Alchemy of Souls

환혼 ‧ Drama ‧ 2022
Ongoing 20/20
zimzalaminho
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 12, 2023
20 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

In all honesty? A masterpiece!

Watched this majestic drama while it was still airing in Korea the past year, and honestly was the best drama of all 2022!
Usually, I'm not a historic + historic/fantasy drama lover, I love history but I'm not really that good at the Korean one, so at first I wanted to avoid it, I've thought that the mixture of the completely different genres would be a huge mess.
What a dumb thought.
The storyline can be tricky at first, especially for all the different families and the flashbacks are a whole lot, but once the first episodes the story starts to get amazing, and the long length of each episode (pretty much like a movie per each episode) goes in the back. Jung So Min is AMAZING in this, she and her facial expressions are hilarious and a tinge of adding some 'slap comedy' is a big yes for me!
I would recommend this? YES
Is worth a rewatch? Yes Again!!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
kdramadreaming
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 3, 2022
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Just Like Harry Potter

Alchemy of Souls Part 1 (2022)

Likes
1. I like the whole fantasy part about soul shifters and spells. Reminds me of Harry Potter since this drama also had different teams, they used swords instead of wands, and Uk is like Harry Potter who didnt know he was the boy that will save them all (or the boy with the King's Star)
2. I like Mudeok/Naksu coz she is brave and ruthless but she also learned to mature and love instead of becoming an assassin. Im still confused about Buyeon, how can 2 souls reside in 1 body. They say Buyeon is controlling the body and yet when Naksu heard the bells, Buyeon couldnt do anything. So i feel like writer is using Buyeon if they need a plot device.
3. I loved Jang Uk and how much he has grown since ep 1.
4. I love the master-pupil pair of Mudeok/Jang Uk more than as lovers. Naksu/Yul were better in terms of tragic romance. Cho Yeon/Danggu were cute but Jin/Maid Kim/Master Lee were my fave.

Dislikes
1. The first half was so boring, it got interesting only starting ep 12. I think this should have been 16 eps not 20. There were several unnecessary sidestories and too many characters. And why no one ever suspected Mudeok to be Naksu when there are so many red flags about her! For supposedly powerful mages, they were all stupid except for Uk and Yul. And they cant even capture Jinmu who is always one step ahead of them!
2. I didnt feel the romantic chemistry between Mudeok and Jang Uk, even when they finally confessed and kissed on ep 19 it was blah.. the only scene that stirred me was the end when Naksu stabbed Jang Uk and he died and Mudeok woke up and realized what she has done.
3. A little unbelievable that 3 guys were fighting over Mudeok esp the Crown Prince who didnt know she was Naksu and thought of her as a mere servant. I also didnt like the Crown Prince although i think he was meant to be arrogant. I dont know if he is going to be bad in part 2.

Rating: 8.25 (8 for first half, 8.5 for second half)

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 8/20
CeciliaCatherine
1 people found this review helpful
Jul 15, 2022
8 of 20 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Alchemy of Souls

I have already watched episode 1 until 8. For now episodes 1-8 all of the players are cool and Handsome omg!! 😎💘💗. The storyline is unique and amazing!! 🤩. I Like all the OST Alchemy of Souls, the songs also really touch my heart and relate to the story. I Love all the Chemistry. Tomorrow will come out episodes 9 and 10. I'm very excited 🤩 and Can't wait for the next episodes for tomorrow. Thank you for made this drama. Love it!! ❤️. Fighting!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 2/20
Zainab4hmed
8 people found this review helpful
Jun 21, 2022
2 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Don't listen to the haters!

When I was thinking about watching this show, I was initially worried about why the rating was already so low. I ended up delaying it, thinking that it was probably average/not worth watching. It was only by chance, flicking through Netflix that it came on, and I WAS HOOKED!

From what I've gathered through the comments section, the low rating is due to C-drama fans bombing the ratings...
This show is actually surprisingly fresh, it has characters that have genuine motivations and also (it seems to me) a unique storyline.

So far, definitely worth the watch!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 2/20
Cherrymotion
6 people found this review helpful
Jun 22, 2022
2 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 4
Overall 7.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

Give This a Chance

To be honest I almost dropped this after watching half of the first episode. I was having a very high expectation because the trope seemed interesting. But the introduction was not engaging and the characterization was weak. I was hoping for something deeper than this and I saw that potential on the past story line instead.

