This review may contain spoilers
Sunshine truly worths the name with a mature and slow- burn romance.
..........................................................Overview of Plot:
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The plot tells the story of female director who divorced her husband at the age of 36 'cause he is a scumbag. A 26 year old boy fall for her at their very first meeting when they met 10 years back 'cause she is the director who filmed his father for public advertisement which increases his respect towards his father's profession and give him motivation to study arts and design to motivate and aware society toward the hard workers.
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Pace of Story and Chemistry:
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The drama has a slow pace and falls in the category of slow burn romance with many sweet and hilarious moments at times and ends with a happy ending. It kept me hooked to it from the very first episode as I like slow- burn romance very much. There is not much skinship and chemistry between leads is average.
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Acting and Characters:
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Sheng Yang: He is a hardworking, sensible, talented, warm-hearted person and has a great sense of humour . He is good at communication and don't give up easily whether to pursue his love or to build his career on his own. Xiao Zhan did a great job in portraying Sheng Yang with his natural looking acting and amazing emotion delivery just even by his face expressions. This character shows a development from being a little immature to purely mature without losing his basic character traits I mentioned above.
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Jian Bing: She is a brave woman who has courage to divorce her husband in her middle age after being married for 10 years. Her father was also a scumbag like her husband and she witnessed her father's dirty deeds at the age of 12. She told her mother about that but not long after she never seen her mother happy again and witnessed her death. It gives her a trauma and she started to hate her father but hated and blamed herself more for telling all that to her mother and begun to think that all adults' relationship is like this, so it takes her many years to divorce her husband. She is also a warm-hearted person and knows how to deal with tough situations with calmness and intellect. She became a very professional director and started her own company with her husband and best friend, even after divorcing him she kept personal and professional life seperate and continued their cooperation in company. She is a strong character and not like clingy, naive and childish female leads in most C-dramas. Bai Bai He did a praiseworthy job in portraying this character with natural acting.
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Other characters are also pretty good other than the hockey couple, they really get on my nerves and I skipped every time they were on the screen. I don't understand why they were in the drama, just useless and waste of screen time.
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Sheng Yang's parents are very reasonable, understanding and hilarious characters. They showed all the real concerns about relationship and financial problems very well. Sheng Yang's friends also showed a growth in character especially Pan Rou. The thing I don't like in drama is that they portray her scumbag ex-husband and father in a funny way and toned down the seriousness of cheating in relationship.
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OST and Costumes:
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OSTs are average not very good and costumes are decent.
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Conclusion:
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This drama is very down to earth and shows the real challenges in a person's life when it comes to relationship or career with a touch of healthy humour. It doesn't show a fully fantasized world but promotes hardwork, better communication and intellectual decisions. When other dramas just show us the importance of better communication to avoid misunderstandings, this drama tells us how to do it. Purely a mature romance drama. The leads needs each other. For Sheng Yang, Jian Bing brought a ray of increased respect and a new way of thinking in his life and as for Jian Bing, Sheng Yang brought a new hope and happiness in her life after an unsuccessful marriage and childhood trauma.
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I would definitely recommend this drama to give it a try although it may seems to be boring to many people but it relies on deep understanding.
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Love to watch again
basically age doesn't matter to love .good job all members. best of luck. xiao Zhan once again rock it . every one should watch . definately .. story is unique, none of can imagine this can be relationship come in love . good script. while watching it feels todays lifestyle. every is busy their life how to express our childhood cursh . finally she accepted his lovetwist and turn is their whole drama keep you waiting what will happen next episode.
overall very good story and cute romantic love story
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This review may contain spoilers
Disappointed! Could've been much better...
The screenwriter must be a teenager in her mind who's still living in her fairyland!There's no way a grown-ass woman in her perfect mind would write this cringe dramatic nonsense.
If we ignore the fringes, the basic plot of the story is as follows: Ten years ago, a boy was being bullied at school, and his father noticed but couldn't say anything as he was working on the roadside.
This irritated the youngster, who despised his father's profession. After a while, an older sister arrives with an advertisement featuring the boy's father. After seeing the commercial, he realised how vital his father's job was to society. The youngster had a crush on her since she created this lovely advertisement for his father, which allowed the boy to reconnect with his father. They met again after ten years, and the boy wanted to make friends with her, but as time went on, they gradually became more than just friends.
One day, suddenly, the boy's mother discovers about her son's relationship and tries to break them apart as she thinks her child isn't good enough and might suffer in the future as the couples don't belong to the same class in society.
Surprisingly, the boy received his father's complete support and resolved to prove his mother wrong in order for her to embrace their relationship.
After a few months, the boy achieves professional success while maintaining a harmonious love life, prompting his mother to finally accept their relationship.
The end.
A 36-episode drama could've wrapped up within 10 episodes easily, but the rest of the episodes were unnecessary fillers that dragged the plot beyond a tolerable point.
