Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023)

Took me by suprise!

Unlike most other kdramas I watch, I went into Daily Dose of Sunshine with zero expectations. I literally just watched the short Netflix trailer and started watching. I also hadn't seen anyone talk about this drama so I basically knew nothing about how it was received either. And let me tell you, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this.

The highlight of the drama for me was the friendships between the staff. My favorite scenes was honestly when they where all gathered. Overall I really enjoyed all side-characters in this drama. The show didn't actually focus too much on the romance, which was fine by me. I did really enjoy both romantic couples in this though, nothing dragged on for too long, and there was no over-dramatic moments.

Now when it comes to how the show handles mental health, I actually think they did a decent job. Look, mental health in real life is bleak, boring and never progresses linear in anyway, and no one wants to see that on screen. Yes, the show deals with mental health in a very surface level way and certain things in the show doesn't really make that much sense. But i'll still give some probs for at least giving it a go and clearly at least caring enough to give a somewhat good representation of it.

One thing that I didn't love about the show was the main female character. Now, I didn't dislike her necessarily, but she was a bit too "I'm just a uwu nice girl that never wants to hurt even a bugs feelings". There where certain points in the show where I just wanted to scream in her face to grow a backbone tbh.

Overall, this was just such a nice evening show to watch. Filled with both sad and euphoric moments, there wasn't a boring moment in this show for me. It does have some flaws, but nothing major in my eyes. If I could, I would give this show a 8.3/10, but will have to settle for a 8.5/10.

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So much wasted potential :/

if I could describe this drama in two words they would be exactly these: wasted potential. With a cast like that, the writing was so bad it was almost a shame to watch.

The premises were good, I liked the concept of the show but the more I watched it, the more I realized it was just going to fall victim of bad and naive writing.

The first episodes were...okay. I honestly loved the series more when it focused on the patients' story and how they got at that point in their life to end up in a mental hospital. But I got the feeling they tended to heal too fast; all the doctors kept saying "just take your meds and you'll get out of here" uhm that's not how it works??? And in fact most of the patients we see get discharge, came back after a while because they were not healed and they were not ready to be in the outside world.
A perfect (and sad) example of this was the story of Kim Seo-wan. Nobody listened to him, let alone our super empathic female lead, and he eventually took his life.

After Kim Seo-wan died, the show went completely to shit. (Good, because he was my favorite, and he didn't deserve to die just to create a shock value to Jung Da-eun). I get that they were trying to show how depression can hit anyone, and it's true, but to me this storyline felt really forced and exagerated, it was really boring to watch and I just wanted to slap Da-eun, she was really immature and selfish.

The "main" couple (if we could call it like that since they have like three scenes together where they're being somewhat romantic to each other) was honestly unnecessary, he was so fixated on her to the point of being almost creepy at times, while she didn't seem into it at all LOL.
The second couple was... okay. They didn't make me feel anything in particular, it's the typical rich boy/poor girl trope with the bonus that he's completely bland as a character (as in, we don't know anything about his background or his family etc.) while she suddenly decides she doesn't want to be a nurse anymore because she wants to go sing and dance on a cruise??? That made me laugh so much, the writers really pulled that out of their asses LMAO

Also, this drama was all over the place in terms of genres! You go from cringe (supposedly hilarious) scene with hemorroids to a pinch of romance just to pass to a list of suicide attempts as if you were going through a grocery list.

I think that if it focused every episode on a patient and their disorders, explaining all the peculiarities of their illness and how to get better, it would've been such a good heartwarming (and hearbreaking) show! But alas, it ended up being over simplistic and boring. Too bad because it truly had a fantastic cast.

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Touched my heart

The first time I watched it, I didn’t know what to expect. It was beautiful in it’s own way, especially the story. The storyline really kept me on my toes all the time, and made me cry multiple times during a few episodes. I loved it.

Thinking about it makes me feel a certain way, undescribeable. You should watch it, but prepare for surprises. I really saw a reflection on the main character, which may be why I was so emotional.

Just In case anybody feels helpless after watching this show, due to mental or personal reasons, remember that you are not alone.

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Heavily Emotional!

I heard a lot about DDOS to be very heavy - and after watching it - its very true.

Initially, I thought each episode would be covering different mental illnesses with stories as examples, in a sense it did. However, I find that it highlighted mental illnesses that are unfortunately very common in today’s society, which I found very relatable hence why I love the drama and giving high ratings.

I really enjoyed how realistic the approach is, and with mental illness, there isn’t always a quick solution nor a complete “cure” and I find that is portrayed amazingly well in the drama. One would expect happy ending for everyone, and I liked how it wasn’t the case for some patients - although it isn’t favourable, the worst can and will happen.

