AN EMOTIONALLY CAPTIVATING JOURNEY OF LIFE, DEATH, REGRET, SACRIFICE, LOVE AND MORE!
"Light Shop" is a captivating fantasy drama that takes you on an emotional journey filled with feels. It beautifully blends elements of horror, suspense, and mystery, tugging at your heartstrings and sending you on a rollercoaster of emotions. The laid-back vibe and perfect pacing allow you to immerse yourself in the storytelling, even if it starts off a bit slow and confusing. Patience pays off as the plot unfolds and answers are revealed.
The story revolves around a mysterious light shop located at the end of a dark alley, guarded by an enigmatic man. This shop serves as a haven for souls of the deceased and those facing near-death experiences.
Light Shop is a remarkable exploration of survival, the will to live, and the intricate rituals surrounding death. It delves deep into themes of regret and redemption, beautifully interwoven through the stories of its diverse characters. The storytelling is rich and unfolds at a pace that feels just right—neither rushed nor dragging, but delicately balanced. Each character's journey tugs at your heartstrings, revealing backgrounds that evoke a profound sense of empathy and ache.
Characterization is exceptional, with the writer giving life to each character through their unique backstories. This makes them relatable and engaging to watch. The acting is outstanding, with every character delivering a strong performance. The direction and soundtrack complement the story beautifully, making "Light Shop" an unexpected gem that’s definitely worth watching!
I want to take a moment to appreciate Kang Full for his incredible ability to add depth to his narratives. In both Light Shop and his other drama, Moving, his storytelling resonates on an emotional level that leaves a lasting impact. The complexity he infuses into each character is commendable; he breathes life into their personalities, stories, and backgrounds, allowing viewers to truly feel their struggles and triumphs.
Light Shop started as a quirky horror but transformed into something deeply emotionally engaging. It’s a gem that showcases Kang Full's talent as a creator, and I am left hoping for more of his works in the future. His ability to craft stories that resonate with the heart is something truly applaudable, and Light Shop is a testament to his skill in storytelling.
Recommendation: YES! The first couple of episodes might start off as confusing, but trust the storytelling because it all finally comes together. When it does, you’re in for a rollercoaster of emotions. This drama was so beautiful from the storytelling, casting, characterization, and acting, to how it was all wrapped up beautifully. You’re in for the ride of your life!
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The first 3 eps are confusing but as the story progresses, you'll come to understand it.
Atlast! I finished it. The first 3 eps are confusing but as the story progresses, you'll come to understand it. At first it was running in circles but when you reached episode 4, every pieces goes on. The alley always almost got me screaming. Que horror! It was so terrifying so you should watch it with the lights on. I'll give the PR a 5 for that. What I really liked is the story of the hiker and the dog. But what surprises me is Eunsoo's acting when his mom forcedlly (?) gave her "the light". I always knew that she acts really good when I watched her in Twinkling Watermelon but, bro, she devoured it in Light Shop. And guess who is Ajussi's ttal. Anyway, I recommend watching this slowly because it will surely finish you when you binge watch it. The acting and the storyline both deserve to be slowly absorbed.Reserve your tissues! Enjoy watching :>>
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Not for everyone !!!
Don’t Feel Bad if You’re Confused—You’re Not the Only OneOkay, so this might be a super unpopular opinion, but I didn’t enjoy Light Shop that much. Yes, some people think it’s a masterpiece, but for me, the world-building was clumsy, and it was hard to figure out the rules of the Light Shop.
From the start, the show felt more frustrating than intriguing. You’re unsure what you’re watching, and it’s difficult to distinguish between the three different worlds it tries to present. There’s so much going on that you barely have time to understand the characters. By the end, I felt mentally drained. It wasn’t scary or captivating—just a dark, irritating void. Even when you try to root for someone, the eventual explanations fall flat and fail to satisfy.
Kang Full seemed to aim for a blend of intrigue, mystery, and horror, and while the first four episodes came close to achieving this, the rest of the series spent too much time overexplaining. Yet, even with all the exposition, you’re still left with unanswered questions. To make sense of certain plot points, you might need to resort to Googling or reading comment sections. Even then, don’t expect clarity—you’ll likely still have lingering questions.
Watching the later episodes felt less like unraveling a complex narrative and more like being deliberately confused. The metaphor of light and darkness had the potential to be profound, but it came across as overly abstract and disconnected from the characters’ struggles. It left me wondering if the creators were trying too hard to be deep and symbolic at the expense of coherent storytelling.
