The White Olive Tree

Insane Chemistry between all the leads

Honestly thought since this was a military drama would not find it as worthy of watching but chen zheyuan continues to surprise you with his choice of scripts. The plot starts very like your humdrum military drama that focuses more on romance, but there is so much love and chemistry between the leads. Additionally, there is an underlying sense of depth and intricacy that is present when handling some of the sensitive topics which tells me we are about to delve into a really dark theme and a side of characterisation that is very uncommon in c-ent. 10 eps in and all i can say i cant wait for more!!

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The White Olive Tree – A Journey of Frustration, Pain, and the Only Two People That Mattered

I don’t even know where to start with this drama… The White Olive Tree was an experience, but not necessarily the good kind. It had potential—there were moments that gripped me, and of course, Ben and Sa Xin were the soul of the entire thing. But when I look at the drama as a whole? It was a frustrating, dragging mess that somehow managed to get even worse toward the end.

Plot & Pacing – A Slow Burn That Burned Out

This drama had a mix of war, espionage, and romance, and while that sounds exciting on paper, the execution? Exhausting. The pacing was inconsistent—some parts felt painfully slow, and others rushed through major developments like they were checking off a list. The storytelling lacked the emotional depth it thought it had, and at times, it felt like the show itself was unsure of what kind of story it was trying to tell.

The war-torn setting had potential, and there were moments of raw intensity, but they kept getting overshadowed by unnecessary subplots and forced emotional beats that didn’t land. There were entire episodes that felt like filler, circling around the same conflicts without really progressing anything.

And then, that ending. I have no words. I sat there, staring at the screen, I sat through 30+ episodes for this??? I feeling completely robbed. That was the closure they thought we needed? That was supposed to be satisfying? If anything, it left a bitter taste.

Characters – A Mixed Bag of Wasted Potential
Now, here’s where my emotions get really messy. Most of the characters were… there. Some had interesting backstories, but the writing never fully let them shine. And others? They overstayed their welcome hard.

Son Rang – She was supposed to be a journalist, but I never really felt that from her character. There was no strong investigative presence, no real depth in how she approached the war through her profession. It was like they just labeled her as a journalist without making it believable.

Dr. Pei – I actually liked her character, but let’s be real—she was just there for the censorship. That’s how it felt. She had some good moments, but her role in the story never really clicked for me beyond that.

Sa Xin & Ben – The Only Reason I Survived This Drama
Now let’s talk about the real stars—Ben and Sa Xin. Because HOLY SH— THEIR SCENES WERE EVERYTHING. The tension, the way they saw through each other, the way they always had each other’s backs?? THEIR SCENES?? THEIR DYNAMIC?? The way they owned every moment they were together?? I breathed for their interactions. The writers knew EXACTLY what they were doing with them, feeding us crumbs while still leaving things "open to interpretation" BECAUSE OF CENSORSHIP??? I WAS LOSING MY MIND.

They weren’t just comrades. They weren’t just friends. They were everything. And the fact that the show kept tiptoeing around it instead of fully committing was frustrating as hell.
Ben was this emotionally closed-off, self-sacrificing mess, and Sa Xin saw right through him. The way Sa Xin called him out, the way Ben protected him like his literal life depended on it—I LIVED for every second of it. They had more chemistry in five minutes of screen time than any other couple in this entire show.

Now the OSTs: They are amazing..

Final Thoughts – A Mess, but Ben & Sa Xin Were Worth It

Would I recommend The White Olive Tree? Honestly? If not for Ben and Sa Xin, my answer would be a NO. It was messy, frustrating, and ultimately left me feeling drained. But because of them… I can't fully regret watching it.

I just wish they had been in a better drama. A better story. A story that actually deserved them. 💔

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2 Sides of A Coin

"It's better to die in broken pieces of jade than to live a life of clay"

This quote sums up the gist of the story. The drama is actually pretty deep. Although it is depicted as a romance-military genre, they took it on a much slower, very delicate and pretty dark approach. Why does it have such a slower pace? Well, because the journey that you're about to take is not going to be a smooth one. They indulge us with rosy and fluffy moments only to slowly pull you down, and further down, leaving heavy angst dancing in mid air.

It focuses more on the healing process rather than about the war itself. It delved deep into the core of relationships between lover, family, friends and colleagues; not forgetting the hope for humanity in general. The sensitive subject is not everybody's cup of tea. PTSD is no joke. I wouldn't say that they nailed this subject, but it's a fair exposure. The diverse characters explored in here will definitely leave a mark in your heart, whether it's a good one or a bad one. Simple small things like gesturing a smile, plain water bottles or even an apple will never be the same.

Story
It's not your typical love story. A girl saved by a boy, got separated then tried to reconnect, they meet again and fall in love; the only catch is you have to put a warzone in the middle followed by its aftermath. It's not going to be a smooth journey as the main characters will suffer heavy trauma and life-alter experiences. It may differ from everyone's expectation, but I really love the depth of their struggle that they put on the table. It's really overwhelming to the point that me as a viewer has no room to breath. I may disagree with how they handle their issues but I'm just being mad because I can't really vent out my frustration at either of them, because it is understandable. Each has their own reasons and built-up to act the way they are.

It's not perfect. There are some issues with certain plots, certain pacings here and there, including a few lack of good editing and logic, but I guess the intention was to make us immerse and care deeply about the main characters. How they cope in a most dangerous, unimaginable situation; That somehow there is beauty in the most ugliest times. Yes, it made me root for them to be together from the get go. It also made me hope for the characters to heal and have a deserving happy ending (Just another me in a wishful thinking mode). Please be warned that the journey you're about to take, watching as it unfolds is like walking on eggshells. So, please proceed with caution and lots of tissues.

Main Casts :
* Chen Zhe Yuan as A Zan/ Li Zan
His depiction of A Zan/Li Zan is highly remarkable. You'll be captivated by him from the first moment he was introduced. His demeanor is shown as this cool, calm and collected persona. I was fully convinced that he is a de-mining expert that is doing well at his job. He embodies this character brilliantly. I was immersed with his journey from being a normal volunteer into a much darker phase; resulting from the war. The stark differences of his portrayal were immaculate. We could see how alive he was before and how messed-up he was after the trauma. The burden that he has to carry was shown ambiguously that it made us keep on guessing about his true condition. Is love ever going to be enough for him to heal? Will he snap? I felt those emotions coming from A Zan because he just wants things to go back like before so badly. Plus the guilt that he has over his friend's death, and not to mention his unfinished business in the Eastern Country. He has witnessed the casualties of war which fuel his unwaivering desire to help as much as he could, even if it means for him to break apart. His empathy towards others is off the charts. The world will be a better place if more people like him existed.

* Liang Jie as Song Ran
Song Ran is depicted as this indifferent person, as she grew up with lack of warmth because she has abandonment issues with her mother. Unlike A Zan who is much more mature, she can be a little childlike, disconnected and insensitive sometimes. That is her flaw. Often act as aloof, she meets A Zan which takes over her world. She was spellbound by him from the very first time they met and Liang Jie really nailed this character. I could feel how much A Zan has affected her. She is shown to be an independent, strong and resilient person but having A Zan in her life, somehow she became more fragile. But in dealing with her trauma, with A Zan by her side, she acts like she can overcome anything and rule the world. Those emotions were well portrayed in Song Ran. It's a much different vibe from A Zan. Her expectations of life radiate in a positive manner, a polar opposite from A Zan who is much reserved and a bit skeptic.

So which ones are you? Do you see things as half full or half empty?

Other casts :
* Eastern Country personnel
The supporting casts in here are mostly great, but it did suffer a few setbacks as their story kind of halted a little as we follow where the main characters are. So it felt a little disjointed as the focus was about healing the main characters. The narration helped a little, but I could only relate to their struggle through what the main characters experienced, causing me to feel a little less care about them in general but it doesn't eliminate my curiosity entirely.

* Family members
The cast for both families is commendable. I really like the dynamic between them. They captured the essence in general; about broken family and abandonment issues. Each portray good amount of emotion. It's believable.

OST
The musical score and the songs are really great. My favourites are Te Amo by A-lin and Moonlight Dance by Chen Xueran. Both tracks will stir your melancholic emotions; you'll be rooting for the couple to make it to the end.

Would I watch it all over again?
Yes, it's re-watchable. Highly recommended.

My thoughts so far :

A Zan - "She needs me so I have to do better"
Song Ran is treated as one of his goals that he needs to reach; aside from his work and physical ability. Unknowingly, she became one of his obstacles when he was not doing well. A Zan puts Song Ran above him. Although he wanted to keep up to match her but he ended up feeling defeated and useless, like he was left behind. Especially when Song Ran seems to be able to move on a do a lot of things. It's not his fault because he was built differently. His mother's absence since childhood forced him to be mature at a young age, so naturally he is being protective. It's understandable that he didn't want to drag Song Ran into his abyss, especially if he wasn't sure if he could come out of it.

