This review may contain spoilers
The First Jasmine Review: A Story of Healing, Strategy and a Love Built on Trust
As a Bai Lu fan, "The First Jasmine" was an absolute must-watch for me, especially with Cheng Lei as her co-star. I had only recently become familiar with Cheng Lei through two of his previous dramas, and this series further proved why he's one of the rising actors to watch.
At first glance, the story may seem like a familiar historical romance, but what sets it apart is its exploration of two seemingly perfect yet deeply flawed characters.
Ye Li, the female lead, is the only granddaughter of the headmaster of the world-renowned Lishan Academy. She is exceptionally intelligent, elegant, beautiful, and comes from a prestigious and wealthy family. On the other hand, Mo Xiuyao, the Ding Prince, is a handsome prince, a celebrated general, a dependable leader, and one of the most powerful men in the empire. However, after suffering devastating injuries in battle, he is left crippled, while political conspiracies bring ruin to his family.
Following the massacre at Lishan Academy, Ye Li is left with profound psychological trauma. Her grief manifests through haunting visions and hallucinations of her loved ones. It's rare to see a historical drama portray the lasting effects of trauma and mental health with such emotional depth, especially in a genre where these topics are often overlooked.
One irony I particularly appreciated is Ye Li's family background. Both of her parents are, in different ways, deeply flawed. Her father is weak, spineless, and easily manipulated, while her mother—despite being the beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished daughter of the Headmaster of Lishan Academy—made the tragic mistake of falling in love with and marrying the wrong man. Their shortcomings serve as a stark contrast to Ye Li, who inherited her mother's brilliance but possessed the strength, wisdom, and emotional resilience that neither of her parents fully demonstrated.
**The Cast**
Bai Lu never disappoints. Her performance here is subtle, restrained, and quietly powerful, reminding me of her portrayal in *One and Only*. It is the complete opposite of her naturally cheerful and bubbly personality. There are no traces of Bai Lu herself or her previous characters—only Ye Li. For me, Bai Lu truly shines when she delivers these calm, gentle, emotionally layered performances.
Ye Li's intelligence also becomes her greatest weapon. As the prized disciple of Lishan Academy's great masters, she excels in medicine, martial arts, chess, mathematics, astrology, and military strategy. She rarely relies on brute force; instead, she overcomes challenges through wisdom, composure, and careful planning. More importantly, she gradually becomes Prince Yao's greatest weapon and most trusted ally. Initially, she works behind the scenes as his "unknown ally," quietly dismantling their enemies through strategy and intelligence rather than force. I especially enjoyed that Ye Li was the first to fall in love. Their romance developed naturally because it was built on mutual respect, shared ideals, and a common goal: eliminating the enemies who had destroyed the people they loved. Their relationship never felt forced—it grew through trust, partnership, and unwavering support for one another.
What I also loved was that Ye Li was the one who fell in love first. Her admiration for Prince Yao grew naturally from witnessing his integrity, courage, and unwavering sense of responsibility. Even after they had spent time apart, she travelled a great distance simply because she missed him, making it clear that her feelings had already taken root long before he fully realised his own. I found this refreshing because historical dramas often portray the male lead as the one who falls first.
Prince Yao, on the other hand, gradually and unknowingly became completely dependent on her presence. Once he realised how important she was, he would become visibly agitated whenever he couldn't find her for too long. Every time he returned from military affairs or court, one of the first questions he asked was where Ye Li was. He would even hurry home just to see her. Watching the once-feared and stoic Ding Prince become quietly lovestruck, protective, and almost childishly clingy around his wife was one of the sweetest parts of the drama. Their romance wasn't built on grand declarations but on countless small moments that revealed just how deeply they had become each other's home.
Cheng Lei impressed me once again. While his performance here is more restrained than in some of his previous roles, he conveys every emotion effectively—from his fierce and commanding presence as the Ding Prince to his quiet vulnerability as a husband. One of his greatest strengths is his expressive eyes. His affectionate gaze whenever he looks at Ye Li speaks volumes without words. Watching the once-feared prince become completely lovestruck and adorably clingy to his wife was one of the sweetest aspects of the series. He is totally whipped when Ye Li acts cute to him and he find it hard to say No to her. One particularly memorable moment was when he asked Ye Li to leave him and even suggested they divorce, believing she deserved a better future. Ultimately, they became each other's light, helping one another heal from their emotional scars.
Personally, I still think Cheng Lei showed his widest acting range in "How Dare You?!". That drama allowed him to completely let loose—switching effortlessly between hilarious comedy, fierce intensity, vulnerability, timidity, jealousy, and an irresistibly clingy side. In comparison, his performance in "The First Jasmine" is much more restrained, but that restraint suits Mo Xiuyao's character. He portrays a prince who has learned to suppress his emotions beneath a calm and dignified exterior, making the rare moments when he does show vulnerability all the more impactful.
