The places you go to usually takes up the most important memories of your vacation. You remember the beautiful scenery, landmarks, the food you take, and even the souvenirs, but you don’t pay much attention to the “stop overs” or places you go to before proceeding to the final destination. I am that kind of person.
But all of that changed when I watched the KDrama “Hotel Del Luna” in Netflix during the quarantine period. I am a person who watches Kdramas a year after everyone has moved on from it so it became difficult for me to find someone to talk and discuss things. I started watching the series last July 15, 2020 and after 7 busy days, had managed to finish it. The effect of the drama was so strong that it even compelled me to write my very first review (it’s more a reflection) of a kdrama series. But let me warn you that I am weak with Korean names and I will address them in their character names instead.
Here are my thoughts (SPOILERS AHEAD… You’ve been warned ok?)
1. No one is completely sure on where to go.
This is the reason why Hotel del Luna (Guest house of the moon) exists. It is for the souls of those who died suddenly/ unexpectedly to have somewhere to go to and be guided. The Hotel’s services cater mainly to the “dead” and helps them to deal with their unfinished business, allowing them to “go on” without regrets. There are also special services for the dead (dream calls, ghost weddings) and even for living persons (booking a room for the wedding honeymoon). These services require money/ worldly possessions as payment.
2. Everyone has a past they wish to change or forget.
The hotel provides people with the avenue of making amends in order to depart for a better life in the next. The show takes note of several instances where the souls of the guests are assisted by Goo Chan Sung (a living Human Manager) and Jang Man-Wol (CEO of the hotel for 1,300 years). It turns out that the hotel needs a human manager in order to address its clerical needs. Ms. Jang hires Mr. Goo following an incident with Mr. Goo’s father being forced to offer him up as payment in exchange for his life. Although hesitant at first, Mr. Goo eventually starts working as the manager of the hotel, becoming acquainted with the hotel’s staff and guests. He would then find out that him becoming the manager of the hotel is not merely by chance, but has a deeper purpose for him and for the people in the hotel.
3. There is justice, not only in this life, but in the next.
The Kdrama does not fall short of showing it’s viewers the consequences of one’s actions, whether alive or dead, to everyone involved. The revelations of the different ghosts and their stories per episode show the vastness of the show and the different settings of life situations and how the main characters found a solution in order to bring balance and “closure” for the ghosts.
4. We often view life as unfair, and sometimes, it may take a thousand years or more to understand what we need to learn.
Ms. Jang is a person who was tied to the moon tree because of her grave sin in her past life. This would eventually be revealed to Mr. Goo by way of the Magos (deities disguised as old women) and the dreams he keeps on having. Throughout the story she is hot-tempered, acts rashly, and is clearly unable to love a person due to an obsession for revenge. Everything changes however, with the influence of Mr. Goo and his actions which eventually got to her and changed her for the better.
5. To let go is not to forget. Sometimes, to let go means to forgive.
There came a point in the story when Ms. Jang finally encounters the person(s) she was waiting for. She then realizes that she would have to choose between carrying out her original plans (of revenge) or to forgive them and let them “pass by”. Ms. Jang chooses the latter (although not directly) and even accompanied the person she hated the most in order to pass on. With her decisions came huge consequences, leading to an inevitable truth: “that she too must pass on someday”.
6. Trust is very important especially in waiting.
Living with Mr. Goo made Ms. Jang believe in the idea of falling in love again. When she finally comes to terms with her feelings, she began to feel happiness whenever she’s with him. This led to changes within the moon tree (presumed dead at the beginning) growing leaves and eventually blooming its flowers. As she falls deeply in love, her fear of losing him also grew resulting in the flowers falling from the Moon Tree. As she accompanied her past lover (the firefly) to crossing the bridge to the after life, Mr. Goo was forced to wait. It was at this time that the Mago sisters also started to prepare for a new owner of the hotel. With no assurance of Ms. Jang’s return, Mr. Goo accepts a task of retrieving a vital ingredient in the past. There, he meets the Jang Man-wol of that time and had to choose on whether to go back or to stay and be with her in the past. Mr. Goo chooses to go back just in time for the return of Ms. Jang, and the two of them began to make the most of their remaining time together.
7. Time (and lives) are meaningless when you’re in love.
With the next full moon marking the closure of the hotel, everyone started to “pass on” including Ms. Jang’s three most trusted aides (all having wonderful backstories of their own). They opted to take a group picture to commemorate the moment. Ms. Jang remembers the wonderful time she spent at the hotel, crying because she was all alone and it was finally her turn to go. Mr. Goo stayed with her and loved her until the very last moment, promising each other to meet in the next life. While crossing the bridge, Ms. Jang stops and looks back to where she came from. She smiles and finally continues onward. Mr. Goo goes back to his life, opting not to lose the ability to see the dead as a constant reminder of his undying love for Jang Man-wol, the woman whom he loved dearly, but was never destined to be with.
My Verdict:
Music: 9.5/10 They occasionally used classical music like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Chopin, which for me, works effectively, giving the series a beautiful repertoire. I would also recommend the OST of this series, particularly “A Poem Called You” and “Lean on Me”. It made me tear up every time I heard these songs while watching.
Character Development and Casting: 10/10 I think the actors casted as Ms. Jang and Mr. Goo were perfect in every way. They were also very good in their acting chops and screen chemistry. Everything IU (Ms. Jang) wore made her beautiful and cute.
Cinematography: 8.5/10 The CG, shots of the scenery was well thought of. The shifts from thriller to comedy to romance was really done seamlessly.
Unpredictability: 9/10 For a ROM-COM, it really gave me the chills. It should be a ROM-COM-THRILLER. I remembered talking to my friends who already watched it my speculations and theories on what will happen. Most of my guesses were either far or totally removed from the truth. HAHAHA (I take pride in my ability to speculate on what will happen based on the information presented and it still swept me off my feet.)
This KDrama left in me a big impression and I grade it overall as a 10 out of 10. I recommend you to watch it if you can take a good scare and still fall in love in an unconventional way. I guess you won’t be able to wait if you don’t trust and love the person you are waiting for. It may take years and multiple lives, but someday, surely, you will meet the person you were destined to be with. Hotel del Luna taught me a lesson that sometimes, what really matters is the journey and not just the destination. The stopover and detours you made in order to become a better person. And finally, in order for you to get to your destination, you must not carry with you the grudges and worries of your life. After 7 days of staying, I get to finally check-out and pass on, but the lessons of the hotel and its wonderful story, I will forever remember and cherish.
Make peace with your past and you’ll be happy.
-Edsel 🙂
The Music of a Coffee Major in Leadership, Failure, Life and Love. 