KDrama Calling: Hotel Del Luna - IU Guides Lost Souls In This Haunting, Metaphorically Beautiful Take On Life-Death, And Afterlife

Hotel Del Luna is about ghosts... a lot of ghosts! But ghosts at their most vulnerable! They aren't evil, they are just lost souls with unfulfilled desires, pending tasks and incomplete messages which

they wish to convey before entering the afterlife. And if they have IU leading the way, who'd wish to stay back in this bad, bad world?Hotel Del Luna starts off very slow. So like many others, even I struggled. Did we need that age-old story of IU? What does it even mean? Why is she always crying? Worry not! You'll get there... Because all you need to do is, hold on! Hotel Del Luna is not your regular fantasy-drama. It's moving, hilarious, deep, and thought-provoking about the fragility of life. Yet, if you think it gets preachy, well, it's all in the beauty of metaphors, something not every writer can crack.

Mysterious, eerie yet enticing plot

A mysterious, luxurious hotel stands in the heart of Seoul, but is only visible to ghosts and spirits. It is run by Jang Man-wol, the ancient and immortal owner of the hotel who's cursed for a past sin which she cannot remember. As a punishment she's bound to the hotel for centuries. What's the mystery around the place? It caters to a creepy clientele who are waiting to pass on to the afterlife, but are stuck for some reason. That's where IU's character comes in. She helps each soul to find salvation by fulfilling that one last task which hooks them to the tangible world, even if it meant picking the gun. While her staff comprises of good spirits, a human manager, Goo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-Goo) gets entangled with the hotel's secrets, and becomes the key to Man-wol's ultimate freedom.

Haunting beauty of the hotel for ghosts

Hotel Del Luna takes time to drown you in its beauty. The main plot runs through Man-wol's inner turmoil to find her way to the afterlife, and surrounding pieces are the numerous subplots around every other character, be it the staff or the spirits who touch her life. Everyone impacts the emotional and unique stories of their spectral guests. It's the ace writing duo, the Hong Sisters at their absolute best.

IU lands straight from My Mister universe

This was IU's next K-drama straight after the emotionally draining My Mister. For her fans, it was like a gift, bringing back colours into her life onscreen. Colours, and loads of colours, because she hides her pain behind them. It's her best character, a fashionista who indulges herself and has no qualms about being the prettiest. She's a lady boss, a benchmark here. But that's not all. She delivers a performance of a lifetime, not an ounce less than probably her recent When Life Gives You Tangerines.

Genre bending - dark, emotional, funny

IU makes you cry, infact every character does. Their lives are sobbing tales, and when they finally find their way beyond the world, you just wish to hold onto them, one last time. And just when you feel tears rolling down your cheeks, the bright vibe of the show kicks in. It's wrapped in humour most of the time. The K-drama wonderfully and smartly mixes genres. Sometimes, this even gives way to funny moments. So when the spirit of a blind girl wishes to confess to her unrequited love before finally bidding goodbye, she takes the help of its male lead, who goes on "touching" men, because that's how the visually impaired girl recognises him.

Themes that remain relevant even today

Hotel Del Luna is a delicate tale that explores themes of forgiveness, past lives, and letting go. Only speed breaker might be its first two episodes that build upon Man-wol's backstory and sin. But if you manage to stay glued, you'll be stuck forever. It spreads across a thousand years with dozens of goodbyes and bittersweet reunions. The emotions are deep, strong and real. Call it a fabulous fantasy, romance drama, with exceptional performances, direction and writing. And oh, IU's wardrobe is to die for! The cinematography, be it that important tree when it flowers, or that bright moonlit sky or the skyline of Seoul, it's all cinematic brilliance.ALSO READ: KDrama Calling - Descendants Of The Sun | King The Land | Crash Landing On You | It's Okay To Not Be Okay

A piece of jewel to buy before Grand Galaxy Hotel

Hotel Del Luna is hauntingly beautiful, eerie at places, slow-paced, yet strikes deep. It reminds us about how short and futile life can be, so just make it large. Because at the end of the day, everything transcends death itself. Don't miss this jewel, not for its plot, not for IU, not for being a classic K-drama.Do watch it because Lee Do-Hyun brings Grand Galaxy Hotel...(KDrama Calling is our weekly series where we dissect and look back at a fan-favourite Korean show, decoding what makes it a hit even after a considerable time after release.)