The character's introduction here is rather unordinary & unpredictable. I thought Kim Seol Ah would be the first FL, but turns out Kim Chung Ah took most screentime while KSA's story stayed as background for further development.
I thought Moon Tae Rang will be the first ML but turns out there's still no sign of him & Do Jin Woo is the one who feel like one.
It came as a brilliant set up to me, making the story unpredictable with lots of opportunity to make a great twist & turn with much story to tell as everyone had their own story to shine as the main lead of their own, the only difference would probably their timing as the show changing its focus.
Just hoping I'll fell into the right ship though, because rightnow I really like Do Jin Woo's character ❤️.
The drama had a promising writing so far as it's only their first week but I find myself loving & rooting for most of the characters & find them interesting (well, maybe except for the parents). It's only the beginning but am so hooked right now & wish I could binged all of their ep at once.
If there's thing that this show is lacking, it'd be a heart & tight/ thoughtful plot. They're good & enjoyable to watch if you're watching them casually but I don't feel any attachment to the characters. They also make it too easy for the villains that I find it borderline ridiculous. The most intriguing part probably would be Ki Tae Woong's character/ story. Other than that, right now to me they're just another feel good action kind of drama.
Watching this while it was airing back then, got bored by ep 12 (out of 16) & put them on hold. This week, (which's…
My problem is, I find nothing is exciting anymore eversince everyone has gotten their own "dream". It makes the plot device which's the dream itself getting old & tiresome real fast. It used to be awesome, but now they're predictable & meh.
Watching this while it was airing back then, got bored by ep 12 (out of 16) & put them on hold. This week, (which's two years later x'D) I had nothing to watch so I decided to continue it, because, well, why not? Only later to find myself putting them on hold (again!) on their 15th ep, sigh, why it's so hard for me to complete this series?! TT
I know I'm not the only one that didn't catch up with the last IU-YJG scene, was that a dream? An illusion of…
It's pretty clear to me that it was only Chan sung's imagination (based on the age & circumstance when they met), just like the tiger with its mt baekdu's painting. It's his remembrance/slight portrayal of CS & MW promise, that someday they'll meet again & live together since then.
It seems to me that CS in the past was MW's fate since the beginning & they're bound to meet later, but then those incidents happened & MW was stucked in the hotel. CS was the one who told MW about the hotel of the dead (after hearing it through Mago), he opens the way, so he's shd be the one who closed that either. He shd released MW from the curse, for MW to be able to get reincarnate & for them to meet again later, though maybe not in his present life.
To me the writing has been pretty consistent & tight from beginning to end. And the story has come in full circle with that ending, though it was sad & bittersweet (esp for CS) but they're still manage to give a slight hopeful tint in their ending without them had to neglect their own rules nor have a forced ending just to pleased their viewers.
is the ending as open as love alarm??? like signaling for season 2 kind of thing... because i'm starting to hate…
No worries, the ending for HDL is clear with closure, even if they might seem to be hinting for a 2nd season they'd have a different set of story, cast & characters, more like a spin off than sequel. I get what you meant as I dislike US series for the same reason you've mentioned (leave us hanging for another season), HDL ending is nothing like that. Though I find it's unfortunate as the writers already confirm they had no plan for that (spin off) & we only need to take that as an interesting closing epilogue. I'd be more than welcoming if there's any because it looks damn interesting too.
Given how ALM make 50% of the viewers mad with how the ending was written clearly tell which one of the two show…
I think you spoke too soon, quoting yours "ultimately cold and superficial acting and writing shown here", it doesn't even describe anywhere near of this drama. I think you're just judging them merely from the very first few ep or even from the synopsis only & hear their ending.
This drama gives you so much lesson & GCS as the ML here had the biggest heart from all ML character I've seen to date whom felt so real ( & I can make a whole essay just from his character only). I think you mistook this drama as a solely light romcom who mostly had happy endings while this drama is always dealing with deaths, separation and all that attachment/lingering feeling that left behind, it was never meant to be a light/ fluffy romcom. Having fantasy as their genre doesn't always mean it will be a lighthearted romcom one, ie The light in your eyes, When the devil calls your name. They're dealing with deaths & sorrow & mostly will be having sad ending as the most well fitting ending.