Song Ran - "As long as he is with me, I am good"
A Zan is being treated as her motivation and her support. It hits differently. Song Ran puts A Zan by her side like her equal partner. It's not her fault though as he keeps bottling his feelings inside and does not reach out to her most of the time. So she trusts that he is doing fine when in reality A Zan is still struggling. But Song Ran in hindsight knew that A Zan still hid things from her. Thus she kept reaching out to him, ensuring that he didn't feel alone. For example in episode 18; where A Zan was struggling with guilt and isolated himself, and when Song Ran found him, she acted normal and asked how he was and cuddled him. The conversation seems natural and she didn't force him to tell, yet she shares her experiences dealing with nightmares however differ it may be. And when he offered to prepare her a supper, she didn't leave him alone instead casually joined him in the kitchen. She kept showcasing to A Zan that they are in this together, without having to say anything. For me that means a lot; but for some it may just not be enough or even damaging. 2 sides of a coin.

Edited - After ending
The ending is up to your own views of life. It's bittersweet as it left for us viewers to ponder by ourselves. The 'elope' thingy is up to our own interpretation. If you feel they didn't make it, then it's your call based from your own limit. How far can you really go for love.

In my opinion, both leave everything behind to live on their own terms of happiness; as long as they are together. It may not fit into our own standard of happiness; growing old, having kids, like a normal picture perfect couple. As for me I'm picturing them having a home somewhere in the mountains, live their slow-daily life just like what they have shown us earlier on. It may differ from yours, but I'm not here to argue.

In hindsight, I do think that they both died mentally during the kidnapping scene. Where Song Ran decides to self-inflict herself in the neck, and having A Zan to witness that shocking incident. Both barely hanging on to live on just for the sake of one another.

It's a beautiful story. It's been a while since I get so affected with such heart-breaking experience. This is a contender for 1 litre of tears in my book.

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Romance and Healing drama set in the land of war and bad English.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

As part of IQiyi’s Love On series, the focus of the drama has to be more than just about soldiers, war and killing. Romance has to play a big part of the story, at least 50%. If the romance sucks, I will not be able to give this drama a high rating. Luckily, I enjoy the main romance for the most part.

Romance:
Let’s start with the negatives: slowness! And I am not talking about just the pacing of the romance, but how slow the leads talk and move. Why are they talking so slowly? Is it supposed to be romantic? This is my biggest problem with the romance! LOL. Additionally, I was losing a tiny little patience during their initial flirting/getting-to-know-each-other stage. It’s very obvious that they like each other but it took them so long to confess. Why are they acting like shy high school kids when they are 30-year-old professionals? Why is FL acting like a lovesick girl always following ML around? Having said all that, I do like their flirting, their shy smiles and many cute and fluffy scenes. As a reward for my patience, the cute couple does deliver sweetness and fluffiness to offset the sad parts of the drama. I like the quiet stubbornness and strength inside them, and their unwavering loyalty and love for each other. I know others are less patient with their lack of open communication but I am actually OK with it. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are central to this story. It takes years for someone to be healed, so for them to hide that part of themselves, I do find that acceptable. Therefore, it was actually very satisfying to see them slowly open up to each other and let the other into their misery a little bit at a time. I especially enjoy their confrontation during the school bully arc. At first, that arc seems out of place, but it became the catalyst of them revealing their pain. I was worried about their ending as I’ve read some comments. In the end, I am at peace and am OK with it. I was preparing for the worst.

Careers:
I admit I am not familiar with volunteering in the capacity that ML is doing. Therefore, I find it hard to imagine that a volunteer can be so involved in military decisions and operations. Sure, they must have gone through a background check, but military business is no joke. You can’t have civilians doing what ML is doing. On the other hand, as a reporter, FL is not reporting much. Sure, it showed a little of her work during the initial episodes. But for the most part, she’s just tagging along and going on ‘dates’. I wanted to see more reporting, e.g. in episode 1, or more interviews and articles, and not just Weibo/WeChat moment posts. There’s so much more the drama can include FL’s career into the plot in a more meaningful and realistic way.

East Country and Wars:
The writing in the East Country also has plot holes here and there. I still can’t believe FL not wearing her helmet during that dangerous scene in ep 1. I so wanted to yell through the TV screen and shake some sense in her lovesick brain. This is just me, the English spoken gives me a headache. Chen Zhe Yuan’s English is probably the best and most tolerable out of all actors (Chinese and foreigners). It’s so hard to take this seriously when you know for sure English is not the primary language, yet every single one speaks English. Compared to other disaster and war-themed dramas, the execution and budget are just OK. The acting of the minor roles, such as people from the East Country, isn’t that great and their acting takes me out of the serious scenes. Luckily, the main cast really delivered and I became invested again.

