JTBC's New Friday Series 'Shining' Aims to Break Ratings Slump

JTBC's first Friday series of the year, 'Shining,' is set to premiere, drawing attention as the network seeks to recover from a string of low ratings, with previous shows like 'Nice Guy' starring Lee Dong-wook and 'My Youth' featuring Song Joong-ki recording ratings in the 1% range.

On the 5th, a press conference for JTBC's new Friday series 'Shining' was held at The Link Hotel Seoul in Guro-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by director Kim Yoon-jin and actors Park Jin-young and Kim Min-ju.

'Shining' is a drama that captures the journey of young people who share a world of their own, becoming the light that reflects each other's beliefs and life directions.

Director Kim Yoon-jin described the series as a story about two young people who meet in a rural village at nineteen, part ways at twenty, and reunite at thirty, rediscovering their past feelings and reflecting on their lives.

What sets 'Shining' apart from typical romance narratives of first love and reunion? Director Kim noted, "The writer didn't focus on major events but rather on ordinary aspects of the characters, which I found relatable. I believe viewers will feel the same." He added, "While my previous work 'Our Beloved Summer' depicted characters reminiscent of spring and early summer, 'Shining' features characters who have experienced all seasons and meet again in spring."

Park Jin-young plays the role of Yeon Tae-seo, a subway conductor who lives independently, focusing on surviving each day rather than dreaming of the future. After losing his parents in an accident at nineteen, he moves to his grandfather's house, where he meets his first love, whom he reunites with at thirty, causing subtle ripples in his life.

Park described his character as someone who appears in stories spanning his teens, twenties, and thirties, dealing with family issues and living in the present rather than the past or future. He added, "The writer wanted Tae-seo to remain consistent, but I portrayed him slightly differently by showing how he endures hardships and accepts life's absurdities."

Following the success of tvN's 'Unknown Seoul,' which recorded a peak rating of 8.4%, Park Jin-young chose 'Shining' as his next project. He admitted, "It would be a lie to say there's no pressure, but as an actor, I try to set aside those feelings to focus on the work. I'm grateful for the love my previous work received, but I approach the next project with a clear mind."

He continued, "The difference from my previous work is that 'Shining' is a traditional melodrama, focusing more on situations than events."

Kim Min-ju plays Mo Eun-ah, Yeon Tae-seo's first love, a passionate and deep former hotelier who now manages a traditional Seoul guesthouse. Born in 2001, Kim Min-ju expressed her concerns about portraying a character in her thirties, saying, "I discussed a lot with the director and asked friends for advice. I focused on how her experiences and situations might have shaped her attitudes and values."

She added, "Jin-young oppa was a great help, always making me feel comfortable on set and discussing the script with me." Park responded, "Thank you for saying that, even though I wasn't always mature on set."

When asked about the pressure of her first leading role, Kim Min-ju said, "I felt a lot of pressure and worry, but I was grateful to be part of such a great project. With the support of the staff, director, and colleagues, I was able to let go of the pressure and focus on acting as Eun-ah."

Park Jin-young praised his chemistry with Kim Min-ju, saying, "It was perfect, thanks to the director's extensive reading sessions. We even had a 10-hour reading session, so if we weren't close, it would have been our problem."

Director Kim Yoon-jin added, "Park Jin-young made it really comfortable for Kim Min-ju, who might have found the start challenging. They seemed like friends, with no age gap visible."

Regarding the pressure of JTBC's Friday series' low ratings, Director Kim expressed, "There's naturally an expectation and pressure for this show to perform well in the Friday time slot. We hope viewers will want to keep watching as they follow the protagonists' journey."

Highlighting the strengths of 'Shining,' Park Jin-young said, "While love is a universal theme, this drama presents it in a detailed, magnified way that viewers will appreciate." Kim Min-ju added, "It's a story everyone can relate to, and the beautiful cinematography will be healing to watch." Director Kim concluded, "And we have even more beautiful actors."

The 10-episode series 'Shining' premieres on the 6th at 8:50 PM, with the first two episodes airing consecutively.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr