This review may contain spoilers
Speaker for the Dead meets Rain Man
TL;DR: Move to Heaven is special, go watch it. We need season two. Now.The longer version: Let's try to keep it short before it turns into a postgrad thesis.
MtH doesn't hit dramatic highs but it works slowly and steadily to breakdown your emotional defence until you can't help but be touched by the many emotional moments presented by the show. On the other hand, it is not a non-stop tear jerker either. How the narratives affects you will depend on your background and your EQ. Have tissues handy, you have been warned.
It tells simple stories of people who have passed away and became clients of this specialist cleaning company. Each short story was handled touchingly and delicately. Their lives seemed mundane on the surface but that was the whole point of the show. These cleaners do more than just clean and pack up the belongings of the deceased. The father and son team have the knack of seeing beyond the flotsam and jetsam of a person's life and see some of their essences and what was their last unfinished task. Their goal is to try to complete that task on their behalf and bring closure to people closest to them, in a sense, they are the speakers for the dead. Along the way, the show touched on many societal ills such as domestic violence, bullying, elderly neglect, etc. They are not unique to Korea but they are certainly prevalent.
The show is almost perfect but not quite. The writer can be too clever and withheld information from the viewers and then did the big reveal and tell you what the clue was after the fact. Most of the heavy lifting was done by the young ML who has Asperger's but also a savant . While he is surrounded by a very supportive found family, they don't seem to do a lot other than bicker among themselves or provide the contrary views to move the plot along and for which the ML debunks as par for the course. It is not quite an ensemble cast in that sense. The uncle's cage fighting and back story added a nice action component and complexity to his character. However, some misunderstanding that lasted for years was too easily resolved in the end.
Speaking of back stories. The show was arranged sort of back to front so the show started with the forced cohabitation of basically strangers and the second half of the show revealed their complicated back stories via lots of flash backs (have tissues handy) and explained how their lives were changed. It worked quite well but the problem we have here is that the show felt like it came a full circle and then it ended. If it was the standard 16 episodes, it could have ended properly. In the 10 episodes we got, we got revelations, character growth, some closures and everything was in place for the show to go forward but it just stopped. There were hints of budding romances, the cleaning company was finally on solid footings, an antagonist that was set for revenge, even a curious new job offered in the dying minutes of the show. If that does not hint at a second season I don't know what does. Please, please give us another season. We besiege you, Old Mighty Netflix!
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Mind-blowing! Deserves to stay at top in MDL list
I always love the anthology genre and this one is just a master piece. Great drama with essence of life. Very unique story. I am highly impressed with the creativity! It is little slow sometimes but that is really required to enjoy the flow of the story. Kind of : " sit back and relax and merge in the deep thinking and realize yourself" - type feelings.Altogether this drama touches the heart. I will recommend: keep your tissue box ready while watching it. So wonderfully it directs the viewers to appreciate the life in a completely pure teary way! The whole story very carefully shows a nice development of human-relation and understandings. This drama leaves behind a life-changing feeling while opening up a very unique view-point to enjoy life with simplicity. It also delivers a very deep message with high moral values which is basically about " how one need to preserve kindness in heart even everything goes wrong in the life". If one fully observe the life story of "Han Jung Woo", there is a lot to learn from it. With traumatic childhood, almost destroyed broken family at teenage, without parents, separation/death of close ones and all other typical odds are there in his throughout unfortunate short life; in spite of that he is an epitome of success. His short life is a "worth of living". He had dealt every odd situation in his life with a very kind and open heart. A traumatic childhood can destroy soft core of any human heart and equally capable of turning them into a monster. We have seen this in many dramas where often negative characters are being justified on the basis of this factor. But Han Jung Woo have shown how to live a life as a fragrant beautiful lotus flower while being born in mud: Untouched by the impurity ( lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind). He not only healed himself but also with his fragrance of kindness he enlightened people around him, even after his death. A very respectful, strong and obviously a very rare personality. We have a lot to learn from this character and I believe we can at least try if we open our minds and observe him carefully.
