What Is Our Shining Days About?
The premise of Our Shining Days in 249 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the vibrant world of a fictitious music school, two musical traditions exist in spirited opposition: the Chinese orchestra and the Classical orchestra. Their students trade barbs about heritage and pretension, each side convinced of its own superiority. At the center of this divide stands Chen Jing, a quirky yet talented yangqin student who seems unbothered by the rivalry—until something shifts when she crosses paths with Wang Wen, a brilliant piano prodigy whose casual dismissal of traditional Chinese instruments awakens a stubborn resolve in her.
Driven by a desire to demonstrate the beauty of her craft, Chen Jing sets out to form her own ensemble. She gathers a delightfully unlikely group: her steadfast best friend Li You, whose quiet devotion hints at deeper feelings, and four otaku girls whose enthusiasm is initially inspired more by collectibles than music. Together, they christen themselves “2.5 Dimension,” a name celebrating their identity as a bridge between different worlds. Their journey toward a national competition becomes a heartfelt exploration of passion, friendship, and the courage to pursue an artistic path less traveled.
The film radiates an inspirational warmth, blending the energy of youth with the timeless resonance of traditional Chinese instruments. It captures the spark of creativity that ignites when unlikely collaborators find common ground, and the bittersweet intensity of competition where pride and artistry intertwine. Through its colorful characters and spirited conflicts, the story celebrates the messy, beautiful process of chasing something you believe in—even when the world around you seems unconvinced.
What Happens in Our Shining Days?
The complete story of Our Shining Days, from the first scene to the last, in 661 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 9 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Set within the walls of a fictitious music school, a deep and bitter divide exists between the students of the Chinese orchestra and those of the Classical orchestra. The two groups maintain a mutual disdain for one another, frequently trading insults; the Classical students view the Chinese orchestra as “tacky,” while the Chinese orchestra students dismiss their counterparts as “pretentious.”
Amidst this tension is Xu Lu, who plays Chen Jing, a quirky yet immensely talented student of the yangqin. Initially, Chen Jing remains indifferent to the rivalry and the social friction surrounding the two departments. However, her perspective shifts when she develops romantic feelings for Luo Mingjie, who portrays Wang Wen, a piano prodigy. As she gets to know him, she becomes deeply annoyed by his ignorance and his blatant prejudice toward traditional Chinese instruments. Driven by a desire to change his mind and prove her worth, Chen Jing becomes determined to showcase the beauty of her craft.
To achieve this, she decides to form her own unique musical ensemble. She is joined by her best friend, Peng Yuchang as Li You, who secretly harbors feelings for her. To round out the group, Chen Jing recruits four Otaku girls—including Lu Zhaohua as Beibei, Li Nuo as Sakura, Liu Yongxi as Xiao Haze, and Eunice Han as Tata. These girls initially agree to join the group only because Chen Jing promises to buy them expensive, rare action figures. They name their concert band “2.5 Dimension,” a term symbolizing the blend between the 2D world of anime and the 3D physical world, as the Otaku members consider themselves residents of the second dimension.
The group’s first major test comes when they perform at an Animation, Comics, and Games convention. While they face initial rejection from the audience, their passion eventually wins the crowd over, and they are met with loud cheers. However, the triumph is short-lived. When they perform for Wang Wen, he publicly rejects both Chen Jing and the validity of traditional Chinese music. Heartbroken and crushed by his words, Chen Jing decides to disband 2.5 Dimension. This decision sparks anger among the four Otaku students, who have genuinely grown to love the band and the music; in a show of solidarity and maturity, they refuse the expensive anime figurines Chen Jing had promised them.
During this period of doubt, Chen Jing finds guidance from her mother, Yan Ni as Mrs. Chen. Her mother shares a poignant perspective on music, explaining that the yangqin is not just an instrument but a part of who she is, and that she cannot simply give up playing it without the instrument’s “permission.”
