Actor Shin Jae-ha birthed a next-level 'pure love' character, leaving viewers teary-eyed.
On March 20, in the JTBC Friday series The Shining, Shin Jae-ha took on the role of hotelier Bae Seong-chan. In the story, Bae Seong-chan has carried an unwavering, devoted love for Mo Eun-a (played by Kim Min-ju) for over 10 years.
Even when Mo Eun-a called to break up, Bae Seong-chan rushed over and revealed his aching heart. Saying, "It's okay—I'm the one who liked you on my own," he comforted her instead of resenting her. Viewers were especially moved when it was revealed that Bae Seong-chan had quietly handled her father's funeral, showcasing a selfless past that made him the textbook 'Mr. Reliable'.
Bae Seong-chan’s true worth shone brightest in their final goodbye. In the end, he couldn’t take the hand Mo Eun-a held out. Though he loved her, he chose to let her go—conveying the tangled emotions with restrained, nuanced acting. He stood there until the bus carrying Mo Eun-a faded into the distance, his eyes welling up and breaking viewers' hearts. With his calm voice and warm gaze, Shin Jae-ha captured Bae Seong-chan’s depth as a man who always puts Eun-a before himself.
Meanwhile, The Shining airs two episodes every Friday at 8:50 p.m. on JTBC.