1With repercussions of regrets and longing, can we easily move on?
I'm not the type to hop on the bandwagon of hyped content. But I definitely wanted to see what the hype is all about!So I decided to binge-watch this on Sunday. Started it in the afternoon and finished it at midnight. I was in a good mood when I started it but ended up with a choked throat and a lump in my chest. Really had a hard time with sleeping.
From the very beginning, an unsettling vibe is present, drawing the viewers into something eerie. The storyline or the situation doesn't immediately feel scary, but the tension slowly builds up, which eventually leads to moments that will leave viewers gasping in awe!
I was almost about to lose all my interest after ep 2-3, then it started...From ep 4-8, I don't know how it all just happened, and I feel like I'm in a daze.
In the first half, the story can be a bit confusing, as the events unfold without any clear explanations, leaving everything shrouded in mystery. The pacing is slow, which may not be to everyone’s taste. I do understand people might lose interest and drop it before going to ep 4. But trust me, bear with the storyline; it gets better and better in the second half.
"Disclaimer: box of tissues needed!"
What made this stand out from all the other kdramas was its way of storytelling and its execution of putting the right situations in the right time. The storyline moves at a slower pace, though it never feels dragging or boring, as the jump scares are well-timed for an adrenaline rush; they keep you on the edge. Moreover, it doesn't solely rely on jump scares; instead, it builds tension through unsettling visuals and subtle sound design with a creeping sense of fear. The story is engaging, which will undoubtedly leave viewers wanting more. There was no way the audience could assume what was going to happen next.
Overall, it was a rollercoaster ride of suspense, mystery, tearjerker moments, and grievance. It should be watched binge-watched; otherwise, viewers can get confused by waiting. Even if it's not your genre, please give it a try; I'm sure there's no way you'll be disappointed.
P.S.- I'm definitely not going to re-watch this as this is bad for my heart. Wanted to give it a solid 10 but needed to deduct (-0.5) for making me miserable on a good day.
Was this review helpful to you?
My eyes are burning
At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy Light Shop. The first few episodes felt a bit slow, and I’ll admit, I was a little confused about what was going on. But honestly? That’s part of what makes this drama so brilliant. After the third episode, things really started to come together, and suddenly, I couldn’t stop watching. It’s one of those shows where the pieces slowly fall into place, and when they do, it’s like a gut punch—but in the best way possible.The story tackles some really heavy themes, especially around life, death, and grief. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and some scenes hit so hard that I had to pause just to collect myself. I’m not exaggerating when I say I cried a lot while watching this drama—like, to the point where I should’ve kept a water bottle nearby to rehydrate! But what absolutely shattered me was that scene at the end with Ju Hyeon Ju and her mother. It was so raw and so real that I literally paused the show and cried for 30 minutes straight. It’s one of those moments that feels so genuine, like it came straight from real life, and it stayed with me long after the episode ended.
One thing I really loved was how the story unfolds. At first, it feels pretty simple, and there are only small hints that there’s something deeper going on. But as the episodes go on, the layers start peeling back, and it becomes so much more than you expect. Every little detail starts to matter, and you realize how carefully everything has been planned out. It’s the kind of storytelling that pulls you in so gradually that, before you know it, you’re completely hooked and emotionally invested.
By the end, I was absolutely in love with this drama. It’s not just a story—it’s an experience. It makes you reflect on loss, healing, and how we move forward, even when life feels impossibly hard. I know it’s not for everyone because of how heavy the themes can be, but if you give it a chance, it’s so worth it.
It’s unfortunate that a show of this depth isn’t more widely appreciated. Perhaps it asks too much of its viewers, but for those who embrace it, the experience is unforgettable.
Light Shop is, hands down, one of the best dramas I’ve ever watched. It’s the kind of show that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. I’ll be recommending this to everyone I know (and maybe rewatching it when I’m ready to cry again). Seriously, if you’re looking for something emotional and meaningful, don’t miss this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
I have no complaints
Light Shop is a masterpiece, thanks to its incredible script and direction. This isn’t just a horror drama—it’s a deeply emotional journey that leaves you questioning everything even after it ends. The twists don’t just surprise you; they leave a heavy feeling in your chest that’s hard to shake off. And the amount of detail and foreshadowing it had was absolutely mind-blowing—every little moment seemed to have a purpose, adding layers to the story that kept you thinking long after it was over.But what truly makes Light Shop special are the characters. They’re not just there to move the story along—they feel real. You care about them, fear for them, and at times even hate them. (If you know, you know.) The way their stories connect with the shop’s mystery is brilliant. And the acting? It’s so natural, it doesn’t feel like a performance. Every emotion feels raw, and it draws you into their world of fear and fragile hope.
