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both heart-warming and heart-wrenching
the character development of sang gu might possibly be one of my favourite things to witness in a kdrama. i went from hate, to pity, to love. i don't think i've been so attached to a character before. i couldn't find myself hating any of the recurring cast, for any of their actions that irritated me briefly were completely justifiable (with the exception of na mu's mother- i understand her concern for her daughter but she was incredibly judgemental and close-minded). na mu's protectiveness of geu ru might be an example. it can appear that she was too judgemental of sang gu, but it makes sense seeing as geu ru is incredibly vulnerable and sang gu's initial plan was to indeed exploit his position as a guardian for financial security, and his occupation did indirectly put geu ru in harm's way.as for possibly the most important aspect, that being the portrayal of autism, i don't personally have the experience, but my brother sits on the spectrum. i'd say that, as far as i could tell, the traits of geu ru weren't too overstated...it addressed the issue of their pure intentions being perceived as malicious (eg. ep 1 where he follows the nurse to ask where she got the badge) and how many undermine or maybe even overestimate their intelligence, as well as difficulties accepting change, grief etc. as an autistic person. i really hope that more kdramas will give proper representation to autistic people that doesn't necessarily dominate the plot, but is just a feature of the protagonist.
the exploration of things that couldn't be said in words but could be shown in belongings is so intriguing and heartbreaking...i mean, i didn't expect to burst into tears when seeing shoe boxes or punching gloves, but here we are; however, not only are unwritten messages of love to the bereft sent by move to heaven, but so is justice (e.g. episodes 3-4). i did find the abusive boyfriend's acting to be a little bit too stereotypically villainous, like cackling when he was caught etc. though i understand that it was meant to demonstrate his ability to play the victim and switch.
if i absolutely had to make a criticism, i suppose that it would be the very end of the last episode, in which geu ru appears to be enchanted by a girl. there might not be any romantic connection, but the ambiguity of the scene mildly irked me. is she terminally ill? or is she planning to bring an end to her own life? what did the white butterfly symbolise? life? purity? surely, the connotations contrast what she is saying, unless her transition to heaven is symbolised in the butterfly. maybe this is a set-up for season 2 (?) if i was being optimistic.
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Needs a season 2!
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DRAMA OF 2021!! I loved it with all my heart and now I need a second season or else I'll die for sure. The acting on point, chef's kiss. Lee Je Hoon hottie as always. And the storyline was amazing heartbreaking at moments.From like episode 6 until the end I just kept crying. It was non-stop. I felt bad for the uncle the whole time like poor thing suffered, but omg that I was glad that he became the official guardian it made my heart burst with happiness, hopefully, that girl from the fights will just go to jail cuz I already sense the bad coming. Na-mu was so cute of a friend also she a real one, even though she was a little dramatic in certain things but it was all in good intentions. And my boy Geu Ru was just the sweetest bean.
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That series defines the meaning of a blessing in desguise
Geu- ru, portrayed by a magnificent Tang Joon -Sang, loses his (probably) everything, his father. He has asperger's syndrome, so he relied in his father for all Life up to that point. So here there Is his uncle that take on stage ! He Is not the best option, but here we are, when It seems to be like a mess, he becomes for Geu-ru his new family.Emotions are really difficult to understand, sometimes also for people without autism and the fact that the protagonist as to deal with It, makes the things more difficult. I can't describe how beautifully made Is this series, it heals my soul. This teaches me to not miss the boat and never give up! If you have an hard time, you have to rest yourself and if you have, like the protagonist, to let someone new in your Life, give them a chance. Maybe they will became your " a blessing in desguise" !
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An Emotional Journey through Human Lives
"Move to Heaven" is a deeply emotional drama that tells the story of Geu-ru, a boy with Asperger's syndrome, and his uncle, Sang-gu, who run a company that organizes the belongings of the deceased. Each episode presents a touching story about human lives and relationships.Highlights
Outstanding Acting: Tang Jun Sang, as Geu-ru, and Lee Je Hoon, as Sang-gu, deliver powerful performances. Their chemistry and portrayal of complex characters bring authenticity and depth to the series.
Emotional Depth: The drama is consistently moving and often brings tears. It explores themes of life, death, and human connections with sensitivity and depth, making each episode a poignant experience.
Engaging Stories and Relationships: The evolving relationship between Geu-ru and Sang-gu, along with the heartfelt stories of the supporting characters, adds layers of emotional resonance and valuable life lessons.
