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.
Was this review helpful to you?
Overrated, so dragging and boring
Seriously who wrote the script? So foolish , completely ruined story, complete nonsense. Waste of time, i eagerly waited for months but this is all I see. Now I get it why Naksu jumped into lake ,cause she don't want to live to watch season 2.Naksu is smart enough .you should have atleast considered season 1 before making this,I got nothing from this show now, no love , no sense, FL acting seriously was she acting, I thought she is bystander.i haven't seen any comedy , if you think we should laugh at those jokes oh comeon what's wrong with your humour sense.Why such dragging, I am loosing interest in season 1. Don't go for season 2. Why villans always win, boring. I loved season 1 , now I lost interest completely, dropping it .what are they doing childplay?what kind of story is this? Female lead is like"I AM UNBEATABLE BEAUTY" but she is unbearably annoying, I never saw any expression on her face, why they took her in first place, go and learn acting then comeback. Firstly , they could have wrapped the show with good ending in season 1 itself instead of spoiling story. Ruined the show.Was this review helpful to you?
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?
One of the few great 2nd seasons.
It is really rare to see a 2nd season that is as good as the 1st. I don't really think this is a sequel. It is just the 2nd part of the same drama.It was a great experience. I really love fantasy and historical dramas. But it had two problems I think. First, the overall really complecated story of Naksu/Bu Yeon. I couldn't understand it and I don't believe it helped the plot. Second, this season was really fast paced. Especially the end was super hurried. As slow was the 1st, so fast was the 2nd. I believe a lot of things needed more time. It was rushed in the end. If both seasons had 15 episodes, it would be better. The 1st needed less episodes and the 2nd more.
All in all, it is a great drama and we rarely see this type of k-dramas. In the bonus, amazing special efects. Also, Lee Jae Wook was great and had great chemistry with everyone.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This Is like the best drama i have ever Seen it's so good the story everything about it Is Just perfect and i love the main actors chemistry good cast So Younjung Is really a good actress i loved her as Naksu than Mudeok and Lee Jae wook Is the generation of futur actor. I Just Hope they will have a Happy ending cause both Naksu and Jang Ku deserves It i don't want them to cry anymore. I Will like to see Lee Jae wook ans So Younjung on another drama as lead cause they both have good chemistry their acting is so natural that you can thing they're both together in real Life. Was this review helpful to you?
The best of the best!!
Whenever I see this drama, I get sentimental. It really left a deep impression on me. It's an unforgettable masterpiece that everyone should watch. I love both seasons equally. In the first season I was constantly laughing and excited, and in the second season I was crying but I was overjoyed. It was really painful to watch this wonderful fantasy, but definitely worth it. And now, after all this time, it still remains my favorite drama of all time, and the best thing I've ever seen in my life.❤️Was this review helpful to you?
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?
UNIQUE STORY AND THE DRAMA IS A WORK OF SATISFACTION
The drama, the characters everything is so well written and directed. One of the best drama I have watched till date. You will fall in love with each character of the story. I swear I am going to recommend this drama to everyone. I wish there could be more extension to this drama, even though I am satisfied with everything the end the beginning all of it was worth it. The end was satisfying. This is my first time reviewing about a drama. I don't want to give any spoilers. To anybody who wishes to watch it watch it because it will make you feel anxious, happy, sad, excited, thrill, kick I MEAN TO SAY IT HAS ALL OF IT.THE ACTORS DID A GREAT JOB AS WELL.
JANG UK HAS MY HEART😭
Was this review helpful to you?
BEST DRAMA OF 2022.
AOS S1&2 were phenomenal and it was one of those dramas that I would like to re-watch in the future. It was a pack of everything, best of cast, visually and skills as well, best osts, interesting and fun plot and dialogues.While watching this drama I laughed, cried and again laughed. I am not a fan of historical themed dramas. But this one was different, while keeping the historical essence, it was funny and modern. I loved the costumes and how their looks and costumes changes after the leap.
S1 was great, no doubt. So min gave it a kick start and set a mark of excellence for the drama. She was excellent in action, funny as hell and cried sm because of her.
However, I will say GYJ did an amazing job in S2 because her job was harder. She had to act while also keeping the essence of mudeok and somin while playing her role. People had high expectations from her and many were waiting to throw shade at her. However, she proved those haters wrong with her acting and was like a fluff cotton ball while acting as Buyeon, however her sassiness returned when she got naksu's memories.
This drama gave the most exposure to Jae Wook. He was still a rising star until a while ago, he got some main lead roles but I guess the scripts weren't as good as this. He got to show his high quality performance and was praised by everyone. I hope he will be casted in more.dramas and cannot wait for his next project.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Magnificent, Excellent, Perfect and all synonyms as well.
Alchemy of Souls left us back in August 2022 promising it would come back with another season half the size of the original one in December 2022. Were there any high expectations? Of course! Were they met? I realise now that certainly my expectations were low compared to what the second part provided us with.Part 1 did its thing. Introduced the story and characters to us, made us feel a lot of feelings we did not know we could feel, and left us with a cliffhanger (literally involving a cliff...) that lasted a couple months. The hype for Part 2 was gradually increasing as people started to watch Part 1 right before Part 2 dropped. Everyone, myself included, just wanted to see what happened after that finale.
Story-wise?
Yours truly fully enjoyed it. If I ever complained about it I can't remember anymore what that was about. Of course, sometimes it was a headache trying to understand what was happening, forming theories to keep ourselves busy till the next episode dropped. I am not going to lie and say I wasn't confused sometimes, but there's nothing that was left unexplained (in my opinion).
Character-wise?
I am a huge Jung Somin fan. I was kinda sad she wasn't going to appear in Part 2 but that didn't affect my expectations for the series. Go Younjung absolutely devoured her role. I wanted to see more of her Naksu in Part 1 and I'm so glad we got to see her even for a short 10 episodes. Her Jin Buyeon and her Naksu/Cho Yeong were two entirely different people with the same face, and she managed to convince me that I wasn't looking at the same person.
As for Jaewook, what can I say and where do I even start? He was fantastic. I just couldn't believe Part 2 Jang Uk was the same guy we met during Part 1. Jaewook's acting was just incredible and it played a pivotal role in me liking this part as much as its predecessor.
...
Alchemy of Souls is brilliant. If you haven't watched it, I really am judging you.
[I will continue to write this review later because I pulled an all nighter to watch the finale, definitely not a win for those in the west. But I would gladly do it again.]
Was this review helpful to you?
A must watch kdrama before you ?
the best kdrama!! chief kiss 💋 their acting was on top especially go young jung and lee jae wook. Perfect ending, perfect casting, perfect everything!! Every episode was not boring I got verryyy entertained and I literally force all of my friends to watch this masterpiece and I will not stop recording this to everyone I know. You have to watch this kdrama before you die, so you can peacefully and happily hehe love love. A big thank you to the Hong sisters for giving us the perfect ending I can't believe that its over😭 how can i move on??? from that perfect masterpieceWas this review helpful to you?
THIS IS THE BEST DRAMA EVER
I only started watching AOS because of Jaewook and Minhyun and I didn’t expected that I’ll like it so much! I’m sure i’ll never find a drama like this. What can I say, Alchemy of Souls is the best drama ever, my life will not be the same anymore. I liked everything about it: the story, music, acting especially Lee Jaewooks! I fully recommend to watch it. When you start from first episode of season one you won’t stop watching you’ll fall in love with Uk and Naksu. I guarantee you, watching it will be a emotional rollercoaster but ending is worth itWas this review helpful to you?