The conflict escalates when the head of the school announces a devastating plan: the school will stop accepting new students into the Chinese Orchestra program, effectively phasing it out of existence. In response, the original members of 2.5 Dimension, along with other sympathetic students, rise up to protest the decision. When the administration refuses to listen, the students organize a high-stakes music competition against the Classical Orchestra.
As the event unfolds, an Eason Chan Yik-Shun as the Inspection Director arrives to evaluate the school. As both orchestras perform, it becomes evident that the Chinese orchestra’s sounds match and complement the Classical students’ music beautifully. The Inspection Director is left very impressed by the talent and the synergy. Following the performance, the competition is declared a tie, which finally fosters a sense of mutual respect between the two warring factions.
In a final act of defiance and celebration, the Chinese orchestra enlists the help of their former rivals in the Classical orchestra. Together, they sneak into a public youth concert that is being broadcast live to a wide audience. They perform unofficially after the scheduled acts and are met with overwhelming praise from the public. The story concludes on a hopeful note, showing the arrival of a new batch of freshmen, many of whom are eager to enroll in the now-reprieved Chinese orchestra program.
Our Shining Days Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Rivalry at the music school” to “A new generation arrives”. 8 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Rivalry at the music school
At a fictitious music school, the students of the Chinese orchestra and the Classical orchestra are in constant conflict with each other. They mock one another by calling each other "tacky" and "pretentious", creating deep divisions within the student body.
Where:Music school
- 2
Chen Jing falls for Wang Wen
Chen Jing, a quirky but talented yangqin student, initially does not care about the rivalry between the two orchestras. Her attitude changes when she falls for Wang Wen, a celebrated piano prodigy at the school.
- 3
Determined to prove herself
Chen Jing becomes annoyed at Wang Wen's ignorance and prejudice toward Chinese instruments. She is determined to prove herself to him by forming her own ensemble built around traditional Chinese music.
- 4
Recruiting the ensemble members
Chen Jing recruits her best friend Li You, who secretly loves her, along with four Otaku girls. The Otaku girls initially agree to join only because Chen Jing promises to buy them expensive action figures.
- 5
The band is named '2.5 Dimension'
The group names their concert band "2.5 Dimension", meaning a blend between the 2D and 3D worlds. The name references how Otaku people refer to themselves as living in the second dimension.
- 6
Performance at the ACG convention
2.5 Dimension performs at an Animation, Comics, and Games convention. After facing initial rejection from the audience, the crowd ultimately cheers enthusiastically for the band.
Where:Animation, Comics, and Games convention
- 7
Public rejection by Wang Wen
The band performs for Wang Wen, hoping to earn his respect and recognition. Instead, he publicly rejects both Chen Jing and traditional Chinese music, dealing her a painful blow.
- 8
2.5 Dimension disbands
Crushed by Wang Wen's rejection, Chen Jing chooses to disband 2.5 Dimension. The four Otaku students, who have grown to love the band, are angry and refuse Chen Jing's gift of expensive anime figurines.
- 9
Mother's wisdom about the yangqin
Chen Jing's mother tells her that the yangqin is a part of who she is. She explains that Chen Jing cannot simply give up playing it without the instrument's permission, helping her reconnect with her music.
Where:Chen Jing's home
- 10
The Chinese orchestra faces elimination
The head of the school announces plans to take in no new students, which would gradually phase out the Chinese Orchestra program entirely. The announcement puts the future of all Chinese music students in jeopardy.
Where:Music school
Show the other 5 events of Our Shining Days Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Students protest the decision
The original members of 2.5 Dimension are joined by other students to protest the phasing out of the Chinese Orchestra program. When the head of the school continues to refuse them, they decide to take bolder action.
Where:Music school
- 12
A music competition is organized
The students organize a music competition between the Chinese orchestra and the Classical Orchestra to prove the value of their music. Both ensembles prepare to demonstrate their artistry in a high-stakes showdown.
- 13
The competition ends in a tie
An inspector comes to the school, and as both orchestras play their music, the Chinese orchestra matches beautifully with the Classical students, leaving the inspector deeply impressed. Meeting outside, the competition is declared a tie, earning mutual respect between the two groups.
