The Story ⚡
Here are 7 interesting things about Kemi “Mummy Wa” Ikuseedun’s movie My Sunshine, which is labelled as the first-ever Nollywood-K Drama movie to stream on YouTube.
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Kemi “Mummy Wa” Ikuseedun’s debut production, My Sunshine, has made waves as the first cross-cultural collaboration between Nollywood and Korean cinema. Directed by JJC Skillz, the film follows Charis, a young woman from a modest background with Korean roots, who lands a scholarship to a prestigious Nigerian school where the Korean language is prominent due to the founder’s obsession with the culture.
The film features familiar faces like Ikuseedun herself, Debo “Mr Macaroni”, Chinedu “Aki” Ikedieze, and Olayode Juliana, as it explores Charis’ challenges with love, friendship, and school rivalry in a storyline reminiscent of beloved K-dramas like Boys Before Flowers. The buzz around My Sunshine highlights its fresh take on blending Nigerian and Korean cultural elements.
Here are 7 Interesting Things About My Sunshine
7. Viewership and Viral Stats
Shot in 2023, My Sunshine premiered on YouTube on October 5th, 2024. The trailer clip posted on X (Formerly Twitter) went viral, being retweeted over 4,000 times and hitting over 4 million organic views.
https://x.com/oluwa_crystal/status/1842983089745928483
The feature film, boasting a runtime of 1 hour 14 minutes, has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing 1 million views in just 2 months, building on its impressive initial run of 808,000 views within the first two weeks of its release, as a groundbreaking Nollywood-Korean collaboration.
6. Nigerian Reception
The movie received mixed reactions from Nigerian audiences on Twitter. Some users found it “cringe” and difficult to finish, while others applauded Kemi Ikuseedun for her hard work. K-Drama fans, in particular, appreciated the film’s relatable elements and recognized its effort to merge two popular film cultures.
5. Korean Reception
In contrast to Nigerian feedback, Korean viewers praised My Sunshine for its authenticity. The movie that is being talked about a lot in the Korean social media space was complimented on the accurate portrayal of the Korean language and cultural expressions in the film.
Many also appreciated the incorporation of familiar K-Drama tropes, such as Charis, the lead character, coming from a humble background. The Sunshine was even praised on KBS News and JTBC News in Korea.
4. The Director
The film was directed by Abdulrasheed “JJC Skillz” Bello, a celebrated Nigerian rapper, producer, and director, adding to the film’s credibility within Nollywood’s evolving landscape.
3. Language & Dialogue
My Sunshine blends English, Yoruba, and Korean languages, showcasing linguistic diversity. While complex dialogues are primarily in English, the seamless mix of Korean and Yoruba adds a rich cultural authenticity to the film’s storytelling.
2. Kemi’s First Feature-Length Production
Known for her popular skits, My Sunshine marks Kemi “Mummy Wa” Ikuseedun’s first venture into feature-length film production. This ambitious project showcases her filmmaker growth and desire to explore new creative territories.
1. Fluency in Korean
Some cast members, like Grace Angel (who plays Susanne), are polyglots fluent in Korean. Grace, who taught herself the language along with Spanish and English, found it easy to act in Korean. Similarly, Nneka Nnanna, who plays Miss Kim, is a Korean language teacher and interpreter based in Lagos, making the dialogue more authentic.
In Summary
My Sunshine also reflects Nollywood’s growing global influence and its ability to cross borders with African audiences and viewers in Asia.
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