Move to Heaven (2021)

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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 :'')

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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.

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This drama will change your perspective towards life

This drama is going to be so close to my heart :”)
I urge everyone to please give this a watch
Whether you watch kdramas or no
This is the kind of drama which teaches you so much:”)
Every person in your life has a purpose, respect them, cherish them, enjoy every bit of the time spent with them. :”)
The story is about a young boy with Asperger syndrome and his uncle who work as trauma cleaners, clearing out the possessions of dead people, uncovering the stories they left behind and telling them to loved ones.
The series is all about emotions and feelings, especially, empathy towards the deceased who are no more in the world yet they have left their own messages to their loved once.

The way the story started the way it went forward every bit of it just leaves such a huge impact :”)
10 episodes and each of the 10 episodes made me go through such a roller coaster of emotions :”)

I don’t understand how this drama has been so underrated and why aren’t people watching it :”)
You’re definitely missing out on something so beautiful
Please go watch “move to heaven”
Much love and respect to the whole team of this drama :”)

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A very unconventional description of death -- as it should be

It made me ponder a lot about the beauty and inevitability of death. You know how when the people you love died and you tend to search for their last remains. The last thing they touched. Their last message. What were the thoughts of people whom they have interacted with? You smell the fresh sheets and clothes they left. What kind of legacy did they have when they departed. This show perfectly describes that feeling. It defined death and the feeling of losing someone in such a beautiful way.

Apart from the aforementioned, on the technical things in this series, the one who played Geu-ru was phenomenal. It seems that he really studied his role for this as well as Sang-gu for being a slightly sluggish personality. It made me cry especially on the third and final episode. The OST was also well-picked EXCEPT on grieving parts about their client's death. However, Geu-ru's taste in classical music is still nice.

This drama may not be one of my most favorite but you will definitely learn a thing or two from it. Everything about Move to Heaven is wonderful and honest. I heard that this is rated as 19+ in Korea, but it's quite understandable since death remains a taboo in their country (or in any country, I guess). But again, that's the beauty of it, it tackles death in the most unconventional yet frank way of its nature.

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Trauma Cleaners — their job, life, and trauma

Had anyone asked me a few weeks ago, before I started watching Move to Heaven, I wouldn’t be so aware on the life of trauma cleaners. Regardless whether it’s a drama or real life, trauma cleaners must endure creepy scenes over a pressuring environment. Constantly moving their car to not be seen, closing the shades while working, are two of many other environment’s pressuring requests. Additionally, it is obligatory for the trauma cleaners (at least in this series) to “deliver” messages from the deceased and their loved stuffs handed in special yellow box. Move To Heaven also allows viewers to have a glance on the life of our hero whom has an Asperger Syndrome and recently-deceased only parent. Hold on, that’s a lot already. Are we in for a journey with worthwhile tears? Honestly, this is more than that. As compelling as it sounds, the series continuously steers our emotions on every single episode, making no room for boredom.

Move to Heaven is absolutely one of a kind drama. The peculiar premise lived up to its expectations as it consistently delivered meaningful slice of life-like narrative. The plot in general is well-connected to each other although some might need reminders to subtle details (like the female detective at the last episode). The dynamics have a good portion of everything. They didn’t make it depressing, or too funny, or too angsty. Everything is well-balanced to one another.

The trauma cleaning subplots (the deceased stories) were crafted in poking criticisms of the society coated with heart-wrenching stories. People did not realize how precious their loved ones actually is until those valued memories of them transformed into regrets. Distinctive arguments shape-shifted into glitched unrepairable tape constantly repeating on the living’s head. This series helped us learn to respectfully love people as who they are—whether they may be bothersome, having different perspectives, or in a contrasting social class.

Onto our main characters, I would like to applaud the writers once again for conveying Han Geuru (and his surrounding)’s stories with countless heartwarming aspects. As we have already known, Han Geuru had been living a struggling life after his father’s passing, only for his past to be way more harsh than we could have ever imagined. However, Geuru wasn’t really perceptive in terms of emotions, making him a strong individual that kept moving forward. Geuru mostly carried the trauma cleaning service with his extra attention to details. His extremely-observant nature pushed Move to Heaven into having detective-like journey. Throughout the series, the 20 year-old boy had a fantastic character arc (emphasis on letting Father go). Shoutout to Tang Junsang for portraying Han Geuru effortlessly.

