Memories of the Alhambra

Memories of the Alhambra[4] (Korean: 알함브라 궁전의 추억; RR: Alhambeura Gungjeonui Chueok) is a 2018 South Korean television series, starring Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye.[5] Primarily set in Spain (and in South Korea in latter episodes), the series centers on a company CEO and a hostel owner who get entangled in a series of mysterious incidents surrounding a new and intricate augmented reality game inspired by the stories of the Alhambra Palace.[6] It aired on cable network tvN from December 1, 2018, to January 20, 2019, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST).[7][8][9][10] It is also available for online streaming on Netflix.[11]

Memories of the Alhambra
Promotional poster
Hangul알함브라 궁전의 추억
GenreScience fantasy
Action
Thriller
Romance
Created by
Written bySong Jae-jung
Directed byAhn Gil-ho
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16[1]
Production
Executive producers
  • Cho Hyung-jin
  • Kim Sang-heon
Production locations
Camera setupSingle camera
Production companies
Distributor
Budget20 billion[3]
Release
Original network
  • tvN
  • Netflix (International)
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Audio formatDolby Digital
Original releaseDecember 1, 2018 (2018-12-01) 
January 20, 2019 (2019-01-20)
External links
Website

The drama is one of the highest rated Korean dramas in cable television history, and was praised for its creative plot and its unexpected twists.[12] Its title also alludes to Francisco Tárrega's eponymous classical guitar piece Recuerdos de la Alhambra, which is also a part of the series' soundtrack.

Synopsis

After receiving an email regarding a groundbreaking AR game about medieval battles in the Alhambra, Yoo Jin-woo (Hyun Bin), CEO of an investment company that specializes in optical devices, travels to Granada, Spain to meet the creator of the game, Jung Se-joo (Park Chan-yeol). However, Se-joo has gone missing and there, he meets his older sister, Jung Hee-joo (Park Shin-hye), who is the owner of the hostel he stays in and a former guitarist. Both get entangled in mysterious incidents, as the border between the real world and the AR world built by Se-joo begins to blur.[1]

Cast

Main

CEO of investment company called J One Holdings and Doctor of Engineering, who is talented at developing games. He is fearless, adventurous and cynical. His AR game ID is "zinu" and he is the highest-level player in the game.
Jung Hee-joo: Owner of Hostal Bonita. A former classic guitarist who came to Spain for further studies, but took on several jobs there to sustain livelihood following the death of her parents. She has artistic sensibility but zero financial sense.
Emma: An NPC character in the AR game created by Se-joo based on Hee-joo.[16]

Supporting

People around Jung Hee-joo

Hee-joo's younger brother. A genius reclusive programmer who develops an intricate augmented reality game. It is later revealed that, after killing Marco, he is forced into hiding in the Instant Dungeon until Jin-woo freed him. His AR game ID is "master".
Hee-joo's caring grandmother.
  • Lee Re as Jung Min-joo[20]
    • Park Chae-hee as young Jung Min-joo
Hee-joo's younger sister. She dreams of becoming a girl group member.
A classic guitarist and international student at Spain. He is close to Hee-joo and cares for her, but often oversteps his boundaries.

People around Yoo Jin-woo

The CEO of IT company Neword and Doctor of Engineering. Jin-woo's college friend and co-founder of J One Holdings, who later betrayed him and became his biggest rival. His AR game ID is "Mr. Cha".
The Business Strategy Director and co-founder of J One Holdings, who is Jin-woo's college senior. He is later promoted to CEO of J One Holdings.
Jin-woo's loyal secretary. He was killed by NPCs created by the bug due to being Jin-woo's ally. His AR game ID is "City Hunter" (Korean: 시티헌터; RR: Sitiheonteo).
  • Jo Hyun-chul as Choi Yang-joo[25]
The Head of R&D Center Research Team of J One Holdings. He creates special game weapons for Jin-woo to help him defeat NPCs created by the bug, and survive.
Jin-woo's first ex-wife; Hyung-seok's current wife who is pregnant. A pediatrician.
The selfish and greedy Professor of Business Administration at a university in Seoul, who is also Hyung-seok's father. He is later killed by NPCs created by the bug in his attempt to indirectly cause Jin-woo's death by restarting the game.
  • Ryu Abel as Lee Soo-kyung[19]
Soo-jin's younger sister, who is a florist.

Others

Jin-woo's second ex-wife, who is an extremely vain and impulsive celebrity with a drinking habit.
A programmer and hacker who is affiliated with Se-joo. He was accidentally killed by Se-joo due to a bug caused by their physical contact while duelling. His AR game ID is "marco".
  • Park Jin-woo as Noh Young-jun[19]
Yoo-ra's manager and ex-boyfriend.

