Shine on Me
Shine on Me is a 2025 Chinese television drama written by acclaimed novelist Gu Man, based on the 2013 novel Blazing Sunlight by author Gu Man, directed by Chen Zhoufei and starring Song Weilong and Zhao Jinmai. The series follows the emotional growth and professional journey of a young woman as she navigates workplace challenges and a healing romance with a former surgeon.
The series premiered on Tencent Video on December 22, 2025, concluding its 36-episode run on January 7, 2026. Prior to its broadcast, the production was named "Most Anticipated Drama" at the annual Starlight Awards. Upon release, it achieved significant commercial success, setting a record as the fastest contemporary romance drama on Tencent Video to reach a popularity "heat index" of 27,000 in 2025, eventually peaking at 27,097 and becoming the first series of 2026 to reach maximum platform heat of 30,000. The drama maintained high audience engagement, recording a 9.1 rating on Weibo's idol drama charts and frequently topping social media trending lists throughout its broadcast cycle. The drama also became first one to surpass 1 billion views across platforms in 2026.
Synopsis
Nie Xiguang is a university graduate who begins working as a junior administrator at her father's solar energy company. During her studies, Nie maintained an unrequited interest in Zhuang Xu, a high-achieving student from a different socioeconomic background. The interactions between the two were characterized by recurring miscommunications and Zhuang's stated personal insecurities.After entering the professional sector, Nie encounters Lin Yusen, a vice president at her firm. Lin is a former neurosurgeon who transitioned into corporate management after a hand injury sustained in a traffic accident ended his medical career. Although their initial professional relationship involved interpersonal friction, the two eventually develop a personal connection.
The narrative follows the development of their relationship alongside their work in the clean energy industry. As they spend more time together, Lin provides a stable environment for Nie to move past her previous experiences at university, while Nie's presence coincides with Lin's adjustment to his new career path outside of medicine.
Cast and characters
Main
- Zhao Jinmai as Nie Xiguang
- Song Weilong as Lin Yusen
Supporting
Nie Xiguang's circle
- Allen Lin as Jiang Ping
- Jin Qiaoqiao as Jiang Yun
- Lawrence Ng as Nie Chengyuan
- Fan Shiran as Yin Jie
- Yang Teng as Wan Yuhua
- Finn Han as Jiang Rui
- Kong Linmei as Shen Shu
- Zhao Xin as Ou Qiqi
- Huang Er Chun as Xiao Feng, Chen Si Yi as Si Liang, and Sun Meng Qiu as A Fen
Zhuang Xu's circle
- Lai Weiming as Zhuang Xu
- Bai Bingke as Ye Rong
- Gu Zi Cheng as Zhuang Fei
- Huang Hao Yue as Chris, Pan Yi Hong as Kevin, and Cai Bing as Mia
Lin Yusen's circle
- Wang De Shun as Sheng Xian Min
- Tong Lei as Sheng Wei Ai
- Xiu Qing as Sheng Bo Kai
- Lin Jing as Qian Fang Ping and Zhan Xiao Nan as Yao Shu
Other Corporate & Supporting
- Li You Chuan as Zhuo Hui
- Qin Xiao Xuan as Fang Sheng Yi
- Liu Hao Yan as Sheng Zhong Kai
- Qiu Bai Hao as Sheng Xing Jie
- Jiang Kai Wen as Sheng Shu Kai
- Li Mu Yun as Lu Sha
- Hua Ming Wei as Lu Shang Hang
Guest appearances
- Li Chen Tao as Shao Jia Qi
- Xu Yu Lan as Xiguang's grandmother
- Zhang Cheng He as Mr. Luo: Lin Yusen's stepfather.
- Zhou Jie as Dr. Liu: A medical colleague from Lin Yusen's past.
Production
Development
The series was officially initiated on October 18, 2024, when it was selected for Tencent Video's 2025 drama lineup. The project is an adaptation of the web novel Blazing Sunlight by the novelist Gu Man, a novelist known for works such as My Sunshine, Love O2O, and You Are My Glory. Unlike the original novel, which features an open ending, the screenplay was expanded to provide a more definitive conclusion for the protagonists.Prior to its release, the series received industry recognition, including the "Most Anticipated Work" award at the 2024 Tencent Video Star Awards and similar honors at the Kuyun Digital Entertainment Annual Influence Ceremony. In September 2025, the National Copyright Administration included the series in the tenth batch of its "Key Works Copyright Protection Early Warning List.
Casting
Author Gu Man personally oversaw the casting process for the series. In October 2024, it was announced that Zhao Jinmai and Song Weilong had been cast in the lead roles of Nie Xiguang and Lin Yusen. Zhao was previously noted for her leading role in the 2022 time-loop drama Reset, while Song gained recognition for his performances in Go Ahead and In a Class of Her Own.Filming
for the series commenced on December 2, 2024, accompanied by the release of the "Warm Sunshine First Encounter" promotional poster to mark the start of production. The filming process was noted for its significant geographic scale, utilizing diverse regions across China to establish the story's varying environments. Urban workplace sequences were filmed on location in East China, specifically within Shanghai, Suzhou, and Wuxi. To provide a cinematic contrast to the urban settings, the team traveled to Baishan, Jilin, to capture the snow-covered landscapes of the Changbai Mountains, and to Dunhuang, Gansu, for key flashback and desert sequences.Filming continued through the winter and spring, officially concluding on April 3, 2025. To celebrate the completion of the shoot, the production team released a wrap-up special titled "Between Heartbeats" along with full-cast stills. Throughout 2025, a staggered promotional strategy was employed to maintain public interest, including a Valentine's Day collaboration with Bazaar in February and several thematic posters released in May and June that gained significant visibility on social media for their atmospheric presentation.