Unique setting, solid story
8.75/10what a drama! wish they made more such fantasy/magic/action dramas with a fully drawn out world and unique set of rules. the story and execution is so good, could have been a masterpiece imo if they could have cut around 4 eps of unnecessary scenes and fluff. but some of those drawn out and seemingly unnecessary scenes are what makes the characters endearing to us, so there's that. ep20 was kinda rushed and exciting nevertheless me. excited for part 2, and see how the dynamics between the real naksu/gyj and janguk is gonna play out. will miss somin's mudeok. she made the character the right amount of adorable and endearing.
it had some pacing issues. was exciting from ep1-4 got boring somewhere in between before picking up pace till ep8. got really drawn out & pointless (but still a fun time non complicated watch) from ep9-12. picked up pace again after
i should say the most i enjoyed was from ep17-20 with the reveal of the ice stone and mudeok/byuyeom being revealed to her mom - the fog barrier etc. so exciting and reminiscent of many western fantasy series. aos is kinda very harry potteresque with the houses anyway lol.
could have really cut down and made a solid very rewatchable show, there would have been no need to rush ep20 either. good this has a part 2. when would kdrama writers learn to stick the ending we wait and watch for that miracle meanwhile!
so 8.75/9 for ep 17-20
anywhere between 7.5/8 for the rest.
i guess this concludes that i wanted more badass FL presence. i didn't want janguk to be the main character in some ways lol. that's been done many a times. let our fl assassin shine and be the saviour but obviously not with that reincarnation sort of pheonix from the ashes return that he did from his own funeral fire.
can't rate it 9 cuz it just wasn't bingeable for me. i know when something won't enter my top 10 when i don't binge it lol for finished series. i watched it drawn out over the months because a lot many eps nothing happened and it was tiring
watched many parts at 1.25x speed
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a fun, no loss no gain watch!
ignore the no gain comment tho lol. i gained my favourite second lead couple. a total win!such an enjoyable watch 🥹 mondays were good again thanks to this drama. noona romance done right with the perfect mix of comedy, blended in with found family vibes that doesn't feel superficial.i loved the bond between the three sisters. all the characters are so lovely and even the side characters are fun and not easily forgettable.
ep12 the funeral scene was so real and natural like it felt like real life. shin mina broke me when she cried. i love hayeong realised the value her mom had on the foster kids and vice versa.
love they explored that topic.
lots of funny scenes, some emotional ones, a bit of action ( with a dildo no less lmfao), and some of the sweetest of romance with both the couples. heck even the third couple were sweet.
some semi bold topics explored right
small complaint being that they really could have done the ending better. kdrama writers have to insert a last minute breakup even if it's on the final episode like what did that even gain. fine jiuk got freed sure but the reconciliation could have happened earlier and we could have had some cute moments and even a reunion btwn all the characters!
anyway i was so focused on the second couple & squealing at how cute they were that i wasn't really bothered lol. gyuyeon are one of the best second lead pairing we have had in a while. can't appreciate the visionary who saw the potential and thought of the spin off enough! a real legend!
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short, realistic, cozy
cozy small town vibes with all the elements of life and characters that you would expect from such a place. depressing at times, hopeful at others. peace and messages of being content in life, however it is, at times, stories of human anguish and tragedy at others.watched only for shin eun soo - great job and very multidimensional character for her. really loved FL's acting and character too. she fits perfectly with the realistic plain vibe of everyday life the drama wanted to portray.
although i wish they focused more on her mental health and personal healing too (more than just her helping others through theirs) because the girl did go through some trauma. from work pressure to breakip to losing her mom and then moving to a small town where she was unwelcome at first, seeing death and losing people again. taking care of bom and her bro. all this plot though understandable wasn't very concise or clear. what happened to bom's father in the end i wonder. an alcoholic would always be one was that the message, or should it have been a stress point against drinking work culture and peer pressure to do so in thr country.
good and content ending ig. wish we could have seen more of the ml and the lead couple together. by the end i felt like i haven't really seen him all that much?
their relationship - the initial awkwardness, interactions, mannerisms, shy smiles - all veryy wholesome and realistic.
ofcourse there is a murder solving our lead sherlock couples undertake haha along with some high speed running and chasing 😂
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one of the best ever dramas made
ep16:no tears were left at the end of ep16. incredibly talented the writer to have us smiling for the future them after having us bawling in the beginning, the end and everywhere in between with their past goodbyes.
well, that was indeed a journey. the friendship is literally the best part of it. hee do's friendship with yijin , with yurim and the rest. each different, each special.
although a part of me wanted to know what the rest of them where doing in the present day, and maybe see a glimpse of minchae's father - but really, that's a different story to tell. a different chapter in life. 2521 was their best of youth.
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Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow
1 people found this review helpful
Enjoyable, found a new fav actress!
there are some fundamental things wrong with the story or execution in my opinion. but overall enjoyed it. loved go youn jung i see the hype and I'll definitely watch for dramas with her.didn't see much of a sizzling chemistry or anything but uk & yeon were both cute together. overall I guess i enjoyed this season better.
but i wanted more women and naksu in action, and not hiding behind or protected behind men. i thought i was promised that but apparently not
less fillers than the first part, hence more enjoyable for me. the villains and their actions were very convenient and contrived. there were really no actual stakes, given janguk's unbeatable strength. so it was all just watching for the fun visuals and chatacters lol.
jinmu was a very convenient villain, all words and no real power or action. liked maidservant kim lady a lot! her dynamics with park jin were fun.
but overall the whole journey that took 30 eps was rather underwhelming, especially given the hype. it was like a beautiful package with hardly any substance inside.
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Heavenly Ever After? Heavenly break amidst Lives.
"Heaven isn't a destination, it's just a resting place in the wheel that turns for eternity"i enjoyed this sooo much omg. sooo good! even enjoyed the terrible headache i had after ep11 with all the tears lmao. god han jimin acted out of her body in that episode. it was intense. infact, the entire cast is amazing, not a single miss. even the supporting characters all well casted, well acted. Haesuk & Pastor's relationship and banter has my entire heart. ❤️
I cried with Hae suk's pain and Eun Ho's misfortune so so much. I wish they met again in another life and spent the best as mother and son 🥺❤️
The message is beautiful. Heaven and hell ain't the end of all, just a temporary resting place where you overcome your past regrets and grudges and pain, and continue the journey - I don't necessarily consider the drama religious, whatever religious subtext there is, is mellowed down too so that helps.
The drama isn't perfect definitely, but the last few episodes moved me so much I really can't be bothered about the slower pace or drag in the earlier episodes, or sudden switch in tone from serious to comedy at certain parts.
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