beautifully made
Hotel del Luna is an amazing drama. Although it took me a few episodes to get truly invested in the story, it left me crying like a baby during the last episode.First of all this drama is just overall very beautifully made. The hotel, the scenery and the outfits (ESPECIALLY IU’s outfits!) are super pretty and pleasing to the eye. This might be one of the most aesthetical kdramas I have ever seen.
Second of all the story is emotional, fun, and investing and the characters are all very likeable. The dynamics between the main leads are great and it‘s fun to see how their relationship changes over time. IU‘s performance really stood out to me, but all the actors did a great job in this one.
Lastly the OST of this drama is amazing and features a lot of popular artists.
Would recommend everyone to watch this kdrama!
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Fun, beautiful, though the story was not so memorable.
Trapped in her resentment, Man Wol (IU) has to spend an eternity running Hotel del Luna, catering to the unresolved issues of ghosts before they move on to the afterlife. Go Chan Sung (Yeo Jin Gu) ended up working for Man Wol due to a deal his father made with her. Through his job, Chang Sung gets to know the mysterious Man Wol and her dark past. Will there be any redemption for Man Wol doomed fate?The first stand out point is the fantastic world building of Hotel del Luna, it is majestic and wonderful to look at. More than that, the visual effects, OSTs and costumes are all stunning. Man Wol’s costumes are something else! They are undeniably feminine & stunning with luxurious & rich color tones, and IU wore them with confidence that these clothes are not ‘drowning’ her. She really proves herself in this role, with her cold and powerful gaze that perfectly define cold, powerful, and ancient being Man Wol. The next point I love is the cast chemistry, the hotel staffs, the god ladies, and the chemistry between IU with Lee Do Hyun (they fought great together). Indeed, it’s not the chemistry between IU and Yeo Jin Gu, who is our male lead that I enjoyed most.
However, those are the aspects that I love from Hotel del Luna. The story itself didn’t grip me and some of the ghosts issues are not that exciting to watch. I enjoyed the comedic interactions, especially the beginning ones, but the main romance never felt romantic. Overall, it’s a great drama despite my pros and cons. I like how it ends with good life lessons as well.
Last edited-Mar 2024,
Find me on instagram: @kdramajudge
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Well how the turns have tabled....
Heh...yeah, I actually ended up watching this after all! For context: I dnf-ed this back when I first discovered k-dramas in 2020. I hated the male lead so much, I started hating the actor as a result. I couldn't stand him, I couldn't stand the show and just avoided both. Then I slowly watched him in other stuff and ...okay! I admit...he doesn't suck! Whatever! *eye roll* And then I sort of ended up watching this with my family and they loved it so we kept watching it and...yeah, okay, this was actually good. It was watered down and dragged longer than necessary, and nothing will make me ever warm up to those slow-mo music video style edits that Kdramas shove into every other episode. But I loved the lore and the whole concept of unfinished business after death and the grudges that keep our souls company. That was just so genuine and authentically explored. IU's character was tons of fun! I loved her brattish petty behavior and I was very curious about her past, though I feel like the payoff was lackluster. I was expecting something more dramatic? I don't know. It was also fun to see a female character have multiple proper love interests who aren't in competition for her attention and I also like the somber ending.The ensemble cast were good too though I disliked the side-character romances...weird...and uninspired!
Overall, I love that this uses Korean mythology and beliefs in its plot. It was FAR better than the new kdramas we get these days which are bland, boring and lack the spirit that these older shows have. I also can't believe I'm calling this "old" it's from 2019! That's like....yesterday! The fact that it was still far better than stuff we're getting now shows how bad things have gotten lately...
Anyway, watch it! We need more stuff like this.
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This review may contain spoilers
✒☪Enchanting, Entrancing, Some Dancing & Romancing ⚜️ °8.4° °Excellent°
[Spoilers are contained in a separate section at the end]⚜️What A Delectable Diversion. HDL is a magical little fantasy about a hotel where the dead can rest prior to heading to the afterlife. You Can Check Out Anytime You Like 🌃 But /She/ Can't Leave…
While the hotel is magical & regular slubs like us can't see it (or its guests), it still exists in the real world. It's registered with the province & a human manager is required to handle all human affairs. Enter Mr. Koo. When Koo is young, his father, in a fateful encounter with Ms Jang, promises Koo's future to Jang. Dad is pressured into this promise in exchange for his life; otherwise, Koo would grow up parentless. The good news is that HDL will now fund Koo's upbringing. So Pop takes him to 🇺🇸 where Koo, in time, "pulls a Harvard" in Hotel Mgmt. Even so, like all humans putting on blinders, neither dad nor child took the obligation seriously.