Where:Music school
- 14
Crashing the live youth concert
The Chinese orchestra enlists the help of the Classical orchestra to sneak in and unofficially play after the other performers at a public youth concert. The concert is being broadcast live, and their impromptu performance is met with high praise.
Where:Public youth concert
- 15
A new generation arrives
The movie ends with the arrival of new freshmen at the school. Among them are a number of students keen to learn in the reprieved Chinese orchestra, signaling a hopeful future for traditional Chinese music.
Where:Music school
Who Are the Main Characters in Our Shining Days?
3 characters, among them Chen Jing, Li You and Wang Wen: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- CJ
Chen Jing
Played by Xu Lu
Chen Jing is a quirky and talented yangqin student who initially shows indifference towards the rivalry between orchestras. When her feelings for Wang Wen are met with ignorance, she becomes determined to showcase her skills, embodying passion and resilience. Her journey reflects personal growth as she learns the importance of her cultural identity and not giving up on her dreams.
- 💪 Determination
- 🎼 Musician
- ❤️ Love
- LY
Li You
Played by Peng Yuchang
Li You is Chen Jing's best friend, who secretly harbors feelings for her. His character represents loyalty and unrequited love, offering emotional support to Chen Jing as she navigates her challenges. Despite his own feelings, he prioritizes her happiness and growth as a musician.
- 👫 Friendship
- 💔 Unrequited Love
- WW
Wang Wen
Played by Luo Mingjie
Wang Wen is a talented piano prodigy whose initial dismissal of Chinese music ignites Chen Jing's determination. His character embodies the complexities of talent and prejudice, serving as a catalyst for the conflict within the story. Ultimately, his evolution leads to a deeper understanding of musical diversity.
- 🎹 Prodigy
- ⛔ Prejudice
Where and When Is Our Shining Days Set?
Our Shining Days is set in fictitious music school, Animation, Comics, and Games convention. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The story is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern cultural trends and the clash between traditional and contemporary music. The events unfold against the backdrop of youth culture, highlighting the significance of music in personal expression and community bonding.
Where
fictitious music school, Animation, Comics, and Games convention
The fictitious music school serves as a battleground for the fierce rivalry between the Chinese and Classical orchestras. This institution is known for its diverse musical programs, fostering talent among young musicians. The Animation, Comics, and Games convention is a vibrant gathering where fans showcase their passions, providing a backdrop for the characters' growth and performance.
- 🏫 School
- 🎮 Convention
What Are the Themes of Our Shining Days?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Music Rivalry, Love and Friendship and Perseverance.
-
01
Music Rivalry
The film explores the rivalry between different musical traditions, particularly the clash between the Chinese orchestra and the Classical orchestra. This theme emphasizes how music can serve as both a dividing force and a means of unification. The journey of the characters illustrates the importance of collaboration and mutual respect in overcoming prejudice.
-
02
Love and Friendship
At its core, the movie revolves around love and friendship, particularly through Chen Jing's feelings for Wang Wen. The relationships among Chen Jing, her best friend Li You, and the Otaku girls showcase the complexities of youthful affection and the importance of supportive friendships in pursuing one's dreams.
-
03
Perseverance
The theme of perseverance is strongly depicted as Chen Jing and her group face numerous challenges in their musical journey. Despite initial rejection and adversity, they strive to prove themselves and unite their classmates. This reflects the broader message of resilience and fighting for one's passions against all odds.
What Kind of Film Is Our Shining Days?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A warm, youthful underdog story where quirky high schoolers rally to save their beloved Chinese orchestra, blending heartfelt romance, playful otaku humor, and earnest musical passion.
- uplifting
- youthful
- playful
- inspiring
- earnest
- competitive
- music competition
- school rivalry
- coming of age
- otaku culture
Content notes: public humiliation, heartbreak.
Quiz
How well do you remember Our Shining Days? Test yourself on the story.
