“When Tragedy and Romance Collide: Great Potential, Disappointing Execution”
I watched The White Olive Tree with high expectations, particularly for its aesthetics and Chen Zheyuan’s excellent performance.Unfortunately, despite its visually impressive production, the story suffers from serious inconsistencies.
The drama mixes a very naive romance with an extremely heavy tragedy, without managing to balance the two. The result is a constant sense of dissonance.
Many situations lack credibility, and the accumulation of dramatic events ends up feeling artificial rather than emotional.
The handling of the protagonist’s psychological trauma is particularly disappointing: introduced in an interesting way, it is poorly developed and leads to a frustrating and incoherent conclusion.
Finally, the ending gives a sense of emotional manipulation. After investing nearly 40 episodes, the viewer receives neither true resolution nor clear meaning.
It’s a work with great potential, but ultimately leaves a bitter aftertaste.
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Captivating, beautiful and tragic story. Beautifully acted.
I was really looking forward to this drama, especially as a huge fan of Chen Zheyuan. I knew how invested he was in the project, and it was clear that he adored his character and was genuinely excited about the drama.The first six episodes were a slight disappointment because Chen Zheyuan was barely in them, and his character didn’t feel fully fleshed out. However, I really started to enjoy the drama when the two leads returned to China after the cataclysmic event. The romance building up between them, along with the scenes involving Li Zan’s dad and Ran Ran’s mum, were particularly touching. I also liked Li Zan's strange engineering boss.
When they returned to East Country, I felt the direction and pacing improved significantly—I’m not sure why. Was it a different director? The bromance/BL subplot between Ben and Sasin, however, felt a bit forced. I wish they had kept it as light, jokey humor, like in the early scenes where Ben was getting stitches from Dr. Pei and being scared of needles. The thinly disguised BL element felt contrived and boring, especially since I heard it wasn’t in the original novel. The "felt star" thing also wore thin for me after a while. I wish we had more scenes with Li zan's dad instead!
That said, the acting was absolutely top-tier. Chen Zheyuan is my favorite actor, and his crying scenes were so believable and heart-wrenching. Unlike other actors where you can see the effort to squeeze out tears, Chen Zheyuan’s performances felt raw and real, as if he were truly immersed in emotional pain. His crying varied depending on the emotion—sadness, trauma, fear, regret—and each felt distinct and powerful. His last two scenes, where he was a shadow of his former self due to his mental health struggles, were particularly accurate, haunting, and heartbreaking.
Liang Jie was phenomenal too. I don’t think Chen Zheyuan could have delivered such a flawless performance without her, as they both acted from a very deep, emotional place. They were both truly brilliant, and it’s such a shame that other aspects of the drama let it down and prevented it from becoming a mega-hit.
Many of us knew the story would take a traumatic turn, and towards the end, it almost felt like a horror movie. Because we all knew that events would go bad and quickly! We were sharing the lightness and celebration with the two characters who were about to embark on a beautiful new life together, and when things went horribly wrong, it was as devastating as expected! I thought the fact that Li zan experienced such irreversible mental damage and trauma, it almost felt like he would have been better off dying in the battle field because he was subjected to such damaging abuse which stayed with him. For the final scene, I noticed they were at the tree in his father’s yard, dressed in their wedding outfits. The way they spoke made it feel like they had committed suicide after eloping but returned as spirits to check on the tree which had grown. That was maybe a way to keep it ambiguous but it was heartbreaking.
Negatives: The editing and shots were overly sentimental and dated, which was a bit distracting. The English dialogue from the extras were jarring and cringey—sorry! It felt like they just recruited any foreigners to play extras. That said, the guy who played Ran Ran’s driver was very good, so shoutout to him!While the drama was flawed due to elements beyond the actors’ control (production, direction, and screenwriting), this drama definitely left me pondering and thinking about the tragic effects of war and how poor Li Zan and Ran Ran were so close to happiness. Most viewers couldn’t help but feel affected by it.
All in all, this drama had such high expectations, and it’s frustrating because it was almost there—you could feel it. But too many things conspired against it becoming a mega-hit. That said, I know the drama has done pretty well overseas, and reading comments on Douyin and Weibo, it’s clear that this story has deeply affected many people. I'm certainly still dwelling it on. I will defintely rewatch because I loved the quality of acting from the main leads.
