Move to Heaven (2021)

AN AMAZING DRAMA

This drama left me in an emotional wreck after watching it ...

As someone who had recently lost a loved one, I knew i had to prepare myself to watch such an emotionally taxing drama. But once i watched it, i have no regrets at all because it was such a beautiful drama from the colour palettes to the cinematography to the stories that each character had to tell, be it the main/supporting/cameo characters... In fact after watching, i felt like i had received healing from it and learned a few important life lessons. (such as we must give time to allow ourselves to feel and to grieve before moving on)

Each episode has a main story to tell, a character that died and the after effects of it. From the people who find them, to their loved ones and family, even to those seemingly insignificant passer-bys that were a part of their daily lives. My favourite episode was the one with the cellist and also near the end in ep 8, 9, 10... i BAWLED my eyes out so hard. The scene with the shoes got me real good....

Lee Je Hoon is one of my favourite korean actors and he is somehow able to pull off that sloppy uncle character that you cant help but like. He is flippant and lazy which irritates you but then later you will fall for his character as his backstory is revealed and its so crazy at how much emotional turmoil he was hiding away. The acting in this drama was phenomenal and the way Asperger's was represented was also done really well too. (maybe except the main female character whose only other show i watched her in was Navillera as her acting is still a bit awkward and loud). The music score in this drama was also a treat to the ears...

Often times, society has a hard time dealing with the topic and talking about death. And the fact that this drama was able to do it in such a sensitive and delicate manner just blew my mind. Overall, would watch this again maybe once in a while if im in the right mood for it

Would highly recommend everyone to watch this at least once in your life!!!

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Honestly Amazing

When I first saw the title I had been putting off the show for quite a while now. I was like, number 1 on my drama list, how good could it really be? I was lost for words at the pure amazement of this series, I wish I had cherished it for longer as it was too good that I finished it in 2 days. The overall storytelling was the best I have seen in a k-drama and how everything came to make sense and wrapped up nicely was honestly incredible. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of shows which displays people with disabilities because it generally has an incorrect portrayal of said disability, but without Geu-ru the series wouldn't have been a hit, a contrasting factor in an already depressing and sorrowful story arc. Although the most powerful arc would most likely have been with Sang gu and just his overall character development throughout the series. Overall, this has been the best drama I've ever watched with countless times where I cried to the pure sadness of some of the moments, this series will remain in the back of my heart for a long time.

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One of the best of 2021

I love healing and life dramas. Move to heaven is handsdown one of the best dramas of this category. At first I was very curious that how they will turn a essay into a 10 episode long drama. I have to say the writer has done an amazing job in doing it. Move to heaven is healing,moving and makes you cry buckets. The writer not only showed as the story behind each deaths. How each death leaves you scared and how they heals you. Each death around us tells a story but we are so busy in our own we usually ignore them . Through this beautiful story the writer encourages us to think how we lived our life so far ,how we should live it after this. The 10 epiodes tells us story of death of different people in a heart warming way. The acting is really good themain cast and supporting cast both did a fabulous job. If you like stories which make you cry and then will leave you with a smile then you should take up this drama. This drama is all about life ,death and love. It's heartwarming and fulfilling .it will help you became a better human. Do watch this if you are a fan of life dramas and you have patience to watch this kind of dramas otherwise don't bother.

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Good drama, bad portrayal of autism

The cinematography and acting are great. The stories are interesting, tho sometimes it tried too hard to make me feel and failed at it.

But the portrayal of autism is not so great. Geo-ru doesn't feel like a person, he feels like a mascot. He's utterly static in his character, doesn't develop at all through the story, other than getting over the death of his father. He can only talk in a totally robotic chanting voice 24/7(that's not how flat affect works), lightly bang his head against the wall when stressed(that's not how meltdowns look, they are usually more violent and dangerous for everyone involved) and keep talking about fishes when under pressure(special interests are just interests people on spectrum pursue with passion, they aren't tantrum-esque coping mechanism for real-life stress).

All the while he is unconditionally supported by just about everyone in the story, his father, his mother, his (not) gf, his uncle, the trash guy, his father's co-workers, the prosecutor lady, the people at the aquarium, the lawyer.....everyone is super patient and understanding to him, and is way too eager to run to his rescue if he is but in slightest danger of anything. Even his kidnapper was nice to him.
This idealized sugar sweet life is not what most people who are autistic live.

Examples of some situations that could have given him character development but where unexplored by the writers:

-When they go to clean up crime scene, Na-mu says she's scared. Geo-ru says the murder happened two weeks ago, and there is no one here, so there is no reason for her to be scared. Here Na-mu could have said something among the lines "Even though there is no reason, I am still afraid, don't invalidate my feelings" and then they could have discussed it. Geo-ru could have tried to understand that people can feel emotional states even if there is no logical basis for them, and learn something from it. Alas, Na-mu is his devoted 100% supporter, and didn't say anything.

