Set to air on November 6, 'Shining' tells the story of a man and a woman who become each other's guiding light, sharing a world of their own. Park Jin-young plays Yeon Tae-seo, a subway conductor with a cold exterior but a tender heart. He shares a romantic storyline with his childhood friend and first love, Mo Eun-ah, played by Kim Min-ju.
This marks Park Jin-young's return to the small screen after a year, following his role in the tvN drama 'Unknown Seoul' which concluded in May last year. Known for his delicate acting alongside actress Park Bo-young, Park is expected to captivate audiences with his portrayal of a first love story spanning from age nineteen to thirty. His gentle image is seen as a perfect fit for this romantic narrative, raising expectations even before the show airs.
However, whether 'Shining' will achieve the anticipated success remains uncertain. Previous JTBC Friday series like 'Nice Guy', 'My Youth', and 'Love Me' have all struggled with low ratings, failing to attract a significant audience. Despite featuring talented actors like Lee Dong-wook, Song Joong-ki, and Seo Hyun-jin, these series have not managed to break the trend of underperformance.
JTBC introduced the Friday series format in July last year, airing two episodes back-to-back each week. The network aimed to provide viewers with a full weekend of entertainment. However, the results have been disappointing, with some analysts suggesting that the double-episode format may actually deter viewers due to the increased viewing commitment.
Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun told TenAsia, "The format of airing two episodes in one day doesn't align with viewers' watching habits." He added, "With MBC and SBS airing their own dramas and various entertainment shows during the prime Friday night slot, watching two consecutive drama episodes might feel burdensome or tedious to viewers."
With three consecutive failures, JTBC's Friday series is at a crossroads. An industry insider noted, "If 'Shining' also fails to perform, a reevaluation of the entire JTBC Friday series format may be inevitable." All eyes are now on Park Jin-young to see if he can be the savior JTBC needs.
Reporter Jung Se-yoon from TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr