The First Jasmine

Good Story, So-So Romance

If you're a big fan of romance, on a scale of icy to scorching hot - I give this one a lukewarm.

Cheng Lei is gorgeous and does a really wonderful job with his character's emotion throughout the show. This was my first time watching the popular Bai Lu. Her character's story is amazing and I was glued to the screen to find out what exactly was going on with her. Too bad the actress didn't portray her well. It was a super flat performance. I'll give BL another chance though. Maybe it was just this drama where she falls a little flat? She was just so one-note the entire time.

The ending was a little lack-luster, as well as the OST. Sometimes the music sounded like it came from an 80's sitcom or a Lifetime movie. Weird. I'm giving this one an overall 8 though just for the story which kept me guessing through Ep what - 32? And Chen Lei who did an amazing job. Bonus points for that little cutie Lin Muran. That kid is GOING places!!

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MY LULU AND LEILEI! Is a PERFECT MATCH!!! Love them so much!?

I’ve really been enjoying The First Jasmine so far. The storyline is engaging, and what stands out to me the most is how carefully every character has been written. You can tell that a lot of attention has been paid to even the smallest details, which makes the story feel more immersive and meaningful.

As usual, every episode brings its own story, emotions, and character development. No episode feels repetitive because each one adds a new layer to the journey of the characters, making me even more invested in their growth and relationships.

The production quality, cinematography, and OST are also beautifully done and add so much emotion to the drama. Im still hoping for a happy ending, but we’ll have to wait and see how the story unfolds.

On a personal note, Bai Lu has been one of my favorite actresses for years. Many of her dramas are on my rewatch list, and every year i look forward to her new projects. As for Cheng Lei, ive watched several of his dramas before, but it was through The First Jasmine that i truly realized how much i love his charisma and screen presence. He has definitely become one of the male actors who left a strong impression on me.

Overall, i love this drama not only because of the story itself but also because of Bai Lu and Cheng Lei. Cant wait to see how everything ends. Lets continue supporting them and help boost all the ratings! ^^

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Neither amazing nor bad

The drama is pretty much what synopsis tells you and yes there had been many dramas with pretty much similar set up and plot so if you are here for something unique or unheard of...this might not be for you. Let me tell you first hand...this drama is not for you if you don't like Story of Minglan type of dramas or to be precise slice of life genre. The story is pretty much balanced so far in terms of pacing. The best part about it is that they did not stretch unnecessary details in the plot to tire the viewers. So if you have a question why something is happening like that...you will get the answer in (most probably) the next episode. I am loving all the characters so far but the plot ultimately circle around the main leads. Bailu and Ryan both are good in terms of expressing emotional scenes and that has been their strength in all their previous dramas. I did not like any of their dramas that recently aired in the past. What really disappointed me was the storyline and character dev and here as well I found the plot quite simple as well despite them being so smart to deal with the things that could kick up a storm in the royal palace. I do find that questionable at times as FL spent most of her life in the mountains...yes she had all the bookish knowledge but would that be helpful pragmatically? Both of them are shown pretty much cooped up inside their palace so I find it quite unbelievable that they could do so much this easily. But it is still early to really make up my mind about it all and I am waiting for the moment that would make be so compeled to wait for the next episode desperately. So far it is a simple plot with beautiful cast. Obviously with revenge plot but despite having some similarities with the drama theLove like the galaxy, it is really very weak in world building and character development. But I will keep my fingers crossed till the last episode.

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Let's just say, without the soundtrack, I would not have finished watching this.

Full disclosure, even a dumpster fire with a solid soundtrack automatically scores a minimum of 8 for me because it basically sets up the entire viewing experience. A skillful soundtrack is rare to find.

With that said, this show *chefs kiss* my god, I love the soundtrack and sound design. Mid-way through, I thought the score of slid into obscurity because of the lack of narrative movement, but the amazing score came back like a raging valkyrie to save the day in the last 10 episodes of the show. From what I can tell, each song serves as a leitmotif for characters and it evolves and changes as each character experiences new things and makes critical choices. The song Shu by Zhu Xing Dong first shows up when Cheng Lei gets his back whipped, his hair is down and unkempt, his back is a mess.
God, I loved it.
The song amplified ALL my feelings about Cheng Lei in that one scene. Ugh, he is so damn fine.

