Kathryn_51

This has been my thought from the beginning - it is almost classic K-drama trope.

My favorite genre is rom-com So, although AoS was promoted as fantasy, the trailers were very comical w/hints of romance. But if JSM hadn't been the FL, I probably would have ignored it.

Loved the one-on-one fight scene between Park Jin and Naksu and actually that scene was a masterpiece of direction and CGI - I don't think Hong Sisters did anything more than write: "Epic Fight Scene". Plus, most of the credit for "Naksu"'s fight scene goes to the stunt double - she's amazing. She doubled for both JSM and GYJ (and actually portrayed the soul-shifter that tried to kill JBY). Here's her video - lots of behind the scenes of her work.

https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17919730982376940/

Thanks for the positive note. I visit AoS Part 2 on MDL every few days, but frankly Part 2 was such a let-down for me that I find it difficult to say anything positive. Fantasy isn't my preferred genre (I started originally because of JSM) however they really did construct a new world with it's own rules, hairstyles, costumes, etc - and the CGI and cinematography were jaw-dropping. Although Part 1 had some issues with consistency, Part 2 plot had very little to do with the 'young mages" and their world of Daeho.

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to new projects by some of the cast members - something I have never done before. 😊

"This has always been a misconception about personality of Naksu/Yeong."

I disagree that there has "always" been a misconception. In Part 1, viewers became acquainted with Naksu/Mu-deok - a woman "burning in the fire of revenge" (your words) WHO CHANGED over 20 episodes due to the love of Jang Uk and all of her friends. She. Already. Changed. In Episodes 19 and 20, she was already caring and adorable and she had always been intelligent enough to handle situations.

THAT was the story for Part 1 -and people here on MDL were furious at the idea of the amnesia plot and prayed that she would regain her memories quickly in Part 2
Viewers wanted to see that woman return and it was a big let down when that didn't happen.

Before Part 2 was released, many (most?) AoS fans one MDL were looking forward to seeing Naksu return to her fierce assassin mode - dealing with Jin Mu together with Jang Uk - and absolutely No Later Than Part 2 Episode 3 or 4.

I would have liked to see the feisty, cunning, INTELLIGENT Naksu/Mu-deok who achieved her goals with brains, spunk and strategic planning.

Major fail. Which explains why the ratings/viewership for Part 2 are lower than Part 1.

thanks everyone for confirming that I didn't miss anything!

Did we ever hear what happened to "stalker girl"?? At one point, someone mentioned they hadn't seen her recently (?), but I don't recall hearing (reading subs, lol) anything further.

Don't be embarrassed - it is probably THE favorite romance "trope" in human stories and lore. Jane Austen: "Pride and Predjudice". William Shakespeare: "Much Ado About Nothing". My absolute favorite and I. Am. Not. Ashamed. 🥰

My fave, Yoo In-soo (Park Dang-gu) is one VERY busy guy – back-to-back filming of the following dramas:

THE GOOD BAD MOTHER: Mid-September, he was busy filming TGBM but returned to AoS studios for final closing shots and end-of-filming cake w/Arin. 1st half 2023 on JTBC and Netflix.

UNCANY COUNTER2: UC2 began filming in November and news indicates “production” will continue through April. No official announcement yet re: In-soo, but it’s been rumored for months, and a big hint from Twitter (https://twitter.com/hourlysejeong/status/1613324888290521090) indicate that In-soo will indeed be part of the cast of Uncanny Counter2. Reunites with Yoo Joon-sang (Uncle Park Jin). Unclear if it is 1st or 2nd half of 2023.

YOU DID GREAT! In-soo’s first “Main” role. Will also reunite with Seo Hye-won (So-I in AoS). Filming began this month. Release anticipated in 2023.

DAILY DOSE OF SUNSHINE (aka “Morning Comes to Psychiatric Ward): Takes place in a psychiatric ward –one guess what type of character In-soo might be playing (support role), lol. Netflix 2023 QTR 4

Part 2 was a big disappointment for me. This was my first Hong Sister show and it will be the last - or, at least, I won't watch until the series is complete and I can read reviews. They seem to have a pattern of big epic splash at the beginning and "fantasy" plot holes to end. Not my thing.

There are many BTS photos AND VIDEOS that never made it to the final cut - not just LJW.

Did you watch Part 1 or just jump into Part 2? The two parts are quite different in tone and overall story cohesion. However, one has a happy ending and one doesn't, so . . . . . . .

You are not alone. Same here. 😥😥

As they say. . . Fighting! Those days are behind me (I'm married w/kids) but. . . .the 1st job is not necessarily your life-long job, but sometimes the most important in terms of long-term life happiness. I encourage you to think long-term. LONG - term. Gawd - I sound like a Mom, don't I??😍

Ahhh. . . .I saw something on Twitter about the lack of Blu-ray but I don't follow celebrities, etc. on IG. But I might break my "rule" and make an exception for In-soo - that young man is the busiest of all the AoS cast. That's why I was searching for UnCanny Counter2 info. 😍

Also, I was seriously considering the Blu-ray (something I would NEVER have considered before) because there were so many missing ChoDang scenes. Thankfully, my life will go on w/out the Blu-ray.

Are you arguing that the quotation in the article is false? They specifically identify Q4 AoS expense amortization over revenue (sales) as one reason for the Q4 financial results (which were not good compared to Q4 2021).

If you have a link to any article that mentions why the Blu-ray won't be released, I would be interested in reading it. Thus far, I've only read something about internal problems, which tbh I thought meant "legal" problems, lol.

While searching for news on The Uncanny Counter2 (One of In-soo's many upcoming projects), I ran across this article regarding financial issues at Studio Dragon - some of which related to AoS. This might explain one reason why there will be no investment in a Blu-ray release.

"Regarding these earnings estimates, Researcher Chung explained, "The burden of short-term production costs increased due to the high proportion of original content," and ✅"In the case of 'Illusion,' which had a lot of production costs, the amortization expense was larger than the sales amount." ❎

Link to article: https://n.news.naver.com/article/015/0004800166?sid=101

I haven't rated AoS2 yet, but would like to understand what statistics/graphs you are looking at that people have "created multiple accounts" to decrease the ratings.

My impression is that one reason the rating is coming down is that people actually watched all episodes before they rated. AoS2 started out VERY high because fans rated it 10⭐ after the 1st weekend (the minute they were able to rate).

According to this link. UC2 will debut on tvN in 1st half of 2023, in the Sat/Sun evening slot (previously Alchemy of Souls, now "Crash Course in Romance").

https://twitter.com/TUCszn2/status/1602972032886804481

You might enjoy watching this video of how they filmed the transfer from Jin Mu face to Uncle Seo (Do Sang Woo) face. Sang-woo was remarkable in his portrayal of "Jin Mu" facial expressions, etc.

https://twitter.com/leejaewookstyle/status/1612110510639702020