Bali

A lighthearted pleasure!

This drama is really a breath of fresh air! Even though the leading couple bickers a lot throughout their high school years, this drama is not about a hate/love relationship. The synopsis describes it well: “A love story revolving around childhood sweethearts, Ling Chao and Xiao Tu, who journey through youth and share experiences in sadness and joy together.” The cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and, every one of these characters had its own endearing qualities. The leading couple, each on its own and together, is a fantastic pair to watch and once they become a couple, they were adorable and delightful; their chemistry as friends and lovers is fantastic. Overall, main and supporting cast did great; the leading couple’s parents are a riot and so much fun together. Overall, if the viewer is looking for a lighthearted pleasure, this is the drama to watch. Enjoy it!

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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!

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Review for Season 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!

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This is a nice romantic comedy with a small dose of secrets, rapidly solved misunderstanding, and a lot of familial love. The leading couple has some heart tugging moments as well as some really nice playful ones. The romantic scenes are not earth shattering but they are nicely done. The drama is very lighthearted and even the antagonist revenge plot doesn’t affect the relationship among the leading characters but, instead, makes it stronger. There is a secondary couple but their storyline is not one that develops nicely and steadily. The last two episodes feel rushed and the end, although nice and cute, is bland. The kids and the leading couple’s interactions with them are the saving grace to this drama. Although is not a great drama, it is pleasant and entertaining.

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Back From The Brink is a very well done drama in matters of cinematography, stage combat, character development, camaraderie, nice OST and, although not perfect, it has a good storyline. The problem with the drama is that halfway it drags and the main couple loses momentum to introduce clichés and unnecessary difficulties. The leading couple has good, playful, and cute chemistry; their dramatic moments really give a tug in the heart but, for been so much in love as to sacrifice for each other, their romantic chemistry seems forced and not well performed. Having said that, if the viewer comes into the drama not expecting an earth shattering romantic chemistry, I must say that the cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and, even though the male lead could’ve been more expressive, he did quite well and the female lead was extraordinarily adorable and beautifully sentimental with very believable expressions. Overall, apart from the intimate scenes in the romance storyline, the drama is entertaining for the most part.

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This is a very good drama with a mix of action, revenge, and a very good romance. I would not consider this drama a sequel because, although it has the same leading couple, it is a different story. It is not a continuation of the Mysterious Love plot and it is neither a sub plot nor a story of a character that comes from the drama Mysterious Love. The storyline of twin flowers is not unique but it is well presented and played well on this drama. The drama is not perfect but the cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple has a fantastic chemistry. Enjoy it!

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This is a great melodrama with a mix of suspense, crime, comedic moments that lighten the serious undertones, tragedy, and a strong and steadfast romance from the leading couple that has a great playful and loving chemistry. The story carries a strong theme of social justice that is well carried throughout the drama. There is an array of interesting characters that meet and become stronger together. Although there is some action in this drama, the story is about unveiling secrets of the past, revenge, and getting justice for the crimes committed by the antagonists for three generations. The cast did an excellent job bringing their characters to life and there is good character development with the leading couple. There is one character, which the actress portrayed very well, that made some parts of this drama almost unbearable to watch since she is very loud, annoying, and ridiculous. Overall, the drama is very good and entertaining.

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Poong, The Joseon Psychiatrist is a very good historical medical drama with an excellent character delivery from the fantastic cast. The drama is about “Poong” (Yoo Se Poong / Yoo Se Yeop) stellarly played by Kim Min Jae as he meets Seo Eun Woo and joins a village clinic ran by the most hilarious, heartwarming, and very often mischievous individuals that bring about most of the comedy to shape the lighthearted tone of the drama. The acting on this drama is almost flawless by most of the cast but especially by Kim Min Jae (Poong) and Kim Sang Kyung (Kye Ji Han). Sadly, the female lead role, Kim Hyang Gi as Seo Eun Woo who did great as the despondent widow shunned by society and slowly but surely contributing to solve the conflicting cases presented in the drama, spent too much time with a stone face demeanor that downplayed her caring and tender nature. Although there is a romantic banter between Poong and Eun Woo, that storyline is left for the second season. The drama is very entertaining and the acting is top notch. Enjoy it!