The problem was not on the quality of the drama. In fact the CGI was excellent. And I've enjoyed the characters more cringe and the story way cliche than this (this is not cliche imo). I just thought that I was not the right target audience for this. I might love this when I was younger. But later I found myself started to question many things and not just accepted things easily. Especially in this case, for a fantasy I needed to be assured and it had to be logical according to their culture universe. I understood that fantasy had its own structure and it wouldn't be the same as the reality but it's their job to make the world they built in the drama made sense for us to watch. And I felt that this drama was still working on it.

That being said the ending of the first episode was kind of a turning point. When I learned a little about the main lead characters I started to understand. Something I lately realized that it was made sense after all. It was just because of it poorly introduced that almost failed me. It gave me a hope that this was about to get interesting. I was relieved I didn't drop this right away when the episode two began to grow on me.

As I already dropped my expectation, I'm looking forward for whatever this drama has in store for me for the next episodes.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 12/20
SaurabhSinha
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 30, 2022
12 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 7.5

Must Watch

As a drama lover i watched the series (12 episodes) series is worth of watching & actor are played their roles so perfectly but sometimes feels bored bcoz unwanted comic scenes those was ridiculous as a historical drama i must prefer to the pace of show is not disrupt & as audience i think historical drama must be don't use a unwanted comedy those are so cheeesy & clumsy overall actors are works hard those seen in series. I watched so many historical drama so i think this ia my best opinion as a viewer
Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 2/20
kparamo559
3 people found this review helpful
Jun 21, 2022
2 of 20 episodes seen
Dropped 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Why should you watch this historical K-drama?

This K-drama is really good and it’s a little different from the other historical k-dramas I have watched. This reminds me more of a historical C-drama but the production, acting, story line, and quality is much better. I have only Watched the first two episodes that have come out but I can't wait for the other episodes. I highly recommend that you watch this k-drama if you want something a little different from other historical K-dramas, and if you are looking for a good story line. So go and watch it, you have nothing to lose.
Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 1/20
AtlLee
2 people found this review helpful
Aug 7, 2022
1 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 1.5
This review may contain spoilers

Good show but meanders a lot

Update during the final episode.

As predicted, they ruined the show at the end. They gave themselves a little over 40 minutes to wrap up Nak-su/Mu-duk/Jin bu-yeon story thread. Nobody received any consequences of their actions including Lady Jin and her husband. How did Jin Mu escape and went missing when he was literally surrounded by the entire assembly of sorcerers? The prince just casually runs into Jin Mu in the “secret” room everyone knew about? Worst yet, the prince basically listens to Jin Mu and gets manipulated? Jin Mu had a bell that he can use to control Nak-Su? Now that Nak-Su resurfaces, everyone forgot what Jin -Mu did? What?

I haven’t see many Hong sisters’ work but I guess this is their MO and they couldn’t help themselves.

Update after Ep. 17.

I’m lowering this show to 7.

I’m a little shocked after the latest episode where the king wanted to kill a person just to see the ice stone’s power. What’s more shocking is that people actually went along with it. This is so nuts.

Basically, this episode is the culmination of how this show meandered the entire time. They knew who the bad guys were but they were busy doing stupid stuff to justify 20 episodes. Now, here we are…

Review after 15 episodes.

I’ve watched 15 episodes so far. I’m enjoying it quite a lot so far.

A few points.

1. It’s not as action packed as I thought it would be. Mostly just drama. Lots of talking but done fairly well.
2. It meanders quite a bit. We find out who the bad guys are fairly early on along with the main characters. But they don’t do a whole lot with it for a long time. They do mention it and do some digging around here and there. But the good guys spend a lot of time doing trivial stuff in between. I guess they need enough filler for 20 episodes.
3. Main character Jang Uk is pretty unlikeable. He had a chip on his shoulder for not having the power first. Then when he actually gets it, he wastes his time refusing to train. He knows that a lot depends on him getting strong including Nak-su getting her power back. It’s frustrating watching him wasting his time. But of course, him being the main character, he continues to get strong without putting a lot of effort. He’s also petty and cocky. Hard to like this guy.
4. Mu deuk is great. Love the character herself, her story and acting were all great. Jung So Min is great as usual.
5. Four heirs to the four great families were advertised to be the elites of the elites. But they mostly turned out to be major duds. Incompetent and goofy except Yul. Huge let down.
6. This show has no shortage of great supporting characters. Maid servant Kim, Master Lee, Songrim’s leader, and the prince. So much fun watching them. Love the prince!
7. Jin Mu, the main bad guy so far is done well. He seems sinister and dark. Well done.
8. Not a big fan of how the story unfolds. They show you something and then go back to show what really happened. It gets tiring after a while.
9. Looks like they spent a lot of money and effort creating the world. CG looks pretty good for the most part. Wire-fu… not so much.

