LayarHijau – Behind the warm atmosphere and gentle emotions felt in the drama Shine On Me (骄阳似我), there is an important figure who serves as the foundation of the entire story. Gu Man, the original novel’s author and the drama’s screenwriter, is widely known for crafting romance stories with a strong and realistic emotional approach. During the production of Shine On Me, her support and trust became one of the key factors in helping the actors deepen their characters.
Song Weilong revealed that the drama’s greatest strength lies in a deep understanding of the story and the characters they portray. According to him, emotional depth cannot be built instantly. “The most important thing is the story itself. Then, when two people are together, we really have to understand the characters and feel what they feel,” he said.
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This approach, Song Weilong explained, allows many scenes to feel alive without being forced. He noted that there are quite a number of moments in the story that leave a strong emotional impression. “Many of the scenes we acted in were very touching,” he said.
Zhao Jinmai felt the same power coming from the script and direction. She highlighted how small details in the story are able to evoke strong emotions. One scene she remembers most is a simple line about snowmen in Changbai Mountain. “That line about the snowmen having to stay behind in Changbai Mountain really stayed with me,” she said. Hearing this, Song Weilong immediately added, “Gu Man is truly amazing.”
As an adaptation of Gu Man’s popular novel, Shine On Me naturally carries certain expectations from readers of the original work. However, rather than seeing this as pressure, Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai chose to treat it as guidance in understanding their characters’ emotions more deeply. For both of them, staying true to the spirit of the story while keeping the performances natural was the main priority.
The trust given by Gu Man and the director also influenced how they performed on set. Song Weilong shared that at a certain stage of filming, they were given more room to adjust reactions and dialogue according to the needs of each scene. “In the later part, Gu Man and the director trusted us enough, so we could react more freely,” he said.
Zhao Jinmai added that this freedom often led to unplanned moments. “Sometimes reactions come up that weren’t planned, but they turn out to feel just right,” she said. This can be seen in several everyday scenes that feel especially warm, including the cooking scene that has been widely discussed by viewers.
Song Weilong recalled how that scene developed naturally on set. “At that time, the scene was almost finished, we had run out of dialogue and started searching for words. But that moment ended up feeling warm and comfortable,” he said. Zhao Jinmai also remembered the same moment. “I said it felt quite happy, and then he couldn’t hold it in and laughed, and we ended up laughing together,” she said.
For both of them, this emphasis on emotional honesty is what makes Shine On Me feel close to the audience. Zhao Jinmai believes the drama does not rely on overly manufactured sweet moments, but on feelings that grow naturally. Song Weilong agreed that naturalness is the key.
As part of Gu Man’s body of work, Shine On Me carries a distinct emotional standard. Although it has been described as Gu Man’s last work for now, Zhao Jinmai emphasized that the writer will continue to create new stories. For Song Weilong, however, being involved in this project remains a valuable experience. “There are many moments that truly moved us,” he said.
With the support of the original author, creative freedom from the director, and solid character development, Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai present a relationship that feels real on screen. This process forms the emotional strength of Shine On Me and makes its story easy to resonate with viewers.