Koo comes to realize, 25 years later, that he cannot shirk this obligation. Just when he has his dream job bagged, Jang runs interference. What plays out is a peek into this amazing world within our world. As all of Koo's training is OTJ, every episode is a treat to something new & imaginative.
HDL is a visual extravaganza, from the hotel to the fashion-porn. Filmed on location at the Hotel Seine Café, which is staggeringly beautiful (it's now on my bucket list), 'dainties' & 'fancies' are 360 degrees around. Some of those delights are revealed in my spoiler section. The filming bolsters the gorgeous spectacle. Jang's got an outfit to go with every occasion, even one to wear when dining on rice cake soup. But don't expect spontaneity. If you suddenly want to go somewhere & she's not dressed 'correctly', just fuhgettaboudit.
While there's plenty of side stories in which to become engrossed, the main protagonists are Ms Jang (owner of HDL), & Mr. Koo, her very reluctant 99th human manager. Jang looks like a porcelain doll & is as feisty as a Tasmanian Devil. She's also sealed herself off. We see her dismiss the former Manager of 40 years with perfunctory efficiency, devoid of emotion. She's taken on petulance as a primary personality trait. Consistency long ago abandoned, she will say anything in the moment to satiate her emptiness.
Jang's truly b@d@$$, but, Ms Snark - Ms Sourpus - Ms Oppositional - Ms Ill-Tempered Ice Queen - is about to get a change of perspective, not just a change of clothes. Koo might appear to be a feckless wimp (which is how Jang's been treating him) but he is, as it turns out, tremendously courageous & a problem solver of the highest intellect. He knows when to be reserved & when to step up. When he steps up, it's with every bit of panache that Jang displays.
There are visual cues to the romance. Jang & Koo gradually match each other more & more. At first it's just her nail polish that matches his outfit & it grows from there. Flowers are popping up everywhere. They are beautiful… & perishable.
There's plenty of laughs. Mr. Koo is lurched far off-balance by the rush of new experiences, & he frequently jumps behind Jang out of fear until he gets accustomed to dealing with ghosts. She looks like she might reach 5'2" in spiked Jimmy Choos, so it's absurd - and bang-on funny.
When Koo was still running away from the job, Jang went out to retrieve him. He passed out after a nasty ghost encounter. K- "How did you get me back to the hotel" ? J- "Well, I got something similar to a handcart. All you need to know is that I got you back safely." The way she actually got him back, however, is not analogous to a handcart! Not one little bit!
Once in awhile, live people insist on checking in. They are placed in Room 404, the error number we've seen on countless computer screens. In EP10 there's a deft little scene: Koo & Jang are at a restaurant where people died from eating (she can't get enough of that). She's ticked off at him, but she can't resist taking pictures of her food. Snapping away, she never diverts her fuming stare from Koo. She moves the camera around & clicks it but only looks at him. It's hilarious. Koo is gifted a big cat print suit. Will the fastidious Harvard grad be able to even get one arm into the jacket without a meltdown? It's worth watching to see.
There's some head-scratchers, unfortunately, & there's some glaring omissions, too. The ending is not my favorite part of HDL. Things went downward a tinge in the last couple eps. Ep16 was too slow, sappy, & drawn out. It's always sad when the wrap up of a great story is the worst part of it.
We watch them & all the staff develop individually & as a unit. To avoid any jolts to the system pay attention. The show creators will tell you where they are headed: Believe them. We don't see much of what happens going forward, which is a little letdown. That is why viewers are clamoring for a S2.
Things are mostly looking way up at HDL, though. This is appropriate to watch with kids who are around the ages of 12& up. The feel is almost Disneyesque. There's some elements (evil ghosts, murders) that are too scary for children of single-digit age, who would struggle with the subtitles anyway. HDL offers valuable lessons, such as forgiveness, & Koo is a walking ethics handbook.
While you may not get 100% customer satisfaction, make sure to check-in anyway. This is a hotel, & a show, like no other. I'm a little sad, but also very bedazzled.
⛔️SPOILER SECTION⛔️
From tidbits to broad strokes, here's some additional insights into HDL.
In the way of laughs and delight〰️>
The pool is actually a yacht-worthy ocean with sunlight-levels to order. HDL even has an amusement park. Who wants to go! Uh, hang on... I can wait a while for that, I guess. The entrance fee is steep.