Anyway, soundtrack aside, Bai Lu. Ok, yes. If the OST was 70% of what made this show, Bai Lu was the other 25% and maybe Cheng lei was the remaining 5%. Sad, I know, as much as I love Cheng Lei, he was only as good as he was because Bai Lu was such an empathetic, well-rounded and adorable character. The zenith of their intimacy in my opinion was that one particular scene where Xiu Yao sits on the chair with Ye Li resting her head on his lap. He's bent over her and asks her "Are you lonely in this mansion?"

Their chemistry is incredible and I mean, I know people say that Cheng Lei can fire up a broiler full of chemistry with a doorknob, but that's mainly because he is a. extremely expressive with his eyes and b. his glowering expression will spear anything with half a brain and/or a uterus. It's on his co-star to actually bring life into his intensity, and Bai Lu does it with remarkable nuance. I rewatched the scene in which Xiu Yao has to retrieve Ye Li from the temple at least 10 times,as in, I hit rewind 10 times to watch the same scene over and over again, because I love how Cheng Lei complains and nags at Bai Lu, and she just splashes him with water. Goddamn, loved it.

The camera work is 👏👏👏. It's such a soft, heartfelt and emotional scene. So intimate, revealing so much depth and love. Man, someone talk to me like that and I'd never complain a day in my life.

This leads me to talk about all the ways in which this show let us down, despite the stunning cinematography, post-production value, choreography and acting... ultimately what lets the whole thing fall into the twilight zone of mediocrity is the way in which the story is told. *So much happens off screen*. WHY?

From episode 10 onwards to the end of the show, save for maybe episodes 30-35, major events happen outside our view, and are relayed through characters either flashbacking/reminiscing or literally telling each other what happened. Ugh. This is so lazy. I have not read the novel but considering reading the novel is not a stipulation and people have said it has already diverged from the novel, they should have just... cut out extraneous parts.

Why did we spend so much time on the Zuidie chick? She wasn't even likeable, like ytf would I want to watch her be a total inconsequential blob? What was the point of that? I loved the Cangbei princess but again, for what purpose?!

You might say "oh, it was in the novel". Not an excuse. We're not watching a novel. I'd just read the novel if I wanted a novel experience.

The theme and narrative devices should have focused on the core of the show... which is ***overcoming grief and loss*** , as Bai Lu and Xiu Yao have to. Losing your ability, losing your family, your loved ones, losing your identity, your autonomy-- these are all things we lose and grieve over, but instead all these two-bit characters (including the main antagonist, Jing Li!!) just muddle the theme with petty politcking and absolutely mid-level revenge schemes. No one is angry enough to be justified in their revenge, no one is smart enough to be like "this is f**king stupid". The stakes are so low like Cangbei going to war with Dachu is probably the most high stakes issue and they resolve it in like two episodes.

I wish we got a deeper sense of the Empress' moral dilemma instead of being told she is this shady character by other people, or even got to spend more time understanding the emperor-empress dynamic because *they ruling side by side my guy wtf*. She ain't no hidden regent, she's out in the open with her son!

Maybe we could have even gotten a better story out of Mo Jing Li, if he'd just actually experienced the injustice rather than us witnessing it in retrospect and listening to him whine and moan about the terrible situation he is in.

Anyway, there you go. They were telling us, than showing us and that's why this drama became *such a drag* despite having all the elements to make a solid 10/10. Instead now I give it a 8.5 because like, 8 for the OST without which, I probably would not have been able to finish this drama, and .5 for Bai Lu x Cheng Lei combo bringing those feels.

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I don’t know that I would call this a story about revenge.

To me, this felt more like one of loss and regret, and the acts of revenge were simply the vehicle used to explore this. It never quite felt like the point was their fall. that they fell became less important than how they fell. It was a reckoning.

I truly believe that if ye li were a man, this drama would’ve been received better.

ye li might be the strongest female lead of 2026 for me (of the past few years, honestly). This is my girl…she don’t communicate, she does not deal, but I’ll protect her with my life. I wish we got to know her better.

I had to wrestle a lot throughout the drama with the feeling of not wanting the emperor on the throne. There was a part of me that found him undeserving, found it unfair. That he would benefit from his mother’s atrocities became an itch under my skin. And so, I continuously racked my brain for a suitable replacement all while knowing there was none. But the question was never about who is good and who is bad or who is right and who is wrong. It’s about what’s best for the realm, and another upheaval would not have benefited the empire or its people.

Mo jing li wanted the throne, not because it could’ve been his birthright or as compensation for all he’d lost but because he never could stand the thought of existing in the world without power. He’s had something to prove long before the eastern palace was set on fire. His motivation is not inherently evil (and he had every right to feel as he did about those in power), but it was entirely selfish. He would burn the world to the ground if it meant he got to stand atop the ashes. Between him and the one already on the throne, the choice became clear.

