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| Why Shine On Me Fans Are Divided Over the Male Lead Focus (Photo: Tencent) |
Chinese drama Shine On Me (骄阳似我) is still riding high on popularity charts after smashing past the 200 million views mark, but alongside its rising numbers comes a growing debate among viewers. While the series stars Zhao Jinmai and Song Weilong as its central pairing, many fans are questioning why the supposed male lead feels less present than second male lead Lai Weiming.
Recent episodes set at a snowy ski resort have reignited interest in the drama’s romantic direction.
Nie Xiguang’s accidental run-in with Lin Yusen while both families are on holiday delivers a mix of awkward charm and gentle warmth.
From shared ski lessons to casual family meals, the scenes instantly boost the drama’s sweetness factor.
Viewers jokingly described it as a “fast-track meet-the-parents arc”, with many saying these moments finally made the romance feel real and worth waiting for.
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At the same time, Zhuang Xu’s storyline continues to receive heavy emotional focus. His appearance at the same ski resort and his quiet moments of longing for Nie Xiguang stirred mixed reactions.
One scene, where he softly touches her face on his phone screen while looking at her photo, earned sympathy for its emotional honesty.
However, the mood quickly shifted when he failed to defend her during an uncomfortable encounter, prompting frustration from viewers who felt the drama was still asking them to emotionally invest in a character whose actions no longer match the story’s direction.
This contrast has led to online discussions about uneven screen time.
Here's my short letter to Zhuang Xu. Trust me bro, this isn't heavens sign that you still have a chance cause you don't and please don't go harrasing her in the name of showing your feelings. You had your chance and it lasted for a long while. Thanks ❤️ . #ShineOnMe #LaiWeiming pic.twitter.com/HxeMEMvwfT
— xiang'er (@xiang23799) December 31, 2025
Many viewers argue that Zhuang Xu’s arc feels more developed and emotionally detailed than Lin Yusen’s, despite the latter being positioned as the endgame romance.
Lin Yusen only properly enters the story in episode four, while the early episodes lean heavily on Nie Xiguang and Zhuang Xu’s shared history, giving their relationship more narrative weight at the start.
Zhao Jinmai, meanwhile, continues to strengthen her position as one of the most reliable young actresses in the industry. Following the success of her previous romance drama with Wu Lei, she has maintained momentum with back-to-back lead roles. Although Shine On Me initially faced comments about slow pacing and muted styling choices for Nie Xiguang, audience response has warmed as emotional tension and character conflicts gradually deepen.
The screen time controversy also has roots in the original novel.
All I can think when Zhuangxu goes off like that is, why put the blame on her?? Like it's already infuriating to watch him do nothing, so what's with the attitude?! 😩 #ShineOnMe #ZhaoJinMai #LaiWeiming pic.twitter.com/cPBFk2UHzG
— 𝓙𝓮𝓵𝓵𝔂𝔀𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓸~ (@Jellywhooo) December 30, 2025
In the source material, Lin Yusen does not appear until much later in the story, while Zhuang Xu was originally written as the male lead.
As reader preferences shifted over time, the author restructured the narrative and redefined the central romance.
This long creative evolution explains why the novel itself took nearly a decade to complete and why the drama adaptation still carries traces of its original structure.
Because of this, some viewers feel the drama has already made adjustments by introducing Lin Yusen earlier than expected while staying true to the novel’s pacing.
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Others remain impatient, hoping the story will soon place clearer focus on Nie Xiguang and Lin Yusen’s emotional development rather than lingering on past attachments.
The series moves deeper into its second half, viewers can expect stronger romantic progression, clearer emotional boundaries, and more meaningful moments between the main couple. With family dynamics, personal growth, and unresolved feelings all in play, the drama is likely setting up a more focused narrative shift that aligns with audience expectations.
Will Lin Yusen finally take centre stage, or will the story continue to test viewers’ patience?