Personally I'm enjoying this drama. I wasn't expecting much going in and I knew that the plot and romance would be cliche, however I'm enjoying this more than I thought. The acting is natural for everyone and I'm appreciating the flow and how the acting isn't over the top, goofy or to comedic. It's good to have romance dramas with a bit more serious undertones to make it feel more grounded and realistic. Although shows like King the Land are fantastic in terms of comedy and romance, sometimes it's nice to have something a bit more slow paced and toned down in terms of romance and acting to make it relatable.
For those who are criticizing Min Hyun's acting, I think that he's doing a wonderful job. I've been following him since Alchemy of souls and I think he's doing a great job. He fits a more reserved ML role and his character fits him well since he's more quite so I think his natural way of expressing his character makes him fit for the role. I think his panic attack is what really made me like his character and his scene in ep.4 where he went along with Sol Hee and helping her out acting as her bf. That scene felt raw to me and I honestly like how the story is so far.
I have to admit, like everyone else I'm still slightly confused about the differentiation between the sounds for when Sol Hee is listening to a lie and truth. I think I have figured it out though since some people are saying Kim Do Ha (Min Hyun) was telling the truth and thinks he killed his ex when he was dreaming however I think it's the opposite. In ep4 the CEO of Do Ha was lying when he gave his business card to Sol Hee and lying for Do Ha by saying he was unemployed (the loud DING ring is indication of someone lying) however the DONG low pitch sound is someone telling the truth (In ep. 4 Do Ha said he doesn't like Syaon and never say her as a women which the audience knows is the truth and is when we heard the DONG plus the DONG sounds we heard we he was in the room with the other artist being scoped out). However he LIED to her regarding his name in ep. 4 and we still heard the DONG so what I'm thinking is that he is able to lie and she can't tell the difference (remember the couch scene when they were watching "Master's Sun"). So the ending for ep. 4 when Do ha was dreaming he "killed" his ex was him TELLING THE TRUTH with the loud DONG which would make more sense then him telling the truth that he killed her and lying since Sol Hee is helping him in ep. 5 preview. and how she might help him find the real culprit. That's how I see it anyways however I'm still a bit confused regarding the sounds.
Anyways I can't wait till the next ep!
Replying toHeeSungSook•Aug 2, 2023•Liked Aug 3, 2023
Great first episode with lots of misteries surrounding our ML and good comedy too. It was a little off for me…
LOL same here. I mean the stalker had his picture showed everywhere in the area and the ML just dresses like him to wander around. OK let's say he likes dressing in black and he has been there since a day only.
Replying tobuffy20041•Aug 1, 2023•Liked Aug 1, 2023
You would be siding against the critics, rather than with them.The negative reviews are there because the drama…
Do you not watch the news? Do you not know what's happening in the world with anti-vax, anti-abortion movements and their extremism? (And we are talking about countries like Canada, Australia and the US here)
Extremists movements can be found in every single society. Every single country. As far back as genocidal behaviours found in countries like Germany, Rwanda, South Africa etc. to modern day extremists movements like cancel culture. By your standards, we all belong to uneducated societies.
I don't think you realize how much extremists movements today affect things like journalism (eg:- click-bait articles) and politics (eg:-the anti-abortion laws which cause human rights violations). The extremists can and are becoming the majority. Because the extremists are the loudest, the proudest and they listen to no one. Social media has become a catalyst of spreading the word of the loudest extremists, while people jump on the bandwagon of naming and shaming due to woke culture without doing their own research because they saw a comment somewhere and it must be true.
Woke culture and cancel culture is our modern day, global extremist movement. It's universal. And it's not slowing down. It's based off the religion of celebrity worship. And we see it every day.
So, yeah, I find this show pretty accurate.
Because...
The show is a metaphor for extremism. It shows the dark side of extremism. Where a movement can have good intentions in it's inception but due to the flaw of human behaviour, and the need to monetize it, the movement, which started well, becomes this extremist movement that villainize those who don't stand with them.
"If you're not with us, you're against us."
In modern day context:
"If you don't share this post on BLM, you're a racist." "If you make a racist joke, we will have you fired, share your phone number and address on the internet so you and your family will be bullied." "You deserve to be cancelled because you made a joke that was insensitive 20 years ago. It doesn't matter that you're a better person now." Having Covid parties...
We 100% live in an extremist society. And that's why the show is good. It shows what would happen if nearly everyone gives in. If people continue to police others, judge others and their behaviours. Surely, you have seen this happen in this day and age.