I’m looking forward to see how this ends. Just found out that there will be a part 2. Interesting.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 1/20
Rima-chan
5 people found this review helpful
Jun 19, 2022
1 of 20 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

This review is from the first episode and will be edited after the drama ends

Am changing my rating from 10 to 7.5
The drama started really strong - I love Naksu and her fighting scenes. It took a while to get used to her new body but the actress Somin did a great job in portraying Naksu and Mudeok.

I am mostly interested in the past and the mysteries of the other characters.
However, lately the story started to focus on romance and I feel like they started to neglect some of the plots. Almost everyone is having a romance and love triangle...
6 more episodes to go but it seems nothing is ever changing, except of course the romance part which I am not really interested in.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
MissHabib
7 people found this review helpful
Dec 8, 2024
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Quem acredita sempre alcança... em vários casos.

Antes de tudo, é o meu kdrama favorito. Não, não vou dar uma nota 10, por mais obcecada e fascinada que eu seja por ele.
O drama começa com um primeiro episódio dando uma introdução icônica e sempre lembrada da protagonista, a Assassina das Sombras, Naksu (Go Younjung). Aquele gosto doce de fantasia, ver uma personagem feminina lutando com maestria. É doce. É o tipo de fantasia que vai nos levar para uma outra dimensão de cara (se você for um grande apreciador do gênero). Mas a adrenalina da melhor introdução de personagem já feita, acaba aí.
Quando a protagonista troca de corpo com uma desconhecida de corpo frágil, e que não foi a escolhida por ela, temos uma sequência divertida de reclamações de alguém que já foi poderosa e agora tem que conviver sem seus feitiços poderosos. É divertido, mas o problema disso tudo, é que demoramos cerca dos 7 primeiros episódios nos arrastando no enredo principal. Informações que poderiam ter sido dadas no mesmo episódio e de forma objetiva, levam vários episódios com informações picotadas (prejudicial para um público que apresenta problemas em conectar fios). Nesse início, depois dos primeiros 25 minutos do primeiro episódio, o telespectador precisa ter paciência e aceitar a narrativa escolhida para Alquimia das Almas.
O Worldbuilding é bem construído para compensar a lentidão daquele começo porque quando passa da parte de introdução ao universo de Daeho, as coisas fluem tão cristalinas quanto a água, e você não sente o tempo passar.
Causa fascínio assistir a construção inicial de Daeho, ser entrelaçado com o enredo dos protagonistas e dos outros personagens. Mal tem furos quanto a parte sistemática da magia do universo de Daeho.
O protagonista tem uma ótima personalidade calorosa, e de cara, ele se encanta pela única mulher que ele deveria ficar longe em sua vida (ela é uma assassina, mas ele não liga). É um filhotinho de cachorro sendo ensinado a dar a patada. O jeito que ele trata Naksu (me recuso a chamar de Mudeok, não vou participar da retaliação da personagem), é bonitinho. Ele é teimoso, mas preguiçoso.
Quanto a Naksu/Mudeok (Jung Somin), a trajetória da personagem não é sobre poderes, o que pode ser decepcionante para alguns, mas a protagonista-vilã nos desperta empatia por ter sido forjada daquela forma, usada e então descartada. Enquanto a trajetória de Jang Uk é sobre evoluir seus poderes, a trajetória de Naksu/Mudeok, é sobre a humanização de seu caráter. Vemos uma pessoa implacável, fria e reclamona nos primeiros episódios, mas lentamente ela vai suavizando suas características, até perceber que permitiu Uk entrar até ela se apaixonar. E isso é feito de forma sutil, bonita e delicada. As irmãs Hong impressionam quando nos entrega uma vilã como protagonista que começa a ter seu arco de redenção de forma bem feita. Não foi jogado na nossa cara uma história triste logo de primeira, mas nossa empatia por ela é construída aos poucos, nos mostrando seu passado como uma garotinha de 5 anos que perdeu tudo.
