This review may contain spoilers
Aesthetically pleasing and that's it
Shine on me was the drama I ended 2025 with and started 2026 with. I started this because I was bored, simple as that.
The only engaging plot that pushed me to continue to watch was the storyline between the female lead and 2nd male lead. I was curious after all, because what happened between those two to make them look at each other with such sad gazes filled with pain? The more we came to find out, the more we realized that it was because of misunderstandings and an inferiority complex. It reached a point in the story that I felt so bad for the female lead because she kept getting accused and misunderstood by her friend group, that I wish she wouldn't have forgiven them easily.
The second male lead is the perfect example of needing therapy and a hesitant trash, because he was so indecisive. One part he was caring towards the female lead and protected her, the next second he decides to throw insults towards her about being lazy and being a silver spoon. It was frustrating to watch because he was projecting his insecurities onto her, and even when she decided to move on, he couldn't accept that it was really over, when he never did anything in the beginning to start a relationship with her. He was acting all high and mighty about being the real victim of his relationship with the female lead when he self-destructed it himself.
The only time the story was engaging was when they focused more on the drama of the relationships. Besides that, whenever the female lead was working at the company and talking about the job, I couldn't help but get bored.
I don't have much say about the acting, to be honest. ZJM doesn't disappoint, especially in scenes needing emotional expression, but when it comes to romance, I just really can't get engaged when she is in romantic scenes because I don't feel like she's in love, and her acting doesn't convince me much.
SWL acting isn't that noteworthy in this drama either. He plays the perfect green-flagged male lead who has a tragic incident, which is why, when he's so perfect, there are no flaws, and in turn, makes his acting boring and his character less engaging. The chemistry was fine.
LWM acting was decent; his character was cold and distant, so it worked in his favour, but when it came to crying scenes, he wasn't bad and delivered it quite well.
I still haven't finished this drama despite it already being halfway through 2026 lol, but maybe I'll finish it someday or not, but until then it's on hold for me cause i just can't finish it.
The only engaging plot that pushed me to continue to watch was the storyline between the female lead and 2nd male lead. I was curious after all, because what happened between those two to make them look at each other with such sad gazes filled with pain? The more we came to find out, the more we realized that it was because of misunderstandings and an inferiority complex. It reached a point in the story that I felt so bad for the female lead because she kept getting accused and misunderstood by her friend group, that I wish she wouldn't have forgiven them easily.
The second male lead is the perfect example of needing therapy and a hesitant trash, because he was so indecisive. One part he was caring towards the female lead and protected her, the next second he decides to throw insults towards her about being lazy and being a silver spoon. It was frustrating to watch because he was projecting his insecurities onto her, and even when she decided to move on, he couldn't accept that it was really over, when he never did anything in the beginning to start a relationship with her. He was acting all high and mighty about being the real victim of his relationship with the female lead when he self-destructed it himself.
The only time the story was engaging was when they focused more on the drama of the relationships. Besides that, whenever the female lead was working at the company and talking about the job, I couldn't help but get bored.
I don't have much say about the acting, to be honest. ZJM doesn't disappoint, especially in scenes needing emotional expression, but when it comes to romance, I just really can't get engaged when she is in romantic scenes because I don't feel like she's in love, and her acting doesn't convince me much.
SWL acting isn't that noteworthy in this drama either. He plays the perfect green-flagged male lead who has a tragic incident, which is why, when he's so perfect, there are no flaws, and in turn, makes his acting boring and his character less engaging. The chemistry was fine.
LWM acting was decent; his character was cold and distant, so it worked in his favour, but when it came to crying scenes, he wasn't bad and delivered it quite well.
I still haven't finished this drama despite it already being halfway through 2026 lol, but maybe I'll finish it someday or not, but until then it's on hold for me cause i just can't finish it.
Was this review helpful to you?