-When Geo-ru sees some guys smoking in the toilet, he throws a tantrum and tells them its forbidden and threatens them and so on. In return, they bully him. Shortly afterwards, the uncles runs to his help, and everything ends up "fine". Except it doesn't. Here Geo-ru could have had a reflection, maybe reach some kind of epiphany, that not everyone follows or respects same rules as him. That maybe next time he shouldn't act like that towards strangers. But alas, he thinks nothing.

-In one of the flashbacks, his father tells him that the key to understanding other people is putting themselves in their own shoes. No shit, genius. But that's the thing with autism. People on spectrum can't do it, even if they try, even if they know in theory what they should do. When autistic person puts themselves in shoes of someone else, they overwrite the person in question with their own "self". In other words, "I wouldn't do it, so this person won't do it!", "I wouldn't believe it, so this person won't believe it!", "I wouldn't say it, so this person won't say it!". This is called impaired cognitive empathy and is one of the key characteristics of the autism spectrum disorder, one that causes most problems with social functioning in a neurotypical world where people take such skills for granted.
If Geo-ru was a well written autist, he would say something like "I try, but fail!". He would have argued against his father, instead of obediently nodding his head like a puppy and agreeing to everything, as if it solved anything.

There is also inconsistency with how his autism works. It works when the plot needs it, and shuts down when the plot doesn't focus on it. One example is Geo-ru getting a meltdown while driving, possibly from overstimulation. Autistic people are very sensitive to sounds and light, so it kinda makes sense why he is discouraged from doing it, and quite an achievement he even has a driving license in the first place. But in the last episode, he goes to a loud af underground MMA ring, straight into a huge croud of screaming people, flashing neons and squeezes his way through said crowd. Then proceeds to analyze the situation calmly and comes up with a solution to the challenge ahead. Excuse me, what?

In another example, Geo-ru fails at understanding people and reading the mood. Except for that one time when Sang-gu and social worker were arguing about the deceased couple, and Sang-gu says something insensitive. Awkward silence follows, and eventually Sang-gu leaves. Only then does Geo-ru resume conversation. How did Geo-ru notice that? It would be much more in character if he completely failed to read the mood, and kept talking about the job without noticing the tense exchange between the other two.

And how was his nonverbalism cured? At the age of ~6 or so, his parents took him to Aquarium, and he suddenly started talking fluently looking at fish, even tho he had never ever spoken before in his life. Excuse me, what? Never mind the neurological causes of nonverbal expression in autism, a person who never spoke before would not be able to speak so well on their first try. They'd need practice. Their vocal cords wouldn't be used to making sounds, and they'd have low control over pitch and volumne, among other things.

So yeah. Quite good, wholesome slice of life series. Not that sad tbh. And with not so great portrayal of ASD. For a better portrayal of this misunderstood and misrepresented disorder, I recommend Taiwanese drama Victim's Game.

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Move to heaven reseña

He de decir que me ha parecido maravilloso. La historia está muy bien planteada y el elenco me parece que lo hizo perfecto en cada uno de los papeles que les tocaron. Más de ser un drama para llorar, que podríamos clasificarlo así la verdad pero también depende de cada persona, es una reflexión sobre muchas cosas. Más allá del tema de la muerte, es una reflexión sobre el momento en el que alguien se va, todo lo que deja detrás de sí además de ser solo objetos y recuerdos es mucho más. Todo lo que dejamos atrás cuenta nuestra historia, nuestra vida, lo que nos gustaba hacer, las cosas que nunca hicimos, y un largo etcétera. Además también podemos ver en cada historia que nos cuenta cómo cada una de las familias y amigos sobrellevan la pérdida, además de dar una crítica sobre el egoísmo de la sociedad. Me gustó ver cómo se iba desarrollando la historia para Geu Roo, sus relaciones con las personas de su alrededor, su forma de ver la vida y la progresión de este, y lo mismo con su tío. Un drama el cual recomiendo ver, para mi es de 10.

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Deserves the hype

This is going to be a quick and short review because I just need to get my love of this show off my chest.

This show is a literal masterpiece. I literally sobbed for 40 days and 40 nights over this show. Lee Jehoon is an incredible actor and literally never disappoints. Tang Junsang also done an amazing job. 'Move to heaven' which is a company that specialises in crime scene clean up takes time and effort to really appreciate the life that a person once lived through packing up their sentimental items and then delivering it to the family. Each episode is based on a person who has passed away and every episode was just as sad and beautiful as the next. The relationship between the uncle and Geuroo had one of my favourite developments in a kdrama. Both characters were total opposites and I loved watching both of them slowly adapt, respect and love one another. The characters were well written and acted. Lee Jaewook probably had one of my favourite guest roles in a drama. I honestly couldn't love everything about this show more.

This drama has excellent acting, beautiful story telling, drama, action, death and many more themes. I would definitely recommend this drama if this is something that you are genuinely interested and now just giving it a go because you see a high rating.

