SUPERB
I highly recommend this historical drama to everyone. Actually, I'm not really into historical kdrama yet because of the undeniable chemistry of the main leads I forced myself to watch it. Never did I regret of this. The best decision I have ever made. I love all the actors—they portrayed their characters ecstatic. The acting skills are beyond what I forsee them to do. They never disappoint me when it comes to the plots, acting skills, and most of all the story and cinematography of this genre. Though, in as much as I badly want a 3rd season but I'm super satisfied of the finale. I have so mixed emotions finishing this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A lot people will not agree with me and that's fine but for me season 1 was definitely better and it's not about the acting or cast but about story. She should have regain her memories way sooner (6-7 ep) and then proceed with the flow. Instead we got couple of boring episodes because they had to drag it somehow till the last ep. And then obviously in the last ep A LOT thing happened.I was expecting to see much more Naksu as Naksu, instead we got Jin Bu Yeon for the whole season. We have heard about her divine powers like she's a God or something but they show us just bit of it (but that's not a big deal).
There were some parts that brought the light like the prince's turtle and how he changed his mind after his pet dissapeared. That was kinda funny, not gonna lie.
I'm glad with the ending but I'm also dissapointed how the potential after season 1 was wasted. This show could be much better.
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Best Drama ?
One of the best dreams I've seen in a long time! I can not say enough how much i love every character from Seo Yul to Naksu and even jin Mu because of the great acting. Keeps us on our toes every episode. The cast, acting, production, ost and many more was just perfect. Lee Jae Wook acting was amazing! It made me laugh and cry every episode. The Hong sister did it again with a spectacular drama. A definitely must watch for everyone. I hope to see more work from the car in the near future! great great great great great greatWas this review helpful to you?
Perfect Masterpiece
Finishing Season one is like there is no way the season 2 going to surpass it. But it is intense, it will give chill to every scenes. It is perfectly made and suits the casts as well. The finale is superb, your eyes will be filled with contentment. A lot of emotions overflown in this series that is why I liked it. This is included in my most favorite series of all time. I will miss this whole thing. Thrilling kaayou bayot.. gikapoy english oi.. kinahanglan jud daw pab handred ka works, wa kuyapi! pero was char achup kaayo guys. Lami kaau ug mga eksina, nag hilak jud kos last episode.. erset oi.. abi ko namatay tong tulo may gani buhi... nakahilak jud ko paghibaw nakog busi ang mga ongo.. unya naay kamabal ang mag tiaayon.. mapasalamaton kaau ko dai.. basta oi.. tan awa ninyo, ayaw pansina ni ako review. abot na ba nig 500 words? try daw nako.Was this review helpful to you?
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Not a single second I felt bored
Jan. 8, 2023Alchemy of Souls 2 is one of the best decisions I have ever made to watch. It is the superior, S fking tier Kdrama. This series really raised the standard right away for the year of 2023. We really are setting the bar up high.
Major shoutout to the Hong Sisters for writing this epic masterpiece. They really ate up their works back to back to back.
Although this season was only 10 episodes long. I felt that they were able to conclude everything in such an amazing way. The pacing is just right and I never felt boredom or a waste of time. Alchemy of Souls hold such a special place in my heart that I will definitely be watching it over and over, again and again.
Jang-Uk, you are the best husband I could ever ask for. Like I am so tired of Jang-Uk slander for this season cause this man's delivered and slaughtered everyone (like literally) for his beautiful wife. As for Buyeon/Naksu, I do wish, she had more scenes showing her divine powers and her strength. But you know what, it is okay. The wedding was a little sad cause it was only with the celibacy guy (I forgot his name)... but they the ending was so satisfying.
My emotions was so high, I was ready to cry and I cried. I cried so damn motherfucking hard. I really thought... I really thought... so the relief that I had after finishing the series definitely compensated for my palpitating heart.
ALCHEMY OF SOULS, YOU WILL BE MISSED I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM SAYING GOODBYE. IT'S BEEN A JOURNEY FROM MUDEOK TO BUYEON/NAKSU & JANG-UK. MY LOVES I WILL MISS YALL SO MUCH. UNTIL I REWATCH THIS AGAIN...
So what are yalls waiting for. GO WATCH ALCHEMY OF SOULS BOTH SEASONS NOW ?
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A true masterpiece
It's the first time I'm actually writing a review. I have watched over 150 kdramas so far, but I think it will remain as one of my most memorable watches of all time.It is true Jung So Min's replacement in s2 came as a disappointment at first but after starting it I realised it was actually worth it. It does not exactly mean that I am against her appearance in s1. GYJ was absolutly mesmerising. I really fell hard for her.
