There are few TV dramas that is worth the time taken to write about them. 'Memories of Alhambra' is definitely one of them. It is a Korean rom-com (to a large extent) and a sort of sci-fi thriller - all mashed into one delightful cocktail.
By the time they kiss in the 14th episode, you already lost all hope that this romance will go anywhere. But there are some real romantic moments which makes it worthwhile to watch.
Jung Hee-joo (played by Shin-hye) runs a hostel in the city of Granada when her brother goes missing. Yoo Jin-Woo (Hyun Bin) is the CEO of JOne holdings comes searching for the same brother and stays in the lowly hostel. By the time the first episode ends, the series is already on the top gear and the search intensifies.
Augmented reality games are already in place and the series cleverly blurs the line between reality and game and makes you wow with the integrated screenplay. The love story between Jung and Yoo starts slow and does not pick up till half way through. And when it does pick up, the story ends.
By the time they kiss in the 14th episode, you already lost all hope that this romance will go anywhere. But there are some real romantic moments which makes it worthwhile to watch.
There are moments in the middle of the series where things seem to go slow or kind of indecisive but then it gets sorted out. I guess the screen writer had some misgivings on how to take the story forward.
All said and done, the inter play of the technology and romance is done well - Hee-Joo appears as the guitarist Emma in the game as well - and the way reality blurs into the game were done well.
However there are real questions which does not get answered convincingly. There are gaps - like why Marco is not a bug and killed - which makes it a little confusing - unless, those are story lines for another season. Infact, there is another strong reason for the series to have another season.
Of course, the K-pop style songs in the series make it interesting as well - and like this one says, the story is a fairy tale but with a not so happy-ending. But love speaks an universal language and this series proves the same.
Beyond all that, the complex layering to the story involves the various legends associated with Granada itself - especially the palace of Alhambra - and the clever use of the Guitar playing the 'Memories of Alhambra' interlude to blur the lines of reality and the character exchanges between the two worlds are all done brilliantly.
Best of all is that its 16 episodes and can be watched fast (of course, it is the perfect series for a binge night!). So enjoy watching!
All said and done, the inter play of the technology and romance is done well - Hee-Joo appears as the guitarist Emma in the game as well - and the way reality blurs into the game were done well.
Of course, the K-pop style songs in the series make it interesting as well - and like this one says, the story is a fairy tale but with a not so happy-ending. But love speaks an universal language and this series proves the same.
Beyond all that, the complex layering to the story involves the various legends associated with Granada itself - especially the palace of Alhambra - and the clever use of the Guitar playing the 'Memories of Alhambra' interlude to blur the lines of reality and the character exchanges between the two worlds are all done brilliantly.
Best of all is that its 16 episodes and can be watched fast (of course, it is the perfect series for a binge night!). So enjoy watching!
