The First Jasmine

Trauma and healing... but still missing something

This show has a solid premise and blockbuster feel, as well as some thoughtful themes, and I’m still trying to figure out why I didn’t enjoy it more.

The two leads are pretty complicated, in a good way. Both FL and ML are smart and capable people with some serious past trauma. Their relationship starts out a bit frosty, but soon develops into a mutually supportive affair. I especially love how the FL, despite her colder personality, comes in like a ray of sunshine to the ML’s life, determined to help- but it is gradually revealed that she struggles with some deep-seated issues of her own. The leads learn to heal and take care of each other, which is heartwarming to see.

On the villain side, things are also pretty interesting and complicated. Some characters do hateful things but I also sympathize with their situation- it’s a blurry spectrum they’re all on. The empress dowager, for example, is some bad and some good. The best context for thinking about her is probably Wu Zetian. She didn’t get to where she is by erring on the side of mercy (or morality), but she is also a good ruler and has a conscience too.

With these more layered antagonists, as long as the show acknowledges their complications (which this one mostly does), I find that they generally add depth and thoughtfulness, but at the same time make it harder on my emotions as I can’t decide who to root against and how I want things to ideally end.

As the plot moves forward with revenge and restitution, it also slowly reveals past events. I think this is done well, with just the right hints so that we know the right amount as the story develops. The gradual unveil also builds up a decent amount of pathos.

As I was watching, my main complaints were that I felt uncomfortably sympathetic to the troubled Prince Li, and somewhere in the 20s of episodes they kill off a character I liked. These are actually fairly minor and I did really enjoy many parts of the show, like watching the leads heal and support each other, and following the story of the FL’s mental and emotional state.

But, less concretely, I also just wasn’t that into the show. Most of the character and relationship development- things I really enjoy- seemed to be in the first third of the show (aside from the Lishan arc much later in, which I did really like). By the middle, I was already losing interest. Actually a lot of the plot is simply about power struggles, none of it that special. It felt like the plot turned very procedural, eg unraveling schemes and executing revenge. There are splashes of meaningfulness and insight, like with the multidimensional antagonists or the healing process the FL needs to go through. But the rest of it just didn’t engage my emotions that much. I found myself taking lots of breaks as well as watching it sped up.

Actually, the show has some pretty great side characters that I did get emotionally attached to. I liked the leads but stopped caring that much about them, so I was excited for these side character developments- only to have them promptly abandoned by the plot. Some of them did not even get a wrap-up by the end.

Also, the final arc is quite weak, just too one-dimensional and boring. I would say that I had already lost a significant amount of interest by then, but at that point it became a true struggle to watch, even at 1.5X speed. I agree with another comment that this screenwriter- whose previous works I’ve enjoyed- is not good at sticking the landing for her shows.

For the acting, I thought it was fine. People did a good job, though I didn’t notice anything particularly impressive. The production is in general good, like top-tier stuff. The fight choreo and execution are quite good, a bit brutal at times. I did think, though, that this is not the best styling or camera angles for either Cheng Lei or Bai Lu. I feel like I’ve seen them both looking better in other shows. But to be fair, I’d rather a show focus on other things than making the actors look good.

For music, I thought the OST is ok- not bad, but probably nothing I’d listen to afterwards. But I really love the BGM, especially but not limited to that contemporary-sounding violin piece. It’s not my usual style, but it just created such delicious tension. There are also other really nice BGMs.

On balance I’m giving this show a 7 (“Entertained but not a masterpiece”), reflecting that I really liked the character and relationship development that we did get, but my enjoyment was significantly muddied by a lot of less riveting plotlines that I didn’t quite care for. And unfortunately most of the good stuff was at the beginning so it is less forefront in my memory. Even the pathos of the late-arriving Lishan arc is nullified by the agony of struggling through the last story arc not too long afterwards. The production (mainly the music) is almost good enough for me to give it a bump... but not really.

ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS





This show has a happy ending. Some side characters die throughout the second half, which is slightly upsetting, but the major characters make it through. The conflicts are resolved into pretty much the best outcome the leads could hope for, they should be satisfied. We do not get a view of the future, but the show still ties up nicely with a bit of reflection (FL voiceover) and then a bit of hope (Lishan opening again).

MORE MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD





Well. The leads might be satisfied, but *I* wasn’t satisfied. Prince Li is the final boss, but his arc lacks depth. Neither side acknowledges the complications of his situation- just poof, forgotten, so much for multidimensional antagonist- and even Bai Lu’s expression in her final confrontation with him is weirdly neutral.

The show does a better job with the empress dowager, because there is some discussion of the complications of HER situation. But actually, I rather objected to how that all ended up shaking out, with her so heavily and publicly condemned. I think I have more sympathy for her than Ye Li or the other characters, seeing how her evils were partially shaped by institutional sexism and limited opportunities for women, and that she continues to be judged more harshly than all the historical men who also rose to power via bloodbath- both points she made that nobody else in the show seems to acknowledge.

Do her good and bad deeds offset? Ye Li, and the emperor, and the court, all say no. But as a modern person, the institutional sexism probably bothers me more than it would bother the characters in their historical setting. And I kind of don't think it's fair to dismiss all the progressive changes she made as a wise ruler.

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good story however

. The story unfolds in a fantastical realm where political intrigue and personal dilemmas collide. At the center of this tale is a young woman named Elara, whose life is intricately bound to a man named Kael. From the onset, we learn that Elara's family is entangled in a significant debt to Kael’s family, a situation that casts a shadow over her budding feelings for him. The stakes are high; not only is Elara’s heart on the line, but her family’s honor and wellbeing are also at risk.

Elara is portrayed as a strong yet vulnerable character, navigating her emotions amidst her family’s obligations. Her love for Kael grows quietly, woven into the fabric of her daily life, filled with stolen glances and moments of shared laughter. However, the weight of her family's debt looms large, creating a tension that permeates their interactions. The narrative does an excellent job of illustrating Elara’s internal struggle, torn between her feelings for Kael and her loyalty to her family.

As the story progresses, we are introduced to a young king and a ruthless queen, adding layers of complexity to the plot. The king, though young, is depicted as wise beyond his years, skilled in the art of governance and warfare. His relationship with the queen is fraught with tension; she is ambitious and often brutal in her pursuit of power. This dynamic introduces an additional layer of conflict, as Elara becomes unwittingly entangled in the broader political machinations of the kingdom.

The pacing of the story is generally well-executed, maintaining a balance between character development and plot progression. However, there are moments where the narrative feels sluggish, particularly in the middle sections. While the early stages effectively build tension and intrigue, the middle acts occasionally meander, causing the story to lose some momentum.

The climax reveals the true nature of the family’s debt and its implications for Elara and Kael’s relationship. It’s a pivotal moment that ties together the various threads of the narrative, shedding light on the sacrifices that Elara must make. However, it is in this moment of revelation that the story falters for me. The resolution feels somewhat rushed, and the ending lacks the emotional punch that the build-up promises. While I appreciate the complexity of the themes explored—loyalty, love, and sacrifice—the conclusion leaves much to be desired.

Despite my reservations about the ending, the story is rich in detail and character development. Elara’s journey is both relatable and poignant, and the world-building is immersive. The interactions between characters are often sharp and engaging, showcasing the author’s skill in crafting dialogue that feels authentic.

In terms of re-watchability, I would classify this story as a "double watch." It’s an enjoyable experience with enough compelling elements to warrant a second viewing, particularly for those who appreciate character-driven narratives. However, it may not be a top choice for everyone, especially if one seeks a more satisfying resolution.

In conclusion, while this tale offers a captivating exploration of love and duty set against a backdrop of political strife, it ultimately falls short in delivering a fulfilling ending. While it may not be my first choice for repeated viewings, it certainly has its merits, especially for viewers drawn to stories of complicated relationships and moral dilemmas. If you enjoy intricate plots and character studies, this story may still resonate with you, even if the ending leaves something to be desired.