A trajetória indivual dos protagonistas, é satisfatória, assim como o worldbuilding e os arcos, mas minha nota 8.5 é para mostrar que ela também tem defeitos.
Alquimia das Almas Parte 1 não precisava de 20 episódios para falar sobre Jang Uk treinando. Se iam usar a ferramenta de genialidade e Estrela do Rei para justificar Uk aprender tudo muito rápido, então não precisávamos ter perdido tanto tempo nesse plot. Ele era preguiçoso, e o esforço mínimo dele era sempre o máximo e estava tudo bem porque ele é a Estrela do Rei.
Alquimia das Almas parte 1 não precisava de 20 episódios por motivo nenhum. Se tivessem compactado informações e deletados alguns arcos e cenas desnecessárias, entregaria algo de alta qualidade e que não me daria a sensação de que determinados episódios estavam ali como fillers. 15 episódios para essa temporada era mais do que o suficiente. O triângulo amoroso também é repulsivo, e eu sinto muito para as Team Seo Yul que vão ler isso, mas o enredo deixa claro que sempre foi o Uk. O tempo usado para determinadas coisas, deveria ter sido usada para dar background decente para Jin Seolran, e a ponte para o enredo da parte 2. Deveriam ter colocado mais flashbacks da protagonista sendo uma assassina, não apenas nos falando (particularmente, nesse caso, prefiro que usem a ferramenta do "mostrem, não falem"). Se tivessem feito tudo isso, teria sanado os problemas que geraram na parte 2.
O elenco foi constituídos por pessoas novas na k-ent - com exceção de Jung Somin -, mas todos surpreendentemente talentosos. A nota 7.5 é por causa da exceção dos "talentosos entre os atores novatos". O ator do Seo Yul iria permanecer com a mesma expressão, se alguém gritasse que o cabelo dele estava pegando fogo. Ele não pode atuar nem mesmo pela vida dele. Jung Somin, para uma veterana, me causa um pouco de incômodo porque ela não é o tipo de atriz que costumo apreciar a atuação. Ela foi muito bem nos primeiros 13 episódios, entregou um momento lindo no episódio da carta de amor, mas depois parece que perdeu a mão nas expressões caricatas para uma personagem assassina e que basicamente não teve alegria nenhuma na vida, além de um jovem recém saído da adolescência que ficaria de barriga pra cima e abanaria o rabo se ela pedisse (não é um defeito Uk ser assim. É fofo.).
Alquimia das Almas parte 1 mal tem romance, e as cenas que tem, ficaram devendo. A química romântica entre Jung Somin e Lee Jaewook é morna, mas compensou na química para a dinâmica proposta na parte 1 entre Mestra e Pupilo, que não tem nada a reclamar (ao contrário da romântica).
A trilha sonora carregou as cenas românticas nas costas. O drama é muito bem dirigido, a cenografia é espetacular e de tirar o fôlego. O enredo te fascina e prende até o fim depois que resiste ao começo lento. Atualmente, só não assistiria de novo porque assisti 7 vezes e tem 20 episódios de 1h20min, é muito longo.
Reconhecendo seus defeitos e qualidades, com altos e baixos no seu enredo, as irmãs Hong ainda conseguem entregar uma fantasia de alta qualidade que dá uma surra em várias séries de fantasia ocidental.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
achuland
5 people found this review helpful
Dec 11, 2022
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Ne pas me lire si vous avez aimé, ou si vous avez l'intention d'aimer ce drama...

Depuis quand suis-je une fan inconditionnelle des soeurs Hong? J'ai l'impression que ces rires et ces moments de plaisir datent seulement d'hier....Il y a 12 ans, je découvrais les dramas coréens, et par là même, les soeurs Hong avec "You're Beautiful". Depuis, je n'ai jamais, au grand jamais, raté un seul de leurs oeuvres, ayant comme beaucoup mes préférences et mes moins aimés. Si je devais dire que "Big" et "Warm and Cosy" font partis des moutons noirs da ma liste, je n'ai pourtant jamais été jusqu'à présent déçue de leurs oeuvres, de leur univers, de leur humour si caustique.... Il y a toujours une première fois à tout, me dira-t-on....