Unpopular opinion: I know his character was an ass for most of the series but i fell in love with Li Jae Wook’s acting especially after he gained his ego. I wish they showed what happened to stage Baek Gyung and stage Dan-oh.
p.s. my true fave character all through out was Do Hwa, he was funny, romantic, tragic, and a true friend to everyone. I especially loved his connection with Dan-oh.
We love with our soul, and the heart recognises that which the mind is sometimes incapable or simply too slow to comprehend. Naksu/MaDeok/Cho Young/BoYeon & Jang Wook have certainly shown us that their love was meant to create and protect. I loved what Master Lee said about the two of them:
“He’s the light protecting the world, and she’s the shadow who protects him from the darkness around him.”
I know some people find the soul changes within BuYeon’s body quite confusing, but I understood them perfectly clear. The whole idea of Naksu being chosen by the priestess (both in her reincarnation form as BuYeon and initial one as the first Jin priestess) to be absolutely brilliant.
I was initially sceptical about it, but the use of the new actress helped show how Cho Young (Naksu) would’ve been like without all the heartbreak & tragedy of her life up to her entering BuYeon’s body. The actress did a great job showcasing an innocence of mind and heart, but also remarkable depth.
With her getting her memories back as Naksu, she became truly wise and any idea of the selfishness she had once possessed was entirely thrown away. The fact that she hadn’t killed Jin Mu in cold blood when she had the chance speaks volumes about her character growth.
Jang Wook was even more awesome in this season than I could’ve imagined him. The actor really knows how to portray a man whose heart is in agony but also one that continues to hope. His character growth is perhaps my most favourite one, from the previous drama to this one, he’s only grown to become more powerful, and even more mindful of the responsibility that comes with such power. His wisdom and ability to sacrifice is truly amazing.
This couple has shown an immense amount of perseverance to be true to each other but also true to their duties and the world around them.
Potential spoilers, but not really. Just my ramblings…
I keep seeing people say that Jang Wook and Naksu/BoYeon’s feelings suddenly changed in ep 8 and it was like he didn’t love her anymore, or it was colder etc. I say that’s not true at all.
I think what we must remember is that JW loved Naksu’s soul.Not her face, not her fighting/powers, not her knowledge etc. He loved her spirit, and his heart recognised her much faster than his mind.
Strip away the pain and blood from OG Naksu’s life, and you get an innocent little girl Cho Young who should have grown into a lovely young lady exactly like BoYeon is portrayed before she regained Naksu’s memories.
Most likely Cho Young would’ve been married to Jang Wook because their fathers were best friends and of quite similar social standing. But their destiny took a different turn, it was wrought with tragedy, and the OG BoYeon/OG priestess chose them to carry the weight of the world’s fate.
He had to fall in love with MaDeok/ as he was getting stronger, be able to understand the heart of the OG Seo Master (when he read the letter and then sacrificed his powers), to be able to die for her, and get reborn. Naksu, who had already chosen JW’s life over her own power, ended up killing him anyway via manipulation. She then kept her promise by jumping off that cliff: If she dies, he dies. If he dies, she dies.
As crazy as that sounds, OG BoYeon’s plan was followed to the T with JW’s resurrection and Naksu reverting to her Cho Yeong self.
JW fell in love with the same soul once more. It had a different packaging, but the same flavour. That’s why he kept asking himself why he was getting the same feelings with BoYeon as with MaDeok. Her coldness once made him stronger and he fell in love with her like that. Now her warmth thawed his ice-cold heart, regaining his will to live and care for the world, as he fell in love with a different facet of the same soul.
In ep 8, when she realises who she is, her coldness towards him wasn’t because she loved him less, if anything she loved him more. Since Naksu knew she would disappear, she couldn’t compromise the body of OG BoYeon (to whom she knew she’d have to give up the body) and she also couldn’t see JW tortured choosing between saving her soul or letting her go once more. Just like Master Lee told Seo Yul, that would be pure agony for JW.
Once JW realises the truth, it’s not that he loves her less, but he understands that his duty to the world was heavily compromised by Naksu being a soul shifter and one way or another, he would have to betray his heart.
Her telling him to come take her life away was the reason and excuse they had to be together once more even if for a bit of time. In those few moments of happiness they had, their love for each other was as true as it gets, because he didn’t have to be split between loving MaDeok and BoYeon, and she was glad to be with him until her soul dispersed. If their love felt heavier, it was only because it was now entirely connected to the fate of the world, which we knew was doomed, instead of it being just about the two of them.