For instance, when does your will to live really start? Is it when you enter the Light Shop, when you find your bulb, or when someone tells you to go back? These pivotal questions remain unclear, and the show’s failure to address them undermines the entire premise.
By the time I finished, I didn’t feel a sense of resolution—just relief that it was over. I wanted to care about the characters, to root for them, or at least understand their journeys, but the endless stream of unexplained rules, convoluted plot twists, and uneven pacing made that impossible.
I can see how some might view Light Shop as a bold artistic experiment, but to me, it felt like an overly ambitious mess. Perhaps it tried to do too much or simply wasn’t for me. Either way, be ready to embrace confusion and frustration.
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Need Season 2 of this Masterpiece & Unique Story!
This is one of the most unique narrations I've encountered across movies, dramas, and books. I'm drawn to genres with suspense, twists, and the supernatural, especially those exploring the fine line between life and death (e.g., Move to Heaven, Tomorrow, Along with the Gods). I was already excited for this drama - having seen the 2023 C-movie & knowing that my favorite actors Ju Ji Hoon and Park Bo Young were involved - but it EXCEEDED all my expectations with its supernatural intrigue, raw emotions - delivered by the powerful narrative, acting and cinematography.➥ Story Summary: The drama revolves around a mysterious light shop at the end of a dark alley, which serves as a bridge between the living and the dead. The shop's adamant owner, played by Ju Ji Hoon, encounters various enigmatic visitors, including a nurse with the ability to see spirits after surviving a near-fatal accident. The drama combines elements of suspense, horror, and emotional drama, with a talented cast delivering compelling performances. It's a mind-bending tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat, especially with its shocking revelations and intricate plot twists.
➥ Why I Love It & Recommend:
Love how the narration itself is suspenseful - what begins as a supernatural mystery takes a turn into something profound.
The first half of the drama is spooky and filled with supernatural intrigue, keeping the audience on edge with jump scares and a gloomy, rain-soaked atmosphere. As the second half unfolds, the mystery of the Light Shop, its owner, customers, and related characters is revealed, leading to mind-blowing revelations. As each character's story is explored, the fragile connection between life and death is poignantly highlighted, tugging at the heartstrings.
What aids this narration is the unique stories carried forward by brilliant acting, music & cinematography. While all were great in their respective role - my favorites were the Light Shop owner (Ju Ji Hoon), the detective , the mother, the mysterious woman. All of their stories had to showcase a range of emotions, in fact in one scene the mother had no lines and I do not understand Korean - but then even in the muffled voice I was able to understand through her anguished desperate facial emotions and action. Special note for the visual effects & transitions - it was a treat to watch on how it cut from one scene to another, matching the scene of one place/character blending with another. Execution, par excellence!
➥ Overall:
This drama is simply flawless & has left no stone unturned. It has everything needed in terms of story, message, acting, cinematography, pacing etc. If you enjoy mystery, suspense with a touch of the supernatural, "Light Shop" is definitely worth watching.
==================== Review Ends Here - But Here are some After-Thoughts ========================
➥ Difference from C-Movie:
Despite knowing the storyline, the K-drama has a slight edge over the movie, thanks to its extended time to flesh out the story, excellent transitions and cinematography, and brilliant performances by the cast. I have not read the novel, but I like the differences done in the K-drama from the Chinese movie. This is also helpful given people like me who have seen the movie earlier are not bored but still engaged & interested.
Observation:
• The Nurse storyline has been changed & I love how she and other characters are able to blur lines between the living & dead.
• New Characters (not in C-Movie) are introduced
• The stories that were common with the C-Movie, have either had a change in characters therefore the reason for their action/background has changed therefore offering a fresh perspective.
• Unlike the C-Movie, the characters are not all in a single apartment building but rather appear to be in a suburb.
This also opened the possibility of multiple light shops spread across the city/country.
• Introducing the detective is a killer move - as it add the dimension of having cold cases and extended supernatural characters
The end cliffhanger, incoming new residents, detective's cold cases, hint at spirits becoming vengeful all points in the direction of a possibility for S2. I feel this is great - given the story's unique world warrants further exploration & has much to offer especially after having seen how brilliantly S1 was executed.
➥ My Guess: Why Is It Called "The Light Shop"?
The tungsten filament in the light bulb is very fragile - perhaps similar to the line that separates life and death. Hence the bulb becomes a proverbial imagery/object to define that borderline & the Light Shop(s) become the symbol of hope. As Dumbledore from Harry Potter said, "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." The Light Shop provides this hope through the light bulb to those "who find the will."
