DistantDream

Yeah, I get what you mean. Overall, I still like the drama, but I had higher expectations because it’s by the Hong Sisters. They did such a great job with Hotel del Luna, so I was expecting something on that level.

I also feel like they could’ve achieved both. I mean, there are 30 episodes across Season 1 and 2, which is pretty long for a standard K-drama.

it really good ! I'm on episode 3 and it so fun to see TJR and YA characters in VoS.... cause I still picture them in FoF haha

It very FoF vibe, I mean it from the same director and screenwriter

Yeah, in that sense, that’s what makes it unique for a K-drama. I honestly can’t think of one off the top of my head that has what you’re asking for.

For Cdrama, there are more xianxia titles that could fit that bill. Till the End of the Moon is one of the better ones for that genre. The romance is a way to define it, I love some of the supporting cast in it as well.

I wouldn't watch this for the romance if that your most important criteria

I mean, it's not the drama's strongest point. The world building and fantasy vibe it probably it strongest espect

Yeah it seem it not just you, I also have the same feeling about the ML and FL story just wasn't as convincing. I don't know if it was the chemistry of the 2 leads or how the narrative pans out. I was more interested in almost everyone one else and their relationship to the ML or the FL.

What disappointed me about it was that Hong's sister also wrote Hotel De Luna, and that show had a more convincing romance, in my opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo4ycXr9lHE dang he back with Fang of Fortune vibe !

JJY and TJR actually look really good together in their costume

I always struggle with the argument that romance is not the main focus as a defense. Even if I agree with that, how does it change my point that the relationship was poorly conveyed? Something does not need to be the main focus to be written well.

If romance is just part of the characters’ personal growth, then it still needs to be effectively developed. Otherwise, why include it at all? You can write strong personal growth through other relationships such as brotherhood, family, or found family without relying on a romantic dynamic that does not come across as convincing.

We literally get Mu Deok saying something along the lines of “I think I love him or asking herself if she love him” after the poisoning. I do not remember the exact episode or wording, but it happened after that part of the story. That is exactly the issue. Instead of showing the emotional shift through the narrative, the writing just has her state it outright. It feels less like development and more like the audience is being told how to interpret the relationship.

More happens afterward, and it is still not convincing. Once Jang Uk’s energy is unlocked, he has to deal with his identity and the reason he was rejected by the mages. I understand that romance is meant to sit in the background of all this, but that does not make its execution any stronger. Meanwhile, Mu Deok remains focused on regaining her power.

The problem is that the supposed “sacrifice” and “growth” in their relationship feel underdeveloped. Jang Uk’s growth, on the other hand, is clearly defined. From unlocking his energy to learning the truth about himself, his progression is consistently shown and ultimately culminates in Part 2, where he becomes “the strongest” and carries the burden of that and his secret identity. Also, at the same time, the grief of losing Mu Deok, which was the least convincing to me, but to Jang Uk, was actually the most important thing. Again, the disconnect between this is really important as to why we need that emotional development of their relationship.

Maybe it’s because we know Naksu is alive and Jang Uk doesn’t, which makes it feel like… who are we fooling? It takes away from the emotional weight of his grief.

Let’s say I agree with your point that romance isn’t the main focus. Then commit to that. Kill Naksu off in Part 2, don’t center the story around their relationship, and instead focus on Jang Uk dealing with grief and the betrayal of someone he loved.

But at the end of the day, it was a deliberate choice to structure Part 2 around Naksu and Bu-yeon’s hidden identity. That makes romance a significant part of the story. The emotional core still depends on why we should care about Jang Uk and Naksu/Mu-deok’s relationship.

For example, as viewers, we know that Bu-yeon is actually Naksu with lost memories. Based on what’s shown, Jang Uk would have been happy with her even if she never regained those memories. In a way, that is romantic. He loves “her,” even if she isn’t fully the same person.
But at the same time, it also feels like he moved on from Mu-deok too easily.

This doesn't matter because they are the same person, cause we know that. But Jang Uk doesn't, of course, he found out later. But again, where is the emotional weight behind it?

The emotional development in the relationship never reaches the same level of clarity. Even as part of a larger narrative, it feels so underdeveloped that it holds the story back rather than supporting it. The Hong sisters can absolutely write a more compelling romance, based on what I remember from Hotel Del Luna. You could also argue that romance is not the main focus there either, but it is still far more compelling than in Alchemy of Souls.

But it was for Cai Pingsu ! someone need to go through and make a video of how many time it was say in the show

Thanks I'm glad, I can have opinions on how I feel about a subject !

But I enjoy relearning how to name genre with you

cause it's not? You might think it is, you might be fighting ghosts out here.

Also, you do know that when you compare the character personality, motivations, behavior, emotional patterns, decisions ... is it actually an opinion and not a fact anymore?

I don't know what you mean by she's playing being pretty ? like if you think I mean she feel the same in all those drama because she pretty then no. I don't mean that.

Hey, I'm still glad you can name a genre. Don't have to repeat yourself.

And yes, I pointed out a fact you did, in fact, compare her in Moving and Can This Love Be Translated? In your second reply, I think that's 2 dramas, right... Unless I can't count now, either. (Also, this is also the first time you actually did a character characterization comparison rather than naming a genre !)

The fact that she has been in different dramas that are different genres doesn't change what I say...

Weird how you say multiple dramas, but focus on 2 very specific ones now. But hey, you do you and keep trying to create nothing out of someone's opinion.

Next, I wouldn't be surprised if you start telling me what my words actually mean next!

Hey, I'm glad you can tell different genres apart. Don't have to tell me! I can too :)

It's just funny to me how I literally say it how I feel. But got two people all up in arms.

I wonder if you remember but at the very last scene of hotel de luna... there was a certain actor tease for a sequel... so maybe the hongs sister had a different male lead in mind... but umh he kinda cooked IRL.

Do you? Thanks for sharing all the roles she's been in. I know I've seen all of them.

Also, if you miss it, you do realize that what I wrote is an opinion, right?

Yes, you’re missing something if that’s your reply. Nuance is hard, but what I wrote isn’t a fact. It’s an opinion based on how the sentence is structured, if you miss that as well.

Also, real-life zombie and real-life superhero aren't character traits

Go Youn Jung is great, but it's still funny to me that all the characters she's played for the past few dramas she's been in just feel like her playing herself in different dramas.

Yeah, “chemistry” can definitely mean different things to different people. My comment was more just making fun of how silly the romance in Alchemy of Souls was. But when I talk about chemistry, these are all talented actors and actresses, so they can easily pull it off and tell a story through delivery, expressions, and timing. I just think the characterization of Jang Uk and Mu Deok is weak; they basically “use” each other to achieve their own goals. Jang Uk wants his energy unblocked, and Mu Deok wants to regain her power and become Naksu again. The romance the writers try to convey, and the reasons they fall in love, didn't feel convincing, and I personally didn’t buy it.

Looking forward to this, Shin Shi Ah was great in Resident Playbook! Hopefully, this show becomes successful like Hotel de Luna! and she can finally get more lead roles!

Also I hope they do more interesting storyline... it be a real shame if it just gender swap hotel de luna....