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Disney+’s new series, Light Shop, delves into the lives of those caught between life and death. Even before its release, the series garnered attention as the latest work of Kang Full, the celebrated writer behind the hit series Moving. Kang not only created the original webtoon but also meticulously added details to craft the screenplay. During a press conference, Kang shared, "I created the original comic 13 years ago, but there were stories I couldn’t fully tell back then. With the drama, I’ve been able to deepen the emotions and narratives that couldn’t be expressed in the illustrations."

This series also marks the directorial debut of actor Kim Hee-won, known for his role as a teacher in Moving. Ju Ji-hoon stars as the owner of the light Shop, guiding us to the spaces where light persists, even in the depths of darkness.

Kim Hee-won personally called to cast you in Light Shop.

= Yes, Hee-won called to offer me a role in the series, which is based on Kang Full’s webtoon. I read the first episode of the script, and it was so engrossing that I couldn’t put it down. It was also incredibly entertaining. As usual, I met Hee-won (hyung) at a café to discuss the script, asked a few questions I had, and decided right away to join the project. When he asked which role I wanted to play, I told him I’d like to take on the character of Won-young, the owner of the light Shop.

What was it like to work on a set directed by someone with acting experience? 

= I once learned from my seniors that actors can be categorized as either method actors or producer-type actors. Both Hee-won and I belong to the latter category. When I worked with senior actor Kim Hee-won on Escape from Mogadishu, I was impressed by his remarkable ability to view a project in its entirety. However, I don’t think Hee-won is a great director just because he understands actors well. He’s an exceptional director in his own right. His dedication to the pre-production process exudes unique energy and meticulous attention to detail that sets him apart.

You’ve acted in several adaptations of webtoons, including Princess Hours, Antique Bakery, Along with the Gods, and now Light Shop. Do you think having a source material influences your imagination as an actor?

= I usually avoid reading the original work. Instead, I always confirm with the director and writer beforehand if it’s necessary for my performance. The existence of source material isn’t something actors should meddle with. As an actor, my job isn’t to go beyond the creators’ vision or add something new just for the sake of it. Creator Kang Full and Director Kim Hee-won had already established the direction of the story, so if I tried to add my own ideas just to show off, I’d only end up looking foolish. (laughs)

In the original, Won-young was portrayed as a middle-aged man. The drama version, however, depicts a character whose age is ambiguous in most scenes.

= The reason behind the difference in appearance might become clearer as viewers watch the series. Unlike comics, which freeze moments in single frames, a drama unfolds at 24 frames per second. To transform the webtoon into a live-action format, the creators needed a new axis—a narrative thread that would keep viewers engaged until the very end. That thread was a shared effort between the director and the actors.

One of the most challenging aspects we worked on was delivering dialogue. While written narratives often use a formal tone to persuade readers, spoken dialogue in drama needs to strip away those literary nuances to resonate with the audience. Kang Full was incredibly flexible in this regard, adapting his lines to suit the medium.

You’ve often used your eyes and gaze as key elements in your acting and photoshoots. However, in Light Shop, your eyes remain hidden behind sunglasses throughout the series.

= I was initially intimidated by the idea of losing one of my most expressive tools. It felt like stepping into a kendo match without a wooden sword. Still, just as a fighter has their fists and legs, I relied on my co-actors and the director for support. I constantly asked the production team how my movements appeared on screen and adjusted my performance accordingly. For instance, I wanted to know how the point-of-view shots looked through my sunglasses and how my line of sight fit within the camera’s frame. I’m so curious about those things. I love being able to take the answers and fine-tune the details. Analyzing every element of the scene and incorporating it into my performance is something I truly enjoy. This process was even more crucial in Light Shop, where the actors’ emotions are enhanced by technical precision. I’m the kind of person who stretches my legs according to the length of the coverlet. (laughs)

Won-young stays at his post, observing and interacting with the many customers who come and go from Light Shop. Each customer is full of personality, and he treats them with equal attention, though he is not a character that bursts with energy.

=Won-young embodies the perspective of the director or the audience—a vessel through which viewers can project their own emotions. For such a character, I believed it was best to avoid imposing a strong personality. Humans are inherently sensitive and capable of perceiving the atmosphere of a situation through subtle gestures and nuances, even in their daily lives—skills they’ve unconsciously mastered over the course of their existence. If it’s visible to the actor, it will naturally be visible to the viewer.

If I predetermined how I was going to view the eight customers of Light Shop, that intention would likely be too obvious to the audience. By simply responding naturally to the rhythm and breathing of my co-actors, Won-young’s breathing and gaze dissolve, allowing viewers to engage with the situation more organically through him.

What do you hope viewers take away from Light Shop ?