The White Olive Tree

Urge to STOP watching midway

At first i skipped most of their professional 'working' scenes maybe because i was anticipating for their romance . but to my own surprise, I actually hate them.
-I irked and making faces every time ML and FL lovey dovey. IMO, they don't look good together or maybe i don't like how the actress portrayed the FL character.
-I actually stop at first 1/3 of the series but resume only because i want to know rest of the stories of other characters. still struggling
- If it's a good drama, I love to rewatch them but this drama i have veeeerrryyy hard time to finish. I had finished a few drama even with bad storylines or bad acting but this drama, i don't know what to say.. I even set to watch with 2x speed and fast foward most of the scenes

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Emotions to Relive Forever

If someone asked me to forget this drama and watch it again, I would do it a thousand times over.
It’s a sad, dramatic, and heartbreaking drama, but also incredibly romantic, filled with brotherhood, strong bonds of friendship, and a powerful message of hope and freedom.
The actors were all so amazing in their roles, so real that they conveyed emotions that truly reached our hearts.
It has been a long journey, full of emotions. With this drama, I laughed, I cried, I loved.
Not even for a moment did I feel disappointed by the storyline. It’s a war drama, and from the very first episode, I thought that someone might not make it to the last one—I can’t deny it. But every character and their story, with their contribution, built such a real and chilling narrative.
Everything was beautiful—the story, the actors' performances, the set design, the cinematography, the music, and the direction. A truly remarkable piece of work.

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Every step led them to each other and their final destination.

I finally finished The White Olive Tree and I’m still in shambles with red eyes. I knew it was going to be heavy after seeing the behind the scenes and some of Chen Zhe Yuan’s interviews but I never expected this sort of agony. The portrayal of these mental health issues, of the ugliness of war, and how life gives you beauty to give you pain is…all too realistic which makes it that much easier to cry and feel the pain. While I always want a happy ending, we don’t always get one in real life so I get why it all fell to this because sometimes we can’t be saved. Sometimes the only peace we can find is in the next journey, not in this life.

Another key theme is extremism. Extreme good is no better than extreme bad, both cause intense pain and unimaginable suffering. Li Zan is the “ultimate” good-gentle and selfless to the point of causing those who love him dearly agony. He says early on in the show “Having the right intention doesn’t always lead to the right outcome.” This sums up Li Zan’s character quite well. It’s also a reminder about extremism and intentions.

Finally, all of the main supporting actors along with Chen Zhe Yuan and Liang Jie were spectacular at portraying their respective points. The suffering from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and the way in which everyone can handle situations differently was so well done. We are all living on borrowed time and some of us are suffering silently even if we outwardly look okay. I recommend watching this only if you’re in a strong/good mental and emotional state as this can be extremely triggering, heavy, and draining. I do plan to rewatch this and would tell everyone to watch it. This drama beautifully highlights the importance of life and how each moment should be cherished and how each decision, no matter how minor, could be a catalyst for something major.

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A drama worth watching for the hearts, not the brains.

Trigger warnings for the drama: PTSD, depression, mental illness
(Please consider these tags carefully before watching)

As the title says, it's a drama that you should use your heart to feel the emotions through the cast's superb acting skills, not your brain to see the obvious flaws in the plot/production.

Pros:
- Excellent acting performance by the cast, especially the ML Chen Zhe Yuan. So if you're looking to watch this for CZY, it's worth to watch until the end.
- Beautiful and meaningful messages
- OST's quality are amazing and thoughtful
- ML and FL's acting is the best selling point of the drama

Cons:
- Due to the drama having 4 directors, filming's quality is inconsistent and sometimes questionable, uncomfortable with those close-up/slowmo shots
- Unprofessional/Bad screenwriting that doesn't understand the essence of the source materials, so you can't use logic while watching, looking down on viewers' IQ.
- Many bad editing's decisions were made
- Unnecessary queerbaiting plots that added nothing but downgraded the drama and its original characters
- Overall, the production team is obviously an amateur team without much film making experience/knowledge, an example of big ambition not matching the skillset.

Conclusion: A badly-made drama that got hard carried by lead actors' acting skills and excellent original novel

Side note:
- For people who are impatient or can't stand slow pace, it is recommended to watch from Ep 27-38 first then you can go back and watch the rest (slow pace) later if you're still interested
- For people that hate tragic ending, you can stop at Ep 35 and pretend the last 3 eps don't exist.

Hopefully this review helps!

