Halloween Watching Recommendations -- Hotel Del Luna

 

Everyone I know is watching Squid Game, but that show is a little too violent for me. However, I figured this would be a good time to highlight one my favorite Korean dramas, Hotel Del Luna, which is also available on Netflix.

It's the story of a ghost hotel where souls stay while they resolve unfinished business on earth before moving on to their next life. It has ghosts, humor, romance, and a compelling mythological framework, so you know it is, as the drama's protagonist would say, my cup of tea.

I really can't say enough good things about the show. Every single character is vivid and convincing and they all have character arcs that come to satisfying conclusions. You guys know I love quirky supporting casts. Well, this show had probably the quirkiest, most lovable supporting cast you will ever see. The mythology of the show is also beautifully written, with gods, grim reapers, deities, etc... It's a masterpiece of world building.

And the visuals are breathtaking. The hotel is spooky, but also glamorous and contemporary which is a very hard trick to pull off. The color scheme is not the usual purple-and-green haunted house palette, but it feels appropriate moody and spooky. In addition, the mix of antique and contemporary furniture and design is very effective. It really makes you feel like you've entered another world, a parallel universe that resembles our own but is also eerily different. Also, the main protagonist's wardrobe is a character-appropriate mix of contemporary, Victorian, and historical Korean garb that looks amazing and reflects her personality and origin story beautifully. 

And the protagonist, Jang Man-Wol, deserves it all. She is a hardened killer cursed to run a hotel for lost souls, but she slowly (okay, veeeeeeery slowly) grows to care for all (well, most....okay, at least a few) of the tortured souls under her care. Her road to redemption is excruciating, but immensely satisfying. She is funny and greedy and mean and sweet, all at the same time. Most important, she is entirely believable as a cursed immortal. The actress portraying her, IU, is amazing.

Seriously, how can you not love this woman? Her fashion is insane. Every single outfit screams, "yes, I am a paranormal badass." Check out this ensemble:

Hotel del Luna is a fantastic streaming choice for Halloween, and I urge you all to check it out on Netflix before it disappears from the platform. The only caveat I have is that the romance may be a little unsatisfying and some may feel there is no HEA (I guess technically there isn't). IMO, the bittersweet ending makes perfect sense given who Man-Wol is and what she has done, but it's definitely not your typical romantic resolution.