Moving (2023)

This drama is a very peculiar drama but it is satisfactory on every level

1/ What I liked:
- The peculiar narration of the drama. It felt very like a comic book or a manhwa with different chapters. Each one dedicated to a specific character or group of character and them all of them in the final.
- The characters: I loved the good guys but I also some of the bad guys. It is not about good ones and bad ones, but it is about humanity.
- The dual timeline between the story of the parents and the children and how they meet in the end.
- The action which is 50% of the time made of brutality but it is a very enjoyable brutality as it is not human but superhuman. Some scene are bloody and sometime gory bit still I enjoyed them as they were like fantasy and fun.
- The story overall is really interesting from the parents ‘one to the kids ‘one told in an unconventional manner.
- The fun. Some very good fun even in the saddest or most brutal moments. It is like not intented but still fun.


2/ What I liked less:
- ML's characterization to make him innocent was pushed too far. Made him look retarded and silly. I am glad in the end he progressed fast.
- Confusing timeline with flashbacks in the flashback.

3/ OST: Appropriate. Very gripping at times.

4/ Rewatch value
So fun. I will surely rewatch it or scenes of it.

5/OVERALL
Best drama I have watched in 2023 so far. 10/10. This drama has a really great story told in a very special and nice way with endearing and complex characters, very emotional moments involving love, friendship, family love, partnership, rivalry... insisting on the human side of people facing the brutality of the real evil ones. A MUST WATCH.

Leia Mais

The Drag Nearly Killed It

I don't like the categories for rating on here. My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.

If you're like me and you hate flashbacks, you probably won't like this drama.

Acting/Cast: Top notch easily. Great cast, great acting. The acting made me feel things, especially in the first half of the drama. 10/10

Writing: The writing was great in the 1st half. I liked the story between Bong Seok and his mom. I found the kids to be interesting and how they each deal with their "condition". This isn't really about superheroes...they're more like everyday people that have an ability that has made them outcasts. I found that approach to be compelling. It reminded me of the plot of a book I read in school called Hidden Talents by David Lubar. So, in the beginning, when the focus was on the kids in this school together, I really enjoyed it. Then, the story went into flashback mode that lasted for way too long. The story wasn't very linear anymore and it jumped between characters. Because of this jumping around, many characters that I enjoyed watching were completely absent from multiple episodes in a row. I just wanted the flashback to hurry up so I could get back to watching the kids at the school. Don't get me wrong, the adults had interesting stories too, but they were dragged out for way too long. I almost dropped this drama because of this. They should have cut back to the kids in the middle of the flashbacks or maybe cut the total number of episodes down. Towards the end, a character was introduced, given a back story in flashback fashion and everything. It seemed out-of-place. Why spend so much time on an insignificant character this late in the drama? I guess it was to give the characters connected to him a little bit of background and humanize some of the "villains"? Maybe if they didn't drag out the flashbacks of the 2 main kids' parents, they could have had more time to appropriately flesh out some of these side characters. However, despite almost dropping this drama in the 2nd half, the ending was decent. 6/10

Direction/SFX/Music: I didn’t like the flow/pacing of the drama. Flashbacks lasted so long that I nearly forgot what the faces of characters on the backburner looked like. However, the production value was obviously high. Most of the time, the SFX was very well done. However, there were some flying scenes that I thought didn't look so great. The music didn’t grab my attention, but at least it didn’t annoy me. 5/10

Entertainment Value: The first half kept me engaged. It was emotional and unique. I found myself looking for a plot but instead, I got a barrage of flashbacks. The story dragged on, and I longed for the simpler times that took place within the school for extraordinary children…which did eventually come around again, but too little, too late. 3.5/10

Overall, I gave this drama a 6/10 mainly due to my hatred for flashbacks.

Leia Mais

Good slice of life superhero series

The acting and VFX in the Korean drama series are both excellent, but the editing is so lazy and uninspired that it ruins the entire experience. The series is a snooze fest for the most part, with long stretches of exposition that are interrupted by sudden bursts of violence. The editing is also riddled with continuity errors that break the immersion of the series.

For example, in one scene, a character may be shown crying, but in the next scene, they are suddenly smiling. Or, a character may be shown walking down the street, but in the next scene, they are suddenly standing in a different location. These continuity errors are jarring and can take viewers out of the story.

The series' editing problems are also evident in its pacing. The series is incredibly slow for the most part, with long stretches of nothing happening. The filmmakers seem to be afraid to cut anything, even though there are many scenes that could have been removed or shortened without harming the story.

For example, there may be a long scene in which the main characters are talking, but they are mostly just repeating themselves or saying nothing of importance. Or, there may be a long scene of a character walking from one place to another. These scenes could have easily been cut or shortened without losing any important information.

