This review may contain spoilers
ITS SO GOOD WTF
(first time writing a review on here lol, sorry if it's messy)This drama is BY FAR one of the best ones that I've seen. Usually I don't expect much from these short dramas, but DAMN. From the start, I just KNEW this was gonna become one of my top dramas.
(idk where to start but uhh)
First off, Geu-ru was great and finally, we have an autistic character that isn't just some big maths/science nerd (I mean, unless you consider fish as marine biology but what I'm trying to say is that he's not like some of the other neurodivergent rep in kdramas *COUGH* Nam Dosan *COUGH*) and as an autistic person myself it was really nice to see some positive autistic rep. Only minor complaint I have is that Asperger's isn't a term used anymore (plus Hans Asperger was a right ol dickhead) so I wish they just said that Geu-ru was autistic instead. But then again, Asperger's only stopped being a medical term in 2013, and Geu-ru got diagnosed before then (also, I don't really expect Jeong-u to know about this since he's not a doctor or anything). Tang Jun-sang really did a good job at portraying Geu-ru tbh (I still associate him with Geum Eun-dong from CLOY, but that's just my CLOY-loving arse innit. Geu-ru was still great tho).
Then there's Sang-gu who I think had the best character development in this drama. Honestly, the first time I saw him I was incredibly pissed at that ugly ableist piece of shite ("wHy sHoUlD i CaRe fOr JeOnG-u's HaNdIcApPeD sOn?" GOD SHUT THE FUCK UP) but I'm glad that he redeemed himself and became a nice guardian to Geu-ru. Aside from that, after hearing about his past trauma and what happened with Su-cheol, I've grown to feel sorry for him and tbh, I ended up hating that ugly ass Madam instead. I'm still pissed at her for basically forcing Sang-gu to fight Su-cheol, he clearly didn't want to do it and how Su-cheol inevitably died because of him?? Fuck Madam, all my homies hate Madam.
Ok right, enough waffling about the characters. Now about the actual plot of the drama itself. Tbh the entire storyline was sad yet beautiful, but there is just ONE part that I am particularly salty about (which I will now complain about here). I have put a spoiler warning, but in case you didn't pay attention to that, here's your reminder to go watch Move to Heaven before continuing this (I mean there's already enough spoilers up until this point but just watch it pls).
IAN AND SOOHYUN DESERVED SO MUCH BETTER!! Their love story is the only reason why I'm giving the plot 9/10 instead of 10/10. And I'm still mad at the fact that Soohyun died (yes I get that the whole point of this show is to clean out dead people's rooms and that if he didn't die then he wouldn't be in drama, but still. I JUST LOVE HIM OK). All I want is for him and Ian to be able to live happily together (tbh I still want a plot twist where Soohyun isn't actually dead and gets to live happily ever after with Ian. Season 2 pls?). Seriously, what is it with me and falling for second lead couples with tragic endings? Soohyun's parents were right ol cunts as well. I mean, think about it. If they never forced him to get married in Korea, Soohyun would probably be living happily with Ian in San Francisco right now. But seriously, being homophobic is one thing, but burning love letters from your dead son? Honestly I'm so glad that Geu-ru has an amazing memory, or otherwise that letter would've been lost forever and Ian would've never seen it (or known what Soohyun wanted to say to him). (if any fic writers are reading this rn, PLS GIVE IAN AND SOOHYUN THE HAPPY ENDING THEY DESERVE!! Since I know they'll never get their own drama).
Thank you to anyone who has read this piece of pure waffle (honestly I'm gonna be surprised if anyone has made it to this point) but anyways, in conclusion Move to Heaven is going on the Elite 2021 Dramas List and they better be making a Season 2 soon (yea I get that S2 is unlikely, but I would at least like to know what happens to Cha Eunbyeol)
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Korean Drama of 2021 (So Far)
One of the best Korean drama I've ever watched. Elegant writing, directing, editing, casting, and acting with all beautiful stories told, characters, and visual ever served.There is no single episode where I didn't cry, I love all of the deceased background stories and the acting of the three main leads are remarkable. Such marvelous storytelling and spot on music bgm just blend so well to the overall plot. Wonderfully done in such a heart touching way.