The plus point of this drama that forced me to engage with it was the chemistry between the leads.
The chemistry was deep and mature, which was actually what I was craving from the show.
A solid 7 out of 10 is what I'm capable of rating it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great Acting But w/a Too Busy Script & Unnecessary Characters
Watched this for XZ and yet a new storyline that was in the slice of life section. I've only seen two other actors before in different series and genres as support; otherwise I'm new to most of these people. I strongly feel that after reading the article the screenwriter wrote about the characters, she meant well, but it just didn't translate on screen as it was way too busy though the acting was for the most part appropriate and the situations were somewhat realistic.Pros: I like slice of life stories and favorite characters included the ML or SY and FL or JB. I liked his stubbornness and bright attitude. I also liked how XZ could use his previous life experiences in design as well as film in his hometown. JB was mature but she was able to evolve out of her divorce to accept SY into her heart. The only thing I would change about her is that, I would have loved to see her actually take a stand for herself and not just listen while people spoke condescendingly to her and about her. Other awesome characters were dad and mom (though there was a moment there where I thought mom was a bit harsh, but she came around), SC and PR, who made the right kind of sense together and apart and I liked that they got together at the end. LSS was great but where the heck did she go for most of the second half of the series? The OSTs were nice and the fact that they essentially filmed in a city made sense too.
Cons: Busy script, way too busy. Three plus unnecessary characters were the hockey twins aka JB's sister and her crush/later boyfriend and his obnoxious uncle. I fast-forwarded them for most of the show. What was their purpose? JB's sister; I couldn't take at all. She was a college student but couldn't speak normally to save her life. She was either irritated or yelling or just acting like a 12 year old constantly. Then throw in their father in the last like 5 episodes just to show why they're so dysfunctional when it could have been explained in maybe a 10 minute scene and it still didn't explain why the sister was so ridiculous. JB's ex hubby deserved to be hit with a brick for his possessive, condescending attitude but though I can understand he was in there, his then disappearance and reappearance much like LSS was disjointed and jarring.
While I understand there were life lessons in there, if you got rid of at least three of those characters, this show would have had been better flushed out and given the main characters a more realistic portrayal and screen time.
Would I recommend it? If you like slice of life dramas, then yes I would. Overall it was a good watch, just make sure you know how to use the ffw button.
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Xiao Zhan always acting naturally
Young designer Sheng Yang (Xiao Zhan) meets his longtime idol award-winning director Jian Bing (Bai Baihe). Despite a 10 year age difference he has a strong affection for her and she’s drawn to him as well. He tries to be a little ray of sunshine to brighten her life.Filmed in the city of Chongking this workplace drama has a movie feel to it. The way it’s shot, the attention to detail, and the great city scapes make for a very artistic urban atmosphere.
In addition to the slice of life story surrounding Sheng Yang and Jian Bing, the drama depicts struggles faced in different generations and stations in life, broaching hot-button issues such as sexism, ageism and bullying.
The acting is natural and on point - cast and crew included seasoned professionals along with fresh faces.
Xiao Zhan is an impressive actor with great range. He has three dramas of different genres in 2023 with three very different characters. The loyal persistent social cow Xiao Chun Sheng, the cool reserved high priest Shi Ying, and now the joyful and warm puppy Sheng Yang. Sheng Yang is so real that after just a few episodes I feel like I know him.
Sunshine By My Side is an interesting and entertaining watch so far. I’m looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds! this is very nice drama
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Am I the only one? Where's the sunshine?
What went wrong here, Scriptwriter?We started off at a seriously slow pace suggesting meticulous character development, although it wasn't the most interesting drama airing presently, I settled in to see what it had to offer. Annnd then the ex and boyfriend fought the MLs slanderers, next it was three years later (we figure this out from the dialogue), and boom! The end was slapped in our faces, leaving us with that 'wait, what the hell just happened and where is the rest of the story' feeling.
I feel like the director didn't enforce a particular standard and just told the leads to 'go with it naturally', and for a slice of life drama, the emotional scenes are surprisingly flat. I felt no chemistry between the leads but somehow I was okay with it. The two younger leads had better chem and repped their parts well. The scriptwriter could have given the MLs parents less domestic meltdown scenes in favour of actual plot pivotal events. Shelving this drama in the #TheDramaItCouldHaveBeen category. Wasted potential.
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Character
The character Bai Bai He plays in this drama called Jian Bing represents the kind of women in society with the rising social awareness. They are strong, independent, and sober, always knowing what they want and what they want to do for their own sake. In the beginning, I think it’s the fourth episode. Jian Bing rethink about her marriage and realize that she didn’t get the respect and equality she pursued in marriage since her husband has different value compared with hers. Therefore, she firmly proposed to divorce so that she could become a better self withou this burden of marriage and eventually finding someone who actually respect her and her career. I’m attracted by this character and the plot is amazing as well. Highly recommended!!!Was this review helpful to you?
