3 Reasons Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju’s New Drama ‘Shining Is One of the Most Anticipated Romance Dramas This Week

A new romance drama is about to bring a familiar K-drama theme back into the spotlight first love that refuses to fade. JTBC’s upcoming Friday series ‘Shining’, starring Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju, premieres on March 6, telling the story of two people whose lives are forever shaped by the love they once shared in their youth.

The drama has already begun drawing attention ahead of its premiere. Here are three key reasons viewers are watching ‘Shining’ closely this week.

1. Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju’s first-love chemistry

One of the biggest reasons for the growing anticipation is the pairing of Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju, two actors often associated with emotional, youthful roles. In Shining, Park Jinyoung plays Yeon Tae-seo, a man who lives fully in the present and pushes forward with determination. Kim Minju plays Mo Eun-a, someone who constantly questions her path while chasing her dreams.

The story begins when the two meet during the summer of their final year in high school, forming a connection that becomes their first love. But their relationship ends painfully when they turn twenty. Years later, when they unexpectedly meet again at thirty, the memories and emotions they once shared begin to resurface. Their reunion raises the central question of the drama: Can a love that ended years ago still shape the future?

2. A creative team known for emotionally rich storytelling

Another reason viewers are paying attention is the creative team behind the series.

Director Kim Yoon-jin, known for visually expressive dramas such as Our Beloved Summer and Tell Me That You Love Me, joins forces with writer Lee Sook-yeon, whose work includes the acclaimed film One Fine Spring Day and the drama On the Way to the Airport. Both creators are recognized for telling stories that focus on quiet emotions, subtle relationships, and realistic portrayals of love, making their collaboration one of the drama’s most talked-about aspects.

For many viewers, the pairing of this creative team with Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju suggests a romance story that could feel both nostalgic and deeply relatable.

3. A story that blends romance with family and friendship

While the central storyline follows the relationship between Tae-seo and Eun-a, Shining also explores the lives of the people around them. Several characters influence their journey, adding layers of friendship, family bonds, and complicated emotions.

Among them are:

• Bae Seong-chan (Shin Jae-ha), who remains a supportive presence in Eun-a’s life
• Lim A-sol (Park Se-hyun), who quietly admires Tae-seo
• Yeon Hui-seo (Sung Yu-bin), Tae-seo’s younger brother who always puts family first

Eun-a’s father Mo Seon-gyu (Kim Tae-hoon) and his partner Park So-hyun (Kim Ji-hyun) also play key roles in shaping the emotional landscape of the story.

These intertwined relationships add depth to the central romance, turning the drama into a story about love, friendship, and the connections that shape a person’s life.

Why ‘Shining’ could resonate with viewers

At its core, Shining is not only about young love. It’s about what happens after time passes when people grow older, dreams change, and life takes unexpected turns. By revisiting a relationship that once ended, the drama explores whether two people who were once each other’s light can become that light again.

JTBC’s new Friday drama ‘Shining’ premieres on March 6 at 8:50 PM (KST).