The South of Seoul K-drama for August is a popular series that aired in 2019, “Hotel del Luna.” This captivating South Korean fantasy-romance drama revolves around a mysterious hotel for spirits with unresolved grudges and emotions. Let’s learn more about this K-drama and find out why it was so popular. Breaking Down The Cultural Knowledge When you watch a K-drama when living in Korea or plan to live in Korea, you may want to go deeper than just the show. In order to fully understand the context of entertainment and the world around you, plan on looking at not only experiencing the movie plot, but also at the actors, music, and cultural conversation. In order to make it easier to maximize watching K-Dramas for cultural knowledge, I will provide you with some quick links each month related to the South of Seoul recommended K-Drama watch list. If you catch up on all these details you will become a K-pop culture master in no time. About “Hotel del Luna” “Hotel del Luna”, also known as “Guest House of the Moon”, premiered in Korea on July 13, 2019 on the tvN network. There were 16 total episodes and the series became an instant hit. Because of its unique storyline and excellent performances, this drama became very popular domestically and internationally. Lee Ji-eun (also known as IU) and Yeo Jin-goo star in this drama regarding a supernatural hotel that caters to spirits. The hotel is not visible to humans in it’s true form and only under special circumstances can humans find it. The staff and guests are all spirits who must resolve issues from their lives before they can pass on to the afterlife. However, filling the role of the general manager are different humans because they need to be able to interact with the real world to help the spirits to move on to the next world. The owner of the hotel is Jang Man-wol (Lee Ji-eun) which is located in Myeongdong, Seoul. A sin that Jang Man-wol committed long ago ends up binding her soul to the hotel. Later, she meets the father of Koo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo). He ends up making a deal to save his life in exchange for his son working for her 20 years later. Therefore, the drama centers around Jang Man-wol and Koo Chan-sung after he comes to work there. Throughout the series, viewers are taken on an emotional journey as the characters deal with their past regrets and learn to find peace and acceptance. About the Drama’s Success “Hotel del Luna” received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike for its unique storyline, strong performances, and high-quality production. It was the most viewed tvN drama for 2019. In addition, it was nominated for several awards. However, the OST soundtrack, “Remember Me” by Gummy was the biggest winner, winning Best OST at 21st Mnet Asian Music Awards, 11th Melon Music Awards, and the 34th Golden Disc Awards. Overall, “Hotel Del Luna” is considered one of the most successful and memorable Korean dramas of its time. About the Drama’s Themes “Hotel Del Luna” explores many themes throughout its storyline. Some of the most prominent themes addressed are redemption and forgiveness, love and sacrifice, life and death, letting go and moving on. Although, the main theme of this drama is redemption and forgiveness. Jang Man-wol, the owner of the hotel, is cursed to manage it for centuries due to her past sins. She seeks redemption for her actions, and the hotel becomes a place for spirits with unresolved emotions and past traumas. Throughout the series, Koo Chan-sung helps those who are struggling with grudges and traumas resolve their issues and seek forgiveness. The theme of redemption is intricately woven into the emotional journeys of the characters. This makes “Hotel Del Luna” a compelling and thought-provoking drama that delves into the complexities of human nature and the quest for atonement. The Music of “Hotel del Luna” Whenever a new, popular K-drama hits the screen you hear the music everywhere. Take the time to become familiar with the track list and maybe even memorize one for the norae-bang. This will make you an absolute superstar at social gatherings. Below is a YouTube video with the Original Soundtrack from “Hotel del Luna.” Additionally, being able to sing the chorus when you hear the songs in the streets or be able to casually say to a new friend, “Oh, isn’t this the theme song for Hotel del Luna?” creates a wonderful feeling of connectedness to the world around you. Behind the Scenes Footage of “Hotel del Luna” After watching the K-drama and becoming familiar with the songs, it’s time to learn more about the cast. Watching the cast in behind-the-scenes footage or interviews can help you recognize the actors and actresses in new dramas or advertisements nationwide. Therefore, knowing about the cast enables you to create a language for understanding the visual world around you. Also, it is fun to watch behind-the-scenes footage and interviews where you can see glimpses of the creation of the drama and the interactions of the actors/actresses on set. The Food of “Hotel del Luna” Food plays a significant role in “Hotel del Luna.” The hotel’s restaurant serves as a place where the ghostly guests experience their favorite dishes or meals that bring back cherished memories from their past lives. Various types of food are featured, including both traditional Korean dishes and some international cuisine. Some of the more prominently featured Korean dishes are samgyeopsal, japchae, bibimbap, kimchi and tteokbokki. Check out our series A Year to Learn Korean Cooking if you want to recreate the dishes you see on the screen at home. You may find some great tips to help you learn more about Korean foods. 2023 K-Drama 101 Recommendations You can find more popular K-Drama recommendations on the K-Drama 101 recommendations list for 2023. Each month in 2023, we will dig into each of our K-Drama recommendations to give you in-depth information about the series. 