Must-Watch Masterpiece, Unique Gem Amongst Other Cdramas/Kdramas
Let me just say this before my review, if the reason why you won't watch this drama is because you have seen snippets from Tiktok/Facebook, you are missing a masterpiece that is unique compared to the typical Chinese dramas. The White Olive Tree is more than those short videos, and to really fully appreciate the drama, you will have to watch it yourself.
Story
I have read the original novel of The White Olive Tree and I think the drama was actually a good (although lighter?) adaptation of the more tragic story in the novel. Earlier on, many had surmised that it was like Descendants of the Sun, but it is far from it. The White Olive Tree features a more realistic (albeit darker) take on war and the resulting consequences to the characters. I like that the romance subplot is slow-burn, from the first time Li Zan and Song Ran up to their dating days and to the story's ending. It was indeed love at first sight but it took time for them to admit their feelings for each other. Compared to silly fluff romcoms where the male and female leads just fall in love each other instantly for no logical reason at all, Li Zan's and Song Ran's romance was cemented on their shared understanding of each other's struggles and experiences. The story also features love between parents and their children (Li Zan and his dad, Song Ran and her parents), caring between friends and colleagues (Ben and Sa Xin, Sa Xin and Song Ran, Luo Zhan and Li Zan) and even the bond between Jiang Li and Jiang Yu. The White Olive Tree isn't just a romance story of Li Zan and Song Ran but also the story of all the people around them. Contrary to what others say that it has a sad ending, I actually like how it ended in the drama. It is more optimistic than the tragic ending in the novel and at least the audience can be comforted knowing that they stayed together until the white olive tree has fully grown.
OST - Love all the OSTs of this drama and they all definitely added to the feels/emotions.
Production - Well, the drama's production set for Eastern Country looks like a tourist spot! In a time when most stuff can be done in CGI, I admire the practical effects and the actual construction of the whole set. Would love to visit the set someday. They should definitely keep it there as a reminder of this masterpiece. I think that The White Olive Tree would have been more popular if there have been more marketing and promotion prior and during the airing of the drama. Perhaps iQiyi would do a special episode?
Acting
Honestly, one of my first reasons for watching the drama was because of Liang Jie. I have watched her dramas from The Eternal Love up to Hi Venus, and loved her acting style. She has always chosen different female lead roles and this drama certainly showed that she has the versatility to handle heavy drama roles (although I think she did really well on the drama side of You Are My Destiny). Some say that she isn't that much popular compared to Chen Zhe Yuan, but I think she just needs more dramas to showcase her acting skills. Liang Jie is Song Ran, and Chen Zhe Yuan is Li Zan, and I don't see anyone else portraying the characters. I have seen many reviews praising Chen Zhe Yuan but I watched The White Olive Tree not having any idea about him *shocking. I had never watched that popular drama of his (HL) because it isn't my type of genre. However, The White Olive Tree showed that Chen can definitely do more serious roles in heavy dramas. It is nice to see him mature and try a different role than being typecasted into romcoms. Liang Jie and Chen Zhe Yuan definitely has the chemistry with each other, after all, it is their second collaboration. Besides, I have noticed that Liang Jie always had that spark with her male leads, resulting to repeated partnerships. Hope this two will have their third collaboration soon.
I definitely recommend watching this drama. It is vastly different than the typical Chinese dramas and after watching this, I felt as if the romance on other lighter dramas feel superficial and fleeting, compared to Li Zan and Song Ran's story. Its story and life lessons will surely remain with you even after watching it. Hope this drama (its actors, production) would receive their deserved rewards for such a masterpiece.
Story
I have read the original novel of The White Olive Tree and I think the drama was actually a good (although lighter?) adaptation of the more tragic story in the novel. Earlier on, many had surmised that it was like Descendants of the Sun, but it is far from it. The White Olive Tree features a more realistic (albeit darker) take on war and the resulting consequences to the characters. I like that the romance subplot is slow-burn, from the first time Li Zan and Song Ran up to their dating days and to the story's ending. It was indeed love at first sight but it took time for them to admit their feelings for each other. Compared to silly fluff romcoms where the male and female leads just fall in love each other instantly for no logical reason at all, Li Zan's and Song Ran's romance was cemented on their shared understanding of each other's struggles and experiences. The story also features love between parents and their children (Li Zan and his dad, Song Ran and her parents), caring between friends and colleagues (Ben and Sa Xin, Sa Xin and Song Ran, Luo Zhan and Li Zan) and even the bond between Jiang Li and Jiang Yu. The White Olive Tree isn't just a romance story of Li Zan and Song Ran but also the story of all the people around them. Contrary to what others say that it has a sad ending, I actually like how it ended in the drama. It is more optimistic than the tragic ending in the novel and at least the audience can be comforted knowing that they stayed together until the white olive tree has fully grown.
OST - Love all the OSTs of this drama and they all definitely added to the feels/emotions.
Production - Well, the drama's production set for Eastern Country looks like a tourist spot! In a time when most stuff can be done in CGI, I admire the practical effects and the actual construction of the whole set. Would love to visit the set someday. They should definitely keep it there as a reminder of this masterpiece. I think that The White Olive Tree would have been more popular if there have been more marketing and promotion prior and during the airing of the drama. Perhaps iQiyi would do a special episode?
Acting
Honestly, one of my first reasons for watching the drama was because of Liang Jie. I have watched her dramas from The Eternal Love up to Hi Venus, and loved her acting style. She has always chosen different female lead roles and this drama certainly showed that she has the versatility to handle heavy drama roles (although I think she did really well on the drama side of You Are My Destiny). Some say that she isn't that much popular compared to Chen Zhe Yuan, but I think she just needs more dramas to showcase her acting skills. Liang Jie is Song Ran, and Chen Zhe Yuan is Li Zan, and I don't see anyone else portraying the characters. I have seen many reviews praising Chen Zhe Yuan but I watched The White Olive Tree not having any idea about him *shocking. I had never watched that popular drama of his (HL) because it isn't my type of genre. However, The White Olive Tree showed that Chen can definitely do more serious roles in heavy dramas. It is nice to see him mature and try a different role than being typecasted into romcoms. Liang Jie and Chen Zhe Yuan definitely has the chemistry with each other, after all, it is their second collaboration. Besides, I have noticed that Liang Jie always had that spark with her male leads, resulting to repeated partnerships. Hope this two will have their third collaboration soon.
I definitely recommend watching this drama. It is vastly different than the typical Chinese dramas and after watching this, I felt as if the romance on other lighter dramas feel superficial and fleeting, compared to Li Zan and Song Ran's story. Its story and life lessons will surely remain with you even after watching it. Hope this drama (its actors, production) would receive their deserved rewards for such a masterpiece.
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