Ray of sunshine
Young designer Sheng Yang (Xiao Zhan) meets his longtime idol award-winning director Jian Bing (Bai Baihe). Despite a 10 year age difference he has a strong affection for her and she’s drawn to him as well. He tries to be a little ray of sunshine to brighten her life.Filmed in the city of Chongqing this workplace drama has a movie feel to it. The way it’s shot, the attention to detail, and the great city scapes make for a very artistic urban atmosphere.
In addition to the slice of life story surrounding Sheng Yang and Jian Bing, the drama depicts struggles faced in different generations and stations in life, broaching hot-button issues such as sexism, ageism and bullying.
The acting is natural and on point - cast and crew included seasoned professionals along with fresh faces.
Xiao Zhan is an impressive actor with great range. He has three dramas of different genres in 2023 with three very different characters. The loyal persistent social cow Xiao Chun Sheng, the cool reserved high priest Shi Ying, and now the joyful and warm puppy Sheng Yang. Sheng Yang is so real that after just a few episodes I feel like I know him.
Sunshine By My Side is an interesting and entertaining watch so far. I’m looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds!
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If you’re expecting a typical modern love story with intimacy and happily ever after ending…Here are some interview snippets that may prepare you for a somewhat different type of drama.
On the screen time for leads…
This is not a pure love or idol drama, it show lots of relationships, not just the protagonists.
On the slow burn/lack of skinship…
It does not cater to the audience's fast-paced drama-chasing psychology, but instead handles the progress of character relationships in a step-by-step plot development.
This is a story that flows like water. It has no particularly dramatic conflicts or plots. Everything is natural, just like a story that would happen around you.
This is one of the really realistic things, the didi doesn't immediately push the jiejie up against a wall, the two of them don't immediately get into it, they gradually come to understand and test and walk toward each other.
Love is like a glass of wine. When you put it in mouth, it’s one taste; after swallowing it tastes different; then there’s an after-taste. Love is actually like this, not very intense…getting to know each other, testing each other, There are sweet and sour moments in between.
On the open ending…
Life is a marathon. You may meet someone who is at the same pace as you. You two will run together for a certain distance; If one person loses speed, then you separate. And continue running and meet new people with the same pace. In the end, it doesn’t matter who you are running with, the important thing is that you have to reach the finish line.
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Sunshine and Chargeable Love
"Sunshine by My Side" has officially premiered, featuring an all-star ensemble led by Xiao Zhan, Bai Baihe, Tian Yu and Zhu Zhu. The modern urban romantic drama tells the story of up-and-coming designer Sheng Yang (played by Xiao Zhan) and renowned advertising director Jian Bing (played by Bai Baihe). Their "chargeable love" blossoms as they inspire and heal each other. Sheng Yang grows professionally under Jian Bing's mentorship, while Jian Bing rediscovers her faith in love and life through Sheng Yang's care and companionship.From the instant the character of Gu Wei makes his entrance on screen, he immediately captures our attention as a doctor who is not only successful in his field but also displays subtle obsessive-compulsive tendencies. He is demanding in his attention to detail, exudes a caring disposition, and demonstrates a sarcastic wit that gives him a unique and gently charming aura. In stark contrast, Sheng Yang is depicted as someone who is just dipping his toes into the professional world for the first time. He radiates youthful exuberance, is teeming with energy, and shows an unwavering dedication to his work. Beyond this, he embodies a sense of captivating innocence and is clearly propelled by the vigor that comes with youthful aspirations. What stands out as particularly noteworthy is the remarkable skill with which the actors have managed to render these contrasting levels of maturity in their characters, doing so in a manner that is both compelling and utterly believable.
The drama is highly relatable, touching on everyday issues faced by working professionals, such as workplace bullying, deceptive promises made by superiors, and gender discrimination. It captivates viewers from the very first episode, exploring conflicts and realities in both professional and romantic relationships, making it deeply resonant.
Xiao Zhan's performance is especially commendable. His portrayal of Sheng Yang is heartwarming, handsome, sunny, morally upright, talented, hardworking, yet realistically flawed. In different roles in different dramas, Xiao Zhan has proven his versatility. He has noticeably improved his line delivery and even mastered extensive dialogues in stage plays to great acclaim.
What makes "Sunshine by My Side" stand out is its grounded storytelling. The drama is neither melodramatic nor detached from reality. From the authentic portrayal of a rookie in the corporate world to the lifelike dialogue, it's easy to see why the audience feels so deeply connected. It is a production with a cinematic feel, thanks to its superb direction and impressive cinematography.