Brotherhood:
Yes, I can see why everyone said that the relationship between Ben and Sa Xin is more than just friends/comrades. Is censorship the problem? Did they intentionally try to bait us and frustrate us? I never read the novel, so I don’t know if they are more than friends in the book. Ben and Sa Xin do have some great and fun scenes together, but I might not be as in love with them as many others. On the other hand, I do enjoy this quiet and more mature bond between Ben and Li Zan. I would have loved it more if the drama actually gave us a little more scenes of them together. The earlier scenes are all about Li Zan and Jiang Lin. It makes it hard to believe that Ben and Li Zan already have developed as strong a bond as Li Zan and Jiang Lin.



I would recommend this drama for romance lovers who want war/healing/PTSD as a backdrop, but definitely not for those who want a serious and well-executed war-themed drama. I would also recommend this if you are fans of Chen Zhe Yuan and Liang Jie because their acting is really good. I am happy to see them move away from their usual rom-come selves, and try something more challenging. PTSD is not a topic commonly addressed in a romance drama, but I think “The White Olive Tree” did a good job in showing the reality of the suffering and healing process, especially with Chen Zhe Yuan’s excellent. The only other recent drama I recall that addresses PTSD was Yang Yang in “Glory of Special Forces”. Yang Yang, believe or not, also did an excellent job there. Despite my complaints, I enjoy the main romance and acting for the most part, and I like the OST. therefore, I am giving this an 8.25 rating.



Completed: 4/30/2025 - Review #571

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Masochistic writing filled with trauma dumping and bland romance

If I knew what I was getting into, I would have never, ever watched this drama. My rating has reduced massively because of the final 4 episodes. The drama is about the female lead, a journalist, who goes to a fictional country amidst a war. She is unexpectedly saved by the male lead, a volunteer soldier, who specialises in defusing bombs.

The story starts off as quite fluffy and hopeful. Despite the war zone, we follow how the main leads fall in love and save people from disasters. After the first 10 episodes, the drama turns melodramatic with PTSD and mental health as the focal point, and it does a good job in portraying these themes.

However, the middle of the drama completely lost me. The plot became draggy with unnecessary misunderstandings, break up, and more and more PTSD. For about 10 episodes, virtually nothing happened.

Then, the last 10 episodes finally moved the plot forward, with a mix of action scenes and at-this-point boring romance. The ending felt like a new level of masochistic writing, with very disturbing scenes that literally gave me major anxiety, trauma and heart palpitations.

POSITIVE:
- Che Zhe Yuan’s outstanding and phenomenal acting performance.
- Top-notch “bromance”. Censorship or not, Ben and Sasin totally stole the spotlight. Their Grumpy x Sunshine vibes were highly entertaining but at the same time the writers did a phenomenal job building their emotional connection. The fact that it became the number 2 hot couple on weibo says it all.
- Action scenes. I’m not a fan of war movies but I give props to the production for making such realistic war scenes, some of them even looked like a blockbuster spy movie.
- Great OST.

NEGATIVE:
- Masochistic writing. From episode 10 the drama was constantly trauma dumping and tried to lean too much on realism. The ending episodes with the torture scenes gave me major anxiety and trauma.
- Too slow paced. Everything was snail-paced, especially the dialogue. I mostly watched the second half at 1.5x speed and it still looked normal.
- Bland romance. It started off as cute but the second half ruined it with unnecessary break up, misunderstanding and then just blah blah bland romance.
- Draggy. The middle of the drama was so unnecessary, instead of 10 episodes of seeing the characters suffer and recycle the same PTSD, we could have 2-3 episodes and move on.
- Female lead. At first I quite liked her shy and brave nature. But from the second half she became such a dull and lifeless character that I didn’t really care about. It also felt awkward how amidst the war, she was just casually strolling along and taking pictures.

OVERALL:
I was hesitant to start this drama because I’m not a fan of war and modern realistic stories. But I decided to try it out since I love Che Zhe Yuan so much. The first 10 episodes totally roped me in, I loved the balance between fluff and tragedy. That, despite the hardships, there was always a sense of hopefulness, that ‘better days are coming ahead”. But afterwards, the drama became more and more serious with trauma dumping, PTSD, death, suicide etc.

