'Shining' Ends with Disappointing Ratings Amid Controversy

The drama 'Shining', starring Park Jin-young and Kim Min-ju, concluded with disappointing ratings in the 0% range. The series had previously faced complaints to the Korea Communications Standards Commission for scenes that appeared to promote drunk driving.

The final episodes, 9 and 10, aired on JTBC on the 3rd, depicted an ambiguous happy ending where Yeon Tae-seo (played by Park Jin-young) and Mo Eun-ah (played by Kim Min-ju) envisioned their futures while holding each other in their hearts. The ratings were 0.84% for episode 9 and 0.77% for episode 10.

In episode 9, the good news that Yeon Tae-seo's critically ill grandmother regained consciousness reached both Yeon Tae-seo and Mo Eun-ah. With his grandmother awake, Yeon Tae-seo returned to his ordinary life as a subway driver, and Mo Eun-ah quietly cheered for him from afar, happy for his lighter circumstances.

Mo Eun-ah, after a long conversation with her stepmother Park So-hyun (played by Kim Ji-hyun), accepted the offer to accompany her to Hawaii and decided to leave her stay in Tongyeong. She chose Hawaii, where her only family resides, as her new home. Yeon Tae-seo, unable to shake thoughts of Mo Eun-ah, visited Tongyeong only to learn she had left with her mother, swallowing his disappointment at yet another missed timing.

The final episode portrayed the poignant farewell between Yeon Tae-seo and Mo Eun-ah. Meeting again by fate in Yeonuri, they shared their time apart. Yeon Tae-seo expressed his unspoken worries to Mo Eun-ah, who calmly explained her reasons for leaving with Park So-hyun. Mo Eun-ah's assurance that her decision wasn't hasty finally put Yeon Tae-seo at ease, hinting at lingering affection.

On the day Mo Eun-ah left for Hawaii, Yeon Tae-seo escorted her from Yeonuri to the airport, expressing his feelings. Reflecting on a past day when they dreamed of the future together, Yeon Tae-seo said, "If you ever want to rethink your future, including me, get in touch," indicating he would remain steadfast. Mo Eun-ah hesitated but nodded, and later, a photo of her smiling brightly in Hawaii arrived for Yeon Tae-seo, suggesting their story isn't over.

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