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It was good but

I have finally completed this drama. The story overall was okay, but it was rather slow-paced for a kind of revenge drama (In the trailer, it looked really fast-paced; unfortunately, it was not). While around ep 23ish, I started another drama (it was also 40 ep) TFJ was too slow, I ended up finishing that drama before this (it was Meet Yourself)
Some parts I loved were the FL acting when she actually found out everyone died, I cried, and also the ending when she saw everyone again; I also teared up.
But this drama, the story was wonderful, how it was paced was not my cup of tea, so I give this an 8.5/10

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The First Jasmine: Quiet Beauty, Unfinished Hearts

The First Jasmine (helmed by Bai Lu and Cheng Lei) chronicles the journey of Ye Li and her new life after marrying the crown Prince Ding, Mo Xiaoyu. It is a quiet slice-of-life drama with a lingering mystery and revenge storyline that slowly unfolds amid romantic and political entanglements among the four leads.

It’s very rare to find a slice-of-life story revolving around such anti-heroes. Ye Li appears happy and a go-getter, seemingly relieved to leave the secluded mountain she has lived on for the past eight years. But as the story unfolds, you find her to be quite quirky and, at times, even a bit creepy.

Altogether, the drama’s strength lies in this contrast between its calm, understated presentation and the unsettling complexity of its characters. It invites the viewer to sit in the quiet moments, only to gradually reveal that beneath the surface lies something far more unpredictable and morally layered than it first appears.

Technically, the drama uses natural lighting and careful film composition, paired with well-written dialogue that never feels overly dramatic, though it is not always sharply clever. The direction is soft and restrained, relying on subtle micro-expressions and small facial movements to convey character emotions and motives, rather than the loud, declarative performances often found in modern makjang-style dramas. The characters are well crafted, and we find ourselves immersed in the journey of our leads.

Despite everything the drama does right, it still falls flat in terms of character development for both leads. I wanted Ye Li and Prince Li to share more moments tied to their lost childhood connection, but this relationship thread was not explored deeply enough. Even with Ye Li’s disappointment and hatred toward Prince Li, she never fully comes to understand him, which feels like a missed opportunity to elevate the emotional depth of their relationship.

The same applies to Mo Xiaoyu. For him as well, the story misses the chance to meaningfully reconcile his inner conflict about serving an emperor who was responsible for the destruction of his family. The way this was portrayed ultimately doesn’t feel fully believable or emotionally earned, which weakens what could have been one of the drama’s strongest thematic arcs.

Ironically, Prince Li becomes the only character who receives a fully realized character arc, despite his tragic ending.

Perhaps the unfolding of each character—by showing that they were more than what they initially seemed—was intended to create closure, but it ultimately does not successfully deliver a satisfying sense of complete character development for The First Jasmine.

Overall, The First Jasmine is a beautifully crafted drama in tone and execution, but one that ultimately feels emotionally incomplete. Its quiet strength lies in atmosphere and character presentation, yet it struggles to fully pay off the depth it introduces, leaving viewers with admiration for its craft but a lingering sense of unresolved potential.

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Thus drama broke my heart

The struggles that ML and FL faced genuinely broke my heart. This drama has amazing mental health representation. The acting was fantastic. Chang Lei is so expressive and Bai Lu is so beautiful. The leads were both strong, intelligent, capable, and broken. A perfect pairing. The only negative is that the drama felt like it was dragging in the middle. There were also too many filler episodes towards the end. I think the storyline would be too painful for a rewatch, but I loved the gentle, soft romance. It wasn’t filled with spicy scenes, it was more in the looks they exchanged with each other. I can’t wait to watch more of these actors’ works

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So Much Potential, So Many Missed Opportunities

What I love most about historical dramas is the beautiful costumes, but here they felt so underwhelming and, honestly, quite uncommon for a production of this level. The women’s costumes especially were disappointing. Some of them looked cheap, and the wedding dress in particular was probably one of the most underwhelming ones I’ve seen in a historical drama. It was supposed to be one of the most beautiful moments visually, yet the dress looked surprisingly inexpensive.

The story itself had huge potential, but unfortunately, I felt that the chemistry between Ye Li and Mo Xiu Yao was far too soft. I’m not even sure how to explain it properly, because it wasn’t necessarily that they had no chemistry at all—it just never felt natural or intense enough to me.

And honestly, I can’t blame Li Cheng for that. From everything I’ve watched from him so far, his performances have been outstanding, especially when it comes to his interactions with female leads. His chemistry with his co-stars usually feels extremely natural, effortless, and convincing.