Well-Structured Episodes: With only 10 episodes, the series is concise yet impactful. While more episodes could have expanded some storylines, the focused narrative ensures a powerful and engaging viewing experience.
Conclusion
"Move to Heaven" is a must-watch for those seeking a drama that goes beyond typical conventions to explore profound themes with sincerity and heart. It leaves a lasting impression and offers a meaningful reflection on the importance of relationships and the fleeting nature of life.
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If You Like Sad Dramas, This One Is For You
This show wasn't as sad as I expected but it was extremely touching and meaningful. I hope we get a second season, it's a show that I feel could do good with another season. One of my favorite things is seeing multiple stories in something weather it's a book, movie, or tv show, they are always so nice to watch because if you don't like one storyline, you will probably enjoy one of the others. Some story's are sadder than others, there are ones about love, lose, and family so there is sure to be something you will enjoy.Was this review helpful to you?
CRYING
I just finished moved to heaven and I'm crying so that I am with headache! in every episode I was crying, bawling my eyes outthis drama made me feel so happy and sad at the same time, it made me look at the world with another vision... how life can be so short, how we think that our life is bad but it actually isn't and how we need to do things today not tomorrow, not let things for the future
I would totally recommend to everyone that I know and I would rewatch every single episode again
And what can I say about the casting?! it's amazing 10/10!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Move to Heaven
Full Review of Move to HeavenIntroduction
Move to Heaven is a 2021 South Korean drama that beautifully blends emotional storytelling with deep social themes. Starring Tang Jun-sang as Han Geu-ru and Lee Je-hoon as Cho Sang-gu, the series explores loss, trauma, and human connections through the perspective of trauma cleaners—people who clean up the belongings of the deceased.
Plot Summary
The story revolves around Han Geu-ru, a young man with Asperger’s syndrome, who has a remarkable ability to recall and organize information. He works with his father, Jeong-woo, in their trauma cleaning company, Move to Heaven, where they sort out the belongings of deceased individuals and uncover their untold stories.
However, Geu-ru's life takes a sudden turn when his father dies unexpectedly, leaving him under the guardianship of his estranged uncle, Cho Sang-gu—a rough, ex-convict fighter who initially has no interest in taking care of Geu-ru. Forced to live together, Sang-gu reluctantly helps run Move to Heaven while planning to take Geu-ru’s inheritance for himself.
As the series progresses, Sang-gu begins to bond with Geu-ru and discovers the deep emotional impact of their work. Through different cases, they learn about the regrets, love, and pain of the deceased, helping families find closure. Alongside them is Yoon Na-mu, Geu-ru's childhood friend and biggest supporter, who tries to protect him from being exploited.
The drama takes a dramatic turn when Sang-gu's past is revealed. He was once a talented boxer but was involved in an illegal match that resulted in his opponent’s death—who turned out to be Geu-ru's father’s close friend. Overwhelmed with guilt, Sang-gu realizes his duty is not just to be Geu-ru’s guardian but also to atone for his past.
The series ends with Geu-ru and Sang-gu continuing their work at Move to Heaven, having developed a strong brotherly bond. Sang-gu, once selfish and lost, finds purpose in helping others, while Geu-ru learns to step out of his father’s shadow and grow independently.
Review & Analysis
Strengths
✅ Unique and Emotional Storytelling
The concept of trauma cleaning is rarely explored in dramas, making Move to Heaven stand out. Each episode tells a different person’s story, making viewers reflect on life, death, and the impact people leave behind.
✅ Outstanding Performances
Tang Jun-sang delivers an incredible performance as Han Geu-ru, portraying his condition with authenticity and depth.
Lee Je-hoon excels as the flawed but redeemable Cho Sang-gu, showing great character development from a selfish ex-convict to a caring guardian.
✅ Realistic and Heartfelt Cases
Each episode presents a different case, from abandoned elderly to LGBTQ+ discrimination, exposing various social issues in South Korea. These stories feel real and hit hard emotionally.
✅ Well-Written Character Growth
The transformation of Sang-gu from a cold-hearted fighter to a loving guardian is one of the best parts of the drama. His journey of redemption is compelling and touching.
Weaknesses
⚠ Pacing Issues
Some episodes feel a bit slow, especially in the middle, where the focus shifts more on Sang-gu’s past rather than the trauma cleaning cases.
⚠ Underdeveloped Side Characters
Although Na-mu is supportive, her character could have been given more depth. Some side stories, like the corrupt lawyer, felt rushed.
