Growing beyond the right answers: The story behind 'Spring Sunshine'

Comic artist Ruan Junting once dreamed of devoting herself entirely to art. Instead, she became a teacher at the school she graduated from – the China Academy of Art. Caught between her artistic ambitions and the demands of teaching, Ruan eventually turned her own experience into Chunhui (Spring Sunshine), a graphic novel 13 years in the making.

In Chinese, chunhui literally means spring sunshine. It is a poetic image associated with warmth, care and nurturing.

Following a young art teacher who stays on at her alma mater after graduation, the graphic novel follows her journey through setbacks and self-doubt as well as meaningful connections with her students. She begins to reconsider what it truly means to educate, to love and to accept both others and herself.

"Is what I believe to be right really right for someone else? Is the love we think we're offering actually the love another person needs?" She constantly questions herself.

Through the teacher's story, Spring Sunshine offers a thoughtful reflection on growing up, finding purpose and discovering new possibilities in life.

Executive producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Director: Chen Hongyu

Videographers: Wang Hongjie, Chen Hongyu

Cover: Zhu Shangfan