"Let's not waste even a single moment"... The diverging times and reunion of Tae-seo and Yeon Tae-seo

After a long gap of 10 years, a first love has returned. The characters of the JTBC drama 'Still Shining' struggle to either hold onto memories of the past or escape from them for various reasons.

"Independence from Dad is the dream"... The new future Tae-seo faces

Due to his father's depression and their family environment, Tae-seo has lived by his father's side for a long time. Having lived while soothing his anxiety in the place where his father settled, Tae-seo has recently begun to dream of a future of his own, rather than his father's, for the first time. Setting 'independence from Dad'—which is only possible once his father becomes healthy—as his goal, Tae-seo takes the first steps toward change by starting self-directed learning.

This change in Tae-seo also serves as a new stimulus to those around him. Tae-seo's appearance as he focuses on his studies, presenting a report card with top grades in all subjects, shows a will to carve out his own life beyond just a matter of grades. Seeing Tae-seo silently getting things done by himself, those around him react by saying, "He is really good at doing things alone."

"Let's not waste time"... The time of the two people flowing at different speeds

The relationship between the two who have reunited diverges subtly between the emotions of 10 years ago and the reality of the present. While their feelings for each other remain the same, the situations and priorities each faces are different. While one side tries to adjust to the other's time, the other side says they must use their time sparingly to achieve their own goals.

In particular, Tae-seo shows a determined attitude that he does not want to waste time in order to achieve his goals. Saying, "I want to spend all my time on what I want to do," he also requests that the other person not force themselves to adjust to his time. This is a scene that reflects Tae-seo's independent attitude of moving forward for current achievements rather than staying stuck in a past relationship.

10 years of silence, the true worries that could not be spoken aloud

Between the person who suddenly disappeared 10 years ago and those who waited for him, there are untold stories remaining. The appearance of those who were even afraid to speak the difficult memories of the past remains as unresolved afterimages of emotion even in the present, where they meet again after time has passed.

The past memory of choosing silence because they felt like they would die if they spoke and the memories would return poses new questions to the characters who face each other again after 10 years. The core of the story lies in how the worries and longing, which they believed they had forgotten for 10 years but still remain in a corner of their hearts, will intersect.

Source: DRAMA Voyage (YouTube)