Cho Sanggu had lived a contrasting life. Although his contrasting attitude may be seen as bothersome, his character development is perfect by growing fondly of Geuru (really love their chemistry). Sanggu also has a deep trauma that made him held grudges in the past. Not only about his paternal brother but also his “hoobae” in boxing. Eventually, this series helped him overcame those with strings of occasional events (hint: Amusement Park and Train Station). Parts of Sanggu’s stories might have appeared on another series yet it comes handy overall. The supporting characters did not really have strong plots or arcs but they were supporting for a reason. My only criticism would be the lack of Namu’s family stories (and her past) as viewers never get to see what happened inside her house. On the other hand, Namu’s character balanced the main two perfectly.

As Move To Heaven is an original Netflix series, I always found them to be different with cable or free-to-air dramas. Move To Heaven doesn’t necessarily felt like “another” kdrama at all, it stands out. I am personally a frequent Kdrama viewer (on top of a Kpop fan) and always subtly annoyed with the same sets being used in multiple series, but this is not the case here. Move to Heaven explores many locations that I never or barely saw on other Kdramas. Notably, they also use a different approach when it comes to cinematography. Furthermore, the VFX team did an outstanding job especially in visualizing Geuru’s attention to details. I always love every moments when all those stuffs in the yellow box flew above Geuru’s head, aligned, with him trying to crack a code. Every episode has a decent length between 40-60 minutes and far from being formulaic (a problem that usually occurs in “another” kdrama). Move To Heaven’s production team really paid attention to details and it paid off. Other than one thing, there’s no such accommodating or memorable OST here.

On a final note, Move to Heaven is a new magnum opus within the new series being released. Everything about this drama is perfectly well-balanced of each other—whether it be the plot, characters, or supporting elements in general. All being well for Season 2 to be picked up soon (in the same or better quality cause we don't want a mess like the other Netflix original series *coughs* Love Alarm *coughs*). We need more episodes as 10 of it is certainly too short!

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A drama that teaches: You matter — whether alive or dead.

If dramas can be ranked according to the beauty their stories tell us, Move To Heaven would be one of the top ones. What a beautiful, heartbreaking depiction of loss and grievance over people considered as the discarded ones by most. Yet we learn that these people who might have not had anyone to mourn for them were loved too. Right from the first episode, this drama tugs at your heartstrings. Absolutely loved the depiction of Han Geuru’s parents. He shared such a beautiful bond with both of them and I’m so glad that he got to have his father with him for longer and know that he was loved. In fact Geuru had such wholesome bonds with everyone around him, it warmed my heart to see him loved and treasured instead of ostracised for his difference. It was so nice to see his bond develop with his uncle too. Uncle had a tragic past linked to him, and I wasn’t that huge a fan of how his arc was dealt in the last few episodes, but that’s okay since it’s not the major focus.

Spoilers below — talking about things that stood out in episodes:

Episode 1 — Such a gentle portrayal of father-son relationship, Han Jeong U was a special man whose empathy made him connect the dots on an emotional level. Perfect first episode to set the mode, what a sad introduction. Special mention: Lee Je Hoon’s wild look bad boy entrance.

Episode 2 — an episode that highlights children neglecting their elderly parents, Han Geuru is alone now, but does such a wonderful job in making sure the last message reaches the son.

Episode 3/4 — another interesting case, this one highlights one sided love. My most favourite thing was when Han Geuru keeps repeating that the stalker didn’t love the kindergarten teacher, it was the children who did. If he truly loved her, he wouldn’t have forced his presence on her and scared her. Such a simple but so powerful message in a sentence. Geuru repeating it felt like it was needed for us to know the difference between love and obsession.

Episode 5 — I would say this was my favourite episode in the series. So well written. The love, the characters, the ache, I don’t have enough words to describe. You need to watch it to feel it.

Episode 6 — another reflection of how the elderly are service are treated unfairly by most of the society. This was a very look in the mirror episode.

Episode 7/8 — these focus more on Uncle Sang-gu’s journey, his childhood, his relationship with the people he treasured, both are another set of heart wrenching episodes.

Episode 9 — In Matthew Green’s story we shed a light on a part of oversees adoption which took place in Korean history. I think I liked this best after episode 5. It made me wish for so many things, and the sadness stays with you.

Episode 10 — the final journey, of course it makes sense who the last person Move To Heaven will be sending off. It felt like all the growth that Han Geuru goes through over the last three months is reflected in his decision and how things are done. We also we plenty of heartwarming flashbacks that make you want to reach out and hug the characters. This episode ends with just enough space for a new season. I do hope we get one.

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While there’s plenty of sadness in this series, I would not say it’s entirely heartbreaking. MTH leaves you with a feeling of healing. It tells you that these characters might have met death, but there’s more to their story. It provides each of them a beautiful closure which they couldn’t find in life. We as viewers mourn for all of them and remember them well. I really hope this is picked up for another season. We need more stories like these!

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