Why Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju’s New Drama “Shining” Is Already Resonating With Viewers

Unlike other romance dramas, “Shining” seems to already be a show that brings familiarity to K-Drama fans. According to Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju the story they are portraying in the new drama is one that anyone can resonate with and could experience, something that the viewers can easily relate to. Not a grand fantasy like romance but the kind of love that begins in youth and unexpectedly evolves, fades or returns years later.

A romance that lasts for more than a decade

‘Shining’ follows the story of Taeseo and Euna, two people whose relationship begins during their final year of high school experiencing the excitement of first love. However, like many young relationships, life eventually takes them both in different directions separating them.

Years later, life finds ways to make the two reconnect. Now both adults while navigating personal challenges and ambitions they cross paths at the most unexpected moment.

The drama does not focus on fairytale like romance and dramatic twists but it explores the simple, traditional love and how time and personal growth can shape the way people experience and understand love.

Park Jinyoung’s challenge of portraying an “ordinary” man

Unlike other roles this time Park Jinyoung is facing a new challenge, transforming into a subway train operator who lives a quiet and independent life. He stated that surprisingly playing such “normal” character turned out to be harder than expected. He explained that his character Taeseo requires subtle emotional shifts and in order to capture Taeseo’s personality, Jinyoung spent many hours discussing the character with the director.

Director Kim Yoon-jin actually praised Park Jinyoung’s performance and his ability to express emotions through his eyes even where there is minimal dialogue.

Kim Minju’s first leading role in a drama

Opposite to Jinyoung’s character, Kim Minju plays Euna an optimistic, lively and passionate person who left her job as a hotelier to find new goals for herself. Her journey to find herself leads her back to Taeseo, the person that had a meaningful role in her youth.

“Shining” marks Kim Minju’s first leading role in a drama and it is something she admitted that made her nervous so in order to prepare for the role she met real hotel professionals and tried to understand their job and routine. She also practiced English anticipating that the character might need to interact with international guests.

Fans are already talking about the chemistry

Even before the premiere, fans have been sharing their excitement about the pairing of Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju. Many viewers online say the casting feels perfect for a nostalgic romance.

Some fans wrote that Jinyoung’s calm and introspective acting style fits the character of Taeseo perfectly. Others say Minju’s bright yet emotional presence could bring a refreshing energy to the story. A number of fans also pointed out that the drama’s concept revisiting first love years later is something many people find deeply relatable. As one viewer commented online: “Everyone has that one person they wonder about years later. That’s why this story feels so real.”

For the cast and crew, the goal of ‘Shining’ is not simply to tell another love story. Instead, they hope the drama will encourage viewers to reflect on their own memories. Park Jinyoung said he hopes the series will remind audiences of feelings they may have forgotten or emotions they might still be experiencing.

In the end, ‘Shining’ isn’t trying to tell an extraordinary romance. It’s telling a very ordinary one.

And that may be exactly why so many people are already curious to watch.

JTBC’s new Friday drama ‘Shining’ premieres on March 6 at 8:50 p.m., with the first two episodes airing back-to-back.