A heart breaking saga
Stellar performance by Chen zheyuan 👏He is mindblowing in this series ...Li zan is very complex ckt ..from loving boy friend to PTSD to soldier to depression to mental retardation
He justified it very well ....
Well i really hoped this show for having sad ending ..they made him really miserable
But this show bring me back to C dramas ...i saw millions of k dramas during last 6 months but now i know y i loved C dramas ....... This is this acting ,chemistry and charm that got me hooked to C dramas
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YOU ARE IN FOR AN ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS
I started this drama once the first episode came out when I saw an spoiler on TikTok, it had me hooked, the first episode was so captivating that it made me want to watch all the episodes at once but I couldn’t as it was airing still. The whole storyline flowed well in chronological order, moments that we didn’t expect, happy moments, sad moments, moments that had me shivering and crying. Not only was the chemistry of the main leads amazing, the supporting cast storylines also captivated me. I went into this drama expecting some light hearted military romance but I left with sadness and pain as I didn’t want it to end. I’ve seen people have some takes and opinions on the ending but I think it was an happy one, considering everything that they went though, all the trauma. Is it an ending people were expecting? No but I think it worked well with this once and I’m glad they didn’t go for the novel ending cause I would of been shattered. ONE OF THE BEST DRAMAS IVE EVER WATCHED AND WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IT FOR AGES AND AGES. Hopefully these two work together again in the future and we get more dramas with the supporting cast too 💥🥹Was this review helpful to you?
A Great First C-Drama Kickoff of 2025
Kicking off modern C-dramas on a high note with this one.This is the kind of drama that is absolutely amazing, yet I know I will never rewatch it.
As someone who gets emotionally attached to characters, watching Li Zan suffer so much was painful, and the ending completely broke me. I don’t think I can go through that again.
The plot is heartbreaking, realistic, and emotionally intense—filled with twists that remind you that nothing is as it seems. At the same time, it beautifully portrays dreams of hope and freedom.
I had been anticipating this drama since last year, and it did not disappoint.
Chen Zheyuan delivered his best performance yet, especially in the second half of the series—my applause to him!👏
His chemistry with Liang Jie was also strong, filled with tension and heartfelt moments❤️🔥
That bittersweet ending, though—I personally didn’t like it. I prefer either a happy or sad ending, not an open one. I didn’t read the novel beforehand; I evaluated the story based solely on this drama.
Overall, I highly recommend this drama, but be warned: it contains heavy themes, including PTSD, mental illness, blood, and war. It’s intense, but definitely worth watching✨
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Heartwrenching Reality
After arriving at this dramas conclusion I had to take some time to clear out my emotions. I cried a lot after the ml and fl returned to China. For the losses they experienced, the atrocities they witnessed, the terrorism the experienced first hand and the beating their emotions took over their last few days in the East Country.A lot of the reviews I have read complained of the pace being too slow, not appreciating the leads, etc. But being a person who has not been diagnosed with PTSD but has experienced a great deal of trauma in my years on earth, the storyline grabbed my heart and squeezed hard.
The development of the relationship of the leads was heartwarming and painful. That’s the way that strong but kind and considerate people fall in love. Love requires them to step out of their personal world and learn to communicate, tolerate and embrace the quirks and faults of the one chosen to be loved. Tgis script gave the characters plenty of time to develop personally and as a couple. There wasn’t much time spent on the side couples which I found refreshing. There wasn’t any bff with bitter experiences handing out advice or crazy childhood sweethearts turned manipulative stalker trying to break them apart. Only one competitive woman that worked with the fl who wanted to outdo the fl in every area. Her machinations were wasted and didn’t last long.
I have to say that CZY was impressive in his role. A kind and gentle man who wanted to help the residents of East Country be liberated from those trying to wipe them out and destroy everything and every one in their path. He had a strong personality that was humble and understated which caused respect and admiration from everyone he encountered. He was quick to protect those he cared about and didn’t think twice about saving others even if it meant harming himself to assure their safety.