The stories of the nurses slowly unfolding as the drama nears its end was also an aspect I really enjoyed. Da eun for example, has been gradually showing signs of depression since the very beginning and as the show progresses, so does her mental health to the point of climax. The way her story came about and how she handled it, and how she narrates made me really relate to her as a character.

I also enjoyed how there wasn’t only a singular focus on Daeun , although she did have majority, there was still a lot of spotlight on Deul-re and Yeohwang and Yuchan.

The actors and actresses really portrayed their emotion super well, the vfx was done so amazing and it really helps to understand how the character was feeling at that moment.

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Explore Psychiatry Through the Lens of A Nurse's Journey There

If you're looking for a soft, healing drama that tackles psychatric conditions, showcases a range of character dynamics and has an episodic manner (each episode a psychiatric condition explored) with an overarching main character storyline, then this drama is for you!

I enjoyed the format and aesthetic that this drama used, and the stories of each character, albeit some a bit too short than the other. You would grow with these characters over the 12 episodes. In my eyes this is the sort of drama you start on a random day to relax to, and pick up right where you left off.

I personally am not as big a fan of this storyline as I thought I would be, but I enjoyed the experience of watching it, so an 8.5/10 from me :)

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Exploration of human resilience and the complexities of mental health.

"Daily Dose of Sunshine" is a compelling medical drama series that delves deep into the lives of individuals grappling with various psychological disorders. Each episode serves as a poignant exploration of human resilience and the complexities of mental health.

The series is thoughtfully structured, with each episode focusing on a different psychological disorder, from bipolar disorder to panic disorder, paranoia, and pseudo dementia. The portrayal of these conditions is both insightful and respectful, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with mental health issues.

One of the standout aspects of the show is the character development, particularly the character of Mr. Yoon, who serves as a comforting presence for the other characters. The unexpected twists and turns in the story keep the audience engaged, while the emotional impact of the series evokes empathy and compassion.

"Daily Dose of Sunshine" effectively highlights the stigma surrounding mental health and the importance of empathy and understanding. The series prompts viewers to consider how they can be of service to those struggling with mental health issues and emphasizes the need for kindness and compassion in our interactions with others.

Overall, "Daily Dose of Sunshine" is a tearjerker that leaves a lasting impact, reminding viewers of the significance of prioritizing mental well-being and extending empathy to others. It serves as a poignant reminder that while we may all experience difficulties, showing kindness and understanding can make a world of difference.

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Comforting

Ah, this was such a nice drama. I really liked the visual representation of the different mental illnesses: how panic disorder can feel like drowning, or social anxiety making you feel watched and trapped in a box at the same time. How depression can feel dark and lonely, and like you’re moving in quicksand, slowly drowning. I loved Go Yoon’s patience and overall sweet and goofy personality a lot, but also Da Eun’s friendship with Yu Chan. The bond shared by the nurses was also so heartwarming, it was really nice to see how they have each other’s back without prejudice. It was also super interesting to see Da Eun becoming a patient herself, being in denial about her illness, but also getting back on her feet thanks to her strong support system. The show felt very comforting despite the heavy subject matter, I had a great time watching it!🌞🌞

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Good Enough

Korean Drama '' Daily Dose of Sunshine '' is a slice of life with a psychological theme.

The drama starts off quite simply, appearing to be another office-medical romance. However, halfway through, it changes tempo, giving a more in-depth view of people with mental health and their journey towards acceptance and healing.

The drama, as a whole, blends every genre nicely and smoothly. And even though the start of the drama feels blunt, the second half was quite strong and masterfully handled.

The performances were also quite enjoyable by every actor and actress in the cast.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

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No one is immune to mental illness, it can happen to anyone.

I decided to write a review for this drama because the number of negative reviews doesn't reflect the immense positive this drama has to offer. In general, it rarely bothers me when a drama I like gets criticized, sometimes I even agree while still enjoying it. What bothered me this time was how the critics of this drama are stuck in technicalities and apply their biased view of the situation (or apply their country's laws about it).

Enough ranting and now on to what made me love this drama. Like most of my favourite dramas, it's all about the characters. They were all flawed in their own way and can be annoying at times, but at the end of the day good people. Beyond the main characters, I enjoyed the subtle growth in friendships shown with supporting characters, relationships that were originally ignored yet later become endearing.

The second aspect that made me enjoy this drama is the consistency in the pacing and not forgetting its initial message. By episode 11, it gets even spelled out for us: no one is immune to mental illness, it can happen to anyone. Having it spelled out might be a bit much, but when I think about the main target viewers I understand and applaud it. While in some countries, mental illness has become known, and less to no stigma to those suffering from it. However, in countries like South Korea, it is still a taboo. And while people try to avoid talking about it, a growing number of their population is suffering from it, and maybe don't get treated on time often (an assumption from the country being from the top countries with high suicide rates). Thinking of this situation makes me appreciate this drama better.

