Reviews

Beatifully crafted characters.

As someone who likes this writer's stories, this time felt very frustrating. I should say, personally. Because watching this one in 2026 is a challenge when you're aware of what's going on in the world, and how you see the struggle of constant colonization, from the very same country this series presents as neutral and at times as just, as if they themselves haven't been affected culturally, from the root.

As a tribute to historical Korean resistence figures sometimes is well shown, even the artifacts got their moment, which was all very touching.
Beautifully crafted characters, especially amazed by their maturity and evolution through time.
And a wonderful cast.

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Disappointing Ending

This series really came out of nowhere and tugged at the heart strings immediately. Good story, great acting, and all the promises of being a top 2026 contender in the sea of BLs. But man oh man... that final episode left me so disappointed. Honestly, I'm just not a fan of open ended endings. But in this one, it's not only open ended, but also mystifying in the same. I'm not really sure what they wanted the final message to be and I don't really want to do the mental olympics to come to a final conclusion.

It had it all but a good ending.

Disappointing.

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An Amazing Cast, and A Light Hearted Story Line that Felt Deeper Then It Looks

As many of you may know, this drama has been delayed for airing by nearly 3 years, starting in 2023 and finally airing in 2026. You can obviously see the low-budget cuts and how the scene transitions were just not up to par. Not to mention the stunning costumes that were repeated too many times and action scenes that just didn't quite meet what I was hoping for. Basically this drama straight out screams that they were on a low budget.

First off I have too talk about the title of this review. Until the last scene I didn't realize how heavy this drama was on the inside. (At least in my opinion) On the outside this drama seems super light hearted and feel good. Especially with all the humor that got mixed into the plot. But when I watched the last episode I realized that this drama isn't just about laughs, but actually it's about longing for love, figuring your feelings out, and letting go. That's what I feel like the real message of the drama is.

- The Cast
I have to say that this is an amazing cast. Joseph Zeng, Li Yi Tong, Deng Wei, Dai Lu Wa, Riley Wang, Cheng Hong Xin, and Tian Jia Rui all in one drama is basically like a dream come true. But due to the messy story line I feel like the full potention of the cast is straight out wasted.
Even though the plot was rather disappointing I have to say the acting was exceptional and awesome! I really enjoyed watching Joseph Zeng as Qi Zheng. He was goofy and funny but also calculating and clear when the scene needed it.

- Setting and Costumes
I have to say that the Qi Mansion and other destinations in this drama were absolutely stunning and so well designed! Although the costumes were repetitive, they were gorgeous and fitted the Wuxia vibe very well.

- Love and Romance
I normally dislike love triangles but for this one I actually enjoyed watching. A lot was on changing the way the world felt about anyone can be officials and the struggle the way there

< Male Lead, Qi Zheng: I love how pure his love for Fan Yun is. He cares for Fun Yun with his whole heart and devotion. He would always put himself in front of Fan Yun in terms of danger. I really love this of him.
< Female Lead, Fan Yun: She really made me lose my mind for the whole drama. It wasn't until episode 32 when I feel like she final figured out what her true feelings were. I do think that her hard work and perseverance for "women can also be officials" is truly admirable
< Second Male Lead, Zheng Shi: Personally I think Deng Wei did a really good job with the whole love triangle situation. He portrayed his character really well.
< Second Couple, Gao Ran and Wei Shisan: I loved this couple so much while I was watching. In the beginning Wei Shisan was completely heed-over-heels for Gao Ran, while Gao Ran didn't feel the same or didn't know how to express his feelings. Over time though he ended up finding his way and expressed his love to Wei Shisan in his own way. This couple truly earns a like!

-OST Thoughts: In my opinion a good OST can level up a drama so so so much. I really enjoyed listening to these songs during the drama, and they match the vibe perfectly. Also it included my one of my all time favorite OST singer Liu YuNing! Two OST's that really stood out to me are 浮生若梦 (A Dreamlike Life) by 周深 (Zhou Shen) and 何故 (Why) by 刘宇宁 (Liu YuNing).