While I do understand the realistic approach of the writing, I absolutely hated this drama and wish I had never watched it. I watch dramas to escape reality, not to be re-traumatized. Yes, bad things happen in real life and I commend the drama for showing that. In fact it gave me a new perspective about war and soldier’s life, BUT it made me sick to my stomach seeing the male character go through so much torture and pain.

The thing is, I don’t mind sad endings if done right. But this ending was on a different level, it just felt dreadful, disturbing to watch and unnecessary traumatising, rather than sad. And for what? To show the realism we all know all too well? Shouldn’t there always be a light at the end of the tunnel? If not, what are we living for?

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Chen Zhe Yuan needs an update!

I've been a fan of CZY since Hidden love, somehow in my opinion, after this drama all his new dramas have the same kinda acting and expressions be it a lover boy/costume dama/military! Kinda disappointing.

About this drama:
1. Slow burn romance with 0 to no chemistry so far. I mean somehow the FL does not match the ML's vibes, they are both in different dimensions lol.
2. Unrealistic, pathetic graphics/animation.
3. Imagine being in a war zone and being able to hop to just anywhere in a jeep!?
4. So in the same war zone, the FL being a reporter will still be able to change places whenever she wants, follows the ML where ever he goes, gets into danger like its a given thing to be saved by none other than "him" :D
5. Amidst all this, the ML and FL still manages to find a fine dining restaurant in a war zone, eat and talk peacefully without being interrupted?! Like literally people are dying out there with no place, water/ food.. common?
6. I'm unable to build a connection with this drama due to the lack of its essence or depth!

Well, sorry but I really must mention the "You are my hero" drama here. Even though it had its + and -, it was still realistic, the characters, their chemistry, the comedy, the story.. their acting everything complimented each other!

Unfortunately I did not find this drama/the script/the cast interesting yet! I'm not sure if this will change if it goes in the same pace. Somewhere I felt that CZY has lost his charm, sad because this was one of the most awaited dramas of the year!

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please don't judge TWOT after only 2 episodes

First things first, as someone who has read the novel and absolutely loved it, I should have a critical look at the adaptation. But you know what, I've waited so long that my mind says: no matter what happens, you love it, even if your high expectations are not met.

Just one please, don't judge the drama after only 2 or 3 episodes, some people say that it is slow paced and yes that is true, but it gets better in the further episodes. Another negative point was that it was too much fluffy romance, but oh boy just wait and see when the 180 degree turnaround comes.

So please don't listen to the sometimes toxic comment section that is influenced by wannabe film critics on YT (AX). See for yourself, form your own opinion, not everyone has the same taste and that's a good thing. Criticism is good but pure hate is not.

I really enjoy the drama, the chemistry between the two leads is absolutely great. The set looks very good, and the fact that parts of the city in East Country were built especially for TWOT is particularly great. I also think it's great that you see the effects of the war on the individual characters. I've never had mental problems and don't want to presume to feel them, but the depiction of the characters' individual mental problems makes the pain sympathizing.

There's not much to say about the OST except that it's soooo good, just listen to the intro and you'll know where it's going.

so is TWOT a 10/10: no (for me it's a 10)
Does it have its flaws: yes
Is it still worth watching the drama: definitely

Finally all I have to say is just enjoy The White Olive Tree.

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I would say it's worth a watch

This is just my opinion
but the story did a good job on potraying the ptsd most people in the army go through.It did not romanticize the ptsd aspect of tht story like many other dramas do .The acting was very good and the male lead really brought out all the emotions.I would have really liked to see more of of ben and the doctor as their story felt very incomplete..Overall I would say I liked the drama , yes there could have been a few changes to the story but the ending was perfect according to me . The white olive tree represents purity and peace and it gave us a hint about their life.

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I loved it

I just finished watching the last episode, what can I say... I loved this drama!
At the beginning it may appear as an easy-silly romantic drama and sometimes a bit slow-paced, especially the character of Song Ran but at some point her behaviour evolves and also the plot of the story becomes really endearing and you want to watch more.
The last 3 episodes are heartbreaking.. but this story really shows the psychological damages caused by war in a realistic way. What's more, the actors are amazing! Sasin, Ben.. everyone acting was great, especially Li Zan was brilliant showing in an excellent manner the dark feelings caused by PTSD.
The ending may be upsetting for someone, but it follows somehow the original novel and well, life is not always "rainbows and unicorns" especially in a war environment.
It's totally worth it, if you don't mind to cry a little, give it a try!!!
Will I watch it again? Yes, but not soon because it left a hole in my heart.. so I need time to heal, but I'll definitely watch it again in the future because it's worth it.

