Hotel del Luna (2019)

ACTING: This is the first time I have ever reviewed a show no matter how good it was but for this show I have too. I was expecting it to be good because of IU. She is a phenomenal actor as well as Jin Goo. Her last works have all been good so I was expecting it to be amazing and boy was I pleased. When she cries, you can feel her pain. There not stiff actors or forcefully doing anything. Even the side charecters are doing amazing jobs at portraying there rolls and the chemistry is amazing.

The story itself is very unique and complicated at first. It all is starting to make sense and you don’t really expect any of it which is even better you get surprised and you are waiting wanting more. The description of this show doesn’t bring it justice. If you want to see a real show that’s not all about cute fluffy romance then this is the show. It does have romance in but it’s also focusing on lots of the side stories and there pasts which is very interesting.

The music is to DIE for. We have many of the OST’s by Punch who is a great singer. NCT’s 127 taeyong, Taeyeon, Monday kiz, Paul Kim and even IU herself and all of the songs are fantastic and I can’t stop listening to them. They fit the scenes perfectly.

Although this isn’t completed and we can’t guarantee what will happen at all I am hoping for a happy ending even though I’m not too sure if it fits the story that well especially since IU hasn’t had the best record of happy endings since I watched moon lovers: scarlet heart ryeo. I will Definitely be rewatching this when it is over.

Do not hesitate to watch this because it is not complete. I will be redoing my review and adding to it when it is over. Of course it has its fault like the non existent SLS I have even though there not really a second lead. Oops haha.

I rate this a 10 in everything so definitely recommend!!!

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There's so much to say, but I'll try to be short.

I already knew from all the teasing before the show was aired how it was going to turn out: All about the cinematography and IU. I hesitated for a long time but I finally gave it a try for IU, she never deceived me in anything she did and she still hasn't, yet I'm dropping this one.

From the too much colored, unnatural filters and imagery to the lacking plot, every aspect of this drama feels soulless. It doesn't matter how good the acting can be, it can't save it. This drama suffer from wanting to do too much in term of production throwing pretty stuff at it. It's ok as long as the package looks good, right?

Well, not really.

The drama is pretty popular and has good critics and I can understand why. It can be a good drama if you're looking for entertainment only. But if you're looking for emotions, deep plot and something special and touching, this drama has no interest at all.

All the little stories about the ghosts aren't touching, how could they be touching in the 30 minutes the screenwriters allowed to them. The rest of the time is dedicated to the protagonists standing in front of a tree trying to somewhat pull out any emotions you would have developed toward them. But I wonder how such thing is even possible in this setting, at best you're feeling sympathy, it might be enough for some, not for me.

I don't have anything negative to say about the overall acting. They were all ok, good at best but mechanical, nothing to exploit in the character given to them. Yeo Jin Goo did a good job in what he was asked, his character being there for IU's to shine, nothing else. IU was as expected amazing, but what she can do when she has the only seemingly interesting character in the show?

The cinematography was beautiful but every scenes felt empty, special effects doesn't change anything when what's happening isn't even remotely engaging.

I had no expectations for this drama to begin with, I am not even disapointed. I am more annoyed thinking I could have enjoyed an another drama with IU but sadly it wasn't the case.

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A brilliant creation, a must-watch for anyone

I cannot express my love for this drama enough. I just completed it today and omg what a ride this drama has brought us through. If some of your read my review from earlier on, I would like to say just one thing: I did not appreciate the OSTs enough back then as I do now. Now that I have been through a whopping 16 episodes with the amazing cast of Hotel Del Luna, everything about is to admire; the original storyline, amazing cast, the talented screenwriters (Hong Sisters thank you!) and the crew who have worked behind the scenes, you have made this drama into a masterpiece and one that I know will forever stay fond in my memories. I personally loved the storyline of Man Wol's past as it does a great job in telling us why Man Wol is the person she is today. And Chan Seong, I love you but Chan Myung stole my heart. The love story between him and Man Wol is the most bittersweet thing ever (kind of like Romeo and Juliet but not). The whole drama with the exception of the last two episodes is basically a build up to episode 14, the most critical and best episode of the drama.

