This review may contain spoilers
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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a spotlight
you'll become the spotlight in this kdrama if you've gone through tough times in your life. you'll become knowledgeable about things you never knew before. you'll learn, you'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll realize a lot of things in your life. this kdrama helped me a lot to distinguish the difference between living and having to live. this kdrama made me realize that you have to help yourself in able to help others. you'll never have the start of being a help to other people if you don't know how to help yourself. It all eventually starts with loving yourself. This kdrama already have a special place in my heart and I wil rewatch this a million times!Was this review helpful to you?
the most realistic portrayal of depression
What a realistic and beautiful portrayal of clinical depression!Those who have loved ones struggling with depression, watch this drama to learn about what they really are going through and the emotions they cannot handle. Those who beleive mental illness is just a form of weakness, please watch this drama and see that it can happen to anyone anytime. As someone who has experienced depression and has seen her daughter suffer from major depression, I appreciate that this drama tackles every aspect of this illness on personal, family and social levels. It conveys the darkest hole one finds herself in, the hopelessness, lethargy and the surrender of the patient. The drama is exceptionally educational and urges the public to emphatize and not to stigmatize.
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Recommend it for mental health insights!
I'm happy that they released a kdrama that focuses exclusively on mental health issues. I've always wanted to watch something like this and finally I got the chance to do so.I definitely recommend "Daily Dose of Sunshine" to anyone seeking a comprehensive portrayal of mental health challenges. This kdrama felt real and was very informative for someone like me, who previously had limited knowledge in this area. Through its portrayal, it has provided me with a profound understanding of the experiences and emotions of those going through such issues.
Undoubtedly daily dose of sunshine is one of my favorite kdramas of 2023!
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This review may contain spoilers
Stigmatizing show in disguise
I am only on episode three but felt very inclined to write a review. I understand why people have made comments that this show demonstrates the realities of mental illness well and is breaking stigma but...I don't agree. The doctors and nurses are constantly spewing the most stigmatizing language.Examples: When Go Yoon was seeking help for cracking his knuckles in the first episode, he was basically dismissed and told it's easy to just stop. Also as someone with ocd, I don't like how they portrayed his character as this quirky and annoying guy who stares at Da Eun and was awkwardly touching/smelling the rice cakes her mom made (he just felt like a stereotype). Not to mention one of the doctors also saying they could cure him? You cannot cure ocd or "fix" any mental illness but the show sure acted like things could be solved easily.
Furthermore, when Yu Chan was banging his motor cycle helmet against the glass window, Da Eun made a joke saying "he's bipolar." There have also been jokes about schizophrenia and depression and the whole conference where they're inducing panic attacks and laughing about someone who had panic disorder was so insensitive. When the new trainees arrived and Seung Jae kept disappearing, there was clearly something wrong yet they kept calling him a slacker.
In general, the way they speak about mental illnesses is stigmatizing and at times they don't even describe them accurately. Also because a lot of the staff are not great people, that is the most accurate thing about the show because medical staff can be bullies and not care about patients irl. Anyways, this show had potential and I'm going to see where it goes but it is not in any way doing anything groundbreaking or going against stigma (more like contributing to it).
That is my two cents. I completely understand its appeal and we always want a show to represent mental illness and appreciate the ones that come by but this could have done a lot better with its potential.
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Beautiful Story and portraying of the characters ⭐️❤️
Just finished watching on Netflix and had to leave my review here. As a psychologist and health care worker I would like to give kudos to the actors, they really portrayed their characters so well. Loved the ending quote about “being on the border of what is normal and abnormal”. This quote really summed up the topic on mental health. Also loved how the series covered the stigma that families of patients with mental illness faces and how it shows the importance of family being involved in the patients journey. I often have to explain to people that people with mental illness are not different, and their mental illness arises from multiple factors like environmental factors, social factors, institutional factors which were beautifully portrayed in the series. So what then is the concept of what is norma and what is abnormal which originated from phenomenology back in the past from where mental ill patients were seen as abnormal and thereby isolated, some where even seen as witches and has to be burned on a stake.Sorry for the ranting, just love watching series that speaks about mental health, series like this helps in sharing awareness about what mental health is and the stigma that comes with being mentally ill. ???????????