Some of the supporting cast, however, did not leave as strong an impression except the actor who portrayed Jin, Prince Yao's sidekick. Although I appreciate that the series gave many actors significant exposure, I felt that the performances of the Emperor, Prince Li, and Zuide lacked the emotional weight their important roles required. It felt like a missed opportunity, as stronger portrayals could have elevated several key moments in the story.
** Production**
The cinematography, costumes, and musical score are all beautifully executed. Every visual element enhances the emotional atmosphere, making many scenes even more memorable.
One of my favourite aspects of the drama is its use of symbolism.
The straw dolls Ye Li prepared while waiting outside the gates of Lishan before beginning her journey were especially meaningful. They represented the people she had lost and the burden of revenge she carried. She resolved that once her revenge was complete, she would pull them apart and let the wind carry them away—a beautiful symbol of finally letting go.
I also noticed the recurring gesture where Ye Li and other characters dipped their fingers into their wine before flicking a few drops away prior to drinking. This reflects the traditional practice of offering a libation as a sign of respect to Heaven, the ancestors, or the spirits before taking a drink.
Another unforgettable symbol throughout the series is the wild monkeys. They are far more than just animals; they represent Ye Li's deepest trauma connected to the tragedy at Lishan. One of the most touching scenes is when she imagines her grandfather and her fellow disciples warning her not to go beyond the back mountain because of the monkeys. When Prince Yao later takes her there and gently shows her that there are no monkeys waiting for her—that he will always be by her side—it becomes a powerful moment of healing. She finally begins to confront the fear that had haunted her ever since the massacre.
The final scene at Lishan was, for me, one of the most emotional moments in the entire drama. After the academy is restored, Ye Li sees her grandfather and her Lishan family one last time. Just as she lingers with them, she hears Prince Yao urgently calling her name, pulling her back to reality. Her grandfather silently gives her his blessing to let go of the past and return to the life waiting for her. It was a beautiful, bittersweet farewell that perfectly concluded her emotional journey.
Overall, The First Jasmine is far more than a historical romance. It is a story about grief, healing, resilience, and finding hope after unimaginable loss. While not every supporting performance was equally compelling, Bai Lu and Cheng Lei carried the drama beautifully with a tight story even showing POV's. Their understated chemistry, layered performances, and the series' thoughtful symbolism made this one of my favourite historical dramas of the year.
Some love stories are written with grand gestures. The First Jasmine reminds us that the deepest love is often found in quiet companionship—when two broken people become each other's home
At first glance, the story may seem like a familiar historical romance, but what sets it apart is its exploration of two seemingly perfect yet deeply flawed characters.
Ye Li, the female lead, is the only granddaughter of the headmaster of the world-renowned Lishan Academy. She is exceptionally intelligent, elegant, beautiful, and comes from a prestigious and wealthy family. On the other hand, Mo Xiuyao, the Ding Prince, is a handsome prince, a celebrated general, a dependable leader, and one of the most powerful men in the empire. However, after suffering devastating injuries in battle, he is left crippled, while political conspiracies bring ruin to his family.
Following the massacre at Lishan Academy, Ye Li is left with profound psychological trauma. Her grief manifests through haunting visions and hallucinations of her loved ones. It's rare to see a historical drama portray the lasting effects of trauma and mental health with such emotional depth, especially in a genre where these topics are often overlooked.
One irony I particularly appreciated is Ye Li's family background. Both of her parents are, in different ways, deeply flawed. Her father is weak, spineless, and easily manipulated, while her mother—despite being the beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished daughter of the Headmaster of Lishan Academy—made the tragic mistake of falling in love with and marrying the wrong man. Their shortcomings serve as a stark contrast to Ye Li, who inherited her mother's brilliance but possessed the strength, wisdom, and emotional resilience that neither of her parents fully demonstrated.
**The Cast**
Bai Lu never disappoints. Her performance here is subtle, restrained, and quietly powerful, reminding me of her portrayal in *One and Only*. It is the complete opposite of her naturally cheerful and bubbly personality. There are no traces of Bai Lu herself or her previous characters—only Ye Li. For me, Bai Lu truly shines when she delivers these calm, gentle, emotionally layered performances.
Ye Li's intelligence also becomes her greatest weapon. As the prized disciple of Lishan Academy's great masters, she excels in medicine, martial arts, chess, mathematics, astrology, and military strategy. She rarely relies on brute force; instead, she overcomes challenges through wisdom, composure, and careful planning. More importantly, she gradually becomes Prince Yao's greatest weapon and most trusted ally. Initially, she works behind the scenes as his "unknown ally," quietly dismantling their enemies through strategy and intelligence rather than force. I especially enjoyed that Ye Li was the first to fall in love. Their romance developed naturally because it was built on mutual respect, shared ideals, and a common goal: eliminating the enemies who had destroyed the people they loved. Their relationship never felt forced—it grew through trust, partnership, and unwavering support for one another.