With Bai Lu, however, I felt something was missing. And this is not the first time I’ve had this problem with her recent dramas. I had a similar feeling while watching Only for Love with Dylan Wang and Arsenal Military Academy with Xu Kai. In both cases, I found the chemistry between her and the male lead somewhat off.

I also have to mention her crying scenes, because those bothered me quite a lot. And before anyone thinks I’m simply a Bai Lu hater: I’m really not. This is purely about her performance as an actress. I’m judging what I see on screen, just like I would with any other actor or actress.

Sometimes I actually feel that newer actresses are doing a better job at making their characters and relationships feel natural. For example, in Love Between Fairy and Devil, I know many people found the female lead childish or forced, but personally, I thought her behavior felt incredibly natural for the character. More importantly, the interactions between the two leads felt spontaneous and believable.

That’s why Mo Li was especially frustrating for me. It’s not about having unrealistic expectations or wanting a perfect romance. The problem was the chemistry. And unfortunately, that chemistry was important enough to damage what could have otherwise been a masterpiece.

I also felt that the video quality was a little underwhelming compared with some of the more recent dramas I’ve been watching. It wasn’t terrible, but visually it definitely didn’t feel as polished.

And then we get to one of my biggest frustrations: the heroine finally gets an amazing battle scene, and what happens? The hero comes to save her. 😭

Why?!

There were so many opportunities to let Ye Li shine on her own. She was finally having a moment where she could demonstrate her strength and competence, and instead the drama fell back into the classic “hero saves the heroine” trope, as if she couldn’t win using her own abilities.

That was honestly so annoying.

And just when I thought that, toward the final episode, the chemistry between Ye Li and Xiu Yao was finally starting to improve… it was already too late.

At that point, I really wanted more scenes between them. More conversations, more emotional development, more moments where we could actually see their relationship grow.

But instead, they filled the final episodes with scenes involving almost every side character imaginable. 😭

Like… we waited all this time for the main couple, and THIS is how you use the remaining screen time?

Overall, I don’t think this drama was bad. Quite the opposite: it had so much potential. That’s exactly why the problems bothered me so much. The story, characters, and world had the ingredients to create something truly memorable, but the weak chemistry, disappointing costumes, underused heroine, and excessive focus on side characters kept it from reaching its full potential.

It could have been a masterpiece. Instead, I’m left thinking about everything it could have been.

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Slice of Life with a Side of Mystery

The story is very slow. As one reviewer noted, the plot is largely flat, focusing instead on the slow-burn relationship between the main characters. While Ye Li’s revenge and the Lishan Mountain storyline exist, they remain in the background of the romance, their everyday lives, and court politics.

Points to Note
1. The arc with the Cangbei princess, her cross-dressing romance, and the maid felt like drawn-out filler. A long-winded way to bring Mo Jingli back into the picture

2. Ye Li's sister, Ye Ying, I didn't care much for her largely because I am averse to spoiled characters who feel like they are owed something. But if her story teaches us anything, it's never to love anyone more than you love or value yourself and your safety. I am glad she didn't lose her life at the hands of or because of that man and his enemies.

3. The story loses its momentum once the divorce happens. It is already a slow drama to begin with, but once this arc hits, everything feels like it's moving at a snail's pace. I will say, I watched episodes 37–40 at 1.5x speed to finish it.
PS. I did enjoy the Lishan arc that happened in the midst of all this. While she is basically miraculously cured after being forced to confront the trauma, I enjoyed seeing Ye Li's mental health issues brought to the forefront.

Final Thoughts:
I was able to finish this because I wanted something slower. Something to help me fall asleep at night (slice of life dramas/movies/anime do that to me). Had I had different expectations, I'd have dropped it

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Grounded period saga with a resilient heroine, held back by a sluggish middle and flat finish

First Jasmine has all the ingredients of a compelling, prestigious period saga. With an overarching narrative rooted in historical grit and human survival, the drama opens on a remarkably strong note. Anchored by an admirable, resilient female lead whose quiet dignity commands respect, the early episodes build genuine emotional investment. However, a sagging middle act, absent romantic chemistry, and a central mystery that fails to finesse its landing keep this series from achieving greatness, landing it at an uneven but respectable 7.0/10.