I am very thankful to the writer who created this character! Now-a-days when a "distorted personality" gets to be glorified in dramas/ movies as a "lead character", feed by sympathy of traumatic past or difficult unfortunate circumstances, the character like "Han Jung Woo" is highly desirable and should be introduced in dramas more frequently to keep our thinking straight and strengthen our mind. This selfless character is very practical, without any "false modesty" or "unrealistic traits". I would love to enjoy such characters as main leads in more dramas in future.
In a gist, this drama have just touched my heart, blown my mind. Absolutely loved it. Very emotional concept with very powerful message. It deserve to be #1 in MDL list. I am very happy that this drama justified its position in MDL list.
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A touching story that doesn't leave a single eye dry.
This is probably the most Jdrama-ish Kdrama I've seen and I'm saying that with only positivity in my mind.An emotional tale that will make you cry in about every episode.
When you die, do you think that you will disappear?
This drama will tell you the answer. That even if you are gone, pieces of you are left behind with the people that cared about you. Your belongings will tell about your life, your last time on this earth. It will show your struggles, your hopes and dream. And no matter how alone you think you are, when you are gone, there will be someone that misses you and grieves for you. Even when you are not here, you will never truly be gone.
The main cast is an interesting bunch as well. A dad that is the greatest dad in the world, a son that is special but because of that, he can see things no one else can. An uncle that is broken, but is beginning to heal. And the next door neighbour that is pretty much family.
All of these are part of what makes this drama great. Their story, their grief and their hopes and dream as well as their work as trauma cleaners.
10 episodes filled with lots of emotions and a different view on life. Here's to another season with more stories, both sad and happy.
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Can't recomend this drama enough, a hidden jewel on Netflix
I'll say I'm not on the Asparger syndrome spectrum, but I'm glad there is a show with a main character that is.S. Korea has good dramas, but since "while you were sleeping" there hadn't been a drama that grabbed me that hard like "move to heaven". Every episode was unique on its own and made me cry. There story is well written and I liked the arc both Geuru and Sanggu (especially Sanggu). The stories were varied and it was great, I enjoyed crying every every time. Nothing feels repetitive. I feel like the story is perfectly finished, I don't need a second season.
The acting was good even from supporting cast and Tang Jun Sang is definatly on my list of stars to watch for their next project. As I mentioned, I'm not on the spectrum, so that's not something I can judge, but he clearly stepped into a role that's not easy and he did good job at it IMO.
I like the fact that unlike many dramas, the show didn't use catchy Kpop songs. Don't get me wrong- I LOVE those songs, drama are my only way to be exposed to new great songs. But in this drama I think it actually works with classic music in the background.
I'll admit I didn't understand the last scene- what do white butterflies represent in Korea? (not a spoiler cuz... I'm going to tell in what context they were).
I think the drama is worth watching and I want to tell everyone about it. If I had Youtube channel, I would make a video of how much I loved it.
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A DRAMA WHERE YOU WILL CRY EVERY EPISODE
What I liked:- One of the drama that makes me cry in every episodes (I would surely not watch it in public next time).
- The story of the deceased and the main cast are both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. It teaches us to not jump into conclusion without knowing their backstory.
- I am so amazed by Tang Jun Sang acting. I first watched him act in Racket Boys and his character there is totally different than in Move to Heaven. It also raise awareness of Asperger's syndrome.
- I like how it's only 10 episodes, so its not dragging at all.
What I don't like:
- Probably about the ending. It kinda left us hanging.
- But other than that, it's perfect. I can totally rewatch it anytime soon.
So, if you are contemplating whether to watch this or not, just watch it. You will not regret it.
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Emotional but some good action too
Just catched up with this drama. I avoided it at first because I thought it would be a tearjerker only. Well it was at times but it also has some good sub plots with some good action. Despite the know it all side of the ML (Yes Han Geu Roo is the ML) which is annoying at times, he is still genuine and his abilities help a lot. SML Cho Sang Gu is a loser but he has a proper character development and his story is interesting. Yoon Na Mu is not only the fifth wheel of the carriage. She was funny and useful at times.Binged watched the whole serie within a week-end. Quite an emotional and well crafted serie which denounces fairly some bad aspects of SK's society/history.
