Since its premiere on February 1, the military melodrama The White Olive Tree has captured hearts with its gripping plot and the dynamic duo of Chen Zheyuan and Liang Jie. However, as the show has now reached its 13th episode, fans of Chen Zheyuan have taken to Weibo to voice their disappointment over the actor’s dwindling screen time.
Chen Zheyuan plays Li Zan, a pivotal character who is both a Chinese-American explosives engineer and a volunteer in a fictional war-torn country. Fans have been particularly upset after noticing that Li Zan’s screen time was significantly reduced in episodes 11 and 12, appearing for only about 20 minutes.
Comparatively, Song Ran, portrayed by Liang Jie, has been getting more screen time despite Chen Zheyuan being billed as the lead. This has led to protests from fans who argue that the show’s direction has strayed too far from both the novel’s plot and the expectations set by Chen Zheyuan’s role.
The dedication of Chen Zheyuan to his character was immense; he transformed his physique to embody Li Zan, which made the reduction in his scenes even more disheartening for his supporters. They criticize the addition of unnecessary scenes while cutting back on the main character’s development.
The White Olive Tree follows the journey of Li Zan and Song Ran as they meet under dramatic circumstances when Song Ran, a journalist, steps on a trap. Their relationship blossoms from this point, surviving through separation caused by a bomb attack, and reuniting when both are at their lowest. Together, they plant an olive tree, symbolizing their enduring bond and hope.