The series' climax is also often overlong. The action sequences may be well-choreographed, but they go on for too long and become repetitive. The filmmakers could have easily cut the action sequences by a few minutes without losing any of the excitement.

Overall, the series' editing is simply terrible. It's clear that the filmmakers didn't put much thought or effort into it. As a result, the series is a chore to watch, and it's impossible to get invested in the story.

If the filmmakers had taken the time to edit their series more carefully, it could have been a much better series. The acting and VFX are both excellent, and the stories have potential. However, the lazy and uninspired editing ruins the entire experience.

In addition to the above, here are some specific examples of editing problems that are common in Korean drama series:

* **Excessive use of slow-motion:** Korean drama series often overuse slow-motion, especially in romantic scenes. This can make the series feel slow-paced and draggy.
* **Unnecessary close-ups:** Korean drama series also often use unnecessary close-ups, especially of the actors' faces. This can be distracting and take viewers out of the story.
* **Poor scene transitions:** Korean drama series sometimes have poor scene transitions, which can make the series feel disjointed and confusing.
* **Inconsistent tone:** Korean drama series sometimes have an inconsistent tone, shifting between comedy, drama, and romance abruptly. This can make the series feel jarring and disorienting.

Despite these editing problems, Korean drama series remain popular with viewers around the world. This is likely due to the fact that they often have well-developed characters, engaging storylines, and high production values. However, it is a shame that the editing of these series often lets them down.

Leia Mais

Usual teen drama with elements of interesting superpowered spies fighting for survival

I'm gonna be honest, so far I couldn't give 2 damns about the teens and their storyline.

Too much focus on the will they-won't they romance and the typical teen drama arcs (school bullying, teen angst and rebellion against parents, accepting oneself) which completely doesn't go well with the extremely serious and thrilling plot of the 'adult storyline' full of spies, murders, hunting people for their abilities, betrayal and the John Wick style of trying to survive.

In my opinion, show would be 10/10 if you removed all of the teen stuff and focused on the parents instead and lean into the teens' pov at the last few episodes, instead of the other way around. I'm way more interested in Lee Minhyun's, Kim Doosik's, Lee Jaeman's and Jang Juwon's characters than their kids - Lee Kang Hoon maybe being the exception because I find his family's story particularly touching and heart breaking.

As of now, I really cannot go through the scenes with the teenagers. It's just too boring when compared to every scene with the adults. If you go into watching this expecting a lot of action, then be prepared to skip a lot of scenes of teens running around with a crush.

Leia Mais

To protect my kid, I'm ready to become a monster anytime.

🔸️Do you sometimes have that dream where your body is weightless and you can fly and jump effortlessly? And can you easily manage your movements there? The ability to fly is Kim Bong Seok's secret, and keeping your mind and body under control during puberty is no easy job, especially if there is cute and kind Hee Joo around.

On the furtile soil of North and South Korea's confrontation and secret agencies, engenders and flourishes this inspiring enthralling drama about people with superpowers.

🔸️Althouth the North Korean agents are, as usual, murderous terrorists, they have backstories too. Some of them were regular people before the dictatorship grabbed them in its claws. E.g. the North flying agent merely wanted to earn enough money in the special forces to put food on his family's table, while some North Koreans were threatened to use their powers to "serve the great republic", and "The Big Clap" guy Lim Jae Seok was nurtured into the borderline animal state in a North concentration camp for 20 years. The tall tough North Korean guy breaking down in front of Hee Joo was a beautiful scene too. My only complaint: the captain of the North team suddenly becoming sentimental and sacrificial is too sweet of a tale.

Another great thing about the story, South Korean special forces aren't angels either. They may have climbed up to a high spacious sunshine-lit glass building on the mountain, but they still stayed the way they were founded during the military rule of president Park Jeong Hee "and Co". "We work in the dark to serve the light" - but at what cost? Army and special forces naturally attract more agressive individuals, and that's the fact. The only young person in the drama who came to work for the intelligence agency is Kang Hoon who wanted his dad's criminal records erased in exchange.

You can easily see the writer Kang Full's attitude towards the big government structures and political rivalries between countries: all the "glory" comes at the expense of regular people whose talents and lives are used to destroy, not create.

Most of the episodes are the stories of the parents, and I'd rather like the drama to be more present. Because I can hardly believe two untrained highschoolers can suddenly take out a veteran merciless North Korean agent.

🔸️Moving doesn't create some unearthly different world for superpowers but allows them to exist, gently wraps the non-scented Korean city around them creating a very unique authentic feeling. The cinematography leaves enough space for the light to come through to shape the voluminous world. The numerous stunts and graphics are great (over 7000 CGI shots). No wonder it took 2 years and the record-breaking budget to make.