A special shoutout to Tang Jun Sang, Lee Jee Hoon, and Hong Seung Hee for brilliantly potraying the character, clearly become one of my favorite characters in Korean drama.
The whole plot, idea, and concept are very fresh. Definitely will make you so attached with all the stories and characters, definitely will make you hardly able to get over this for weeks, and definitely worth watching.
Was this review helpful to you?
Mourning
As a person that lost her father less than 3 months ago and has been struggling ever since, I am deeply grateful with this series and everyone who was involved in the making.I've just learnt so much about this process and have been able to think about my own situation with a different point of view. I feel calm and with peace at this moment.
What did I always say to you?
Although you can't see someone... it doesn't mean they're not with me.
As long as you remember... they are not gone.
That's right.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Meaningful Story About Todays Society
To be honest I wasn't expecting a lot from this drama. I just clicked on it without thinking that much. I never thought I would cry this much (so much that my estranged mother was so concerned) and laugh to my heart's content. A beautifully well put together plot along with amazing casts. Each and everyone fulfilled their role and left a mark in my fragile heart. Please don't hesitate to give it a try. It maybe seem strange by just skimming around the edges but this drama is truly the concept of Do Not Judge A Book By It's Cover.Dear Reader Happy Watching. Xoxo
Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshing and unique storyline
Although it did not invoke as many emotions and tears in me as many other viewers, it is seriously a gem of a show. Most episodes just made me angry at how terribly selfish society can be. But they always brought it back to wholesomeness in the end. Everything from the portrayal of Aspergers to the dedication and respect they have towards the dead and their belongings is flawless. Very likeable, realistic characters.P.S.
+0.5 star for Episode 5 - the one that affected me the most and genuinely made me super emotional. Well done scriptwriter!
Was this review helpful to you?
This is drama for generation. It needs to be notice, it deserved to be talked abouts, and discussed.
Aesthetically on high-level, questioning the most important points of human life and importance of verbal, mental, physical, social, emotional development and the inability of developing them all on the same level. There are so many factors that influence one's development.The concept of the drama and the backstory were brilliant. A touching sad, heartwarming and brilliant drama all along. This drama challenges lots of things that we wrongfully take for granted in today's society.
High quality acting. Tang Jun Sang gives one of the best performance ever perfomed by a Korean actors. Supported by amazing Lee Je Hoon and Ji Jin Hee and there isn't one single actor in this drama who didn't do their job to absolute perfection which make this drama on it's another level.
Watch this one! It shoves a fist in the face of convention and mainstream society. Great drama that argues its point with elegance and entertainment.
Was this review helpful to you?
A yellow box full of a person's treasured belongings ...
What if you were able to distill a person's essence down to the treasured items, one could fit into a single yellow box? What messages would they share?These are the questions that Move to Heaven poses. Over the drama's ten episodes, it is able to weave a beautiful story that looks to honor the lives of the dead. Throughout its run, I admired how the drama didn't shy away from broaching weighty and sometimes controversial topics whether it was neurodivergence, domestic violence, double suicide, unnaturalized citizenship, and adoption. This drama is strikingly executed and beautifully acted. Move to Heaven was deeply moving and pulled at my heartstrings. Probably not a great drama for the faint of heart. This was one of the best dramas so far this year!
Was this review helpful to you?
A life-changing tale that lingers long after you've finished it
I don't think I spent a lot of time reading reviews/comments or even the synopsis on MDL before I began watching this. I saw the preview on Netflix and immediately dived into it. I don't remember the last time I took such a brilliant decision. What began as a curiousity induced weekend watch turned into a series of life altering lessons.I knew the premise of this show, I knew that there would be loss, grief, the aftermath of a life lost, I'd also hoped for a lot of healing. What I'd never imagined was such a beautiful amalgamation of all in a manner that would speak to my soul. I've never seen or heard of this sort of a plot, which centers around trauma cleaners ( I could have missed them, though, I'll surely look this up ) and this made my experience of watching this unprecedented. It made me question the way we live, and what we leave behind. I spent a good amount of time last night thinking what would my yellow moving box hold? What about my loved ones? It was a jarring night to say the least. This story, has moved me and definitely brought a change in the way I look at the world around me.