Si le thème et le scénario semblent alléchants, tous ces détails tels l'univers, le jeu des acteur, la superficialité de l'écriture des personnages et surtout cette facilité paresseuse scénaristique et de réalisation, dont je ne m'attendais pas de leur part, ont émaillé peu à peu mon intérêt pour ce drama, allant jusqu'à m'obliger à me faire force afin de le finir....plus que 3 petits épisodes avant de le considérer comme complet, jamais aussi peu d'épisodes ne m'auront paru aussi interminables.
Me voilà à devoir défendre maladroitement les soeurs Hong devant mon ado de 16 ans, qui sans aucune honte a décidé de laisser tomber le drama, et ne cesse de me taquiner «  alors, je croyais que les dramas des soeurs Hong étaient une tuerie?? ».

Premier point noir : L’histoire n'est pas mauvaise, bien au contraire, et avait vraiment du potentiel. Nous retrouvons l'univers fétiche des soeurs Hong. Mais il faut le dire, cet univers est bien plus « pauvre » que ce que j’ai pu voir dans « Korean Odyssey » par exemple. Si je devais le comparer à des oeuvres dont la richesse ont su ravir mes pupilles, je pourrais citer « Ever Night » qui reste une référence pour moi. Sinon, sans chercher aussi loin, « Arthdal Chronicles » fait tout aussi bien l’affaire. Ces deux oeuvres sont visuellement magnifiques et foisonnent de personnages aussi variés qu’intéressants. Ce qui est malheureusement loin d’être le cas du dernier né des soeurs Hong. Un univers de mages et d’assassins, pourquoi pas. Mais c’est tout. Rien d’autres. Il est dommage de ne pas avoir su créer de clans divers qui auraient apportés une immense dimension, ne cloisonnant pas ainsi cette histoire aux mages. Il aurait été intéressant de voir des paladins, des maîtres poisons, des arcanes, des prêtes, des moines soldats, bref, un univers plus riche aurait peut-être rendu le drama plus intéressant. Le visuel n’a rien d’extraordinaire et c’est regrettable, mais devenue monnaie courante chez les coréens où la plupart de leur réalisation sont de bonne facture. Ce n’est pas une mauvaise chose, mais il faut alors avouer que les attentes deviennent alors élevés. Ils ont déjà fait tellement mieux, j’ai encore en tête les magnifiques plans de « Mr Sunshine » dont la superbe photographie avait tellement su mettre le tragique du drama en valeur. Si nous prenons par exemple le dernier drama qui a chamboulé toute ma vie, « Love Like The Galaxy », je dirai que les coréens se contentent désormais de leur savoir faire. Ce qui au final leur porte préjudice. Mes yeux brillent encore de la beauté visuel de « Love Like The Galaxy » ou de « Love Between fairy and Devil » Difficile de ne pas tirer la moue face à « Alchemy of Souls »…

