The First Jasmine Will Stay With Me for a Long Time
The First Jasmine actually finished airing back in June, but I was stuck on episode 39 for the longest time. Not because it got boring, but because I genuinely didn't want it to end. I knew the moment I finished the last episode, I'd have to say goodbye to this story, and I just wasn't ready for that.
At first I watched it for Cheng Lei and Bai Lu, obviously. They're already enough reason to hit play. But after a few episodes, I completely forgot I started because of the cast. Their acting was so good that I got attached to Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li instead. Watching two people who couldn't fully trust each other, yet had to become husband and wife, slowly grow into partners who always understood and completed each other was honestly one of the best parts of the drama.
The cinematography deserves so much love too. Every shot was beautiful, and the battle scenes looked incredible. I was a little sad they didn't include Mo Xiu Yao's final battle because that would've been absolutely insane to watch, but I get it. With the runtime they had, some things had to be sacrificed.
I also loved how this drama could switch from emotional to hilarious so naturally. Ye Li chopping down that tree is still one of the funniest scenes ever. And the moment she casually used Mo Xiu Yao's wheelchair to block the door... I seriously lost it. She was way too brave. Then every time A Yao had to go looking for Ali because she disappeared again, he'd become so unbelievably naggy the second he found her. Those little moments made them feel so real.
The Lishan Mountain arc completely broke me. Seeing Ali fall into hallucinations was painful enough, but what surprised me even more was how the drama handled trauma and mental health. It didn't just use it as a plot device. At first A Yao almost made the wrong choice by trying to force Ali to face everything, but after learning about her past, he changed. He stayed by her side, protected her, and patiently helped her heal instead. I really appreciated how mature that whole storyline was.
This drama also left me with so many messages that actually stay with you after it's over. Everyone has painful memories and things they'd rather forget, but we can't spend our whole lives trapped there. No bad day lasts forever. The sun will always rise again, and better days will eventually come.
That's why one of my favorite lines is when A Yao looked at Ali while she was crying and quietly said, "Ali, the sun has risen." It wasn't only about the sunrise in front of them. It felt like he was telling her that a new day had finally arrived, and it was time to keep moving forward. Such a simple line, but it carried so much meaning.
Now that I've finally finished it, I still don't know if I'm happy or heartbroken. I'm satisfied with the journey, but I already miss these characters so much. This is definitely one of those dramas that leaves an empty feeling after the credits roll. I already know I'll end up rewatching it someday because I'm really not ready to let this drama go.
At first I watched it for Cheng Lei and Bai Lu, obviously. They're already enough reason to hit play. But after a few episodes, I completely forgot I started because of the cast. Their acting was so good that I got attached to Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li instead. Watching two people who couldn't fully trust each other, yet had to become husband and wife, slowly grow into partners who always understood and completed each other was honestly one of the best parts of the drama.
The cinematography deserves so much love too. Every shot was beautiful, and the battle scenes looked incredible. I was a little sad they didn't include Mo Xiu Yao's final battle because that would've been absolutely insane to watch, but I get it. With the runtime they had, some things had to be sacrificed.
I also loved how this drama could switch from emotional to hilarious so naturally. Ye Li chopping down that tree is still one of the funniest scenes ever. And the moment she casually used Mo Xiu Yao's wheelchair to block the door... I seriously lost it. She was way too brave. Then every time A Yao had to go looking for Ali because she disappeared again, he'd become so unbelievably naggy the second he found her. Those little moments made them feel so real.
The Lishan Mountain arc completely broke me. Seeing Ali fall into hallucinations was painful enough, but what surprised me even more was how the drama handled trauma and mental health. It didn't just use it as a plot device. At first A Yao almost made the wrong choice by trying to force Ali to face everything, but after learning about her past, he changed. He stayed by her side, protected her, and patiently helped her heal instead. I really appreciated how mature that whole storyline was.
This drama also left me with so many messages that actually stay with you after it's over. Everyone has painful memories and things they'd rather forget, but we can't spend our whole lives trapped there. No bad day lasts forever. The sun will always rise again, and better days will eventually come.
That's why one of my favorite lines is when A Yao looked at Ali while she was crying and quietly said, "Ali, the sun has risen." It wasn't only about the sunrise in front of them. It felt like he was telling her that a new day had finally arrived, and it was time to keep moving forward. Such a simple line, but it carried so much meaning.
Now that I've finally finished it, I still don't know if I'm happy or heartbroken. I'm satisfied with the journey, but I already miss these characters so much. This is definitely one of those dramas that leaves an empty feeling after the credits roll. I already know I'll end up rewatching it someday because I'm really not ready to let this drama go.
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