Series Review: Memories of the Alhambra (2018-2019)
Memories of the Alhambra has a bit of everything: augmented reality, gorgeous Spanish settings, thrilling action, and a slow-burning romance. This sixteen-episode K-drama series available on Netflix offers a genre-blending experience with lots of twists, turns, and cliffhangers spread over more than sixteen hours.
At the core of the story is the romance between Yoo Jin-woo, a confident and high-flying tech innovator, and Jung Hee-joo, a humble hostel owner and guitar maker. Jin-woo ends up at Hee-joo’s rundown hostel in Granada, Spain, and this encounter sets off a chain of events that drive the plot.
Jin-woo receives a mysterious call in the middle of the night at his hotel in Barcelona, summoning him to the Bonita Hostel in Granada. The caller, a young man, wants to sell him an extraordinary augmented reality game he’s developed. Intrigued, especially because his competitor is also interested, Jin-woo travels to Granada, only to find the young man missing.
Unbeknownst to Hee-joo, her little brother is the programming genius behind the game. Players, using innovative contact lenses, engage in battles with medieval warriors on the streets of Granada, much like a real-life RPG.
Jin-woo tests out the game, attracting odd looks as he battles invisible enemies, and realizes its massive potential for profit. However, his rival also gets information on the game, and the creator remains missing. As Jin-woo dives deeper, he discovers that the game’s augmented reality has serious, real-life consequences. There’s a glitch that makes the game dangerously realistic, trapping Jin-woo in its cycle, even when he’s not logged in.
The series is not just about action. Relationships are developed with great depth, often using non-linear storytelling that reveals characters’ pasts and futures, helping explain their actions and motivations. Jin-woo evolves from being a pretty face with a big ego to a noble, stoic character willing to risk his life for Hee-joo and her brother.
Despite his warnings to stay away, Hee-joo remains by his side, crying and yelling but steadfast. This dynamic creates a tantalizingly slow romance between the two leads, making for engaging character development and emotional investment.
Watching Memories of the Alhambra can be a family affair. The series, rated TV-MA for its fight scenes, offers a blend of romance and sci-fi action that can appeal to different viewers. While the slow-motion shots and some character reactions might seem over-the-top initially, these aspects become more palatable as the story progresses.
The two leads, Yoo Jin-woo and Jung Hee-joo, have great on-screen chemistry. Hyun Bin shines as Jin-woo, bringing depth to the role of a complicated hero with a charming smile.
Overall, Memories of the Alhambra is a high-quality production with excellent acting, innovative storytelling, and beautiful cinematography. It has broad appeal and while it may leave you questioning some technical aspects, the engaging plot and well-developed characters make it a worthwhile watch.
Content Note: Rated TV-MA for violence and mild cursing.
Available on Netflix.
