Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow

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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All's well that ends well

It was just created to give everyone a happy ending so it was mostly happy ending but I think the main villain was dragged way too long at one point I was like will be die or is he immortal and then he just abruptly dies like to just end the story which was unsatisfying for most part. Like he who decided to not kill human just came up killed everyone in an instant and for how strong the fire bird was supposed to be I think the fight was underwelming.

It could have gone on for another episode but they should've made an end to be remembered for ages as it is such a nice drama.
Must say part one was better as nothing was rushed in it. and then again the main characters only had a little scene in the end, I definitely wishes to see more of those two together.

Final review
Must watch.
Rushed ending
Unsatisfactory end
Dragged Villain
Could be better but all's well that ends well I guess

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A bit downgrade from season 1, but still a good show.

The season two consists just 10 episodes, picking up what's left in season one. Three years had passed and our protagonist Jang-uk now became a soul-shifter hunter. He lived thanks to the ice stone inside his body. Ho-gyeong secretly retrieved Mu-deok's lifeless body, and with the help of Master Lee, they succeeded to resurrect her. However, she lost her memories. Jin-mu planned a new scheme to take control of the ice stone, now planning to use the fire bird relic stored in Jinyowon.
All the actors/tresses from previous season returned for the show, so their acting quality was as expected.
The soundtracks were good, though i personally prefer the first season's.
Perhaps only two things i will rant about, as the major downgrade from season one. First, the writing. For a ten episode show, i expected it to be faster pace & denser. But here, things only heated after episode five. The first half told us the problem of Jang-uk & Jin Bu-yeon aka Naksu aka Mu-deok (whatever name you like to call her) fake marital status. Occasionally, we saw silly comedic moments of Park Jin & Madam Kim. Well, not so much to tell from ep 1 to 5 which is sad. Also a questionable plot: Master Lee was able to resurrect Mu-deok/Bu-yeon/Naksu back without the ice stone. That didn't make sense. Even Jang-gang needed to use it & that's what make the ice stone so special.
Second, the fighting scenes. There's no single memorable fighting scenes in this one, unlike the first season. Possessed the ice stone inside his body, now Jang-uk was practically invincible, much like Superman. Waving his sword here & there, and the battle was over in seconds. Even the final battle against the fire bird wasn't exciting at all.
Perhaps, best moment was the 100% happy ending, which i feel isn't necessary. Come on, sometimes we need a bit of tragedies for the protagonist's side. Show the antagonists some love! But, yeah they decided to make everyone live, only the poor So-i had to die.. alone. LoL.
My rating for this one is 8,5 to 8,7. Season one deserves a 9.

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ALCHEMY OF SOULS 2 WORTH EVERY MILISECOND!!

First I'll express my disappointed after the announcement of Jung So Min ousting the FL role and being replaced by Go Yoon Jung. But all the perception changes after getting to episode 2 of season 2 (the highest so far). She's an excellent actor and deserves the role and I can already expect a lot from her. Season 1 was a hit of its own and probably the best Korean traditional drama I've watched followed by the likes of Ju Mong.

Into it, the story to begin with, is an excellent continuation and everything is explained since the end of season 1. It's three years into the future. I can't wait to see how everything unfolds between Jang UK(who still uses Naksu's sword) and Bu Yeon/Naksu.

The Casting is as perfect as season 1 and am more interested in Songrim's new leader Dang Gu to see how he leads and another change is the ever serious Park Jin in his new life after stepping down.( a joker but a serious one when seriuoness is needed). The acting is top notch thanks to dedicated actors and directors. The stunts are done so well, emotions expressed in way there could be no better way. You can't get a flaw in the acting. And I swear Jang UK is a different pleasure this season. A taste like no other. You love every scene he is in and you can't wait for when he next appears. But Yeon or Naksu's story is a wonder you need to see.

For the music from the OST, SFX and background music in AOS have never disappointed. The emotions and tense in scenes are well expressed. Top Notch.

Rewatch Value. I've been rewatching season 1 since it's last episode was released and I don't get tired of it. Into the second episode of season 2 and dearest you'll keep going back to start from episode 1 everytime you have a pinch of free time.

Overally I reated season 1 as a 9.5/10 and 10/10 for season 2 so far. It is well deserved though. If you want to watch something worth your time this is the right show to watch starting from season 1. I really can't wait a week for episode 3, WHAT A SHOW!!!

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I’ll be honest, when I started season 2, I wasn’t ready. I had such a strong emotional attachment to Mo deok, and it hurt seeing her gone. I really wanted her to stay in season 2😞

But as the episodes went on… I slowly started falling for Naksu.
Her chemistry with the male lead grew on me more than I expected, and they actually made a really beautiful and mature couple. 🥹
It was a different kind of love, calmer but still strong.

That said… nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will ever replace the couple from season 1 in my heart.
They were iconic. Their connection, the tension, the longing — it was magical and unforgettable. They’ll always be my Alchemy of Souls couple. 💘

So yes, season 2 was great in its own way and delivered a lovely conclusion…
But season 1? That was lightning in a bottle!!!

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow " is the second season of the hit drama that infuses fantasy, martial arts, and romance.

The second season takes a new turn on the characters, turning the tables on who the main lead, and shifting his personality from a carefree, arrogant aristocrat to a dark, cold one who is all business. The trick with the female lead was nicely handled, in addition, and the main couple's relationship was enjoyable to watch, as they organically started getting closer and closer.

However, when it comes to the political aspect of the drama, this season didn't have much to offer. Some nice battles spiced things up, and they were indeed masterfully presented, proving once again that the team behind the CGI worked hard to create a realistic result. On the other hand, the twists weren't that original and the drama was predictable.

