Will the 'Kangfull Universe' Continue? 'Moving' Leads to 'Lighting Store' with Ju Ji-hoon and Park Bo-young

The next installment in the 'Kangfull Universe,' titled 'Lighting Store' (조명가게), has made its debut in Singapore. The premiere and press conference for the new Disney+ original series, written by Kangfull and directed by Kim Hee-won, took place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Notable attendees included writer Kangfull, director Kim Hee-won, and lead actors Ju Ji-hoon and Park Bo-young.

'Lighting Store' tells the story of a mysterious shop that illuminates the dark alleys, where customers with hidden secrets come to visit. Following the global phenomenon of 'Moving' (무빙) in 2023, this series is highly anticipated as one of Disney+'s top projects. This marks Kangfull's second scriptwriting venture, and it is the fifth installment in his 'mystery psychological thriller' series, based on the webtoon of the same name, which has garnered over 150 million views and widespread acclaim.

The series aims to expand on character narratives, with Kim Hee-won, known for his compelling performances including his role as Choi Il-hwan in 'Moving,' making his directorial debut. The cast features a stellar ensemble of 11 characters, portrayed by Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young, Kim Seol-hyun, Bae Sung-woo, Eom Tae-goo, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Min-ha, Park Hyuk-kwon, Kim Dae-myung, Shin Eun-soo, Kim Sun-hwa, and Kim Gi-ha, promising a seamless acting collaboration.

Kangfull's previous work, 'Moving,' received significant recognition, winning the Grand Prize at the Blue Dragon Series Awards. He expressed that 'Lighting Store' differs from 'Moving' while still sharing some similarities. He noted, "While 'Moving' is a genre piece involving superpowers, it is accessible. 'Lighting Store' is also a clear genre work, but horror dramas are not common in Korea, so I feel a bit of pressure regarding how viewers will receive it. However, I am confident it will be entertaining."

The transition of Kim Hee-won from actor to director has generated buzz. He reflected on his first day of directing, recalling the nerves and considerations about how to engage the audience. He stated, "'Lighting Store' is a unique drama that needs to resonate with viewers, so I aimed to balance its distinctiveness with relatability."

Park Bo-young, who won the Best Actress award at the Blue Dragon Series Awards for her role in 'Even in a Psychiatric Ward,' will portray a nurse once again. She shared, "This is my third time playing a nurse, so there is some pressure, but the genre itself is less daunting, and the character's background is different, so I believe viewers will find it refreshing. We didn’t meet on set much, as most of my scenes were filmed in a hospital after the lighting store scenes were completed. I had high expectations but would love to meet my co-stars again."

Kim Hee-won praised his cast, stating, "Ju Ji-hoon and Park Bo-young are exceptional actors. I focused on how to direct them to present different aspects of their characters. The communication was smooth, allowing them to perform without pressure."

Ju Ji-hoon expressed disappointment at not being able to interact with Park Bo-young on set, noting the chemistry between actors is important. He shared his admiration for Kangfull's work, saying, "I grew up reading his stories, and working with Kim Hee-won as a director was fascinating. The pre-production was thorough, and I felt confident on set, allowing me to act freely."

The potential for 'Lighting Store' to kick off a new chapter in the 'Kangfull Universe' is high. Kangfull remarked, "Working with the director, who is an excellent actor, helped me understand the complex world of 'Lighting Store.' I believe character development is crucial, and I was impressed by the understanding of the characters. I’m uncertain about future projects in the 'Kangfull Universe,' as it may be more feasible in the realm of comics than in dramas. I want to focus on 'Lighting Store' for now."

In conclusion, Kim Hee-won reflected on his directorial experience, stating, "I learned humility. As an actor, I often focused on my own performance, but now I see the incredible detail and talent of the writers and fellow actors. I feel honored to be working with such talented individuals and am excited for the audience to see the series. 'Lighting Store' will premiere on December 4, with four episodes released over two weeks."

'Lighting Store' will begin streaming on December 4, with two episodes released weekly for two weeks.