The First Jasmine

莫离 ‧ Drama ‧ 2026
Ongoing 12/40
15327306
13 people found this review helpful
Jun 14, 2026
12 of 40 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

I love everything about the FL ❣️❣️ you will never regret watching her dramas

This drama is all I've been waiting for this year. The first episodes are already giving you the bad ass and smart female lead. While her husband is planning how to execute the vallains she is already 10 steps ahead of them. Although the drama is slow burn romance but still you will see their chemistry.
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Ongoing 21/40
Sadiepie
6 people found this review helpful
Jun 18, 2026
21 of 40 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 1.0
Story 1.5
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

j how many lying female leads can we tolerate

This one thinks she is a female James Bond. She has lied her whole way through this drama so far. She is using the Prince and it is making me so angry and disappointed. There will be many raving over how she is a strong Female lead and we need more of them I say No. She has no integrity at all. She uses everyone she meets and she has given the Prince false expectation. Her character is the worse kind of lead possible. She has proven she can act a part that is insincere, Lying, Cheating and a user in order to get her own way regardless of her difficulties. If this was a man there would be plenty of criticisms. After watching 22 episodes i cannot bear to watch any more of her lies..

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Dropped 20/40
BanxiTheCommentaryGrrl
5 people found this review helpful
Jun 18, 2026
20 of 40 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Strong Characters, but Not a Complete Match for Me

This is a partial review covering episodes 1–20 only.

I would probably enjoy this drama more if I watched it in pockets rather than straight through, because it has been a mixed bag for me. The palace intrigue and revenge themes are exciting, and I love Bai Lu’s role. Her character is incredibly intelligent and compelling, and I enjoy watching her navigate political challenges. The mystery surrounding her past has also been one of the aspects that keeps me most engaged. However, for every arc that lands for me, there is another that misses the mark.

What initially drew me in was the sense of intrigue. I enjoyed piecing together clues, uncovering hidden connections, and gradually learning more about the characters and their motivations. The drama creates an atmosphere filled with questions and uncertainty, which I find gripping. Bai Lu’s character is especially fascinating because there always seems to be more beneath the surface. Hints about her experiences and emotional struggles add depth to her portrayal and make her one of the most memorable parts of the series for me.

However, as the story progresses, the focus shifts more toward the central romance. While I understand that character growth and relationship development are expected, this has been the least engaging part of the drama for me. I find myself much more invested in the mystery, strategic maneuvering, and larger conflicts than in the main love story. In fact, some of the secondary relationships and character dynamics have captured my interest more.

For these reasons, this hasn’t felt like a well-rounded viewing experience. I think it’s time for me to put this one to bed. But I will check back to see how everything comes together because there is one storyline I am super curious about!

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Ongoing 9/40
Bblol
9 people found this review helpful
Jun 12, 2026
9 of 40 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10

A fresh, unique C-drama that breaks away from the same recycled storylines.

You guys don't know how much I love this drama. Initially, I thought it wouldn't be for me because I usually don't enjoy slow-paced dramas, but this one completely proved me wrong. It's slow-paced, yet every episode is engaging and keeps me entertained.

What I love most is that I genuinely have no idea where the story is heading. In most dramas, I can predict the plot and even the ending within the first five episodes, but this one feels completely different. It's refreshing to watch something so unique.

The acting is absolutely top-notch. Every actor delivers such a strong performance that it almost feels like a competition to see who can act better. Yeli, played by Bai Lu, is the heart of this drama. Her character is incredibly well-written, complex, and compelling in a way that many drama characters aren't.

I honestly think this is going to become one of my all-time favorite dramas. I enjoy it far more than dramas like Pursuit of Jade and Ashes to Crown. In my opinion, those dramas relied on recycled storylines and became popular largely because of their visuals, whereas this drama stands out because of its storytelling, characters, and performances.

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Dropped 13/40
lyylloo
8 people found this review helpful
Jun 15, 2026
13 of 40 episodes seen
Dropped 2
Overall 4.0
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 5.5
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 3.5

Boring

I gave up after watching 13 episodes. Bad chemistry, absurd plot role, always the same action scenes which are quite amateurish. Leads show no chemistry which make the acting cold and amateurish. Especially when you can compare to others Ryan Cheng's drama (ie Legend of the female general with Zhou Ye). Anyway, the script is hollow, the music boring as well as the acting cast.
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Dropped 15/40
TepettBack
10 people found this review helpful
Jun 15, 2026
15 of 40 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 4.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

I doubt I could enjoy this absolute nonsensical mess even after a lobotomy

Started with the novel, at first I enjoyed it due that it was very detailed to paint a world, customs of those who lived back then and hence creating a feeling of reality. However I dropped the novel around 100 chapters as was fed up with the nonsense of the 16 years old FL - who lived once - just to explain how she could collect that level of knowledge she had and the made up crisis after crisis scenes.