Finally, the performances were all enjoyable from everyone in the cast.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

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Eager start, underwhelming end

Watch with lower expectations for this second half. An enjoyable watch with great bromance, impressive animations and usual plot progression. It is not as filled with filler episodes as the first season.

Now the following is my rant (spoiler), and warning to those who expect more out of Naksu's character in this season

I came into this second part ready to be equally impressed as the story went forth. The characters, the world, the plot was all laid out and I was excited for what it would bring.

I was also eager to see how the original Naksu actress would showcase the character we so enjoyed watching played by Jung Somin

...and I was disappointed. I feel like while we got the satisfying story end, and decent plot progression, the sole reason many, like myself, started this drama, namely Naksu's complex and strong character, just disappeared.

After 7 painstaking episodes, and telling myself it's because she lacks those memories, I received a Knight in Shining Armor trope and disappointing transiting to Naksu's character. The ending chaos or Part 1 was the last I would ever see of Naksu's character in action.

I loved learning about her outside of that assassin persona, but I yearned for her strength and courage to come forth. Alas....I got the same trope the writers of this drama use again and again with their previous works. To explain it, all I got was a short explanation at the end...sigh

I give it an 8 for the bickering I definitely enjoyed and its build up from its predecessor. But as for impressive...I think only Part 1 managed to charm me and keep me going :/

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How to rate a drama where the first part had me at the edge of my seat, while the second part almost lulled me to sleep? Hence my dilemma with Alchemy of Souls. I wasn’t sure where part two went wrong, or was it because part one was so amazing, it was hard to replicate the same excitement when I watched it?

The bad of Part 2:

- Though the leads are physically attractive, Jang Uk and Bu Yeon didn’t have the same spark as Jang Uk and Mu Deok.

- The pacing in this one dragged endlessly despite its short length. They spent more time wallowing than fighting.

- All this soul-shifting back and forth, like jumping from one body to the next, that defies the laws of fictional logic? How can the drama just explain away why in this instance, it’s okay to shift, but in that instance it’s not? I can’t keep up anymore with whose body belongs to which soul and whose soul is now inside which body.

- As for the secondary characters, it looked like everyone was just there for the sake of being there and going through the motions. You know which character that caught my interest? The god-damn turtle!

- And all the reminiscing. What’s the point? Am I supposed to believe that Jang Uk grew fond of Bu Yeon, because she’s Bu Yeon, or because she exhibits Naksu’s mannerisms and thoughts?

Part 2 Verdict: A shadow of Part 1. (8 out of 10)

Combined score: 9 out of 10.

Overall impression: Should have stopped at Part 1.

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Nothing much to rave about but certainly an interesting wrap-up

This is a sequel to the Alchemy of Souls with an open-ended and frustrating ending. At the end of the first series, Jang Uk was killed but was resurrected by the Ice Stone. Three years later in this sequel, he becomes a soul shifter killer, hunting down the remains of those who had escaped in the first series. While hunting a soul shifter, he runs into a beautiful woman who is held captive by her mother and begs him to help her escaped.

This sequel pales in comparison to the first. There are not much to look forward to. The identities are all revealed even that of this new Jin Bu-yeon is revealed to the audience. I thought the writer should hold on a few more episodes before doing that. I guess it is all to quickly allay the frustrations of those who watched the first series watching MuDeok died.

It becomes a bit of a drag - the identity of the new Jin Bu-yeon is known to the audience but not the characters involved. Jang Uk is in the dark and so are a lot of people in the drama. So the story revolves around them finding out one by one, and also how the 'righteous' people turn to the dark side.

I watched it as I wanted to know how it would all ends. So if you have already watched the first series, you would want to watch this one too.

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Funny, nice story with a really good cast, ending little bit disappointing

So first of all… I really liked this drama. Season 1 and part 2 also. It always kept me engaging. The main cast was really good, i really liked all the characters, the scenery was also beautiful.
However… the last episode of season 2 was a little bit disappointing for me. I need to mention that english is not my first language, so it can happen because of the language barrier, but when it came to soul shifting or the rules of this world… i could not follow it, and most of the times i just let it go. O.o Until the last episode, where i really wanted to follow up the story but i just could not. XD
And it bothers me now. I’m gonna watch it again in my mother language, i’m curious if i would get it better or not.

For me, especially in this season Lee Teacher’s explanations were too much, it’s like he knows everything, so basically he was the mouthpiece of the writers. I get it, it’s a fantasy world, people should understand the rules, but.. I felt like the rules were always changing. xD And because of this… plot armor was keeping the characters in safe most of the times.

In the last ep. where those 3 were dead for… like 3 minutes?! … if I want to be honest…I was disappointed that they are alive. :/ I really loved Park Jin and Kim DoJu, but I felt like… at least Jin Ho-Gyeong and Park Jin’s death would have made sense at some point and could be a collateral damage for the story. But for some reason, everyone got happy ending.
It surprised me that I did not cry, although I’m really that crying type when it comes to dramas. So it was a little bit weightless in the end.

And one more thing. For me they really sc**wed it up, when Jin Mu shifted souls with that Seo guy, he was really bad (also don't really like that actor, sorry xD), I couldn't take him seriously. It took me out of the story. I think the antagonist(s) should have been more…evil.

I’m satisfied with the main cast’s ending, although I still don’t understand Naksu-Buyeon (and others) soul shifting story and I really wanted to see Naksu in action again… but at least they are alive. XD
Altogether it was a nice drama, I recommend it everyone who likes rom-com with a lot of fantasy elements 

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