Now when it comes to illnesses, I am sure we are bound to find some flaws with how it was dealt with. The way the nurses dealt with patients didn't always seem the most ideal, or even professional. That being said, this isn't a documentary, it is a drama that is meant to engage us with the stories. It's not about the illnesses, it's about how characters deal with it. I also appreciate how it doesn't just blame outside influences for it. Some of the patients had great support, yet it didn't prevent the illness. Also, most of the illnesses portrayed are for those in the hospital, whose cases are more to the extreme. But less extreme cases and scenarios are also presented.

For those looking for romance, though present, it isn't something grand. The relationships are cute but I was indifferent to how they end up. For me, that wasn't a flaw at all. Though I didn't mind who the characters ended with if at all with anyone, I still cared deeply about the characters and enjoyed the growth they go through.

Finally, the way some problems related to mental illness get resolved is more on the unrealistically optimistic side. For me, that still made sense in the context of the drama even if it cannot be found in reality. After all a drama giving introductory lessons about various mental illnesses was showcasing what SHOULD be happening in those cases, not what could. It was part of the lesson.

I highly recommend this drama to anyone, really.

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Interesting cases and a heart warming romance

9/10 is my rating. This is a 2023 Soth Korean medical drama with comedic amd romantic underpinings. There are 12, 52-72 minute episodes. It is based on a webtoon of the same name and is a reflection of true life experiences of a psychiatric nurse.

Her particular brand of sunshine is just what people, some of them at the mentally lowest points in their life, need. if some real life experiences of a psychiatric nurse.

First I provide a unique synopsis then review

Synopsis

Jung Da eun’s (Park Bo young) main “fault” is she is too nice to her patients. It is why she was encourager to move from internal medicine to the mental health arena. Her counterparts felt that, in life or death situations, speed was arguably more important than treating patients with kindness. Although she struggles at first when she joins the Department of psychiatry, it is soon clear that her particular brand of sunshine is what some if the psychiatric patients need. As she encounters people at some of their lowest points, she struggles with her deep feelings if empathy and looks to her childhood friend, Song Yu chan (Jang Dong yoon) for emotional support, Yu chan has known for a while he has romantic feelings for Da eun but can never seem to find the right moment to tell her. But when his older friend, Dong Go yun (Yeon Woo jin) friend also develops feelings for the kind, thoughtful young nurse it is a race to win her heart. Their story plays out amidst the very busy case load of the hospital.

Review

This provides a weighty dive into the work life of a psychiatric nurse. The digital effects they use to portray what it is like for the person(s) experiencing the different mentql disorders is unique and compelling. It is an interesting mental health drama with a heart warming romance. It ends happy with all major plot points resolved. I might watch it again and would recommend it to ither drama fans.

Spoilers

I was in a slump with dramas where we watched several that were not that good. We really like Park Bo young so this one really drew our attention. She did not disappoint as it was an interesting role that she played very well.

South Korea and US have a slightly different way of viewing mental health. In as much as the series is accurate, there is still a lot of stigma on disorders where having a mental health issue could keep you from getting a job or renting an apartment. It seems that the expectation in this series was it was a sickness you repair where in the US it is more of a condition that can flare but you mostly just manage with therapy and medication and live with. If you mention you have depression in the US, you either get “oh you do too?” Or they just express sympathy. Like South Korea, with Borderline, schizophrenia amd bi polar there is a lot of stigma and negative views but those are issues where the harm can be to others, they are more difficult to treat, and patients often stop taking medications. I think the biggest difference was depression is not considered as big of a deal in the US as it seems to be in South Korea.

I got a little frustrated with Da Eun during her depression because I thought she did not act like a psychiatric nurse at all. There were things she did in the fog of depression I thought she would have known better as a mental health professional. The “just leave a depressed person alone” and “forcing them is agression” was surprising because you cannot allow depressed people to mire in their depressed feelings. Although it is not one size fits all, it is often the case that interacting with other people, staying on schedule with self care and interacting with other people is what helps pull someone out of depression. Severely depressed people may start thinking things would be better without them, and although people might be sad, they would quickly get over it and be better in the long run. That’s why you have to talk it out with them and help them understand that none of that is true that it would hurt the people around them forever and be a wound that would never fully heal. They also need help with thunking things will never get better. So I was a little disappointed with the way they portrayed her depressive episode.

The psychiatric nurse who decided to take some time off to work on a criuise ship represented an unnecessary derailment of what could habe been a cute second romance. That separation trope is common in South Korean dramas but I am never a fan.

#DailyDoseofSunshine #ParkBoYoung #YeonWooJin #JangDongYoon

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