I don’t think it ever went wrong - there are some things I would tweak throughout and about the final act, but I had a blast watching every second of this. (Ok, maybe not so much the random cutaways to give us character backstories)

I’m giving this a 9.5/10. Idk, I really liked it.

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This was absolutely beautiful to me it's not a hot passionate love story but a slow healing love story. The acting is absolutely flawless and the visuals are breathtaking but the story is what i love the most of this drama. The story is executed to near perfection . This story is about two broken people helping each other out of their hopeless situations and supporting each other as they face the future together.

I have heard mixed reviews about the ending but i think it ended perfectly she finally let go of her past and her husband was there waiting for her .
I will definitely rewatch it in the future

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A quiet, powerful story of two damaged people healing each other and the world around them

The First Jasmine is not a normal historical romance. It is slow, serious and full of feeling. It is about grief, revenge, trust, healing and two people who have both suffered a lot.

Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao are both wounded. She is carrying deep trauma from her past. He is carrying physical pain, family tragedy and years of shame. The drama does not pretend that love fixes everything. Instead, it shows two people slowly learning to trust each other. They become stronger because they choose to stay.

This may not work for everyone. If you want a hot romance with lots of kissing and obvious chemistry, this drama may disappoint you. The romance is quiet. It feels more like watching a marriage grow than watching two people fall in love in the usual way. But for this story, that works. These characters are not light and carefree. They are tired, hurt and careful with their hearts.

Bai Lu is excellent as Ye Li. She makes her clever, warm, scary, lonely and fragile all at once. Ye Li could have felt too perfect, but Bai Lu gives her real pain and depth. Cheng Lei is also very good as Mo Xiuyao. He does a lot with small looks and quiet reactions. Together, they make the relationship feel gentle and earned.

The drama also looks beautiful. The forests, houses, costumes and colours all create a rich world. The story has a lot going on: revenge, politics, secrets, old wounds and difficult choices. It asks you to pay attention, but it gives you a lot in return.

It is not perfect. The plot can be hard to follow at times. There are many names and backstories. Some effects look a little fake and take you out of the scene. A few episodes could have been shorter. The near-divorce part also felt a bit forced to me, even if I understood why it was there.

Still, these problems did not ruin the drama for me. The First Jasmine is moving, thoughtful and very well acted. It is not about big romantic fireworks. It is about trust, pain, healing and quiet love.

Not perfect, but very close.

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Two Broken Souls Who Found the Strength to Heal Each Other

Some dramas tell a love story. The First Jasmine tells the story of two people who have lost almost everything and slowly learn that love isn't about saving someone—it's about giving them a reason to keep living.

Bai Lu delivers one of her strongest performances as Ye Li. Beneath her calm, intelligent, and composed exterior is a woman carrying unimaginable grief. She has lost her family, the people who raised her on Lishan, and the peaceful life she once knew. Every smile she gives feels forced, every decision she makes is driven by the weight of her past. She doesn't descend from the mountain simply seeking revenge; she carries the burden of everyone who can no longer fight for themselves. Bai Lu portrays that quiet pain so beautifully that you can almost feel the loneliness behind her eyes. She never overacts. Instead, she lets the silence, the expressions, and the smallest changes in her face speak louder than words.

Then there is Cheng Lei as Mo Xiuyao, a man whose battles are just as devastating, even if they are less visible. Once a feared and respected prince, he has been left physically broken, betrayed by those he trusted, and stripped of the life he once knew. Confined to a wheelchair, he isn't only fighting the limitations of his body—he is fighting despair, humiliation, and the belief that he has become a burden to everyone around him.

What makes this drama so special is that neither character rescues the other overnight.

Ye Li helps Mo Xiuyao rediscover his confidence long before she helps him regain his physical strength. She never looks at him with pity. She treats him as the capable man he has always been, reminding him of the leader hidden beneath years of pain and betrayal. In return, Mo Xiuyao becomes the one person who sees beyond Ye Li's thirst for revenge. He recognizes the frightened, grieving woman who has spent years convincing herself that vengeance is all she has left. Rather than trying to change her, he walks beside her, sharing the burden she has carried alone for far too long.

Their romance isn't built on grand confessions or dramatic gestures. It grows through trust, quiet understanding, unwavering loyalty, and countless moments where actions speak louder than words. Watching these two wounded souls slowly lower the walls around their hearts is one of the most rewarding journeys the drama has to offer.