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The White Olive Tree – A Poignant Tale of Pain, Healing & Love
"Love is not for the weak." And neither is this drama. The White Olive Tree is not just a love story—it is an emotional battlefield where past wounds, suppressed pain, and unspoken fears collide. Some dramas entertain you, some make you think, and then there are the rare ones that stay—long after the screen fades to black. The White Olive Tree is one of those.It’s not just a love story; it’s about the weight of trauma, the struggle to act normal when everything inside you is broken, and the desperate need for a place where you can just breathe. It’s about a soldier (Li Zan) trying to move forward while his past keeps dragging him back, and his woman (Song Ran) who sees all his cracks but never looks away.
Chen Zheyuan: A Performance That Speaks Without Words
If there was ever a role that demanded more than just acting, this was it. Chen Zheyuan doesn’t just play Li Zan—he becomes him.
#His PTSD isn’t over-dramatized—it’s real. The quiet tension in his body, the way his hands shake when memories creep in, the sudden shifts in his eyes when he feels like he’s back in the battlefield… everything is so painfully raw.
#He makes you feel the exhaustion of a man who’s been fighting for so long that he doesn’t know how to stop. His love is guarded, his emotions locked away, but every time he lets his walls crack—even just for a second—you can see how much he wants to be saved but doesn’t know if he deserves it.
#His eyes tell a thousand stories. The guilt, the fear, the longing—sometimes, he doesn’t even have to speak, and you know what he’s feeling.
For those who have seen Chen Zheyuan in lighter roles (Hidden Love, The princess and the werewolf in 2023), this is a transformation. He’s no longer the mischievous Xiaoyuer or the charming Duan Jiaxu. He’s Li Zan—and you won’t forget him.
For those who have been following Chen Zheyuan's works, our boy is all grown up now. He’s more than just a rising star—he’s an actor who can break your heart with a single look.This is, without a doubt, Chen Zheyuan’s most complex and emotionally demanding role yet, and he delivered it with absolute brilliance. If there was ever a performance of his that deserved recognition , this is it.
Liang Jie : Strength in the Softest Way
Liang Jie’s character, Song Ran, is not just a love interest. She is not a typical "savior" heroine, but a character with her own depth, struggles, and understanding of love.In a world of chaos, they find solace in each other, proving that even amidst war and suffering, love can still bloom.
She’s not here to "fix" Li Zan, and that’s what makes her so special.
She sees him. Not just the strong soldier, but the broken man underneath.
She doesn’t push, doesn’t try to force him to open up—she just stays. Sometimes, that’s all someone needs.
Her quiet strength, her patience, and the way she holds space for his pain make their love story so much more than romance—it’s about acceptance.
Their chemistry isn’t built on grand gestures. It’s in the smallest moments—the way she reaches out when he pulls away, the way he lets her presence ground him when the past starts creeping in.
The Supporting Cast: A Story Bigger Than Two People
What makes The White Olive Tree so powerful is that everyone in this drama adds to the story.
Luo Zan’s character is the unwavering friend, the kind of presence Li Zan needs when everything else feels uncertain.
Ben and Sasin’s Bromance is one of the show’s greatest strengths. Their camaraderie is effortless,Their relationship isn’t just about survival; it’s about choosing to stand by each other, no matter what.
Ben and Dr. Pei’s Love Story is a slow-burning yet deeply emotional arc. Their love isn’t rushed or dramatic—it unfolds naturally, built on small moments of trust and understanding.
Captain Jiang Lin is a remarkable and complex character, embodying the essence of leadership, strength, and vulnerability.His character stands as a reminder that leadership is not just about making the right choices—it’s about standing by your team, embracing your humanity, and navigating both the highs and lows with grace.
From Shen Bei , we learn that sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is allow ourselves to be seen for who we truly are, flaws and all.
Lizan's father whose subtle gestures of understanding, his way of handling Li Zan without pressuring him, feel so comforting.
Song Ran's mother struggling to understand her daughter, wanting to help but not knowing how.
Why This Drama Feels So Real
This is not just a story about war, love, or loss. It’s about:
✔️ The weight of memories that never fade.
✔️ The fear of letting someone see the ugliest parts of you.
✔️ The truth that love doesn’t heal everything, but it makes the pain bearable.
✔️ The silent battles that so many fight alone.
The cinematography captures the loneliness of trauma beautifully—muted tones, lingering silences, the way the past and present blur together. The music doesn’t just complement the emotions; it carries them.
Final Thoughts: Every actor at their Absolute Best
This isn’t just another drama. It’s a deeply human story about pain, love, and the long, messy road to healing.
