Alchemy of Souls

Concept and Romance Story

It's actually a good story with a completely new concept. Only the writers are failed to make the main female character a badass strong woman. The main female character looks pathetic and makes people feel sorry. Jang uk become the main story because of his destiny and the story focuses too much on him by forgetting the original concept. Romanticism are too much, There are too many confusing love relationships here with a lot of characters involved. I thought friendship stories would be the main point but the main character kissed at an inappropriate time and seemed selfish about their love.

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A perfect balance of romance, action, fantasy and comedy!

You know those dramas that you start watching with not many expectations and they turn out to be one of the best dramas you’ve ever watched? AoS is that drama for me. I started it when I had nothing to watch and my Saturdays and Sundays were starting to feel boring. But boy, did I know that would be hooked and wait for those days of the week so eagerly? Absolutely not!

As said in the title of the review, AoS offers everything — acting, plot, groundbreaking cinematography, toe-curling romance and what not? Kdramas, in my opinion, have stopped making *many* romance or simply fantasy dramas ever since they expanded in the west. It’s not like I don’t love thrillers and experimental plots, I’m always up for a good thriller. But sometimes I’m just tired from work & stuff and I just want some action, some family drama and some romance in my life. AoS did the job for me. Though it has a handful of heartbreaking moments (not to mention the one at the end of part 1), it’s still very entertaining and doesn’t get boring.

Onto the last part of the review: acting. Jung So-Min is a phenomenal actor and I regret not discovering her earlier. I can’t spoil much here but the way she has portrayed different characters, I feel like nobody else could do a better job than her. And Lee Jae-Wook, what do you mean he’s a ‘98 liner? How can a person be that versatile and that talented at such a young age? I totally fell for him in AoS. The other actors did a great job too, of course. There wasn’t a single bad acting moment in this series, for me at least.

Last but not least, I’m on the edge of my seat for part 2. Words can’t describe how I’m getting through each day right and how many times I have thought of sleeping right now directly waking up on December 10th. Although I’m a little sad that So-Min will no longer be a part of the series, I’m very excited to see Go Youn-Jung and her chemistry with Lee Jae-Wook. She did a great job during the starting of the series and I’m sure she will do a great job playing the FL in part 2, too!

Thanks for reading this review ♡

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Good but not great

Its a visually dazzling spin on the concept of Chinese alchemy combined with wuxia /xianxia drama structure.

The cgi, action choreo, world building is breathtaking. But the plot has been made overly complex with twists that doesn't hit very well, the overall schemes are quite flimsy and can be seen through if the characters were given more common sense, filler episodes with filler scenes and draggy pacing got boring pretty fast. Female lead being declawed and just being reduced as a maid and not to mention the "love quadrangle" made me go wtf a few times.
But overall it's a very unique and different genre for south Korean dramas and I can respect that. The acting is solid especially Jung so min which I think kinda saved the series for me. The production set takes huge "inspiration" from Chinese historic/xianxia dramas to build gorgeous daeho but as a non Chinese or non Korean person I don't think it's my place to nitpick in that.
The ost is a banger for me as well. Would like to see how they finish this off in the last 10 episodes.

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Great

The only flaw I find in the series is that the story is very fast-paced, I think a week or two weeks go by so quickly in an episode and that's why the timeline is unclear to me. For example, staying in the forest where he trained, I'm not sure if he was there for a month or more, but the whole story about life and training in the forest could have lasted, where the chemistry between the two main characters would have been visible, what they could go trough, how they survived... In general, the series is excellent, I like the story, the plot, the actors are excellent, the reactions of the actors seem so real that they manage to convince me that it is actually reality and not a fantasy... I hope that there will be no sudden changes in the story and feelings in series considering the replacement of actresses for Naksu, current actress is supercool, i feel it would be downfall if she is not shown in second season since people are bonded with this characters. I hope for the best anyway 🤷🏻‍♂️
Best wishes and good luck from Serbia🇷🇸 to all the actors and staff members.

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I'm not usualy a big fan of the fantasy genre because i often feel like those dramas lose my attention mid way. That was definitely not the case with this drama. The story cinematography and acting was all well executed. For people who are unfamiliar with the genre it can get a bit complex but with time you will get familiar with the setting and plot. The chemistry between the character could very well be the sole reason to watch the show but there is so much more this drama has to offer. Honestly for a fun enjoyble light watch (though there is so much plot ) you must definitely tune into this drama. The only problem is the waiting period for next the episodes.

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Alchemy of Blah

Started off with a great premise, but like others here--I feel like Naksu was wasted. Shouldn't she be training too? Instead, it's all on this one guy. Also, I feel like the show would have been better without their love line. They had much better friend chemistry, and it's just so played out to force the leads together. So, I've lost interest. I just don't care about Jang Uk that much, and I keep asking myself wtf Naksu is doing just playing maid.

Gradually, everything that was cool and different about this show is being stripped away and replaced with bland love lines. So, it's not for me. (And I like, romcoms, just not this mash up.)

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Fresh, funny, even a little captivating.

With some rare exeptions, in general I don't really like fantasies, but this series manages to keep my interest. I think it's because the actors; They are all charming and beleivable. The plot is intresting enogh, but I think I watch mostly for the overall vibe of the show.. The interaction between the main 2 characters is really charming, The whole vibe of the show is somehow fresh. I love the intro music a lot. It's not some big piece of art or something, but I like it and I hardly wait for each new episode. And that it says something, bc I am easily bored with most dramas. It's my weekend treat :)
I love all the actors!

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2nd lead syndrome peaked here

There aren’t many admirable historical fantasy k-dramas but alchemy of souls definitely stands out.. The story is interesting and full of surprises. Even thou it’s not a comedy drama but it was hilarious at times.
But I am writing this review to pour my heart out and rant even thou i haven’t started season 2 yet.
First of all, Jang Uk our ML is given everything on
a sliver platter, whether it was power or women. He just keeps getting lucky. The writers spoon fed his character too much. If it weren’t for mudok, he wouldn’t have gotten anywhere on his own. Simply put i wasn’t a fan of the ML. I liked the FL more, her acting was superb and she made us fall in love with mudok. She ate and left no crumbs.

My next rant is regarding the pitiful love triangle, we know 2nd lead never gets the girl/guy regardless of how much they try. Seo yul was no exception, his fate was to get heartbroken .. My heart ached for him and i am soo mad at the writers for doing so. They could’ve brought a proper love interest for yul but no…he was hung up on naksu and his feelings were to remain one sided.!!!! The scene where mudok and yul are on the bridge looking at each other and he put her hand on his heart, it gave me chills. It was soo intense and the music in the background is soo heartwarming that was when I started shipping them together.

It’s soo hard for me to enjoy the show seeing yul get hurt like that. I wanted him to end up with the FL soo badly that it made me lose focus on whatever was going on in the show. I am sure I am not the only one who felt this way.the 2nd lead syndrome hit soo hard here.

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