling them the “Yi Yan Wei Ding” or “Bainan” CP, leading to ongoing rumors of a real-life romance.
When asked directly whether the two were dating, Qu Youning gave an ambiguous response: “Don’t ask me if they’re together. If I answer that, it’s over.” He continued, “I won’t answer that question, I don’t know how to answer that question. Let’s just say everyone has their own sense of things, their own imagination.”
To fans, his refusal to give a direct denial seemed like an indirect confirmation, Upmedia reported. Since the drama's promotion has already ended, many believe there’s no reason to keep fanning the flames unless there’s some truth behind the scenes.
Fueling speculation further, Qu Youning video-called Zhang Ruonan during the event and showed her a fan note that read “Let it be a real relationship then” (假戏真做吧). Zhang laughed and replied, “What are you showing me?” Her playful yet ambiguous response only added to fans’ suspicions that something may be developing between the two actors.
As for the much-discussed movie version of The First Frost, Qu made his stance clear: he would only direct the film if both Bai Jingting and Zhang Ruonan reprise their roles as Sang Yan and Wen Yifan. “If they’re not in it, I won’t shoot it,” he declared.
This statement was seen by many as a strong sign that the two leads have become synonymous with their characters, and perhaps even emotionally intertwined with them. However, others see it as a clever strategy by Qu Youning to maintain buzz around the drama without confirming or denying the relationship rumors.
Regardless of where the truth lies, one thing is certain: The First Frost has left a lasting impression on audiences, not only for its touching story, but also for the undeniable chemistry that continues to blur the lines between fiction and reality.