With that being said, I felt that episode 15 and 16 were rather boring but still essential to ensuring that we come a full circle in terms of the plot line. Episodes 15 and 16, I personally thought, focused more on wrapping up the supporting characters' lives but episode 16 was much needed as we bade farewell to the hoteliers and CEO Jang Man Wol herself. As Man Wol left, I understood what she had been through those 1300 years and as she turned around on the bridge and smiled with the white flower in her hands, I almost cried. At the same time, I LOVED how they wrapped everything up. Episode 14 brought important closure to no one other than our main character, Man Wol, and the man she had been waiting for all these years, only to know that he's been with her all along. THAT WAS SO SWEET. Also the fact that she finally comes to realize why Chan Myung had done what he had - sacrificed himself to save her - OMG I could not hold back my tears. In that moment, all that vengeance and hatred she had for him completely dissipates and it was really nice to see them part with good feelings (the scene under the Moon Spirit Tree where they both hold back tears in their eyes while looking at each other and Chan Myung's smile oMg nothing else could have ached my heart more). One last thing I should mention is the symbolism. GOSH the symbolism - it's EVERYWHERE.

Overall, this drama is a brilliant creation; a must-watch for anyone and everyone :)) !!

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It took me a long time wanting to watch this KDrama. It actually put fear in my heart. I don't like watching anything that has to do with the dead. I finally got up enough nerve to watch it. The storyline was great, nothing to worry about. What I loved about it was how those who passed had somewhere to go before they went on to the afterlife. Or a place to be judged before you go to the netherworld or the afterlife I mean. I loved parts where they prevented death or help those who have passed. I love IU in this, she is one beautiful actress/singer. She played her character with excellence. Yeo Jin Goo is another handsome actor, who also played his character with excellence as well. He made me emotional when he was emotional. The storyline actually felt real. That is because everyone worked as a team to make this story feel real. The visuals, the hotel, costumes, all of it I loved. I will watch it again.

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This show captivated me in multiple ways. In the backstory, I enjoyed that which is why I gave story an 8 as I loved what made Man Wol who she is. You start to understand the character through IU's acting which is AMAZING as IU was the perfect role for this and nobody can replace her as she played Man Wol perfectly. If you are watching/watched this show you would understand what I mean by this as she plays the perfect calm Man Wol to the infuriated to emotional as there were many expressions that were enjoyable. The rest of the cast was really good to as I enjoyed many other roles as I was even crying through some parts of the show.

The OST in this show is beautiful as I loved the music that would queue whenever there was a sad scene. The music was perfectly times in my opinion as it helped people feel the emotions.

I can't really see myself rewatching it any time soon but maybe in a few months, who knows?

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Sometimes it's better to just try again

To be honest it took me 2 tries to watch this and here's why. I tried to watch it last year around this time but it didn't affect me any way and it's because I wasn't used to sitting back and watching something for around hour and 20 minutes. The reason why I wanted to watch this at first was because of the appearance of Kim Soo Hyun in the last episode. But I dropped it at 3rd episode. But right now I don't understand why. I found peace and happiness in this drama I didn't find this sad in any way. I just feel stupid because I wanted to watch 16 episodes an hour and a half long each just because of 30 seconds of the last episode. Have a good day<4