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This is a convoluted story of the path of a fairy to become human, the men who took advantage of her naïve nature, and the man who love her steadfastly until the end. Great premises but the amnesia twist after every rebirth made the female lead unbearable until almost the end. One thing is to be naïve but childish and dumb is another story. The female lead is surrounded by guys that never truly loved her; they were deceitful, self serving, and ended up betraying her trust as she seeks for a lifetime partner. The male lead really saved the drama; he was smart divine doctor, who continuously loved and tried to protect the female lead. Although there are dark characters with darker intentions toward the female lead, the drama is mainly about the female lead and her path to become human and find true love. The leading couple has good fun chemistry and average romantic chemistry due to her childish nature; even when she was taking the lead in the romantic scenes, it was more cute than romantic since many of their kisses were shown as just lips touching and fading in the distance. The drama got better when the leading couple got finally together just to throw another short amnesia twist at the end that, although it was quickly resolved, it caused a rift in the romantic flow. Overall, this is not a bad drama but it fell short of my expectations.

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This drama follows the isekai plot of portal fantasy and science fiction having real people been transported into a video game set within a historical period. This drama might be more attractive to younger viewers or those interested in video game features within a drama like changing into alternate endings depending on the outcome of some game choices (when the female lead sees that her choice lead to someone dying, she re-sets the game to get an alternate outcome) and so on. This is not a drama with a serious plot since the female lead is just trying to get out of this virtual world and she “plays” around with 4 male characters to achieve her most favorable scores to end the game. The male lead, an NCP on this game, is highly misunderstood by the female lead because he lacks score points and she assumes that he doesn’t love her. Due to the nature of how these real life characters make it into the game, the story gets complicated sometimes and basically ridiculous at other moments. The ending is quite insipid because, even if it is a happy ending, deciding to live happy moments in virtual reality instead of real life, is quite absurd; most likely to please game players with a wishful thinking that they could live life by resetting outcomes and changing the consequences as they see fit. The leading couple has a nice and fun chemistry but their romantic scenes lack zest. Still, it is a nice watch for a video game generation and viewers looking into something cute and sometimes funny.

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This is a really nice and cute romantic comedy set within an art university life starting with the protagonists first year and ending with their graduation. Although the drama is about Yuan Qian and Qin Shen being single since childhood and how they slowly fall in love, the plot also includes the lives and struggles of other students as well. The male lead, Qin Shen (played by Aaron Deng) falls first for the female lead Yuan Qian (played by Ireine Song), but keeps his feelings to himself until he notices that there’s another guy interested in her and his not about to lose her. The female lead also falls for Qin Shen but, because of her demure character, which lasts for almost the entire drama, it takes some time to respond to Qin Shen’s feelings. Although the leading couple has good fun and playful chemistry, their romantic scenes are not that good; there’s something amiss, especially from Ireine Song, which makes it difficult to believe that she’s deeply in love although one can tell that she likes only Qin Shen as her romantic interest. Even though the drama could’ve shown a more in depth relationship and character development for the leading couple and the supporting cast, the drama is lighthearted and entertaining. Enjoy it!

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This drama is a nice romantic comedy within a dark melodramatic plot that comes from the leads been part of influential rival families. The story moves fast between all the twists and relationships but some characters turned to be provisional antagonist that really didn’t go well with their original characterization. Although the leading couple has many cute moments and intimate scenes (kissing), their chemistry was not on par with their romantic scenes; something was amiss with their body language, especially with Zhao Lu Si as Gu An Xin, who did very well on her cute scenes and became somewhat an annoyance when using her child like voice. Expectations of a great romance chemistry which she has shown in the past (i.e. Dating in the Kitchen, Love Better than Immortality) were thrown out of the window for more cute moments. [Maybe it was also Liu Te as Ling Yue / Xiao Ba that was a bit stoned face throughout the drama and didn’t show the intensity of his emotion through his body language, or it could’ve been the production itself ; not sure, but their chemistry was on and off throughout the drama]. Although some of the resolutions were okay, the antagonists didn’t get what they really deserved and Gu An Xin did not get closure from her biological father due to a wrongly used Alzheimer twist in the storyline which was totally ridiculous!] Overall, the drama is entertaining and a good watch while waiting for a great one to come!

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