"Moving" Kdrama Review: Is This 46-Million Budget Series Overrated?

"Moving" Kdrama is a Disney+ original series that follows the adventures of three teens who have inherited amazing powers from their parents. They try to live normal lives, but they are in danger from powerful groups who want to capture them.

This thrilling and touching superhero drama seems to have it all: action, drama, romance, humor. It’s a rare gem in Asian TV that shows the quality and creativity of the genre. 

What is "Moving" Kdrama about?

Kim Bong-Seok, Jang Hui-Soo and Lee Gang-Hoon are not ordinary high school students. They have amazing abilities that they got from their parents. Kim Bong-Seok can fly in the sky. Jang Hui-Soo is a super athlete who can heal from any wound. Lee Gang-Hoon has incredible strength and speed.

They keep their abilities a secret from others, while their parents try to keep them safe from those who want to exploit them.

• Network: Disney+
• Director: Park In-Je
• Writer: Kang Pool (webcomic & screenplay)
• Episodes: 20
• Release Date: August 9 - September 20, 2023

Main cast

• Ryu Seung-ryong as Jang Ju-won (Hui-soo's father)
• Han Hyo-joo as Lee Mi-hyun (Doo-sik's wife and Bong-seok's mother)
• Zo In-sung as Kim Doo-sik (Mi-hyun's husband and Bong-seok's father)
• Cha Tae-hyun as Jeon Gye-do
• Kim Joon as young Jeon Gye-do
• Ryoo Seung-bum as Frank
• Kim Tae-yul as young Frank
• Kim Sung-kyun as Lee Jae-man (Gang-hoon's father)
• Lee Jung-ha as Kim Bong-seok
• Han Chang-min as young Kim Bong-seok
• Go Youn-jung as Jang Hui-soo
• Park Soo-ah as young Jang Hui-soo
• Kim Do-hoon as Lee Gang-hoon
• Kim Si-woo as young Lee Gang-hoon

Review: Not my cup of tea, but everyone else seems to love it

1. Blow your mind with its action and effects

Moving is said to be the priciest Korean TV series ever made and it shows in the quality. It has huge action scenes and fights that are so realistic you’d feel like you’re watching The Raid films. 

The special effects are amazing and there’s this breathtaking flying scene at the end of episode 7 that looks like it came from a Hollywood superhero movie.

2. Good acting: From the stars to the rising talent

The casting of this series is decent. And that’s what makes it enjoyable. 

The actors all do their roles well, from the famous stars to the young newcomers. The seniors don't overshadow the young ones much. That said, the acting level of senior actors like Ryoo Seung-Ryong and Cha Tae Hyun is excellent. They can express a lot even without saying anything. The younger actors should learn from them. Han Hyo-Joo is great as a mother in this role. Bong Seok is so adorable. And his scene with Han Hyo-Joo in ep 7 is quite amazing; they have a mother and son argument.

3. Balance action and drama with its characters and their past

"Moving" Korean drama may keep you hooked with its smooth transitions between the past and the present. It reveals the secrets and stories of the main characters bit by bit. 

It also helps that the characters are likable and charming. They make you care about their journey. Even though they have superpowers, they are still very human and their relationships are the heart of the story.

4. Shine with its characters despite some plot flaw

The show may be most impressive when it focuses on the characters and their growth. It used flashbacks and smart editing to show different perspectives. The family relationships made it deeper and more realistic. Besides, I enjoyed how they are weaving different stories together. They introduce new characters that make it more intriguing.

It was less convincing with some of the plot development – the English dialogue and the interactions between government agencies were not very engaging or well-developed.  They could use better actors who speak Western or Russian languages.

5. But some find it dull and overrated

For some viewers, "Moving" Kdrama fails to have a clear plot; just some people with superpowers wander around and interact with others. Also, some of the dialogue is redundant in the scenes. They find it slow and boring. 

6. The dark colors ruin the experience for me

The colors may be too dark for your eyes to adapt. I don’t get why they have many dark scenes that aren't necessary for the stories.

Is anyone else feeling this way?