K-Content News

'Light Shop' director: Korean storytelling's emotional power connects with Disney

  By Woo Jae-yeon

SINGAPORE, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- Disney and Kang Full, the writer of Disney+'s upcoming Korean original series, "Light Shop," share a unique ability to move people's hearts through their work, director Kim Hie-won said Wednesday, citing the connection as one of the main reasons behind the two's second collaboration after the 2023 hit "Moving."

"Kang Full's works, like Disney's, tap into emotions that deeply move people's hearts," Kim said during a press session at the Disney Content Showcase 2024 in Singapore.

The upcoming series, one of Disney+'s most anticipated releases in the latter half of the year, is based on Kang Full's popular 2011 webtoon of the same name.

The eight-part series delves into the lives of a group of strangers grappling with the aftermath of traumatic experiences from their past. They are mysteriously drawn to a light shop, where they encounter a shopkeeper, played by Ju Ji-hoon.

Kim, making his debut as director with the series, said he aimed to create a show that resonates emotionally with audiences without feeling overwhelming.

"It tells a unique story, and I wanted its uniqueness to be embraced by viewers in a way that feels appropriate and not overbearing," the actor-turned-director said.

Reflecting on his directorial debut, he described the experience as both nervous and exciting. "I am truly honored to be here and eagerly look forward to the premiere on Dec. 4."

Praising the series, Kang said it successfully captured the story's depth while presenting it in a more diverse and vibrant manner.

"The emotions that couldn't be fully expressed in the webtoon have been beautifully brought to life on screen, making the story even richer than the original," he said.
  Earlier in the day, Disney shared its 2025-2026 theatrical and streaming slate at the showcase event, which was attended by over 500 journalists from 12 countries in the region. The lineup spans a variety of its studios, including 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Pixar and Marvel Studios.

Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, described the Asia-Pacific as "an important and vital region for the Walt Disney Company throughout the world," during her opening remarks. "There is no region that makes me more excited, a region with rich stories to uncover and deep pool of talent and an undeniable passion for great storytelling," she added.

The event offered previews and sneak peeks of the company's upcoming projects, such as Disney's "Tron: Ares," Pixar's "Hoppers" and Lucasfilm's "Star Wars: Vision Vol 3."

Anthony Mackie of "Captain America: Brave New World," set to premiere in February, made a special appearance on stage, sharing his story about becoming the new Captain America.

"Our storytelling is stronger than ever before, driven by the unmatched strength of our global and local creative studios across film, television and streaming, and the wide appeal of our beloved brands and franchises," said Luke Kang, president of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, during the opening session.

Last year, nine of the top 15 best-performing international original titles on Disney+ were Korean, based on viewership statistics, according to the company.

As evidence of the growing influence of Korean content, it commanded a prominent presence at this year's regional content showcase. On Thursday, consecutive sessions will showcase five more Korean original titles, set to be released in the coming months.

Disney has previously credited the growth and early success of its streaming business to the global appeal of Korean storytelling and its strong resonance with diverse audiences. It also noted the significance of the Korean market as a testing ground for its global business.