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Good actors with average script, direction and a 'be' climax. Zero rewatch value

Disclaimer !!! Personal opinion. Please watch the show and evaluate yourself. I am writing this review to express my disappointment other than rating which I usually do.

Warning: Consider your mental health before watching this drama!!!

First things first. I started watching this drama because of my interest in journalism and mental health theme.This drama isn’t about healing—it’s about wounds that never healed. Life is already miserable, and choosing to watch something even more painful and traumatic was my mistake. I never abandon what I start, and that, too, is my fault.


Whenever people see something emotional, they tend to call it great—that’s exactly what’s happening with this drama. It’s emotionally draining, with an abrupt and heartbreaking ending. Aside from Zheyuan's acting, nothing truly stands out. However, it does have the power to leave viewers emotionally shattered due to its intense depiction of physical abuse. If you enjoy watching such content, this drama might be for you. But as someone who can't tolerate violence, I ended up skipping a lot.


Here’s what didn’t work for me:

1. Filters – The visuals are overly whitewashed. A warzone setting with these filters just doesn’t work.


2. Slow Motion – I found myself hitting fast forward. It feels like the director is stuck in the last century.


3. Editing – Feels disjointed at times, making scenes look out of place.


4. Female Lead’s Character – As a war correspondent, her character is poorly written. Being introverted doesn’t mean being shy and blushing all the time—I can confirm this as an introvert myself.


5. Forced Emotions – The emotional scenes often feel unnatural.


6. PTSD Treatment – No doctor would handle PTSD like this. It’s far from realistic. Exposure therapy is adviced in safe environments. Not like throwing the patient under the bus.


7. Romance – If two people are in love, they should communicate. Acting like strangers even after sleeping together feels frustrating. CZY had insane chemisty in Our Secret, Mr Bad and HL. They had good chemisty but not insane like CZY's previous works.

8.Song Ran’s crying – She cries in almost every episode. Honestly, any actress could pull this off the same way. There’s nothing special about it, at least for me. Her charecter was poorly written as a war correspondent who is supposed to be brave and logical, no matter what.

9.The last thing I want to address is the ending. It’s an open ending, but no matter how you interpret it, it remains deeply tragic. Personally, I like to think of it as *** making a sudden escape. The alternative—that they eloped to the countryside—feels less convincing. Avoiding triggers without proper treatment only worsens PTSD, and in the novel, Song Ran could only offer love and care, not the professional help he truly needed.Judging by the way their spirits appear together at the end of the show, it seems they ultimately chose to end their suffering after ten years—the time it takes for a white olive tree to bloom. To me, the first interpretation makes more sense, as elopement seems unlikely given the immense support they received from their families.

The male lead's performance was outstanding, and the female lead, along with the supporting cast, delivered remarkable performances as well. However, the storyline is frustratingly cruel, an endless cycle of hardship without resolution. Don't waste your precious tears on a fiction that feels underdeveloped and incomplete.

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Male lead acting skill is good!

Chen Zheyuan’s portrayal of Lizan in *The White Olive Tree* really stands out, especially during the emotional crying scene and his intense battlefield moments.

*Crying Scene:*
In the crying scene, Chen Zheyuan delivers a raw and heartfelt performance. His ability to convey deep emotional turmoil without overdoing it makes the moment incredibly powerful. The subtlety in his expressions — the tension in his face, the trembling of his lips, and the unshed tears — shows his emotional restraint, which amplifies the sadness of the situation. He doesn’t rely on exaggerated gestures, instead opting for a more internalized performance that feels genuine and painful, which allows the audience to connect with his character’s sorrow on a deeper level.

*Battlefield Fight:*
On the battlefield, Zheyuan transforms into a fierce and determined “warrior”, showing off his physical skills while also capturing the emotional weight of war. His movements during the fight are fluid and believable, blending action with the emotional stakes of his character. He’s not just fighting for survival but is deeply driven by the cause and his personal motivations, which Chen Zheyuan conveys through his focused expressions and body language. The way he portrays Lizan’s inner conflict while in battle gives his character depth, showing that it’s not just about physical strength, but the emotional cost of war.

Overall, Chen Zheyuan does a fantastic job balancing the vulnerability and strength of Lizan, making him a compelling and multi-dimensional character in *The White Olive Tree*.

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