Warning: Spoilers ahead
Jin-woo (Hyunbin) went to Granada, Spain in search of Magic. What his character clearly meant was magic in the gaming world. He was caught unprepared when he discovered that the augmented reality game that he plays just became too real for comfort.
Episodes 3 and 4 of the Netflix Original “Memories of the Alhambra” answered some of the questions left hanging on the first two episodes. Mostly, we get acquainted to the rules of the game.
We now know that the player doesn’t lose a level, experience, attack or defence points when he dies trying to complete a mission. He just restarts the level. Players should also always use weapons to attack. Hand-to-hand combat with another player makes them lose points and level fast.
Glitches can happen to a game and players could use it to their advantage without receiving any penalties. Some places have an established theme and moods. It could be sunny in real life, but the game can super impose itself on the environment and could make it rain on the view of the player.
Everything has a pattern. The quicker the player understands it, the faster he can adapt. There are always cues that the player can take note of. The rain, guitar playing, and knock on the door could mean a deadly rival is waiting behind the door.
The fast-paced storytelling also opened more questions. Remember that the writer of this drama is Song Jae-jung of the “W” fame. She is unafraid of blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. She does the same thing again with this drama.
Jin-woo is slowly realizing that “magic” is not limited to the unbelievable graphics that he sees when he puts on his lenses. It now extends to the weapon he and other players use. The stabs he gets from the game hurts in real life. The wounds are unseen in real life.
To make it more complicated, his personal life just caught up with him. He now sees the ghost of his friend and rival. His pregnant ex-wife detests him. He also realizes that he is not a good person that he thinks he is.
Jung Hee-joo (Park Shin-hye) remains to be a ray of sunshine in this drama. She remains blissfully unaware of the storm happening around Hostel Bonita. Her fortune changed for the better ever since she met Jin-woo. We also think that she is developing a crush on him, too.
A character exits the game, but a new one enters. Hyeong-seok’s father finally makes an appearance. He seems to be in good terms with Jin-woo compared to his son. This dynamic is something that we could also look forward to.
This thrilling drama only gets exciting with more episodes. It is as addicting as the game Jin-woo plays.
New episodes of “Memories of the Alhambra” streams every Saturday and Sunday on Netflix.