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Hotel Del Luna: Spoiler-Free Mini Review

Jul 28
3 min read

Updated: Sep 24

Hotel Del Luna Poster

Title:

Hotel del Luna (2019)

Platform:

Apple TV (w/ CJ sub) Viki

MDL & IMBD Rating:

8.5 & 8.1

Genre:

Contemporary Fantasy/ Romance

Episode Count:

16

Parental Guidance Rating:

TV-14: Minor Violence, Some "Frightening (lol, it's not that scary) Scenes", Minor Language, Alcohol Use. Only one episode had a spooky character.

Starring:

IU (Perfect Crown)

Yeo Jin Goo (Link: Eat Kill Love)

Shin Jung Keun (Frankly Speaking)

Bae Ha Seon (Alchemy of Souls)

P.O (Teach You a Lesson)

RBTS Rating:

6.8/10 Stars: Check in at the Hotel Del Luna where the staff guide the ghost of the week to the other side in a drama with a promising premise that drags, thus doesn't let its stars reach their full potential.


Cast From Left to Right: #IU, #YeoJinGoo, #ShinJungKeun, #BaeHaeSeon, #PO


Synopsis:

In the heart of Seoul stands a mysterious, ancient hotel, managed by the greedy and resentful Jang Man Wol, who has spent a thousand years running it. Bound by a deity to prevent her from self-destructing due to her anger and thirst for revenge, Man Wol’s only chance of freedom lies in letting go of her hatred and finding love. Her eternal curse forces her to serve the bizarre clientele of the hotel. When Goo Chan Sung, a former hotel assistant manager, is forced to take over due to a deal made by his father, he helps manage the hotel’s finances, possibly offering the key to Man Wol’s redemption. @MDL



Spoiler-Free Mini Review:

Hotel Del Luna, penned by the impressive Hong Sisters who brought us Alchemy of Souls and My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, was a massive hit upon its release; it's currently the 12th most popular drama on MDL. The show is surprisingly procedural, with each episode focusing on a different ghost of the week. It felt very Korean Odyssey with the way it incorporated myth and the fantastic in a modern day setting.


Hotel Del Luna cast in a still from the K-Drama

I didn't love the character of Jang Man Wol, nor did I love IU's portrayal, though she wore many fun hats. I thought she had something special with the character in the flashbacks, and I actually thought that her past storyline was more compelling. This was my first time seeing IU do her thing and I thought maybe she just wasn't for me. Then I saw My Mister and When Life Gives You Tangerines, and a pox upon my house. Girlie pop, slayed. I was wrong. I think the script let her down by not allowing her character to grow earlier.


I wanted this version of the character.
I wanted this version of the character.

Yeo Jin Goo did a good job as Goo Chan Sung, but he almost seemed too young for the role. And I never bought into his romance with Jang Man Wol. I think the story would have been stronger with no romance between the two. The side characters had nicely done emotional arcs, but it felt like the drama had too many episodes. It dragged sooner than I would have expected it to, maybe because the episodes were so long. I really did love the premise, but the plot took too long to get where it needed to go.



And no, Kim Soo Hyun will not be starring in the sequel/spin off, instead Lee Do Hyun will be taking the lead role as an entirely new character (I believe, but I could be lying to you), set to air in 2027, titled: Grand Galaxy Hotel.


Hotel Del Luna 2 Cast; Grand Galaxy Hotel
The enthusiasm lol.

Overall, I would recommend if you like contemporary fantasy, but prepare for it to drag.


Story=3.75, Acting=3.5, Production Quality=4.5, Ending= 3.75, Enjoyability= 3, Would I rewatch= No


IU and Yeo Jin Goo in a still from Hotel Del Luna

Trailer:



*Disclaimer: I do not own any of the images used on this blog. All images belong to their respective copyright holders and are used for commentary and review purposes. All reviews, opinions, and statements expressed on this blog are my own and are intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. They reflect my personal thoughts and interpretations and should not be considered as factual.



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