Klio

I don’t mind the suffering and angst (LOVE it actually), but can he please pick a role where he actually stays alive in the end for once?! 😭

Do they all survive? I want to watch this movie with someone, but that someone hates sad endings, and the topic itself is very tragedy-prone 🫠

SE







(they both die in order to defeat the villain)

This could’ve been so much better if they’d toned down the obsessive brother and the evil (Rumu’s) father, and if they’d made the main leads’ relationship at least somewhat romantic. Alas, Cheng Yi did an amazing job anyway. I love Wangquan Fugui, but the story overall could’ve been improved.
Also, I hate the evil, villainous cackling .... it’s so tacky, and way too many characters did it.

I’m not done yet, but from what I’ve seen so far (28 episodes), while it’s not great, it’s not horrible either. If you like any of these actors, it’s worth a watch. I like Cheng Yi, and even though his role kinda fades into the background in the second half, I’m also enjoying Chang Huasen's scenes. His fox character is such a cutie.

I don't like the spider brother, though. He’s the worst kind of obsessive character, and his acting feels so theatrical (not sure if that’s the right word tbh) and annoying.

So yeah…

I liked it. It was very melancholic, and I really liked that “in a sea of hopelessness, you gave me hope” vibe. I liked the ending too; not happy, obviously, but it was handled in a way that didn’t leave me heartbroken. More like, “That's life. Maybe in the next one, we could be happy."

I agree. No matter what people say, I do not believe Ran Ran would kill herself, especially not in some kind of “group suicide.” Nothing about her story convinces me that “elope” meant “let’s kill ourselves together.” Their decision to run away actually makes a lot more sense. A Zan was clearly unable to keep living normally in society, so leaving was likely the best way to ease the burden on him, on her, and on everyone around them. I also agree about the tree and its size. I do not think it could have grown that large in such a short amount of time.

After watching him in The White Olive Tree, I really loved his charisma, so I ended up watching Love Story in the 1970s even though it’s not something I’d usually pick. He was so good in that too, and I’m really looking forward to his future roles!!

I'm on episode 27 and she finally got the permission to go, but still hasn't left.

Lu Wuyi and Ji Ling are the main couple and their love story is epic but also very tragic, so that may not be your cup of tea.

The other couple is also very good.

But, since the story is inspired by Painted Skin, deception is really at its core. Even the characters who love each other and would die for one another keep deceiving each other. That’s actually what makes it so interesting to me, I loved the suspense and never quite knowing who’s who. But if you prefer simple, straightforward romance, then yeah, this probably isn’t the best choice.

Yeah, it’s pretty straightforward once you get past that phase where everyone keeps deceiving everyone. I guess the people complaining just haven’t watched that far.

Yeah, I get that it’s a cultural thing, and from their perspective I can even understand it to a point. But why does she keep going back for more? They clearly didn’t care about her happiness when she lived with them. Then they kept making things harder for Fei Ting, drained him dry, and still stayed nasty and ungrateful. They took every chance to humiliate and use them, and she just keeps playing the “good daughter”?? I guess that’s just who she is, but it’s so frustrating to watch. I hate characters who have zero backbone and just let people walk all over them.

And yeah, filial piety is a factor, but this was also a time when everything in China was being turned upside down and traditional values were being questioned. She didn’t have to keep putting herself in a position to be humiliated like that.

As someone who has zero qualms about confronting my own family the moment they take things too far, I guess this type of character just annoys me even more 🤣

But yeah, aside from that, it’s a really good drama. Based on what’s happened up to where I’ve watched, I’m guessing all the bad apples will get what’s coming to them.

Depending on what happens to Lin Mei’s family and Feng Li, I might raise my rating by the end. I can’t remember the last time characters annoyed me this much. It’s not just them either, it’s how Lin Mei and others/main leads keep accepting the “abuse” and going back for more/not retaliating. It’s really frustrating. 😑

As someone who isn’t a fan of either of them, JJY carried this drama along with TJR. You all look goofy, lmao.

Honestly, one of the first things I noticed was her voice, it felt perfectly suited and uniquely fitting for the role. I really loved her acting, she did an amazing job!

I need to know what his next project will be!

I watched him in Sword and Fairy and Fated Hearts, and while he did well, I always found myself more focused on the supporting character or second male lead. But his performance in The White Olive Tree completely blew me away. He is such a talented actor! I will definitely be paying more attention to his future and past works.

As for the ending, I do not think they committed suicide, even though many people interpret it that way. I have read that in the novel they actually eloped and lived side by side for ten years. After that, Zan took his own life, and Song later died while working as a reporter.

I prefer to see that final scene under the olive tree as taking place much later, with the two of them reunited in the afterlife.

Not for the faint of heart! 9/10

I found myself in tears more than once, and I have to say, CZY completely owned this role. His portrayal of Li Zan was absolutely devastating in the best way. Watching how trauma reshaped him into a shadow of who he once was was powerful and deeply affecting. My heart literally and physically ached for him. And Song Ran's refusal to give up on him, to stay by his side no matter what, made their relationship deeply moving. It was beautifully heartbreaking. The music, too, was perfectly chosen and elevated every emotional moment.

That said, there were a couple of drawbacks. At times, the drama felt a bit stretched and slow-paced. Also, the English-speaking actors were just bad and at times even ridiculous, which took me out of the experience.

I love everything about this. The plot twists keep coming, the angst is perfect, and the music and aesthetics pull it all together. Up until this point, I could not figure out anyone’s true intentions. The level of deception is incredible!