Kim Min-ha Delivers a Powerful Performance in 'Lighting Store'

The original Disney+ series 'Lighting Store' (조명가게), written by 강풀 and directed by 김희원, concluded with its final episodes 7 and 8 on December 18, 2024. Kim Min-ha's emotional portrayal has garnered widespread acclaim, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

In the last episode, the character Seon-ha (played by Kim Min-ha) is depicted as feeling trapped in her dark home due to a broken door lock. However, a pivotal moment occurs when Hye-won (김선화) tells her, "The door was open; you could have left at any time." This revelation leads Seon-ha to a profound realization. As she is urged to find a light bulb at the end of the alley, her quiet sobs, filled with rising sadness, evoke deep sympathy from the audience.

Although Seon-ha steps outside, she struggles to move forward, shedding tears that resonate with viewers. Eventually, she enters the lighting store, where she discovers the light she has been searching for among countless bulbs. Without hesitation, she reaches out and turns on a bulb, a moment that coincides with her vital signs showing positive signs in the real world, heightening the viewers' heart rates.

Seon-ha then appears before Hye-won, who has been sitting alone in the darkness, just as her vital signs flatline, prompting a collective sigh from the audience. The warm and peaceful smile on Seon-ha's face as she returns to Hye-won leaves an unforgettable emotional resonance, deeply moving the viewers.

Through 'Lighting Store', Kim Min-ha has demonstrated her solid acting skills by building a calm yet intense character. From her sensitive and sharp demeanor to her anguished cries of fear, and the sorrow and determination she exhibits at the boundary of life and death, she captures every fleeting emotion with remarkable detail. Her performance, which seamlessly integrates with the character of Yoon Seon-ha, surpasses the original material, leaving a profound impression on many.

Following her success in 'Pachinko', Kim Min-ha has once again touched the hearts of global audiences with 'Lighting Store'. Her future endeavors as an actress are highly anticipated, as she continues to carve a strong and deep path in her career. Kim Min-ha is set to return with a new project, the Tving original series 'One Week Before I Die' (내가 죽기 일주일 전), scheduled for release in 2025.