2023 K-Drama Reviews Did you like this drama review? Catch up on the other South of Seoul Dramas reviewed and recommend in 2023. Additional Drama Related Blogs If you find yourself falling in love with dramas like so many before you, you may also enjoy these other South of Seoul Blogs: KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Step into the captivating world of July’s K-drama, ‘Boys Over Flowers.’ We will delve into a tangled web of romance, friendship, and personal growth in this iconic drama. Breaking Down The Cultural Knowledge If you have been following our K-Drama series, feel free to skip this section to get straight into the drama. When you watch a K-drama while living in Korea or planning to live in Korea, you may want to go deeper than just the show. In order to fully understand the context of entertainment and the world around you, plan on looking at not only experiencing the movie plot, but also at learning about the actors, music, and cultural conversation. Let’s dig into July’s K-drama, “Boys Over Flowers.” About “Boys Over Flowers” “Boys Over Flowers” is a popular Korean drama based on the Japanese manga Yoko Kamio. It originally aired from January 5 to March 31, 2009, on the Korean broadcasting network KBS2. This is the story of a strong-willed, lower-middle-class girl named Geum Jan-di. She receives a scholarship to a prestigious high school attended by mostly wealthy students. In this high school, she encounters the F4, a group of boys who bully and control the student body. However, Jan-di stands up against them and ultimately finds herself in a complicated love triangle with two members of the F4. Ultimately, this drama unfolds with a mix of romance, drama, and comedy. Therefore, viewers are provided an entertaining and emotional journey through the lives of the F4 and Geum Jan-di. About the Drama’s Success “Boys Over Flowers” consistently achieved high ratings throughout its run. The show often exceeded 30% viewership in South Korea. This drama captivated audiences with its entertaining storyline, captivating characters, and romantic elements. In addition, the series gained widespread popularity beyond South Korea, particularly in Asian countries. Cast members from this drama also found immense popularity from their roles in this drama. Even years after its initial release, “Boys Over Flowers” continues to have a large fan base worldwide. Also, this drama is a gateway show for many new viewers exploring Korean dramas. In 2009, the drama was nominated for and won many awards from the Baeksang Arts Awards, Asian Television Awards, Seoul International Drama Awards, KBS Drama Awards, and several others. About the Drama’s Themes “Boys Over Flowers” explores several themes throughout its storyline. Some of the more prominent themes are economic inequality, bullying, love and friendship, personal growth, and second chances. These themes contribute to the emotional depth of “Boys Over Flowers” with thought-provoking reflections on societal issues, personal relationships, and self-discovery. The main theme of “Boys Over Flowers” revolves around how the power of love can exceed social barriers. The focus of how love can bridge the gap between different economic classes, challenge societal norms, and encourage personal growth in individuals. Therefore, the theme of love is interwoven with other themes such as socioeconomic divide, friendship, and self-discovery. Altogether, these themes create a compelling narrative capturing the hearts of the viewers. The Music of “Boys Over Flowers” Whenever a new, popular K-drama hits the screen you hear the music everywhere. Take the time to become familiar with the tracklist and maybe even memorize one for the norae-bang. In addition, this will make you an absolute superstar at social gatherings. Below is a YouTube video with the Original Soundtrack from “Boys Over Flowers” Additionally, being able to sing the chorus when you hear the songs in the streets or be able to casually say to a new friend, “Oh, isn’t this the theme song for Boys Over Flowers?” creates a wonderful feeling of connectedness to the world around you. Behind-The-Scenes Footage Of “Boys Over Flowers” After watching the K-drama and becoming familiar with the songs, it’s time to learn more about the cast. Watching the cast in behind-the-scenes footage or interviews can help you recognize the actors and actresses in new dramas or advertisements nationwide. Therefore, knowing about the cast enables you to create a language for understanding the visual world around you. Also, it is fun to watch behind-the-scenes footage and interviews where you can see glimpses of the creation of the drama and the interactions of the actors/actresses on set. The Food Of “Boys Over Flowers” “Boys Over Flowers” incorporates a mix of Korean street food, traditional dishes, and popular favorites. Some of the more notable food items featured were jjajangmyeon, ramyeon, bibimbap, fried chicken, barbecue, and tteokbokki. Check out our series A Year to Learn Korean Cooking if you want to recreate the dishes you see on the screen at home. You may find some great tips to help you learn more about Korean foods. 2023 K-Drama 101 Recommendations You can find more popular K-Drama recommendations on the K-Drama 101 recommendations list for 2023. Each month in 2023, we will dig into each of our K-Drama recommendations to give you in-depth information about the series. 2023 K-Drama Reviews Did you like this drama review? Catch up on the other South of Seoul Dramas reviewed and recommend in 2023. Additional Drama Related Blogs If you find yourself falling in love with dramas like so many before you, you may also enjoy these other South of Seoul Blogs: Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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