My Sunshine: First Korean-Nigerian Film Falls Short of Expectations
My Sunshine, directed by Abdulrasheed Bello (also known as JJC Skillz), marks the first collaboration between Korean and Nigerian cinema. The film, starring Kemi Ikuseedun (popularly known as Mummy Wa), was anticipated to introduce a fresh blend of K-drama and Nollywood. However, despite its unique concept, the movie fails to deliver the impact it promised.
The plot revolves around Charis Benson, a Nigerian high school student with a Korean background, who wins a scholarship to study at a Korean school in Nigeria. The film highlights her challenges in dealing with fellow students, particularly a rivalry with Yewande over the affections of Gerald. The plot builds around typical high school drama, from friendship tensions to a classic prom showdown where Charis eventually wins the title of prom queen.
Despite its originality in mixing Korean and Nigerian elements, the movie struggles with language fluency. Kemi Ikuseedun, while making an effort, falls short in her ability to deliver her Korean lines convincingly. The language mix of Korean, English, and Yoruba can feel confusing and overwhelming, breaking the flow of the story.
Chinedu Ikedieze, playing the school principal, provides comic relief, though his role in the film is minimal. Olayode Juliana and Grace Angel give decent performances, but the overall cast lacks the fluency needed to make the Korean integration feel authentic.
Visually, the cinematography and sound design are commendable for a YouTube-level production. Scenes like the prom night are well-shot, capturing the emotional essence of the characters. However, these technical successes do little to salvage the weak plot, which feels directionless at times.
My Sunshine is an ambitious project but ultimately falls short of expectations. The film’s attempt to merge two distinct cultures—Korean and Nigerian—could have been stronger if the execution had been more polished, particularly in language delivery. Though it’s a bold experiment, the lack of depth and authenticity makes it feel more like a missed opportunity than a groundbreaking success.
