JTBC's upcoming romantic melodrama Shining is generating buzz as it prepares for a simultaneous premiere on the Korean network and global streaming on Netflix. The series promises a heartfelt tale of youth, reunion, and emotional healing, following two former lovers whose paths cross again after years apart. With a skilled creative team behind it and a cast featuring popular idols-turned-actors, Shining looks set to deliver the kind of warm, introspective romance that K-drama fans crave.
Shining is an upcoming internationally licensed South Korean Netflix Original romantic melodrama directed by Kim Yoon-jin (Our Beloved Summer) and written by Lee Sook-yun (Tune in for Love). The production blends the director's signature warm, nostalgic storytelling with the writer's knack for emotional depth, creating a narrative that focuses on connection, healing, and the quiet ways people support one another through life's ups and downs.
Shining Netflix Release Date
Shining is scheduled to make its global debut on Netflix on March 6, 2026. The first episode will air on JTBC in South Korea and become available to stream internationally on the same day. As a weekly drama, new episodes will drop every Friday, allowing viewers to follow the story in real time alongside Korean audiences. The series consists of 10 episodes, each approximately 60 minutes long, with the finale slated for April 3, 2026. This simultaneous release format ensures that international fans experience the drama without significant delays, a common practice for many JTBC titles licensed by Netflix.
The weekly rollout builds anticipation and mirrors traditional broadcast scheduling, while Netflix's platform offers the convenience of on-demand viewing after episodes premiere. This approach has proven successful for other romantic K-dramas, drawing in global viewers eager for fresh, emotionally resonant content.
Shining K-Drama Plot
At its core, Shining is a tender exploration of how past connections can illuminate the present. The story centers on two individuals whose paths diverge after a youthful romance, only to converge again years later in unexpected ways. It delves into themes of independence, resilience, and the gentle disruptions that love can bring to a carefully constructed life.
MyDramList provides the following synopsis for Shining:
A story in which young people who share a world of their own become each other’s confidants and the light that illuminates their lives. Yeon Tae Seo is a subway driver with a sharp perspective on the world. Tae Seo is an independent person who lives faithfully to the present, focusing on “just today” rather than the future or dreams. While successfully achieving his longed-for independence and settling down, he encounters Mo Eun A, his first love from when he was nineteen, which gently stirs up ripples in his daily life. Mo Eun A is a former hotelier turned Seoul lodging manager brimming with passion, depth, and lovable charm. Setting goals for herself—where, with whom, what, and how—she experiences small triumphs and major setbacks until she reunites with her first love, Yeon Tae Seo.
This description highlights the drama's emphasis on realistic character development and the subtle, everyday moments that foster deep emotional bonds. The narrative avoids over-the-top melodrama in favor of grounded, relatable portrayals of personal growth and rekindled affection.
Shining Cast Members
The ensemble cast brings a mix of established talent and rising stars to the screen. Leading the series is Park Jin-young as Yeon Tae-seo, the pragmatic subway driver whose steady life is upended by a reunion with his past. Park Jin-young, also known as a member of the K-pop group GOT7, has built an impressive acting resume with roles in Netflix projects such as Our Unwritten Seoul, When My Love Blooms, and The Witch, as well as films like Yaksha: Ruthless Operations and Chicken Nuggets. His ability to convey restrained emotion and quiet intensity makes him a fitting choice for the introspective lead.
Opposite him, Kim Min-ju portrays Mo Eun-a, the passionate and charming lodging manager who navigates ambition and setbacks with determination. Kim Min-ju, formerly of the group IZ*ONE, has appeared in supporting roles in series like The Forbidden Marriage and Undercover High School. She is also set to star in the upcoming Netflix title Beauty in the Beast. This marks one of her most prominent leading roles to date, showcasing her range in romantic and character-driven stories.
Supporting the main duo are Shin Jae-ha as Bae Seong-chan, a senior hotelier who has guided Mo Eun-a professionally and harbors affectionate feelings toward her, and Park Se-hyun as Im A-sol, a tax accountant with an interest in Yeon Tae-seo. Shin Jae-ha has delivered memorable supporting performances in dramas including Crash Course in Romance, The Hymn of Death, Prison Playbook, and Taxi Driver season 2. Park Se-hyun has appeared in internationally recognized titles such as Youth of May, Record of Youth, Kill Bok-soon, and Kingdom: Ashin of the North.
The cast's chemistry, evident from script readings, teaser posters, and trailers, suggests a balanced dynamic that will support the drama's focus on interpersonal connections and mutual support. Recent promotions have highlighted the visual appeal of the leads, with stills capturing tender moments that hint at the emotional depth to come.
As more promotional content, trailers, and official details emerge from JTBC and Netflix, this article will be updated accordingly. Stay tuned for further insights into Shining as its March 2026 premiere approaches.