After Koo starts putting his whole heart into the job, Koo finds out that he was the /3rd/ choice for manager. Having been 'committed' to the job for 25 years & presuming himself indispensable, he's shocked. The staff calls him 'Mr. 3rd choice' behind his back.
The way she got him back to the hotel when he passed out was by possession. It's best that Koo not know.
How could you say "no" to having a beer with the Grim Reaper!? SANCHEZ!
In the way of romance〰️>
The Romance between these 2 is magnificent. Koo actually pursues Jang. She exposed the tiniest opening & he wedged it wide to occupy all the empty space. It inspires a smidge of awe. Before long they are spending most of their time together. They continue the trend Koo started by conversing in metaphors. For example, when Jang says: "The sea is beautiful tonight. It makes me a little sad." She looks Koo in the eye & says: "I'm sad because it's more beautiful than it was before." They feel for e/o, but they haven't fully acknowledged it to themselves, so they can't express it yet. As their feelings deepen, they both want to protect e/o. Next, they begin matching. Once she gets past wanting to kill him, they match more completely & start to reflect e/o. He closes one episode by declaring: "You are devouring all my nights & all my dreams: Admit it, he just laid down a 🎤drop! Another time, Koo tells Jang: "The view is much better now that I'm with you." Koo's so smooth he could write dating primers. They show us the apex of his masculinity when Jang, in an attempt to coerce him into the cat print suit, threatened to take his clothes off if he didn't wear it. He looked at her & said: "Can you handle it?" She froze for a moment. He ain't weak at all.
In the way of heartbreak 〰️>
We see heavy foreshadowing in the rose he gave her: It's fragile & will wilt eventually. Some things are left oblique, such as the sex of the last Yun family baby, or the non-answer to the "capricious" deities that don't seem to be fair.
It was obvious they would be resolving grudges for the staff. It might have been better if they spread it out a little more. We don't see what happens to anyone going forward, which is another letdown. The ending is not to my liking. At all. Their relationship is priceless. They have so little time together once they settle into it.
I get it: Koo let Jang go. He made the choice. The show creators chose the ground rules they constructed, though, and not only are their constraints somewhat severe, but they don't always make sense. Worse, is that they are inconsistent, at times. Early on, we're told the tree looks dead because time stopped flowing (is dead) for Jang. She didn't die in the series, so why would she have to cross over to the Afterlife? Why would Jang even be sentenced to pay a 1000 year penance? Because she took out the rotten government that abused their power & her people? Does Jang's punishment fit the crime as well as Koo's tiger suit fits him? Jang's horrible circumstances seem worse than she herself is.
I spent most of the series thinking that when Jang's time flows again she'll be able to live her life out with Koo before passing. In fairness, the vibe increasingly felt ill-fated. It's not like they didn't forecast the weather. Nevertheless, I'm going through 5 grief stages over it. Right now I'm angry. YO! It's a fairy tale, for cryin out loud!! Why can't we have a fairy tale ending!? :( looks like I'm sliding into the bargaining phase)...
Mago “straight” asks Koo if she can do him a favor in exchange for the scissors' safe return. Why didn't he ask for more time? Mago used him to work on Jang. She set it all up 25 years ago, perhaps longer. SHE caused his broken heart. She didn't have to be so stingy… so dang capricious. They're making me hate fate.
Don't tell me that meeting in future lives is a happy ending. One happy life now is worth a hundred ‘possible’ lives later. If they do, indeed, meet up as kimchi & chicken noodles, is that happy? Doubtful. It's understandable that aspects of reincarnation are considered to be romantic. The potential downside is that we could look at all the misery in this world as being deserved by the oppressed due to indiscretions in prior lives. Every living thing could be in jeopardy within that philosophical circle, & compassion & empathy will take on damage under such suppositions, also. The worst thing is that if it turns out to not be true, then it is too cruel to the oppressed.
Things go downward a tinge before the end. Ep16 is too slow, sappy, & drawn out. The saddest thing is that I could be experiencing a warm firefly glow today, instead of anger. Finally, for Jang, running the hotel is a punishment, but it seems to be a reward for the next guy. CAPRICIOUS Mago winks at us again.
Enough of that.
I'm still alittle sad, and I'm also alittle angry, but still bedazzled.
