Had I Not Seen the Sun is a Taiwanese drama (TW-Drama) that arrives on Netflix with a dark premise, setting itself up as a serious psychological thriller. The series introduces Li Jen-yao (played by Tseng Jing-hua), a young man who confesses to being the infamous “Rainstorm Killer” of former classmates. The narrative attempts to interweave present-day interviews with dark flashbacks to the toxic high school environment, aiming to explore the complex relationship between trauma and crime.
The drama certainly attempts to cover ambitious ground, blending elements of romance, school life, horror, and suspense. While the effort to mix these genres is noticeable, the series struggles to synthesize them effectively, leading to a narrative that often feels unfocused and ultimately lacks the depth required to master any single genre.
Tseng Jing-hua’s Masterpiece: The Anchor of the Drama
The central strength of Had I Not Seen the Sun remains the lead performance by Tseng Jing-hua. His portrayal of Li Jen-yao is a masterful study of silent desperation and psychological damage. He is the anchor that holds the frequently rambling script together, using an understated, subtle presence to convey the profound internal struggle. His ability to make the audience feel empathy for a conflicted character, despite the confusing plot developments, is the highest point of the series.
The supporting cast maintains this high emotional pitch. The dynamic between Tseng Jing-hua’s character and Chiang Hsiao-tung (played by Moon Lee) provides the necessary emotional weight, showing the tragic connection rooted in shared pain. However, even strong acting sometimes cannot overcome the deficiencies of the script.
Thematic Misdirection: Repetitive and confusing plot
While the drama addresses profound themes like school bullying, sexual assault, and societal injustice, the execution often undermines its own intentions.
The main critical flaw is that the script quickly becomes dispersed and repetitive. There are too many unnecessary detours and back-and-forth narrative loops that stall the central mystery and make the series feel longer than its substance warrants. The series frequently loses its narrative focus, and the constant shifts between timelines and unreliable memories often result in scenes that are more confusing than complex, leaving key motivations unclear without adding meaningful depth.
It tries to be a profound psychological study but falls short. The drama wants to convey a heavy, tragic message, but the excessive repetition and structural confusion prevent it from landing with the intended impact.
Final Verdict
Had I Not Seen the Sun is a difficult recommendation. It is a visually dark and emotionally heavy drama that is highly engaging, primarily due to the exceptional and committed performance by Tseng Jing-hua.
However, if you are looking for a tightly plotted thriller or a drama that fully commits to its psychological themes, this series might disappoint. It is best recommended for viewers who enjoy an unconventional blend of genres, including the dark school life and tragic romance elements, and can tolerate a significant amount of repetitiveness and narrative confusion for the sake of a strong central performance and intriguing premise. It’s an interesting watch, but it ultimately aims for a profundity that its scattered script never quite achieves.
Warning: This series contains mature themes including violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Viewer discretion is advised.
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