Director Kim Hee-won Explains Casting of Kim Seol-hyun in 'Lighting Store'

In a recent press conference for the Disney+ series '조명가게' (Lighting Store), director Kim Hee-won shared his reasons for casting singer and actress Kim Seol-hyun. The event took place on the 3rd of this month at the Grand Ballroom in COEX, Gangnam, Seoul, and featured the original webtoon creator Kang Pool, along with main cast members Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Min-ha, and Kim Seol-hyun.

As this marks Kim Hee-won's directorial debut, he expressed some initial pressure but credited the talented writers, actors, and crew for alleviating his concerns. He reflected, "When acting, I often ponder whether I have moved the audience's hearts, and directing is no different. While it was a heavy responsibility to oversee everything, I found my footing as I progressed."

When asked about the notion of a 'Kim Hee-won cartel' due to his casting choices, he chuckled and responded, "To have a cartel, I would need to possess some real talent myself. As everyone knows, the actors here are incredibly skilled." He added that his conversations with these actors primarily revolve around acting, which naturally fostered friendships. He clarified, "It’s not a cartel."

Regarding Kim Seol-hyun, Kim Hee-won admitted that they had no prior relationship before filming. He noted, "In a past interview, I thought she resembled a somewhat rustic country girl. I felt inspired by the idea of someone like her bringing a character from a comic to life, which led to her casting."

The series '조명가게' revolves around a mysterious shop that illuminates the dark alleys, where customers with hidden secrets come to visit. The show consists of eight episodes, with the first four episodes set to be released on the 4th, followed by episodes 5 and 6 on the 11th, and episodes 7 and 8 on the 18th.