Hotel Del Luna

KOREAN TITLE: 호텔 델루나

YEAR OF RELEASE: 2019

GENRE: Dark Fantasy, Romantic Comedy

STARRING: IU, Yeo Jin-Goo

# OF EPISODES: 16

PLATFORMS TO WATCH ON: Viki

SYNOPSIS: 

The Hotel Del Luna, located in Myeong-dong, Seoul, is not like any other hotel: its clients are all ghosts, and it is not visible in its true form during the day. 

Jang Man-Wol (IU) is the CEO of the hotel. Due to a huge sin committed a millennium ago, she has been stuck at the hotel catering to the dead before they pass on to the cycle of reincarnation. As a result of manipulation by Mago (who controls the life and death of people passing through the hotel), Man-Wol meets Gu Chan-Sung (Yeo Jin-Goo), a young man who is a sincere perfectionist and level-headed, but also has a soft heart. He comes back to South Korea after his father's death to be an assistant manager at a multinational hotel corporation, only to face Jang Man-Wol and ends up becoming the manager of Hotel Del Luna.

Through Gu Chan-Sung, many mysteries and secrets behind and within the Hotel and its owner are discovered.

REACTION: 

Oh my god!! I absolutely loved this drama! This was actually the first drama that I came to know of
when I started watching Korean Dramas. I can’t answer why I am only watching it now because I do
not know the answer myself. I just know that I am glad that I waited to watch this drama. The main
reason being that I was able to recognize a lot of the celebrity cameos in the show. And I have to say
that there were a lot of cameos, like a lot. If I had watched this drama first I wouldn't have been able to
recognize any of them.

But besides that, the show itself was absolutely amazing. The concept of it was very hopeful. It gave
me the sense that there is truly life after death. And not only is their life after death, but there is a way
to ease your heart before moving on. The show did a really good job at portraying this concept in a
realistic way. The fact that they use a hotel to carry out this concept was a great idea.

The characters in this show were all great. I loved how the main cast went beyond two people.
Because of this they were able to let me connect with more than 2 people on a deeper level. With that
being said I have to admit that I cried to the point of having no more tears to shed by the end of the
last episode. Oh my god I cried so much it was almost ridiculous (My family was making fun of me
when I told them to get out during the final episode). Even right now while writing this post I want to
cry but I literally have no tears left.

This is definitely a drama that everyone should watch, whether you believe that there is life after death
or not. Even if you do not believe that concept the storyline itself is amazing. 

*Also Man-Wol’s nails were on point the entire time. Every time they showed her nails I was like
“Damn.”

HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO: 

• EVERYONE!
• Anyone who likes to connect with characters
• Anyone who likes stories within a story
• Anyone who wishes to know about their past life

FAVORITE SONG FROM OST: 

This OST is definitely added to my favorite OST list. Every song (including the instrumental ones) was
amazing. Everyone's songs left an impact on me even now after finishing the show. They did an
absolute amazing job on this soundtrack. 

I have to mention two songs for this drama. The first one is “Remember Me” by Gummy. I HAVE to
mention this one because I actual saw this performance live (via live stream) during the MNET Asian
Music Awards (MAMA), Golden Disk Awards, and the Melon Music Awards (MMA) *She also won the
award for ‘Best OST’ at all of these shows and more*. I have to admit while watching these
performances live that I definitely felt something while watching her perform. But now that I have
heard the song with the show I have to say that this song is amazing. This song is the main culprit to
the many tears that I shed while watching this drama. It is so emotional that you can’t help but feel
your heart clenching so tight to the point that you want to cry. I can 100% understand why she won
many awards for this song.

“Done for Me” by Punch was probably my favorite song from this drama. The way that the song was
written leaves a different impact on the listener. If I had to describe the sound I would say that it is
mellow and dark. But not dark in a “screamo-o” kind of way, but dark as in sad. The way the beat
goes “BAM” when she sings “Done for Me” gives me chills. And when you hear this song in the
drama, the scene that accompanies it will be very memorable. 

Honorable Mention: “All About You” by Taeyeon, “Can You See My Heart” by HEIZE,
“Another Day” by Monday Kiz and Punch

OVERALL REACTION WITH GIF: 

*This is actually me after the final episode. My energy was completely drained