The White Olive Tree is not just a drama—it is an experience. It is raw, real, and unforgettable. It will break your heart, make you reflect, and stay with you long after the final scene fades to black.
Ofcourse , there might have been many flaws over the execution of adapting the story but what makes this stand out for me is its characters, each carrying their own weight.
And Chen Zheyuan? Been loving his works for so many years now but this is a performance so deeply layered that it lingers in your mind long after the last two episodes.
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A story about a White Olive Tree
Just finished watching this series. I mean, this is the first time that I felt giddy about a series from start to finish. Every episode is exploding with romance, I mean, for the first few parts. Then came the 0926, where we lost Captain Jiang, whom I liked the most. Then after that, we are in a whole new chapter of overcoming mental battles and PTSD. I like how they tackled this certain point in every soldier's life. Even though LZ is not really a soldier but rather a volunteer. I like how SR fought and was so empathic with the country she's covering.As a journalism graduate myself, it's hard to maintain professionalism in covering cases like East Country because in every story you also have to put a piece of yourself in every article you write just so it could touch other people's own emotions. And also for you to create a wonderful masterpiece. I like how it felt similar to Descendants of the Sun in a way but with a very different story plot. I mean, who would've thought a journalist and a volunteer deminer would get to fall in love, right?
I do believe that the story of Ben and Sasin is much more. I guess this is in my yaoi opinion, but sadly this is a cdrama, so for the series to push through and not be criticized by the government, they have Ben rather dying from unknown reasons than them continuing whatever so-called bromance they have. The reason I said he died from unknown reasons is because I didn't see if he was shot somewhere that he damaged his liver and kidney. But that was his diagnosis, so who am I to judge the scriptwriter, right?! Sasin in the end made Ben his English name just so he wouldn't forget his Benjamin gege.
The OST is so beautiful as well. It adds up to the giddiness I felt for the first few parts, especially the one from Zhou Yuan, If the Wind Has Color. Personally, I use Apple Music, but since I couldn't find it, I had to return to our good 'ol Spotify just so I could listen to it over and over, even until now, when I'm writing this review.
The only mystery to me is what happened to them at the end. When they said they're eloping, they then looked at the White Olive Tree and disappeared. I thought they died or something since SR told their parents that LZ isn't getting any better anymore. So, did they both get admitted to the mental facility or just go somewhere? We just don't know where. I was a bit confused, but all in all, this series is a must-watch.
By the way the filming location of this series is at Leshan, Sichuan in China. The production did a great job making Leshan looks something from the far eastern countries or somewhere from europe.
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This is a masterpiece, but I never want to see it again
This is a beautiful and very sad love story. Thanks to the excellent acting, all the characters have an impact on you. Chen Zhe Yuan was the only reason I started watching. But about halfway through the series, I realized that I wasn't mentally ready for his incredibly accomplished character representation.I loved the character of A'Zan and his dramatic character development. This film is a masterpiece, it’s definitely worth watching, but I never want to see it again, because after 2 weeks it still has a lot of effects on me.
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How can this drama recommented for 13+???
I started this drama bc of the plot - but fortunately some users in Social Media gave some spoilers. In cause of this I stopped watching and saved me from being traumatised. Such a sad drama - who loves such things ? I mean, as spectator I build a bonding between me and the actors/ protagonists. How coul a screenwriter write every person in the drama out of a happy end? My recomendation is: if you are looking for a beutiful drama to calm down, to hope, cry a little bit and laugh many times with the protagonists - this is the wrong drama. You will suffer a lot and at the end, there is no ending you will be satisfied with.Was this review helpful to you?
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Pretty Faces, Empty Plot: A Mockery of Real Sacrifice
Rating: 3/10Genres: Military, Romance, Drama
Let me start with a question: While protecting a country, do soldiers or volunteers truly have the time to go sightseeing, take photos, and romance their partner in the middle of missions? Even if it’s a drama, it should carry a basic sense of realism. A good story connects with its audience through emotion and believability—not fantasy masquerading as reality.
In today’s tech-heavy, image-driven world, we’re heavily influenced by what we watch. That’s why directors and writers have a responsibility. You don’t always have to show a perfect or politically correct message—but don’t push the wrong one either. And actors should also be mindful of the stories they choose to represent.
If you want to create a light romantic drama, then do it honestly—with a normal storyline. Don’t hide behind military or soldier-based themes just to insert romantic fluff. It’s cheap storytelling, and it does a huge disservice to the people whose real lives involve sacrifice, danger, and duty.
