JTBC has premiered the first two episodes of its new series Still Shining on March 6, 2026. The series stars Jinyoung and Kim Min-ju in the lead roles. It airs weekly on Fridays, with the next two episodes, 3 – 4, scheduled to release on March 13.
Still Shining follows the journey of two young adults who once shared a connection. Yeon Tae-seo, a practical subway driver who lives only for the present, unexpectedly crosses paths with his first love Mo Eun-a, a passionate lodging manager navigating life’s ambitions and setbacks. Their reunion slowly rekindles old feelings as they become each other’s support and guiding light while facing adulthood’s challenges.
What to expect from the upcoming episodes of Still Shining
The preview for the upcoming episodes of Still Shining suggests a major time jump of nearly 10 years. Tae-seo and Eun-a are no longer in a relationship and their lives appear to have taken different paths. Tae-seo is shown asking people about Eun-a and wondering how she has been, indicating that they have lost contact over the years.
The preview also hints that Tae-seo has gone through several personal struggles before leaving for his mandatory military service. Meanwhile, Eun-a seems to have continued her life separately. Despite the distance and the passage of time, their paths eventually cross again.
In one scene, the two unexpectedly meet at a metro station, where Eun-a is seen telling that she has always hoped they would run into each other again. The upcoming episodes of Still Shining are expected to explore what has caused their separation, how their lives changed during the years apart, and whether their reunion will give them another chance to reconnect.
Still Shining recap episodes 1-2: Yeon Tae-seo and Mo Eun-a find comfort in each other as they begin their relationship
The episode 1 of Still Shining begins in 2014 with Yeon Tae-seo, a highly disciplined and academically gifted student. After a tragic car accident kills his parents and severely injures his younger brother’s leg, Tae-seo and his brother move from Seoul to a rural town to live with their grandparents.
His brother’s injury has made him dependent on crutches, forcing Tae-seo to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family. Determined to secure a stable future, Tae-seo focuses entirely on his studies. His goal is clear and that is to enter a good university, find a well-paying job, and take care of his family.
After transferring to a local school, he requests permission to use the school library during summer vacation so he can continue studying independently. There, he meets Mo Eun-a, a classmate who has recently begin studying in the library as well.
Eun-a has her own complicated past. Five years earlier, she moves to the town with her father after he fell into deep depression and gets divorced. During those years, Eun-a has helped care for him as he tries to recover. Now that he has begun rebuilding his life and is seeing someone new, Eun-a returns to school hoping to focus on her own future and study seriously.
Although Eun-a has known Tae-seo’s family for years and has helped his grandparents in the past, Tae-seo does not remember her at first. Their first interactions in the library are awkward. Tae-seo is irritated by her attempts to talk and prefers to concentrate on his studies.
However, when Eun-a mentions that fireflies can also be found in autumn, he suddenly remembers a childhood moment when she and his younger brother used to search for them together. Realizing she genuinely knows his family, Tae-seo begins to lower his guard.
The two gradually grow closer while studying together every day in the library. Tae-seo’s dedication motivates Eun-a to focus on her studies, something she has struggled with since returning to school. At the same time, Eun-a’s presence helps Tae-seo feel less burdened by the pressure he constantly carries. They begin spending time together beyond the library cycling to and from school and gradually building a friendship.
Eventually, Eun-a confesses that Tae-seo has become the reason she enjoys school and studying again. She admits that she may have developed feelings for him. The confession makes Tae-seo uncomfortable, and he begins avoiding her.
As the new school term begins, the distance between them becomes noticeable. Tae-seo continues to avoid Eun-a while concentrating on his studies. Because of his outstanding academic performance, the school selects Tae-seo to visit Hankuk University in Seoul. He also plans to use the trip to see a doctor about a persistent ringing sound in his ears that has been worrying him.
Eun-a decides to travel to Seoul as well, hoping to experience the city for the first time on her own and spend time with Tae-seo. However, when she tries to accompany him to the university visit, Tae-seo rudely refuses her and tells her he is not in Seoul for fun.
Instead of going to the university, Tae-seo visits the hospital to check his ear. The doctor explains that the ringing is not caused by a physical injury but likely by emotional stress. Realizing the sound has began after the accident that killed his parents and injured his brother Tae-seo breaks down in tears in the doctor’s office.
Meanwhile, Eun-a in Seoul, visits the woman her father has been seeing, but finds her with another man. Believing she is cheating on her father Eun-a is emotionally shaken. Later, when Tae-seo meets her again, she confesses how overwhelmed and frightened she has been feeling. She explains that she has come to Seoul hoping she could rely on him during her first trip without her father.
The two reconcile and return to their town together. During the journey Eun-a tells Tae-seo that he has become a source of motivation and stability in her life and that they should stay with one another for longtime. Tae-seo agrees with her taking her hand and and the two begin dating.
As the college entrance exams approach, they continue encouraging one another. Holding hands, they walk into the exam center together. After the exams, they spend time in Seoul, sharing a meal and seeing the Han River for the first time while promising to remain together and support each other.
Both eventually achieve excellent results and Tae-seo gets admitted to Hankuk University in Seoul, while Eun-a enters another university located farther away. Despite studying in different places, Tae-seo and Eun-a try to maintain their relationship. They frequently text each other and make time to visit whenever possible.
However, she continues to struggle with her father’s relationship. When she returns home one day, she learns that her father is planning to marry the same woman who is cheating on him. Disturbed by the news, Eun-a confronts the woman again. The woman insists that Eun-a’s father knows everything and that she intends to break off her other relationship.
Although the explanation does not ease her anger, a coworker of her father, Bae Seong-chan, advises Eun-a to support the marriage so her father does not fall back into emotional instability. Following his suggestion, she suppresses her feelings and decides to support the union.
Inside, however, Eun-a remains deeply unsettled. She asks Tae-seo if they can meet. Sensing her distress, Tae-seo quickly heads to meet her. The episode ends with Eun-a waiting at a metro station. As she watches Tae-seo’s train approach, she feels a sense of relief and hope knowing he is coming to see her. On this note the episode 2 of Still Shining ends.
Still Shining is available for streaming on Netflix.
Edited by Adrija Chakraborty
