Moving (2023)


무빙 (Moving, 2023) is a high-stakes supernatural action drama that follows a group of seemingly ordinary high school students who secretly possess extraordinary abilities inherited from their parents—former government agents with superpowers. As the students begin to uncover the truth behind their abilities and their parents' pasts, they are drawn into a dangerous world of covert operations, deadly assassins, and long-buried secrets.

What sets Moving apart from typical superhero stories is its emotional complexity, layered storytelling, and multigenerational scope—spanning decades and centering on both the parents’ past and their children’s present. It’s a well-crafted, genre-blending series that balances action with depth, offering a uniquely Korean perspective on power, loyalty, and sacrifice. The show also weaves in real-world tensions between North and South Korea, grounding its fantastical elements in a politically and emotionally charged context.

In Episode 8, one of the most quietly pivotal scenes takes place when Lee Mi-hyun (Han Hyo-joo) and Kim Doo-sik (Zo In-sung) share a modest meal at a traditional 돈까스 (donkatsu; pork cutlet) restaurant near 남산 (Namsan). It’s their first real date—a moment that allows them to lower their guard and begin acknowledging their feelings. Donkatsu with a Side of Secrets (2:23-4:16)

Set in a nostalgic 왕돈까스집 (king-sized pork cutlet restaurant), the atmosphere is warm yet charged with understated emotion. Doo-sik proudly introduces the place, while Mi-hyun impresses him by calmly identifying every ingredient in the sauce after a single bite. This scene subtly showcases her superpower: heightened sensory perception, including sight (시각), hearing (청각), and taste (미각). Her finely tuned senses and sharp observational skills allow her to detect even the smallest details—an ability that quietly defines her strength throughout the series.

The 돈까스 date is not just a turning point in their relationship—it also plants the seeds for Mi-hyun’s future. Later in the story, she opens her own donkatsu restaurant, naming it 남산 돈까스, as a nod to this memory. 

In the same episode, Doo-sik’s superpower is gently revealed in a moment of quiet intimacy. He delivers a donkatsu meal to Mi-hyun late at night while she’s working and appears at her sixth-floor apartment—without ever taking the stairs or elevator. It’s a subtle yet striking confirmation of his ability to fly, introduced not through spectacle but through a small act of care.

Thoughtfully written and beautifully shot, the episode captures moments of quiet connection amid a larger world of danger and secrecy—reminding us that even in a story filled with extraordinary powers and political intrigue, human relationships remain the emotional core.

Although originally derived from the Japanese tonkatsu, 돈까스 has become a beloved everyday meal in Korean cuisine. Introduced during the Japanese colonial period, it has since evolved into a distinctly Korean comfort food—served with shredded cabbage, tangy brown sauce, rice, and sometimes soup. Korean-style 돈까스 tends to be thinner, crispier, and heartier in portion size, making it a popular dish in school cafeterias, budget-friendly restaurants, and home kitchens.

One of the most iconic places to enjoy donkatsu is 남산 (Namsan) in Seoul, where a cluster of 왕돈까스집 has long been famous for its retro ambiance and generous servings. The restaurant featured in Moving was filmed at one of these well-known Namsan eateries, grounding the scene in a real, culturally resonant setting.

Later in the series, Mi-hyun opens her own donkatsu shop—also named 남산 돈까스. While it appears to be an ordinary, unassuming restaurant, it functions as much more than that. Both Mi-hyun and Doo-sik are revealed to be 전직 국정원 요원들 (former NIS agents), once part of South Korea’s 국가정보원 (National Intelligence Service). The restaurant serves as a carefully chosen front, helping them conceal their identities and protect their son from a world they once belonged to. In this context, donkatsu becomes not just a nostalgic meal but a symbolic space—one that holds memory, caution, and quiet resilience.

Want to try making Korean-style donkatsu at home? Here’s a helpful video to get you started: 왕돈까스 요리법


🍴 Bite-Sized Korean: Korean Idioms & Phrases

Expression: 입이 짧다
Literal Meaning: To have a short mouth
Actual Meaning: To be a picky eater or have a small appetite
Cultural Note: This phrase might come up in dramas when a character eats very little or refuses certain dishes politely.

Example Sentence:

효주는 입이 참 짧구나!
인성이는 입이 짧은 편이지만 돈까스는 아주 잘 먹어요. 
두식은 입이 짧은 사람도 반할 만한 돈까스 맛집을 소개했다.

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