Moreover, The drama brilliantly breathes life into the unique and innovative concept of what can best be described as "chargeable love." In this narrative, Sheng Yang and Jian Bing serve as much more than just romantic interests for each other, they function as batteries that recharge and rejuvenate one another's spirits. In spite of the considerable age gap between them, and the inevitable societal judgments that come with it, the love they share derives a sense of genuineness that is not just plausible but also irresistibly inviting. Their relationship is a tapestry woven from youthful ideals and dreams, and it thrives on their mutual encouragement and inspiration to grow both personally and professionally. It's a story that serves as an emotional salve, striking a chord with audiences by providing an authentic, heartwarming, and profoundly healing experience.
"Sunshine by My Side" is more than just a drama, it's an epitome of the struggles, aspirations, and romance that we encounter in our daily lives. It has successfully found its way into my daily routine, perfect for unwinding after a long day at work. Whether you're new to the corporate world or a seasoned professional, this drama has something for everyone, making it a must-watch this season.
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An awesome female lead followed around by a love sic puppy and a whole lot of meeh
I would like to thank the double speed option for without it I would not have gotten though to the end... In this story where pretty cool female lead divorces en idiot only to attract a bunch of more or less obsessed boys/men instead of just being left alone with her passion.The men in this drama are mostly awful some have their good shots and great loos but their characters make no sense what so ever and there is not a single man in this that I was not highly annoyed by and did not want to throw something at at least once in this drama. Yes that includes the male lead, who is of course gorgeous, sweet and has a lot going for him... he just needs a huge lesson in priorities and respecting peoples boundaries.. His dad has some issues but is probably the least infuriating character in the whole drama. The male leads best friend is the one male that actually experiances character growth and goes from making me want to punch some sense in to him to thinking, heeey that guy ain´t that bad.
Oh and do not get me started on the teens who are about to graduate from university put are portrayed like really immature 4th grades just with a motorcycle, not to mention the mother ho was also portrayed like an imature kid.
That said the 2nd female lead rocked, and the female lead was really cool 905 of the time, I loved her characters personality, the acting was good and her lines where mostly awesome.
The cinematography is good and there is one good line in this about not needing to compare ones weaknesses to another persons strengths.
The pacing is awful and something tells me they had to cut a bunch of scenes here and there without thinking about how it affects the story as a whole. The predictability in the drama is so high i found myself thinking oh here we go again... and oh come on not that annoying twist...
The only thing that kept me going to the end was Xiao Zhans smile the second couple and the female leads wittiness.... Without them I would have given this an even lower score.
Also I am not really sure this qualifies as a romance.... it is more of a love sick puppy holds on to girl and just wont let go....
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Chicken Soup for the Soul
Rating this drama based on the central characters Sheng Yang and Jian Bing alone, 10/10. Loved watching them struggle with their feelings, their personal challenges, and their families and professional lives in such a real fashion — and come out better, stronger, and on top. I watched this drama for Xiao Zhan, who once again, did not disappoint.What made me connect with this drama the most though, was watching Sheng Yang and his parents. Their dialogue with each other (the arguments!) and with him were like watching my own parents/family growing up. Those scenes were heart wrenching, yet priceless to watch, simply because they were not glamorous but absolutely true to life.
Personally, like many other comments and reviews here, I too wish there was much more of Xiao Zhan and Bai Bai He. I wanted to see them develop as a couple as they continued to walk together; instead of seeing so much time spent on side characters.
But I think big stars like XZ and BBH truly understand that the success of a drama doesn’t just depend on the shoulders of the main characters, but on all of the parts and people working together to achieve a deep, rich story. I believe the reasoning for some of the pacing issues — was to allow all facets of this fictional world and their actors — equal billing and time. I also think that if they had been allowed to keep more of the original material in the final edit, it would have helped round out some of the plot gaps a bit better. Doesn’t detract from the fact that this was still a solid, must-watch drama. Well done.
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A COMFORT WATCH!
Sunshine by my side has been one of those dramas that makes you feel a thousand of emotions...it warms your heart but at the same time makes you cry, it has been diverse and educational plus realistic considering that it touches topics that are in our real world.
It shows you imperfect characters having real and relatable struggles, it gives you a glimpse of family and friendship as well as romance...it shows you hardworking individuals who face disappointments and put them selves together and this was the charm of the series.
From a well balanced realistic heart warming and educational plot, to amazing well thoughtout dialogue to amazing characters written with imperfections and struggles which made them realistic to managing to throw in some light comedy amidst the heavy plot, to the actors and actresses who each for one was given enough time to shine and relate to the viewers to this relaxing cinematography to the soothing emotional osts to the natural chemistry between the that gave me comfort as a viewer to a matual relationship between the leads....this drama met all my expectations despite starting it without any...Iam gonna miss it so much...
It has been a ride that Iam glad I started and now that it has ended Iam really feeling empty.
So don't think twice if you want some thing different then SUN SHINE BY MY SIDE is that DIFFERENCE ...
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