Too Many Spoilers on the internet!
“Shine On Me” actually starts with decent potential: popular leads, clean visuals, and a light modern atmosphere. The theme song is pleasant and sweet, fitting well with the youthful romance vibe. Unfortunately, none of that is enough to cover the drama’s main weakness.
The biggest issue is the overly long and dragged-out storyline. The core story is very simple and could easily have been told in around 16 episodes, similar to many K-dramas. If it had been more compact, the emotions would have felt stronger and the conflicts sharper. Instead, the extended length makes many episodes feel empty, repeating the same dynamics without real progress.
This drama feels like a typical modern Chinese drama: light conflicts stretched too far, slow pacing, and an excessive focus on repetitive sweet moments. As a result, boredom becomes unavoidable, even though the actors themselves are appealing.
When compared to colossal (historical) dramas, the difference is very clear. Colossal dramas may also go in circles at times, but their core conflicts are heavier, more complex, and logically grounded whether in politics, power struggles, or moral dilemmas. There is a strong narrative reason for their length. In “Shine On Me,” however, the long runtime feels more like a production choice than a storytelling necessity.
The biggest issue is the overly long and dragged-out storyline. The core story is very simple and could easily have been told in around 16 episodes, similar to many K-dramas. If it had been more compact, the emotions would have felt stronger and the conflicts sharper. Instead, the extended length makes many episodes feel empty, repeating the same dynamics without real progress.
This drama feels like a typical modern Chinese drama: light conflicts stretched too far, slow pacing, and an excessive focus on repetitive sweet moments. As a result, boredom becomes unavoidable, even though the actors themselves are appealing.
When compared to colossal (historical) dramas, the difference is very clear. Colossal dramas may also go in circles at times, but their core conflicts are heavier, more complex, and logically grounded whether in politics, power struggles, or moral dilemmas. There is a strong narrative reason for their length. In “Shine On Me,” however, the long runtime feels more like a production choice than a storytelling necessity.
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