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A CRYING FEST
OMG IT’S SO GOOD!i’d say the first four episodes are an introduction to the whole story. it could get a bit confusing since the narrative jumps from one character to another without warning. so at that point, i was just as confused as those characters in the series. the first half of the series feels more like a mystery thriller, while the second half becomes a sad story without any mystery or thriller elements.
the story of each character and how they are connected started to unfold in episode 5. it was kinda cool since we, as viewers, were figuring out the place and the light shop along with the characters. Lee Jung Eun’s and Ju Ji Hoon’s acting was sooooo amazing. the final episode, for me, was a crying fest.
i liked the idea of Seolhyun’s character becoming a lingering ghost—it’s understandable since she technically died to be with Hyunmin, but he doesn’t even remember her at all, both in the afterlife and in real life after he woke up from the coma.
i also liked how, at the end, the camera zoomed out and we could see other light shops around the neighborhood.
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My May 2025 recommendations challenge
Watch this for my May 2025 recommendations challenge by Marina. But actually quite intrigued by this since its airing time, when people keep posting about this on the feed. Well, finally I've watched it.As usual, story first…
The series follows the story of a group of strangers who are mysteriously drawn to a light shop located at the end of a shady alleyway. Inside the shop, a cautious shopkeeper guards all the lights within.
Little by little they unravel the story about these strangers & the secret the light shop has.
That's pretty much the story without giving the spoiler. Now what I like and don't.
What I like:
+ I’m usually not a fan of this genre, but the intriguing plot really pulled me in.
+ I liked how the story gradually revealed the secrets of the shop and each character—it kept the suspense alive.
+ The horror elements were well-executed and compelling enough to keep me watching until the end.
+ I'm also glad they gave us the shopkeeper's backstory and a happy ending for him.
Overall this is a good drama to watch. Below I'll write what I'm not too like about this drama. But that also means SPOILERS ALERT!!! Read it at your own risk.
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SPOILER ALERT!!!
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- This has an open ending with very much possibilities of season 2.
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Best thing I have seen in ages
So, for some unknown reason this drama skipped my attention at the end of 2024 and only accidentally I stumbled upon it seeing Park Bo-young in a thumbnail and started watching.I’ve been watching K-dramas for many years now, but I haven’t seen anything as good as this, not only regarding K-drama, regarding anything I have watched in the past decades.
Just a week ago I wrote a 1.0 review for ‘heavenly every after’ being really frustrated what the writers and director did with an actually interesting and important topic like a possible afterlife. All the things that went wrong there? Were down SO right in ‘Light Shop’. I never gave a drama a 10.0 in every area, this one got the full 10.0 in all of them.
The actors in this are altogether beyond fabulous. I can’t even say who stands out as they all do. The soundtrack is so multifaceted, so sensitive, capturing not only the entire mood in the alley, but also the specific situations of the characters, sometimes only with a few keys played on the piano.
But from the start: I started watching this without reading a summary before. I watched the first episode, was mesmerized the whole time and after it finished, I didn’t have the faintest idea what is going on. Just a feeling, much like the shown characters themlseves who just seem confused. Same thing happened with the second episode – I watched it, totally fascinated, but no real idea what is happening there.
And this goes on for a while, until episode 5 at least, when things start clearing up a little bit. This is a philosophically very deep, sensitive and touching take on a possible afterlife realm. Not only humans are there, also loyal pets who, beyond death stand by their humans, not giving up until they are safe.
Human souls are wandering endlessly in the dark alley until they find their way into the light shop. Only there they can find their individual soul light and move on, either to another realm in death, remaining in the limbo alley for longer, or going back to the realm of the living.
Each story of each character is very touching and combined with the extraordinarily good special effects to make the alley tangible for the viewer, I was glued to my screen the full 8 episodes without missing a single second. I think I never watched a drama where this happened. Not only were the individual stories very moving, sometimes heart breaking without any of them being attention seeking or over the top, the whole setting was thought-provoking in a deeply philosophical way, at least for Agnostics like me. Many things I saw there fit my personal vague feelings and thoughts of what might come after death. Many things depicted even fit some personal experiences I have made with death and what might come after this earthly timespan. I guess this specifically struck a chord with me.
Apart from all that I was again very moved by the death-and burial rites in Korea in general, which have so many gestures of acknowledging and respect for the deceased – something that has gone amiss totally in many parts of Europe I know at least. There death is totally avoided, and if it occurs, it’s either an emotionless factorylike thing (concerning the actions of many doctors and nurses), a grim business where profit counts at funeral homes who want to sell you absurdly expensive coffins for tens of thousands of dollars trying to convince you to spend more and more with guilty conscience speeches of the lowest order. How refreshing was it once again to see the morgue director in the hospital in this drama, who talked to every deceased person, called them by their name and told them individually with a bow, what the next step would be. How refreshing was it once again to see there just is one sort of light wooden coffin and the yellowish linen death garments that are so carefully put on the deceased.
