Mental illness is not a plaguing problem just in South Korea this concerns all of us no matter where we are from. Daily dose of sunshine poignantly explores the world of psychiatric care. Directed like a procedural, each episode spotlights a unique mental illness drawing inspiration from real life cases. Drama is educational, a conversation starter that is a genuine attempt at trying to remove the stigma of mental illness. Dialogues are carefully crafted with the intention to inform not lecture the audience. Narrative does not offer easy solutions because there is no permanent cure, if you want to live you manage your symptoms and adapt to the new you.

The patients are not just mere symptoms and the doctors and nurses are not just plain scrubs. Audience can easily empathize with each character as each condition is carefully presented with the appropriate backstory grounded in sincere performances. Patient’s struggles dissect with the nurse’s lives, who have their own personal battles. Nurse Jung Da Eun is our POV character played with endless kindness by Park Bo Young. She has all the qualities of a great nurse, her character growth is about finding the balance between kind-heartedness and being effective at her job, and in between she must take care of her own mental health.

Highlight of the series is when it is pointed out what society is afraid or ashamed to admit. If you fall prey to the breakdown of your mind, the most generous of us, even a psychiatric nurse capable of infinite empathy, and care to others inflicted with mental illness will struggle with perceiving the alignment as being a stain on one’s character.

Drama also addresses various concerns within the health care institution such as the hierarchical power structure, psychiatry being looked down upon, overworked staff and tension between nurses and doctors. We get a splash of delightful romance, and what is a kdrama if we did not have the rich man falling in love with the poor girl. However, the romance does not exist in a void it is there to support the main subject of mental health and self-love.

Verdict

The drama earnestly tries to balance the reality of living with mental illness and optimism of living a full life. It will bring tears to your eyes, but there are moments of levity, joy, hope that when society bands together with compassion and understanding we can uplift each other to reach our potentials. If there are faults it is negligent in comparison to what we gain. A drama with no fast forward moments.