odetodramas
Sunshine of My Life is actually pretty good for a drama with the very familiar premise of a male CEO in the fashion industry and an aspiring fashion designer. (I mean, it was just last year that I watched Love Designer and Dear Designer.)
The romance between the main character Tang Ming Xuan and Mo Fei is very satisfying. There were a lot of sweet moments so you won't be suffering for 40+ episodes to finally see them together. They support each other's careers, they work through normal relationship issues, and they're unfazed by others who try to stand between them. Sure, there's some jealousy but they don't go down the "I'm not good enough for you" route or the self-sacrificing "I should leave because it's better for you" route. Zhang Han and Xu Lu had such great chemistry that I don't think I can watch Xu Lu paired with Lin Yi in her new drama. *However* Xu Lu does play the character with a pouty feel/speaks with an overly cutesy voice (I don't know how else to describe this) and if you can't stand it, then you won't enjoy this drama.
Although this drama uses a lot of common tropes, it uses them in a reasonable way that isn't over-the-top. Scheming and angst are pretty low. Fang Xiao Yu's actions did annoy me because they crossed the line (why does Hong Yao refuse to play a character that I like?!) but that made it easier for me to not have second lead syndrome. If there's one unbearable character, it's Bai Xiaoman and I skimmed through her scenes.
I did love many of the side characters. First of all, Ming Xuan's assistant Yang Guang had all the best lines. He was so funny and observant as he helped Ming Xuan with his love life in little ways. Lin Xin Zhe played this character so well. Second, the younger siblings Mo Fan and Lu Zhu were so fun. Lu Zhu could've easily been one of those annoying spoiled younger siblings from a rich family but she was so likable and genuinely made an effort to improve. (Although she's Ming Xuan's cousin, she's grown up as a sister to him.) I do wish Duoduo had been a more rational character, or at least have shown some growth in her actions. She was always so impulsive and Cheng Yang was so patient.
Overall, this exceeded my expectations and was an enjoyable to watch if you like this sort of premise! Of the dramas with similar premises, I'd recommend this one.
The romance between the main character Tang Ming Xuan and Mo Fei is very satisfying. There were a lot of sweet moments so you won't be suffering for 40+ episodes to finally see them together. They support each other's careers, they work through normal relationship issues, and they're unfazed by others who try to stand between them. Sure, there's some jealousy but they don't go down the "I'm not good enough for you" route or the self-sacrificing "I should leave because it's better for you" route. Zhang Han and Xu Lu had such great chemistry that I don't think I can watch Xu Lu paired with Lin Yi in her new drama. *However* Xu Lu does play the character with a pouty feel/speaks with an overly cutesy voice (I don't know how else to describe this) and if you can't stand it, then you won't enjoy this drama.
Although this drama uses a lot of common tropes, it uses them in a reasonable way that isn't over-the-top. Scheming and angst are pretty low. Fang Xiao Yu's actions did annoy me because they crossed the line (why does Hong Yao refuse to play a character that I like?!) but that made it easier for me to not have second lead syndrome. If there's one unbearable character, it's Bai Xiaoman and I skimmed through her scenes.
I did love many of the side characters. First of all, Ming Xuan's assistant Yang Guang had all the best lines. He was so funny and observant as he helped Ming Xuan with his love life in little ways. Lin Xin Zhe played this character so well. Second, the younger siblings Mo Fan and Lu Zhu were so fun. Lu Zhu could've easily been one of those annoying spoiled younger siblings from a rich family but she was so likable and genuinely made an effort to improve. (Although she's Ming Xuan's cousin, she's grown up as a sister to him.) I do wish Duoduo had been a more rational character, or at least have shown some growth in her actions. She was always so impulsive and Cheng Yang was so patient.
Overall, this exceeded my expectations and was an enjoyable to watch if you like this sort of premise! Of the dramas with similar premises, I'd recommend this one.
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