The White Olive Tree Review 2025

• Native Title: 白色橄榄树
• Also Known As: Bai Se Gan Lan Shu , 白色橄欖樹
• Director: Huang Chun, Hai Tao
• Screenwriter: Han Hao
• Genres: Military, Romance, Action
• Cdrama: 38 Episodes

Cast

• Chen Zhe Yuan as Li Zan
• Liang Jie as Song Ran
• Wang Tian Chen as Benjamin
• Gu Zi Cheng as Sa Xin
• Zheng Ying Chen as Shen Bei
• Liu Yong Xi as Pei Xiao Nan
• Wang Zhuo Cheng as Jiang Lin
• Ding Ye as Luo Zhan

The White Olive Tree (白色橄榄树) is a Chinese romance drama that follows the passionate yet tumultuous love story between two individuals with contrasting beliefs and life experiences.

Synopsis of The White Olive Tree

Su Nian, a brave and independent female journalist, travels to a war-torn country to report on the ongoing conflicts. There, she meets Ye Zhi, a cold and disciplined Chinese military officer stationed on a peacekeeping mission. Despite their initial clashes due to their differing perspectives—her pursuit of truth versus his duty-bound secrecy—they are drawn to each other in a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

As Su Nian uncovers the harsh realities of war, Ye Zhi becomes her silent protector, risking his own safety to keep her alive. Their relationship develops through moments of intense hardship, misunderstandings, and life-threatening encounters. However, love in a war zone is never easy. They must navigate personal sacrifices, national responsibilities, and the ever-present threat of separation

The White Olive Tree is a drama that boasts a breathtaking soundtrack, commendable performances from its lead actors, and an impressive production design, but ultimately struggles with pacing, storytelling, and character adaptation. For fans of the novel, this adaptation may be a mixed bag—offering moments of brilliance while leaving much to be desired in terms of depth and execution.

Review on the White Olive Tree

Strengths:

✅ Soundtrack Perfection: The drama’s OST is a standout element, with all twelve songs being nothing short of mesmerizing. Each track complements the mood of the scenes beautifully, adding emotional depth to the viewing experience.

✅ Strong Cast Performances: The actors, particularly Zheyuan and Liang Jie, excel in conveying raw emotions. Whether it’s joy, hesitation, or longing, their performances are deeply immersive. Li Zan, Benjamin, and Jiang Lin also bring their characters to life, despite some awkwardness in English-speaking scenes (which, given their characters’ backgrounds, feels understandable).

✅ Impressive Set Design: The production team went all out in crafting an entire fictional city, creating an immersive setting that elevates the drama’s visual appeal. However, it almost feels like the story was sidelined in favor of aesthetics.

✅ Unexpected but Enjoyable Character Dynamics: One of the delightful surprises of the drama is the dynamic between Benjamin and Saxin—something not present in the novel but a welcome addition. Their interactions bring an entertaining and lighthearted contrast to the heavier themes of the story.

Weaknesses:

❌ Weak Execution of the Storyline: Despite the initial excitement surrounding this adaptation, the drama fails to fully capture the essence of the novel. Many fans expected a turning point in Episodes 11 and 12, but even then, it didn’t quite hit the emotional depth needed to redeem the earlier episodes. The storytelling feels uneven, and the emotional weight of key moments is often lost in translation from page to screen.

❌ Flat and Awkward Dialogues: Some scenes retain direct lines from the novel, which, while nostalgic for readers, don’t always translate well on screen. Several conversations lack natural flow, making interactions feel forced or unnatural—particularly during quieter moments between Li Zan and Song Ran, such as the truck ride and the infamous “comb scene,” which failed to retain the novel’s charm.

❌ Slow Pacing & Unnecessary Scenes: The drama often drags, with certain scenes feeling overly stretched, seemingly just to fill screen time. The excessive use of slow-motion effects also diminishes the impact of key moments instead of enhancing them.

❌ Song Ran’s Characterization: One of the biggest disappointments is the portrayal of Song Ran. In the novel, she is calm, composed, and quietly determined—a character with depth and subtle strength. However, the drama transforms her into someone more impulsive and childish, with behaviors that feel out of character (such as getting drunk on a military base and obsessively following Li Zan). While this shift might appeal to some viewers looking for a lighthearted romance, it strays too far from the essence of the original Song Ran.

❌ Overuse of Flashbacks: Flashbacks are a powerful tool when used sparingly, but The White Olive Tree tends to overdo it—sometimes flashing back to a scene that just happened moments before. This unnecessary repetition dilutes the emotional impact rather than reinforcing it.

Final Thoughts:

The White Olive Tree is a visually stunning drama with moments of brilliance, but it ultimately falls short of its potential due to weak storytelling, slow pacing, and an underwhelming character adaptation of Song Ran. While the soundtrack and performances elevate the series, they aren’t enough to compensate for the lack of narrative depth.

For those unfamiliar with the novel, the drama might still be enjoyable as a visually rich romance with an engaging cast. However, for fans of the original work, this adaptation may feel like a missed opportunity.