The fl appeared to be easy to bully, but she was strong and wisely kept her thoughts and opinions to herself until it was necessary to speak and act. She was a little self-absorbed and stubborn to the point of her detriment on several occasions. One minute wise beyond her years and stubborn when there was no need for it.
Their personalities were well suited and their chemistry combined with meeting their “person” helped them slide into becoming a couple - even after a short break-up happened because they both were afraid to admit their weakness as they saw it that caused them both to have PTSD.
The sloppy way the fl was diagnosed with depression and then given a tranquilizer to cope during daylight hours was so off the mark. And it was hard to believe that a trained and educated mental health doctor wasn’t able to distinguish that the fl had PTSD showed a lack of research on the scriptwriters side. I do not know how it was addressed in the novel, but this was poorly represented. Also the fact that being “cured” so quickly was another mark against the script. While the doctor misdiagnosed the fl, she was quick to determine the severity of the ml’s PTSD and offered little advice to family and friends in how to come alongside someone with this diagnosis. This may be an accurate reflection on mental health practices as well. Most treatments and findings come from cases involving male patients and females are often overlooked or misdiagnosed as they are presented differently in women than men. It was a bad diagnosis for the fl and poorly executed therapy for both.
I also found the excessive use of tear drops a bit annoying. Sometimes it was like watching rivers pour down their cheeks and due to the emotional content of a lot of the scenes between the leads, the budget for this drama must have earmarked 20% for tear drops alone.
The casting of the extras was beyond odd. There were Chinese, Indian, African, Middle Eastern, Hispanic and Caucasian actors cast (and why does every cdrama cast some of the most unattractive Caucasian extras??) that all spoke English. The dubbing was bad, but could be overlooked if you focus on other things in the scene. And some of the lines of the terrorists we’re downright funny because of the bad dubbing and poor understanding of swear word usage in English. Now back to the main point of the review…
The scenery outside of the two imaginary cities was lovely and had there not been a war going on, their looked to have been a peaceful place.
The sets allowed for war torn cities to have broken down buildings, poor transportation and hotels that were furnished with rescued furnishings added to try to make the rooms more guest friendly.
There’s more I could go into with the side characters, but while they contributed to the overall success of the drama, it was mainly about the horrible affect war has on people physically, economically and emotionally. They all did an excellent job with their roles - even the kind of creepy overly concerned boss of the ml. his character hinted of having feelings for the ml and yet not. It was just a weird role.
The second traumatic event for our couple was horrible. The portrayal of the abduction and torture of both was genuinely hard to watch. Humans can be so cruel and take pleasure in hurting others in every way possible just because they can. The outcome was devastating for the ml and CZY pulled off the complexity of someone suffering from severe PTSD brilliantly. His transformation reached his eyes and face, it wasn’t just in his acting. He should be recognized for his excellence in this role. He was truly outstanding.
The fl is worthy of accolades as well. Even though she suffered from PTSD as well, she took on the role of caretaker and loved him well. She protected, defended, took care of his personal needs without making him feel like a burden. She was able to communicate with him as her partner without treating him like an invalid incapable of doing anything for himself. This showed how much she truly loved him and respected him as a man.
I was glad that they decided to marry and then to go somewhere far away from the pressure and stress of living in society that focuses so much on perfectionism and shows little empathy or concern for any kind of physical or mental illness.
I still need to decompress from the emotions stirred up from this drama, as I would like to read the novel and watch it again.
If you’re on the fence because of negative reviews, watch this anyway. And watch it without the negativity that some wrote, and put yourself into the story. You will be moved in many ways, and despite the heaviness of the story at times, enjoy the moments of beauty found in even the most terrible situations. And do the same with your circumstances. Love isn’t always sunshine and roses. Sometimes it is bitter, ugly, painful and frustrating. But to love someone truly takes the act of putting your beloved and their needs above your own, talking about hard things, and working together to get through the horrors life can throw at you, no matter how hard it gets or how long it takes.
