The First Jasmine Drama: Bai Lu & Cheng Lei’s Revenge Romance Sparks Adaptation Debate
[ENTERTAINMENT] On June 9, 2026, the highly anticipated historical romance epic, the The First Jasmine drama (also known as Mo Li), premiered on Tencent Video, WeTV, and Disney+. Directed by the legendary “Goddess of Costume Dramas” Lin Yufen and adapted from Feng Qing’s hit novel The First Wife, the series stars Bai Lu and Cheng Lei. Therefore, this massive production, which garnered over 4 million pre-orders on Tencent, has ignited intense discussions since its debut.
However, as the plot unfolds, the show’s reception has become brutally polarized. On one hand, viewership remains sky-high; on the other, original novel fans are furious over “魔改 (drastic adaptation changes),” resulting in a controversial 6.3 Douban score. Today, we dissect this tale of calculation, trust, and “marriage first, love later” to see if it is a masterpiece or a flawed adaptation.
The Plot: Substitute Bride and the Ultimate Tug-of-War
The core of the The First Jasmine drama blends transmigration, substitute marriage, and political revenge. The female lead, Ye Li (played by Bai Lu), is originally from the Li Mountain (a modern special forces soldier in the novel). Due to an imperial decree, she is forced to marry into the declining Ding Wang Manor, becoming the wife of Mo Xiuyao (played by Cheng Lei), the Prince of Ding, who is rumored to be disabled and disfigured.
To heighten the dramatic tension, on the exact day Ye Li marries the disabled prince, her former fiancé, the Prince of Li, marries her younger half-sister. Thus, this “double wedding, wrong match” opening instantly ignites the thrill of revenge. Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao form a “contract marriage” filled with hidden agendas. Navigating treacherous court politics and underworld forces, they evolve from mutual suspicion to fighting side-by-side. Therefore, the trust and deep affection they build amidst blood and fire forms the ultimate “mutual redemption” highlight of the series.
Behind the Scenes: Lin Yufen’s Visual Mastery
As the director behind mega-hits like Three Lives Three Worlds and The Journey of Flower, Lin Yufen’s involvement is the ultimate quality guarantee for the The First Jasmine drama. Under her lens, the costume design, set pieces, and lighting maintain top-tier industrial standards. Furthermore, the crew meticulously contrasts the desolate, decaying Ding Wang Manor with the oppressive grandeur of the imperial palace.
More importantly, Lin excels at capturing the subtle emotional tug-of-war between the leads. Whether it’s a silent battle of wits in the study or instinctively shielding each other during an assassination attempt, the cinematography is drenched in a sense of fate. Thus, despite pacing controversies, the visual aesthetics represent the absolute pinnacle of current S+ tier historical dramas.
Polarized Reception: The “Drastic Adaptation” Controversy
Despite its massive hype, the The First Jasmine drama opened to a 6.3 on Douban, revealing its “polarized” status. According to Yahoo News, the show faces “five major controversies,” the biggest being the “drastic adaptation” of the source material. The original novel The First Wife has a massive fanbase. Fans are furious that the grand war sequences and the female lead’s hardcore special forces skills were heavily diluted to fit traditional romance tropes.
Additionally, changes to supporting characters and issues with voice dubbing have become major targets for criticism. Many original fans claim the changes make their “scalp tingle” with frustration. Consequently, the show has become a classic “black-red” (hated but highly watched) hit. Those who love it are addicted to the leads’ intense chemistry, while those who hate it mourn the loss of the novel’s grand political vision.
“The strongest alliance in this world is not the exchange of interests, but two people struggling in the abyss, deciding to become each other’s light.”
— Thematic essence of The First Jasmine
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Are you binge-watching The First Jasmine? Are you addicted to Bai Lu and Cheng Lei’s “marriage first” dynamic? What are your thoughts on the adaptation controversy? Drop your reviews in the comments!
※ This article compiles reports from Yahoo News, HK01, Douban, Wikipedia, and various drama media. Broadcasting schedules are subject to final official announcements.
