Despite early hype over the cast’s visuals and a youthful romance, the drama is failing to break past the ratings ceiling.
Episodes 7 and 8 of JTBC’s Friday series The Shining, which aired on the 27th, posted nationwide Nielsen Korea ratings of 1.1% and 0.8%, respectively. Even so, actor Jae-ha Shin stirred strong emotions by portraying a steadfast, decade-long one-sided love.
Shin plays Bae Sung-chan, a hotelier and steadfast ally to Mo Eun-a (portrayed by Min-ju Kim), delivering a compelling performance. He delicately tracks his character’s shifting emotions over time, adding credibility to the role. Early on, Bae Sung-chan appears aloof, yet he’s the one quietly looking out for Mo Eun-a behind the scenes. He nudges her toward a future by recommending hotelier work and acts as a guide in her life. Though he seems cold on the surface, he shows unending warmth to Mo Eun-a, adding a flutter of romance to living rooms nationwide.
Right after the broadcast, online communities and social media lit up with reactions like, "The second male lead and the main female lead’s storyline draws me in more" and "Their visual chemistry is great," pouring praise on Shin’s performance.
Meanwhile, The Shining airs every Friday at 8:50 p.m.