Chinese drama Shine on Me marked its finale on January 7 after emerging as one of the most heartwarming, romantic and pleasing shows of the past one year. The 36-episode series released on December 22,
2025 and aired simultaneously on Netflix and Viki. Starring C-drama heartthrobs Zhao Jinmai and Song Weilong, who played Nie Xi Guang and Lin Yu Sen respectively, the show gave a strong competition to other blockbuster titles that aired in 2025, including The First Frost, The Prisoner of Beauty, A Dream Within a Dream, The Glory, Love's Ambition, Speed and Love, The Legend of Zang Hai and others.
About Shine on Me
Shine on Me follows Nie Xiguang, who faces rejection from her college crush, along with embarrassing and unpleasant experiences due to her heartbreak. Even when she embarks on a career, the memories of her first love refuse to leave her. She meets ex-doctor Yusen Lin, who's now leading her team at his family firm. Little does she know that she was somehow a reason behind Lin's major accident that left him retiring from medicine, nor does she remember their first meeting that left Lin falling in love with her at first sight.
As the two initially clash at workplace, Lin confesses and pursues her, managing to eventually mend her broken heart on their joint road to personal growth and overcoming past trauma. They become each other's support, leading to Lin returning to medicine and Xiguang becoming a capable manager, along with a tender, healing and intense love story.
5 reasons to watch Shine on Me
1. Mature love story: Nie Xi Guang and Lin Yu Sen's relationship is not a college romance. It is a realistic portrayal of love that's healthy and uplifting, and made of deep friendship and strong chemistry. Their bond is built on mutual respect, trust, and support, focusing on growing together rather than codependency. And the manner in which Zhao Jinmai and Song Weilong infuse life into their characters is its strong point.
2. Unique plot: The entire story about love at first sight and how the female lead is not aware of how her presence, directly or indirectly, impacts the main hero's life, is heartwarming, sometimes heart-wrenching, yet fulfilling.
3. Not your typical C-drama tropes: The themes here are deep, which draw a line between healthy and toxic friendships and love. The leads' personalities are realistic. While Nie Xi Guang brings strength, Lin Yu Sen has a calming presence, giving out an overall comforting, warm vibe.
4. Realistic portrayal: The leads make kind, mature decisions, avoiding cheap drama and feel genuine. The mutual growth is grounded and realistic as both characters bring light and healing to each other's lives, pushing each other to become better versions of themselves.
5. Slow burn: It is slow-paced yet very satisfying, that rewards patience with a story that's not just fluff. From exploring Lin Yusen's past as a surgeon and his rebound journey, to Nie Xi Guang growing wiser in matters of heart and love, makes it emotionally rich.
Shine on Me also stars actors Weiming Lai, Shiran Fan, Haolin Han and others.
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