Cheng's Musings

Initially, the series unfolds very slowly, showing the most ordinary life of teenagers going to school. And there the introduction to the 3 teens – Bong Seok, Hee Soo and Kang Hoon. The mundane-style unfolding almost lulls the audience into thinking that this is about angsty teenagers coping with school life. And then, the introduction to the special power that these young adults possess. Bong Seok is blown up when he does not hold onto heavy-weight items, Hee Soo has quick regenerative power for her injuries while Kang Hoon the class monitor has super strength. As Hee Soo is new to the school, she cautiously makes friends with Bong Seok and is totally charmed by this pure-hearted chubby boy who is shy but persistent.

Muse #1 – The first couple of episodes are quite slow, and the less patient may be tempted to just give up. I would strongly suggest against it, as it does pick up very fast subsequently.

While the school life seems mundane enough with the challenges faced by the teenagers, the introduction to other adults provides the “kick” to the series. As the series become more complicated, with government agencies in hiding (not 1 government but at least 3!), there are elements of espionage, national interest and potential war.

Each episode is almost dedicated to one individual superhero. A few of which is mentioned below.  

• The strongman Jae-man (Kang Hoon’s father) with his simple mind but dedication to his wife and son, especially when he perceives danger towards his family. The relationship between Jae-man and his son Kang Hoon is also interesting as it unravels. Initially, I thought Kang Hoon feels the obligations towards his father out of piety. There are hints of embarrassment from the young teenager on his father’s condition. But the backdrop story on their strong bonds built on reliance & trust casts a totally different perspective to the father-son relationship.
• Frank the assassin from US. This character is an enigma on its own. His cruelty scares me, but when his background and childhood is dissected, you will feel for his internal conflict and the need to be cruel to survive. The reflection that he had on the necessity of all that he has been tasked, especially as the next generation of super beings are pulled into the on-going tussle, reveals a humane side of this hardened assassin. I was quite convinced that it is due to his hesitation upon pondering such that he is killed. Otherwise, how do you even kill someone with such strong desire to survive?
• Gye-do, the electrifying Bungaeman, has an interesting view as he craves for the attention (and in a way, the purpose of life) but gets the “lesser” power of controlling static electricity. Life and lady luck are also not on his side, as he struggles with fitting in. But his needs for love is so great, that the little things that his senior at work and even Bong Seok provides by a simple greeting of thanks made his day.
• Dedicated PE teacher. Technically he has no super power but I love this character for his dedication to his supervisor’s instruction. And over the years, it is quite clear he cares for the children that has gone through his care. And his discerning ability to pull and push for both the children and even with his agency.

There is one big part of the espionage stories on the North and South Korea. I have to say I am quite lost. But I equally love the backdrop of the characters from North Korea. Almost all of these “villains” have a reason to be in the opposition team, and not one of them comes willingly. Worse, they have had to suffer the losses by losing their lives.

Muse #2 – These people with super power in North Korea is being oppressed, especially with threats to their family and own survival. I am glad that the series took the liberty to ensure their reflections turns into real action.  

Muse #3 – At least the director decides to give one of them a fairy-tale ending by putting Yong-deuk (who has recovery ability) with Ju Won and his daughter. It was such deja-vu and a show of deep love from Hee Soo, who stops by the alley to comfort a crying big giant in Yong-deuk. Totally her mother’s daughter.

Now, the really great actors and actress to me, are the parents of Bong Seok and Hee Soo. The series somehow managed to even squeezed in such a sweet love story for Kim Doo Sik and Lee Mih-yun (Bong Seok’s parents) and the purest normal love story for Ju Won and Ji Hee (Hee Soo’s parents).

The chemistry between Doo Sik and Mih-yun is over the chart, especially with Mih-yun having been assigned such a difficult task of trying to “romance” Doo Sik to get more information (and worse, all within the same agency). The danger zone, the friend zone to the love zone, and the dedication this couple has for each other. I love the depiction for Mih-yun, strong on her own and never losing herself. I thought her reaction of being over-protective of her son Bong Seok is a manifestation of her fears, and a very natural reaction. Doo Sik as the double agent (I got lost a few times during the series as I lost track of what exactly is the espionage plot :D) is such a lovable spy, who won’t fall in love with him?  

On the contrary, Ju Won’s love story is also super sweet. Who would have thought such a tough guy in Ju Won has such a soft teddy bear heart? And what a prompt answer in Ji Hee, who is hardened in the midst of a rough neighbourhood but has a soft spot for the guy that cries in the middle of the road when he could not find his direction. 😀

Muse #4 – Both Mih-yun and Ju Won are single parent for the majority of the period to Bong Seok and Hee Soo respectively. Although both are determined to protect their children from the ruthless agency hoping to reap rewards from their powers, the parents have taken quite different route to raising their children. Mih-yun seems to be more over-protective of her son, instilling more caution (very much reflective of her own personality) but perhaps also exacerbating a lot more naivete in Bong Seok. On the other hand, Ju Won takes a more hands-off approach with Hee Soo with a lot of more freedom & trust for her to do what is necessary.

The main ties of the story are really about the 3 teenagers, and the fact that they represent the next generation of new superheroes. Personality and character-wise, all the holds their own and their struggle to fit in a “normal” society. There are other themes brought up – bullying at school, struggles of teenagers fitting in, academic vs sports excellence for university entrance.

Muse #5 – I am quite appalled at the degree of school bullying depicted in the series. I am not so sure whether the degree of bullying is really that extensive but it is definitely alarming. Especially with the kind of physical altercations. What is worse, school, teachers and other students are indirectly condoning the actions due to the lethargic reaction and for fitting in.

Conclusion (9/10)

When I first started with Moving, the Korean series, there isn’t much expectations. And what a surprise series this is. What is so great about the series? It is actually not really that original in terms of the theme. In actual fact, it borrows quite a lot of concepts on superheroes from the American genre. BUT, what is the differentiation factor is the story-telling – the flow of the stories with flashback but at the right time, the suspense & always the sense of curiosity planted in the audience. And a great backdrop story to each of the individuals, and of course great acting from the actors and actresses.

Muse #6 – For me, the key success to the series is its ability to inject normalcy & a story to each character. Each character is not a total hero nor a villain. They are just normal people living normal life, until their lives are upended because of their special power and abilities. In such circumstances, I am not even sure whether this could be described as special power. More like curse.

What are you waiting for? Watch this 20-episode (airing on Disney Hotstar) series. Exciting, love stories, family love, growing up pains. Not so deep but deep enough to get us pondering.