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| Bai Lu's fans say the drama deserved more than a 6.3, while Cheng Lei's fans wouldn't give it more than 1 star. Why? (Photos: Tencent Video/Weibo) |
A 6.3 Douban rating would normally suggest a drama that simply came and went. Yet Tencent Video's The First Jasmine (莫离 Mo Li), starring Bai Lu and Ryan Cheng Lei, tells a far more complicated story. While its score settled in the middle of the pack, the costume romance quietly pulled in more than 800 million valid online views during its 24-day run and remained commercially competitive throughout its broadcast. Instead of becoming a breakout sensation or an outright disappointment, the series landed in that awkward television limbo where audiences cannot stop debating whether it deserved better or exactly what it received.
The contrast between popularity and public ratings has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding The First Jasmine. On paper, a 6.3 score looks underwhelming, particularly for a high-profile production led by two well-known stars.
But a closer look at the ratings distribution paints a different picture. More than 70 per cent of viewers awarded the drama three stars or higher, while roughly a quarter handed it one or two stars. That isn't the profile of a universally disliked series. Instead, it suggests viewers were deeply divided, with strong opinions pulling the overall average towards the middle.
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| The First Jasmine Wrapped With Mixed Reviews and a 6.3 Douban Rating |
For Bai Lu, the result is hardly career-defining in either direction. Her previous dramas have ranged from highly praised to more divisive, making The First Jasmine another project that sits comfortably within her usual range.
It neither boosts her standing dramatically nor dents it in any meaningful way. She remains one of the busiest actresses in Chinese television, and this drama is unlikely to change that trajectory.
The score arguably carries greater significance for director Lin Yufen (Lam Yukfan). Having previously delivered several acclaimed costume dramas praised for both storytelling and visual style, expectations were naturally much higher. Compared with her earlier successes, many viewers saw The First Jasmine as a noticeable step backwards, particularly when discussing pacing and narrative consistency.
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| The First Jasmine Becomes Director Lin Yufen's Lowest-Rated Drama in Recent Years |
That does not mean audiences disliked her trademark cinematography. In fact, many praised the elegant visuals, practical locations and restrained editing, with some calling it one of the better-looking historical romances released in recent years.
Where opinions became far more complicated was the script itself. Early episodes established a compelling revenge story while introducing themes surrounding emotional trauma, mental health and physical disability with greater sensitivity than many expected.
Unfortunately, according to many viewers, the momentum gradually faded. The carefully constructed opening eventually gave way to a more familiar finale that struggled to maintain the intrigue built during its strongest episodes.
It's rather like spending hours preparing a gourmet meal only to finish with instant noodles. They're still edible, but everyone remembers the first course. Adaptation choices also fuelled frustration among readers of the original novel.
Fans argued that significant political intrigue was reduced, while the heroine's independent revenge arc lost some of its original sharpness. Others felt the emotional connection between the central couple received greater emphasis than necessary, changing the balance of the original story.
Adaptations rarely escape criticism, but this one found itself caught between satisfying existing readers and welcoming new audiences, a balancing act that proved harder than expected.
Performance debates became another major source of discussion. Some viewers praised Bai Lu for using her own voice and handling emotionally demanding scenes with convincing vulnerability, especially during moments requiring rapid emotional shifts.
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Fans felt she successfully captured the complexity of her character despite the script's uneven structure. Critics, however, argued that some expressions, vocal delivery and emotional beats felt too similar to previous costume roles, leaving them hoping for a fresher interpretation. As usual, the internet managed to transform acting analysis into something resembling an Olympic judging panel.
Meanwhile, Cheng Lei supporters expressed disappointment over his reduced presence towards the end of the series. Reports that his character appeared for only around sixteen minutes across the final five episodes became one of the most repeated complaints online.
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Many viewers believed the imbalance weakened the emotional payoff, although others pointed out that the production had always positioned The First Jasmine primarily as a female-led story centred on the heroine's journey rather than a dual-lead romance.
Outside the drama itself, discussion extended well beyond the screen. Some entertainment commentators argued that external controversies involving Bai Lu influenced public perception before many viewers had even started watching.
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This fuelled ongoing debate over whether online ratings reflected the series alone or broader opinions surrounding its cast.
While some users believed those outside discussions unfairly affected audience scoring, others maintained that the final rating simply reflected genuine disappointment with the finished product. Like most internet arguments, neither side appeared interested in surrendering.
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Commercially, however, The First Jasmine performed far better than its Douban score might suggest. Strong streaming numbers, impressive platform engagement, healthy television ratings and substantial advertising partnerships demonstrated that plenty of viewers remained invested despite the mixed reviews.
Perhaps that is the fairest conclusion. The First Jasmine is neither a hidden masterpiece buried beneath unfair criticism nor a production deserving widespread dismissal. It is a solid historical romance with clear strengths, equally noticeable weaknesses and enough discussion surrounding it to keep audiences talking long after the final episode.
Ironically, the most dramatic thing about the series may now be the argument over its rating rather than anything happening on screen.