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This review may contain spoilers
I don't believe in heaven but I believe in this drama ?
Ok.. so as someone who is pretty much just now branching off of the BL genre, this is the first review I've done on just a regular K-drama. Normally when I watch a drama that isn't BL, it has to be related to something I enjoy. For example, Horror/Thrillers. That's why I really enjoyed Strangers from Hell and Sweet home. But this is pretty much the first time that I ignored all those things and went for something I wasn't even sure I was gonna like lol. Tbh, when I first read the synopsis it made me really confused how this is ranked #1 on the top dramas list. I thought it sounded quite boring. How could a drama about moving peoples things be good? Damn.. I was WRONG. To me, this drama was anything but boring. Not only is pretty much every single character likeable but its exactly what it says it is, a freaking tearjerker. I cried in almost every episode. It was cool to see the lives and stories of the dead. Especially when typically people just end up forgetting them. It definitely also had lots of comedy, happiness, suspense, action... just everything. I wasnt sure how I felt about the uncle at first just cause he seemed to be really petty but he grew on me super hard and ended up becoming one of my favorite characters. His slowly developed relationship with Geu-ru was so perfectly executed. Geu-ru is also an extremely likeable character. Hes so smart, talented, and very high functioning. I know that one of the symptoms of Asperger syndrome is that people with it seem to lack emotional expression and yes, maybe Geu-ru didnt physically show his emotions much but he definitely expressed his emotions through his actions and words. The things he would go out of his way to do for people was insane. I seriously cant get over how good this series was. I will be rewatching it again soon lol. Im grateful for everyone involved in this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
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Amazing story and acting
I have to admit that Geu Roo is so adorable. It was sad that he lost his father. Geu is a smart guy who was able to continue the business. Those crime scenes he was cleaning would freak me out. Who does not get freak out being around that? I admire how the actor playing Geu Roo handle it so well. I would just scearm and be like this is not a job for me. The story is amazing and a must watch series. BTW there is episode that has BL scenes. If you have not watch it. You have to see it for yourself.Was this review helpful to you?
A very heart-touching drama with a unique plot-line.
Move To Heaven একটা প্রফেশনাল ট্রামা ক্লিনিং অরগানাইজেশান। ‘ট্রামা ক্লিনিং’ টার্মটা কিভাবে বোঝাই……… খুব বিচ্ছিরি একটা উদাহরণ দিয়ে বোঝাতে হচ্ছে! আমাদের দেশে করোনা সংক্রমণের শুরুর দিকে একদল স্বার্থপর মানুষের দেখা মিলেছিলো- তাদের বৃদ্ধ মা-বাবা কিংবা আত্মীয় স্বজন কেউ মারা গেলে তারা লাশ রেখে পালিয়ে যেত, লাশ ধরতে অস্বীকৃতি জানাতো। তখন আবার আরেকদল স্বেচ্ছাসেবক দলের দেখাও মিলেছিলো যারা নিজ উদ্যোগে এসব লাশ যথাযোগ্য মর্যাদায় দাফন করতে আসতো। Move To Heaven নামের প্রতিষ্ঠানটাকে আমরা এসব স্বেচ্ছাসেবক দলের সাথে তুলনা করতে পারি, কিন্তু তারা কাজটা প্রফেশনালি করে। তবে পার্থক্য হচ্ছে তারা মৃতদেহ সৎকার করে না, মৃতজনের ব্যবহৃত জিনিসপত্রাদি যা তাদের প্রিয়জনদের প্রয়োজন নেই বা যেসব জিনিসপত্র থেকে গেলে সেগুলোর স্মৃতি মনে করে প্রিয়জনরা কষ্ট পেতে পারে তারা সেগুলোর সৎকার করে। সহজ ভাষায় বলতে গেলে, পৃথিবীর বুক থেকে মৃতজনের সর্বশেষ স্মৃতিটুকু সরিয়ে নেয়ার কাজটাই Move To Heaven করে থাকে, যাতে জীবিতরা সব ভুলে আবার নতুন করে বাঁচতে পারে। এটাই ট্রামা ক্লিনিং।