Our Shining Days
A youth inspirational film, about how a group of high school students try to revive Chinese orchestra ensemble. They face many challenges along the way to compete nationally, including a rivalry with the more popular Western orchestra club.
The film earned $9.9M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Our Shining Days (2017) exhibits carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Wang Ran's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Chen Jing practices guzheng in the neglected Traditional Chinese Music Department, establishing the hierarchical divide where Western classical music students dominate and look down on traditional musicians at the arts school.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Chen Jing is publicly rejected and humiliated by Wang Wen and the Western music students, who mock traditional Chinese music as inferior and outdated, crushing her romantic hopes and dignity.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Chen Jing makes a bold declaration to form a traditional Chinese music ensemble and challenge the Western music department to a musical battle, committing herself to prove traditional music deserves respect., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The ensemble achieves a breakthrough performance or rehearsal where traditional Chinese instruments and contemporary presentation successfully merge, proving the concept works. False victory: they believe they're ready, but bigger challenges loom., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A devastating setback: either a key member quits, the performance is officially cancelled, or a disastrous rehearsal reveals they're not ready. Chen Jing faces the death of her dream to prove traditional music's worth., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Chen Jing realizes the performance was never about winning Wang Wen's approval or defeating Western music - it's about honoring their own cultural heritage and finding pride in who they are. This synthesis of personal growth and cultural mission gives her clarity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Our Shining Days's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Our Shining Days against these established plot points, we can identify how Wang Ran utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Our Shining Days within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Chen Jing practices guzheng in the neglected Traditional Chinese Music Department, establishing the hierarchical divide where Western classical music students dominate and look down on traditional musicians at the arts school.
Theme
A fellow student or teacher remarks that "tradition and modernity don't have to be enemies" or similar sentiment about cultural worth, foreshadowing Chen Jing's journey to prove traditional Chinese music's value.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Affiliated High School of Nanjing Arts Institute, establishing the social hierarchy between Western and Traditional departments, Chen Jing's unrequited feelings for Wang Wen, and the daily discrimination traditional music students face.
Disruption
Chen Jing is publicly rejected and humiliated by Wang Wen and the Western music students, who mock traditional Chinese music as inferior and outdated, crushing her romantic hopes and dignity.
Resistance
Chen Jing debates whether to accept the humiliation or fight back. Her friend Qian Zhi Shen and other traditional music students discuss the challenge. Chen Jing wavers between giving up and proving traditional music's worth.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Chen Jing makes a bold declaration to form a traditional Chinese music ensemble and challenge the Western music department to a musical battle, committing herself to prove traditional music deserves respect.
Mirror World
Chen Jing encounters the "2.5 Dimensional" group - anime and ACG culture enthusiasts who are also marginalized outcasts. This unlikely alliance represents the thematic heart: finding pride in what others dismiss as uncool.
Premise
The fun of building the ensemble: recruiting the quirky 2.5D members, early chaotic rehearsals mixing traditional instruments with cosplay aesthetics, discovering creative synergies between ancient and modern, and the group bonding over their shared outsider status.
Midpoint
The ensemble achieves a breakthrough performance or rehearsal where traditional Chinese instruments and contemporary presentation successfully merge, proving the concept works. False victory: they believe they're ready, but bigger challenges loom.
Opposition
Mounting pressure: the Western music department intensifies their mockery, school administration threatens to shut down the performance, internal conflicts emerge within the ensemble, and Chen Jing's confidence wavers as the enormity of the challenge becomes clear.
Collapse
A devastating setback: either a key member quits, the performance is officially cancelled, or a disastrous rehearsal reveals they're not ready. Chen Jing faces the death of her dream to prove traditional music's worth.
Crisis
Chen Jing processes the failure in darkness. The ensemble members separately contemplate giving up. The dream seems dead, and returning to their marginalized status appears inevitable.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Chen Jing realizes the performance was never about winning Wang Wen's approval or defeating Western music - it's about honoring their own cultural heritage and finding pride in who they are. This synthesis of personal growth and cultural mission gives her clarity.
Synthesis
The finale: Chen Jing rallies the ensemble, they fight to make the performance happen, and execute a spectacular musical battle showcasing traditional Chinese instruments with innovative modern staging. The performance transcends competition to become a celebration of cultural identity.
Transformation
Chen Jing stands confident with her ensemble, no longer seeking external validation. The Traditional and Western music students share mutual respect. She has transformed from an insecure girl chasing a boy's approval into a proud cultural ambassador.