I am not usually sharing my review or opinion to shows I have watched, but I cannot help myself from typing after the episode 16 of Memories of the Alhambra. At the first time I heard it will be aired in Netflix, I was hesitant to try it as I am not really a fan of sci-fi dramas. My love for Hyun Bin and Park Shin Hye as actors is the only reason why I tried it.
Early episodes stirred already my interest to really finish the story (luckily by the time I watched, the finale has been aired, so I can finish it on my own time), the mysteries kept my excitement throughout the show. Then I realized that it did not involve too much love story between the two leading actors. The main point of the story is about the game and the effect of it to the lives of the characters. I admire how the story went, the plot is really interesting for me, the twists and suspense are great. For me, the story caught my whole attention that even in my time to bed, I thought of what will happen in the next episode especially during the middle part. I was really not prepared of the revelations. The flashbacks are great, you can also expect a lot of it that will make you really think and go back to what happened. But as I go on with the last 3 episodes, I already prepared myself for a sad ending, (To be honest I read articles and reviews of the ending prior to continuing episode 14, but even so I already felt it will be going to be sad even before episode 11.)
I respect how the writer want the story to end. It his/her idea as a storyteller and a masterpiece will be finished/created according to the viewpoint of an artist regardless of what the majority of the audience will think. Although it could have ended happily if Jin-woo is alive since his character (Zinu) was really the one who died, and how come that he is also a bug? Hyeong-seok, the secretary, and Prof Cha were bugs since they appear even after their death, but how about our poor Jin-woo. It could have been ended with Jin-woo returning to the real word after deleting the bugs and restarting the game, then eventually live happily ever after with Hee-Joo. Luckily, I am hopeful, as the ending revealed of possible things that can happen eventually (really hoping for season 2 :)), like the possibility that Jin-woo will return to the real world since he still visible at times in the game. I also believe that he is still alive since his body was not found unlike the three bugs. Se-Joo can help Jin-woo get out of the dungeon (dimension where he may be in, after becoming the master) since he will be now part of J-One and will be back to developing the game and he is the creator of the game to start with. Some of the assumptions can also be made like Marco was deleted by Emma maybe since he is also bug; and they cannot make Se-Joo (he is the creator anyway) accountable for the deaths since the game was reset.
The ending is really tragic, I really cried especially when Hee-Joo kept on going to the church. It was so painful and very sad that it ended that way but thankfully some scenes were given to audience to end the story at whatever they want (a happy ending of course, and I have my own ending and a season 2 in my mind already). I will not recommend this to people who loves rom-com dramas and love story and those who hate action & suspense. The romance is not the focus of this series but what we can take home from their love is that trust will bloom love, it is vital in every relationship. I think Jin-woo fell in love with Hee-Joo because of her unconditional love, that even the whole world turned him down and did not anymore believe him, there will always be Hee-Joo on his side who will take care of him, who will trust him, and will not give up on him. But if you are an open-minded person, I think you may love it too. The concept, plot and actors are great, I am giving it a 10/10. The ending is 9/10 since of course I also wanted a happy ending personally. Details like customs, props, scenes are at 8/10 (haha don't mind this, I am just keen on some things sometimes, like how come she already wore her sneakers when she rushed going outdoors). Overall it will be at 10/10.

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