Deuxième point noir : Le jeu des acteurs/ l’écriture des personnages….Je ne dirai pas avoir été déçue, pour la simple et bonne raison : je n’ai jamais été impressionnée par Jung So Min, ni par Lee Jae Wook. Jung So Min n’est pas une mauvaise actrice, mais pas une seule fois, je n’ai été émue par ses yeux de chiens abattus, son regard faussement indigné ou énervé….C’est surement une question d’affinité, car j’ai cru comprendre que la communauté lui vouait une admiration sans borne. Ce n’est ni mon cas, ni celui de chéri, ni celui de mon ado. Son jeu nous a paru faux et forcé. Alors je sais que le personnage de Mu deok semble attirer toute la sympathie de la communauté, mais sincèrement, je n’ai pas du tout aimé ce personnage. Une femme sois-disante forte et badass??? Gosh, les soeurs Hong, qu’avez vous écrit? Elle passe le plus clair de son temps à courir après Jang Uk, à faire des tours pendables, histoire de le rendre plus fort, oubliant rapidement l’histoire de son père qui passe à la trappe. Go Ae SIn (Mr Sunshine) , Nian Nian (Love Like the Galaxy) ou Jang Man Wol (Hotel Del Luna) étaient des femmes fortes qui en jetaient! Mais sûrement pas Mu Deok.
Lee Jae Wook que j’avais découvert dans « Extraordinary You » n’est pas mauvais et a fait des progrès, mais je dois avouer que je n’ai pas réussi non plus à accrocher à son personnage…. Jang Uk aurait pu être intéressant mais son apprentissage ne m’a pas paru une seule fois crédible. Il n’y a pas assez d’emphase sur ses échecs, ses réflexions. Tout va trop vite et lors de ses progressions, et de ses victoires, nous restons de marbre. Dans « Side Story Of Fox Volant », les progressions de Hu Fei sont passionnantes et limite transcendantes, comme lorsque Miao Renfeng le guide lors de son combat contre Tian Gui Nong. J’avoue pourtant que Jang Uk a été un personnage agréable à suivre, taquin et charmeur à souhait. Malheureusement, son côté guerrier et mage n’ont pas été à la hauteur.
Le pire furent les « vilains » de l’histoire. Come on, Jo Jae Yoon, en vilain, je n’y ai pas cru une seule minute. C’est un rôle qui lui va mal. A la limite du risible, ce personnage n’est ni haïssable (rappelez vous des 3 vilains de « Vincenzo », horribles et méprisables à souhait!), ni féroce. Il ne nous fait ni peur, ni craindre une seule minute pour la vie des protagonistes (même lorsqu'ils furent pris au piège). Les antagonistes secondaires ne sont guère mieux, comme la reine, qui pourrait gagner la palme des méchantes inutiles et grotesques….
Je regrette par contre que des acteurs comme Park Jin que j’adore ou Im Chul Soo (inoubliable dans « Vincenzo »!!!) aient pu participer à cela. Bien que. Je l’avoue. Le rôle de Im Chul Soo a été le seul que j’ai aimé et qui m’aura fait rire plus d’une fois. Ah, il y’en a bien un autre qui a volé la vedette à Lee Jae Wook. Non, non pas Seo Yul. Le prince Go Won. Je l'aurai bien vu en protagoniste.

3ème point noir : La romance. Oui, il faut l’écrire. Ce drama se focalise beaucoup autour de la romance, difficile de ne pas devoir le juger. Je suis une mordue de romance et je fond facilement devant les pires clichés du monde. Mais alors ici, rien. Même pas un frémissement. Ce n’est certes pas la pire des romances. Elle reste tout de même bien fade et ennuyante. Il y a 0 alchimie entre nos protagonistes, 0 tension, 0 sensualité, 0 « kawai » attitude, 0 complicité. Bref, rien. Pour moi en tout cas.
Leur histoire prend d’ailleurs une place trop importante. Il aurait été judicieux d’apporter une touche de romance comme dans « Ever Night » qui possède aussi un peu cette relation particulière de maitre-serviteur. Mais si dans « Ever Night » la romance est astucieusement dosée (alors qu’elle est au final au coeur du drama ), ici, elle couvre bien 90% de la série, ne laissant que peu de place à l’intrigue, à l’action. Et je ne parle que de la romance principale, car il y a les autres romances (tout aussi ennuyante, voire pire).

4ème point noir : L’action. Heu….je ne dirai pas que c’est mauvais. Mais ce n’est pas de l’action, si je devais vous donner mon opinion. L’action pour moi c’est « Kenshin » (Impossible d’avoir pu passer à côté de cette saga, n’est ce pas?). C’est « Ip Man » ( la rapidité et la précision des gestes de Donnie Yuen sont quasi incomparables). C’est « Ever Night » (ne passez pas à côté des combats de l’épéiste expert, de la magnifique technique "Arc+pentacle" de Ning Qe, ou encore l’épique combat de la 3ème soeur!!!!)… ou le récent « Side Story of Fox Volant » (si vous voulez voir une héroïne se battre comme un as, virevoltant avec virtuose et botter le popotin des hommes avec classe! et surtout, surtout le duel incroyable et magique entre Miao Renfeng et Hu Fei, inoubliable!)….