Still I was eagerly waiting for the series hoping that they corrected the weakness of the drama a bit. But the complete opposite, they managed to create an even more nonsensical mess. I love Bai Lu, one of my favourite Chinese actress, especially after Story of Kunning Palace where I hardly found any boring part (except the part when she said goodbye to her mother), that drama the script, the actors, the music - was super and I rewatch from time to time.
I also a huge fan of Cheng Lei since My Journey to You then because of the Shadow Love which also had some nonsensical parts but being a drama where the focus was on black magic and romance it was decent enough, especially their romance part.

But this one... I just black out from time to time, too often losing minutes and starting again, trying to watch then being "far away" again. I can't even enjoy their romance because the full story is absolutely poorly written, make-no-sense, unbelievable mess.

Is everyone insane in this script or idiot? Why the writer(s), probably AI, had to involve ghosts? They made no sense and if I want a ghost story I go for a more sophisticated one written by S. King or similar. What is the purpose of the monkeys apart from being another horrorish element?
Who is her imaginary maid, did she live or was jut an imagination? Is FL insane and should be in an alyssum together with his father, granny, etc?

Since when elderly rich, powerful nobility woman go after their opponent (following the person to who knows where afar) just to suffocate it with a pillow using physical strength? How often you saw that bad people was struck by lightning? How often you saw a ghost if you are not drunk or insane?

But let's assume you are really terrified and possessed by a ghost while others watching you, you pass out then 5 minutes later take part in the family gathering, totally composed and recovered from the shock.

and so on and so on. Not to mention the unnecessary dark symbolism like exactly 999 of who-knows-what gold flower to satisfy the (based on the number) a satanic deity or similar.

I am sorry I am fed up. Terrible series.

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Completed
K-lover61
0 people found this review helpful
21 hours ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Kept my interest through all 40eps.

July 2026.
Following a change to the intended of her arranged marriage, our FL joins a household living under a shadow. Both she and her new husband have more in common than they realise, and this is gradually revealed.

I loved this drama, and it is quite different to a lot of similar recent releases from China.

Trust issues were a constant challenge, and there were a few too many times when both lead characters made things far harder than they needed to be.

I always say C-dramas are hard to beat for lavish sets, costumes, and amazing martial arts and battle scenes; because it's true.

This drama has a more gentle pace; there is still bloodshed, and some very emotional scenes, but it's also one of the few costume dramas to include mental trauma, its affects, and to address them.

I loved the cast and didn't get bored with the storyline. Nice mix of characters, with peripheral supporting character storylines included. I watched as it aired, and looked forward to every episode.

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Completed
MCW
0 people found this review helpful
4 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Worth watching

No one is 100% perfect..For me...This is worth watching..Perfect...is not normal storyline...Full well established storyline and acting skill...No more No less...perfect...No forcing in romance...All are acting in natural way...re-watching so many times🥰 I really love all OSTs especially both leads singing one..ZS opening OST is also great...The director's camera angles taking are great..Lightning is also well done...The supporting roles are doing well..No one is left out...Editing part is good, not like running from here and there..without connection..The voice..they are using the original voice..Love it..It can show the true feelings of the real characters...When you re-watch it, you can still feel fresh feeling for each characters..No boring time for this...

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Completed
SarahWilliams
0 people found this review helpful
20 hours ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

A show of surprising depth and beauty

I cannot add to the derailed, careful, exacting reviews of others [okikai deserves special mention] but I wanted to add that the cinematography was a delight. A nuanced show that respects the viewers' intelligence and is superbly delivered by the writers and actors. The two leads were especially skilled in their roles, wounded people whose relatonship develops despite their griefs in the most natural way. My nominee for best C-drama of 2026 in a very competitive field.
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Completed
Bolo5619
0 people found this review helpful
17 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Different but very good

A slightly different kind of C-drama, and I loved it. It was deeply moving. The characters felt authentic. Cheng Lei and Bai Lu were fantastic. The story was interesting and engaging, and the scenes were excellent. The love story between the male and female leads wasn't built on dramatic passion, but rather on security, trust, support, and a sense of connection. Two lost souls struggling side by side. There was no lack of chemistry between them—it was just a different kind of chemistry. The music and lyrics fit the scenes perfectly. A very good drama!
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Completed
HermioneWare
0 people found this review helpful
15 hours ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

A must see

I loved this show!!! Ryan Cheng and Bai Lu were brilliant as a married couple. They showed a side of marriage that most people don't want to talk about. Not one episode let me down. Each one has me waiting for what was going to happen next. The plot moved at a good pace. I didn't feel the need to skip anything at anytime for fear of missing an important detail. I was screaming at my tv the entire time. Great job everyone.
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Completed
DramaNewbie
0 people found this review helpful
15 days ago
40 of 40 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

You'll cry but it is worth it

I cried so much in this show and that was thanks to Bai Lu's acting. She was in her bag, 10/10 no notes from me. The writers were also amazing, when I tell you no sub-plot was pointless, every arc, every character mattered. Even the fact that her and her Dad (and his family) never reconciled mattered. It showed where lines had been drawn.

I highly recommend if you are drawn to good plots/story lines and amazing acting.
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The First Jasmine poster

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  • Score: 8.3 (scored by 7,055 users)
  • Ranked: #1046
  • Popularity: #1097
  • Watchers: 23,663

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