First Love Returns in JTBC’s Shining — Highlight Video Sparks Anticipation
JTBC’s upcoming Friday series Shining has unveiled a highlight video that captures the emotional journey of its lead characters, played by Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju. The drama, set to premiere on March 6 at 8:50 PM KST with a two-episode launch, explores the enduring power of first love and the bittersweet passage of time. The video release has already heightened anticipation, offering viewers a glimpse into the poignant story of youth, separation, and reunion.
A Story of Youth and First Love
The highlight video begins with the moment rural transfer student Yeon Tae-seo (Park Jinyoung) first meets Mo Eun-a (Kim Minju). Their early days are filled with innocence: studying side by side in the classroom, riding bicycles home together, and sharing laughter that gradually deepens into something more profound. Narration overlays these scenes with the line, “All I could give was my heart,” evoking the tender memories of first love.
At nineteen, both characters carry personal burdens, yet they become indispensable to one another. Their companionship transforms them into sources of light in each other’s lives. Eventually, Tae-seo’s heartfelt vow — “We must stay together forever” — encapsulates the intensity of their youthful bond, leaving behind a lingering resonance.
The Pain of Separation
As time passes, the brightness of their relationship begins to fade. Tae-seo confesses, “Breaking up feels terrifying,” while Eun-a responds with quiet resignation, “Let’s not force our times to match.” These exchanges reveal the growing distance between them, underscoring the inevitability of separation. The highlight video portrays this shift with a subdued tone, contrasting sharply with the earlier warmth, and leaving viewers with a sense of melancholy.
Reunion After Ten Years
A decade later, fate brings Tae-seo and Eun-a together once more. Despite the years apart, their emotions remain unchanged. Tae-seo’s confession — “She was the one I loved ten years ago, and those feelings are still the same” — signals the rekindling of a relationship that never truly ended. The video closes with a poignant question: “Can we shine for each other again, as we once did?” This line encapsulates both the nostalgia of their past and the uncertainty of their future, inviting audiences to wonder whether love can withstand time and circumstance.
Themes and Expectations
Shining is more than a romance; it is a reflection on youth, memory, and the resilience of human connection. By compressing the characters’ shared time and emotions into a highlight reel, the production team emphasizes the drama’s central theme: that even fleeting moments of love can illuminate a lifetime. The series promises to balance the sweetness of first love with the ache of separation, ultimately asking whether two people can rediscover their light after years apart.
With Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju delivering performances that blend vulnerability and sincerity, Shining is positioned as one of JTBC’s most anticipated releases of the season. The highlight video not only previews the emotional depth of the narrative but also sets the stage for a drama that will resonate with viewers who have experienced the enduring pull of first love.
Read: Shining: Park Jinyoung and Kim Minju Bring First Love to Life
Watch Video
Park #Jinyoung reunites with his first love #KimMinju 10 years after their breakup in JTBC’s #Shining new teaser. Broadcast on March 6 (on Netflix too). https://t.co/SQUrB54LkP pic.twitter.com/9TaCA2Z8bs
— Kdramakopi (@kdramakopi) February 19, 2026
