Who is Kim Hee-won? All you need to know about the mastermind behind Light Shop and his connection to Moving

Kim Hee-won is an accomplished South Korean actor and director, most recently celebrated for his work on Disney+'s hit supernatural K-drama Light Shop. He is also widely known for his role in the popular series Moving (2022), where he played Choi Il-hwan, a covert spy pretending to be a high school teacher to recruit supernatural students.

Light Shop, an eight-episode Disney+ series released on December 4, 2024, explored the mysteries surrounding a supernatural lighting store that catered to people carrying deep secrets.

The series was directed by Kim Hee-won, the actor who played the crucial role of Choi Il-hwan in Moving.

His involvement in Moving and collaboration with webtoon creator Kang Full paved the way for his directorial debut with Light Shop, another adaptation of Kang Full's work. This further hinted at Moving, Light Shop, and TIMING being interconnected, leading to the speculation that TIMING might be turned into a live adaptation.

The finale also featured intriguing cameos. Go Youn-jung appeared as Jung Hee-soo, her character from Moving, in the end credit scene of Light Shop episode 8.

Additionally, Young-tak, the lead from Kang Full’s other webtoon TIMING, made a special appearance in Light Shop.

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Who is Light Shop mastermind Kim Hee-won?

Kim Hee-won has made a name for himself as both an actor and director.

Before stepping into the director's chair, Kim Hee-won appeared in several acclaimed films and dramas. He is well-know for his diverse roles in projects such as The Man from Nowhere (2010), Missing (2016), and Pawn (2020).

On the small screen, he has delivered memorable performances in dramas like Misaeng (2014) and Vincenzo (2021).

In 2023, Kim played the role of Choi Il-hwan in Disney+'s hit series Moving. His character, a stern and enigmatic high school teacher, was critical to the storyline. The show, adapted from Kang Full’s webtoon of the same name, explored the lives of individuals with superhuman abilities and their struggles to protect their loved ones.

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Connection between Light Shop and Moving as weaved by actor-turned-director Kim Hee-won

Both Light Shop and Moving stemmed from Kang Full's webtoons, weaving complex emotional narratives within supernatural settings. While Moving focused on a family of individuals with unique superpowers, Light Shop delved into the emotional struggles of its visitors and the secrets they bring to the store.

Despite their shared themes of human drama and mystery, Light Shop introduced a darker tone with horror elements, making it distinct yet complementary to Moving.

Meanwhile, directed by Kim Hee-won, the latest series explored the lives of individuals who visited the mysterious Light Shop, seeking solace or closure for their unresolved dilemmas.

Each episode revealed their secrets and connections to the shop’s enigmatic owner, played by Ju Ji-hoon.

The story moved towards an emotional conclusion where the true purpose of the shop was unveiled: it acted as a space for redemption and acceptance, offering closure to those burdened by guilt or regret. The finale tied the narrative back to Kang Full's universe, solidifying its connection to Moving and Timing.

Kim Hee-won received praise for his ability to balance multiple genres within Light Shop. According to Kim Hee-won, his aim was to highlight the emotional depth of Kang Full’s storytelling while adapting it into a visual format that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Moving revolved around a group of superpowered individuals trying to live normal lives while hiding their abilities. It focused on three teenagers who inherited their parents’ powers and the challenges they faced as government forces sought to exploit their abilities.

Moving became a global hit, drawing attention to Kang Full’s webtoons and their potential as screen adaptations. Meanwhile, Kim Hee-won had previously revealed during a YTN interview that he tried to film each episode of Light Shop in a different genre.

For instance, mystery-thriller in episode one, horror in episode two, action in episode three, plot twists in episode four, drama in episode five, and human drama interwoven with tragedy in the final episodes.

While Disney+ has not officially confirmed a second season for Light Shop or Moving, the popularity of both series makes renewals plausible. Furthermore, the official Instagram account of Disney+ Korea posted a reel tying Moving and Light Shop.

Hence, the expansive shared universe created by Kang Full offers ample material for further exploration, especially given the numerous crossover possibilities among his works.

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Viewers can enjoy and stream Moving and Light Shop on Disney+.