I may dislike ALM which you may seem to loved, but at least I've watched all of their 16ep to be able to tell that ALM writing has gone nowhere near tight & consistent like HDL did. ALM writing has gone south without logic left in the writers mind esp towards the end. Just because they're a fantasy drama, doesn't mean that viewers had to shut down their brain to be able to enjoy theirs. Why bother to set a rule if the writer neglect them themselves, hence I consider them as badly written. You may agree to disagree with this though, I don't mind.
Regardless of ending, I despise the most if a writer is just depending on big budget & starstudded cast but had no proper plot & thought in writing, ie DOTS, they have a happy ending for sure but a nonsense one & they have no real plot whatsoever thus I called it overrated & badly written. But to me HDL is different & deserved its rating & hype, it's the best written drama from Hong Sisters. There's a lot foreshadowing & symbolism in this drama that show how Hong Sisters were preparing this drama with so much thought.
I may agree that their last drama Korean Oddyssey was a dissapointment, but I think it wouldn't be fair if you judge this drama based on their other/previous drama without even watch their current one enough to be able to tell.
It may not be your cup of tea & nothing is wrong with that, but don't call a drama is bad just because they may seem to be having a sad ending, without even following their journey to be able to understand what they truly meant.
I won't talk about other preferences but as for myself I'd rather have a sad ending that meaningful/memorable & consistent with their writings rather than a forced happy ending, I don't mind with any ending as long as it was consistent with the plot/characters writing. If it doesn't make any sense then it'd have left a bad taste to me & made me despise the writer, just like ALM's & DOTS did.
To me a drama is considered a good & thoughtful one in writing if you could analyze them & they had consistencies in writing, ie. follow their own rules, as well as having original plot.
Because to me a lighthearted romcom with happy ending is easy to find, but to be able to find a thoughtfully written drama with lesson/moral to take, a memorable one like HDL does, ain't easy to find.
I really loved this drama and glad to watch such a badass female character rock my screen for 2 months! Jang Manwol…
Second everything you said. GCS was the hardest character to be portrayed of, as he was given less background & since the beginning he was meant to be JMW's shelter, supportive character for JMW, so he was never meant to be in the spotlight. But Jin Goo was able to portray his character so real with so much depth & earnest that makes everything that he did felt so sincere how he truly loved JMW with all his heart & did anything to protect her with all his might, without making it sounds unreal nor cheesy.
GCS that written by HS & portrayed by YJG is the best male lead character that I find to date & every future ML character need to learn the meaning of true love from him. It's also the first time for me to find myself keep shedding tears whenever I remember GCS, a drama character, when it's not even when I'm watching the drama. Just random thoughts of him here & there, while working in the office, while thinking of him in my room. Damn, I feel for his character so much, all that suffering & hurt he must be feeling, it's just too real!! YJG really deserved all the praise he could get, to be able portraying such character with so much depth & complex emotion, in that young age! Superb indeed. His eyes tells you everything without dialogue needed.
i got a feeling that the poem he wrote is his genuine feeling he got toward IU, it's like he has falling in love…
YJG is really embodied GCS character, I feel his heart so much (I shed tears everytime I remember GCS) so yes it might hard to tell whether he is in his character or as himself, lol. IU also said it herself that it was her own rule to never cry on her works but HDL was an exception, she cried a lot during their last ep filming. Their dedication for this drama is really shown.
BOD is a site where people analyze the drama plot, characters, writer's take based on the characters gesture/what shown in the drama etc which tells even more how HDL is thoughtfully written & more complex than what I think it was. I just discover them midway through this drama though, wish I could find it sooner :P Here it is
Shows that end like this make me reallyappreciate Angel's last mission :Love more -they pulled out a happy ending…
Given how ALM make 50% of the viewers mad with how the ending was written clearly tell which one of the two show has no respect to the viewers who put so much thoughts on their stories, by giving them a nonsense happy ending with no clear explanation nor follow their own theory/rules.
I don't get why would ppl think a happy ending is clearly a good ending & a sad ending is always a bad ending.
To me consistency in writing is the most important thing that determine what a good writing is. And HDL has that.
You clearly didn't watch this drama so no wonder that you didn't get the whole point of this drama, she is immortal since the beginning so it was bound to happen & one of their main point in this drama was about their journey that will eventually led them there, a lesson how to let go & how to take ones departure. The ending maybe sad but it's a good ending to me, real life isn't always happy & there's so much lesson/note to take from them.