আমাদের গল্পের নায়ক Han Geu Ru আর তার বাবা Han Jung Woo মিলে এই Move To Heaven নামক প্রতিষ্ঠান চালায়। তাদের কাজ ট্রামা ক্লিনিং হলেও তারা সবসময় চেষ্টা করে মৃতজনের অন্তিম চাওয়াটা পূরণ করতে। এটা মৃত জনের প্রতি তাদের সম্মান প্রদর্শনের নিদর্শন। এভাবেই চলছিলো সব ঠিকঠাক। কিন্তু একদিন সব এলোমেলো হয়ে গেলো।
নায়ক Han Geu Ru ২০ বছরের তরুণ হলেও সে কিছুটা মেন্টালি চ্যালেঞ্জড, মানে অটিস্টিক আরকি। বাবাই ছিল তার দুনিয়া। কিন্তু একদিন তার বাবা হুট করেই মারা গেলো। অথৈ সাগরে পড়ল Geu Ru। এমন সময় দরজায় কড়া নাড়ল জেল ফেরত এক আগুন্তক, So Sang Gu। সম্পর্কে সে Geu Ru-এর সৎ চাচা, যার কথা Geu Ru জীবনেও কোনদিন শুনে নি। কিন্তু তার আর কোন আত্মীয় স্বজন না থাকায় সে-ই এখন তার লিগ্যাল গার্ডিয়ান।
পুরো পরিস্থিতিটা নিয়ে মোটেও খুশি নয় Yoon Na Mu, সে Geu Ru-র প্রতিবেশি, চাইন্ডহুড ফ্রেন্ড এবং তার প্রতি খানিকটা ক্রাশিতও! Sang Gu কে মোটেও পছন্দ হলো না তার। চেহারায় কেমন যেন গুন্ডা গুন্ডা ভাব, সারাদিন শুধু সিগারেট খায়। Gue Ru-র গার্ডিয়ানশিপ এমন একটা লোকের কাছে যাওয়ায় মোটেও খুশি হতে পারলো না Na Mu। তাই সে সিদ্ধান্ত নিল এখন থেকে সেও Move To Heaven এ কাজ শুরু করবে। আর গোপনে Sang Gu-র প্রতি নজর রাখবে যাতে সে কোন ভাবেই যেন Geu Ru-র কোন ক্ষতি করতে না পারে।
আর Geu Ru-র গার্ডিয়ানশিপ নেয়ার ব্যাপারে চাচা Sang Gu-র উদ্দেশ্যও খুব একটা ভালো ছিলো না। তার সৎ ভাই মানে Geu Ru-র বাবার প্রতি তার অনেক ক্ষোভ ছিলো। তাই সে এখানে গার্ডিয়ান হিসাবে আসলেও তার মূল উদ্দেশ্য হচ্ছে Geu Ru-র সব সম্পত্তি বাগিয়ে নেয়া। কিন্তু উইলের শর্তানুযায়ী গার্ডিয়ানশিপ পাওয়ার জন্য তাকে তিন মাস Geu Ru-র সাথে Move To Heaven এর কার্যক্রম চালাতে হবে। এরপরেই সে স্থায়ীভাবে গার্ডিয়ান হিসাবে মনোনীত হবে।
এভাবেই এই তিন জনকে নিয়ে শুরু হলো Move To Heaven এর নতুন যাত্রা। এই যাত্রা কখনো আপনাকে হাসাবে, কখনো কাঁদাবে আর কখনো বা আবেগে ভাসাবে। কিন্তু এক মূহুর্তের জন্যেও বিরক্ত হতে দেবে না।
৪৫ মিনিট করে প্রতি এপিসোড, ১০ এপিসোডের নেটফ্লিক্স অরিজিনাল মিনি সিরিজ। প্রচন্ড ইমোশনাল একটা ড্রামা। হ্যাপি আর স্যাড এন্ডিং বলে এখানে কিছু নেই, ঘটনার নিত্য প্রবাহ আছে। প্রতিদিনই নতুন কোন গল্পের জন্ম, পুরোনো কোনো গল্পের শেষ। যারা ফ্যামিলি বা লাইফ জনরা পছন্দ করেন তাদের জন্য মাস্ট ওয়াচ এই সিরিজ।
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It's ok to be different
Move to Heaven drama is the kind of thing you need when you are desperately seeking the meaning of your life. The most important purpose of this drama is to change our perspectives about "grieving" to someone's demise. Every other episode has it's beautiful message to deliver. This drama portrays important issues while celebrating people's life and showing both respect and shade to "death". It is so very wholesome and will truly evoke your emotions. So, if you're a worshiper of "slice of life" dramas,this drama is for YOU.The drama starts with someone's misery hinting a tragic journey but the entire journey is just beautiful. Saying that it will make you cry tears of happiness will be an understatement because this is one of those heart-warming Kdramas out there.