The political schemes, battles, and revenge plot are exciting, but they never overshadow the emotional heart of the story. At its core, The First Jasmine is about healing. It reminds us that while revenge may satisfy anger, love is what truly gives people the strength to move forward.

Bai Lu and Cheng Lei don't just have incredible chemistry—they breathe life into two deeply scarred characters whose greatest victory isn't defeating their enemies, but finding hope in each other again.

10/10. One of Bai Lu's finest performances and, without question, one of Cheng Lei's most unforgettable roles.

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I Went For the Plot - Stayed for the Wheelchair - and Cried a River

Oh, The First Jasmine. Where do I even start? I went in expecting a standard historical romance—maybe some court intrigue, a little sword-fighting, a few longing glances. Instead, I got emotional whiplash, a permanent frown line between my eyebrows, and a sudden, unexplainable attraction to men in wheelchairs. And honestly? I’d do it all over again. Twice. With tissues.

Let’s address the elephant in the room (or rather, the smoldering volcano in the wheelchair). Cheng Lei as Mo Xiu Yao was absolutely unfair. Unfair to my blood pressure, unfair to my screenshots folder, and unfair to every other male lead in Cdrama history. The man barely moves from his seat for the first half, yet somehow radiates more heat than a thousand summer suns. His eyes alone could start a fire—dark, brooding, and carrying the weight of a thousand betrayals. Every time he whispered a line, I leaned closer to my screen like a fool. Every time he restrained his emotions, I felt my own pulse skyrocket. Cheng Lei plays Mo Xiu Yao as a man who has been emotionally shattered, physically broken, and politically discarded—yet still burns with a quiet, volcanic intensity that makes you forget he’s even sitting down. It’s a masterclass in micro-expressions: the twitch of a jaw, the flicker of pain, the slight softening when he looks at Ye Li. He doesn’t need to walk to dominate every single frame; his stillness is his power. By episode ten, I was convinced that brooding should be an Olympic sport, and Cheng Lei would take gold, silver, and bronze.

And then there’s Bai Lu as Ye Li—and if Cheng Lei is the fire, she is the calm, calculating ice that somehow makes the fire burn hotter. We all know Bai Lu can play fierce, scheming, or comedic, but this role? This is something else entirely. She plays Ye Li as a woman wrapped in silk but armed with steel—a master strategist hiding behind a facade of fragile grace. Her performance is so layered that you can literally watch her switch between "delicate flower" and "chess-master general" with nothing but a shift in her gaze. The trauma she carries—from her family’s ruin, from her forced marriage, from every whispered betrayal—is etched into every trembling breath and every forced smile. And yet, she never becomes a victim. She’s calculating, patient, and devastatingly clever, all while making you feel every ounce of her pain. The scene where she confronts her past? Gut-wrenching. The scene where she quietly breaks down alone? I felt that in my bones. Bai Lu doesn't just act Ye Li—she inhabits her.

Now, the chemistry between these two? It’s not the loud, dramatic kind. It’s slow-burn, simmering, the kind that creeps up on you until you realize you’re holding your breath every time they share a scene. They don't need grand declarations or sweeping kisses—instead, they communicate through stolen glances, hesitant touches, and words left unsaid. He watches her like she’s the only light in his darkened world, and she leans on him like he’s the only ground left unshaken. It’s the kind of romance that feels earned, built on trust, survival, and mutual respect—which makes every quiet moment between them hit ten times harder.

But let me warn you: do not watch this drama without a box of tissues nearby. Because right around the halfway point—BAM—the show takes your heart, stomps on it, and hands it back to you in pieces. The divorce arc? The reveal of Ye Li’s illness? I was not prepared. I thought I was strong. I thought I could handle it. I was wrong. I sobbed so hard my cat left the room in disgust. The emotional devastation is so beautifully written and so achingly performed that you can’t help but grieve alongside them. It’s the kind of sadness that doesn’t feel manipulative—it feels earned, because you’ve fallen so deeply in love with these characters that their pain becomes yours.

And now, the crown jewel—the absolute best plot point of the entire series: the Li Mountain arc. Oh my goodness. If the first half is a slow-burn emotional thriller, Li Mountain is where it all explodes into a masterpiece. This is where the mystery behind the Lishan Academy plague finally unravels, and the truth hits like a freight train. The tension is unbearable, the revelations are shocking, and the emotional fallout is devastatingly raw. But more than that, it’s where Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li truly become partners—not just in love, but in purpose. The mountain becomes a crucible, testing everything they believed about themselves and each other. The cinematography is breathtaking, the pacing is flawless, and the performances? Cheng Lei and Bai Lu absolutely transcend. This arc transforms the drama from a simple revenge tale into a profound, heartbreaking, and ultimately healing exploration of trauma, justice, and forgiveness. It’s the emotional climax that makes every slow, quiet episode before it utterly worth it.

