The inception of the song can be attributed to Wu Dar-Kuen (吳達坤) and Chen Ching-Yuan (陳敬元) from the Taipei National University of the Arts, who approached Fire EX.
On March 18, 2014, the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) controversy triggered the occupation of the Legislative Yuan by students, subsequently drawing a growing number of protesters to gather in the vicinity.
's lead singer, Sam Yang (楊大正), accompanied by guitarist Jheng Yu Chen (鄭宇辰) and bassist JC (陳敬元), engaged in a sit-in demonstration in front of the Legislative Yuan.
Meanwhile, Fire EX., actively participating in the movement, also pondered how they could contribute to the protests, even though they initially lacked the confidence to create songs specifically for the cause.
However, Chen Ching-Yuan, a graduate of Taipei National University of the Arts, proposed the idea to Sam Yang, that they should compose a song for the student movement.
[7] He revealed that he was deeply moved and even shed tears while writing the song, reflecting on the tragic violence resulting from the police's eviction of the protesters at the Executive Yuan.
He further emphasized the lasting impact of the Executive Yuan crackdown, stating, "The shock of that day's events was so profound that we cannot easily forgive such acts.
"[8] Additionally, Sam Yang shared his strong desire to contribute to the student movement, expressing that creating this song held tremendous significance for him in that regard.
collectively conveyed the song's message, highlighting the growing responsibility each individual must shoulder at some point and the heightened awareness that brought everyone together.
The "Island's Sunrise - Documentary Version," released on March 29, primarily comprised edited footage and text from the preceding ten days.
[12] On March 29, at 9:00 pm, the students from Taipei National University of the Arts officially released the "Island's Sunrise - Documentary Version" video at the Legislative Yuan.
"[17] At 7 p.m., Fire EX., who was set to be the finale of the event, led a massive gathering of 500,000 protesters on Ketagalan Boulevard, singing "Island's Sunrise" and "Goodnight!
"[20] On the same day, during the support events held in Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and New York, the crowd enthusiastically sang "Island's Sunrise," the iconic song representing the Sunflower Student Movement.
Wu Qingtan, the director of the First Taiwan Army Special Forces Rights Promotion Association, anticipated that the number of views would soon surpass one million, emphasizing that the Taiwanese people were singing the song as a symbol of resistance against the unforgivable.
[25] The band behind the song, Fire EX., gained immense popularity, garnering the endearing title of the "Glory of Kaohsiung" bestowed upon them by netizens.
Recognizing the global reach of their message, the project team announced their intention to release a new arrangement and lyrics for an international English version of the song to effectively communicate the demands of the protesters.
[27] Additionally, creative netizens adapted "Island's Sunrise" into a wind version, which they intend to perform publicly on April 10 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. as the students depart from the Legislative Yuan.
[28] Due to its historical significance and its iconic representation of the growing democratic consciousness within social movements, as well as its contemporary relevance and influence, "Island's Sunrise" was nominated for the "Best Song of the Year" category at the 26th Golden Melody Awards.