Drama fans have a new romantic pairing to look forward to this spring. On January 22, 2026, it was officially confirmed that GOT7’s Park Jinyoung and former IZ*ONE member Kim Min Ju will lead the upcoming romance series “Shining” (literal title).
The announcement has sparked significant interest due to the high-profile cast and the esteemed production team behind the project.
“Shining” is described as a story about young adults who once shared a private world of their own as teenagers and eventually become each other’s source of trust and guidance as they navigate the complexities of adulthood.
The series promises a nostalgic and heart-touching exploration of first love, shared memories, and the gentle changes that occur when the past meets the present.
Stellar Creative Team and Cast
The production of “Shining” is backed by a creative team renowned for their work in the romance genre.
The series will be directed by Kim Yoon Jin, who received widespread acclaim for the hit drama “ Our Beloved Summer .” Joining her is screenwriter Lee Sook Yeon, known for the evocative “A Piece of Your Mind.”
With these two at the helm, viewers are anticipating a series filled with beautiful cinematography, meaningful dialogue, and a realistic yet poetic portrayal of human emotions.
Park Jinyoung takes on the role of Yeon Tae Seo, a train conductor who views the world through a lens of clear-eyed realism. Tae Seo lives by the pragmatic motto, “Just get through today safely,” preferring to focus on his current stability rather than grand future dreams.
He is a character who has achieved the independent life he always wanted, yet he hides a tender and emotional interior behind a cool, detached exterior.
His quiet routine is disrupted when he unexpectedly reunites with his first love, leading to a profound internal shift.
Kim Min Ju stars as Mo Eun Ah, Tae Seo’s first love. Eun Ah is characterized by her enthusiasm and lovable charm, though her life has been marked by both small successes and major setbacks.
A former hotelier, she now works as a manager at a traditional-style guesthouse in Seoul. As she struggles to find a new direction for her life, she crosses paths with Tae Seo again, forcing her to confront the memories of the love she once lost.
Kim Min Ju is expected to bring her signature emotional depth to the role, portraying a woman working to reconnect with her past while building her future.
Narrative Themes and Premiere Details
“Shining” revolves around the powerful connection between two people who first met during a summer vacation at the age of 19.
The drama explores how the specific, tender feelings they developed as teenagers have been preserved in their memories and how those memories impact their adult lives.
The story raises poignant questions about how the shared experiences of youth can act as a “light” in the face of adult challenges.
By juxtaposing their youthful encounters with their adult reunion, the drama aims to deliver a cathartic and relatable experience for viewers who have ever wondered about the “one that got away.”
The series is currently slated to premiere in March 2026. As the premiere date approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting more updates, including posters, trailers, and behind-the-scenes footage.
For Park Jinyoung, this marks a continuation of his successful acting career following his military discharge and recent musical releases.
For Kim Min Ju, “Shining” is another major step in her growing filmography, solidifying her status as a leading actress in the industry.
The chemistry between the two leads is already highly anticipated, with many believing they perfectly capture the “first love” aesthetic required for this sentimental journey.
The animated film world has been electrified by the news that the Netflix original movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has secured two prestigious nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, 2026.
This announcement, made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on January 22, marks a monumental achievement for a film that has already redefined the boundaries of animated storytelling and musical integration.
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” has been a cultural juggernaut since its release in June 2025, blending the vibrant aesthetics of the K-pop industry with a high-stakes supernatural thriller narrative.
These nominations serve as the ultimate validation of the film’s artistic excellence and its unprecedented global reach.
Record-Breaking Nominations: Animation and Music
The film was recognized in two major categories: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
- Best Animated Feature: Co-directed by Korean-Canadian filmmaker Maggie Kang and American director Chris Appelhans, the film follows the story of K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who lead secret double lives as demon hunters. The nomination acknowledges the film’s innovative animation style, which seamlessly incorporates the high-energy choreography and visual flair of actual K-pop performances into a lushly designed supernatural world. It is set to compete against major titles like “Arco,” “Elio,” and “Zootopia 2.”
- Best Original Song: The hit track “Golden” was nominated in the music category, making history as the first K-pop style song to receive an Oscar nomination. Performed by the fictional group HUNTR/X (voiced by artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), the song has become a global chart-topper, surpassing one billion views on YouTube and dominating the Billboard Soundtrack charts.
K-Pop Demon Hunters (Credit: YouTube)
A Trailblazing Awards Season
The Oscar nominations are the latest in a string of accolades for the project. Earlier in January 2026, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” won both Best Animated Film and Best Original Song at the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards.
These wins are often seen as the primary indicators for Oscar success, placing the film as a frontrunner in its categories.
Furthermore, the soundtrack has received five Grammy Award nominations, including the prestigious Song of the Year.
The film’s success has been so immense that it reportedly dethroned “ Squid Game ” to become Netflix’s most-watched title of all time, amassing over 500 million views worldwide.
Impact and Cultural Significance
The significance of these nominations extends beyond just the film itself. For the K-pop industry, it represents a successful crossover into the highest tiers of Western cinematic recognition.
Director Maggie Kang’s nomination also marks a historic moment as she becomes the first Korean-Canadian director to achieve this level of Academy recognition.
The film’s narrative—which involves K-pop idols protecting their fans from literal demons—has resonated with audiences of all ages, creating a new “cultural phenomenon” that combines traditional animation with the modern global appeal of Hallyu.
Looking Toward the Ceremony
As the 98th Academy Awards approach on March 15, the entertainment world is watching to see if “K-Pop Demon Hunters” can secure a win and continue its “Golden” run.
The potential for a live performance of the nominated song during the Oscars broadcast has already generated massive buzz among fans.
Whether or not it takes home the statues, the film has already made history by proving that animated stories centered on K-pop can achieve universal critical and commercial success on a scale never seen before.