In short, The First Jasmine is not just a drama—it’s an experience. It will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and scream at your screen. It will make you fall hopelessly in love with two broken people who somehow find wholeness in each other. And it will leave you staring at the ceiling at 2 AM, wondering why real-life men can’t be half as intense as Cheng Lei in a wheelchair. Watch it. Weep. Rewatch it. Thank me later.

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Almost Perfect Drama ends on a Flat note.

This drama has everything.
Gripping Story/Script, Fantastic Acting, Suspenseful twists, thrilling action, Romance and killer OST.

Will make you laugh, cry, and be on the edge of your seat. It is really quite a joy to watch. Words do not do it justice.

Unfortunately the last quarter falls rather flat.
For three quarters of the drama, our heroine is built up to be, a talent with all the skills needed to be undefeatable. She is always pro-active, but for the last quarter, not only does she become inactive, she is nerfed to make way for ML and supporting characters.

While it is a happy ending, it could of finished much stronger, considering the title "The First Jasmine", i feel it lost focus on who the main character is.

Despite the lack lustre ending, i still rate it high. It is unlike any other in execution for the first 3 quarters.

Go Watch it!

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Let's Stop by Lishan Mountain for a While

The way trauma and chronic illnesses are used here is great - even if I am sure health care professionals could point out flaws. Mo Li remains an idol drama but pushes at the boundaries of what these dramas can be in a heartfelt way. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Double and/or Pursuit of Jade.

The Couples
I'm not overly invested in romances, except when a couple really gives that wow effect. That was missing a bit for me here, but I incredibly enjoyed that the leads had the same goal while going at it in incredibly different ways. They slowly come to understand each other, and they are allowed to make mistakes along the way that are so deeply personal it is gut wrenching.

I thought it was neat that the drama pointed out how much the FL pushed the ML into fixing his legs against his will. That felt very real and is a neat way to show how much the FL wants things to go her way. She is compelled to make the world fit into her expectations in more than one way.

On the ML’s side the “divorce arc” falls under that character growth. This "arc" as people have been labeling it, is barely an arc. It lasts maybe two episodes. I really love how it keeps the leads entangled in the social norms of their time. Everyone else is suffering under archaic social rules and so do they. Treating the lead differently is something that became quite off-putting to me in early-2026 Bai Lu Drama "Unwind: Jadewind".

Just as ML's leg, just as Ye Li’s delusions, the couple had to be broken before they could be mended. The two are, after all, deeply hurt characters. It's not only one lead carrying out their eight years of revenge in the making. A lot of characters share resentments.

Their first kisses were so awkward and not in the cute way, lol. Their romance began to hit for me in the late episodes, when they grow comfortable with each other. That said, I am a fan of the multiple tragic love stories overall. As the OST says: love isn't only romance.

Family Dynamics
Li has the best uncle. Her mother is great. Her half-brother too. It's nice to see that not the whole Ye family sucks. I also loved the relationships with her maids (dead or alive) and her senior/secret guard.

The family dynamics are refreshing overall. Her sister is mean to her and there is another half-brothers pair in the drama who doesn't get along, but they stay within a selfishness and jealousy that feels very normal. They feel the need to get one over their sibling and only know violence as a tool, but that does not mean they truly want them dead. It's an interesting conflict.

The Last Episodes
I didn't have as much of a knee-jerk reaction to the ending as others, but I kind of felt the East Palace story wasn't well paced. Our leads have known Jingli escaped for months and Ye Li is so sure from the start that he won't sit quiet and yet they do nothing about it. I just don't think this drama needed a war story. There doesn't seem to have been budget left for it anyway. Jingli trying to storm the palace with a small army from the start seems like it would have been a good way to complete his arc.

Here, it almost felt as if 2026 costume dramas have been mandated to end with war (Pursuit of Jade, A Splendid Match, How Dare You, Love Beyond the Grave,...).

Nevertheless, I actually thought the last episode was incredibly beautiful. It wraps the stories up in a very heartfelt way. The same way Ye Li has to let go of her Lishan mountain past, the viewer must say goodbye to this story.

OST
Normally I don't notice the soundtrack that much or only one stand-out song, but here the music truly underlined the mystery and tragedy. I love the haunting melodies of the drama.

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