Kim Min-ha Discusses the Pressure of Success for 'Lighting Store'

On December 20, actress Kim Min-ha shared her thoughts on the pressure of success surrounding her latest project, 'Lighting Store' (조명가게), during an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. She expressed her belief that 'the success of a project is in the hands of fate' before its release.

The Disney+ original series 'Lighting Store' (written by 강풀 and directed by 김희원) premiered its final episode on December 18. The show revolves around a mysterious lighting store that attracts customers with hidden secrets, marking the directorial debut of actor Kim Hee-won and generating significant buzz even before its release. In the series, Kim Min-ha plays the role of Sun-hae, who moves into an old villa.

Having gained recognition as a rising star for her portrayal of young Sun-ja in the Apple TV+ series 'Pachinko' (파친코), Kim Min-ha reflected on her experience with 'Lighting Store'. She stated, 'I always think that the success of a project is in the hands of fate right before it comes out. I felt that 'Lighting Store' had a great script, a wonderful director, and I was very happy during the filming process, so I gave it my all without regrets. I believed the results would be good, but if they don't meet expectations, it can be disappointing. However, I trust that good works will eventually be recognized, even if not immediately. I often find new things in the projects I’ve been part of when I watch them again.'

Kim Min-ha also shared her curiosity about the other episodes of 'Lighting Store', admitting that she sometimes feels shy watching her own performances. She strives to view her work as objectively as possible, saying, 'It can be scary to focus only on my character in the work, so I try to look at it from a broader perspective.'

When discussing her criteria for choosing roles, she mentioned that while actors often select scripts, there are times when she feels chosen by the character. 'Sometimes, while reading a script, I come across a character that makes me think, 'Wow, I really want to play this role.' I find myself drawn to characters who lead with their own beliefs, even if they don’t raise their voices loudly.'