The pacing might be slow, but it’s exactly what makes the show so gripping. It feels like waiting for a storm you know is coming but can’t escape. Every scene builds tension, and when the truth is revealed, it hits like a punch in the gut.
What stays with you are the themes—regret, redemption, and the weight of choices we can’t undo. They creep into your thoughts, making you reflect on your own life without even realizing it. It’s rare for a horror show to make you feel this way, but Light Shop does it so effortlessly.
And then there’s Kang Full. His stories always have an ending in mind, and that’s what makes them unforgettable. After all, if the ending falls flat, what’s the point of everything else?
This isn’t just a show to watch—it’s something you feel, something that lingers with you long after it’s over. It stays in your mind, creeping in when you least expect it. For me, Light Shop is more than a show—it’s art.
Was this review helpful to you?
Mysteriously Intriguing
The light shop has got all my attention..Its dark mysterious and thrilling. The drama touches upon the sensitive topics of life which I am sure everyone of us been through or have thought about of.The drama is a psychological horror that keeps us on our toes. It made me cry every now and then. The story does not wander off and is to the point taking turns to tell the story of each character. Each episode has blown me away and is definitely not predictable. It is a beautifully written drama and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Perfect cinematography with perfect storyline and direction with an excellent cast did give us a good drama to end the year 2024.
If you are in doubt to watch The light shop guys trust me on this you will not be disappointed. The light shop will definitely leave its mark on you. ^^
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I didn't expect to LOVE a drama with "horror" as genre.
I can easily say that i found this show POETIC.The first drama i completed this year (and technically the last thing i watched in 2024) and what a series !!
I didn't expect it to be that good (well with the cast in it it's clearly obvious but i'm not a huge fan of horror series/movies so i started it because i trust the cast especially Park Bo Young. I know that she always chooses good series so i followed her blindly)
The 2 first episodes were terrifying to me, i remember i couldn't even watch it at night lol (it shows how much i'm not a horror girl lol - I don't know if we can say that lol-)
But once they explained to us what was happening and what all this series was about OMG everything changed to me and i became clearly addicted !
I cried a lot, the actors played SO WELL. I loved how we followed each character in this show, their story, their feelings, their own path and journey to reach their final stop and how everything was well explained.
The meaning of the light shop and this dark alley. Those people who scared the hell out of me in the first episodes.
Okay, i better stop here. I thing I REALLY LOVED THIS SHOW.
If you too are not into horror series/movies but love stories related to death relationships moving on, just try this one. Don't drop the series because you'll understand everything in the middle of the story and you'll probably end up liking it like i did.
Was this review helpful to you?
This drama was both unusual and deeply emotional, but I’m glad I kept watching.
I was so confused until episode 4. It felt like every episode introduced a new character without a clear purpose, which made things overwhelming and hard to follow. During those first four episodes, it seemed like there wasn’t any plot at all.But I’m glad I didn’t stop watching. I held on because of the cast, and they did not disappoint! The cast lineup is absolutely amazing. After episode 5, everything started to make sense, and the plot finally began to unfold.
Hands up for Ju Ji Hoon and Lee Jung Eun. I cried my eyes out during their scene.
As someone mentioned in the reviews, the only source of light in the world between life and death was the Light Shop. That detail was brilliant. Apart from the hospital and light shop scenes, everything else was shot in darkness, which added so much depth to the atmosphere.
I felt pity for every character. Each one had their own story, and the actors did such a fantastic job portraying their struggles and emotions. The way some characters chose their own fates was truly compelling and left a lasting impact.
"Find The Light"
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
blindly watching a show...
y'all know those shows/movies where not knowing what is happening are better to watch? well, i actually felt like this with this dramai decided to watch it because of uhm taegoo and boyoung, sue me. and even while watching the first/two episodes i was wondering what was actually happening. i read the disney's synopsis obviously but it didnt change much lmaao
i at least knew this was gonna be like a thriller/horror but it was a lot of more creepier than i thought (not like super horror ??), i got kind of paranoid but maybe its just me and the ending got me extra confused than i already was😭😭😭
i'll be waiting for the next part to come out, hopefully it's soon or i'll ☠
ps. im not sure if it was something i thought or what but almost at the end i was like making myself an idea of what was happening
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
KDRAMA OF THE YEAR!
