The First Jasmine

MY LULU AND LEILEI! Is a PERFECT MATCH!!! Love them so much!?

I’ve really been enjoying The First Jasmine so far. The storyline is engaging, and what stands out to me the most is how carefully every character has been written. You can tell that a lot of attention has been paid to even the smallest details, which makes the story feel more immersive and meaningful.

As usual, every episode brings its own story, emotions, and character development. No episode feels repetitive because each one adds a new layer to the journey of the characters, making me even more invested in their growth and relationships.

The production quality, cinematography, and OST are also beautifully done and add so much emotion to the drama. Im still hoping for a happy ending, but we’ll have to wait and see how the story unfolds.

On a personal note, Bai Lu has been one of my favorite actresses for years. Many of her dramas are on my rewatch list, and every year i look forward to her new projects. As for Cheng Lei, ive watched several of his dramas before, but it was through The First Jasmine that i truly realized how much i love his charisma and screen presence. He has definitely become one of the male actors who left a strong impression on me.

Overall, i love this drama not only because of the story itself but also because of Bai Lu and Cheng Lei. Cant wait to see how everything ends. Lets continue supporting them and help boost all the ratings! ^^

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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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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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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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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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Not like the novel

Okay, so they have changed Mo Jing Li character a lot compared to the novel. They made him out ot be a victim when in the novel he is not . In the novel his character is just vile and self serving. Ye Li in the novel is a lady of hidden tallents and a lot stronger not as strong as amna but she could hold her own. A huge plus is her memories from her pervious life as a special agent solider. She retains this knowledge in this world from the morder world. so she knows different fighting techniques from the mordern world. It would have been nice if they had stuck to the novel. Anyway dropping this series. It does not help when the change things so much from the novel to the drama. Really dont see the chemistry between the two main leads it is there a little but I think Ye Li is trying a lot more in the drama. Pring Ding was a lot colder in the novel as he could stand fron the start and hid the fact so he could work for the emperor behind the scene.

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A Gentle Masterpiece

This drama is more than just revenge.

I actually finished The First Jasmine last Monday, but I didn't have the time to write a review. Maybe that's a good thing because I'm no longer writing with fresh emotions. I can finally look back at the drama as a whole.

When I first heard about Mo Li, I had no expectations. I never read the novel or even the synopsis. I only knew it was Bai Lu and Cheng Lei's upcoming drama (I think this was around the time Legend of the Female General finished airing). Going in, I honestly thought it would just be another historical revenge story with a touch of romance. And I was perfectly fine with that.

But as the episodes went on, I found myself becoming more fascinated with the characters than the plot itself. I think this is also why some viewers felt the pacing was slow. To me, the drama leans more toward a slice-of-life approach than a fast-paced revenge drama. It takes its time to let every major character breathe, giving each of them their own story, flaws, and complexities.

That's probably why the divorce arc sparked so much discussion. I still stand by my opinion regarding that storyline, since I also learned to understand both of the leads. I haven't cried this much for any drama this 2026. Also, as viewers, we often forget that we're watching from a 3rd person perspective. That very advantage allows us to see both sides instead of choosing one over the other. I appreciate that the drama explored this kind of topic and story, especially in a historical setting.

Another thing I loved was how cohesive the story felt. It never became messy or overcomplicated. It didn't need for us to explain the story to the other viewers. The storytelling was straightforward, reminding me of older C-dramas where the narrative was allowed to unfold naturally, with both climactic moments and quieter, anti-climactic ones.

I also appreciated that the ending gave us enough time to simply watch the leads live in peace. I know some viewers may have wanted more action, but I personally loved it. Although the drama blends politics and romance, the romance itself never felt flashy or overly sweet. It was healing. It was gentle. It was a love built on sacrifice, forgiveness, understanding, and finding comfort in one another. That's something we don't often get to see.

As for the political storyline, I do think Mo Jingli's rebellion could have been developed further. The conflict and war between the factions deserved more time instead of being shown through brief sequences. Even so, I'm glad the spotlight remained on him during the rebellion. I've also seen people say they felt sorry for Mo Jingli. Personally, I didn't. Having the rightful claim to the throne doesn't automatically make someone worthy of it. He pursued power with the same cruelty as the Empress Dowager, and to me, he never deserved to rule.

As for Guo Jin, I know many viewers wanted her to suffer longer. But I actually think her ending was fitting. Despite everything she did, dying because of something she could no longer control felt poetic. In the end, time is the one thing that even power cannot control.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this drama. I loved the main characters, their friends, the seniors, and even the Han brothers. The only storyline I wish had been explored more was Princess Lingyun story. It had so much potential.

For me, The First Jasmine is one of the best dramas I've watched in 2026, and I've recommended to some friends.

If I could leave one piece of advice before you watch it, it would be this: keep an open mind. This isn't a drama about picking sides. It's a story that asks you to understand people, their choices, and the burdens they carry. And I think that's what makes it so memorable.