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Aesthetically very pleasing

For the first 8 episodes I thought I would definitely give this drama a 10. The acting was great, the shots and editing was fantastic and IU's wardrobe was simply stunning. It was a joy to watch. At the same time, the characters seemed interesting, the ghost stories got me involved and both the present and the past storylines were equally enganging which doesn't happen often. However, close to the end the drama was getting worse and worse and it was mainly due to the script as the actors themselves were definitely top notch. The plot became all over the place, their problem resolutions were totally unsatisfiying and for the last few episodes it wasn't even interesting to watch anymore. The glaring problems with the script became evident and even the beautiful sites couldn't hide them anymore (20+ hours of just stunning aesthetics with no meaning is definitely too much). The only well developed character was that of Jang Man Wol, even Gu Chan Sung was underdeveloped and existed mainly as a plot device to JMW's character. It was also advertised as a rom com but I definitely did not get the feeling that it was. It was quite funny and unlike many others I don't have complains that the main couple did not have chemistry, they did it was just completely different. More of a mature romance / deep friendship than cute head over heels romance. For me the drama could have ended on episode 15 and nothing would have changed much as for the storyline itself. There was no resolutions or questions left to be answered in the last episode, just unnecessary scenes that couldnt even decide whether it was to be sad or hopeful or what. I was left unsatisfied with the development and the direction it has taken. The only reason why the score is so high is that production value and acting was through the roof.

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As my headline, Kim Soo Hyun ending the show, can we just let our hearts burst? Why was he so fucking sexy, though??
When he stood on the steps and just looked like a freaking god, I felt every part of me being on fire.

Also, can we just take a minute to thank Sulli for her last ever appearance in drama before her passing. Rest in Peace, sweetie.

Now to the important stuff, I adore IU, but this show hasn't gotten the right appreciation for the males in the show.
Yeo Jin Goo, Pyo ji Hoon, Shin Jung Keun, Kang Hong Suk, Lee Do Hyun, Lee Tae Sun and Jo Hyun Chul.

I'm going through each of the males because I have a lot to say: (Also I'm saving the ones I have most to speak to the last).

Sanchez (Jo Hyun Chul): I felt for him when he lost his girlfriend. Honestly, I thought she was cheating or something. Most of the time, I felt like he was very much in love with his girlfriend, who also seemed imaginary, but when Chan Sung sees her in Sanchez house and knowing that she's already gone, Oh my lord my heart almost combusted because I felt for him, and her. And I realized it was a great side storyline; it made me very sad for Sanchez, though.

Sa Shin (Kang Hong Suk): Honestly, this grim reaper is like the most compassionate I've ever seen (Well, let's not talk about Lee Dong Wook's Grim reaper in Goblin). Sa Shin is most definitely in the same league, but also, I like how he had a funny side to him, especially when he was drinking with Sun Bi.

Kim Sun Bi (Shin Jung Keun): Okay, this back story had me so sad, how he was screwed over and made to look like not con artist but a fraud. Having his past cleared up and for him to move on. And also to be a hell of a bartender.
He was one of the funniest, always putting his foot in it, and being proud thinking he's done so well.

Ji Hyun Joong (Pyo Ji Hoon): I want to give him a big applaud. We've been told his entire story from the beginning, and he had his goals, but when he falls for the soul trapped inside the body of Yoo Na. They are adorable, he's funny and very supportive towards her because she's supposed to be dead. But he also has a goal that when his sister dies, he'll pass over with her, and that broke my heart so hardcore.

Yun Woo (Lee Tae Sun): This death was like the worst one for sure. I cried with him, and I cried with Man wol, who cried for him. He was the best brother and friend to her, and he loved her as only a sibling would, yet they weren't related, but he really proved that family isn't based on blood. But how you treat someone. And the fact that Man Wol gets to meet him in the present time and he's dating her enemy, that even made me angry. I wished for Man Wol and Yun Woo to have more interaction in the current time. But she only really looks over him, but I can tell she wants more but never takes the step for it. And the fact that he finds her familiar breaks my heart.

Go Chung Myung (Lee Do Hyun): Can we just take a minute, I have to have a minute.

