This review may contain spoilers
I dislike the plot and pace of this drama, and it did a very bad portray of PTSD patients.
The White Olive Tree is a melodrama about the life of a military/reporter couple who met in the war zone and fell in love. The drama also deals with PTSD and mental health in an unhealthy way.
I did not like this drama at all. Although I love Zhen Che Yuan's acting, the story and the director did not do justice to the drama.
The onscreen chemistry between him and Liang Jie was not great. I found that Liang Jie is typecast for the same role, where her character is weak, always needs rescue from the male lead, and eventually falls in love with the male protagonist.
The PTSD scenes were good, especially those of Li Zhan's character. But the story is unreal. First, they could create a better fictitious name for the country instead of calling it East Country. It would be better to show the political conflict between China and this country, hence, their enlisting their military efforts to help this corrupted country.
Second, it is unrealistic to send someone who has severe PTSD back to a war zone to feel that they will be healed.
The romance between the two protagonists is slow, draggy, cheesy, and awkward to watch. The supporting cast's acting was not great, especially Gu Zi Cheng, who played Sa Xin's character. I don't get it; why end up killing off all the characters, including the main CP?
Suppose this drama aims to shine some light on mental illness. In that case, it is better to portray a possible ending where they get psychiatric help and live a normal life instead of suicide.
The acting is good, especially Chen Zhe Yuan's, but the script and direction of the drama were bad. I watched it at 2.x speed, and I can't binge-watch more than one episode per day.
Synopsis: During an interview mission in the turbulent East Country, Liang City satellite TV's female reporter Song Ran encounters danger. Fortunately, she is rescued by Li Zan, a Chinese explosive engineer who volunteers in the East Country. Li Zan's gentleness and childlike heart deeply attract Song Ran. Through multiple interactions with Song Ran, Li Zan also realizes that though she appears weak on the outside, she's brave and strong, with a heart filled with justice and kindness. With the same ideals and compatible souls, a spark of love ignites between the two. However, a sudden bombing attack puts a halt to this budding relationship. After returning to China, they hit low points in their lives and even lost contact. They are both suffering physically and mentally as Li Zan feels guilty and blames himself for the death of his friend, who sacrificed his life to save him in the bombing attack. At the same time, Song Ran gets into a controversy due to a photo she took during the bombing attack. By chance, they reunite, and their lives gradually return to normal. Together, they plant the seeds of the white olive tree.
My Reviews:
1. Acting: 7
2, Script: 5
3, Music/OST: 6
4, Production Quality:6
5. Cinematography: 6
6. Rewatchable: 5
7. Onscreen Chemistry:5
Overall Rating: 5.5
I did not like this drama at all. Although I love Zhen Che Yuan's acting, the story and the director did not do justice to the drama.
The onscreen chemistry between him and Liang Jie was not great. I found that Liang Jie is typecast for the same role, where her character is weak, always needs rescue from the male lead, and eventually falls in love with the male protagonist.
The PTSD scenes were good, especially those of Li Zhan's character. But the story is unreal. First, they could create a better fictitious name for the country instead of calling it East Country. It would be better to show the political conflict between China and this country, hence, their enlisting their military efforts to help this corrupted country.
Second, it is unrealistic to send someone who has severe PTSD back to a war zone to feel that they will be healed.
The romance between the two protagonists is slow, draggy, cheesy, and awkward to watch. The supporting cast's acting was not great, especially Gu Zi Cheng, who played Sa Xin's character. I don't get it; why end up killing off all the characters, including the main CP?
Suppose this drama aims to shine some light on mental illness. In that case, it is better to portray a possible ending where they get psychiatric help and live a normal life instead of suicide.
The acting is good, especially Chen Zhe Yuan's, but the script and direction of the drama were bad. I watched it at 2.x speed, and I can't binge-watch more than one episode per day.
Synopsis: During an interview mission in the turbulent East Country, Liang City satellite TV's female reporter Song Ran encounters danger. Fortunately, she is rescued by Li Zan, a Chinese explosive engineer who volunteers in the East Country. Li Zan's gentleness and childlike heart deeply attract Song Ran. Through multiple interactions with Song Ran, Li Zan also realizes that though she appears weak on the outside, she's brave and strong, with a heart filled with justice and kindness. With the same ideals and compatible souls, a spark of love ignites between the two. However, a sudden bombing attack puts a halt to this budding relationship. After returning to China, they hit low points in their lives and even lost contact. They are both suffering physically and mentally as Li Zan feels guilty and blames himself for the death of his friend, who sacrificed his life to save him in the bombing attack. At the same time, Song Ran gets into a controversy due to a photo she took during the bombing attack. By chance, they reunite, and their lives gradually return to normal. Together, they plant the seeds of the white olive tree.
My Reviews:
1. Acting: 7
2, Script: 5
3, Music/OST: 6
4, Production Quality:6
5. Cinematography: 6
6. Rewatchable: 5
7. Onscreen Chemistry:5
Overall Rating: 5.5
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