- Ending Opinon's
In conclusion this drama is not a total masterpiece or anything really phenomenal. But it's special in its own way and the humor was definitely one of the best parts. Indeed the flaws in this drama are practically countless and improvement is definitely needed.

But really this drama isn't something I'd never watch again, as I mentioned before the OST's are amazing and I will definitely continue listening to them long after finishing this drama! 🌹☁️

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Another amazing lakorn but such a waste of good Thai lakorn cause it's only sub till ep 4

So the story is about a handsome police officer named akkanee who's twin brother dies in some village where there's two rival farms who are enemies there's also a cute girl name man who has to live like a man because of her grandpa who want her to be strong but forcing her to be live like a man even if she's women don't take me wrong but I just don't like the fact that he wants her to live like man even if she's women when sometimes become weak he treats her like a dirt not understanding that she's young girl almost like a kid love the bickering and lovey dovey moments of akkanee and man.sadly I can only watch till ep 4 cause rest of the episodes are raw such a waste of good Thai lakorn I hope it get eng sub some day so I will watch this entire series became a fan of guy ratchanont hes my type .handsome and strong ♥️♥️

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More Than Revenge, More Than Romance-Finding Home After Losing Everything

When I started The First Jasmine (Mo Li), I expected another beautiful historical romance built around revenge, palace intrigue, and a slow-burn love story. Instead, I got something far more thoughtful. This isn't simply a revenge drama or a romance wrapped in political intrigue. It's a story about grief, survival, healing, loyalty, and the choices people make after losing everything. At its heart, it's about the fall of one era and the rise of another, where every character is fighting a different battle. Some seek revenge, some want to restore their family's honor, some are trying to clear the names of those who died unjustly, while others desperately cling to power because admitting they were wrong would mean accepting that their entire lives were built on mistakes. Every alliance has consequences, every victory comes at a cost, and every political decision leaves ordinary people paying the price.

As someone who loves history, I found the political writing incredibly refreshing. Rather than presenting a simple battle between heroes and villains, the drama explores how power shifts, how loyalty changes with circumstance, and how survival often requires morally difficult decisions. At times, it genuinely felt like watching a historical lesson instead of a work of fiction. The politics never existed merely to create tension. They shaped every character's motivations, relationships, and choices, making the world feel authentic and believable.

One criticism I've seen repeatedly is that the drama is slow, but I never agreed with that. To me, a slow drama is one where the story stalls and episodes are padded with unnecessary filler. **The First Jasmine** never felt that way. It's simply a character-driven drama rather than an event-driven one. Instead of rushing from one twist to the next, it allows every important relationship and emotional wound the time it deserves. Every conversation, every silence, and every small decision contributes to understanding who these people are. I stayed completely invested throughout all forty episodes because I cared about the characters just as much as the plot.

The drama's greatest strength is undoubtedly Ye Li. Historical dramas often advertise "strong female leads," but that strength is frequently reduced to physical combat, reincarnation or transmigration storylines, or an exceptionally intelligent heroine whose brilliance is confined to household politics. Ye Li is refreshingly different. Her strength comes from her intelligence, resilience, emotional endurance, and quiet conviction. The epidemic at Lishan isn't simply a tragic backstory that's forgotten after a few episodes. It continues to shape every decision she makes throughout the drama. She carries survivor's guilt, quietly dedicates herself to protecting others, and refuses to let her grief define her. She never needs someone to rescue her because her greatest weapon has always been her mind. Watching her patiently outmaneuver her enemies through strategy while carrying unimaginable pain made her one of the most memorable female leads I've watched in recent years.