Special appearances

A detective who collects intelligence for Jin-woo.
  • Jung Min-sung as Hee-joo's father (Ep. 3)
  • Choi Yoo-song as Hee-joo's mother (Ep. 3)
  • Kim Hyun-mok as J One Employee (Ep. 7, 10, 16)
  • Park Seul-gi as Entertainment News Program Reporter (Ep. 7, 16)
  • Park Jong-jin as Live Weekly News Host who reported on Cha Hyung-suk's death
  • Eom Seong-seop as Live Weekly News Reporter who reported on Cha Hyung-suk's death

Production

The series is helmed by director Ahn Gil-ho, who directed Stranger and writer Song Jae-jung whose previous works include W and Queen In-hyun's Man.[31]

Touted as Korea's first augmented reality-gaming drama, Memories of the Alhambra was revealed to be inspired by tech mogul Elon Musk and the Pokémon Go game.[32][33][34]

The first script reading took place in May 2018.[35][36][37]

Overseas filming took place in several cities in Andalucía and Catalonia, such as Granada (Andalucía), and Barcelona and Girona (some interiors and exteriors) and Terrassa (exteriors and film studios) in Catalonia from late May to June.[38][39][40][41] In early August, the cast started filming in Budapest, Hungary and Slovenia.[42][43] The script for the last episode was completed on December 19, 2018 and filming wrapped up on December 29, 2018 in South Korea.[44][45]

A preview screening event was held at CGV theaters on November 28, 2018 prior to the airing of the first episode.[46][47]

Reception

Memories of the Alhambra was a commercial success, consistently topping the cable television viewership ratings in its timeslot. Its 14th episode recorded a 10.025% nationwide audience share according to Nielsen paid platform, making it as one of the highest rated in Korean cable television history.[48][49]

The drama has attracted attention for its unique theme of augmented reality; and earned praise for its high-end computer graphics, cinematography and fast-paced storytelling. Critic Jeong Seok-hee praised the drama for its mysterious and captivating plot that held viewers' attention until the very end, and that it "has the potential to become one of the very best TV dramas we have seen in years".[10][50][51] However, later on it received criticism for its confusing development and slow development of plot,[52] and its excessive product placement.[53]

According to the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, the series is receiving favorable reviews and popularity in China for its actors' performance, cinematography and fresh story.[54][55][56]

Original soundtrack

Memories of the Alhambra OST
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedJanuary 21, 2019 (2019-01-21)
Recorded2018
GenreSoundtrack
Length2:05:45
Language
Label
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Star (Little Prince)" (별 (Little Prince))3:02
2."Daydream" (백일몽)Elaine4:10
3."Is You"Ailee4:26
4."Memories of the Alhambra" (알함브라 궁전의 추억)George3:05
5."I'm Here"Yang Da-il3:46
6."Maybe We" (우린 어쩌면)Eddy Kim4:54
7."I'm Here" (Guitar Solo Ver.)Jung Jae-pil3:46
8."Inevitable duel" (피할 수 없는 결투)Jung Se-rin3:07
9."The Beginning of Magic" (마법의 시작)Jung Se-rin4:27
10."Delusion and Truth" (망상과 진실)Ju In-ro3:00
11."New Enemies Detected" (새로운 적 발견)Kim Hyun-do2:21
12."Death in Granada"Lee Roo-ri2:15
13."Unreal Reality" (비현실 같은 현실)Lee Roo-ri2:32
14."The World of Mystery" (신비의 세계) 2:54
15."Connection Error" (접속 오류)Lee Roo-ri2:23
16."Accidental Encounter" (우연한 만남)Lee Yoon-ji3:33
17."Magical Reality Drawn In Front of the Eyes" (눈앞에 그려진 마법 같은 현실)Lee Yoon-ji2:11
18."Hostel Bonita" (보니따 호스텔)Lee Roo-ri2:15
19."Embarrassing Incident" (당황스러운 사건)Lee Yoon-ji1:38
20."Victory Achieved" (승리 달성)Kim Hyun-do2:33
21."Play Harder" (게임 노가다)Goo Bon-chun2:57
22."Three Dimensional Space" (3차원의 공간)Kim Hyun-do2:21
23."Beyond Limits Game" (한계를 넘어선 게임)Jung Se-rin2:55
24."Alliance Made" (동맹을 맺었습니다)Jung Se-rin3:05
25."Item He Left" (그가 남긴 아이템)Jung Se-rin3:17
26."Stories Started in Granada" (그라나다에서 시작된 이야기)Seo Ye-rin3:01
27."Hola!"Lee Roo-ri2:31
28."Bad Day" (잘 안 풀리는 하루)Lee Yoon-ji2:40
29."You're Kidding...?" (농담이시죠...?)Noh Yoo-rim2:06
30."The Master of Mind Game" (밀당의 고수)Shin Yoo-jin1:29
31."Complex Mind" (복잡한 마음)Kim Hyun-joo2:28
32."Anxious Time" (불안한 시간)Lee Yoon-ji2:40
33."Lost Se-ju" (사라진 세주)Lee Yoon-ji3:44
34."Dangerous Quest" (위험한 퀘스트)Joo In-ro2:33
35."Virtual or Reality" (가상 또는 현실)Kim Hyun-do2:55
36."Inner Conflict" (내면의 갈등)Noh Yoo-rim2:10
37."Jin-woo's Fear" (진우의 두려움)Shin Yoo-jin2:57
38."Endless Hallucinations" (끝없는 환각)Noh Yoo-rim2:29
39."New User" (새로운 유저)Noh Yoo-rim2:29
40."Save Me, Boss" (살려주세요 대표님)Kim Hyun-do2:37
41."Mysterious Whereabouts" (묘연한 행방)Seo Ye-rin3:34
42."Recuerdos de la Alhambra" (by Francisco Tárrega)Jang Dae-geon4:24
Total length:2:05:45
OST Part 1-6

