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Unrealistic
I have never been to war or been in one before, so I won't say anything horrible about it. It seems to have touched a lot of people and meant something to them, but I didn't enjoy the story or the main lead's romance.How could these two say they love each other so much but distrust each other so much?!
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A roller coaster of emotions... ?
Really good drama with most realistic scenes, a lots of sensitiveness and emotions. Each of the episodes made me cry so hard, I couldn't hold my tears at any cost. I am still traumatized and feared to rewatch it all over again.Even if the drama is based on fictional story, city and characters but it reminds me of destructive Gaza, Palestine. I can not help compare the drama with war-torn country Palestine. The hopeless, lifeless, dying lives symbolizes the daily suffering of Gaza's people. Also the bombing and gun shooting scenes made my heart so burdened. The photo 'Carry' and 'Candy' was so heart touching. 'Candy', the award winning photo, taken by Song Ran reminds me of the young boy named Mahmoud Ajjour from Palestine whose handless photo taken by Samar Abu Elouf was the best photo of the year. Song Ran is the reflection of recently died reporter Hossam Shabat (RIP). While watching the drama, the tragic images of Palestine bloated before my eyes unconsciously. Although it’s a fictional drama, in my eyes it’s a symbolic drama.
Over all espect, I will say it’s the best drama of the year.
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fictional but true intention
I really hesitated to watch this drama but because of the main leads I just did. He is an awesome actor and fills this role really with depth and sense. Both did great with their characters giving them life and telling the story of their characters.This is a fictional story but ... it is indeed filled with true characters and true little stories as you can find them all around the world within the wars happening.
There is a woman crying for the son, the kids crying for their parents, friends departed, lovers killed. All you can find nowadays and the sadness behind those wars is really well described in this drama.
It delivers reality and this I think was the intention - not a pure romance, not a sweet cute ending, not a happy life because this is mostly not real.
It only needs the word "war" to let you know that those dramas somehow never going to have a good ending.
I think all characters, main and side did a really great job in delivering those special moments. Little things you will find in war and peace. And if you watch closely some of them have a meaning, deliver a messsage you can take in your own life.
Also, the ending.
It was the only way out without suffering, the only way both would live together without losing the other half because this was the biggest fear of both. And it was peaceful.
I really cried not because it was sad - it was beautiful how both found their freedom together. And this is how it should be.
So watch this drama if you are open for sadness but also for hope.
Watch it if you believe in true love but also believe that a sad ending for others is the best for the lovers.
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warfare
the chemistry was ok,however i feel like hidden love zhao lusi is much better due to she younger aura & her acting was superb & yet LiangJie was good too however she need mature man able to capture the perfect chemistry as her aura over this drama the white olive tree that her make up and outfit does not seems perfect pair w/ Chen,bec of simple beauty of her aura & yet she had become perfect chemistry in You are my destiny Zhaolin & or Zeng drama Timeflies...Concl...The story was good the loveteam didn't reached The perfect chem unlike the Drama YOU R MY D...&/TIMEFLIES was superb
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The White Olive Tree is a true gem that deserves more love.
I didn’t expect to get so deeply moved by The White Olive Tree and that’s actually the reason why I’m writing my first ever review for a drama.Chen Zheyuan’s performance as Li Zan was truly unforgettable. He showed so much pain and sorrow from everything he’s been through during the war yet there was always a quiet kindness in him that made his character feel real and human.
Chen Zheyuan used small looks and soft moments to show his feelings and it touched my heart. His relationship with Song Ran played by Liang Jie was so natural and full of gentle warmth.
Liang Jie brought so much emotion to Song Ran a woman broken by war but still fighting to find hope and strength inside herself.
Watching her slowly heal and open up was beautiful. Their love story wasn’t about big gestures or drama, it was quiet, honest and full of trust which made it even more powerful.
The war is always there in the background reminding us how tough life can be when everything feels uncertain and dangerous.
The drama doesn’t shy away from showing the pain of losing home and loved ones but it also shows how people try to hold onto hope and love in the darkest times.
The slower pace might not be for everyone but for me, it made every emotional moment hit harder and feel more real.
And the OST is absolutely stunning. It’s soft and full of feeling matching the mood perfectly, and some songs stayed with me long after the drama ended.
The White Olive Tree isn’t flashy or full of big action but it’s a quiet, beautiful story about love, pain, and healing that stays with you long after you watch it.
It’s a true gem that deserves so much more love.
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I didn’t expect to end up watching White Olive Tree. For those who’ve read my other reviews, you’ll know I don’t hold the highest opinion of Liang Jie. I actually watched this drama with a friend, and we had to drop it a few times before finally finishing it. Along the way, there were things I appreciated about the show—and some things I really wish they had left out.What I loved about this series:
Chen Zhe Yuan as the male lead.
I know he gained popularity through Hidden Love, but I didn’t fully watch that series or pay close attention to his character—I was more focused on Lu Si and her character development. However, in White Olive Tree, I truly appreciated his performance. The way he adored the female lead, how love radiated through his eyes—it was compelling. Overall, I just really enjoyed his character here.
The beauty of the Eastern country in the beginning.
There’s something timeless about the setting in the first part of the series. The landscapes, the atmosphere, and the way their love story unfolded there—it all had a poetic charm. That part of the story really stood out to me.
What I wish they would have skipped:
The second trip to the Eastern country.
The idea of returning to face their fears and work through trauma together felt forced and fictional. I understand what the show was aiming for, but it didn’t land for me. I’ll be honest—I fast-forwarded through much of those later episodes. While their bond was still evident and emotionally touching, the setting and pacing during this second return just didn’t feel real to me.