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Sadly, they butchered the original story

P.S. This is an updated review, and if you're a fan of the actors/actresses, it’s probably best not to read this. I won’t be entertaining any opinions or arguments against what I’ve said.

(Review up to Episode 12)
A little TMI: I had been waiting for this drama for so long. I read the novel, set my expectations sky-high, and, well… let’s just say those expectations took a nosedive—straight into the gutter, or somewhere equally disappointing.

That said, let’s start with the positives. There aren’t many (for now), but I’ll list them before I forget:
— The soundtrack: Out of the 12 songs I’ve heard so far, I love every single one of them. Enough said.
— The cast and acting: Especially Li Zan, Benjamin, and Jiang Lin. Some people find the English-speaking parts awkward, but considering their characters aren’t meant to be native speakers, it doesn’t really bother me. I think the actors and actresses did their best, and I appreciate the effort. Also, while I haven't seen much from the rest yet, Zheyuan and Liang Jie absolutely deliver when it comes to emotional scenes. Every expression, whether it’s joy, hesitation, or longing, is so raw and tangible. They're just so so so so good at it.
— The set: The production team went all out, building an entire fictional city and structures for this drama. Honestly, it feels like they poured all their resources into the set... and not so much into the story. Unfortunately.
— The tone: As someone with terrible eyesight, I prefer my dramas bright—not blindingly so, but at least bright enough that I don’t have to squint while watching.
— Unexpected but delightful dynamic between Benjamin and Saxin: This wasn’t something I saw coming, especially since it wasn’t in the novel, but it’s one of the highlights for me! Saxin is usually either frowning or scowling when he’s around Benjamin, while Benjamin can’t help but poke fun at him. Their interactions are always a joy to watch.

Now, onto the negatives. Honestly, writing this feels a bit heavy because what I have in mind is... anything but little.
— The execution of the story: I genuinely don’t know what happened here or where things went wrong, but this adaptation falls short of the novel I loved so much. Up until Episode 6 or 7, I think I unconsciously made up excuses in my head for the dissatisfaction I was feeling. I kept convincing myself to give it time, to wait for the so-called turning point in Episodes 11 and 12—but even then, it still didn’t quite hit the mark. It did improve compared to the previous episodes, but just not quite enough to make up for everything else. I know that having high expectations is a surefire way to set myself up for disappointment, but I couldn’t help it. I waited so long for this drama, and I wanted so badly for it to live up to what I had imagined.
— The dialogues: From the moment Li Zan and Song Ran met in Episode 1, it was clear that their conversation was lifted straight from the novel. While it brought back memories of reading the novel, it didn’t quite translate well to the screen. Some conversations came across as flat or even awkward. For instance, during the lunch scene, their quiet moments on the truck, and the gesture of Li Zan lending Song Ran a comb. Especially the lending-comb scene—it was meant to be swoon-worthy, much like it was in the novel, but in the drama, it completely lost that same charm.
— Too draggy: There were stretches of time when the pacing slowed to a crawl. Some scenes also dragged on unnecessarily, as if they were added simply to fill time, without actually serving the narrative. And, slow motion can be effective when used thoughtfully, but here, it often felt overdone.
— Song Ran: Honestly, the version of Song Ran in the novel was so much better. In the novel, she’s calm, composed, a bit shy, thoughtful—a young lady who might seem soft on the outside but is incredibly determined on the inside. To put it plainly, the novel’s Song Ran has a level of restraint that the drama’s version lacks. The novel version would never get drunk in a military base and write her crush’s name on the ground. That’s just not who she is. Unfortunately, the drama made her seem much more childish and less grounded than she should be. Also, in the drama, Song Ran seemed to follow Li Zan around everywhere, even secretly taking a picture of him on the first day. This behavior feels out of character for the Song Ran I love from the novel, who would never be so forward or intrusive. (But I get it—if we look at it purely from a romance perspective, it’s meant to be sweet, adorable, all that. Still, it could’ve been handled better without making her feel like a completely different person.)
— The flashback: Was it really necessary? I didn’t mind it at first, but then came that scene after the dance—Li Zan pulled Song Ran into his arms to keep her from bumping into someone, and barely ten seconds later, they turned it into a flashback. Like, come on?! My memory isn’t that short. It’s one thing to highlight key moments, but this felt almost comical.

Well yeah, for now, I’ll give this the benefit of the doubt—hoping that it only gets better from here on out. I’m ready for this drama to put me through the emotional wringer—I’ve got tissues on standby, anyway. But what I’m really dreading is walking away from it feeling utterly disappointed. PLEASE, be good until the end. Fingers crossed!

