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Kang Full, the writer of Disney+'s Light Shop, shared his thoughts on the series ending, especially the enigmatic choices surrounding Hyun-min's character. During an interview on December 24, 2024, with South Korean media outlet Newsen, he explained the reasoning behind the narrative's open-ended conclusion and its deeper symbolism.
The writer explained that the unresolved ending of the Light Shop aligns with his broader storytelling philosophy. By leaving questions unanswered, the writer aimed to preserve the story's intrigue and keep the viewers engaged even after the credits rolled.
The writer emphasized that Hyun-min's decision to clean up his surroundings was a survival mechanism. He described it as "the most realistic choice" for someone suffering from grief and delirium after losing a loved one. Kang Full explained:
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"I don't think Hyun-min didn't love Ji-young. I think Hyun-min's choice to organize his surroundings was a choice for survival. It must be the most realistic choice. Since the person he loved died and he was suffering from delirium, (Hyun-min's) setting was set from the beginning."
When asked whether Hyun-min (Eom Tae-goo) truly loved Ji-young (Kim Seol-hyun), Kang Full chose not to provide a definitive answer. He described their relationship as potentially one-sided and layered with complexity. Hyun-min had saved Ji-young's life by extending it through sewing, but his true intentions were left ambiguous.
"I think a lot of people will be curious. The viewers will make a lot of guesses. It could be a slanted love, and Hyun-min was the one who suffered the biggest accident. I thought he might be different from other people because he saved her life," he noted.
Kang Full added that even the actors were curious about Hyun-min's feelings but refrained from providing them with concrete answers. Instead, he encouraged the cast and audience to draw their interpretations.
"I didn't want to answer. The entire ending ends with curiosity about Ji-young. I thought I might be diminishing the fun. The actors were curious too, but I didn't answer. I thought they would think in their own way. It's hard to say that anything was wrong," the writer said.
Kang Full reflects on the Light Shop's complex storytelling and audience reception
In his interview, Kang Full talked about the development of key characters, including Hyun-min, played by Eom Tae-goo, and praised the actor for his nuanced portrayal of a devastated man. He credited the actor for bringing authenticity to a role deeply rooted in pain and reality.
"I'm grateful to Mr. Eom Tae-goo [..] he played that role so wonderfully. I'm grateful to actor Eom Tae-goo for his excellent portrayal of a devastated character," Kang Full remarked.
The writer then further explained the importance of Hyun-min's character in the storyline. He said the character was designed to contrast the series' supernatural elements, grounding the narrative in human emotions and decisions.
"I was worried that if there were no characters like Hyun-min, it would have become too fantasy," he explained.
Kang Full, the author and screenwriter of Light Shop, also shared insights into the series' creation during the interview on December 24, 2024. He discussed the challenges of adapting his work and the symbolism behind the story.
Kang Full revealed that Light Shop was inspired by a profound memory from his past. His father, a pastor, used to pray for patients in intensive care. A nurse once said, "The patient's will to live is important." This statement left a lasting impression.
He found horror to be a rich genre for the exploration of the psyche and hidden fears of individuals despite not personally fearing ghosts. The screenwriter admitted to feeling immense pressure while creating the series.
He began working on Light Shop while filming Moving, his earlier hit. However, Kang Full confessed he didn't anticipate Moving's success but would have pursued Light Shop regardless. He explained that switching between genres, as he did with his cartoons, was personally fulfilling.
He also addressed concerns about the unconventional storytelling in Light Shop. The series challenges traditional drama formulas with changing perspectives, fragmented narratives, and untied plot points.
"I thought that most horror films lose their appeal the moment the ghost's identity is revealed. In the end, I chose to tell a story about people one by one. It wasn't easy in a situation where dramas are shrinking and the number of productions is decreasing. Isn't it a bit different from the traditional method and the box office formula?" the Light Shop writer said.
He expressed gratitude to Disney+ for supporting this risky approach, crediting the platform for allowing him to tie the story together in the latter half. He expressed relief over the audience's positive reception, admitting he worried about whether viewers would connect with the story given its complex structure.
"I felt that the real story began in the latter half after touching on each character. I was worried that viewers would have to follow along well from parts 1 to 4 to really enjoy it. It could have been a risky attempt, but I wanted to tell this story. I'm so glad that the viewers followed along and that it turned out well," he noted.
Reflecting on his growth as a writer, Kang Full said he learned to adapt his detailed writing style to accommodate collaborative filmmaking, crediting director Kim Hee-won for helping refine the scripts. Despite this, he acknowledged that writing did not become easier with experience.
Kang Full concluded by expressing his deep affection for Korean storytelling. He shared that telling stories one character at a time, even in a shrinking drama market, was worth the risk. Through Light Shop, he aimed to craft a narrative that resonated deeply, even if it defied convention.
About Light Shop
Light Shop (Korean: 조명가게) is a 2024 South Korean mystery horror series written by Kang Full and directed by Kim Hee-won. It is based on Kang's webtoon, which tells the story of strangers burdened by traumatic pasts who are drawn to a mysterious light shop at the end of a shadowy alley. Guarded by an enigmatic keeper, the shop bridges the living and the dead, holding secrets that could change their lives.
Light Shop stars Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young, Kim Seol-hyun, Uhm Tae-goo, and others deliver a haunting tale of reconciliation and closure. Released on Disney+ from December 4 to 18, 2024, it explores themes of trauma, mystery, and emotional healing. The series became the most-viewed Korean original content on Disney+ within 12 days of its release, ranking second overall for 2024.
Viewers can stream all eight episodes of Light Shop on Disney+.