I think everyone should watch this, like just put it on and you’ll be hooked from the first 10 mins. And ITS WORTH YOUR TIME! I didn’t know anything about the show except it was a Kang Full story, so I was so surprised to find the 1st epi being horror! And it was so well done, not in a jumpscare way but in an eerie-creepy way. The set design has a purpose, the camera shots have purpose, the shadows have purpose, EVERYTHING is so detailed and meaningful. If the first half is horror, the second half is dramatic and romantic. Everything you thought was scary, is actually the most sweetest and purest thing. To accomplish that shift for every character is just great writing and acting. You will cry for the last 2 episodes. It’s so bittersweet but beautiful. The final shot is ART (and an arrow to my chest like whyyyyy is it so sad?)Every character gets a full arc story with no loose ends (kinda - hopeful for more seasons). Almost all stories made me tear up at one point, but especially the rescue dog with the branch through it broke my heart, the bus driver drowning in his tears, the mom saving her daughter the way she was saved by her father (the cotton ball had me holding my chest) and ofc, Hyunmin & Jiyoung’s story was the saddest, I was sobbing and distraught.
Random but in the beginning I thought: hmm the set design for this lane/neighbourhood is so weird, it feels like a “set” with bad cgi rain clouds, it doesn’t seem realistic and BOOM there was a reason for that and now looking back I LOVE THE SET DESIGN AND CGI.
Was this review helpful to you?
Even if it broke me in little pieces, totally worth it !
I loved this drama : it is an incredible multilayered story that I binge watched over the course of a week-end. It brought me a lot of emotions as well as of thinking as the scenario unfolded and I was trying to figure things out following the clues laid out by the writing. I am greedy so I wish that they had more episodes to explore the lore and all they hinted in the last episode. Having said that, the ending was satisfying and the doors opened in the last episode are rather fun than frustrating.This drama is an adaptation of the webtoon "Shop of the Lamp" by Kang Full. After Moving, his collaboration with Disney proves once again to be super successful : he is definitely a screenwriter upcoming star I want to keep following closely. In addition to a strong writing, this drama features a gallery of characters portrayed by a very good ensemble cast. There were definitely some outstanding performances (such as the one of Ju Ji Hoon that I will not forget) but overall acting is constantly good on all the parts.
The production was very good: there are a few scenes and images that will remain I feel in my memory for a very long time. The special effects were excellent and there was an interesting unnerving tension in the way the scenes were filmed. The soundtrack was perfectly fitting the heavy atmosphere. The making really participated in the feeling of oppression I felt while watching the show. I think the editing though could have been improved between some of the episodes. Some great cliffhangers were often followed not directly which was a bit anticlimactic in the moment, even if it was often done for very good reason in terms of storytelling.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a thrilling series with a great gallery of grey and interesting characters. It is not for the tender hearts as I feel there are some horrific elements that can be tough to go through and you may want to check the triggers if you have any. I really think it is a worthy watch that will take the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster. It might need a bit of time for the viewer to connect all the pieces of the puzzle together, but once you got there, it is immensely rewarding.
Was this review helpful to you?
thrilling, puzzling, and touching
It was slow and a bit scary at first but I did not expect to find this show a delight!The first few episodes left us with so many unanswered questions with all the stories happening at the same time. I am glad that by the 4th episode we were finally shown the glimpse of the characters back stories. Good thing the story was able to make me curious enough to wait for the story to build itself up. I did not expect it to be touching and emotional that I actually cried along while the characters cr.
Episodes 6 and 7 were an emotional roller coaster, it was an almost perfect story ending but the way the last scenes went kind of ruined it for me.
Overall it was an interesting show, with great actors and unique storyline.
So, will there be a season 2? My guess is its possible.
Was this review helpful to you?
go find your light!
oh my oh myyyyy😭😭😭man i struggled so much finding a place to watch this show, i had to switch between three websites for each different episode (because some didn’t have subtitles) but alas, it was worth it because this show was amazing. from start to finish, its a beautiful show with a beautiful message.
i cried so much and it takes a lot to make me shed tears. the actors sold their characters and their grief and sadness so well.
at first i thought it was horror the way it introduced itself in the beginning, but it was truly a beautiful show.
the only thing i was confused about was the little boy in the bus and how come he was never mentioned in the episodes. i only remember him showing up briefly to hand over a basketball to the nurse but that was it, and was never mentioned again. this isn’t a spoiler so don’t worry, just a little observation that didn’t make sense to me.
overall. amazing show, amazing characters! very sad though, be prepared to watch this!
Was this review helpful to you?
Too slow
Struggled to get through just a couple of episodes as I found the series extremely boring. The premise seemed promising, and I was excited to dive in, but the beginning was slow and failed to hold my attention. While it’s possible that later episodes are better, the lackluster start made it hard for me to continue watching.Was this review helpful to you?
