Watch Days We Stared at the Sun

Days We Stared at the Sun is a groundbreaking Taiwanese drama series that first aired in 2010 on the Public Television Service. The series is particularly notable for its gritty, realistic depiction of modern adolescent life, evoking the struggles, dreams, and harsh realities faced by Taiwan's younger generation.

The series primarily revolves around two high school students, Xiao Zhen and Ah Jun. Both hail from different socioeconomic backgrounds and daily realities: Xiao Zhen is from a working-class family, devoted to her studies and dreams of being a boxer, while Ah Jun, from a wealthier family, is a popular student who longs for a life of freedom and excitement outside the realms of his affluent upbringing. Their characters beautifully encapsulate the dichotomies of social class, family expectations, personal ambition, and the dynamics of friendship.

In their story, the audience is led through the confusing and tumultuous journey of adolescence in a society that is rapidly changing. Each episode magnifies the interiors of the characters’ minds, revealing their inner world rife with dreams, hopes, fears, and disillusionments.

One of the standout features of Days We Stared at the Sun is its unflinching approach to its subject matter. Rather than sugar-coating the trials and tribulations of youth and adolescence, the series immerses viewers in a starkly realistic coming-of-age narrative. It doesn't shy away from the hard-hitting topics of social injustice, class divisions, crime, pressure to succeed, and the longing for individual identity. By doing so, it examines the collective psychological underbelly of Taiwan's younger generation.

Yet, amidst its intense and often serious narrative, the show offers poignant moments of tender emotional honesty. The deep friendship between Xiao Zhen and Ah Jun serves as a microcosm of the larger societal composition, drawing viewers in and resonating with them on a deeply personal level. The microcosm model also allows for the exploration of the tension and interaction between ambition and reality, dream and disillusionment, and love and betrayal.

The narrative strength of Days We Stared at the Sun aside, its critical acclaim is also a result of its top-notch production values. Director Tsao Jui-Yuan skillfully captures the nuances of Taiwanese society, weaving together a vivid tapestry that both informs and embodies the series' thematic depth. The cinematography effectively complements the story, with its stark, raw aesthetic creating an atmosphere that effortlessly transports the viewers into the characters' world.

The protagonists, played by talented young actors Wei Han Ying (Xiao Zhen) and Wu Chien-Ho (Ah Jun), also receive high praise. Their performances exude authenticity and depth, contributing greatly to the series' visceral and relatable exploration of young adulthood.

Furthermore, Days We Stared at the Sun successfully merges elements of drama and crime thriller genres. This combination helps the series maintain a strong narrative tension demanding the viewers' attention in every scene. The inclusion of crime thriller elements also enables the series to tackle its heavy themes in a consistently compelling, thrilling, and dramatic manner, thereby avoiding the trap of monotonous melancholy.

In retrospect, Days We Stared at the Sun is a timely, realistic portrayal of the complexity of being young in contemporary Taiwan. While focusing on the lives of two young students, it manages to capture the anxieties, dreams, and growing pains of an entire generation. Despite being set in Taiwan, the universal themes and truths explored in the series transcend cultural boundaries, leaving viewers from all walks of life with a meaningful viewing experience.

Watching Days We Stared at the Sun, one gets to understand not only the microcosm of Taiwanese youth but also the macrocosm of global youth who are caught in similar tumultuous waves of change, uncertainty, and hope. It is this universality, blended with domestic cultural nuance, that makes Days We Stared at the Sun a series that resonates strongly with viewers globally.