South Korea · Drama · 2023
Daily Dose of Sunshine
Synopsis
Daily Dose of Sunshine follows Jung Da Eun (Park Bo Young), an internal medicine nurse who is unexpectedly transferred to the psychiatric ward of her hospital. Unfamiliar with mental health nursing and overwhelmed at first, she leans on chief nurse Song Hyo Jin for guidance as she learns to care for patients whose struggles are harder to see than a broken bone or a fever.
Around her, the ward's staff carry their own weight. Dr. Dong Go Yun, one of the psychiatrists on the unit, works closely with Da Eun and grows to care for her. Song Yu Chan, Da Eun's close childhood friend and a colleague on the ward, hides a private pain of his own that surfaces as the season goes on. Together they form the emotional backbone of a workplace drama that treats its supporting cast, from senior nurses to junior doctors, as fully drawn people rather than background figures.
Each episode centers on a different patient's story, starting with Oh Ri Na, a woman who "appears perfectly fine" on the surface, whose case opens the series and sets its tone: mental illness here is rarely visible from the outside. The show draws directly on its source material, the webtoon 정신병동에도 아침이 와요 (known internationally as Morning Comes to Psychiatric Wards) by Lee Ra Ha, a former nurse who based the story on her own years working in a psychiatric ward, which the production has credited for the show's grounded, unsensational approach to depicting mental illness.
Daily Dose of Sunshine premiered on Netflix on November 3, 2023, with all 12 episodes released at once. It went on to win Best Drama and Best Actress (Park Bo Young) at the 2024 Blue Dragon Series Awards, alongside a Best Drama win at the Korea Broadcast Critics Awards, and was named among Time magazine's ten best Korean dramas of 2023 on Netflix.
Daily Dose of Sunshine cast
Best scenes
- Jung Da Eun (Park Bo Young) comforts a distressed patient, showcasing the emotional depth of her character and the series’ empathetic narrative.
- The moment when Dong Go Yoon (Yeon Woo Jin) reassures Da Eun about her impact, highlighting their supportive relationship.
- Song Yu Chan (Jang Dong Yoon) helps Da Eun find joy in the small things, a touching moment of friendship and healing.
- Da Eun’s breakthrough with a non-communicative patient, demonstrating her dedication and growth as a psychiatric nurse.
- A group therapy session where patients share their stories, reflecting the series’ realistic portrayal of mental health challenges.
Filming locations
- The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, was used for the psychiatric ward scenes, adding authenticity to the setting.
Visual design and costumes
- The hospital set is designed with soft, calming colors to reflect a healing atmosphere.
- Da Eun’s simple and practical nurse uniform contrasts with her vibrant personality, emphasizing her compassion.
- Patients' costumes vary to show individuality while maintaining realism.
- The lighting transitions between warm tones in emotional scenes and cooler tones during challenges, amplifying the mood.
- The use of symbolic props, such as journals and artwork by patients, adds layers of meaning to the narrative.
Themes and messages
- The importance of compassion in caregiving and its impact on mental health.
- Overcoming stigma associated with mental illness and seeking help without shame.
- The power of community and human connection in the healing process.
- Resilience in the face of personal and professional challenges.
- Balancing empathy with self-care to avoid burnout in demanding professions.
Interesting facts
- Daily Dose of Sunshine is based on the webtoon by Lee Ra Ha, a former psychiatric nurse, lending authenticity to its storyline.
- Park Bo Young underwent extensive training to accurately portray a nurse working in mental health.
- The series received praise from mental health professionals for its realistic depiction of psychiatric care.
- Yeon Woo Jin and Park Bo Young’s on-screen chemistry was widely praised by viewers.
- The series sparked conversations about mental health awareness in South Korea, influencing public perceptions positively.
Real-life loves on set
There are no confirmed reports of a real-life romantic relationship between the lead actors of "Daily Dose of Sunshine," Park Bo-young and Yeon Woo-jin. Both actors have maintained a professional relationship, and any rumors regarding an off-screen romance remain unsubstantiated.
Episodes
| Ep | Title | Air date | Status | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Darkest Hour Is Just Before the Dawn Newly transferred psychiatric nurse Jung Da Eun meets her first patient, Oh Ri Na, a woman who appears perfectly fine on the surface, and gets her first look at how mental health care actually works. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 2 | Not in the Mood for Work Da Eun overhears a painful truth that shakes her, while tension between the ward's doctors and nurses comes to a head. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 3 | Safety Net A trainee nurse's odd behavior during a ward visit raises concern, and Da Eun stumbles onto a secret her close friend Song Yu Chan has been keeping. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 4 | In Search of a Ray of Hope A hostile patient accuses Da Eun of stealing from her, while Min Deul Re lets Hwang Yeo Hwan see a side of her life he had not known about. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 5 | When Life Tells You to Slow Down A medical emergency shows Da Eun an unexpected side of Dr. Dong Go Yun, while senior nurse Park Soo Yeon bonds with a patient juggling motherhood and work. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 6 | A Day in the Life of a Mage Financial strain pushes Deul Re to pull away from Yeo Hwan, while Da Eun worries about how a recently discharged patient is coping outside the ward. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 7 | The Left Behind A tragedy leaves Da Eun's friends and colleagues worried for her, as the ward works through what treating PTSD actually involves. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 8 | Expiration Date on Grief Da Eun tries to process her grief without rushing it, while Yeo Hwan and Go Yun open up to each other about their own relationship troubles. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 9 | I'm a Nurse With Depression One storyline follows a colleague thrown off balance by her mother's sudden return, while another gains a new understanding of her patients after receiving her own mental health diagnosis. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 10 | The Hardest Part of a Journey Da Eun starts putting her own well-being first, working through her anxiety about returning to the ward with encouragement from the head nurse. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 11 | And the Journey Continues Now the subject of office gossip, Da Eun returns to work, while a night out with friends helps Deul Re rediscover what makes her happy. | 1698969600 | Date TBC | |
| 12 | Daily Dose of Sunshine Da Eun finds an unconventional way to reach a patient, Deul Re commits to what she loves, and Yu Chan finally takes a stand. | 1698969600 | Date TBC |
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