44
172
8
1
1
1
6
1
5
6
2
6
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
5
7
Li Shan Academy to the rescue in the 2nd half.....but still a Disappointment
“The First Jasmine” started out with a bang, and I really like the first half of the drama. I was captivated and the plot was moving at a pretty good pace. The first half focuses on setting the stage, introducing all the characters, development of romance and the revenge plot. The second half becomes more political and that’s where the drama falters. If it’s not for the Li Shan Academy arc in the second half, I might have dropped the drama, despite liking both Bai Lu and Cheng Lei as actors.
What I Like:
1. Smart leads - it’s always fun to watch smart main leads trying to outsmart each other, and guess the meaning behind each move. The first half of the drama was fun because Ye Li (FL) and Mo Xiu Yao (ML) are both introduced. Before they got together, it was interesting to see their interaction.
2. Revenge - Although Ye Li seems way too smart, it is without a doubt fun to see her try to take down all those who wronged her and her family. One by one, she seeks revenge, almost happening stealthily behind the scenes, while ML is trying to do the same.
3. Li Shan Academy arc - Without this arc in about ep 30, the second half of the drama would be a total bust. Everything about those few episodes was amazing - the story, the emotions, the acting and the romance. I cried during those few scenes, for ML, for FL and for everyone involved in Li Shan Academy.
4. Action scenes - this is a total surprise. I was not expecting fight scenes in a political revenge drama, but the few scenes they have are quite well-done. Ryan Cheng has a few fights that I was especially excited about.
What I have mixed feelings and don’t like:
1. Main romance - I know I am supposed to be in love with them. Their story is interesting, and their experiences together are supposed to make me fall in love with them individually and as a couple. Unfortunately, I was having a hard time connecting with them. It’s disappointing, because I am a romance lover. Aside from the angst and revelation/confession before the Lin Shan academy arc, I was lukewarm about the romance. I found Bai Lu and Ryan have decent chemistry, but not amazing enough to wow me.
2. Secondary romance - Can I even call it a secondary romance? The Prince Li and Ye Ying relationship is so blah. I would rather see Prince Li more as an obsessive ex-fiance and Ye Ying supposedly in love with this man, and wanting to be the wife to support him.
3. Acting - The acting is not bad, but it’s not amazing either. Bai Lu and Ryan performed to my expectations, and I have seen them done better in other dramas. Usually in dramas as such, I would be praising the veterans. But here, the veterans are also just OK, and no one really wows me. Is it the fault of the writing?
4. Court Politics - Unfortunately, this is the weakest theme and plot of the drama which took up most of the second half of the drama. The politics, though not complicated to understand, are not written in a way that excites me. There aren't any unique plot twists. The Prince Li revenge plot isn’t written well, and him as a character is rather boring. He was more interested as an obsessed ex-fiance than a political mastermind.
5. Characters - I think the biggest reason I am somewhat lukewarm about this drama is that I couldn’t quite connect with each character, especially the supporting characters. A drama can’t just rely on the male and female leads. You need compelling supporting characters (like beautiful green leaves to blossoming flowers). None of the supporting characters and backstories are interesting. I don’t feel happy or sad for them, because I don’t feel like their stories are written well. This is especially true with the 3 villains. Compared to other political dramas, villains fighting for power/throne have to be interesting, smart, and cunning enough for me to be invested in the whole political plot. But unfortunately, they are not shown this way.
I understand many viewers love “The First Jasmine” and it has a current high MDL rating of 8.4 right now. I think maybe not connecting to the characters is a “me” problem. However, the boring writing in the second half is a more objective criticism. It’s not a horrible drama, but a disappointing one when I quite enjoy the first half and the second half bores me. There are flashes of brilliance, but not enough to get a high rating. Because I enjoy the first half and the Li Shan academy arc, I am giving “The First Jasmine” a generous solid 8.0.
Drama Completed: 7/5/2026 Review #702
What I Like:
1. Smart leads - it’s always fun to watch smart main leads trying to outsmart each other, and guess the meaning behind each move. The first half of the drama was fun because Ye Li (FL) and Mo Xiu Yao (ML) are both introduced. Before they got together, it was interesting to see their interaction.
2. Revenge - Although Ye Li seems way too smart, it is without a doubt fun to see her try to take down all those who wronged her and her family. One by one, she seeks revenge, almost happening stealthily behind the scenes, while ML is trying to do the same.
3. Li Shan Academy arc - Without this arc in about ep 30, the second half of the drama would be a total bust. Everything about those few episodes was amazing - the story, the emotions, the acting and the romance. I cried during those few scenes, for ML, for FL and for everyone involved in Li Shan Academy.
4. Action scenes - this is a total surprise. I was not expecting fight scenes in a political revenge drama, but the few scenes they have are quite well-done. Ryan Cheng has a few fights that I was especially excited about.
What I have mixed feelings and don’t like:
1. Main romance - I know I am supposed to be in love with them. Their story is interesting, and their experiences together are supposed to make me fall in love with them individually and as a couple. Unfortunately, I was having a hard time connecting with them. It’s disappointing, because I am a romance lover. Aside from the angst and revelation/confession before the Lin Shan academy arc, I was lukewarm about the romance. I found Bai Lu and Ryan have decent chemistry, but not amazing enough to wow me.
2. Secondary romance - Can I even call it a secondary romance? The Prince Li and Ye Ying relationship is so blah. I would rather see Prince Li more as an obsessive ex-fiance and Ye Ying supposedly in love with this man, and wanting to be the wife to support him.
3. Acting - The acting is not bad, but it’s not amazing either. Bai Lu and Ryan performed to my expectations, and I have seen them done better in other dramas. Usually in dramas as such, I would be praising the veterans. But here, the veterans are also just OK, and no one really wows me. Is it the fault of the writing?
4. Court Politics - Unfortunately, this is the weakest theme and plot of the drama which took up most of the second half of the drama. The politics, though not complicated to understand, are not written in a way that excites me. There aren't any unique plot twists. The Prince Li revenge plot isn’t written well, and him as a character is rather boring. He was more interested as an obsessed ex-fiance than a political mastermind.
5. Characters - I think the biggest reason I am somewhat lukewarm about this drama is that I couldn’t quite connect with each character, especially the supporting characters. A drama can’t just rely on the male and female leads. You need compelling supporting characters (like beautiful green leaves to blossoming flowers). None of the supporting characters and backstories are interesting. I don’t feel happy or sad for them, because I don’t feel like their stories are written well. This is especially true with the 3 villains. Compared to other political dramas, villains fighting for power/throne have to be interesting, smart, and cunning enough for me to be invested in the whole political plot. But unfortunately, they are not shown this way.
I understand many viewers love “The First Jasmine” and it has a current high MDL rating of 8.4 right now. I think maybe not connecting to the characters is a “me” problem. However, the boring writing in the second half is a more objective criticism. It’s not a horrible drama, but a disappointing one when I quite enjoy the first half and the second half bores me. There are flashes of brilliance, but not enough to get a high rating. Because I enjoy the first half and the Li Shan academy arc, I am giving “The First Jasmine” a generous solid 8.0.
Drama Completed: 7/5/2026 Review #702
Was this review helpful to you?