The ending and the question of survival.
I genuinely didn’t expect them to survive. It felt like the story was preparing us for a symbolic ending—perhaps that they had found peace in death. Given all the trauma they endured, the idea of “returning to normal” seemed incredibly unrealistic, both emotionally and mentally. So in a way, I think the ending they chose was the best possible one under the circumstances.
Final Thoughts:
This was a 7/10 for me. I could have rated it higher, but realistically, the direction the story took just wasn’t for me. I understand why it went the way it did, but it didn’t resonate on a deeper level. Because of that, I don’t see myself re-watching this any time soon, which is why I’m knocking off a few stars.
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KEEP THE TISSUE HANDY
Was not expecting that ending. Should know that any war stories always end with me in tears. Liked the ML very much as well as his fellow soldiers. FL was a bit annoying. Expected her to be a bit more assertive considering she went to an active war zone. Why did he go back after he was so traumitized from the first trip. I did skip through a lot of scenes and had my own idea of the ending scene but after reading other reciews now I am mad about the ending. Thisnisnone ofmthose dramas (like Uncontrollably Fond) that will take me a few days to get over.Was this review helpful to you?
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Heartbreaking
I don't even know how to start this. This is such a beautiful love story, but also such a necessary portrayal of how war affects people. We tend to create emotional distance between ourselves and what's happening out there (because it happens far away), but this drama will bring you right into the battlefield, into the frontlines, where you will suffer as much as everyone else.The acting was phenomenal. Chen Zheyuan is such a versatile actor. He was soft, he was strong, he was brave, he was vulnerable. He was hurting. Gods, every time I cried in this drama was when he was hurting (and he gets hurt a lot). I also never expected I needed a Chen Zheyuan in a military outfit... That was hot. I knew him from Hidden Love and always thought he had this innocent aura, until I watched him in this drama. We've been blessed!
I didn't read the novel, and I watched this drama completely blind, and still, I immediately understood there was romantic tension between Sa Xin and Benjamin. Unfortunately, due to the censorship, there are only very subtle hints and a Dr. Pei who tries to dispel this feeling (it didn't work for me; Dr. Pei felt like a third wheel). I wish we had a drama just for them!
The ending is terrible. Not in the sense of being bad, but in the sense that it broke my heart into a million pieces. After everything we witness in this drama, it hurts so badly how things end. Even if it's an open ending and they try to make it soft, it's easy to understand the meaning behind it, and unfortunately, that is the reality of a lot of war veterans.
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beautifully portrayed story of war, trauma and love
The story of the show was okay, but what really made it stand out were the acting, the cinematography, and the osts. Everyone's acting, especially Chen Zheyuan's, was a masterpiece and made me feel every single emotion the character was feeling. The emotions, sadness, and pain were also very well portrayed by everyone. Moreover, I thought the cinematography, especially the war scenes were done very well. And my favourite part of the show was probably its OSTs. Every single one of the songs held such emotion inside them and was placed so perfectly within the scenes. They made me feel every emotion 10x more, and i think the osts were truly what made me feel emotionally connected with the characters.Was this review helpful to you?
Prepare your tissues type of melodrama #C-Trauma for the win!
Very good! It makes you addicted real quick and keep up a nice pace. It could have been less episodes, we wasted a lot of time because of intentional miscommunication. It was really interesting how they tackle on war, the psychological issues it brings and didn't give us any weird miracle but rather kept it more real.Chen Ze Yuan was phenomenal in his role! I've never seen him like this, I discovered a new aspect of his acting and loved it! And Liang Je did a good job too. They had a nice chemistry. The characters development was also nice. We had a great cast because we end up being attached to several supporting characters. Overall, if you like melodramas, just go for it.
I couldn't give it a 10 because even though some aspects are quite realistic which makes the drama even more enjoyable, some others are just... a bit too biased and cliché. When the subject is military, every country always paint themselves as the savior which makes them neglects a lot of other aspects. Nothing wrong with it, it's a drama and it definitely doesn't make the show less significant. But some dialogues did come off as weird, out of place. You'll wonder, who says such thing or who acts like that. They went overboard with the melodrama and missed making a masterpiece.
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Heartbreaking and heartfelt moments
I just want to say I love them casting of this show. The ML and FL were great. They barely had a secondary couple in this which is really rare for a show that's 38 episodes.What I love: The quirkiness and cuteness between the main couple. They had a way of making it feel organic between them and I think that's just because of that actors. The realistic expectations of a war. The fact that they got injured, death, and the mental illness aspect of it was all done in a good way in my opinion. Love how FL was able to repair her relationship with her mom. Love how both FL and ML tried hiding their own struggles from each other but it is only when they worked together they able to overcome them.
What I disliked: The fact that ML never truly recovered from his PTSD, but that it got worse at the very end. Understandable, and it does show how realistic things can be. I would say that in the end the fact that they chose to be together despite it is beautiful. Hate that he never recovered, but love that she chose to be with the one that she loves.
What I hated: a good amount of supporting actors died that you fell in love with. Why did Ben have to die at the end???? There was no need for this death, he was finally starting to turn his life around and not being obnoxious. Also, we have some unfinished/forgotten storylines. What happened to FL dad and his second family? The reporter girl who was competing with FL had such a beautiful moment in the country and her storyline could have been explored a whole lot more but they just felt flat and forgotten. Same thing with female doctor, why have her be of any significance or importance if we're just going to leave her hanging in the end?
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