On December 3, the grand ballroom of the COEX Convention Center in Gangnam, Seoul, hosted the production presentation for the Disney+ original series 'Light Shop'.

Renowned Moving creator Kang Full has teamed up with actor-turned-director Kim Hee Won for Light Shop, a drama adaptation of Kang’s beloved webtoon. 

The question on everyone's mind: can this project captivate global audiences?

The event featured an impressive lineup of stars, including Ju Jihoon, Park Bo Young, Kim Seolhyun, Um Tae Goo, Lee Jung Eun, Kim Min Ha, Park Hyuk Kwon, Shin Eunsoo, Kim Seon Hwa, director Kim Hee Won, and writer Kang Full.

Based on Kang Full’s webtoon, 'Light Shop' tells the story of a mysterious light shop at the end of a dark alley. The shop serves as a gathering place for peculiar customers with secrets, unraveling suspenseful narratives as their lives intertwine.

As the follow-up to the 2023 global phenomenon Moving, The Light Shop is one of Disney+’s most anticipated releases. This series is Kang Full’s second screenplay adaptation and the fifth in his Mystery Psychological Thriller series, which boasts over 1.5 billion views on webtoon platforms. The adaptation expands on the original’s character arcs, promising a richer narrative.

Kim Hee Won, known for his compelling performances in various dramas and films (including his role in Moving), makes his directorial debut with this series. Reflecting on his journey, Kim shared, “I focused on delivering a fresh perspective that would resonate with viewers emotionally.”

Kang Full also revealed, “This adaptation explores stories that weren’t covered in the original. I wanted to delve deeper into character relationships and nuances that were difficult to capture in illustrations. Thanks to the actors and crew, even my unexpressed thoughts came to life. Fans of the webtoon will be thoroughly satisfied.”

A Star-Studded Cast

The series boasts a stellar cast, including:

• Ju Ji Hoon as Won Young, the enigmatic shopkeeper who bridges the living and the dead.
• Park Bo Young as Young Ji, a nurse in a critical care unit with the ability to see strangers’ emotions.
• Kim Seolhyun as Ji Young, a mysterious woman in white who waits at a bus stop every night.
• Um Tae Goo as Hyun Min, a man who encounters Ji-young nightly.
• Lee Jung Eun as Yoo Hee, a mother who sends her daughter on daily errands to the light shop.
• Shin Eunsoo as Hyun Joo, Yoo Hee’s daughter who experiences strange phenomena at the shop.
• Kim Min Ha as Sun Hae, a writer who faces bizarre events after moving into an old villa.

Director Kim expressed confidence regarding the show’s global competition with Netflix’s Squid Game 2. “The competition is inevitable, but I’m focused on whether this story can truly move people’s hearts. I firmly believe The Light Shop will resonate with audiences worldwide. If my conviction holds true, we can succeed against any competitor.”

Park Bo Young and Ju Ji Hoon highlighted the seamless and professional atmosphere created by Kim Hee Won’s direction. Ju noted, “It felt like working with a textbook example of exceptional leadership.” Meanwhile, Park appreciated Kim’s hands-on approach, including his habit of testing actor movements to enhance the natural flow of scenes. The cast also reflected on their dynamic teamwork. Kim Seolhyun and Um Tae Goo, who shared many scenes, expressed mutual admiration for their collaborative chemistry.

With its first four episodes set to premiere on December 4 and the remaining episodes rolling out weekly, 'Light Shop' aims to establish itself as a major player in the OTT space. As a follow-up to Kang Full’s previous hit, its success could solidify Disney+’s position as a global content powerhouse. Can 'Light Shop' stand tall against 'Squid Game 2' and captivate audiences worldwide? The stage is set for a thrilling showdown.

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