Hotel del Luna: beautiful but it doesn't tug at the heartstrings

I've decided to continue this blog in English. Because every Dutch person who watches Korean dramas obviously knows the English language.

So, onwards and upwards we go : )

This week a review of the Kdrama Hotel del Luna.

Hotel del Luna: what's it all about?

Hotel del Luna is a hotel where people who have died, and didn't immediately leave for the other world, come for a short stay. In other words, it's a hotel for ghosts.

Hotel del Luna is run by by the bitchy Jang Man Wol. Hotel del Luna is her punishment for killing many people. Jang Man Wol is not a very happy or pleasant person. She's very materialistic, doesn't seem to care much for others and is still bitter and revengeful.

Apart from Jang Man Wol there are three ghosts that help her run the hotel.

The male lead

Enter Goo Chan Sung, who is played by Yeo Jin Goo, who I think looks a lot like a Ken Barbie doll.

Jang Man Wol once made a deal with his father, and forces him to become the manager at Hotel del Luna. At first Goo Chan Sung is terrified of everything, but soon he settles in and becomes a great manager.

He helps people who have died, and because of their relationship makes Jang Man Wol slowly become a better person.

Hotel del Luna: a great looking Kdrama

Hotel del Luna has a general storyline about Jang Man Wol. Besides that there are several different short stories. I would almost say there's a different short storyline in every episode featuring a ghost, whose problems are solved by Jang Man Wol and Goo Chan Sung.

You also get to see the storyline of the 3 servants.

Hotel del Luna is beautifully done. The setting, the costumes, the hairstyles of Jang Man Wol. It's lovely.

Something is missing

However, this Kdrama never managed to really tug at my heartstrings. I found it hard to really care what happened to Jang Man Wol and Goo Chan Sung.

So if it hadn't been for my daughter I would never have watched all 16 episodes. In fact, in my opinion they could have ended Hotel del Luna after episode 14 and it would have been fine. I felt episode 15 and 16 weren't necessary at all, and therefore quite boring.

Trailer of Hotel del Luna

Summing up

Even though this is a beautiful Kdrama to look at, I didn't really like it. I want to feel touched when I watch a Kdrama.

Hotel del Luna just didn't do it for me.

Ratings

I'ld rate this Kdrama a 6,5. And that's because of the beautiful settings. However on DramaList it's got a rating of 8,8 and on Viki.com it even got a 9,8 which I don't get at all, but there you have it.

Is this a drama for you?

If you like a different short story in every episode, this one might be for you. If you want lots of emotions and romance, you'ld better skip this one.