Final Verdict
⭐ Rating: 9/10
Move to Heaven is an emotional masterpiece that tackles sensitive topics with grace and sincerity. It’s a heartwarming yet heartbreaking journey about life, death, family, and redemption. While it has minor pacing issues, its powerful storytelling, deep emotional impact, and brilliant performances make it a must-watch K-drama.
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What a ride!
Honestly, I really didn't think I would love this drama at first. I just started watching as if I wouldn't finish it crying. This is the first time I am writing a review on here but not gonna lie, it is worth it.First of all, the concept of the show is wonderful. You can get all types of emotions while watching this. The stories of each defunct are all well-written and beautiful. I really was scared to watch this, I thought this would get me bored but it definitely didn't, I got stuck in my room watching 7 episodes in a row yesterday, I am not even kidding! This show got me addicted to the characters and their stories.
The acting. THE ACTING !!! I just realized how good of an actor Tang Jun Sang is, his acting was so touching I thought it was real. The character of Han Geu-ru was literally made for this actor, I cannot see someone else portray him. Jun Sang needs to get an award for this drama, I swear, every scene of his were well-done.
Overall, this is a sad drama but it helps you to learn a life-lesson. It helps you realize how important your social life can be and that, even if you die, someone will always remember you somewhere. This drama even has that slight of comedy, and I sincerely love that, from Na-Mu and Sang-Gu's fights to Na-Mu's parents, I laughed a lot. That's why I call this drama an emotion ride, you cry but you still laugh. Well, watch it, you will not regret it ! <3
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A Masterpiece
Every once in awhile something comes along that touches your heart and tugs at everyemotion. This is it for me. I thought of my dear
mother dying on the operating table and our
last words, I thought of my best friend dying
of terminal cancer at 35 and of being summoned
to the hospital as they made attempt after
attempt to bring my dearest cousin back to life. Finally, I just said stop...no more. The acting is
superb, the music hauntingly beautiful. Thanks to all the writers and anyone involved in this
project. I can only hope for a second season.
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Extremely overrated
This is probably the most overrated Korean series out there. It's completely different from what I imagined and it's not different in a positive way.I thought Geu-ru would help his thug uncle become a decent human being. However, in the 5 episodes I've watched, the two barely speak, don't know anything about each other and look more like college roommates than relatives.
The stories of the dead did not move me at all. The guy who died at the factory and the old lady were the slightly interesting stories. The teacher's story is absurd and sick: how does someone who is being stalked by her psychopathic ex-boyfriend OPEN THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE FOR HIM TO ENTER???? The gay musician and gay doctor story is a cliché and like the others it didn't even come close to making me shed a tear.
All this added to the slow and depressing pace and the "brilliance" of Geu-ru (who seems to be the only one capable of having an intelligent idea. Seriously, he was THE ONLY one who came to the conclusion that the doctor was gay and that they should look for by a male musician? Any reasonably intelligent person came to this conclusion in 3 seconds, and yet the uncle and Na-mu didn't. Sometimes the series pushes Geu-ru's above-normal intelligence too much. It wasn't necessary to do the others complete idiots to make the disabled protagonist intelligent) make this series very unpleasant to watch.
In fact, in this series it seems that they took Cheol-min from Always, Sang-tae from It's Okay To Be Okay and a nosy, nosy young lady like Ha-yeong from Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol or Yu-na from Hotel Del Luna , and played all three in the same series.
Ultimately, I didn't really feel connected to the protagonist's story. I loved Sang-tae from It's Okay To Not Be Okay and really got to feel all the ins and outs of having autism. In Geu-ru's case, I couldn't feel the gift and hardships of illness in the same way.
On the plus side, I really liked the Na-mu character and the OST. Therefore, a note 3.
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EMOTIONALLY RAW
Oh my gosh this drama is one of the sweetest most heartcrushing drama ever.I went into it once a while ago and immediatley dropped it, but I came back to it recently and I do not regret it. This story is so beautifully written, sparking such an emotional important conversation of grief. This story intertwines so beautifully with each episode and you can't help but to empathize with everyone on screen. It is simply a must watch if you wanna be in your feels and want something so raw and refreshing.
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Have a safe trip
The story was new and touching.It introduced me to a job, a hard job but beautiful one.
And the evolution of the relationships as well as the characters (especially the uncle) moved me a lot.
I would for sure want to see more of it : how they will live now, what challenges will they face, will they love, will the cry, will they make people happy again and again.
I would definitly watch it again and recommend it.
Saying goodbye isn't easy as you will never know what that person wish might have been, this added peace to my mind and it shows how everybody still have something they wished to tell.
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