What I also loved was that Ye Li was the one who fell in love first. Her admiration for Prince Yao grew naturally from witnessing his integrity, courage, and unwavering sense of responsibility. Even after they had spent time apart, she travelled a great distance simply because she missed him, making it clear that her feelings had already taken root long before he fully realised his own. I found this refreshing because historical dramas often portray the male lead as the one who falls first.
Prince Yao, on the other hand, gradually and unknowingly became completely dependent on her presence. Once he realised how important she was, he would become visibly agitated whenever he couldn't find her for too long. Every time he returned from military affairs or court, one of the first questions he asked was where Ye Li was. He would even hurry home just to see her. Watching the once-feared and stoic Ding Prince become quietly lovestruck, protective, and almost childishly clingy around his wife was one of the sweetest parts of the drama. Their romance wasn't built on grand declarations but on countless small moments that revealed just how deeply they had become each other's home.
Cheng Lei impressed me once again. While his performance here is more restrained than in some of his previous roles, he conveys every emotion effectively—from his fierce and commanding presence as the Ding Prince to his quiet vulnerability as a husband. One of his greatest strengths is his expressive eyes. His affectionate gaze whenever he looks at Ye Li speaks volumes without words. Watching the once-feared prince become completely lovestruck and adorably clingy to his wife was one of the sweetest aspects of the series. He is totally whipped when Ye Li acts cute to him and he find it hard to say No to her. One particularly memorable moment was when he asked Ye Li to leave him and even suggested they divorce, believing she deserved a better future. Ultimately, they became each other's light, helping one another heal from their emotional scars.
Personally, I still think Cheng Lei showed his widest acting range in "How Dare You?!". That drama allowed him to completely let loose—switching effortlessly between hilarious comedy, fierce intensity, vulnerability, timidity, jealousy, and an irresistibly clingy side. In comparison, his performance in "The First Jasmine" is much more restrained, but that restraint suits Mo Xiuyao's character. He portrays a prince who has learned to suppress his emotions beneath a calm and dignified exterior, making the rare moments when he does show vulnerability all the more impactful.
Some of the supporting cast, however, did not leave as strong an impression except the actor who portrayed Jin, Prince Yao's sidekick. Although I appreciate that the series gave many actors significant exposure, I felt that the performances of the Emperor, Prince Li, and Zuide lacked the emotional weight their important roles required. It felt like a missed opportunity, as stronger portrayals could have elevated several key moments in the story.
** Production**
The cinematography, costumes, and musical score are all beautifully executed. Every visual element enhances the emotional atmosphere, making many scenes even more memorable.
One of my favourite aspects of the drama is its use of symbolism.
The straw dolls Ye Li prepared while waiting outside the gates of Lishan before beginning her journey were especially meaningful. They represented the people she had lost and the burden of revenge she carried. She resolved that once her revenge was complete, she would pull them apart and let the wind carry them away—a beautiful symbol of finally letting go.
I also noticed the recurring gesture where Ye Li and other characters dipped their fingers into their wine before flicking a few drops away prior to drinking. This reflects the traditional practice of offering a libation as a sign of respect to Heaven, the ancestors, or the spirits before taking a drink.
Another unforgettable symbol throughout the series is the wild monkeys. They are far more than just animals; they represent Ye Li's deepest trauma connected to the tragedy at Lishan. One of the most touching scenes is when she imagines her grandfather and her fellow disciples warning her not to go beyond the back mountain because of the monkeys. When Prince Yao later takes her there and gently shows her that there are no monkeys waiting for her—that he will always be by her side—it becomes a powerful moment of healing. She finally begins to confront the fear that had haunted her ever since the massacre.
The final scene at Lishan was, for me, one of the most emotional moments in the entire drama. After the academy is restored, Ye Li sees her grandfather and her Lishan family one last time. Just as she lingers with them, she hears Prince Yao urgently calling her name, pulling her back to reality. Her grandfather silently gives her his blessing to let go of the past and return to the life waiting for her. It was a beautiful, bittersweet farewell that perfectly concluded her emotional journey.
Overall, The First Jasmine is far more than a historical romance. It is a story about grief, healing, resilience, and finding hope after unimaginable loss. While not every supporting performance was equally compelling, Bai Lu and Cheng Lei carried the drama beautifully with a tight story even showing POV's. Their understated chemistry, layered performances, and the series' thoughtful symbolism made this one of my favourite historical dramas of the year.
Some love stories are written with grand gestures. The First Jasmine reminds us that the deepest love is often found in quiet companionship—when two broken people become each other's home
Was this review helpful to you?
