Daily Dose of Sunshine — Characters & Cast

To ease the suffering of vulnerable patients, later evolving into learning how to sustain her own mental well-being while advocating for her patients.

Begins as an overly conscientious, people-pleasing nurse whose boundaryless empathy leads to acute psychiatric hospitalization following a patient’s suicide. She evolves from a fragile savior into a resilient, self-aware practitioner who recognizes her own boundaries and embraces her identity as a mental health survivor.

Relieving his own internal tension, which shifts toward supporting Da-eun and destigmatizing psychiatric vulnerability.

An eccentric colorectal surgeon dealing with an obsessive-compulsive habit of cracking his knuckles. Meeting Da-eun breaks his mental fixation. Rather than playing a romantic savior, he serves as an empathetic partner who respects Da-eun’s recovery pace and provides non-judgmental stability.

Maintaining an illusion of competence, evolving into reclaiming his professional life without sacrificing his health.

Da-eun’s childhood best friend who secretly quit his corporate job after developing severe panic disorder from exploitative workplace overwork. He conceals his pain behind a cheerful facade at his parents' fried chicken shop, but eventually confronts his trauma, seeks medical help, and learns to set healthy workplace boundaries upon returning to corporate employment.

Protecting the psychological safety and dignity of both patients and staff.

The veteran Head Nurse of Unit 53 whose professional authority shields her nursing staff while privately carrying the burden of caring for a younger sister with chronic schizophrenia. When Da-eun faces public backlash upon returning to work, Hyo-jin stands against hospital administration and protesting guardians to protect her.

Financial survival, which transforms into autonomous self-realization and creative freedom.

A fiercely capable nurse burdened by extreme poverty and an emotionally abusive mother. Cold and detached to avoid emotional exhaustion, she gradually lets down her walls through a relationship with psychiatrist Hwang Yeo-hwan. She ultimately cuts ties with her mother, resigns from the hospital, and pursues her dream of becoming a cruise ship nurse.