Kathryn_51

You are technically correct, but In-soo is only 6 weeks older than Jae Wook! They are almost twins. 😀

". . .an internal problem with the production company." My interpretation? Someone at Blue Dragon messed up with contracts. Ownership rights? royalties? licensing? Missing authorizations? Just a few examples of how contract clause (or failure to include a clause) can make the difference between profit and loss.

Apparently, there will be no Blu-ray of AoS.

Purchasing a Blu-ray of any k-drama has never been something I would normally consider, but there were so many deleted ChoDang scenes that I was at least going to review the possibility.

The only time I read about "vile" JSM fans is here on MDL.

Maybe? CGI is not only expensive but extraordinarily time-consuming. The Part 1 opening battle scene and Jang Gang/King soul swap scenes were some of the first filmed - they were spectacular for a reason - cost AND time .

There is definitely a different vibe/budget/focus in Part 2 from Part 1. It's a matter of YOUR personal preference and what k-drama genre you enjoy the most or even least. So, watch and if you love what you are seeing in the 1st couple of episodes, then great. And, if not - the FF button on the remote is your friend (it was mine).

As it was explained at the beginning of Ep. 1, "Humans who had the power to controls this great energy [the energy of Lake Gyeongcheondaeho) were called mages". Although all humans may have various levels of energy, it is the ability to control it at the various levels (ryusa, chisu, etc) that differentiates one's magical strength

Divine power is something one is born with and apparently it comes from the skies/stars (celestial). it seems to be more life/death and/or heart/soul power. Spells by Jin women (and other priestesses) rely more on divine power but they also have the ability to use energy (water) based spells, for instance with physical weapons.

So, apparently the "spells" are different = however, the main difference is what CGI effects are used when it is energy spell or divine power spell. 😁😁😁😁

No argument from me regarding the sloppy editing. My point was that when filming in the summer, the amount of time available for night shoots on location was much less than a lot of the Part 1 filming which was done in the middle of winter. In the northern latitude (Korea and my location), we have more than 16 hours of "daylight" in late June/early July.

Looking at the BTS end-of filming clips, it's clear that a large number of night scenes were sound stage/green screen. Perhaps it was budget, perhaps it was the need to squeeze in everything in a few short months in order to complete for the December release.

Part 2 was largely filmed in studio, with fewer location shoots. Perhaps because they were filming during the summer months and couldn't do as much nighttime filing as Part 1 (many Part 1 scenes were late at night in freezing temperatures according to MHM and LJW. Director gave everyone thermal vests to wear). I think many of those night scenes at Cheonbugwan with small groups of characters were done with green screen. Heck, even Cho-yeon and Dang-gu "cheek kiss" scene was done in the studio with some sort of wavy lights used to fake the canal water.

Haha, that's about where I'm headed. I'm going to actually raise my rating for Part 1 because I enjoyed it far more than Part 2. I rate based on my enjoyment and writer talent (consistency, dialogue, etc.)

The FF button can be your friend. Watch the characters and scenes that appeal to you, FF through the rest.

Well, I rely on the writers tell us and they said that Cho Yeong and Jang Uk's destinies were "inseparable" (shadow and light). And many here on MDL have said the same thing - that even though Jin Bu-yeon's personality was different from Mu-Deok, they found each other because they are "soul mates". It's a common romantic theme but not my preference., so I enjoyed Part 1 more than Part 2.

Two different relationships.

In Part 1, Writers told us from the beginning it was not intended to be a "love at first sight" romance. Jang Uk and Mu-deok were a team, bearing pain for each other and helping each other reach their goals. That's the type of romance I absolutely love to watch.

Part 2 - switched to "soul mates" whose destinies are inseparable. I have never like "soul mate" stories (Romeo and Juliet, etc.).

That's the difference. Different viewers like different stories. I prefer Part 1 story.

It's all part of the country of Daeho which surrounds Lake Gyeongchondaeho (I call it Lake G). Apparently, there are other countries on the West Border (guarded by the Seo family - and I wish AoS had provided more info on them) and the North Border.

As a ChoDang fan, my opinion is that it is too bad that Cho-yeon and Dang-gu never had their own stories, either as individuals or as a couple. In Part 1, they had their separate stories and a big couple story, but in Part 2, almost all of their scenes revolved around Jang Uk and Jin Bu-yeon - either with them or talking ad nauseum about them. They were little satellites. Very disappointing after Part 1. Even their VERY last scene with Mama Jin involved. . . . . .you got it - Jang Uk and Jin Bu-yeon!!!

I believe you and I are saying the same thing. CGI costs a lot and the big - REALLY BIG - AoS $$ were invested in the early part of the show to attract the audience and KEEP them watching. It worked for me - someone who normally avoids fantasy genre but I gave it a try and - as I said before, it was jaw dropping and I never left.

Another reason I kept watching - and you may not be aware - but my daughter had major (like cannot walk for weeks major) surgery in June and I was pretty much home-bound in June and July. I enjoyed preparing the Character descriptions and Location descriptions for Daeho and I had the time to update every week. So many fun theories. it was a major means of maintaining my "sanity" 😀

Different taste in k-drama is what makes the world go around Aramintal! What you find boring, I find intriguing.

I admit - I started Uncanny counter during the AoS slump this fall and I only got through Ep. 6 or so. But I enjoy YJS's acting - Maybe I'll use a heavy finger on the FF button - just like I did in Part 2 AoS (I think, in the end, I missed 60% total - most of the Jang Uk/Naksu stuff. 🤣🤣)

Agree on KSJ - don't care for her character (thus far) in UC.

In-soo is rumored to being in Uncanny Counter2, so a definite watch for a few episodes if true. 😀

The CGI was jaw-dropping in Part 1 - especially in the earlier episodes: the battle on ice; the soul shifting process (there were several of them); CGI-enhanced sword battles on a mega scale; Jang Gang's opening scenes and later scenes with baby Jang Uk; blue mark in Mu-deok's eyes, Mu-deok underwater; Jin Bu-yeon saving Jang Uk in the soul realm. Absolutely gorgeous and mesmerizing that portrayed a new fantasy world.

But those scenes were some of the first filmed - The Jang Gang actor, the old king and GYJ (Naksu) filmed very early. It took close to a year to do the CGI (I wish I could find the article that describes what they did and the enormous cost).

Starting around Ep. 10 (Part 1), the grandiose CGI were definitely minimized as the series focused more on the characters and relationships with each other.

They simply didn't have the time (or budget) for Part 2.

So yes, when compared to Part 1, the breadth and scope of CGI in Part 2 was much less.

If your time is limited, Ii think you can watch Part 2 as a stand-alone. At the beginning of Part 2, they do a quick introduction of characters and their relationships and the overall goal/mission of the protagonists is different from Part 1. Part 2's primary focus is romance (star-crossed/destiny type - not my favorite) whereas Part 1 was broader in epic scope, characcters, etc.

if you really like romance over all other stories, you can enjoy Part 2 as stand-alone.

Park Jin, Mama Jin and Jin Bu-yeon were reviled for 30 episodes because they put duty over self. They were great, complex characters and the actors were awesome because they portrayed a wide range of emotions throughout the series.

I began to watch Uncanny Counter simply because Yoo Joon-sang is in it - and he'a already filming for Uncanny counter 2.