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A phycological drama following 2 lonely souls find their heal in each other while seeking revenge.

it took me a while to write this review since it's my first review about a drama ever, but i feel i need to write this ... this drama truly deserve more hype.. here's an honest review of what to expect from this drama

FIRST,

*The drama story telling; to have an actual "FL POV" turly done well ...*

if your a person who likes reading novels and unravel the true events chapter by chapter this drama will certainly get you hooked.

i find this style of story telling of this specific drama is to be realty unique and brilliant and one of kind in the c drama. The complex narrative of this drama is what makes not everyone cup of tea ..
The narrative follows the FL all the way to the end of the drama so don't expect everything to be spilled to you from first few eps. The turn is the FL herself having a mental illness makes her unreliable narrator of the story. And our understanding of the story will only be from what the FL understand about her world and so the plot will always feel a little incomplete [like we actually don't know exactly what happened in the past except from FL perspective] until the FL discovers what's actually happened in the past herself [and us with her] and then also the other characters.


*As for the ROMANCE*

Characters having their first meet in their wedding night...
both being deeply broken with insecurities...
both focusing on their revenge as main goal...

The romance in this drama is also not typical yearning trop, but mature respectful one with ML bein total green flag (sometimes scolding FL..).
having established that the romance in this drama is slow burn, you need to focus on their micro-expression and their EYES looking to each other.. there's not much kissing scenes but you will find your self getting blushed, burying your face in a pillow..

you can expect:
- FL being so direct with ML initiating skinship, hug him, sleep on his leg so suddenly and early on before they're close.
- ML getting flustered onetime telling her to leave his house if she don't like it and the second minute get a side smile from her touch.
- The intimacy level between the leads will make you caught yourself smiling to the screen as if invading their privacy. Both being venerable about their insecurities with each other..
lots and lots of pillow talk and a good communication with rarely any misunderstanding (expect one to move the plot forward and resolved very fast).
- Other than physical touch, we also got all other forms of love expression:
act of serves, words of affirmation (ml making sure to ask FL if she still feel lonely if she's happy, if she's healthy),
husband returning home everyday with pastries to his wife (especially when he's in trouble).
-They will start acting like old married couple with lots and lots of soft moments that shows them being so in love with each other, being intimidate and real as husband and wife having a true bonding moment


*As for the plot, *

It's not related to the novel, BUT better than the original novel.
The plot is not for unmature people who looking for a simple romcom. it's slow paced romance between a mentally ill wife and a physically ill husband with intense political revenge (and dark humor).

the story revolves around main characters planning their revenge due to some incidents that happened in the past during a point of turning the power in the empirical balance results in main characters along with others being victims as they are caught in the middle of the fight. you should expect to see a empirical conflict just like any other historical drama. however, you need to be paint with the plot as the true events unravel slowly as the episodes goes. i would say don't expect to understand the revenge lore from the start we still didn't get the whole idea until all events unravel in later episodes.

Although the drama started with a wedding and FL fill first killing whoever missed with her husband and ML starting to fall down bad for his wife, this drama hits your emotions soo deeply with the story mainly focus on portraying other venerable emotions so be ready to cry with the characters as they try to heal each other.
you would see very strong character who are very educated or holding high ranks being broken and vulnerable only with each others as husband and wife yarning for love in their lonely live without releasing until they met.

The drama also conveyed some deep topics like death very good. while other criticize it for being always sad, i found it to be very comforting and as ML talked about it very gently soothing FL about the topic leaving you genuinely touched by his talk.

The plot also included messages about true good shouldn't be build on others sacrifice, and that people can't get a way without held accountable even if they made a good ruling afterwards, the cycle of bullying and forming aligns within the palace.

gotta say this is the first ever c drama that i feel is really mature in plot and delivery even as a person who like silly romcom, the vibe of this drama makes you can't move on once you finished it, it's the most c drama with touching events, characters being mature, real, and relevant in their grieve, love, anger, sadness, seeking justice.


*Finally, for the acting and filming*

for Bailu, i seriously can't imagine any other actress doing that role.. still i believe that role are my favorite for her so far o vulnerable and strong at the same time proving again how excellent she is.

For chenglei, he's a true master of micro expression.
i believe that MoLi is his second major hit role. His role in MoLi was different from a usual typical romcom drama but he showed that his acting abilities could be handle a complex phycological plot. His character showed different range of emotions and vulnerability that wasn't just about acting like a strong ML but also made his role [and overall all the drama vibes] to have a sense of being "real" or a relatable at some level with little talking.

For the director and writers they truly did a masterpiece.. making an adaption serious is always difficult given the expectation they had to deal with.. but here she was not only able to make a work that actually stand on it's own but even better than novel in some aspects...

*Also the director made sure to make this drama the most realistic drama in production now !! actors with no face filters and their real voices you could heat their breathing and crying just make it much more whole*

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