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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 Hauntingly Beautiful Masterpiece
The White Olive Tree is not just a drama—it’s an emotional rollercoaster that grips your soul and never lets go. A breathtaking yet heartbreaking journey, it weaves love, war, and sacrifice into a story so raw and powerful that it lingers in your mind long after the final scene.Chen Zhe Yuan delivers a mesmerizing performance as Xia Zhou, capturing the pain, hope, and transformation of his character with heartbreaking realism. Zhang Jing Yi is equally brilliant, bringing depth and vulnerability to Li Xiang, making their love story feel intensely real. Their chemistry is undeniable, pulling you into every stolen moment, every unspoken word, and every aching goodbye.
The cinematography is stunning, painting both the beauty and brutality of their world with striking contrast. The OST enhances every emotion, amplifying the intensity of the story, making each scene hit even harder.
This drama is not just a love story—it’s an unforgettable experience that will leave you emotionally wrecked yet deeply moved. The White Olive Tree is a masterpiece that deserves every bit of praise. 10/10.
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Beginning was slow but once you reach climax - you feel everything!
This drama took me by surprise. I’ll be honest—the beginning was slow and I struggled to get into it. Had to watch some scenes at faster speeds. But once the story reached its emotional climax, everything changed. Suddenly, the earlier episodes made sense. I found myself appreciating them because they captured the innocence of Azan and Ran’s love—their pure beginning, their quiet happiness, and the life they could have had if everything hadn’t fallen apart.Episode 38 absolutely wrecked me. I cried so hard I had to pause just to breathe. But that’s the beauty of this story—it makes you feel everything. I also really appreciated how this drama portrayed PTSD and depression honestly and respectfully. It didn’t romanticize trauma or pretend it could be cured with a magic pill or even love alone. Healing is complex, painful, and not guaranteed—and that reality hit hard.
The ending may not have been the fairy-tale many people wanted, but I’m just glad they got their happy ending together rather than apart. It was tragic, but it was theirs. And in a story like this, that feels devastating yet strangely comforting.
This drama will have a hold on me for a long time. I can’t stop thinking about their love, their sacrifice, and the heartbreaking loss of innocence.
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More than just a love story
This drama may have its controversies but for me, I really love this drama.I started watching it thinking it would just be a romance but it turned out to be so much more.
It’s about love, yes but also about the pain, sacrifice, and struggles of people living in a war zone.
The story feels so real and emotional that I found myself completely drawn into their world.
The cinematography is beautiful with every shot carefully framed to match the mood of the scene and the music fits perfectly adding to the emotions without ever feeling too much.
I love how the drama doesn’t try to make war look glamorous, it shows the danger, the fear and the quiet moments of grief in a way that feels respectful and truthful.
The male lead’s acting is absolutely outstanding. I could feel everything he was going through, his fear and his sadness.
He portrayed PTSD in such a believable way that it made my heartache.
How he tenses at sudden noises, the way his eyes seem to drift into the past when something triggers a memory, the long silences that say more than words ever could.
Even his smiles sometimes felt like they were hiding pain and that made his journey all the more moving to watch.
His chemistry with the female lead was beautiful to see not overly dramatic but tender and genuine.
By the time I reached the final episode, I wasn’t just watching a drama anymore, I was feeling every step of their story with them.
This is one of those shows that stays in my mind and I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
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Heartbreaking But A Conversation Starter
I’m usually not a drama drama girl, and even though this show absolutely shattered me, I’m really glad I saw it through. It’s DEVASTATING but has some beautiful moments and very poignant commentary on mental health and the impact of not only war but how high stress and traumatic situations can have deep life-altering effects. The cast was fantastic, I’m sure it was an extremely difficult filming process, but they should be very proud of their work. I will probably be thinking about this show for a long time.Was this review helpful to you?
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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