As a devoted fan of Korean dramas and mysteries, I’ve been absolutely captivated by Disney+’s latest offering, “Light Shop.” Having grown up on a diet of Hallyu wave shows, I must admit, this series has left me spellbound. The intriguing plot, the stellar cast, and the hauntingly beautiful visuals have all come together to create a masterpiece that keeps me on the edge of my seat every week.

The “Light Shop” supernatural mystery series has been Disney+’s most successful Korean original premiere in 2024, based on streaming data from its first 12 days. Globally, it ranks as the second largest debut of a Korean series on the platform, following only “Moving.” Both shows are creations by webtoon artist Kangfull.

Following Disney+’s November declaration that “Moving” Season 2 is being developed – a move strengthening their alliance with Kangfull – the highly acclaimed first season of “Moving,” initially released in 2023, became Disney+’s top-ranked local original production worldwide last year. It garnered over ten industry awards.

In ‘The Light Shop’, six individuals unwittingly find themselves stranded in a shadowy and enigmatic district with no recollection of how they got there. As they struggle to come to terms with their haunting past experiences, they must also adapt to their bizarre predicament. Their collective quest for answers eventually guides them towards an ominous alleyway where they discover a peculiar light shop. This intriguing storefront may hold the secret to unraveling the mysteries of their forgotten pasts, current situations, and forthcoming destinies.

In this eight-episode sequence, Ju Jihoon (“Blood Free,” “Kingdom”) takes on the role of Jung Wonyoung, the mysterious proprietor of a light store. Park Boyoung (“Strong Girl Bong-soon”) portrays a nurse who underwent a life-altering event near-death. Bae Seongwoo (“Veteran”) joins as a detective, while Lee Jungeun (“Parasite”) is cast as a desperate mother, and Kim Minha (“Pachinko”) assumes the character of screenwriter Sunhae. The series is scripted for the small screen by Kangfull and helmed by director Kim Hiewon.

The success of both “Moving” and “Light Shop” demonstrates Disney+’s growing influence in Korean content, with nine out of its top 15 international original hits last year being Korean productions. Since initiating original content production for Disney+ in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021, the company has released more than 130 originals from this region.

Carol Choi, executive VP of original content strategy at The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, stated that stories originating from the Asia Pacific region have become essential components in general entertainment. These productions are top-notch, gaining increasing international recognition and fostering dedicated fan bases across the globe. She further emphasized that our content approach continues to prioritize the creation of high-quality, star-studded original content from this region – productions that are tentpole titles, representing the best in the industry.

“Light Shop” continues its run on Disney+ with new episodes releasing weekly.

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2024-12-20 12:46