1
A sweet story of falling in love—slowly, but surely
I am so happy that this was the last show I've watched in 2025 and the first show I've watched in 2026. This drama is sweet, warm, fluffy, and overall cozy—perfect for the cold weather!
STORY:
This is a masterclass from Gu Man about letting go and finding a love that you deserve.
I saw that some people have commented that this drama is boring because of the slow progress between the main leads, but I think the slow progress between them is actually the highlight of the show. I would like to think of Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang's love as a tree (funny how Lin Yusen's name is related to this)—growing slow and steady. And when it is big enough, it is strong and can withstand any hardships and the flowers that blossom from it is beautiful. The story of how Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang got together basically laid foundation to their future that was shown by the end of the show and it's a very full circle moment for me to watch that. You know that Tiktok trend about "which movie/series couple will definitely break up after the events of the movie/series end"? Yeah, you will never catch Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang in those lists.
So, yeah. The point is: The slowburn is the whole point of the show. So, if you're not into that, you'd probably never enjoy it. (Also, it makes sense for their love to be slow because Nie Xiguang is hesitant after the disaster that was her first love.)
Going to the next point, the story also shows a comparison of what love should feel like. The comparisons are not explicitly said, but you can see it in how Nie Xiguang interacts with Lin Yusen as compared to how she interacts with Zhuang Xu (her first love). On top of my mind, an example would be how Nie Xiguang—even when she was still not close to Lin Yusen and even when they started off at the wrong foot—feels at ease with him and feels confident enough in expressing herself. Meanwhile, with Zhuang Xu, it's like she's always walking on eggshells, afraid that one squeak would earn yet another unsolicited scolding that only breaks down her confidence.
Aside from comparisons of what love should feel like, the story also shows comparisons of what friendships should feel like. They showed two different types of friendship—one from her university days and one from her work days, and you can clearly see which of the two Nie Xiguang was happy with. And I really love how they showed Nie Xiguang's healing not just in terms of love but also in terms of friendship. It's what she deserves.
Another thing that I love about this show is that the love and care is not one sided. As much as Lin Yusen gave light to Nie Xiguang's life, Nie Xiguang also gave light to Lin Yusen's life. The mutual affection was very obvious and you can clearly see how they were very much into each other. They truly lived the title "Shine On Me" because they definitely shone on each other's lives—a constant source of warmth, affection, and encouragement; and this was so consistent until the end.
Special Mention: Lin Yusen's first love (medicine) plot line. I feel so sad whenever I think about how he can no longer operate and be a surgeon like he had always dreamed of. And it's so frustrating whenever someone asks him why he's not a doctor anymore—like, that's a sore spot, don't ask anymore! It's just so regretful to think how a brilliant doctor and a rare talent like him ended up not being able to use his talent at all. At least, not in the way he dreamed of. But one striking line in the show was spoken by one of his mentors, Professor Xi, "If your hands can no longer dance to your mind's rhythm, then perhaps it's fate guiding you to another path to save patients." And I'm so happy he found that other path.
Another Special Mention: I feel like the ending of Nie Xiguang's parents was a foreshadowing (and a warning) of what would have happened if Nie Xiguang ended up with Zhuang Xu. I think it's a good detail to explore because the story did show some similarities between Nie Xiguang's dad and Zhuang Xu. I love how decisive Nie Xiguang's mother was to cut him off her life, though. And it mirrors Nie Xiguang's resolve to shut down Zhuang Xu later in the story.
ACTING/CAST:
Like I said in an old review, my only criteria to say that an actor is good is when I'm able to enjoy the show while watching him or her. If the actor delivers what he has to deliver and make me feel for their character, then they're good in my books. And for this show, everyone definitely delivered. My heart fluttered for Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang. I 100% rooted for them and their endeavors. I got pissed at Zhuang Xu, Ye Rong, Nie Xiguang's father and his little side family, and even Siliang. And I have fond feelings for Yin Jie, Yu Hua, Dr. Fang, Jiang Rui, and Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang's close family and friends.
To be honest, when I saw the first trailer, I wasn't particularly gagged by Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai's chemistry. But since they were actors I'm quite fond of individually (I always watch the works they release), I still gave it a try and I was blown away by how amazing they actually were together. (Sorry for doubting you, monarchs!) I hope they have another project together, hopefully a costume one. Or maybe a mystery and adventure one.
MUSIC:
Let me just say, I was so invested with this show that I already know which OST is going to play in a specific scene. And Zhang Hao's Coming For You, went platinum in my household and in my heart! That's SOTY for me now. Whenever I need something to make my heart flutter, I'll just listen to Shine On Me's soundtracks and relive the scenes in my brain.
Like, the music is so effective, I can vividly relate scenes to every song.
REWATCH VALUE:
This is such a feel good show, that you will never hesitate to rewatch it. I, myself, will 100% rewatch it when I need something to make my heart flutter.
