My Love, Enlighten Me Episode 1 Recap
> My Love, Enlighten Me Recap
A chaotic scene unfolds backstage where dreams of success or failure can reverse in an instant. Lin Jiayi and Han Xue are embroiled in a heated confrontation. Han Xue slaps Lin Jiayi, accusing her of making them look like fools. Lin Jiayi retorts that the slap makes them even, but Han Xue threatens to slap her again before Nuannuan steps in, urging them to calm down. Earlier, the backstage was just as noisy.
Nuannuan frantically searches for a makeup spot, only for Tong Meng to claim it, insisting it's her "lucky place." Han Xue confronts Tong Meng, accusing her of being too old to compete with younger "fairies" for a debut spot and sarcastically commenting after Tong Meng stumbles. Nuannuan worries about their own poor makeup skills. Han Xue and another trainee attempt to help Nuannuan with her makeup, but only make it worse.
The three express their immense pressure, acknowledging this might be their last chance to perform together and that they may either succeed or be forced to leave. Despite their predicament, they defiantly declare they will succeed and plan a hotpot celebration. Desperate, they chase their stylist into the bathroom, where Nuannuan's compact powder accidentally spills all over Lin Jiayi. Panicked, Nuannuan devises a quick plan and rushes off to the waiting area.
Meanwhile, Han Che, the visual director, is initially denied entry backstage by a skeptical staff member, but his identity is confirmed by his colleague, King, who apologizes for the mix-up. As they walk, a critical stage light malfunctions. Han Che impressively identifies the faulty light and immediately proposes a complex solution involving three other lights to compensate, astonishing King with his photographic memory.
Han Che then overhears a conversation between a Mr. Xu and King, revealing the show's cynical strategy: to sacrifice many trainees to elevate only Lin Jiayi, viewing it as a "legendary" rise to stardom. Moments later, he spots Nuannuan, who is frantically tearing a white garment. Mistaking him for a staff member, she quickly apologizes and runs off. Han Che follows her, only to find himself accidentally locked in a storage room.
He calls out, assuring her he can recognize her distinct running rhythm, breathing, and voice, and even subtle facial features like her slightly raised right eyebrow and nearsightedness, without needing to see her face clearly. Unaware of Han Che's predicament, Nuannuan later reassures Han Xue and Lin Jiayi that the man couldn't have recognized her due to her heavy stage makeup.
Around this time, Fang Hanchen encounters a distressed Nuannuan and offers comforting words, assuring her she will be the most beautiful girl on stage. Backstage, Nuannuan informs Han Xue and Lin Jiayi that she has given the storage room key to a staff member. The trio gives each other a pep talk, promising not to falter during their performance.
As their group is introduced, the staff member opens the storage room, releasing Han Che, who immediately takes command of the lighting board, manually directing intricate light changes to save the show. Mid-performance, Lin Jiayi, unexpectedly lifted by wires in a flowing white gown, begins a solo act. Han Xue and Nuannuan are left standing on stage, stunned, their faces mirroring a mixture of confusion and heartbreak.
After the performance, Fang Hanchen confronts Mr. Liu, the director, questioning the sudden changes and the unfair sacrifice of the other girls' efforts. Mr. Liu coldly dismisses his concerns, attributing the outcome to "fate" and claiming that "the audience is God." The seven lucky trainees who made their debut are then announced: Tang Shixuan, Zhao Linlin, Huang Yingyin, Tong Meng, Bai Lu, Chen Chen, and Lin Jiayi, who takes the coveted center position.
Watching from the side, Han Che murmurs to himself that he has finally repaid what he owed Lin Jiayi. Later, Nuannuan is asked to speak on behalf of the eliminated trainees. She shares a poignant story about her mother's dream of her speaking on stage, which turned out to be only "half right." She thanks the company and fans, apologizing for disappointing them, and performs a heartfelt song.
As Han Che listens to the familiar melody, a look of recognition crosses his face. The scene shifts back to the immediate aftermath of the performance. Han Xue confronts Lin Jiayi backstage, demanding to know why the live show deviated drastically from their rehearsals and why their trio became Lin Jiayi's solo. Lin Jiayi feigns innocence, claiming she was also confused on stage.
Han Xue, however, points out the impossibility of Lin Jiayi's flawless execution without prior knowledge, especially with the synchronized lighting and wire work. She accuses Lin Jiayi of making fools of them all. Lin Jiayi then defensively retorts, questioning if Han Xue and Nuannuan would have achieved their current popularity without her. Nuannuan steps in, acknowledging Lin Jiayi's past contributions but clarifying that her loyalty was to her "good friend Linlin," not to the "center-position debutant Lin Jiayi."
Just then, the company boss intervenes. Han Xue defiantly declares her resignation, accusing the company of exploiting young girls, and challenges them to calculate her breach of contract fees. The boss immediately orders security to fire and forcibly remove both Han Xue and Nuannuan. Nuannuan, with composure, insists on walking out herself, offering Lin Jiayi a final "Good luck to you!" as she reflects on the four years of rigorous training they had shared.
Days later, Han Che receives a call from Dr. Xu Jingsong, who will be overseeing his follow-up treatments. Meanwhile, Han Xue and Nuannuan sit together, tearfully eating the celebratory hotpot they had once dreamed of sharing as a successful trio. Amidst their shared grief and anger, they declare their resolve to find new paths. Later, at a KTV, Nuannuan laments that she has lost her job, dream, and friends, feeling unemployed at an age when others are graduating.
Han Xue consoles her, reminding her that she still has her. Back at their dorm, they pack their belongings, recalling their first meeting as they say goodbye to four years of shared history. As Nuannuan leaves with her luggage, Fang Hanchen stops her, offering to help. She informs him she is staying at a property belonging to Han Che's family, a place Han Xue refers to as a "shabby house."
Nuannuan admits she wants to find an "ordinary job" instead of seeking another agency, pondering that dreams don't have to be realized only on a stage. Fang Hanchen encourages her, calling her a "unique flower." At a company meeting, Han Che presents his ambitious "Fulfilling the Dunhuang Dream" project, proposing to restore the grandeur of the Thousand-Buddha Caves through creative reinterpretation, even suggesting to "lift the statues up" since viewers cannot kneel. His bold proposal garners applause.
Later, Han Che calls his sister, Han Xue, who complains about his vast villa. Han Che expresses his disapproval of Han Xue's career in entertainment, but she counters that it's her dream. He also inquires about the girl with Han Xue, remembering her name is Nuannuan. He admits he feels guilty about her situation and vows to make it up to her.
The conversation touches upon his hyperthymesia, and he reflects on his late grandmother's wisdom, who taught him that his condition is a gift, not a burden. He quietly states, "I'm back at last." The episode concludes with a drowsy Nuannuan, living in the same family property, unexpectedly colliding with Han Che. Startled, both mistake the other for an intruder and separately call emergency services to report a burglary.
