Memories of the Alhambra Cast features Hyun Bin as Yoo Jin-woo, a CEO entangled in a mysterious augmented reality game, and Park Shin-hye as Jung Hee-joo, an innkeeper with a key role in the unfolding events.
Table of Contents
Introduction

Memories of the Alhambra is a 2018 South Korean television series that blends romance, mystery, and science fiction. Directed by Ahn Gil-ho and written by Song Jae-jung, the drama features an innovative and thrilling plot centered around augmented reality (AR) gaming, set against the stunning backdrop of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.
The story follows Yoo Jin-woo (played by Hyun Bin), a CEO of a tech company who is on a business trip to Spain to investigate a mysterious new AR game that blurs the line between reality and virtual experiences. During his stay, he crosses paths with Jung Hee-joo (played by Park Shin-hye), the owner of a guesthouse, whose connection to the game and to Jin-woo becomes increasingly complicated as the plot unfolds.
Memories Of The Alhambra Cast
Hyun Bin as Yoo Jin-woo
- Role: Yoo Jin-woo is the CEO of a tech company specializing in investment. He is a former genius in the field of technology, specifically in augmented reality (AR) gaming, and is now dealing with the pressures of his business empire. His journey takes him to Spain to investigate a mysterious game that blurs the lines between reality and virtual reality. Throughout the series, his character is entangled in the events surrounding the game, which starts affecting his own life in increasingly dangerous ways.
- Actor Overview: Hyun Bin is one of the most popular and accomplished actors in South Korea, known for his roles in dramas like Crash Landing on You and Secret Garden. He’s renowned for his ability to portray both charismatic and vulnerable characters, which made him a great fit for the role of Yoo Jin-woo.
Park Shin-hye as Jung Hee-joo
- Role: Jung Hee-joo is the owner of a small guesthouse in Granada, Spain. She has a deep connection to the augmented reality game that Yoo Jin-woo becomes obsessed with. Initially appearing to be a regular businesswoman, her character’s mysterious past and role in the game become central to the plot. As her relationship with Jin-woo develops, she becomes integral to solving the mysteries behind the game and the strange occurrences tied to it.
- Actor Overview: Park Shin-hye is a highly respected actress in South Korea, known for her roles in dramas like Pinocchio, The Doctors, and Heartstrings. She is admired for her versatility and strong presence on screen, capable of delivering both dramatic and heartfelt performances. In Memories of the Alhambra, her character shows a combination of strength, vulnerability, and intelligence.
Kim Eui-sung as Cha Hyung-seok
- Role: Cha Hyung-seok is a businessman who plays a crucial role in the unfolding drama. He is connected to Yoo Jin-woo and is part of the overarching storyline about the mysterious augmented reality game. As the story develops, his character’s involvement becomes more complicated, and he holds some answers that are key to solving the mystery.
- Actor Overview: Kim Eui-sung is a seasoned actor with a long career in both television and film. He’s known for his exceptional acting range, often playing antagonistic or complex characters. He has appeared in various hit projects like Vagabond, Goblin, and The Handmaiden.
Lee Re as Jung Se-ju
- Role: Jung Se-ju is Jung Hee-joo’s younger sister and plays a pivotal role in the unfolding events surrounding the game. She has an important connection to the plot and adds another layer of depth to the story as her involvement becomes clearer throughout the drama.
- Actor Overview: Lee Re is a rising star in the South Korean acting industry. Despite her young age, she has demonstrated impressive acting skills, particularly in roles that require depth and emotional range. Her performance in Memories of the Alhambra was widely praised for its maturity and presence.
Ahn Gil-kang as Lee Seung-joon
- Role: Lee Seung-joon is a researcher who works with the team behind the augmented reality game. His character is involved in the development of the game and becomes a key figure in understanding the dangers and mysteries that unfold as the game starts to impact the real world. His relationship with Jin-woo adds complexity to the plot.