OVERALL:
My heart was happy the whole time I was watching this show—and that's all that matters. This is definitely going to my Top Idol Dramas Hall of Fame.
STORY:
This is a masterclass from Gu Man about letting go and finding a love that you deserve.
I saw that some people have commented that this drama is boring because of the slow progress between the main leads, but I think the slow progress between them is actually the highlight of the show. I would like to think of Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang's love as a tree (funny how Lin Yusen's name is related to this)—growing slow and steady. And when it is big enough, it is strong and can withstand any hardships and the flowers that blossom from it is beautiful. The story of how Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang got together basically laid foundation to their future that was shown by the end of the show and it's a very full circle moment for me to watch that. You know that Tiktok trend about "which movie/series couple will definitely break up after the events of the movie/series end"? Yeah, you will never catch Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang in those lists.
So, yeah. The point is: The slowburn is the whole point of the show. So, if you're not into that, you'd probably never enjoy it. (Also, it makes sense for their love to be slow because Nie Xiguang is hesitant after the disaster that was her first love.)
Going to the next point, the story also shows a comparison of what love should feel like. The comparisons are not explicitly said, but you can see it in how Nie Xiguang interacts with Lin Yusen as compared to how she interacts with Zhuang Xu (her first love). On top of my mind, an example would be how Nie Xiguang—even when she was still not close to Lin Yusen and even when they started off at the wrong foot—feels at ease with him and feels confident enough in expressing herself. Meanwhile, with Zhuang Xu, it's like she's always walking on eggshells, afraid that one squeak would earn yet another unsolicited scolding that only breaks down her confidence.
Aside from comparisons of what love should feel like, the story also shows comparisons of what friendships should feel like. They showed two different types of friendship—one from her university days and one from her work days, and you can clearly see which of the two Nie Xiguang was happy with. And I really love how they showed Nie Xiguang's healing not just in terms of love but also in terms of friendship. It's what she deserves.
Another thing that I love about this show is that the love and care is not one sided. As much as Lin Yusen gave light to Nie Xiguang's life, Nie Xiguang also gave light to Lin Yusen's life. The mutual affection was very obvious and you can clearly see how they were very much into each other. They truly lived the title "Shine On Me" because they definitely shone on each other's lives—a constant source of warmth, affection, and encouragement; and this was so consistent until the end.
Special Mention: Lin Yusen's first love (medicine) plot line. I feel so sad whenever I think about how he can no longer operate and be a surgeon like he had always dreamed of. And it's so frustrating whenever someone asks him why he's not a doctor anymore—like, that's a sore spot, don't ask anymore! It's just so regretful to think how a brilliant doctor and a rare talent like him ended up not being able to use his talent at all. At least, not in the way he dreamed of. But one striking line in the show was spoken by one of his mentors, Professor Xi, "If your hands can no longer dance to your mind's rhythm, then perhaps it's fate guiding you to another path to save patients." And I'm so happy he found that other path.
Another Special Mention: I feel like the ending of Nie Xiguang's parents was a foreshadowing (and a warning) of what would have happened if Nie Xiguang ended up with Zhuang Xu. I think it's a good detail to explore because the story did show some similarities between Nie Xiguang's dad and Zhuang Xu. I love how decisive Nie Xiguang's mother was to cut him off her life, though. And it mirrors Nie Xiguang's resolve to shut down Zhuang Xu later in the story.
ACTING/CAST:
Like I said in an old review, my only criteria to say that an actor is good is when I'm able to enjoy the show while watching him or her. If the actor delivers what he has to deliver and make me feel for their character, then they're good in my books. And for this show, everyone definitely delivered. My heart fluttered for Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang. I 100% rooted for them and their endeavors. I got pissed at Zhuang Xu, Ye Rong, Nie Xiguang's father and his little side family, and even Siliang. And I have fond feelings for Yin Jie, Yu Hua, Dr. Fang, Jiang Rui, and Lin Yusen and Nie Xiguang's close family and friends.
To be honest, when I saw the first trailer, I wasn't particularly gagged by Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai's chemistry. But since they were actors I'm quite fond of individually (I always watch the works they release), I still gave it a try and I was blown away by how amazing they actually were together. (Sorry for doubting you, monarchs!) I hope they have another project together, hopefully a costume one. Or maybe a mystery and adventure one.
MUSIC:
Let me just say, I was so invested with this show that I already know which OST is going to play in a specific scene. And Zhang Hao's Coming For You, went platinum in my household and in my heart! That's SOTY for me now. Whenever I need something to make my heart flutter, I'll just listen to Shine On Me's soundtracks and relive the scenes in my brain.
Like, the music is so effective, I can vividly relate scenes to every song.
REWATCH VALUE:
This is such a feel good show, that you will never hesitate to rewatch it. I, myself, will 100% rewatch it when I need something to make my heart flutter.
OVERALL:
My heart was happy the whole time I was watching this show—and that's all that matters. This is definitely going to my Top Idol Dramas Hall of Fame.
Was this review helpful to you?