Originally 〰️🖊 10/2021
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IU is my queen
An interesting kdrama consisting of the supernatural and the afterlife, with a touch of reincarnation lore. What may seem like a fantastical kdrama delves into more of the human side of mortality, exploring various storylines of people who have passed and require more than death to help their souls rest. IU is as beautiful as ever, and does her role justice as the owner of this purgatory hotel.Was this review helpful to you?
The OST and Moonlight Sonata were all gorgeous, they really pulled the scenes together and drew you into their world. I really loved the side storylines with the hotel guests and learning about their grudges and what pulls them away from release. I also thought the side characters were all really wonderful and had great chemistry, so I didn't have issues when an episode was side-character-centric. I sensed more chemistry between IU and Jin-goo while they were just friends, but I never felt like they didn't adore each other through the end. I was a sobbing mess at the end.
The visual FX was pretty meh. It's okay that it's not great - I understand visual FX is expensive- but sometimes it was worse than cheap Halloween makeup and very amateur. I got over it after a few episodes though and tried to enjoy the show/scenes for their story and character chemistry. My only real "issue" is that I really wish there was a special episode to show the epilogue. I really wanted to know more about what happened after the end episode.
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Beautiful, but the backstory is what got me
Yes, just to get it out of the way. The cinematography of this drama is just gorgeous, IU rocks every single outfit, and the OST is also pretty great.In this entire drama, however, I have to say that plotwise I was just so much more invested in MW's backstory and in the enemies-to-lovers ship. I completely fell in love with the flashbacks and the high-stakes dynamics between the characters, even while knowing that everything was going to end in tragedy.
While I still enjoyed the modern story and the unusual dynamic between the main leads, I didn't love them as much as I loved the backstory couple, and I almost didn't feel any romance at all. I think part of this is just the time taken to the modern plot.
I wasn't a huge fan of this kind of episodic writing in Master's Sun and I felt the same for this one. Other than the subplots that connected us directly to the main or supporting cast, I didn't care much for the individual ghosts and their stories and pretty much just waited with bated breath to find out about MW's story.
She was undoubtedly the most interesting and layered character out of everyone, and I wish we had dedicated just as much time to the male lead as we did to her or even to any of the supporting cast (the hotel workers). Even with his backstory, his character and plot seemed a little shallow.
Ultimately, it was the backstory of MW that stole the show, my attention, and my heart.
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knowing at iu was being a part of the cast made me quite excited, and as expected i couldn't imagine who could play jang manwol better than her.
production wise, this drama is very aesthetically pleasing and definitely worth it's quality. from the interior of the hotel, manwol's outfits and also the cinematography that the drama has delivered is pleasing to the eye and i loved how the whole drama is shot.
plot wise, it wasn't the greatest plot i have encountered but it definitely wasn't bad at all. i enjoyed the character developments of each character, and the connections between the past selves with their the current selves and how fate brought each person together. however, for some reason in the middle of the drama i felt like i could predict jang manwol's back story and what made her receive her punishment.
overall the drama was good! it's worth my time and i loved the chemistry between all the characters in this drama ~
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This review may contain spoilers
A story about healing, moving on, forgiveness, and loving again
n.b.: Might contain what others consider as "spoiler" but is not in my opinion.-------
At first, one would assume this is a typical romantic comedy about some couple who found each other, denies being in loved, and eventually lived happily ever after. However, one will soon learn that this is a story about healing, moving on, forgiveness, and loving again.
IU, as Jang Man Weol the owner of Hotel del Luna, beautifully brought to life her character. She successfully hid her image as the world's "Queen of Pop" with her superb acting. From a very friendly, approachable, smiling IU, she totally became the bitter, easy to anger, and strict that is Jang Man Weol. As this story spans a thousand years, IU's talent in acting shone as she took on different roles and genres in one series.
One would probably also assume that Hotel del Luna was an IU show especially since she wore countless of dresses in every 1.5-hour episode, which could range from a thousand years ago to the present. I would say she probably beaten Lucy Liu in Elementary in this area, turning a series into a subtle fashion show. However, Yeo Jin Goo made this his own show as well, himself a veteran actor who have taken challenging roles, playing as Goo Chan Sung, the Hotel Manager, equalised the show between the two actors and their characters.
The music were also great. Yeo Jin Goo's and IU's acting were more than enough but with the right music at the right time, it deepened the emotional connection to the important scenes. From action to the most heart-wrenching scenes, the music made the series very memorable and touching, especially for those who are going through the same challenges in their lives.
