xxXATXxx

Shine On Me surprised me in many ways, especially because I wasn’t expecting too much at first. Nie Xiguang is a vibrant, warm character who grows beautifully from carefree student to professional woman, carrying the story with charm and relatability. Lin Yusen, the main male lead, is calm, steady, and deeply sincere almost too composed. He’s obsessed with Xiguang, yet restrains himself so much that at times his love feels almost unreal. For someone like me who loves seeing visible emotional longing, this restraint makes some romantic moments feel muted. The couple’s chemistry is almost there in several scenes, but often the drama moves on before we fully feel the spark.

Then there’s the second male lead, Zhuang Xu ohhh… I feel for him, truly. His character is painfully misguided at times, making the wrong choices and taking way too long to confess his feelings. I understand why he felt so wronged and unjustly treated, but ultimately, he brought much of it on himself and yes, he kind of deserved the outcome he got.

Yu Rong is honestly, this character drives me crazy. She’s manipulative, entitled, and constantly gets in the way, yet somehow escapes with barely any consequences. She deserved a serious slap and shake for all the chaos she caused, but the drama lets her slide. Ugh.

One of my favourite parts of the story, though, is Jiang Rui, Xiguang’s cousin. He’s a constant source of warmth and light humour, always there to cheer her on with playful jokes and supportive presence. Even though he’s not a central character, his scenes add a real sense of comfort and family love to the drama — the kind of person you wish you had in your own life. He makes the world of the drama feel more real and emotionally grounded.

Supporting characters also tug at my heart. Xiguang’s bubbly friend at work is so full of life she deserves her own love story! And Yusen’s doctor friend, who is handsome, promising, and relatable, barely gets any development and is missing by the end. Both characters felt like lost potential, leaving me wishing for more resolution or spin-offs.

Despite these frustrations, the drama has many strengths: Nie Xiguang shines as a relatable heroine, Lin Yusen is sincere and grounded, and the story overall is warm, comforting, and heartening. If you enjoy slow-burn romance with gentle pacing, it’s worth watching.

But if you crave sweet, swoony moments with expressive affection and fully developed secondary characters, you may feel slightly underfed emotionally.