After reading an article about the Nigerian movie My Sunshine, I checked it out on YouTube—and wow, I was blown away by how fluently the Nigerian actors spoke Korean! Today, I want to introduce you to My Sunshine, a film that captures the K-drama wave sweeping through Nigeria. We'll also dive into Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry that produces an astounding number of films—so much so that it earned its own name, Nollywood.
| Contents - My Sunshine : Nigerian Film with K-Drama Vibes - What's Nollywood? - About Nigeria |
My Sunshine
Nigerian Film with K-Drama Vibes
My Sunshine is a unique fusion of Nigerian storytelling with the familiar tropes of Korean dramas (K-dramas). The film includes elements like romance, love triangles, and the classic poor-girl-meets-rich-guy narrative that K-drama fans will recognize.
The film was created by Kemi Ikuseedun, also known as Mummy Wa or Kemz Mama, and is groundbreaking as the first Nigerian movie to feature the Korean language. My Sunshine creatively blends Nollywood and K-drama styles, breathing fresh air into the Nigerian film industry. (Just so you know, Nollywood is a term inspired by Hollywood, created to describe Nigeria's prolific film industry.)
Title My Sunshine
Release Date October 4, 2024
Running Time 1 hour, 14 minutes
Streaming Platform YouTube
Languages English, Korean, and Yoruba
Director Abdulrasheed Bello (JJC Skillz)
Plot
The movie starts with Charis Benson and her mother discussing a scholarship opportunity to attend a Korean language school in Nigeria. Thanks to her late father, who was Korean, Charis already has some familiarity with the language. She and four other students receive the scholarship, marking the beginning of their high school journey.
Yewande, a wealthy and attractive student, quickly develops feelings for Charis, but her jealousy intensifies when her ex-boyfriend Gerald also takes an interest in Charis. Yewande continually belittles Charis, calling her a "peasant," which sets up a classic high school love triangle, ramping up the drama.
The Director & Screenwriter
My Sunshine was directed by JJC Skillz, a well-known Nigerian filmmaker and music producer. The script was written by Kemi Ikuseedun, who also stars in the film. As a huge K-drama fan herself, Kemi seamlessly weaves together Korean and Nigerian cultures in this film.
Language and Cultural Blend
One of the highlights of this film is the mix of Korean, English, and Yoruba. Characters naturally drop Korean phrases like “daebak” (amazing) and “geunde” (but) into their dialogue, making it feel like you’re watching a K-drama set in Nigeria. In the school scenes, teachers greet each other with “annyeonghaseyo,” and students use expressions like “ppalli” (hurry) and “eotteokhae” (what should I do?), creating a fun and familiar atmosphere for K-drama fans.
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Nollywood
What is Nollywood?
Nollywood is the name for Nigeria's film industry, a blend of "Nigeria" and "Hollywood." The term was coined in the early 2000s by New York Times journalist Norimitsu Onishi, who observed the rapid growth of film production in Lagos. Nollywood has since become the second-largest film industry in the world, following Bollywood, producing about 2,500 films annually.
Background of Nollywood
Nollywood's growth exploded in the 1990s when low-budget video films gained popularity. The success of Living in Bondage inspired many filmmakers to jump into the industry, and Nollywood has been on a rapid rise ever since. While the industry initially focused on English-language films, it has since expanded to include movies in local languages like Yoruba and Igbo, attracting a broader audience.
Key Features of Nollywood
🎬 High Production Volume: With around 2,500 films produced each year, Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world, trailing only Bollywood.
⏱️ Quick Turnaround: Nollywood films are usually shot in just 7 to 14 days. This fast-paced production is made possible by using digital and video cameras, streamlining the filming process.
💵 Low Budget: On average, a Nollywood film costs about $47,500 to produce. Despite the lower budgets, Nollywood filmmakers are known for crafting compelling stories with limited resources.
🎭 Diverse Genres: Nollywood covers a wide range of genres, including crime, corruption, romance, horror, and comedy. Interestingly, most Nollywood films have a happy ending.
🌍 Cultural Depth: These films often highlight Nigeria's rich cultural elements, from local languages and music to traditional fashion and customs, offering an authentic portrayal of Nigerian life.
📺 Global Reach: Thanks to platforms like Netflix, Nollywood films are reaching international audiences, allowing people worldwide to enjoy the stories and cultural richness of Nigerian cinema.
Popular Nollywood Films on Netflix
- Lionheart: Nigeria’s first Netflix original, about a daughter trying to save her family’s business.
- Òlòtūré: A powerful drama tackling human trafficking in Nigeria.
- King of Boys: A political thriller exploring power and corruption.
- Citation: A touching film about the fight against sexual harassment.
- House of Ga’a: A historical drama about a powerful figure in the Oyo Empire.
- The Black Book: A gripping crime thriller focusing on corruption and justice.
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About Nigeria
(Source : KOICA blog)
The Economic Powerhouse of Africa
Nigeria, officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is located along the Atlantic coast of West Africa. It shares borders with Niger to the north, Chad to the northeast, Cameroon to the east, and Benin to the west. With a land area of 923,773 km²—about 4.2 times the size of the Korean Peninsula—Nigeria has grown into an African economic giant, thanks to its abundant natural resources. Abuja is the capital city, while Lagos is the largest. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic nation, home to various ethnic groups such as the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. English is the official language, facilitating communication among the diverse linguistic groups.
Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, experiencing several military regimes before transitioning to democracy in 1999. Economically, Nigeria boasts the largest economy in Africa, largely driven by its oil industry. As one of the world's top oil exporters, Nigeria wields considerable global economic influence and continues to grow thanks to its vast natural resources.
Traditional Dyeing Techniques
Nigeria is also known for its traditional dyeing techniques, especially in the northwestern city of Kano, which hosts one of Africa's oldest dyeing factories. Famous for indigo dyeing, Kano’s traditional methods are highly decorative and culturally significant, though they primarily cater to tourists today. Recently, European companies have begun using these dyed fabrics for their products.
Oil and Environmental Issues
Nigeria ranks as the 11th-largest oil producer globally, with over 90% of its exports derived from oil. However, oil spills due to damaged pipelines have caused severe environmental damage, presenting a major challenge to Nigeria’s sustainable development.
Jumma Rock and Sukur Cultural Landscape
North of the capital Abuja, the towering 725-meter Jumma Rock offers breathtaking scenery, with a formation resembling a giant face, adding to its mystical appeal.
The Sukur Cultural Landscape, Nigeria’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases the historical evolution of human settlements and agriculture. Its terraced farmlands are a testament to the ingenious ways Nigeria’s ancestors adapted to their natural environment.
Talking Drum
A traditional West African instrument, the talking drum is shaped like an hourglass, with cords that can be tightened or loosened to mimic the tone and intonation of human speech. Skilled drummers can produce sounds that resemble a person talking or singing, making it an essential part of West African culture.
KOICA's Collaboration
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been actively involved in various projects in Nigeria. From providing emergency support during the COVID-19 pandemic to establishing diagnostic booths and the Korea-Nigeria Vocational Training Center, KOICA has played a vital role in fostering cooperation between Nigeria and Korean companies, offering training and job experience to local workers.
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Discovering Nollywood
Watching My Sunshine was not only a fascinating dive into a K-drama-inspired Nigerian film, but it also opened my eyes to the incredible world of Nollywood. This film proves that Nollywood isn’t just about fast-paced, low-budget productions. It’s an industry with immense potential for blending global trends with local narratives, creating unique and captivating stories. If you’re curious, I highly recommend checking out My Sunshine on YouTube and enjoying the impressive performances of African actors speaking fluent Korean!
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