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Heartwarming story but it's not as engaging as I thought it is

This drama is very warm-hearted in the beginning, but the episodic nature of the drama becomes a bit repetitive. I could not get as sad about the second and third clients, after the first one. The story involving the uncle and Geu Ru's dad is the part I like the most.

I have a problem with the character's progressions: If the show spends some time letting Han Geu Ru feels devastated at first from the trauma of losing his dad and the unexpected intrusion from his guardian, and then we see him recovering from it, I would pay more sympathy. Instead, he seems to be undisturbed and can maintain his work productivity at the same level as when he's doing it with his dad. I appreciate his independence, but it feels too unnatural / fairytale-like. This is not the first time I see an Asperger syndrome lead portrayal in a drama. Tang Jun Sang did very well, but he's a bit stiff.

In the last episode, I see they planted some plot seeds in order for romance to develop, and I don't want this! The story should maintain its' uniqueness as its' strength and not start something unrelated, in order to continue the story. Apparently, there is no second season confirmed, so I feel somewhat at ease :)

I don’t regret watching it, though. It's a beautiful story.

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The Healing of Healings

I didn't want to watch this as i didn't want to cry. I did watch it for an actor, but I loved it for the healing. and now I want to write this for people like me, who are afraid to watch it because of the tears.

So I absolutely recommend this to people who have lost someone in their lives. Sadly all the people do at some point in time. And if you already have, this drama is honestly a must watch. It heals. Truly heals. I was and am struggling with grief for many years. Not only it forced to lose the sight of meaning in life, but I also started strongly fearing of death of closed ones, because it's so inevitable, and all of us will have to face the loss one day. This drama deals with that loss in the most beautiful way possible. It is fun at times, it is entertaining at times so it is not all sadness here. It feels like it beats you up every episode and heals you after that every episode and then brining it into a full healing at the very end. Like i described to a friend it feels like as if you are in a cold forest and very hungry, then someone comes and gives you some warm food, says a warm word, gives a warm hug and then sends you to sleep under a fluffy blanket hugging a cat in a warm hut. This drama is worth to watch every single time when one experiences loss.
Drama does make you cry, so prepare a box of tissues, but it also heals you every time after that. Comforts you. And with fun scenes and dynamics here and there it is even entertaining. ^^

The ending, after the real most beautiful ending, i believe is just a cameo and a small way to ask netflix for season 2 lol.

So for all those who have experienced loss and grief but are afraid to try this drama because they think it will spark those emotions once again, (like me) Do not worry. It will heal them. Even when it spark those emotions again, it will heal them in the most beautiful way possible. So without any fear just dive in. :)

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That moment when u unexpectedly get hit by massive waves of feels

Bruh, i started watching coz they said it was the heart-warming, feel good type drama nd i wanted to watch sth adorable....what i got was tears, no joke. The entire first episode had me bawling my brains out nd i needed to sleep it off like...literal wtf moment. Afterwards every single episode, somehow or other i ended up crying nd i was so mad! I wasnt such a crybaby before but its just, the emotionally engaging environment throughout the drama specially heightened my feelings of empathy nd my heart went out to all of them 💔😢 im honestly so glad i watched it, the actors were so talented, specially geu-ru omg he acted spectacularly nd it was absolutely adorable to watch. The way the characters grew and the relationships developed was absolutely precious T_T the way the story pointed out the problems in the society so realistically and portrayed the deceased characters with such care and respect deserves nothing but praise and admiration. Move to heaven had a special message in every episode while progessing with their own story at the same time nd along with our main characters, it honestly made me feel nd learn a lot too, such a beautiful concept ;-; the grief nd tears were worth it. This is definitely becoming one of my fav dramas.

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better than what i expected

as a universe, i only started watching it because of hongseok (he was the police btw)

it was so so so much better than what i expected.

it amazes me since i never thought this kind of service existed you know? and the gue ru's acting was super good. i like how it really shows that just because you are autistic, doesn't mean that you aren't able to contribute anything in life and doesn't mean that you need others help literally 24/7.

now now lets talk abaout lee je hoon here.
his acting was INSANELY GOOD. i didn't realise that he was the same person who acted in where stars land at all. his duality, and acting was SUPER GOOD. his acting range is really wide indeed. i still can't move on from in. salute to him.

this drama touches on things ive never even thought before. i really like in one episode it touches about lgbt love also. i like everything about this drama. its one tear-jerker drama, which teaches you stuff that i dont think any other dramas does.

to think that i only watched this because of my boy hongseok, this is really much better than i expected. give it a try!! it suitable to watch it with your family too

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~Beautiful take on life and death, grief and closure, love and regret.
~The concept of the show “trauma cleaning” is heartbreaking but therapeutic at the same time.
~It is an absolute cry fest especially towards the second half of the show. (Get your tissue box ready)
~Involves little romance and comedy
~Very interesting stories in each episode and tackles sensitive issues related to Asperger’s syndrome, same-sex love, aging parents etc.
~Exceptional acting by the leads

*Rewatch Value: Low (just because I can’t go through the bawling and crying again sigh)

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