“Had to stop reading because I was going to cry" — Light Shop cast Uhm Tae-goo, Park Bo-young & more share their first script reading impression

The cast of Light Shop, including Uhm Tae-goo, Park Bo-young, Seolhyun, and Ju Ji-hoon, recently discussed how they reacted when they first read the script of the Disney+ show. The interview, titled "K-drama ‘Light Shop’ stars talk about the horror-drama show," was covered by Phillippine STAR on December 12, 2024.

Since its premiere in late November 2024, the supernatural series has been quickly gaining popularity for its eerie atmosphere and storytelling.

During the interview, the actors revealed that the script left a deep impact on them, with many feeling “spooked” by its haunting tone. Ju Ji-hoon, who plays an enigmatic shopkeeper named Won-young, described the script as both fascinating and unsettling.

Park Bo-young, portraying a dedicated ICU nurse named Young-ji, echoed similar sentiments. She said that certain moments sent shivers down her spine. Uhm Tae-goo, who plays the central character of Hyun-min, spoke about how reading the final episodes left him emotionally overwhelmed.

“I remember I had to stop reading because I was too scared and I also had to stop reading because I was going to cry,” he admitted.

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The storyline of Light Shop, cast’s insights on the show’s themes

During the interview with Phillippine STAR, Park Bo-young highlighted how the show’s pacing allows viewers to become deeply invested in the characters’ journeys before confronting the chilling truths of their situations.

Ju Ji-hoon, known for his roles in other suspense-driven dramas like Kingdom and Blood Free, expressed excitement about essaying a character with such layered complexity. He noted that Light Shop challenges typical K-drama tropes by blending horror, fantasy, and drama in innovative ways.

Talking about Light Shop delving into themes of loss, redemption, and human connections, Uhm Tae-goo praised the script for balancing these elements. She further stated that the emotional depth of the story adds richness to its horror aspects.

As of December 14, 2024, Light Shop has released six episodes, receiving praise from the audience. Fans have drawn comparisons to other acclaimed K-dramas like Hotel Del Luna and Hi Bye, Mama! for their shared focus on supernatural elements and poignant storytelling.

Set in a dimly lit alley filled with intrigue and danger, Light Shop follows the lives of several characters connected to a peculiar light store run by Won-young (Ju Ji-hoon). The shop is not visible to everyone and caters to both the living and the dead.

Young-ji (Park Bo-young) begins experiencing strange occurrences at her hospital after encountering the shop, while Seon-hae (Kim Min-ha), a screenwriter who moves into the eerie neighborhood, faces unexplained events in her new home. Meanwhile, Ji-woong (Kim Ki-hae), a student who frequently passes by the dark alley, becomes entangled in its mysteries.

The first few episodes introduce viewers to these characters’ lives, hinting at the secrets of the light shop and its proprietor. Won-young’s sensitivity to certain customers and his cryptic behavior suggest a dark past, and the show slowly unravels the mysteries him and his store.

Here is the full list of the lead cast and their character names:

• Ju Ji-hoon as Jung Won-young — Mysterious keeper of the Light Shop between life and death.
• Park Bo-young as Kwon Young-ji — Nurse in charge of the patients in coma including Hyun-min and Seon-hae.
• Seolhyun as Lee Ji-young — Hyun-min's deaf-and-mute girlfriend who meets a tragic death.
• Bae Seong-woo as Yang Sung-sik — A detective with a guilt-ridden and gambling past.
• Uhm Tae-goo as Kim Hyun-min — Ji-young's partner who has lost his will to live and can die in his coma.
• Lee Jung-eun as Jung Yu-hee —A distraught mother who dies trying to save her daughter in a bus accident.
• Kim Min-ha as Yoon Seon-hae — A screenwriter who meets with a bus accident and is in a coma, similar Hyun-min and others.
• Park Hyuk-kwon as Oh Seung-won — The bus driver who dies immediately after the vehicle crashes and falls into the river.
• Shin Eun-soo as Joo Hyun-joo — High School teenage girl who goes to the light shop everyday and becomes friends with Won-young.
• Kim Sun-hwa [ko] as Park Hye-won — Seon-hae's female lover who dies in an accident trying to save the former.
• Kim Ki-hae as Heo Ji-woong — A high school teenage boy who walks through the alleyway with no destination.
• Kim Dae-myung — A man who is on the death bed due to hypothermia.

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With a strong cast and narrative, Light Shop is shaping up to be a standout drama in Disney+’s growing roster of Korean content. Fans can look forward to further revelations in Episodes 7 and 8—to be aired on December 18, 2024—as the characters delve deeper into the secrets of the light shop and the dark alley it inhabits.