The strongest asset of the production is its gritty atmosphere and the female lead's personal journey. Her sheer fortitude in enduring shifting fortunes and unrelenting hardship is deeply compelling. She brings an authentic gravitas to the screen, ensuring that her struggle feels human and grounded rather than purely melodramatic. Coupled with richly textured period set pieces, the beginning establishes high stakes and clear narrative promise.

Where the drama begins to lose its grip is in the middle stretch. The narrative momentum decelerates significantly, getting bogged down in cyclical conflicts, administrative squabbles, and repetitive misery that feel more like padding than purposeful progression. Compounding this lull is the lack of romantic chemistry between the leads; while both actors are capable individually, their shared screen presence lacks spark or emotional warmth, reading strictly as circumstantial survival rather than a dynamic partnership.

Furthermore, the central driving hook—the curiosity surrounding the tragic secret in her past—suffers from poor pacing. By stretching the buildup across so many episodes, expectations skyrocket. When the truth is finally revealed, the execution lacks dramatic finesse and emotional resonance, landing with an anticlimactic "oh, ok" rather than a devastating revelation.

Overall, First Jasmine is a decent historical watch with a strong beginning and a deeply resilient heroine. While the middle is a bit of an endurance test and the final payoff falls short of its buildup, the foundational story and lead performance make it a worthwhile 7/10 for fans of the genre.

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​A Masterpiece That Fumbled Its Final Sprint

I have so much to say about this drama, but I will try to keep it brief. Moli had all the ingredients to be, by far, THE drama of the year. For a huge chunk of the series, it was genuinely funny, the characters were insanely well-written, and the leads shared incredible chemistry. But then, it fumbled. The last 6–7 episodes completely lost momentum, and it felt like the writing lost track of its own purpose.

What drew me in initially was that, for the first time, we had a female lead whose vengeance wasn't just a side plot, it was her life's mission. She was actively working to destroy the lives of the people who hurt her, and I loved her for it. Her character had so many dimensions, and the inclusion of her schizophrenia was handled with insane nuance.

As for the Male Lead, he wasn't just a green flag at first, he was the entire forest. He was deeply supportive, gentle, and understanding. He was there for her whenever she needed him, and together, they allowed each other to feel loved again after their respective tragic pasts. Their relationship felt so mature that I was completely invested.

...Until he had his little over-the-top dramatic moment and divorced her. I might have accepted that plot point with any other FL, but not when he knew exactly how sick, lonely, and incapable of being by herself she was. Out of nowhere, he has a mental breakdown, decides he can't live without her, finds out she is schizophrenic, and then runs to the mountains for a redemption arc. The fact that she forgave him instantly, seemingly not even remembering that he had completely let her down, felt incredibly sad. The audience was left holding the resentment she couldn't. It was obvious the divorce arc was just a cheap excuse to get him into the mountains, but it could have been handled so differently.

After that shift, the spark vanished. I don't know if it was because of the betrayal, or because their relationship suddenly felt like siblings. The plotline with the aphrodisiac incense gave me a total ick. Why does a husband need a chemical gimmick to sleep with his wife if they are supposedly madly in love? I know historical dramas love this trope, but here it felt regressive; he was practically hiding and incapable of just approaching his own wife. They randomly stopped having chemistry, a problem made worse by choppy editing. It felt like many kissing scenes were cut, leaving us with jarring jumps from one scene to the next.

By the end, the writers fell into the classic trap: they traded her agency for a "happy ending." Turning a fierce, independent woman who survived absolute horror into a passive figure who just watches her husband run her dream academy completely defeats the purpose of her arc. Peace doesn't have to mean powerlessness, and the show forgot that.

Overall, I am still happy with the drama's success, even if certain things could have been much better. The leads did a fantastic job. I normally hated the ML's acting in The Legend of the female general, and I couldn't even finish Story of Kunning Palace because of Bai Lu and Zhang Linghe’s acting. However, I was pleasantly surprised here. It just goes to show that sometimes actors don't need to change, they just need a great director to pull out a nuanced performance.
Moli is a great ride that unfortunately traded its boundary-breaking agency for lazy, safe clichés at the finish line, but it remains a testament to what good directing can achieve.

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