“What do you think power is? Empathy is what real power looks like. Having the ability to care and understand the emotions of others.” – Lee Mi-hyun (Moving)
In a genre dominated by action-packed narratives, the rise of K-dramas with superpowers has brought a fresh, emotionally resonant twist to the screen. These shows blend extraordinary abilities with everyday struggles, offering thrilling adventures and deeply personal stories. What sets these K-dramas apart is their ability to balance the excitement of superpowers with the intimate, often heart-wrenching realities of family dynamics. In a society where power can both heal and harm, these shows explore the emotional weight of possessing such abilities. As characters grapple with their pasts and navigate the complexities of their powers, they must also face the universal challenges of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, making them more relatable than ever. One such series is ‘Moving’, which takes the familiar superhero formula and turns it on its head.
‘Moving’ is a high-stakes supernatural thriller about a group of seemingly ordinary high school students who inherit special abilities from their parents, ranging from flight to rapid healing and superhuman strength. As the students struggle to hide their powers and live normal lives, a mysterious organization begins hunting down individuals like them. Their parents, once elite secret agents with extraordinary skills, must come out of hiding to protect their children. Tightly packed with action, emotion, and family bonds, ‘Moving’ explores the cost of power and the lengths parents will go to for their children.
Series: Moving
Where to watch: Disney+
Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Cha Tae-hyun, Park Hee-soon, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-jung, Kim Do-hoon
Written By: Kang Full
Directed By: Park In-je
The Plot
‘Moving’ is a 2023 action, fantasy, and science fiction series on Disney+ that centers on a group of former superhuman agents who have left behind their dangerous pasts to lead quiet, domestic lives, determined to protect their children, who have inherited their extraordinary abilities. But trouble brews as these powers begin to emerge, threatening to expose their secret lives.
Among them is Kim Bong-seok (played by Lee Jung-ha), a shy teen who can fly—a trait passed down from his father, Kim Doo-shik (played by Zo In-sung). His vigilant mother, Lee Mi-hyun (played by Han Hyo-joo), does everything she can to shield him from suffering the same fate as his father.
Then there’s Jang Hui-soo (played by Go Youn-jung), a girl with the power of invulnerability, raised by her weary single father, Jang Ju-won (played by Ryu Seung-ryong), a former agent trying to leave his violent legacy behind.
Finally, Lee Gang-hoon (played by Kim Do-hoon), the strong and fast class president, secretly struggles with powers inherited from his uniquely gifted father.
As the teens grapple with their emerging abilities, their parents are drawn back into a shadowy world they thought they’d escaped for good.
The Characters
Kim Bong-seok (played by Lee Jung-ha)
Lee Jung-ha portrays Kim Bong-seok, the son of Mi-hyun and Doo-sik. Bong-seok is a quiet student in Class 3–3 at Jeongwon High School. He inherited both the power of flight and enhanced senses from his parents.
Jang Hui-soo (played by Go Youn-jung)
Go Youn-jung plays Hui-soo, a student in the same class as Bong-seok, who has inherited her father’s healing abilities. She is Ju-won’s daughter and shows resilience beyond her years.
Lee Gang-hoon (played by Kim Do-hoon)
Kim Do-hoon plays the dependable class president of Class 3–3, Gang-hoon and has inherited his father’s immense strength and speed.
Lee Mi-hyun (played by Han Hyo-joo)
Mi-hyun, a former intelligence analyst with the ANSP, possesses heightened sensory abilities. She now operates a tonkatsu restaurant while raising her son, Bong-seok, doing everything she can to protect him.
Kim Doo-sik (played by Zo In-sung)
A former black ops operative known as Moonsan, Doo-sik, has the ability to fly. He is Mi-hyun’s husband and Bong-seok’s father. After undertaking a covert mission targeting Kim Il Sung, he is captured by the NIS.
Jang Ju-won (played by Ryu Seung-ryong)
Father of Hui-soo, Ju-won, now runs a fried chicken shop. Though he has incredible strength and rapid healing, he still experiences pain. Once a feared mob enforcer, he later served as a black ops agent under the codename Guryongpo for the ANSP and was a close partner of Doo-sik during their missions.
Lee Jae-man (played by Kim Sung-kyun)
Gang-hoon’s father, Jae-man, operates a small convenience store. Despite possessing incredible speed and strength, he struggles with cognitive challenges.
Jeon Gye-do (played by Cha Tae-hyun)
Originally a theater actor, Gye-do now drives a bus and has the power to generate electricity.
Frank (played by Ryoo Seung-bum)
A ruthless assassin raised in America, Frank has powerful regenerative abilities. He is tasked by the CIA with eliminating the retired agents.
Kim Deok-yun (played by Park Hee-soon)
Park Hee-soon portrays Kim Deok-yun, a North Korean military officer who puts everything on the line to fulfill his mission and carry out his orders, no matter the cost.
What made the show popular?
- Superhuman agents living in secrecy: At the center of the story is a group of former government operatives who were once part of a secret program that granted them extraordinary abilities. After years of intense service, they leave behind their dangerous pasts in favor of peaceful, everyday lives. However, their quiet existence is disrupted when their children exhibit similar powers, forcing these once-retired heroes back into action.
- Inherited powers and new threats: The children of these former agents inherit their parents’ superhuman traits, such as flight, rapid healing, and enhanced strength. While these abilities make the teens extraordinary, they also place them in danger. Their parents must now shield them not just from the physical and emotional risks of having such powers, but also from powerful organizations that seek to control or eliminate them.
- A blend of coming-of-age and superhero drama: ‘Moving’ skillfully merges the excitement of a superhero tale with the emotional nuances of a coming-of-age drama. As the teens navigate school life, friendship, and young love, they also wrestle with the weight of their abilities and the secrets their parents have kept from them.
- Unfolding suspense and intrigue: The series builds tension with a mysterious, covert group actively tracking and targeting these powered families. This looming threat keeps the audience on edge and adds a layer of mystery that unfolds gradually through flashbacks and shifting perspectives.
- Gritty, grounded action: Rather than over-the-top spectacle, ‘Moving’ presents action scenes that are raw and emotionally driven. The fights feel intense and purposeful, with realistic choreography emphasizing the consequences of violence and the physical toll of combat, even for superhumans.
- Deep family bonds: A standout element of the show is its focus on family, particularly the fierce love between parents and children. These relationships form the emotional core of the story, showing how far a parent will go to protect their child, and how children grow under the weight of both love and expectation.
- Government secrets and hidden histories: The narrative explores the darker side of state power, revealing a past filled with classified experiments, secret missions, and betrayals. This backstory enriches the world of ‘Moving’, exposing the price of creating and abandoning superhuman agents.
- Emotionally rich storytelling: Beyond the action and suspense, the show excels at tugging heartstrings. Through moments of loss, sacrifice, reunion, and resilience, ‘Moving’ delivers powerful emotional beats that resonate with audiences long after the action fades.
In the end, ‘Moving’ transcends the superhero action genre by deeply exploring the emotional complexities of its characters. As the superhuman agents return to their dangerous lives to protect their children, the series beautifully intertwines the action-packed sequences with heartfelt moments that resonate with viewers personally. At its core, ‘Moving’ is not just about superpowers—it’s about love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds that define what it means to be human, even in extraordinary circumstances. The powerful ending leaves audiences reflecting on the nature of sacrifice, the responsibilities of power, and the legacy we pass on to future generations. Whether through the explosive action or the quiet emotional beats, ‘Moving’ delivers a conclusion that is as satisfying as it is thought-provoking, ensuring its place as a standout in the superhero genre.
Written by MANSHA CHAUHAN
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