Cela me désole d’avoir à autant dénigrer ce drama. Non que j’en avais envie. J’ai beaucoup hésité avant de venir l'écrire.
Les soeur Hong ont fait partie des scénaristes qui m’ont gagné à la cause des Kdramas 12 ans auparavant. Elles m’ont fait rêver. Rire. Je suis tombée amoureuse. Encore et encore. L’OST de « You’re the Beautiful » tourne encore en boucle chez moi.
Jang Man Wol (Hotel Del Luna) fait encore partie de mes personnages préférées!
Non, vraiment, cela me fend le coeur d’avoir autant détesté ce drama.
Et tout ce que je souhaite, c’est que la saison 2 me réconcilie avec leur oeuvre. Alors je croise les doigts.

(Je n'ai même pas le courage de regarder la saison 2...)

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Carolina Marques
4 people found this review helpful
Jan 5, 2024
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Por que eu demorei tanto para assistir essa obra de arte?!

Confesso que para uma telespectadora assídua, demorei bastante para assistir as duas temporadas de Alquimia das Almas. Mas como toda fã de dramas que se prese, um clássico não pode ficar de fora da lista.
Gostar, gostar mesmo de drama de fantasia, eu não gosto, mas por causa de Lee Jae-wook, aceitei o desafio. Não assisti no começo com muita expectativa, mas acabei me apaixonando muito pelo drama. Só pela arte e efeitos já faz você se apaixonar e querer assistir cada segundo. E os 30 episódios das duas temporadas passam voando de tanto que a trama te prende.

Mas acredito que o grande segredo do sucesso de Alquimia das Almas é o roteiro, efeitos especiais, coreografias das lutas alinhados ao seu elenco devastador de bom. É de tirar o fôlego, a história é incrível! Por isso, fiquei me perguntando: Por que eu demorei tanto para assistir essa obra de arte?!
A História tem começo e um final impactante que te transporta para dentro da trama desde o primeiro minuto. Alquimia das Almas é realmente daqueles dramas de tirar o fôlego. Os efeitos visuais são de aplaudir de pé, nível de filme. É tão hipnotizante que eu assisti a temporada 1 com 20 episódios e a temporada 2 com 10 episódios em um dia e meio (ou seja, não dormi!)

Lee Jae-wook fazendo Jang Uk seu papel é muito bom. Podemos facilmente empatizar com sua tristeza, felicidade e luta durante todo o drama. Seu desenvolvimento durante a passagem do tempo entre os primeiros até o último episódio é impressionante e notável. Já havia visto outros dramas com Lee Jae-wook e já tinha notado sua competência como ator mas em Alquimia das Almas eu verdadeiramente me apaixonei por ele.

Em relação a segunda temporada muitos não gostaram em especial, devido a troca da atriz principal. Independente de rumores da troca, para o enredo de fato fazia sentido essa troca. Jang Uk se apaixounou pela alma da Naksu então fazia sentido a atriz que fez a Naksu na primira temporada fechar o ciclo do drama. Todos os fatores são explicados muito bem ao longo da segunda temporada.
Eu, particularmente estou no time dos que amaram o desfecho romântico. Para quem curte um final feliz, a história de Jang Wook e Naksu não poderia acabar daquele jeito. E particularmente amei a química entre Lee Jae-wook e Go Yoon Jung,
Lee Jae-wook trabalhou bem com Jung So-min na primeira temporada. Mas com Go Youn-jung meus amigos, eles estavam em outro nivel, As cenas românticas foram de tirar o fôlego. que beijos...que quimica...que casal!

A temporada 2 valeu a pena? Para os apaixonados pelo casal protagonista, com certeza sim. E eu já disse que sou do time apaixonados pelo casal então sim, eu amei a temporada 1 e também a amei a temporada 2. Mas para quem buscava uma narrativa mais densa, talvez a resposta seja diferente. E entendo, verdadeiramente.

Há, e vale destacar a OST. Que obra prima senhores! A trilha sonora é muito incrível.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Alchemy of Souls poster

Details

Statistics

  • Score: 9.1 (scored by 90,321 users)
  • Ranked: #35
  • Popularity: #20
  • Watchers: 174,177

Top Contributors

121 edits
72 edits
68 edits

Popular Lists

Related lists from users
All Time Favorite Dramas
797 titles 1985 loves 36
tvN Dramas
353 titles 229 loves
Who is Your Favourite Cdrama Couple? ❣
362 titles 5219 voters 402 loves 79

Recently Watched By