Part 1

Released on December 8, 2018 (2018-12-08)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Star (Little Prince)[57]" (별 (Little Prince))Loco, Kako, Curtis F, NATHANKako, Curtis F, NATHANLoco & U Sung-eun3:02
2."Star (Little Prince)" (Inst.) Kako, Curtis F, NATHAN 3:02
Total length:6:04

Part 2

Released on December 15, 2018 (2018-12-15)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Daydream[58]" (백일몽)Seo Dong-sungPark Sung-ilElaine4:10
2."Daydream" (Inst.) Park Sung-il 4:10
Total length:8:20

Part 3

Released on December 22, 2018 (2018-12-22)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Is You[59]"
  • Curtis F
  • Kako
  • Curtis F
  • Kako
  • Jung Dong-hwan
Ailee4:26
2."Is You" (Inst.) 
  • Curtis F
  • Kako
  • Jung Dong-hwan
 4:26
Total length:8:52

Part 4

Released on December 30, 2018 (2018-12-30)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Memories of the Alhambra[60]" (알함브라 궁전의 추억)Park Woo-sangPark Woo-sangGeorge3:05
2."Memories of the Alhambra" (Inst.) Park Woo-sang 3:05
Total length:6:10

Part 5

Released on January 6, 2019 (2019-01-06)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."I'm Here[61]"Kim MinKim Min, TaylorYang Da-il3:46
2."I'm Here" (Inst.) Kim Min, Taylor 3:46
Total length:7:32

Part 6

Released on January 13, 2019 (2019-01-13)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Maybe We[62]" (우린 어쩌면)Seo Dong-sungPark Sung-ilEddy Kim4:54
2."Maybe We" (Inst.) Park Sung-il 4:54
Total length:9:48

Ratings

Memories of the Alhambra: South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910111213141516
11.8752.0061.8122.2501.8562.0701.8282.3662.0452.5752.4542.8282.4802.8532.4182.7512.279
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Media Research.[63]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(AGB Nielsen)[64]
NationwideSeoul
1 December 1, 2018 7.507% (1st) 9.188% (1st)
2 December 2, 2018 7.363% (1st) 9.179% (1st)
3 December 8, 2018 6.950% (1st) 8.788% (1st)
4 December 9, 2018 8.154% (1st) 11.180% (1st)
5 December 15, 2018 6.829% (1st) 8.351% (1st)
6 December 16, 2018 7.863% (1st) 10.206% (1st)
7 December 22, 2018 7.442% (1st) 9.921% (1st)
8 December 23, 2018 8.504% (1st) 11.200% (1st)
9 December 29, 2018 7.563% (1st) 9.797% (1st)
10 December 30, 2018 9.207% (1st) 11.776% (1st)
11 January 5, 2019 9.431% (1st) 12.440% (1st)
12 January 6, 2019 9.851% (1st) 13.592% (1st)
13 January 12, 2019 9.316% (1st) 11.841% (1st)
14 January 13, 2019 10.025% (1st) 12.996% (1st)
15 January 19, 2019 9.004% (1st) 11.450% (1st)
16 January 20, 2019 9.933% (1st) 12.383% (1st)
Average 8.434% 10.893%
Special[65] December 21, 2018 3.341% 4.319%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2019 55th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Director Ahn Gil-ho Nominated [66]
Best Actor Hyun Bin Nominated
Best New Actor Park Hoon Nominated
Technical Award Park Sung-jin (Special effects) Won
12th Korea Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actress Park Shin-hye Nominated [67]

International broadcast

  • Memories of the Alhambra was broadcast on Netflix in Asia and English-speaking territories an hour after its broadcast in Korea. In Japan, the drama was broadcast on December 2, while in Europe, South America and the rest of the world, it was launched starting December 11.[68]

References

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