REVIEW: Memories of Alhambra
| Drama Title | Memories of Alhambra |
| Male Lead | Hyun Bin |
| Female Lead | Park Shin-Hye |
| Writer | Song Jae-Jung |
| Episodes | 16 Episodes | 70 Minutes per Episode |
| Release | December 1, 2018, to January 20, 2019 |
| Genre | Science Fiction, Action, Thriller, Romance |
| Language | Korean |
| Country of Origin | South Korea |
Plot Summary
Memories of Alhambra is a sci-fi drama series about an online game that uses AR or Augmented Reality. This game interweaves virtual and real life in the scenic town of Granada. One of the most widely visited tourist destinations in Spain can be found in this town.
Every story, begins with a memory.
Memories of Alhambra
The Alhambra is a citadel and palace famous for its Islamic architecture during the ancient Nasrid dynasty. It has inspired musical genius in history that produced popular works that are being studied even up to the present time. Granada is also well known within the country for its university which dates back to the 1500s.
The Cynical CEO
Yoo Jin-Woo is the CEO of J One Holdings, a company that heavily invests in technology. He is a talented engineer who is fearless and loves adventure. Jin-Woo became cynical when his wife and best friend betrayed him. He came to a trade show in Barcelona for the launch of his company’s brainchild, an intelligent device in the form of contact lenses.
While he was there, Jung Se-Joo, a seventeen-year-old game developer called him. Se-Joo created a virtual reality game that he wanted to offer him. Players of the game he created need to use J One’s technology to be able to play.
The Genius Gamer
Se-Joo’s game is so advanced that it has succeeded in blurring the lines between virtual reality and the real world. He initially got an offer to buy the game from Cha Hyung-Seok, Jin-Woo’s ex-friend, business partner, and current husband of his ex-wife.
He did not want to sell him the game and wanted Jin-Woo to buy it instead. The two agree to meet up in Granada at a place called the Bonita Hostel. Jin-Woo immediately flies to Granada and meets the owner and Se-Joo’s older sister, Jung Hee-Joo.
Hee-Joo on Top of Everything
Hee-Joo is the responsible daughter who used to play the guitar back in Korea when she was younger. She was good at it. Their dad was also a musician and was overjoyed that his daughter inherited his musical capabilities. Because of this, he convinced the whole family to pack up and migrate to Spain so Hee-Joo can study music. They soon realized that there are many others just as good and even better than Hee-Joo. Because of the hardships of their situation, their mother died and their father followed soon after.
Life isn’t simple. Sometimes things don’t always go the way we want it to go.
Memories of Alhambra
Being the responsible person that she is, Hee-Joo had no choice but to run the dilapidated hostel left by her parents. Together with their grandmother and younger sister, they keep the place running. Aside from running the hostel and selling food to their guests, Hee-Joo keeps several part-time jobs just to keep up with all their expenses. She works as a tour guide, a translator, and as an apprentice at a local guitar maker.
The Rough Start
Jin-Woo and Hee-Joo get off to a rough start. Seeing his discomfort at the state of the room he is renting out, Hee-Joo offered him a list of all the nearby hotels that can offer a more comfortable stay. Since he needed to meet Se-Joo at the hostel, Jin-Woo insisted on staying.
An Offer You Cannot Refuse
While waiting for Se-Joo, Jin-Woo starts playing the game and is immediately impressed with how sophisticated the game is. He finds out that since Se-Joo is still a minor, he needs his sister’s consent to be able to legally transact with J One. Jin-Woo finds a loophole and can discover that the game is patented under Hostel Bonita, the Jung family’s business. This became simpler for him. He just needed to buy the hostel and the game will be legally his.
Without waiting for Se-Joo, Jin-Woo makes an offer to Hee-Joo that she cannot refuse. He offered to buy the Bonita Hostel at KRW10B. She was perplexed and suspicious of the offer at first, but the offer was so attractive and she knew she cannot pass it up so Hee-Joo signed the contract and was immediately paid the full amount that they agreed upon.
Blurred Reality
There is still no sign of where Se-Joo is but his family is not worried. He is always going about his ways and will not be returning home for long periods.
Meanwhile, Jin-Woo begins to experience inconsistencies and bugs in the game. He notices that reality and the virtual playing field keep on getting mixed up. Certain incidents lead him to have serious issues. The virtual world keeps on interweaving with his reality and he is having a hard time distinguishing one from the other.
Binge Star Rating – 8 Stars
Where to Watch
Watch the full series on Netflix and let me know what you think!
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Images from promotional materials from TVN may be subject to copyright. [Last Update 04262024]
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Hi Sugar! Thanks for your feedback. Will post more video content next time. 🙂