Story / Plot (2/10)
This drama started off okay, but quickly derailed into chaos. I had to force myself to finish it—not for entertainment, but just to confirm how bad it got. It feels like a complete insult to the idea of service, sacrifice, and national responsibility.
The female lead is supposed to be a journalist—but she spends most of the drama chasing her boyfriend, disturbing his work, and acting like the entire world revolves around her emotional needs. She’s praised as “kind” and “talented,” but in reality, she shows little value in the actual story. Her character adds no depth, and frankly, she becomes so annoying that I found myself wishing her role would just disappear or end entirely—not fall in love and have more screentime.
Characters & Cast (4/10)
The cast, overall, has done a good job with what they were given. But the lead characters are written so poorly that it’s hard to sympathize with them. Especially the female lead—every time she appeared on screen, I felt frustration rather than empathy. And the male lead, instead of acting like a committed volunteer in service of his country, is constantly babysitting his girlfriend and sharing kisses in dangerous zones. If this is “romance,” it’s tone-deaf and misplaced.
Tone & Message (1/10)
To understand Eastern countries—especially their military and humanitarian struggles—just read the news. Anyone with a heart will cry. This drama completely ignores that pain. It turns what should be a serious, respectful theme into a shallow romance.
This is not just unrealistic. It’s disrespectful.
Overall Thoughts
This is a STUPID drama. It disrespects real-life volunteers, soldiers, and the people who sacrifice everything. It could have been a beautiful, respectful story—but it’s been turned into a cringe-filled romantic mess.
Would I Recommend It?
❌ Absolutely not. Avoid this drama unless you’re okay with disrespecting serious themes for the sake of shallow romance.
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Outstanding Actors Support a Mediocre Script
The mediocre script does not do justice to the acting talent that came together in this drama. Chen Zheyuan, in particular, is an outstanding actor bringing depth and sensitivity to Li Zan's character while provoking your raw emotions at the horrors of war and the resulting PTSD suffered by soldiers and victims . The storyline however meandered too much and there were episodes where I was tempted to switch away altogether. A better script may have won Zheyuan a best actor nomination, but the mediocre script probably tanked his chances.Was this review helpful to you?
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Superb acting but heart wrenching drama
Great cast. Superb acting especially by ML & FL. i don't usually cry but this drama had me tearing up a couple of times. Spoiler Alert !!! If you can't handle heart wrenching endings then don't go beyond episode 35. I had to rewatch some scenes in Hidden Love just to appease my sad heart. I love the chemistry between the ML and FL. Acting is really believable. Some scenes could have been written better. The abduction episode was not done well. Writing and production in that episode is lacking. Another spoiler alert !!! The kind of death of one of the support cast didn't do him justice. Too flimsy. The writers could have given him a better death scene. Overall though its a great drama. i wasnt able to stop binge watching.Was this review helpful to you?
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THIS WAS A MASTERPIECE!!!!!
You can feel the love they have for each other through your screen. Like every time they smile, I smile LOL it was that contagious.I really loved the ML's mature role in this series.
This was very emotional because of the struggles they both went through and are going through. I really have nothing bad to say. Each character delivered their role well. So many things to learn from this series.
The ML and FL love for each other was through the roof, as its an open ending drama, we can only imagine, he fully recovered and they got their happy ending.
I dont think my heart could have managed the ogirinial ending that they both passed 10yrs after getting married.
Overall, THIS WAS A MASTERPIECE!!!!! I will be rewatching this again.
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A heartbreaking yet beautiful journey through love and war
I’ve never experienced the war before as my country is so peaceful but this story brought it painfully close. I didn’t know it would make me cry this hard.The way this drama balanced romance, the brutality of war and those rare moments of hope was unforgettable.
Chen Zhe Yuan and Liang Jie delivered incredible performances that felt raw and authentic making every emotion believable.
I appreciated how the show addressed PTSD and other mental health struggles with sensitivity showing how deeply these wounds can affect someone long after the battles are over.
War never brings anything good, it takes away the lives of loved ones and relatives and this drama shows its cruelty in a way that feels heartbreakingly real.
It wasn’t about glorifying war but about revealing the bonds, sacrifices and choices people make.
The emotions felt genuine and the message about love and perseverance was powerful.
I’m truly glad I started and finished this drama even though it left me with so many lingering emotions.
It may take some time before the feelings fade but that’s exactly why I’m so impressed, the drama hit me straight in the heart and stayed there.
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