(Updated review.)
I went in expecting heartbreak and tears, and in a way, I guess I got that—just not in the way I had hoped. Instead, it was pure disappointment at how badly they butchered this story.

After this whole rollercoaster of a journey, here's how I'd sum it up:

— Romance: 1/10. Completely underdeveloped, rushed, and way too cringe for my taste. It almost feels like they downplayed the main lead’s PTSD.
— Dialogue: 3/10. Half of it was just nonsense. What was the screenwriter even doing?
— Acting: 8/10. Zheyuan was brilliant—one of the few saving graces.
— Characters: 5/10. They absolutely ruined Song Ran. I thought that by the end, I might at least understand her poor choices in the beginning, but nope. Nothing against the actress, but the way they wrote Song Ran made her completely unlikeable. Li Zan deserved better.
— Overall Story: 1/10. They butchered the original plot beyond recognition.

Just a complete waste of potential. Bye.

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The drama started off strong, but unfortunately, it quickly lost its way.

I had high hopes for this drama, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. CZY's appearance in this drama was noticeably different from his previous roles. He truly stood out here – his charisma and handsome looks were undeniable. He shines even more in modern settings, like in this drama and Hidden Love. CZY in a military uniform with that haircut was striking. Thankfully, there was no dramatic, weird makeup like in some of his other dramas. His piercing eyes and irresistible smile captivated me, and his voice, so soothing and compelling, added so much depth. He definitely brought Azan to life in a way that felt authentic and emotional, especially in his teary scenes. It was clear that CZY put his all into this role, and I have to give him credit for a phenomenal, TOP-NOTCH performance.
As much as I LOVE Chen Zhe Yuan, I found myself unable to continue watching past episode 20. The first few episodes really pulled me in, and I was hopeful for how the story would unfold. However, after the candy bomb, the plot became increasingly chaotic and harder to follow, especially after the characters returned to the city. The pacing slowed down, and I found myself missing them when they were in the East Country, but unfortunately, it didn’t maintain that same level of engagement. Jiang Lin’s death came too early and disrupted the flow of the story. While trauma is an important theme, his death seemed to unravel the characters, causing them to retreat into their own emotional worlds rather than pushing the plot forward.
Liang Jie is a talented actress – I’ve enjoyed her in Eternal Love, but I struggled to connect with her portrayal of Song Ran. Song Ran often came across as more obsessive than anything, and her personality seemed more passive than I expected. As a reporter, I anticipated more strength and agency from her, especially during critical moments like the candy bomb and when she was captured (based on the short clip). I understand her love for Azan, but her behavior often felt overwhelming and took away from the story's depth. She literally spent the entire drama chasing after Azan, more than anything else. I wish she had dialed back her obsession a bit and focused more on her role as a reporter. It would have been more compelling if she had shown more resourcefulness, instead of waiting for Azan to rescue her. While I don’t expect her to handle everything on her own, it would have been nice to see her keep fighting until help arrived, rather than sitting there unsure of what to do.
Though I’m not entirely sure of the specifics, as I only saw brief clips, the moments when Azan was captured and tortured felt repetitive. They seemed primarily focused on deepening his emotional pain without advancing the overall story. His struggles with guilt and trauma were valid, but the execution felt a bit forced. The way these events unfolded didn’t seem fully justified within the narrative, especially considering he had just begun to overcome his initial trauma. I mean, he had just finally gotten past it – ok, yall!!! SMH. The loss of Ben also felt pointless, as his death didn’t serve a meaningful purpose in the story, especially since he was one of the heroes. How does one jump into a hot pit without backup??? Additionally, while the book Azan wrote about their memories was heartbreaking, it added an extra emotional layer that wasn’t needed, given how heavy the drama already was.
On a positive note, there were moments that truly stood out. For instance, when Shen Bei referred Azan as her boyfriend and Song Ran teared up, or when Azan found SR after the mishap on the way to Happo (though I may not recall the name exactly), those moments were emotionally impactful. The airport reunion was especially memorable—Azan was just so FINEEE! Of course, Azan’s charm, calm demeanor, and piercing eyes really shone through in those emotional scenes. When they finally reunited after the breakup, Azan remained as lovable as ever. Still, I wished both characters had shown more emotional resilience and mental strength.
While I’m glad the ending didn’t follow the novel’s direction, I found the final tone of the drama to be too heavy and emotionally draining. Azan's suffering, especially after being tortured, was heartbreaking. He seemed to change so drastically from the strong, capable man we saw at the start to someone entirely different, which left me feeling disoriented. The drama’s tone became overwhelming, and I think a more resolved or uplifting ending could have kept viewers more engaged. Instead, it felt like an emotional rollercoaster that ultimately fizzled out, with the characters marrying, eloping, and disappearing into thin air under the Olive Tree. I don’t really care if they lived for years before disappearing because the ending felt rushed. As a result, the drama left me feeling more exhausted than fulfilled. Will I continue watching it? Probably not.