Mo Xiuyao complements her perfectly. He's not written as the flawless hero who swoops in to save the heroine, nor is Ye Li there simply to heal his physical injuries. Instead, they become each other's greatest source of comfort. Ye Li restores his confidence long before she helps him recover physically, while he becomes the first person who truly understands the loneliness she has buried beneath years of composure. Their relationship is built on trust, mutual respect, patience, and quiet understanding rather than dramatic misunderstandings or overwhelming passion.

Because the romance is so restrained, much of its emotional impact comes from Bai Lu and Cheng Lei's performances. They don't rely on grand romantic gestures or excessive physical intimacy. Instead, they communicate through lingering glances, subtle expressions, and carefully measured silence. Their chemistry isn't loud. It exists in the way they look at each other, the way they listen, and the way they instinctively understand one another without needing words. Bai Lu delivers one of her finest performances to date, portraying Ye Li's grief with remarkable subtlety. Even in scenes where she says very little, you can feel the weight of everything her character has endured. Cheng Lei is equally impressive, bringing quiet dignity and vulnerability to Mo Xiuyao. Together, they elevate every scene they share.

One thing that deserves far more appreciation is the production design. Every frame feels carefully crafted without ever looking artificial. I absolutely loved the makeup and styling because they embraced natural beauty instead of trying to hide everything behind heavy filters. You can actually see the actors' real skin texture, natural complexion, and expressions, which made the emotions feel much more genuine. The costumes are elegant without being overly extravagant, and the sets strike the perfect balance between grand and lived-in. The use of natural wood, earthy colors, stone, and soft lighting creates an atmosphere that feels warm, timeless, and authentic. Nothing feels excessively decorated or overloaded with accessories just to look expensive. Every room, courtyard, and palace feels believable, as though people genuinely live there. It is the perfect amount of detail without ever becoming distracting, allowing the story and performances to remain the focus.

Another aspect I deeply appreciated was how the drama portrays women. Instead of forcing modern ideals into a historical setting, it explores the different ways women exercised influence within the limitations of their time. Ye Li, Guo Jin, Qing Shuang, and the other women each navigate power differently through intelligence, strategy, sacrifice, or political manipulation. Their stories never feel secondary, and they offer a refreshing perspective that is often overlooked in historical dramas.

The supporting cast is equally memorable, with each character contributing meaningfully to the larger narrative. Their individual stories never feel like distractions because they all reinforce the central themes of loyalty, family, sacrifice, and survival. Even the antagonists are written with enough depth to make their motivations understandable, reminding us that history is rarely divided into purely good and evil people. I also appreciated how the drama handled Guo Jin's ending. Rather than giving her a gruesome punishment, it allowed time itself to become her greatest enemy. After spending a lifetime controlling everyone around her, she ultimately faced the one thing no ruler can command. I found that far more poetic than a conventional revenge ending.

The drama isn't flawless. There are moments where the editing feels abrupt despite its forty-episode runtime, and a few supporting characters deserved stronger development. I also wish Princess Lingyun's storyline had been explored more deeply because it held enormous potential. However, these are relatively minor shortcomings in a drama that consistently remains emotionally engaging from beginning to end.

Ultimately, The First Jasmine isn't really about revenge, despite revenge setting the story in motion. It's about finding hope after unimaginable loss, learning to trust again, and discovering that healing isn't something you achieve alone. It asks its audience to understand people rather than judge them, to recognize that history is shaped by flawed individuals carrying impossible burdens. By the time the story reached its beautifully understated conclusion, I realized the greatest victory wasn't defeating enemies or reclaiming lost honor. It was watching two broken people slowly find a place where they could finally call home. That is what stayed with me long after the final episode ended.

