Light Shop – K-drama Episode 3 Recap & Review

The Detective

Episode 3 of Light Shop begins with a flashback to events a month before Detective Sung-sik’s visit to the Light Shop. A woman hears loud knocks on her door late at night and, assuming it’s her ex-partner, angrily tells him to leave. Later, she cautiously opens the door and sees a pair of glowing, cat-like eyes in the distance before she is brutally killed.

The scene shifts to Detective Sung-sik apprehending her ex-boyfriend while he’s on the run, seemingly closing the case. However, while reviewing another case in his cabin, Sung-sik becomes intrigued by the peaceful death of an elderly man. Though ruled a natural death, Sung-sik finds it suspicious, especially after noticing rectangular prints on the floor near the scene. His investigation leads him to explore nearby Chinese food delivery restaurants, eventually stumbling upon an unregistered eatery. Convinced the owner is involved in the murder, Sung-sik leaves after gathering clues.

Fast forward to the present, the suspect is chasing a woman down a road when Sung-sik intervenes and confronts him. To their shock, the woman turns out to be the same victim from the villa murder. In the ensuing scuffle, both men end up in the path of a speeding car, and Sung-sik catches a glimpse of the suspect’s eyes glowing like a cat’s.

The scene cuts to Sung-sik at the Light Shop, questioning Won-young about whether he’s seen the suspect, whom Sung-sik lost in the neighborhood. Ji-young, who had been present, starts to leave, but Sung-sik notices a trail of blood and stops her. Ji-young explains it away as a period-related issue, and Sung-sik lets her go. The episode ends ominously, with a light bulb buzzing near Sung-sik as he stands in the shop.

The Episode Review

This episode marks a notable shift in tone and pacing, making it feel somewhat disconnected from the first two episodes. The tonal change is accompanied by a darker, grittier color palette and a reduced presence of the characters and settings previously introduced, including minimal scenes at the Light Shop itself.

Despite its disjointed feel, the episode seems to be laying the groundwork for a larger narrative, hinting at connections between the seemingly standalone plotlines. It feels as though the show is piecing together fragments of a bigger puzzle, with a potential reveal in the next episode.

Several questions remain unanswered: Are Ji-young and similar “drifters” spirits or ghosts? Considering Sung-sik’s earlier accident, is it possible that he, too, is no longer alive? This could explain why Won-young’s questions about Sung-sik’s intentions carried an undertone of deeper meaning, implying that the Light Shop is far more than it appears.