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Glad I decided to keep watching!

The cast’s performance was incredible. I wanted to stop watching this show as I did not enjoy the way they allowed both of the leads to go back to a war torn country. Both struggled with their mental health after experiencing traumatic events, they were in no way healthy enough to go back.

I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if they had focused on healing first… are there really no other volunteers? other journalists? As humans, we can’t help others if we do not help ourselves first.

Not the perfect script, but I enjoyed it until the end mostly due to the female and male lead. They ate up the story and their acting was truly a work of art.

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Its a trap!

Well, well. For those who don't wanna read it all: it starts strong, then it gets bad and then it becomes sht, and then it gets even worse... And no, media making you cry doesn't mean it is "good" by default. Also, "enjoying" isn't the same as "good". I'm just putting these out there. No reason.
So. I started watching it based on the poster. I gave it a go and after the first 10 minutes I thought "Oh, God. Its gonna be one of those dumb things, full of tropes and plot contrivances, isn't it?". But actually, the actions are logical, no matter how silly it seems. In other words, in this fictional world, the events taking place have the minimum requirements to feel "real". So, I continued watching and after a few more episodes I said "ok, it works". Silly me...

The story is interesting, maybe the romantic angle is a bit boring. It might felt like that because of FL's acting. She needs to be sad and crying a lot, but she can't act it, it felt fake. Back to the topic, Interesting story, decent enough execution.
Actually, no. I'm gonna review this drama in a different way. I usually go: visuals, audio, char development, world building etc but I think I have a better idea for this case. So. For the whole drama, the audio is by far excellent. The mixing of tracks is well done, the songs used for the whole OST are amazing, they even used different versions of the same track based on the scene. Its not my genre, I'll never listen to those songs again, but it was amazing.

And now the juicy parts. This drama can get split into seasons. The first "10" episodes (might be 9, I won't check, I don't care that much) are the best part of it. How the characters meet, how they interact etc. Good stuff. You'll enjoy it. Even some good character development that I wasn't expecting (and dreading that it might go to something shtty). Then the "2nd season", aka the next "10" episodes, it is mostly about character development, more intense accent on the drama etc. For the most part, decent enough. Not really enjoying it, but the execution was ok. Except, while approaching the end of this "season" it gets bad. Characters start acting in a weird way, aka the story needs to go in a specific way and so the characters start taking dumb decisions. I was about to let it go but the writer tried to explain it that it might be because of pills etc. Silly and weak, but ok, I'll allow it.
And then, the last part is sht. No sense in trying to be polite. It felt rushed and it had all kinds of setups that I didn't like, because it was clear that the writer wanted to make the people "feel" and not paying attention to the logic behind the story. And the "funny" part? The last.... 4-5 episodes are even worse. Pure sht. Oh, man. Full of plot devices and plot holes, bad acting, cheap payoffs etc. Like I said earlier, the audio remained excellent. But other than that..... oof. With the cherry on top being the last 5(?) minutes.

Funny story. After the first "10" episodes, when I noticed some interesting character development, I wanted to skip until the last 2 episodes, just to make sure the ending will be ok. Yes, I was ok with spoilers, because that thing mattered more. But I stayed strong. And it was a good thing because the end would've left me baffled as to "how" and "why". I would've gone "wtf happened??" every 5 minutes :)))
Yes, this drama is based on a book. I don't know the sauce, I don't care about the sauce. Probably it has the same ending. I don't know how (why) it got and adaptation... Anyway.

Long story short, it gets a rating of 6. No matter how good the starting was, failing to deliver means you shouldn't start to begin with. The high rating is mostly for the excellent audio, mostly good acting (excellent by some supporting cast), and a couple of good character development.
Having said that, no rewatch value. Why the fk would anyone wanna watch just the first"10" episodes and leave after? You can't even watch 10 episodes, skip all, watch the last episode. Heck, you can't even watch the last 10 minutes.... *sigh*
Have a lovely evening.

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