- Actor Overview: Ahn Gil-kang is an actor known for his work in supporting roles. His career spans across various genres, and he has played diverse characters. His role in Memories of the Alhambra added a layer of intrigue and technical expertise to the series.
Supporting Characters
Choi Bo-min as Jin Seon-woo
- Role: Jin Seon-woo is Yoo Jin-woo’s younger brother, who plays an important role in the drama. His character is involved in the business world and provides support for Jin-woo throughout the story. He serves as a connection to the real-world elements of the plot, particularly as the mystery surrounding the game intensifies.
- Actor Overview: Choi Bo-min is a lesser-known but talented actor, best recognized for his ability to play younger or supportive roles. His work in Memories of the Alhambra gave him an opportunity to showcase his potential in a supporting capacity.
Lee Jae-won as Goo Jun-woo
- Role: Goo Jun-woo is a character who has ties to the development of the augmented reality game. He works within the company that is involved in the game’s technology. His role becomes more important as the series progresses, and his actions impact the trajectory of the story.
- Actor Overview: Lee Jae-won has appeared in various supporting roles across television dramas. While not as widely recognized as the lead actors, he brings a solid performance to the series, contributing to the tense atmosphere.
Min Jin-woong as Park Chan-gi
- Role: Park Chan-gi is another important supporting character in Memories of the Alhambra. His involvement in the unfolding mystery of the game adds to the complexity of the storyline. He plays a role that intersects with Yoo Jin-woo’s investigation into the game’s dangerous elements.
- Actor Overview: Min Jin-woong is known for his versatility in both comedy and dramatic roles. He’s had roles in a variety of dramas, including The Sound of Your Heart and Tale of the Nine Tailed, where his performances showcased his ability to balance humor with deeper, more serious themes.
Jang So-yeon as Seo Ji-won
- Role: Seo Ji-won is a minor character, but her presence adds to the story’s dynamics. She is a colleague of Yoo Jin-woo, and her role is primarily focused on the technological aspects of the plot, particularly with the augmented reality game.
- Actor Overview: Jang So-yeon is an actress known for her roles in supporting characters and minor appearances across multiple K-dramas. Though she doesn’t have a leading role, she helps solidify the world-building in the show.
Kim Young-woong as Security Guard
- Role: Kim Young-woong plays a minor but important role as a security guard in the series. Though a smaller character, his role adds depth to the setting and is involved in pivotal moments in the plot.
- Actor Overview: Kim Young-woong is an actor with years of experience in supporting roles in various films and dramas. While not a primary cast member, he contributes to the realism and atmosphere of the show.
Kang Bu-ja as Hee-joo’s Mother
- Role: Hee-joo’s mother plays a relatively minor role in the series, but she provides some background for Hee-joo’s character and her motivations. Her involvement offers insight into the family dynamics and emotional layers of the main characters.
- Actor Overview: Kang Bu-ja is an experienced supporting actress who has appeared in various K-dramas. She adds depth to her roles with her performances, even in smaller appearances.
Jung Hae-kyun as Director of the AR Game Company
- Role: As the director of the augmented reality game company, this character has significant influence over the game’s development. Their involvement in the plot creates complications for the protagonists as they seek answers about the game’s impact on the real world.
- Actor Overview: Jung Hae-kyun is a veteran actor who typically plays roles of authority and expertise. In Memories of the Alhambra, he gives a commanding performance as a key figure in the tech industry.
Lee Ki-young as Mr. Jang
- Role: Mr. Jang is a businessman with connections to Yoo Jin-woo and the company. His character plays an important role in the corporate side of the plot.
- Actor Overview: Lee Ki-young is known for his ability to take on complex characters with depth. His supporting roles in multiple dramas help ground the series’ action in a business or real-world context.
