The Nigerian entertainment industry recently witnessed an unusual blend of cultures with the release of My Sunshine, a Nigerian-Korean film that has sparked international acclaim while drawing local criticism. Released in October, this groundbreaking project marks the first full-length film produced by Kemi Ikuseedun, popularly known as Kemz Mama or ‘Mummy Wa.’
Drawing inspiration from her love for Korean dramas, Ikuseedun sought to merge her passion with filmmaking. “I have always enjoyed Kdramas, and I felt it was the perfect way to enter the scene as a filmmaker,” she explained. The film was inspired by two iconic Kdramas, Boys Over Flowers and Heirs, which starred the globally celebrated actor Lee Min Ho.
The Making of My Sunshine
Producing a film that merges Nigerian storytelling with Korean drama elements required meticulous planning and collaboration. Ikuseedun teamed up with Abdulrasheed Bello, also known as JJC Skillz, and included actors with Korean heritage in the cast. To ensure cultural authenticity, the production brought in Korean interpreters who trained the actors to speak Korean convincingly.
Akinsola Esther, who played the character Yewande, shared insights into the rigorous preparation process:
“In terms of speaking Korean, they really tried to teach us. For two weeks before filming, we learned bits of the language. But when they saw that it was taking longer for some of us, they reduced the Korean lines. Those who already knew it, like Grace, Adora, and Neka, went all out. But for us, when we tried, it sounded like Yoruba was sneaking in. So, they told us to take it slow.”
Despite their efforts, the film faced criticism for its language execution and perceived lack of plot depth. Viewers pointed out that the Korean spoken by the cast didn’t sound authentic.
Addressing the Backlash
Ikuseedun was quick to address the feedback, defending the creative decisions made during production. She acknowledged that perfect Korean pronunciation was an unrealistic expectation given the actors’ Nigerian heritage.
“Our Korean will always have an accent because we are Nigerians. It’s difficult to sound like Koreans entirely,” she said.
Ikuseedun also tackled critiques about the film’s storyline. She noted that condensing the rich, multi-episode format of a typical Kdrama into a one-hour film was a challenge.
“It’s hard to squeeze what is usually 20 hours of content into an hour-long film,” she explained.
Beyond its cultural experimentation, My Sunshine boasted a star-studded cast that included Chinedu Ikedieze, Debo Adedayo (Mr. Macaroni), and Juliana Olayode (Toyo Baby). Reflecting on the casting process, Ikuseedun credited her mentor and JJC Skillz for helping her secure the involvement of Chinedu Ikedieze, a Nollywood veteran.
She also praised Olayode’s enthusiasm:
“Toyo Baby was so eager to learn the language. She was very wonderful and supportive. She even wanted to learn more beyond the script!”
My Sunshine stands as a bold cultural experiment, blending the familiar charm of Kdramas with Nigerian storytelling. While the film’s reception has been mixed, its ambition to bridge two vastly different cultures has earned it international recognition.
For Ikuseedun, this project is just the beginning of her journey as a filmmaker. “This film is a stepping stone for me. I want to explore more ways to bring unique stories to life,” she shared.
As the Nigerian film industry continues to grow, My Sunshine serves as a testament to the potential for cross-cultural collaborations and the stories that emerge when diverse worlds collide.
