I Enjoyed More Than S1
Hear me out: My issue with S1 was there was so much fluff. They went 20 episodes in what could have been 10, and they proved that with S2.The story to me is essentially a remake of S1. Yes, it is technically a continuation, but the overall love story and outcome is the same, but without all of the time filling nonsense. I read some reviews where they complained about the two lead love story and how quickly he got over Mu Deok, but if you pay attention to the story, you'd see that it's a sense of familiarity vs "here's someone new. I like her". My biggest gripe of S2 is how rushed the last episode was. Here you have these one hour-one and a half hour long episodes, and they waited until the last one to try to close everything. It was silly and unnecessary and made me meh the ending instead of fully enjoying it.
The casting is GREAT! Yes, it is unfortunate the entire cast couldn't return, but Go Yoon Jung really stepped up to the plate and I felt her chemistry with Lee Jae Wook was so much more natural and convincing then his chemistry with Jung So Min in S1.
The OST was of course fitting for the drama, catchy, and memorable. It tugged at your heart strings at the end of each episodes and made you belt out the lyrics while you quickly skipped the countdown for the next episode.
I would give this drama a rewatch on a cleaning day or something like that. I can't say I'd consistently rewatch it outside or a wanting something on in the background scenario.
Overall, I enjoyed S2. There were some plot holes, and to me, it really seemed like a condensed remake of S1, but it made the execution better in my opinion. It's worth a watch if you enjoyed S1 but felt like something was missing.
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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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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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Meh ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pretty mid given the first season was so impressive...BUT, I will say I did not mind the change of actress as much as I thought I would. There was definitely a solid reason for that, I just wasn't a fan of that bit of plot, also I didn't think the ML and FL vibed as well this season. However, the CGI and visual aspect was not mid at all-- very nice graphics!!The story: exhausting. I felt like the more layers that were added to the plot, the more I was wishing for the end (and it was only 10 episodes sooo). I was not as engaged in the plot as I was in the first season, I think largely because of Jin Mu...same dude, doing the same stuff, and every evil scheme he came up with was such a reach. Not his biggest fan, really hope he stays dead <3
My *biggest* gripe with the whole thing was that Naksu never got her time to shine!! Her first scene in season 1 was so cool, it captured me immediately and had me waiting for her return the entire season and this season...but it never happens :( I thought for sure we would see Naksu and Jang Uk vs fire bird! And the end of this season hinted at that she could potentially train again to use her powers but like....now we have to wait for a season 3?! Which is super unlikely, so that sucks. :'(
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Started great, ended like a joke
Yeah it's plot went smoothly on season 1 and half of season 2. Until a little turtle suddenly become a big hero, hahaNot clearly where is it from, and suddenly its a hero that solve big things. Then why kim dong ju can't go out from jinyowon cave? Why every great magicians suddenly become villains and don't matter to ruin the world?
Why su yon where jinmu switch the body just startled and not even try to move or run?
The fight with dwajo (fire bird) also done poorly.
Etc.
The 2-3 last episodes like a mess and joke + ruined everything. No logic at all. It could have been better easily with just a few tweaks and explanations.
Anyway since half of it still good and we have to have s2 for their happy ending, I still give 7/10 for this.
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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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Review for Part 1 and 2 together
Alchemy of Souls Part 1 and 2 are spectacular productions. This is a character driven fantasy Korean drama that has very well choreograph action scenes, conspiracy galore, great CGI’s, beautiful costumes, comedy, and a story of steadfast love and support from the leading couple as well as the friendship among the young generation of mages. The chemistry among the main characters is fantastic as well as the dynamics of the older mages which many times deliver many comedic moments. Alchemy of Souls has an original story line from the famous Hong sisters with many twists and turns, modern styles (costumes and hairstyles), references to pop culture, and a great OST. The entire drama would’ve have been better if season 2 was integrated with season 1 creating just one drama and viewers would not have been disappointed with some changes. The leading lady on season 2 did very well bringing her character to life as she was Naksu in the beginning of season 1, which I particularly agree with bringing her back with her own semblance, but the amnesia plot weakened her magnificent warrior aura. The second season is more about Uk and Naksu’s love story. Overall, even though this drama has n blend of genres (action, mystery, revenge, comedy,…), the drama is about Uk and Naksu’s relationship as Master and Pupil that evolves into a beautiful love story among the mayhem of a fantastical plot and the antagonists underhanded tactics to bring them down. This drama (Part 1 and 2) is very entertaining, enjoy it!Was this review helpful to you?
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Could have been better
It seems like they stretched the story a little more which wasn't needed at all this could have been a very peaceful story but the made it was by adding so many twist.And US many people are saying that The Ml loved the New FL so he is kind of a playboy or something but I personally think that as the new female lead wanted to protect him that's why he is diff forwarded into their relationship some things where really useless and logic less in their relationship obviously but the story could have been more better
And about the other characters their life story also would have been more better.
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Disappointed and hurt
This is not the same alchemy of souls that i’ve watched !! Certainly doesn’t feel like the same drama. The whole plot is strange in an odd way. The problem is not because of a new actress as female lead but the whole drama has turned into lame marriage of convenience story . What happened to the badass shadow assassin!!It would’ve been much better if the new character was buyeon instead of naksu. Naksu’s amnesia ruined the entire story. The whole “naksu’s soul and moduk’s body together” made no sense at all. The writers could’ve easily gotten out of this by an simple explanation. But 2 souls on one body was absurd and too hard to comprehend. They negated their own rules of alchemy of souls. The whole drama turned into a joke.
Nothing seem to change much for the crown prince and yul either. And Uk keeps getting special treatment as buyeon falls right into his lap. I am soo disappointed, i can’t watch it further and ruin the memories of season 1.
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how can people hate s2
people hate „new” naksu and idk why. shes now the version she always wanted to be and should be. she was just a little girl who lost her family. in mudeok body she has all those sad memories from her younger life. since she was a child she was raised to be an assasin. now she dont have those memories and can be this kind sweet little girl. she remembers uk and loves him cuz her and mudeok and naksu are the same person (the same soul). and they could save naksu or no one so they choose naksu. naksu was just holding body for buyeon. but in the end buyeon gives naksu her body to be the dark for the light. mudeok wouldnt be the same person that everyone likee without naksu soul. + cho yeong has all memories in the end so shes the same person but in her oryginal body with love of her life. and living peacefully with buyeon as she helds this powerful power.no one can make me hate s2
sorry for grammar
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mehhh
I was OBSESSED with S1. I felt like I was under a spell. I loved everything about it and wondered why American TV couldn’t be as entertaining and thought out. I was anticipating S2 like a child. And then came my disappointment. I had no idea about the change in female leads. The chemistry just isn’t there with the new female lead TBH. There was something magical about Jung So Min and Lee Jae Wook that you cannot teach. It made me believe in the story. Not sure what to do with S2. I’ll probably continue to watch it out of respect for the other characters I enjoy but my heart will always be with S1. What a huge letdown. And PS…why the tortured weekly release, Netflix? You’re soon becoming like “regular” TV.Was this review helpful to you?
I loved it
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxxKept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
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