Daily Dose of Sunshine is a South Korean psychological drama series released in 2023. Directed by Lee Jae-gyu and written by Lee Nam-kyu, Oh Bo-hyun, and Kim Da-hee, the series follows the professional and personal journey of a young nurse working in a psychiatric ward. It explores themes such as mental health, empathy, and human relationships. The show was released globally through Netflix.
Plot
At the heart of the series is Jung Da-eun, a young nurse newly assigned to a psychiatric hospital. Having previously worked in internal medicine, Da-eun finds herself in a challenging new environment, where her resilience is tested and developed through her interactions with patients. The story focuses on Da-eun's emotional growth and her compassionate approach toward the inner worlds of those around her. Each episode presents a different patient's story, aiming to raise awareness about mental health issues.
Daily Dose of Sunshine (YouTube)
Thematic Structure
Mental Health and Awareness
The series tackles misconceptions surrounding mental illness and portrays various psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression with empathy and realism.
Empathy and Human Relationships
The emotional bonds that Da-eun forms with her patients and their families contribute to her growth not just as a nurse but as a person. The series highlights the emotional weight carried by healthcare professionals and the profound impact of patient-caregiver relationships.
Social Stigma
The societal perception of mental illness is addressed through the prejudices faced by the characters. The series draws attention to the consequences of stigma, especially within Asian cultures.
Cast
- Park Bo-young – Jung Da-eun
- Yeon Woo-jin – Dong Go-yun
- Jang Dong-yoon – Song Yu-chan
- Lee Jung-eun – Song Hyo-shin
- Lee Sang-hee – Park Soo-yeon
Production and Release
Daily Dose of Sunshine was produced by Netflix Korea and premiered on November 3, 2023. The series consists of 12 episodes. It is based on a webtoon of the same name written by Lee Ra-ha. The adaptation received positive responses both domestically in South Korea and internationally.