Leia Mais

Leave them alone! They just want to live a normal life! (+ Blood, Gore, Violence)

I never thought “Moving” would take the top spot of the most violent Asian dramas I’ve watched, beating “Bulgasal” and “Arthdal Chronicles”. I thought this drama would be about superpowers, kind of like the Thai drama “The Gifted”. Little did I know this was way more than I bargained for.

I am not sure why this drama was named “Moving”. Maybe because the characters' background stories all moved (aka touched) me. Each of the gifted just wants to live a normal life with the people they love. Why can’t the evil governments let these poor souls be? Getting to know each of the characters is the best part of the drama for me. The adults and the villains have suffered so much. We have devoted parents who give up everything, so that their children can be safe, and won’t be exposed and exploited. We have parents who just want to live an honest life and make a living, yet are forced to be trained as soldiers and assassins. At the end of the day, there are only 3 characters I hate - Deputy Chief of NIS, Principal of the high school and the North Korea dude.

If you are watching this drama for Zo In Sung and his return to the small screen after 7 years, you will be disappointed. His screen time is so limited. I was expecting to see him more towards the end. He’s great as usual but was reduced to a supporting role more than a main role. His chemistry with Han Hyo Joo is great. Their love story is so sweet and adorable yet sad and heartbreaking. You can totally see how his son, Bong Seok, takes after his super dad in the romance department. Lee Mi Hyun is a badass single mom. It was so hard watching her raise her son alone and the ways she tried to keep him safe.

Fried Chicken Man, Jang Joo Won, must have the most violent scenes in the drama. Every time I see him fight, I mentally prepare myself to look away. But when he’s just a single dad, he’s so sweet, like a big teddy bear. His little love story has the same awkward adorableness as Kim Doo Shik. Both men just want to spend the rest of their lives with their wives and children. Is that too much to ask for?

I was not really prepared for the drama to focus on the kids/teens so much in the first 7 episodes. Their stories are pretty good, but not as interesting as the adults. There are some cute and funny scenes between Jang Hee Soo and Kim Bong Seok. I like how their friendship slowly develops into something more. However, I find the transition from kids to adults storylines somewhat disjointed. The back-and-forth switching of the timelines could be confusing as the drama tells the stories of different characters.

“Moving” has a star-studded cast of veteran actors. I thought to myself, “Hey, I know you!” as there are so many supporting roles played by amazing actors. There’s no reason to worry about the acting in this drama. The makeup department needs to get an award. The wounds are amazingly real, that’s why I had to look away. It was too much for me. On the other hand, the CCI of flying is quite hilariously fake. Maybe I am more used to C-drama wuxia wire work.

I would recommend this drama if you enjoy super powers, thrillers and action scenes. “Gore” is one of the tags, so be warned. Each episode is captivating and keeps me entertained. 20 episodes went by really fast and I wanted more. Will there be a season 2? We shall see!


Other Random Observations:
1. Don’t forget to watch past the ending credits!
2. Bong Seok’s accidental floating and Hee Soo trying to hold him down - very cute!
3. Dong Shik, “An Intentional failure is not a failure.”
4. Monster is a romanticists, reading ‘romance’ novels, e.g. Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain
5. Like parents, like children - Bong Seok and Hee Soo with the sky + ground attack, just like Doo Shik and Joo Won.


Completed: 9/22/2023 - Review #357

Leia Mais

So I would give this series massive points… for effort.

A Disney+ superhero kdrama that's getting a lot of buzz right now. Alright, is it any good then?

It has some interesting ideas, and some pretty neat action beats, but it's disjointed. Too many characters. They try to give a complex backstory to each of them and so it becomes quite bloated due to that.
_________________________________________

Stunts - 70/100 | Like I said above, points for effort. I like that they were really trying here. A bit frustrating to watch the action in this because some of the action is really inspired, but other parts aren't. Lots of CGI. Some of it good, some of it bad.

Narrative - 61/100 | The first half of this show was great to be honest. Really interesting. In the second half though, it stumbles and loses its way by going in a sort of Anthology-lite direction and it loses all narrative momentum.

Fight Choreography - 75/100 | Earlier episodes that weren't so CGI-heavy were the best. Overall it's quite violent.

Enjoyment - 63/100 | You'd think all the episodes focusing on introducing various characters would culminate into something great when all the separate plot points merged, however it simply doesn't. The last episodes felt a bit cheap, forced, and nonsensical. Some individual episodes were great though, like the one focusing on the resilient dad played by Ryu Seung Ryong.

And the ones focusing on Han Hyo-joo, who is simply amazing in this. Same for Zo In-sung playing her husband. Their chemistry is off the charts.

Leia Mais

When Disney+ got something right

Despite my hatred towards Disney+ and corporate influences, they really nailed it with 'Moving.' This is how you create a captivating action/supernatural KDrama. I was hooked from episode 1 until the end.

I appreciate how the writers didn't underestimate the audience's intelligence; they allowed us to guess, speculate, and get to know the characters at our own pace. I enjoyed piecing the puzzle together myself, and the ending was incredible.

I've been a fan of Han Hyo Joo since her 'Spring Waltz' and 'Dong Yi' days, and watching her again felt like revisiting my youth. The same goes for all the other stars from the 2000s. It warms my heart to see them again, especially Cha Tae Hyun—what a pleasant surprise. Go Youn Jung and Lee Jung Ha are so adorable. Please protect them!

Overall, 'Moving' deserves its spot as one of the best KDramas of 2023.

Leia Mais

PROUD TO CALL IT MT MOST ANTICIPATED DRAMA OF 2023

Moving isn't just a super hero themed drama, it's a multi genre drama with a well balanced plot and uniqueness execution.

Moving shows us family in many heart warming series, moving shows us parents that are willing to sacrifice anything including them selves for their children.

Moving gives us variety of main casts, each with stories and each giving is amazing acting that is able to transfer emotions to the viewer.

Moving gives us amazing and exciting fight scenes that keep us at the edge of our seats and also make our hearts ponder.

Moving builds up our fantasy. Moving shows us heart warming romance and friendship from the different characters points of view.

Moving gives us heart wrenching scenes that would leave you completely moved by emotions

Moving gives us adorable and daring characters

Moving knows how to blend in comedy in the heavy and serious plot of the series
So overall moving is a multi genre drama with unique story telling amazing acting..many main characters with interesting stories, an emotional roller coaster exciting fight scenes light comedy amazing CGI and cinematography....it will be totally worth all your time.

Leia Mais

Its not just special, Its the best kdrama I have watched

From start to end, Moving never fails to engage and excite you. Its a masterpiece and will be remembered for a long time.

Lets talk in a bit of detail about the various aspects of the drama

Story :
The story is based on the webtoon of the same name. The drama is about 3 students who have special abilities, and their parents who are trying to protect them from being hunted. The story is set in the present time but has a lot of flashbacks. Its an interesting way to tell the story. It first sets up the present and then goes into flashbacks to explain why it is what it is. The story of each character is carefully carved out. You can connect to characters at a personal level because it's not just a story of their powers and good deeds but goes deep down into how they ended up there, and how they struggled. The were explored as characters without glorifying their abilities and depressing their flaws which makes them more acceptable, real and awesome.
I usually am not a fan of dramas with multiple main leads because I feel they end up prioritizing one over the other and are not able to flesh out any character perfectly. But in contrast to my opinion,I really liked the drama despite having so many leads. I feel all characters were given just the right amount of screen time. You can just not not like any character. They all are just soo awesome.
The romance was sooo on point. There was a mature romance shown between the parents and a cute romance between the kids. It's perfectly fitted according to their age groups and personalities. It was just so much fun to watch. I just love all the couples :D

Acting :
The actors did such an amazing job. Amazzing cast. Han Hyo Joo is sooo talented. One moment she looks like a mom who is tired but worried for her kid and one moment she is this fierce woman who is ready to take anyone down. Lee Jung Ha did an amazing job playing bongseok. He is just soooooo cute, innocent and adorable. Go Youn Jung nailed her role as Hee Soo. Even though Kim Do Hoon did not get as much screen time, his character was as impactful in the story as others. Zo In Sung and Ryu Seung Ryong were amazing too.
I love how the makeup was done very minimalistic to make them not look like glorified pretty actors but as normal people. They really took care of every small details.

Visuals :
Moving is a visual treat. All the superpower/action scenes of it felt so real. Such good quality production,great CGI/VFX

Some dialogues are so good they are just stuck with you forever. One of my favs is by Hee Soo, " You are not weird at all, just a bit special"
Also I loved the small references of what parents did, is the same as what the kids are doing.

I mean I don't have any complaints from the drama except that it was only 20 episodes. Now that it's finished what do I watch? It's so heartbreaking but all good things come to an end.

I can just go on praising the drama but let's leave some excitement and time for you to watch the drama. A good review must also come to an end :p

So in short, It is really a must-watch. One drama you can not afford to miss!
Irrespective of what genre you like, this drama literally provides everything from romance, comedy, action, thriller, mystery, supernatural young characters, and mature characters, it is a full package.

Leia Mais