The fact that he stayed next to Man Wol for those thousands and thousands of years. Because he loves that much, it got me so hard. It makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it. Their story was one that really grasped me, no matter how much he had to hurt her, it was so obvious how much loved her. Even when he betrayed her, he did everything for her sake, when he had Yun Woo's life taken away it was all to protect Man Wol, and their love story breaks me because she hated him for all that time. And just wanted revenge, when he was there watching her hate him. He took his punishment just to be close to her. I had the theory that Chan Sung was the reincarnated Chung Myung, but it was just Chang Myung showing the man that was about to fall in love with the love of his life why she's like she is. Chung Myung is the hero of this drama for sure. And his love made me really fall for this drama—also the right actor for the role.

Goo Chan Sung (Yeo Jin Goo):
To start with, I felt like Jin Goo wasn't really right for the role, but at the same time, now one couldn't have done this role as well as he did. (I think he looked way too young for the age he was trying to portray). As I said earlier, I thought for a long that Chan Sung was Chung Myung, and by the looks of it, so did Man Wol, even though she hoped it wasn't so. She was right. But Chan was really the start of the drama, he showed compassion, reality checking, optimism. Also, he was a hell of a good friend to his friends. It's sad he had been slandered and hurt before, but it also made him into Chan Sung. The fact that he helps Sanchez see his dead girlfriend for the last time, and also comes to terms with the tiger and being able to see ghosts. And the fact that he'd go to heaven to see Man Wol if he had too. He becomes a beacon and is really the hero of the show.

I'm noy going to lie, love IU as a fiesty woman, she really made me happy this show. (The whole Scarlet heart feel, but a bit more bitter.)

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Haunting, Enchanting, and Incredible

My goodness, IU, and co-star Jin-goo did such an incredible job! The production felt so clean and exquisite, and each of Jang Man-wol's outfits was astonishingly beautiful. I was hooked from the very beginning, and the drama perfectly balances romance, fantasy, comedy, and soul. Many of the side characters had touching backstories, and I'm so happy the writers gave them each a satisfying ending! The OST soundtrack was one of the most memorable things from the drama, HEIZE and Chungha (to name a few) did a fantastic job adding a haunting and emotional touch to the deeper scenes. Easily one of the best dramas I've seen by far!

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Creative and visually stunning, but a few steps short of perfection . . .

The set-up and mythology is very different and fun to watch. From the idea of a ghost inn, to a goddess with many avatars/faces, to the beauty & the beast type romance with the genders switched. I was blown away for the first eight episodes.

But, while the historical plots tie up nicely, the modern storylines were wrapped up quickly with no real suspense making the last couple episodes complete filler.

As to actors/characters, two of the main female characters are complex and multifaceted: Jang Man-Wol and the Goddess Mago. But, the main male character Koo Chan-Seong is especially flat and uninspiring as the person who always does the right thing.

The music fits well with the show, but it doesn't linger in my memory. There were no special scenes that I feel the need to rewatch.

I grade on other criteria as well:

Complex Themes: 7.0
The biggest letdown of the show. The theme is letting go leads to peace, and you should do it, even if terrible things happened to you while alive. But there isn't a complex inspection of this, forgiveness is just always the right thing to do - and always works out for the characters that do it.
Character Growth: 8.0
The transition from vengeful to letting go is especially touching for Jang Man-Wol, the housekeeper and the receptionist. It's a shame that Koo Chan-Seong gets no complexity or real transition at all. There are also very short, abrupt plot points for the bartender, Sanchez, and Lee Mi-Ra.
Complex Female Characters: 10.0
Jang Man-Wol is great playing vengeful and cynical, with a romantic heart. She is fascinating throughout the show as she develops increasing humour and sensitivity. A very well-rounded character. The housekeeper and the Goddess Mago also have great complexity. Indeed, generally the female characters and storyline were much better developed and well-rounded then the male ones.
Cinematography/Production Values: 10.0
It's gorgeous. Truly the most beautiful TV show I may have ever seen, the colour palette is vibrant and unusual, the clothes budget for Jang Man-Wol must have been unlimited, and there's a beautiful use of camera angles, movements and framing. It has a very stylistic, fairy-tale feel.

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