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Prepare to cry
I started this because of an edit I watched on tiktok. I saw park boyoung play as a depressed character and i just knew i had to watch it. Her acting is top tier especially when it comes to expressing negative emotions.The show is honestly a rollercoaster. I cried each episode and it lowkey reminded me of Tomorrow kdrama. Whenever there’s kdramas that center around mental illnesses or suicide I know it’s going to be one of the best shows but it’s going to make my heart ache each episode.
I loved all of the characters and their development although some episodes seemed too good to be true like, quitting and getting a dream job just like that or social anxiety getting lowkey erased. I understand the characters had a development to get to that point but as someone who has social anxiety all of that seemed just too good to be true to me.
This show also made me realise just how scary it is to put a name to an emotion that is actually mental illness. It’s insane how quickly people avoid you and view you differently just for having a mental illness…I don’t know if i’ll ever have courage to get a proper diagnosis but this show showed that it wouldn’t be too bad or scary if i did.
Really well done. I recommend it but be aware that this show shows self harm scars and self harm happening (which was a bit hard for me to watch) the show is a bit gory with some scenes so if you’re sensitive, do go into this show with caution.
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the fine line between depression and hope, normalcy and abnormality
It is a delightful 12-episode Kdrama series on Netflix that shares a spiritual connection with the beloved "Hospital Playlist." This time, it takes us to the Psychiatry unit, offering a compelling narrative that revolves around the dedicated nurses and doctors who work there.The show ingeniously navigates the intricate realm of mental health, dissecting the fine line between depression and hope, normalcy and abnormality. With every episode, it delves into the profound and diverse experiences of its patients, ranging from paranoia to exhilarating mania-induced dance routines, and the intricate transition of OCD and hyper fixations.
What truly stands out is the show's ability to evoke empathy, enabling the audience to intimately understand and resonate with the profound struggles of the patients. The stellar cast and gripping storyline combine to create a captivating and heartwarming series that shines a much-needed spotlight on the importance of mental health. "Daily Dose of Sunshine" is a must-watch, offering a beautiful blend of humanity and healing.
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A really touching Rollercoaster about mental health and human relationships
Watch it.If you like any member of the cast, watch it.
If you want a pretty accurate representation of mental issues, watch it.
If you want joy, watch it.
If you want to cry.... watch it.
I think it was one of the most memorable and touching dramas that I've seen lately. From the several mother/daughter relationships that are portrayed in it to the rich/poor boy/girl relationships.
Just watch it and enjoy it all, from the sad moments to the really touching ones. And recommend it to your friends and family.
I think it helped me with my own mental issues.
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This review may contain spoilers
It's perfect and i really second lead to be the main couple
To start of this show had all fun , drama , love triangle, secondary couples. But only thing it didn't had was time to conclude all develop character. Mainly I want the main lead best friend to atleast try saying his feelings rather they left it has he give up the only problem ai had with the show.Other than that it's perfect the Acting is ? and story gone too happy to too sad depressed with the character emotional journey.
It's so well done and every health issues are depicted with care. Once you start watching the show you won't stop it's so good.
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Realistic about mental health, very informative & good
This is one of the best and most realistic K-dramas I’ve seen in a while!!! This K-drama is realistic about the topic of mental health, what patients experience and the stigma others sometimes have. It is a little quirky at times but I so loved it!!! The visuals are really on point and helps you appreciate what the characters are experiencing vividly. The chemistry between the characters is awesome and the story flows understandably well. Thought I needed OST, romance and fantasy to fit the bill but this one proved me wrong! It reminds me of “Misaeng” (Incomplete Life). Well done by all.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The smallest of ripples is enough to cover us in cuts and bruises - that's how weak we are.
Daily Dose of Sunshine is an incredibly beautiful story. While it does have its ups and downs, it ends on a happier note that makes up for the slow middle.The FL really does a great job of breathing to life the character of Da Eun. Kind, selfless and empathetic. She does everything she can for her patients and while on her journey as a psych nurse, she learns that not only she but others around her suffer from other mental illnesses.
The story and writing does an amazing job of portraying mental illness and how everyone deals with it differently. Others may learn to cope and their medicine regime works, while others struggle to adapt and don't make it out of the cycle. It has beautiful characters and their stories are super relatable.
It does get a little slow towards the middle as the story pans from the patients and their stories to Da Eun and her learning + managing her depression. Towards the last few episodes everything gets back on track and ends perfectly. I loved seeing all the paths that everyone in the hospital takes and how their stories play out. While some weren't too interesting, their endings were good for them.
An incredible watch. I loved it the entire time I was watching it and couldn't get enough of the FL.
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