This review may contain spoilers
A MUST WATCH
Outstanding. Nothing describes this drama better than the word “outstanding”. Right from the start till the end, you really enjoy the story as it goes. It keeps you hooked right from the first episode, right from the first scene, and the way it developed is something to forward to!
The QUEEN! Absolutely loved Kim hye soo’s character as the queen. The love she has for her sons is something that highlights the entire drama. You can just tell that she loves them more than anything else in this world and that they mean everything to her! The way she loves them, protects them, cares for them and is even ready to sacrifice herself is JUST something very appreciable! The way she accepted the bitter secret of Prince Gye Sung and also supported him throughout definitely was my favourite topic from the entire drama. The scene where his portrait was being made and she was waiting for him in the rain, literally has my entire heart!
Not only her children, but also the love she showed to all the princes was something that made her character stand out. While every concubine was busy making her own child the crown prince and playing dirty politics, the queen was just concerned for their safety. Even when Prince Simso tried to commit suicide, she was the one who got him out of it, she was the one who consoled and soothed Prince Bogeom when he was forced to quit the competition. She was there for everyone when they needed a hand to hold and the shoulder to cry on. She was truly the umbrella that protected the princes from the rains.
Kim hae sook as the queen dowager was the perfect villain and I’m fully satisfied with her performance. God, she never disappoints! What actually surprised me was Ok ja yeon as Consort Hwang! She could literally kill people with her looks..omg! Her acting was top notch and she portrayed her character really well!!
Choi won young as the king and his chemistry with Kim hye soo was really underrated. The love they had for each other and they way the understood each other proves that they were deeply devoted to one another.
I really really loved all the grand princes and princes! The chemistry between all the grand princes was so heartwarming! To be honest, Chani as Prince Uiseong was a very bad person but ngl, I felt very bad for him in the end. It hurts to know that he was told to kill his own father:(((
Overall, the queen’s umbrella has to be one of the best sageuk dramas . I’m a very picky and selective person and very few sageuk dramas actually fit into my taste and ‘the queen’s umbrella’ has to be one of them. Right from the plot, to the cast, cinematography, OSTs, everything was fantastic.
And the ending, of course. When the Crown Prince holds the umbrella for the queen in order to protect her from the rain was his way of telling her that ‘you’ve done enough, now it’s our turn to protect you’.. so heartwarming this was<3
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THE BEST FANTASY KDRAMA OUT THERE
Firstly, I’m not really good at writing reviews but this drama compelled me to write one. I don’t even know from where should I start praising this drama? The plot, the acting/cast, the production, the music, where? Everything was just so PERFECT that it really makes this drama flawless. Yeah, there might be a few cliffhangers towards the end but we’ll have to wait for part two for that.
To begin with, I really really loved Jung So-min and Lee Jae wook’s chemistry. Trust me they’re one of those few on-screen couples who rule the viewer’s hearts. Totally loved watching them together. I hope we’ll get to see Jung So min in the part two as well, but i’m very much rooting for Go Yoon jung too!
Loved the whole cast especially Minhyun as Seo Yul and Shin Seung ho as the Crown Prince. Arin too did pretty good as a rookie. Everyone else too were very flawless with their acting.
‘Scars leave beautiful trace’ has to be the best OST in 2022. Been listening to it on loop since it’s release!! All the other OSTs too blend perfectly with this drama.
As for the story, it is something different from what we usually watch. This is not your usual historical or fantasy kdrama. The fictional approach to it totally does it the justice it deserves. Yeah it did end with some twists and turns and cliffhangers but the way the story developed was AMAZING. Every episode had me hooked and I couldn’t control my excitement for the next episode.
Overall Alchemy of souls has to be the best drama in 2022. It is the compilation of an excellent storyline, an outstanding acting/cast, marvellous cinematography and the melodious OSTs. And if you’re a fan of fantasy, adventure, romance, comedy, sageuk dramas then what are you waiting for? This drama is for you.. THIS IS THE ONE, ALCHEMY OF SOULS!
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Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow
19 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
A MASTERPIECE WORTH WATCHING
The journey of almost 7 months with AOS has been truly memorable. Now that it has come to an end, it feels so empty.As I had mentioned in my review for season 1, this drama is just PERFECT and even this season didn't disappoint me with its excellent story line, cinematography, cast, music, EVERYTHING!
Go Yoon Jung portrayed her role as Jin Bu-yeon and Yeong so beautifully and I was all in for it. The dark side of Jang uk with the little mixture of softness was something to look forward to! Their chemistry is INSANE, TRUST ME! After soo long I could feel that the love that the leads share onscreen is BEAUTIFUL, just beautiful nothing else! My heart fluttered in all of their scenes together. Literally no one beats this couple and I was (will always be) all in for it! Kim DoJu, my favourite character throughout! Even though her role wasn't that much, I really really loved her little love story with Park Jin! They have to be my favourites<3. Seo Yul, Dangu, Cho Yeon, Seja Joha, Mama Jin, Master Lee (and ofc uri kkobugi the turtle!).. ALL OF THEM, they have my entire heart! Sad that it has ended and wouldn't get to see them, but happy that they were a part of this fantastic series!
About the story, I'M FULLY SATISFIED WITH IT. I truly think these 10 extended episodes did full justice to the series and I really want to thank the writers and the production team for this! People did criticise it a lot (still do) but for me, it was EXCELLENT! For me, the ending was PERFECT and it couldn't have been any better! After all the ups and downs, all the longing, all the heartbreaks, all the characters finally got what they deserved.
The OSTs! What a song Blue Flower is! I remember getting goosebumps while listening to it for the very first time. I loved how Lia's voice perfectly suited the song(she should get the attention she deserves). I even cried while listening to 'I'm sorry' by Ailee. True that I didn't understand the meaning of the song first but the emotions with which it is sung is MARVELOUS. All the other Osts too were exceptionally amazing!
Now that I've completed watching AOS2, I'm left with mixed emotions. I was rooting for this drama since it's announcement. The journey with it has been thrilling. Right from the first episode of the season one, till the last episode of season two, this series has ruled my heart and I know it will continue to do so for a very long time. From waiting for the premiere of season one to waiting for the finale of season two, this series has not once disappointed me. Hong sisters wrote the greatest love story to ever exist! They showed the world the meaning of true love! True love is not only about loving the body, but falling in love with the soul! It is loving the person inside out. They didn't disappoint us with the ending and I will thank them again and again for this!
All the praises for this drama will fall short. Every word will fail to describe the beauty of it. Alchemy of Souls is that drama which will remain in my heart FOREVER. Nothing could ever describe my love for this. For me, it was not just a drama, it was an emotion. Gonna miss it so so so muchh :(((
All I want to say is that don't miss out on this masterpiece. It's one of a kind and won't disappoint you.
Now i'll go and rewatch it right from the season one♡
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It felt as if I was in a dream..
A very heartwarming masterpiece you shouldn't miss! This movie really feels like a warm hug. No complicated plot, no cliffhangers, not one boring scene(you just cannot skip any part! It;s THAT good!).. Words really fall short to express how much I've loved this movie! It leaves you with all smiles at the end..The star-studded cast was something that made me watch this movie. I'm a huge fan of both Han Jimin and Lee Dong Wook, but fell in love with Kang Ha Neul and Won Jin A in this movie. Everyone else too are very appreciable in this movie, without them this movie would've never been the same.
The songs were SO SO good, especially 'happy ending'. It's been a really long time since I've listened to such a touching song.
I wish that I'd have watch this early.. but as they say 'better late than never'!
Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a story of people with beautiful hearts who never fail to make you smile.
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