Hotel del Luna

• Korean: 호텔 델루나
• Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_del_Luna
• Rating: 5/5 
• Posted: February 8, 2024

A fun and entertaining little show with sprinkles of horror elements and a few mild jump scares to boot.

Unlike Part 1 ending of Alchemy of Souls, it is very well telegraphed in this show that the ending is not going to have the FMC and MMC end up being together. As a result, the show doesn't have a “happy” ending in the traditional sense, some may call it more of a bittersweet ending. Regardless, because the ending is logical and reasonable, I like it.

There is also a nice subversion of expectation here: many K & C dramas try to add some sort of destiny intertwining by either 1. having main characters interact when they were young but then forgot about it, or 2. having the previous lifetimes of the characters interact in meaningful ways, or 3. the characters are affected by the actions of the other's family or acquaintances. This show plays with that trope a little bit by suggesting that the MMC may have been the FMC's ill-fated lover in his previous lifetime, but in the end it is very refreshing to learn that they are complete stranger until their meeting in this show, and that they truly fall in love for each other untethered by fate.

Another show that subverts the destiny and reincarnation trope a little bit is Heartbeat, but unfortunately that show ultimately came up short in the fun department in comparison to Hotel del Luna.