Moving: Spoiler-Free Mini Review
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Title: | Moving (2023) |
Platform: | Disney+/Hulu |
MDL & IMBD Rating | |
Genre: | Contemporary Superhero/ Action/ Thriller/ Romance (light) |
Episode Count: | 20 |
Parental Guidance Rating: | MA (18+): Graphic violence (can't emphasize this enough), bloodshed, language (lots, including F words). I fast forwarded a huge part of this show due to the grizzly fight scenes. For more info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24640580/parentalguide/ |
Starring: | Ryu Seung Ryong (Kingdom) Han Hyo Joo (Happiness) Zo In Sung (It's Okay, That's Love) Lee Jung Ha (Heroes Next Door) Go Youn Jun (Alchemy of Souls) Kim Do Hoon (Dear X) (Ensemble Cast) |
RBTS Rating: | 4/5 Stars (Objectively, the drama deserves a higher rating, but the content was too graphic for my taste. I am a wee babe when it comes to bloodshed. I recommend for non-sensitive viewers)  |
Synopsis:
Kim Bong Seok, Jang Hui Su, and Lee Gang Hun, seemingly typical high school students, bear extraordinary inherited powers. Bong Seok can fly, Hui Su possesses exceptional athleticism and rapid injury recovery, and Gang Hun wields uncanny strength and speed. As they conceal their gifts, their parents fight to shield them from exploitation by others, navigating a delicate balance between secrecy and protection. @MDL
Stay Tuned: Full Review Still to Come!
Spoiler-Free Mini Review:
I know Marvel hated to see Moving coming. Though this was not the Avengers or in the Marvel Universe, boy did the prestigious K-Drama actors assemble to bring their A Game.
Moving was a masterpiece, but it was a lot. Based on the webtoon adaptation of the same name, the story follows a dual present day/flashback timeline of high school students who struggle to hide their powers, and their parents who mastered their gifts years ago. The drama is a more HBO-esque spiritual successor of NBC's hit show, Hero's (without the writers strike. Tears), with a dash of the classic Sky High (2005). Go in knowing in your heart and soul that it is violent and there is much profanity. Consider yourself warned. Seriously, a man splatters in the first episode with a CGI waterfall of blood and it just gets more gory from there. The drama is directed by Park In Je, the acclaimed director of Kingdom S2, so that should tell you everything you need to know. I skipped almost all of the fighting/bloody scenes because I'm a wimp, but if you are not a wimp, dive in without hesitation.
The super-strength of the drama was the relationships between characters. Whether familial or romantic, each relationship was so deeply treasured by every single person that you can't help but feel the same. The drama gets a little Lily Potter on us with it's focus on the power of parental love, as the adults struggle to protect their children, while learning (and unlearning) to let go so they can become who they want to be. Hui Su and her father were my favorite pair and I would buy all their chicken. The drama also shined in its pursuit of empathy-- even the "villains" were given a fair shake.
The title Moving references the act of the characters constantly moving from place to place to hide themselves, but I think it also alludes to the mindset of the characters. Each one starts out with a certain belief about themselves and the power they hold, but by the end of the drama, they've evolved those beliefs and moved on to a new path in life.
Perhaps a bad take, but Han Hyo Joo (Lee Mi Hyeon) was the one actor who didn't impress me. Granted, her character was meant to be stoic, but I didn't feel the connection to her performance. But I did like her romance.
Moving had a unique storyline that felt fresh with complex and wholesome characters, Disney money level CGI, and a 'show-not-tell' method of messaging that family is worth fighting for, and that no matter how different you feel, you can embrace who you are.
"You're not weird at all, just a bit special."
Overall, a must watch if you can handle the shock factor. And good news! There will be a second season (currently filming) airing in 2027, but (to my great devastation) Lee Jung Ha won't be returning as Kim Bong Seok due to his military service conflicting with filming schedules.
If you want more from Kang Full's (webtoon author) Moving universe, check out: The Light Shop.
Story=4 (everything ties together. Mixes familiar superhero tropes w/ a fresh take), Acting=4.75, Production Quality=5 (higher than the many disney+ marvel shows), Ending= 4.5, Enjoyability= 3 (this one is tough because I had to ffw'd so much, which was not enjoyable). Recommend= With extreme caution, Would I rewatch= Yes!
Trailer:
Director: #ParkInJe (Kingdom S2, Golden Record) (He's not doing Moving 2!)
Screenwriter: #KangFull (The Light Shop, Moving 2)
#Moving #KDrama #KoreanDrama #2023 #SpoilerFree #MiniReview #ParkInJe #KangFull #RyuSeungRyong #HanHyoJoo #ZoInSung #ChaeTaeHyun #KimSungKyun #KimHeeWon #LeeJungHa #GoYounJung #KimDoHoon #Superhero #Action #Contemporary #Superheroes
*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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