The drama actually lacks nothing. The writing, cast, acting, the character development of each one of the leads were beyond perfect.
I am not the type who rewatches dramas. But I have to say, this drama is an exception. Even thouth it has not been long since the series ended and I clearly remember most of the scenes, I am contemplating whether to watch it again or not.
In all, whoever is hesistating whether to give this drama a chance or not, I would say definitely DON'T. Just watch it. I am sure you won't regret it.
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run in the opposite direction, it's not worth it
Truly disappointed in the Hong sisters. While variety in a show is good, the new script has drained the show of its creative value. Though there wasn't a "good ending" in season 1, every episode, every subplot, every character brought something to the show. With shallow characters who lack even a morsel of purpose, season 2 reads as a completely different show altogether, and it is hard to believe that this is the same show as before. Bleaching Naksu's brows? The only job this new season has managed to accomplish is place Naksu into a subservient and docile role, detracting from her character as an empowered and unbeliavably traumatized woman. These "parallels" read as a futile attempt from the writers to mimic the hearty and full cinematic experience as portrayed in season 1. I had high hopes for the writers to do something good with the amnesia trope, and yet they have WILLINGLY chosen the worst path. The slow pace can be tolerated, but the backbone of this season is just too shit to recover in the last 4 episodes. Sometimes shows don't deserve a season 2, and the Hong sisters have proven this right.The FL is not to be blamed, though, it's hard to act when given such a terrible script. At this point, the season is simply fanservice, played out fanservice.
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BEST NETFLIX KDRAMA EVER!!
I have to admit, when I watched season 1 back in June I was such a huge fan, and when it was announced that somin wasn’t going to be in season 2 I didn’t want to watch season 2 but then I got more into the OG naksu and I found that she was really talented and pretty so I decided to watch the show and let me tell you, that was one of the best decision of my life, this show had so many ups and downs, I cried so many times, I even threatened to sue the writers because of just how many scenes made me cry. I wasn’t even expecting a happy ending but the Hong sisters devoured with the second part, I loved Part 1 but Part 2 for me is the best. I really want a season 3 but I doubt we will get that. I also introduced this series to my friend who also loves kdramas and she watched all of season 1 and she watched season 2 when it was airing with me and she also told me that Part 2 was her favorite. Also I love our ? couple I wish to see them together in future projects ?Was this review helpful to you?
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Let's try to save season 2 of AOS
As many have already said, season 1 of Alchemy of Souls was a 10/10. There was not a character that wasn't well characterised, there was not a moment of dullness despite the length of each episode, the chemistry between characters (all characters, friends just as much as lovers) was peak perfect.... but then season 2 came and ruined it all.My personal opinion is that there are contingent mistakes to it, but that the main mistake is that JBY and JUK shouldn't have fallen in love. This could have easily been done and the plot would have carried itself just as well: instead of him saving her because he "missed her like crazy" when having literally no real connection to her (there was no proper build up to this, Maidservant Kim called this out herself), he could have saved her out of 1) the fact he needed her for the reasonable reason that is wanting to take the ice stone out 2) pity. Secondly, their relationship should have been built up as JUST a good friendship (at least from JUK's side), just like it did when Mu-deok and JUK first got to know each other. This would have been much more endearing to watch, especially because the audience knows who JBY actually is: instead of having the audience watch JUK basically move on from Mu-Deok, it would have been much better to have us glued to the screen seeing JUK rejecting his true love because of his ignorance. Then, the moment of truth would have felt MUCH more impactful (here it is dutiful to note that there was also a directional issue with the way the show handled this plot point: the scene in which JBY and JUK make out is much much longer than the scene in which the two characters make-out after the realisation, which makes it seem as if for JUK Mu-deok is not that special after all) - The realisation should have come as a shock for JUK, he should have fallen to his knees crying like a baby, instead we got some stoic looks and a mere hug from him.
That was the main mistake in my opinion, because it broke the most important plot point of the show: the two being an inseparable match.
About the contingent mistakes, I think there is a very evident one: when Jin Mu shifts bodies, it is immediately clear that it is him even if it's another person acting him out because his appearance but especially his facial expressions make it very clear. That is not the case with JBY and Mu-deok: I get that having lost her memory, JBY won't act as tough as Mu-deok did, but their facial expressions or at least their aesthetic should have been resembling for the whole thing to come out as it should have (the way they kept their hair for instance), instead JBY felt like a whole new person (hence, a whole new love interest).
This issue could have been resolved without having to cast a different actress? I think so, because in the very last ten minutes of the show we see a JBY that finally feels like Mu-deok.
