The White Olive Tree

Flawed Storytelling, Redeemed by Amazing Performances

The White Olive Tree is one of those dramas that I watched purely for its talented cast and the themes it aimed to explore. If I’m completely honest, the writing left a lot to be desired—it was riddled with bad dialogue and forced situations, often making me roll my eyes. The English dialogue felt tedious; if a drama intends to incorporate a good amount of a foreign language, it would be worthwhile to invest in someone who can ensure its proper use.

However, despite the weak storytelling, there were also highlights, including the romance, the acting, and the OST.

The love story between the two leads was surprisingly engaging, even if some viewers found it too teenage-like. Their initial awkwardness and shy interactions might not be for everyone, but I personally found them endearing. There’s something incredibly sweet about watching two people slowly navigate their feelings, especially when their chemistry is palpable. When they finally got together, it made all the waiting worthwhile.

Another standout element was the acting. Both leads delivered strong performances, and their emotional depth helped elevate the often lackluster script. Chen Zhe Yuan, in particular, was a scene-stealer—not just because of his strong acting but also because he excelled in the most intense, tearful moments. His ability to convey raw emotions made the heavier aspects of the story more compelling.

Liang Jie also delivered a noteworthy performance, providing the perfect balance to Chen Zhe Yuan with her natural charm. While he carried much of the show’s intensity, her portrayal brought a richness that added depth to both her character and the story. Their effortless chemistry made their relationship even more engaging to watch.

Beyond the leads, there were side characters who managed to captivate the audience. Wang Tian Chen as Benjamin and Gu Zi Cheng as Sasin were particularly noteworthy, earning their own dedicated fanbase. They not only complemented their co-stars but also left a lasting impression of their own. Their scenes together provided much-needed moments of levity, which helped balance the drama’s heavier themes. At the same time, their story had many poignant and meaningful moments that brought tears to my eyes.

Speaking of heaviness, The White Olive Tree delves into war and its aftermath, particularly PTSD. The drama focuses on the psychological toll endured by those affected, offering glimpses into the scars and struggles of its characters. While these themes add weight to the story, the execution sometimes feels uneven. Even though there were moments of genuine depth, the storytelling felt superficial, as though the drama was merely skimming the surface of complex issues rather than fully exploring their intricacy and nuance.

Fortunately, the strength of the actors helped bridge this gap. Through their performances, they conveyed the struggles of trauma survivors in a way that the script failed to achieve. Their heartfelt delivery brought authenticity to the characters' pain, making their journeys feel more compelling.

The OST was well-chosen and played a crucial role in enhancing the mood of the scenes, adding an extra layer of emotional depth and immersing the audience further into the story.

Watching this drama was quite a journey—one filled with emotional highs, frustrating lows, and countless tear-jerking moments—but ultimately, it was a rewarding experience. Despite its flaws, the performances and romance kept me invested until the very end. The conclusion was not a fairytale ending, but I was not disappointed. It struck a balance between realism and hope, aligning with my cautiously optimistic wish for the main couple’s fate. It provided enough closure to feel satisfying without being overly idealistic. In a story that explored trauma, love, and resilience, this ending felt appropriate.

Even though the show may not be for everyone, it will likely appeal to those who appreciate excellent performances and its earnest attempt to delve into the lasting repercussions of war. In the end, there was much in the show that I found deeply moving.

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The ship didn't just sink, it imploded under the weight of its own melodrama and bad writing!

The central plot of the drama revolves around trauma and its handling, set against the backdrop of a war zone in Eastern countries. However, it failed to evoke any emotions in me and just felt bland and boring.
The only saving grace, which is why it even gets a 6, is thanks to Benjamin and Saxin, who helped me sail through all 38 episodes of this aesthetically pleasing mess!

For a drama where trauma is the main plot, there was no real sense of warmth, depth or emotional resonance.
At first, it gave off the impression of aiming for something deep and thoughtful, but it quickly lost its way. The plot meandered aimlessly, leaving what should have been powerful moments feeling strangely flat and forgettable.

FL Song Ran was supposed to be a reporter, but she spent more time doing everything except her actual job. It was hard to believe how she was just wandering around and taking pictures in a war zone army base, it just felt completely out of place. Most of the time, all I saw was her trailing behind the male lead.

ML Li Zan's character left me with mixed feelings. I appreciated how the show portrayed his trauma and the denial he was stuck in, it felt raw, real and authentic. However, as time went on, it seemed like his reluctance to open up was more about convenience than anything else. The constant addition of trauma without any real growth or resolution made it feel like there was no light at the end of his tunnel.

I am a fan of both the actors, but I just couldn’t feel any chemistry between them. Maybe it was because their romance developed in so many illogical situations like having a heart to heart conversations on the bomb site before even getting medical aid , that it felt hard to buy into.

Most of the drama was set in a war zone, but the seriousness , urgency and consequences of it were largely missing throughout especially in the first half. The logic was often flawed and there were many instances that could have been fixed if they paid a little attention to detail. For example, why were people moving so freely in the war zone? Why were people just lying down and hugging when there had been a bomb blast only minutes before and why couldn't they do that in hospital to make more sense ?

When it comes to handling PTSD, don’t get me wrong - they did attempt to show the real vulnerabilities, denial and the struggles people face after being in such a traumatic environment. However, the portrayal became a repetitive cycle, with no significant character growth. It doesn’t make sense to me that after 8 episodes of dealing with the issue, there was still no real development.
You would expect them to be open and communicate with each other, especially after everything they’ve been through together. But no, we are still stuck in that non-communicative phase, where life-threatening and life-changing decisions are made without even informing the other person.
In real life, while PTSD can have long-lasting effects, people do tend to make progress over time, whether in small steps or through moments of realization. The drama's absolute refusal to allow characters to experience this type of growth feels unrealistic, as it disregards the possibility of healing and moving forward.

At one point, the hero complex from both of them actually diminished the impact of those serious scenes!

Acting wise both the leads did a good job with what was given to them. Chen Zhe Yuan can act and time and again, he shows that! Liang Jie did a great job too but CZY stole the stage when vulnerable scenes were on the screen!
The emotional scenes were executed well ( the man cries so pretty) but the problem wasn't the acting but the writing!

Now coming to the good part, Benjamin and Saxin ! This was a perfect enemies to lovers trope! The constant bickering , the eye contacts , the jealousy, the unwavering trust and support for each other was just the chef's kiss.If the drama had focused more on them or given them even half the screen time, I would have rated it much higher.
Censorship wants you to think it is brotherhood, but they ain't fooling us. Initially I thought it was me who was on team delusion, but they kept hinting us that we weren't wrong. They know what they are doing ! They know we know what they are doing ! Everything is out there yet still between the lines. We need a masterclass so that we can have those shelved dramas out !

I want to keep this review spoiler free but let's just say the ending was just bizzare and lazy writing. It was as if they ran out of ideas to how to make this mess right which they made, grabbed the nearest piece of paper, scribbled something random, and called it a day.

Overall, this drama was incredibly disappointing and fell flat despite its ambitious premise. It seemed to aim for something grand, but ultimately, it failed to deliver. The plot lacked depth and the pacing dragged, making it hard to stay engaged. It was a slow burn with little payoff, leaving much to be desired and leaving me feeling bored.

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