Conclusion
Memories of the Alhambra is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and science fiction that takes viewers on an exhilarating journey through the intersection of reality and virtual reality. With its innovative premise centered around an augmented reality game that blurs the line between the real world and a dangerous, immersive virtual world, the series offers a unique narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
The performances by the lead actors, Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye, are a standout, as they skillfully portray the complex characters of Yoo Jin-woo and Jung Hee-joo, whose fates are intertwined with the evolving game. The supporting cast, with its range of characters, further adds to the depth of the story, creating a multi-layered drama where every character has a crucial role to play in uncovering the mystery.
Soul Mechanic Cast & Their Role (2020) Drama Series
(FAQs)
Who plays the main character, Yoo Jin-woo, in Memories of the Alhambra?
Hyun Bin plays the role of Yoo Jin-woo, a CEO of a tech company and a former genius in augmented reality (AR) gaming.
What other popular dramas is Hyun Bin known for?
Hyun Bin is widely recognized for his roles in Crash Landing on You, Secret Garden, and My Lovely Sam Soon. His performance in these dramas has earned him widespread acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
Who plays the female lead, Jung Hee-joo?
Park Shin-hye portrays the female lead, Jung Hee-joo. She is the owner of a guesthouse in Spain and plays a significant role in the mystery surrounding the augmented reality game.
What other dramas has Park Shin-hye starred in?
Park Shin-hye is well-known for her roles in Pinocchio, The Doctors, Heartstrings, and You’re Beautiful. She has been praised for her versatile performances in both romantic comedies and more serious roles.
Who plays the supporting character, Cha Hyung-seok?
Kim Eui-sung plays Cha Hyung-seok, a businessman involved with the events around the augmented reality game. He is an important figure in the series.
What other roles has Kim Eui-sung been known for?
Kim Eui-sung is an experienced actor who has appeared in numerous popular dramas, including Goblin, Vagabond, and The Handmaiden. He is often cast in roles of authority or mystery.
Who plays Jung Hee-joo’s younger sister, Jung Se-ju?
Lee Re plays Jung Se-ju, Jung Hee-joo’s younger sister. Se-ju’s character becomes important to the storyline as the plot develops.
Has Lee Re been in other dramas or films?
Yes, Lee Re is a young actress who has appeared in dramas such as Sky Castle and The Queen’s Flower. She is known for her emotional depth in her performances.
Who is the director of Memories of the Alhambra?
The series was directed by Ahn Gil-ho, who is known for his work in other popular K-dramas like Stranger and Watcher.
Who wrote the script for Memories of the Alhambra?
The script was written by Song Jae-jung, who is also known for her work on other K-dramas like W: Two Worlds and Nine: Nine Time Travels. Her storytelling style often blends fantasy with reality, as seen in Memories of the Alhambra.
Are there any notable guest stars in Memories of the Alhambra?
While the drama mainly focuses on the lead and supporting cast, there are some guest appearances from other actors who contribute to the storyline’s twists and turns. These include Jang So-yeon and Choi Bo-min, who play minor but significant roles.
Is Hyun Bin’s character, Yoo Jin-woo, similar to any of his other roles?
Yoo Jin-woo in Memories of the Alhambra is a more intense and serious character compared to Hyun Bin’s role in Crash Landing on You, where he portrays a charming and compassionate soldier. Both characters, however, share a depth and complexity that are typical of Hyun Bin’s roles.
How did the cast prepare for their roles in the drama?
The cast underwent rigorous preparation to portray their characters realistically, especially considering the technologically advanced elements of the plot. Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye likely worked closely with the production team to understand the nuances of the augmented reality game and how it interacts with the real world.
Was Memories of the Alhambra the first time Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye worked together?
Yes, Memories of the Alhambra marked the first time that Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye worked together on a project. Their chemistry was well-received by fans and critics alike.
Who played the role of the mysterious AR game creator, Seo Jin-woo’s counterpart?
The game’s counterpart, the mysterious figure whose actions and developments play a major role in the drama, is portrayed by Kim Eui-sung. He plays a key figure in the intrigue surrounding the game.