The White Olive Tree | Open Thread

A reporter and a bomb specialist extinguish dangers, but ignite sparks (of love) as well. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Chen Zhe Yuan: Li Zan

Liang Jie: Song Ran

Screenwriter

Author: Jiu Yue Xi

Chinese Title

白色橄欖樹

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance

Network: iQIYI

Year: 2025
Episodes: 38

Jump to Remarks | Recs | Comments

Cast

Chen Zhe Yuan: Li Zan	Liang Jie: Song Ran
Wang Tian Chen: Ben Jie Ming	Gu Zi Cheng: Sa Xin
Zheng Ying Chen: Shen Bei	Liu Yong Xi: Pei Xiao Nan
Wang Zhuo Cheng: Jiang Lin	Ding Ying Zhi: Luo Zhan

Romcom/Romance Checklist

[In Progress]

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How much of the plot is angst/romance?

0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

The ML:

Cold–Lukewarm–Warm / Timid / Tsundere / Falls in Love First / Noble Idiot / CEO / General

The FL:

Bold / Cute / Cool & Independent / Falls in Love First / Better than ML / Noble Idiot

Describe the Relationship (the tropes):

Annoying Love (F/M) Rivals +++ / Bickering Start / Childhood Connection / Cohabitation / Contract Marriage or Fake Couple / Enemies to Lovers / Hidden Identity / Harem / Love Triangle / Married Couple (Real) / Rebirth / Secretly in Love (F/ML) / School to Adulthood / Star-Crossed Lovers

Relationship Progress (officially together; first (official) kiss; breakup*):

Ep 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 32 / 33 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 37 / 38

# of CPs (including main CP):
0 / 1 / 2 / 3

Ending: 

Happy / Sad / Open Happy / Open Sad / Bad / Rushed+++

Remarks

[Drama Info]

This is based on Jiu Yue Xi's novel who also wrote the story for Fireworks of My Heart, As Beautiful As You, Tender Light, Better Days (movie). 

Chen Zhe Yuan and Liang Jie have been a CP before in Handsome Siblings. Cute drama coincidence: this airs on February 1st, the same day their characters met in Handsome Siblings five years ago (2020).

Chinese title: (TIL) the olive tree is often planted as a symbol of hope and new beginnings.

Completely unrelated to the drama: on Chinese New Year's Eve (January 28), Chen Zhe Yuan fractured himself after showering haha. (Clarification: it's only funny because he was humorous about it). He's particularly popular on CNY because he has an extravagant tradition: handing out red packets. Per fans, it seems he gave away a total of 150K RMB on Weibo.

Wrapped on January 14, 2024. 

[Ending]

Recommendations

Preliminary recs are random / a peek at the list. These may be updated if drama is completed

Genre List:

Contemporary Romance Central

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