The White Olive Tree Ending: Who’s Crying

[SPOILER WARNING] The White Olive Tree 白色橄榄树 drew flak from the start for drawing comparisons to the K-drama megahit Descendants of the Sun. While it’s based on a novel and not directly related, scenes like the “stepping on a mine” moment—where Chen Zheyuan’s male lead saves Liang Jie’s heroine—certainly make you think twice. There were complaints about production choices, writing, and directing. And, there were surprises, such as the soaring popularity of Benjamin and Saxin, played by Wang Tianchen and Gu Zicheng, as a ship. Their bromance drew some BL fans, though their relationship was platonic, as Benjamin had feelings for the second female lead, played by Liu Yongxi.

A Story of War and Loss

Given that this drama depicts the brutality of a war-torn country, deaths were inevitable—from Wang Zhuocheng’s Jiang Lin to Benjamin. While Benjamin didn’t get to reunite with the woman he loved, he at least managed to give his last words to his “younger brother” Saxin. Fulfilling Benjamin’s dying wish, Saxin goes on to study and become a full-fledged correspondent.

The Fates of Li Zan and Song Ran

Life back in China was not easy for the main couple. Ah Zan suffered from severe PTSD—mentally, physically, and emotionally. One of the most painful moments was when Song Ran realized he wasn’t getting better and that she felt powerless to help. He tries running, she finds him. And they both choose to elope on their wedding day. Song Ran also writes everything into a book, The White Olive Tree.

In the final scene, the couple appear beneath a glowing white olive tree before vanishing into the light. This heavily implies that they both passed away, leaving behind only their memories and love. It was a bittersweet BE (bad ending), yet some fans, including myself, found it poignant rather than purely tragic. Despite their hardships, the main couple stayed together until the very end.

How the Novel Ended

As sad as the drama’s ending was, the novel is even more explicit. Apparently, Li Zan, who suffered from PTSD, persisted for ten years before ultimately committing suicide with a homemade pistol. After his death, Song Ran continued her work as a war correspondent. In an act of heroism, she was hit by a stray bullet while trying to save a child. Her coffin, draped in the national flag, fulfilled the regret that Li Zan’s death did not receive the same honor. In the novel, they also have two children.

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