Park Jin Young and Kim Min Ju recently shared their perspective and thoughts on their latest drama, 'Shining.' Both shared that 'Shining' depicts "an ordinary love everyone has experienced."
From the first meeting at nineteen, to a breakup at twenty, and a reunion at thirty, actors Park Jin Young and Kim Min Ju play each other’s first love in JTBC’s new Friday series 'Shining.' The drama captures a wide range of emotions, from the fresh innocence of school days to the realities of adult life.
The series portrays slices of life spanning from the teens to the thirties, set against the flow of the four seasons. It tells the story of first love’s excitement, the pain of parting, and the lingering feelings upon reunion, all in a classic melodrama style.
It’s a story of ordinary love that anyone has experienced at least once. Park Jin Young described it as “love is a universal theme, but this work examines those emotions in a more detailed, magnified way.”
On March 5, JTBC held a press conference for 'Shining' at The Link Seoul Hotel in Guro-gu, Seoul, attended by actors Park Jin Young, Kim Min Ju, and director Kim Yoon Jin.
'Shining' is a romance drama that follows two people who first met during their high school summer vacation and developed a tender connection, only to meet again as adults and navigate the emotions that arise.
Park Jin Young plays subway operator Tae Seo, an independent character who lives quietly within the realities of life. Though he may seem cold and blunt on the outside, he still harbors memories of his first love from when he was nineteen.
He shared, “Tae Seo is an ordinary character, which actually made him harder to portray. I had countless discussions with the director to create a calm and consistent character.”
Tae Seo focuses on living in the present rather than dwelling on the past or future. Park Jin Young explained, “The character doesn’t change drastically from his teens to thirties, but I tried to subtly show how his way of handling hardships evolves over time.”
Director Kim Yoon Jin praised him, saying, “Park Jin Young has an exceptional ability to convey emotions through his eyes. Even on set, his feelings were visible in ways the camera couldn’t fully capture.”
Kim Min Ju plays Eun Ah, a former hotelier who is passionate and charming. While pursuing new goals in life, she unexpectedly encounters her first love, Tae Seo, triggering emotional changes.
Kim Min Ju admitted, “As this is my first lead role, I felt a lot of worry, but I’ve incorporated many sides of myself that audiences haven’t seen before.”
She also focused on character authenticity, meeting real hoteliers to learn about work methods and guest interactions, and even visiting hotel lounges to experience services from the guest perspective.
“Since it’s a profession requiring expertise, I did extensive research,” she said. “I also continued English conversation lessons to prepare for any possible situations.”
The first love–breakup–reunion storyline is common in romance dramas. Kim Yoon Jin’s previous work, 'Our Beloved Summer,' also explored two people meeting again after years apart.
Comparing the two series, Kim PD explained it through seasons: “'Our Beloved Summer' felt like early summer just past spring, while 'Shining' traverses all four seasons to return to spring again.”
He added, “Rather than focusing on major events, the story follows everyday emotions. I wanted to depict how ordinary moments become special as seasons pass and time accumulates.”
The visual aesthetics are also a highlight. Kim Min Ju commented, “The backdrops are so beautiful that just watching them will be healing.” Park Jin Young emphasized, “We’ve captured the beauty of regions across the country.”
Kim PD also noted the series’ narration: “Every place I look back at, people are smiling. Only there is bright.” He explained, “I hope viewers, when looking back, will imagine smiling faces everywhere.”
Park Jin Young added, “I hope the drama will be remembered as nostalgic, giving viewers a chance to reflect on forgotten love or feelings they are experiencing now.”
Finally, Kim Min Ju said, “I hope everyone starts the coming warm spring with Shining. Please give it lots of interest and support.”
SEE ALSO: Hooked on Park Jin Young's 'Still Shining'? Check Out His Other K-Dramas
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