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Plot twist and ending

Let's starts with main couple.....
They good ,I loved em Nd their moments were super cute ...not a hectic NC scene but it was a bit hot overall I liked em

Now the other couples...
I like the student /doc couple they really something,.Nd their NC scene was aweeeessooooome ,I dot no issue with em the top is surprising that too the bottom ... As for the gl that I predicted on their first encounter wasn't bad but hated the girl for outing everyone Nd causing a scandal after so much progress



Lastly WTF with the ending ,I get they were trying to do things differently but the loop shld have been myb a scene from 10yrs later telling each other I love u or maybe wen the ZW opens his eyes from the surgery...idk just saying Caz yoh I can't with ending Nd still who is the mysterious Yakuza guy and the dads dark past??? Alot of questions are left unanswered or will the be a s2?

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I expected a lot, maybe thats why i‘m dissapointed

Its finally avaiable in my country so I watched it with high expections after it was hyped so much last year. Choi Woosik steal the show and his acting was too good for this drama. The FL act in literally every scene like this whole show is akward for her and even Choi could not catch her up. There was zero chemistry. The story about the sidekicks was way more interesting. And the Ex was so annoying. my ratings alone for Choi Woo Sik. I‘m so sorry he gave himself away for this 💔

Sorry my english not so good to express what I‘m thinking. but yeah. I kind of not liked it.
Childtrauma, mean Uncle and rich relatives, pls bring something new

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It was good until ep 8

This show had so much potential. We have a main couple who come from two different worlds, crime plot and some personal drama on the side. Unfortunately this show lost it's excitement and tension after the first half.

The show on paper has a very interesting plot that progresses very well until episode 8. The suspension of Krit and Wayu trying to work together to solve the human trafficking case, while navigating their feelings keeps you watching and waiting for another episode. On the side the criminal case and falling in love, both of the main characters have issues in their family life they are navigating. Best part of the show for me was especially seeing Wayu's character development from somehow bit naive host, realizing that he needs to start making decisions for himself and his family that will be better in long-term future and setting up boundaries with Krit.

Unfortunately the shows suspension falls apart in episode 8 onward, and what I was not a fan of at the end, was the crime plot almost completely fading in the background and the show turning into a family drama. This would not be an issue if the show would have been promoted as such, but the catch that made me want to watch this was the crime aspect and the main couples relationship development as the case progresses. The end result of the family drama is also very unsurprising, if you have watched a lot of Thai BLs with this kind of a story ark.

What was also bothersome for me, as the show ended, was that what if Krit was not injured in a life threatening manner, would he still have had the guts to stand up against his father and choose Wayu? Considering how fast he was just willing to move on to marrying some random politician's daughter after his and Rose's fake relationship failed, just to appease his father, makes me question his readiness to defy him, if he had not almost lost his own life.

I think the show would have been better as 10 ep show. In terms of acting and production this was a high quality show and for those who are fans of Up and Poom this will probably still be enjoyable even if it's not perfect to the very end. In conclusion it was just okay for me, not the most memorable, but not a completely bad BL to watch either.

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Kim You-jung Deserved a Better Story

I watched Dear X because I’ve become a fan of Kim You-jung after My Demon and 20th Century Girl. She didn’t disappoint. In fact, this is probably the best I’ve seen her. She convincingly portrays a manipulative, narcissistic and genuinely unsettling character without ever softening her edges to make her more likeable. It’s a fearless performance.

The drama itself is a different story.

The opening arc is excellent. I don’t usually enjoy school settings, but this was easily my favourite part of the series. The relationship with Jae-oh and the baseball storyline gave the drama emotional weight, and it reminded me at times of a lighter version of The Glory.

Unfortunately, it steadily loses momentum after that. Once the story shifts into Ah-jin’s acting career and her relationship with her actor boyfriend, I found myself much less invested. This became one of the rare K-dramas where I reached the end of an episode without immediately wanting to start the next one.

The finale was where the story really lost me. Character motivations that had felt consistent for most of the series suddenly became difficult to believe, and the tragic ending felt more interested in shocking the audience than earning its emotional payoff.

Despite all that, I’m still glad I watched it. Kim You-jung’s performance alone makes it worth seeing if you’re a fan of hers, even if I don’t think the writing ever reaches the same standard.

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