The writers also did well. While Hotel del Luna was a hotel for ghosts/spirits, nothing was too scary, I wouldn't even categorised this show as "horror". In each episode, they touched on different subjects about death, murder, accidents, forgiveness, and separation with the people we love, that longing desire to be with them even after life has ended. They carefully guided the show to not turn into "horror"--which amateur writers would've fallen into and throw the story everywhere--by always bringing in the light-hearted comedy of Yeo Jin Goo and IU.
Finally, the overall story of healing, moving on, forgiveness, and loving again was told perfectly in 16 episodes averaging 1 hour and 20 minutes each. This was very eye-opening for those of us who were recently deeply broken, those of us who are denying we have lingering bitterness in our hearts, those of us who are finding it hard to forgive and move on. Goo Chan Sung and Jang Man Wol showed us how and why we should heal, move on, forgive, and love again. Goo Chan Sung demonstrated to us how we should let someone heal first before entering into a relationship with them, how we can be the support they need and not give in to their every demands just because they were deeply hurt. While Jang Man Wol told us how bitterness and an unforgiving heart can lead one to live a sad, unfulfilling, pointless life, and how we can once again love by healing ourselves first.
Thank you to the whole team for bringing us an amazing production and a great meaningful story.
If there will ever be a "Hotel Blue Moon", I hope that it will tell meaningful stories as with Hotel del Luna, and that the sequel wouldn't fall into "just another entertainment show"--a common pitfall with sequels.
Hotel del Luna: 100 out of 10 stars!
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This drama has so many lessons about life, death, revenge, love, hate and forgiveness that really touched me. In my opinion the plot and the story line were very good and the characters evolution throughout the drama was amazing, both main and secondary characters.
Also, I never saw a drama with IU before and I loved her! Her acting is fantastic. The romance between the main leads is very cute and I really liked their chemistry.
The OST is an important part of the drama and Hotel del Luna’s OST is a masterpiece, the musics are really good and they just fit perfectly in every moments.
They made me laugh, made me cry, and now I miss them very much!
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IU was perfectly casted as Jang Man Wol and this was the first drama I have seen her in anything. I read that My Ahjussi was a complicated-torn character for her to play, so I was surprised that the directors and screenwriters only wanted her to play this very sassy and bratty role, which she executed perfectly. Yeo Jin Goo was fantastic in his role as Gu Chan Sung, but I admit that his character wasn't given enough depth and spectrum to be explored and expanded, other than the fact that he's the most perfect guy for Man Wol to finally break free from her centuries-old anger and need for revenge. But then I wasn't really a stickler for this since whatever of Chan Sung's thrown on my face, I don't really find the lack of it take anything much from the main story. Lee Do Hyun who played Man Wol's ex-lover was fantastic as well, and his eyes really express a lot. This is a rookie actor with so much potential to make it big!
As for the BGM, everyone knows that the whole playlist of this drama is so well done and very delicately crafted. My favourites are the songs by Paul Kim and Punch (Done for Me).
Rewatch value is very high because of all the beautiful details and scenes that make this drama so enjoyable to watch.
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BEST OF HONG SISTERS!!! RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE IF YOU WANT A GOOD LAUGH AND A GOOD CRY!!!
I've been a huge fan of Hong sisters' dramas and they never disappoint me. First time I heard about their comeback and the casting, i thought I shouldnt miss it. YEO JIN GOO omaygashhh I jus cant move on. He had such a charming character that made girls fall in love with him even more (fight me if I'm wrong). And IU was hilarious despite her bitchy character. I loved her makeup and dresses, she jus always looked so stunning. I cant think of any actress who can fit this character other than IU. You wouldnt want to miss the side stories too, how they were so attached to each other in the end makes me so attached to them too. T.T so hard to say goodbye to this dramaaa!!
I saw a lot of comments that say that this drama was so unrealistic that they couldnt finish it. I'm actually one of those ppl who's not into fantasy and stops watching a drama if it gets cringy, but this drama never made me feel that way. If you start this drama and dont finish it, youre missing one big of a treasure. The story indeed was unrealistic, cmoooonn its fantasy, but look at how every character actually pulled off their roles adn also the life lessons(love, friendship, family etc..) Each of them broke my heart with their stories. (there you gooo, im getting tearyyy lol). I love all of them so much!
After I watched the last episode, I jus really had to share it with my friends and make them watch it. XD and so I'm sharing it here as well cuz I want everyone to watch it. A masterpiece ladies and gentlemen! Also the acting was 100/100!!
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