The people I was introduced to in this show might be fictional but each one of them taught me so much. Each scene/client the team of Move To Heaven visited taught me so much. Recalling the moments brings warmth to my heart and a smile to my face. Even if some of the stories were heartbreaking, each left a clear picture which emphasized the importance of compassion and love that is shared between people.
I'm truly grateful to all the actors for their incredible work, the writer(s), the production team - everyone involved in making this gem. The characters, the stories, the lessons are all going to stay with me for life. And I don't say that lightly at all. The little details, the little things that go unnoticed, the little moments - the show highlights the importance of all that and so much more in an exquisite way. I urge you, dear reader, to watch this, with your families, friends, loved ones, or just by yourself too - but do watch it. It was an epiphanic experience.
Was this review helpful to you?
A cinematic masterpiece
This drama is just a masterpiece! It has really good & high quality acting, casting, cinematography, plot, flow, producing, etc. Especially I like the drama's cinematography which suits the scenes and portrays the emotions so well.From the first episode on I got really hooked and got really deep into this drama which I loved (I didn't have to think of anything else than the drama I was watching). I watched this almost in one sitting and didn't get bored in any moment when watching it which is pretty rare for me (I'm a person who usually gets bored in seconds). It was a bit too sad tho (cried like 9/10 episodes which is totally my record) and I had to get some tissues between some scenes because my nose was running a bit too much XD I'm not complaining about the sadness tho because I really like watching dramas that brings emotions to me!
Really random fact but this drama got me into classical music and nowadays I listen to classical music really often. I especially listen to classical when I really need to concentrate on something like when I'm writing my school essays which is pretty similar to how Han Geu-ru uses classical music too because he listens to it when he's working which usually requires lots of concentration.
This and Strangers from hell are the only dramas that I have given a full TEN as the rating and I have watched about 200-300 dramas in total so that should say a lot how good this really was.
The only complain I would give this drama is that it's a bit too short because I would want to see way more of this ;(( Hopefully we will get a second season someday :D
Was this review helpful to you?
Series for solace
Hearing that this drama made lots of viewers cry and me not really into emotional dramas made me thought that I would never be able to watch it. Luckily, I got bored which made me watch it. It is one of the best dramas I have ever watched! A gem!The drama itself was very unique. I just enjoyed the story and watched earnestly. From the actors, the subplot and the main plot, the production, overall was splendid! It also had humor making the drama quite balanced: having me feel a roller coaster of emotions.
With their wish to remind people to look around and view the world with care (to care for one another), they also reminded me to be good with my loved ones and to keep them in touch.
If you want to have some insights or if you want to be emotional then I highly suggest this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The deceased ones can speak to us... But in a different way.
A short, but a very memorable one. Such a tearjerker 4 me.This drama tells us the life of Han Geu-Ru, a trauma cleaner, which is someone who cleans the rooms of the deceased.
Took a long time before watching this, as both the synopsis and poster isn't engaging enough as I thought this is a drama about a mortician (like my all-time fav Japanese movie "Departures", you must watch this too if you like Move to Heaven), but I made the right decision to watch this one. I am instantly hooked from the start. Such a heartwarming, meaningful drama (which brought me to tears :"))
I extremely like everything, from how Han Jeong-U, Geu-Ru's dad taught and brought Geu-Ru with his heartwarming ways, the character development of Cho Sang-Gu, Geu-Ru's uncle, the backstories of the deceased, how Move to Heaven worked with all their heart to preserve the memories of the deceased, and how they find the ones they should give the items of the deceased.
P.S. I REALLY want Geu-Ru's classical playlist so bad!!!! Loved how they put Debussy's Claire de Lune, Saint-Saëns' Gymnopedie, Chopin's Nocturne etc. when MTH is cleaning, which are my favorite Piano pieces I play when I'm bored :'')
Was this review helpful to you?
So moving and heartfelt
I went into this drama without knowing the cast, story, or any details, just that there's a moving company and there's an uncle that fights. That's it. I saw that this was the top rated show in MDL and decided to give it a go. I was not disappointed.The pacing of the show is great. It's 10 episodes and doesn't feel too short or too long. The acting was incredible. They chose the right cast for this. If you watch this show focused it will be difficult to not shed a tear or get choked up. Every move they chose and every story they told was done with great writing and acting by the supporting cast. I've got to say, this has become my top show and I'm glad I gave it a chance.
Was this review helpful to you?
