Actors Park Jin-young and Kim Min-ju are set to portray each other’s first love in JTBC’s upcoming romance drama ‘Shining,’ scheduled to premiere in March.
‘Shining’ follows the story of two young people who once shared a private world during their youth and later reunite as adults, becoming each other’s source of trust and light as they navigate life’s direction together. The drama explores the lingering impact of first love and how past emotions resurface over time.
The series is directed by Kim Yoon-jin, known for emotionally grounded works such as ‘Our Beloved Summer’ and ‘Tell Me That You Love Me,’ and written by Lee Sook-yeon, whose filmography includes ‘One Fine Spring Day’ and ‘The Road to the Airport.’ The collaboration has already drawn attention for its reputation in delicate, character-driven storytelling.
Park Jin-young as a Grounded Subway Engineer
Park Jin-young takes on the role of Yeon Tae-seo, a subway train operator who lives by the simple goal of “getting through today safely.” Tae-seo is a pragmatic and independent character who prioritizes the present over dreams or long-term ambitions, believing stability itself to be a form of success. Having finally achieved the independence he long sought, Tae-seo’s steady life is quietly disrupted when he reunites with his first love from his teenage years. Beneath his composed exterior lies a deeply sentimental inner world, and Park Jin-young is expected to explore this emotional duality with restraint and nuance.
Kim Min-ju’s Transformation Into a Warm, Determined Heroine
Kim Min-ju stars as Mo Eun-ah, Tae-seo’s first love. Eun-ah is a former hotelier who now works as the manager of a renovated old house stay in Seoul. She is portrayed as passionate, thoughtful, and quietly resilient someone who continues setting goals for herself while navigating both small victories and significant setbacks. The character’s journey centers on rediscovering direction in life after unexpectedly reencountering the love she once lost. ‘Shining’ marks another step in Kim Min-ju’s evolving acting career, with anticipation building around her emotional depth and on screen chemistry with Park Jin-young.
A Story About Memory, Growth, and Emotional Reconnection
‘Shining’ traces the couple’s relationship back to a summer vacation when they were nineteen, capturing the fragile emotions of first love. Years later, their reunion forces both characters to confront how those shared memories have shaped who they’ve become and whether they still hold meaning in the present.
Rather than relying on dramatic twists, the drama focuses on emotional realism, quiet moments, and the subtle changes that occur when people grow apart and find their way back to each other.
With its experienced creative team and two leads known for understated emotional performances, ‘Shining’ is poised to deliver a reflective, mature take on first love and second chances when it premieres this spring.