If I want a happy ending I could easily watch any other romcom, but to have a meaningful & memorable drama like this one is truly the precious one.
Not in this life, the next one maybe. She is immortal in this life, so it's kinda bound to happen since the very first time they met. And one of their main point in this drama itself was about the journey that eventually will let them there & how to take ones departure.
Standing ovation for both Yeo Jin Goo & IU's acting, def an A++ acting. I cried buckets along with them. I'm gonna miss them both, as GCS&JMW and as YJG&IU themselves *sobs. The amount of dedication they put in this drama were amazing, IU with her song, lyrics, and to manage JMW personal instagram herself (the best!) & YJG with his poems on his own ig, it felt so real!!
Their on&off screen interactions were also delightful to watch (I can't stop repeating their bts scenes, so adorable). Wish to see them both again in another drama together & even better if it's melo <3
It's an honour to watch this drama as they aired & hear people's thoughts, analyze etc, esp BOD sites with their interesting & mind opening thoughts & ofc, here on MDL.
Sad ending with bitter sweet feelings (detail on below spoiler)
With all of them departing & CS left behind. The last scene in the park to me was a dream sequence of CS & MW wish/promise (CS reminiscence), to meet in another life & had a peaceful life together then TT
1 
7 
1 
I thought Kim Seol Ah would be the first FL, but turns out Kim Chung Ah took most screentime while KSA's story stayed as background for further development.
I thought Moon Tae Rang will be the first ML but turns out there's still no sign of him & Do Jin Woo is the one who feel like one.
It came as a brilliant set up to me, making the story unpredictable with lots of opportunity to make a great twist & turn with much story to tell as everyone had their own story to shine as the main lead of their own, the only difference would probably their timing as the show changing its focus.
Just hoping I'll fell into the right ship though, because rightnow I really like Do Jin Woo's character ❤️.
The drama had a promising writing so far as it's only their first week but I find myself loving & rooting for most of the characters & find them interesting (well, maybe except for the parents).
It's only the beginning but am so hooked right now & wish I could binged all of their ep at once.
The most intriguing part probably would be Ki Tae Woong's character/ story.
Other than that, right now to me they're just another feel good action kind of drama.
It makes the plot device which's the dream itself getting old & tiresome real fast. It used to be awesome, but now they're predictable & meh.
Only later to find myself putting them on hold (again!) on their 15th ep, sigh, why it's so hard for me to complete this series?! TT
Savage Kelly tho <333
It seems to me that CS in the past was MW's fate since the beginning & they're bound to meet later, but then those incidents happened & MW was stucked in the hotel.
CS was the one who told MW about the hotel of the dead (after hearing it through Mago), he opens the way, so he's shd be the one who closed that either.
He shd released MW from the curse, for MW to be able to get reincarnate & for them to meet again later, though maybe not in his present life.
To me the writing has been pretty consistent & tight from beginning to end. And the story has come in full circle with that ending, though it was sad & bittersweet (esp for CS) but they're still manage to give a slight hopeful tint in their ending without them had to neglect their own rules nor have a forced ending just to pleased their viewers.
I get what you meant as I dislike US series for the same reason you've mentioned (leave us hanging for another season), HDL ending is nothing like that.
Though I find it's unfortunate as the writers already confirm they had no plan for that (spin off) & we only need to take that as an interesting closing epilogue. I'd be more than welcoming if there's any because it looks damn interesting too.
I think you're just judging them merely from the very first few ep or even from the synopsis only & hear their ending.
This drama gives you so much lesson & GCS as the ML here had the biggest heart from all ML character I've seen to date whom felt so real ( & I can make a whole essay just from his character only).
I think you mistook this drama as a solely light romcom who mostly had happy endings while this drama is always dealing with deaths, separation and all that attachment/lingering feeling that left behind, it was never meant to be a light/ fluffy romcom.
Having fantasy as their genre doesn't always mean it will be a lighthearted romcom one, ie The light in your eyes, When the devil calls your name. They're dealing with deaths & sorrow & mostly will be having sad ending as the most well fitting ending.
I may dislike ALM which you may seem to loved, but at least I've watched all of their 16ep to be able to tell that ALM writing has gone nowhere near tight & consistent like HDL did.
ALM writing has gone south without logic left in the writers mind esp towards the end.