Simply, the drama consists several different stories that worked likes dots and connecting them made the drama complete. Ofc, it has its basic steady plot too which is appealing (you can read it in the synopsis).
This drama also emphasizes on how a dead can communicate with the living from what they've left behind. This particular thing have touched the core of my heart and I'm sure it's been mesmerizing for everyone too.
The write has done very well in touching different forms if life in the guise of societal issues which will definitely fuel up the positive stances and enroute acceptance in people's midsets. The direction abd screenplay is simply like adding feather to a cap. Good job in cinematography too. The crew has done a commendable job here.
Then comes the cast. I swear to my happiness, the production has done a very good job in casting, be it the major characters or the guest characters, I would say they are the appropriate choice. I was so happy seeing soooo many guest characters.
Lee Jee Hoon, definitely one of the best Korean actors has once again won our hearts with his acting, played his character really well. Tang Joon Sang, being a newbie, I am sure this drama and his acting, will bring him enormous opportunity. He's so cute and was really good in playing someone with Asperger's syndrome. I like Hong Seung Hee in Navillera (another slice of life heart-warming drama) though her screen timing was limited and here she did good too.
EVERYTHING FELT SO BEAUTIFUL.
Let's talk about the ending. Let me say you that I am not okay with it. It has an open ending hinting for a new season but is that necessary? They could have closed the drama with the scene before the last scene too but they decided to extend it with a big twist. Idk what's in the writer's mind but I am looking forward to it. I was actually wishing there'd be more episodes given that it's soooo good, but am not happy because in most of the cases the dramas with extended seasons ended up getting messed. I really really hope it won't happen with MOVE TO
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so much beauty in here
In just a few words i will say that this drama is simply beautiful. The plot itself was bound to be good but the performance from everyone is what elevated it.I was a little scared at the end of the first episode because i didn't expected it and his uncle wasn't exactly seems the nicest guy. But everything change and we see our ML Geu Roo trying to comes to terms with lost and changes.
My favorites scenes will be when Cho Sang Gu gets to learn what actually happens with his brother, that he was never abandoned and he opens that closet with all the sneakers and breaks crying. It was such an emotional one and Lee Je Hoon was amazing in it (I will stop saying this about him, i made my point already, sorry lol)
And the other scene is when Geu Roo keeps asking Cho that please told him if he was going to die, because his father never tell him and he did and Sang Gu answer is "Your father never told you because he loved you very much, i don't love you that much" lol it was a fun one. also Geu Roo answer like he doesn't care if he don't love him just don't die is a cute one.
I don't know, this show was catartic for me, i laugh, cried and enjoyed it a lot.
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The message conveyed in the drama is very beautiful. I wish more dramas of this kind are made. Importance of every life is showed very wisely. I would recommend everyone to watch this drama. It is emotional and You wont regret watching it. This drama relaxes your mind and soul. Not a romantic drama but a meaningful one. Overall a very good drama.
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