I could probably keep going, because there are other issues with this second season (such as the way JBY's gaining her memory back was handled, or the fact that the final battle felt like slicing a piece of cake - literally), but I will end my review here and go mourn the potential this show had.
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My kind of Drama
It's over; the final episode has aired and overall, it did not disappoint. I will so miss my weekly fix.Equalling S1 and very similar in its slow build, with the action, intrigue and surprises, increasing with every episode.
The shift in Jang Uk's character and the effect on all the characters of S1's finale, was immediately felt from ep1.
There's more obvious romance in S2 as the eps role out, but it was never out of place or eye rolling. Quite the opposite.
I loved Go Yoon-jung's portrayal and the character of Naksu/Jin Bu-yeon. Still feisty, independent, capable and witty. Her interactions with Uk were as amusing, touching and frustrating, in turns, as S1. Subtle differences, as after all, the character has suffered and undergone a big change, but just as strong. Both actresses brought so much to their roles and credit has to go to everyone involved for making it pretty seamless.
There are twists, turns, revellations, just deserts and some shocks in S2.
There are some flash backs featuring Jung So-min's character, Mu Deok, in later eps and I'm really pleased these were included, as it stitched what was unfolding in the story together and was a reminder that the souls and their bodies had shifted to start with.
The ending was thrilling and all gets neatly tied up. It wasn't rushed, but did feel a bit like a conclusion, rather than extension of the story. Some characters and their stories did take a back seat in S2, which was a shame, however, it was still pleasing and unless S2 was to run for another 16+ episodes, the only way to complete the central theme.
With the closing 2 eps, there were a very few times the dialogue felt a little lazy and it only stood out for me because I never thought that in all the other 28 eps.
The special effects, soundtrack and sets were spot on all the way through and Car, The Garden's "Scars Leave Beautiful Trace" is now a favourite song.
An absolute favourite drama of mine now too, which in its entirety of 30 eps, is possibly top of my list. Ticked all my boxes!
All involved did a great job.
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Disappointing Sequel, Poor Editing, but Great Leads Chemistry for a romance drama.
Subjective Gut Rating; 8.0Objective Rating as a sequel: 5.0-7.0
Rating this drama is interesting because I can go either way. Did I have a good time watching it? Yes, I did because I enjoyed the romance in the first 8 episodes quite a lot. But is this a good sequel to an amazing season 1? Absolutely not. No more badass FL and poor editing and storytelling.
I reviewed in Season 1 that I find the chemistry between the leads a little lacking. I might be in the minority, as I don’t mind the lead actress changing to Go Young Jung and I find her beautiful and perfect as the amnesiac and inexperienced FL. Jang Uk (ML) has gone through a lot in the last three years, and his personality is totally different than in season 1. Meeting the sunny and optimistic Jin Bu Yeong (FL) is what he needs at that point in his life. I like how she’s the one to recognize him (unconsciously), chase after him and want to be there by his side protecting and supporting him. It’s like a role reversal from season 1. I enjoyed their interaction, their banter and the great kisses. It’s so nice to see two willing partners going at it and being passionate when the plot requires them to put a lot of emotions in those kisses. They look good together!
However, the romance-focused storylines took up a majority of the screen time, and thus not leaving enough time to develop the fantasy and mystery part of the plot. As a sequel to an amazing plot-driven season 1, this drama is actually very disappointing. If you are attracted to “Alchemy of Souls” because of a badass assassin FL, there’s not much badass-ness in this season. FL is reduced to a lovely Cinderella, waiting for prince charming to save her and love her. Her powers and memories were recovered too late to showcase her prowess as the priestess. There actually isn’t a whole lot of substance aside from romance in the first 8 episodes.
Episodes 9 & 10 seem to have a big tone shift back to what season 1 was like. All of a sudden, we’re talking about power, revenge, saving the world, different identities/souls in a very rushed manner. Without previous indication, all the baddies team up together. So much happened that I needed to concentrate hard so as not to miss anything. The editing was choppy and weird. What happened to Jang Uk’s love for Jin Bu Yeong in the first 8 episodes? Without going into spoilers, the romance doesn’t make sense anymore.
On a positive note, I think both Hwang Min Hyun (Seo Yul) and Shin Seung Ho (Crown Prince) improved their acting. I see a little more emotions in Hwang Min Hyun’s eyes. My favorites continue to be Leader Park Jin and Maidservant Kim. They are golden, but slightly more cringey than in season 1.
Overall, this is a disappointing sequel but if you watch it as a standalone romance-focused drama, you will have a better time.
Completed: 1/27/2023
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