Just because they're a fantasy drama, doesn't mean that viewers had to shut down their brain to be able to enjoy theirs. Why bother to set a rule if the writer neglect them themselves, hence I consider them as badly written.
You may agree to disagree with this though, I don't mind.
Regardless of ending, I despise the most if a writer is just depending on big budget & starstudded cast but had no proper plot & thought in writing, ie DOTS, they have a happy ending for sure but a nonsense one & they have no real plot whatsoever thus I called it overrated & badly written.
But to me HDL is different & deserved its rating & hype, it's the best written drama from Hong Sisters.
There's a lot foreshadowing & symbolism in this drama that show how Hong Sisters were preparing this drama with so much thought.
I may agree that their last drama Korean Oddyssey was a dissapointment, but I think it wouldn't be fair if you judge this drama based on their other/previous drama without even watch their current one enough to be able to tell.
It may not be your cup of tea & nothing is wrong with that, but don't call a drama is bad just because they may seem to be having a sad ending, without even following their journey to be able to understand what they truly meant.
I won't talk about other preferences but as for myself I'd rather have a sad ending that meaningful/memorable & consistent with their writings rather than a forced happy ending, I don't mind with any ending as long as it was consistent with the plot/characters writing.
If it doesn't make any sense then it'd have left a bad taste to me & made me despise the writer, just like ALM's & DOTS did.
To me a drama is considered a good & thoughtful one in writing if you could analyze them & they had consistencies in writing, ie. follow their own rules, as well as having original plot.
Because to me a lighthearted romcom with happy ending is easy to find, but to be able to find a thoughtfully written drama with lesson/moral to take, a memorable one like HDL does, ain't easy to find.
But Jin Goo was able to portray his character so real with so much depth & earnest that makes everything that he did felt so sincere how he truly loved JMW with all his heart & did anything to protect her with all his might, without making it sounds unreal nor cheesy.
GCS that written by HS & portrayed by YJG is the best male lead character that I find to date & every future ML character need to learn the meaning of true love from him.
It's also the first time for me to find myself keep shedding tears whenever I remember GCS, a drama character, when it's not even when I'm watching the drama. Just random thoughts of him here & there, while working in the office, while thinking of him in my room. Damn, I feel for his character so much, all that suffering & hurt he must be feeling, it's just too real!! YJG really deserved all the praise he could get, to be able portraying such character with so much depth & complex emotion, in that young age! Superb indeed. His eyes tells you everything without dialogue needed.
IU also said it herself that it was her own rule to never cry on her works but HDL was an exception, she cried a lot during their last ep filming.
Their dedication for this drama is really shown.
BOD is a site where people analyze the drama plot, characters, writer's take based on the characters gesture/what shown in the drama etc which tells even more how HDL is thoughtfully written & more complex than what I think it was.
I just discover them midway through this drama though, wish I could find it sooner :P
Here it is
https://bitchesoverdramas.com/category/hotel-del-luna/
I don't get why would ppl think a happy ending is clearly a good ending & a sad ending is always a bad ending.
To me consistency in writing is the most important thing that determine what a good writing is. And HDL has that.
You clearly didn't watch this drama so no wonder that you didn't get the whole point of this drama, she is immortal since the beginning so it was bound to happen & one of their main point in this drama was about their journey that will eventually led them there, a lesson how to let go & how to take ones departure. The ending maybe sad but it's a good ending to me, real life isn't always happy & there's so much lesson/note to take from them.
If I want a happy ending I could easily watch any other romcom, but to have a meaningful & memorable drama like this one is truly the precious one.
She is immortal in this life, so it's kinda bound to happen since the very first time they met.
And one of their main point in this drama itself was about the journey that eventually will let them there & how to take ones departure.
I'm gonna miss them both, as GCS&JMW and as YJG&IU themselves *sobs.
The amount of dedication they put in this drama were amazing, IU with her song, lyrics, and to manage JMW personal instagram herself (the best!) & YJG with his poems on his own ig, it felt so real!!
Their on&off screen interactions were also delightful to watch (I can't stop repeating their bts scenes, so adorable).
Wish to see them both again in another drama together & even better if it's melo <3
It's an honour to watch this drama as they aired & hear people's thoughts, analyze etc, esp BOD sites with their interesting & mind opening thoughts & ofc, here on MDL.