CAST: Ryoo Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Go Yoon-jung, Lee Jeong-ha, Kim Do-hoon, Cha Tae-hyun, Ryoo Seung-bum
DIRECTOR: Park In-je.
Tune in to a fresh team of Korean superheroes featured on Disney+ in the form of Moving. This series claims the distinction of being the most financially ambitious Korean drama production to date.
Upon its debut, Moving released a substantial seven out of its 20 episodes, a departure from the norm but a judicious move considering the series requires a bit of time to smoothen out certain nuances.
The expansive ensemble of the show comprises seasoned performers such as Ryoo Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, and Kim Sung-kyun, assuming roles of ordinary parents harboring extraordinary abilities. This exceptional trait has been inherited by their offspring, portrayed by Go Yoon-jung, Lee Jeong-ha, and Kim Do-hoon, who all happen to be students at Jeongwon High School.
Noteworthy additions include Cha Tae-hyun, who embodies the friendly local bus driver, Ryoo Seung-bum, effectively portraying an unrelenting operative on the trail of those endowed with superpowers, and Zo In-sung, whose character, while briefly present in these initial episodes, leaves an indelible mark.
Each character is endowed with comprehensive backstories that breathe life into them, further interwoven with emerging narratives that forge strong connections amongst them.
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Kim Bong-seok (portrayed by Lee), Jang Hui-soo (embodied by Go), and Lee Gang-hoon (enacted by Kim) are high-school seniors, concealing their unique abilities, oblivious to the fact that some of their peers also bear the same secret. In a shared dilemma, they all face the daunting challenge of impending university entrance exams.
Hui-soo, alongside her father Jang Ju-won (played by Ryoo Seung-ryong), relocates to the town and sets up a fried chicken establishment after her previous school expulsion. The reason for her expulsion was a brawl she engaged in to defend a classmate who was being bullied. However, her remarkable ability to self-heal ensured her lack of injuries, placing her in a complex situation.
Running a spacious and secluded pork cutlet eatery, Lee Mi-hyun (depicted by Han) strives to keep her son Bong-seok in check. She resorts to a duvet that secures him to his bed and hefty weights in his school bag, as his emotions trigger his tendency to float away.
Surrounding them are other individuals wielding superpowers, all of whom have chosen to maintain inconspicuous lives. However, their anonymity is shattered as a series of deaths befall them, coinciding with the arrival of Frank (brought to life by Ryoo Seung-bum), a Korean-born American spy operative. Operating under the guise of a delivery truck driver, Frank instigates chaos throughout the town.
Lurking behind these characters are enigmatic figures within the international government apparatus, seemingly involved in their creation. Additionally, the enigmatic faculty at Jeongwon High School play a role in guiding their students towards unique assessments, all while serving an unconventional man distinguished by his hairy ears and persistent sniffly nose.
The inception of Moving unfolds with a wide narrative brushstroke, blending humor, endearing characters, and readily recognizable family archetypes. This harmonious atmosphere contrasts sharply with the abrupt insertion of intense action sequences showcasing the ruthless Frank.
The initial episodes unfold at a measured pace, providing ample time to acquaint viewers with the myriad characters. While some interactions between them might initially feel awkward, as the story begins to coalesce and characters share their secrets, the show sheds its initial cutesy veneer. Particularly noteworthy is the growing bond between Bong-seok and Hui-soo, which unfolds with genuine warmth.
As the characters’ dynamics evolve, and the looming menace of Frank takes center stage, the series takes on a more serious tone. Frank’s ominous inquiries about his victims’ children add gravity to the narrative. When Frank isn’t engaged in conversation, often in somewhat halting English, he engages in gripping action sequences that provide an intense viewing experience.
A remarkable shootout and scuffle unfurl within the confined quarters of a hair salon, while other moments of inspiration include a single continuous shot capturing Frank as he inputs an address into a GPS. He navigates through narrow alleys, plowing through terrified pedestrians until he relentlessly eliminates his target, a delivery scooter rider.
Beyond its exhilarating action sequences, the series captivates us with its characters’ intricate pasts. Multiple episodes delve into these backgrounds through extended flashbacks. Notably, the flashbacks depicting Hui-soo’s experiences with bullying at school are particularly impactful, reminiscent of the compelling school scenes witnessed in recent series like The Glory.
By the time the seventh episode arrives, the show has firmly ensnared its audience, yet the narrative is merely in its early stages. The students are only beginning to harness their superpowers, and the full extent of the imminent danger that awaits them remains uncertain.
Moving’, based off of a bestselling webtoon series of the same name by renowned author Kang Full, tells the stories of people with extraordinary superhuman powers. The blockbuster-scale series garnered attention early on not only for its massive production budget of over 60 billion KRW (~ $45 million USD), but also for its extravagant veteran cast.
Although the series initially takes its time to unfold, the decision to have Kang adapt his own narrative from page to screen seems to have yielded favorable results.
You can catch “Moving” now available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