In small but important scenes it was shown how utterly important, even life-changing in the literal sense – small gestures of good will, or small gestures of pure spite and evil in life can be. I was almost shaken, (having had a mother-in-law who her whole life through made everyone else’s life pure misery with her never ending spite, hatred and lies) when the anxious mother is waiting in front of the operation theatre after the accident and as a viewer you side with her, you feel for her as her son is in acute danger of dying in there… and then… she grabs this cell phone, the girlfriend of her son desperately tries to call him and his mother, spiteful as she is, sends this message to her, lying, that her son is dead and that it is the girlfriend’s fault he died. This ugly, hateful and nasty gesture in an instant changes your feeling towards this mother. Where there was empathy for her a moment ago, there is only disgust and disbelief about such devilish doing. And this small hateful gesture has direct consequences, not only in this life, as the poor girlfriend is taking her own life right then, also in the afterlife, for both, the girlfriend and her son who is there in limbo. As much as this emotionally bothered me, as good I found it captured what is happening in so many families between mother-in-laws and girlfriends or wives of their sons, and as true it rings to me what consequences, on a much broader sphere such behaviour could possibly have.
But there are so many more scenes, impressions, ideas in this show that touch very important topics for actually everyone as, in fact, everyone will die one day.
I am so happy that that the writers and directors of this drama decided against the current trend of just making another horror – everything explodes-torture porn – what every crass, perverted scene can we make up no one has done yet – etc.-show calculating this will probably reach the broadest most dumbed down audience and make the most money. Instead, they made a sensitive, deeply philosophical, slow-paced show, often without much or any words, where you don’t get spoonfed every little detail, but you have to just wait and feel in and think yourself what could be happening.
I will certainly rewatch this as I think, knowing what it’s about will make me sense more details and make me understand more of the story in a second go.
I recommend this for everyone - well, with a working brain, that is not dumbed down with all the rubbish that is out there in tons, for everyone who does think philosophically about topics like the afterlife with an open mind of what might come there without anyone really knowing.
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Afterlife Shop
The story is about a light shop that is selling a lamp. But actually, it's the soul of a person where they are still around in the afterlife. It's become interesting after knowing the story behind all of that. I love how they make the ambiance to make the afterlife world feel so dark and cold. Not expect that the ending would be like that. Seems like there will be 2nd season.Was this review helpful to you?
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If people didn't like this, it's on them. How can they say it's boring when it's perfectly executed. The experience is unsettling and eerie as it's horror. I like it and I'm not a fan of the genre. Actors played their parts well. I'm constantly crying. There characters are different but are linked to one string and it's that light shop. Was this review helpful to you?
Cuz I really like everything about the drama both cast acting and director this drama deserve many awards for the best kdrama ever and actors ever see season 2 next thank u so much for everything hope for next project include parkboyoung always cuz she is the best if all
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Mystery, Horor with a twist of Emotional Roller Coaster Ride
I started this drama without watching the trailer or summary at all. I just knew it's a mystery drama and the list of its actress and actor convinced me to start. As someone who avoids horror movie the most, I was on episode 2 before I paused for awhile. I had to admit the eerie vibe is both captivating and terrifying at the same time LOL but due to my friend's review that I HAVE TO KEEP GOING, so I embraced myself to episode 3 and I was hooked started from this point. The story started to unfold and many WHYs and confusion from the first two episodes slowly find its way to its answer. My fear subdued and it's replaced with more curiosity.I really love how they wrap the story about life and death in such an interesting metaphor. As the episodes went by, I realized that it is wayyy more of an emotional story rather than horror. For some it might be a fun story but I personally find this is a rather painful journey of the characters which we all as human can relate. How each of them face different path, choose different decision, and had different ending although they had the same complication at first. To add into that, the trigger is not something we choose but sometimes life happened to put us in a situation we never wanted.
If you are someone who is into spiritual and after life world, then this drama will be very much your cup of tea!!
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not a 8.5 what..
the highest rating I gave so far this year for a kdrama. they took a run of the mill concept of the afterlife and executed each well- well almost for all. I didn't like the ending like I wish they did his story better. overall, i'm getting tired of kdramas doing cliffhanger-ish endings where season 2 will come. or less likely will especially when this show didn't need another season!Was this review helpful to you?