Her sacrifice in giving up BY’s body and JW’s personal choice to let her go to help save Daeho is what ultimately convinced OG BoYeon/OG priestess to let Cho Yeong‘s soul with all her memories as Naksu, MaDeok, and BoYeon be able to take over BoYeon’s body once more.
Their relationship afterwards is a mix of all of their prior relationships + their new responsibilities. Neither loved each other less, they simply loved and accepted all aspects of each other, be it when teasing, being affectionate, or protecting each other etc. There simply was no need for lovey-dovey scenes at that point. We also certainly know they were trying to have a daughter hehe
P.S. I’ve been married for 4 years now, and can add that while we are lovey dovey quite often, more often than not we show our love through teasing each other and our support for each other at all times. The main CP seems to resemble us.
10 episodes feels too long and too short at the same time. Some parts made me wish that the story progressed faster, but more parts made me wish that they give us more actions and backstory.
All in all, I'm satisfied with the whole production. Though I wouldn't mind a third part dedicated to more of their adventure in hunting the rest of Jinyowon relics. And some more of Seo Yul and his swordsmanship in action, also man really is just so handsome I can't get enough of him. I would pay to watch him leading Jeongjingak, recruiting more students and putting them under a strict training regime.
10 episodes feels too long and too short at the same time. Some parts made me wish that the story progressed faster,…
I had hoped that the famed and often mentioned General Seo, Seo Yul's father who is a direct descendant of the legendary Master Seo Gyeong, would make an appearance when his son was in critical condition. Given his ancestry, I'm just so curious of his power and influence over the other mage families.
The grand finale when they released the fire bird and Jang Uk slaying the fire bird in less than five minutes feels rather underwhelming, but since Jang Uk has mastered his power and advanced even more in the three years time skip, I guess it made sense. Also, Seol Ran/Bu Yeon said they needed seven people to safely send the fire bird to Lake Gyeongcheondaeho but it didn't look like they did or helped her with any of that part beside standing there and watching her do it.
Kudos to the writers and both JSM and GYJ that even with the obvious difference in appearance, behavior and mannerism and as audience we have the benefit of knowledge, but their portrayal still gives the feeling of the same character. In Part 1, we saw her adopting the behavior and mannerism of a village girl then that of a servant to blend with the body and situation she has found to be in, she's so different to her true self that were shown when she was alone or as a master to her pupil Jang Uk. Now, in Part 2, we saw her again, finally showing her true personality but without the need to adopt a persona to hide and without the desire for revenge, but with a longing for freedom. This is the young girl who met and befriended Yul in Danhyanggok, before she found out his name and was reminded of her revenge agenda.
I want to also extend my appreciation to the hairstylist team for getting rid of Jang Uk curls and LJW himself for his amazing performance and expressions. As character, in three years, Jang Uk grew from a reckless and childish young master who easily sulk and choose the easier path because that's what his life has always been like, to a mature man, carrying the burden and responsibility of having the ice stone power. The fact that he'd also come to the same decision as Seo Yul did in Part 1 that if he acknowledge who she was, he had to take responsibility showed just how far he's come.
In that regards, I get that some are surprised and upset at Seo Yul for planning to kill Naksu and himself in Danhyanggok, but that's been foreshadowed since Part 1 and he had been internally conflicted since then. He didn't even take the medicine for the blood parasite because he's felt more pain at being unable to stop Naksu when he could and prevent her from running wild. To add that as long as his knowledge went, this Naksu could still run wild and hurt innocent people, until Master Lee assured him that her soul will soon leave the body and he learned of Jin Mu's divination that controlled her violent actions.
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For those who are criticizing Min Hyun's acting, I think that he's doing a wonderful job. I've been following him since Alchemy of souls and I think he's doing a great job. He fits a more reserved ML role and his character fits him well since he's more quite so I think his natural way of expressing his character makes him fit for the role. I think his panic attack is what really made me like his character and his scene in ep.4 where he went along with Sol Hee and helping her out acting as her bf. That scene felt raw to me and I honestly like how the story is so far.
I have to admit, like everyone else I'm still slightly confused about the differentiation between the sounds for when Sol Hee is listening to a lie and truth. I think I have figured it out though since some people are saying Kim Do Ha (Min Hyun) was telling the truth and thinks he killed his ex when he was dreaming however I think it's the opposite. In ep4 the CEO of Do Ha was lying when he gave his business card to Sol Hee and lying for Do Ha by saying he was unemployed (the loud DING ring is indication of someone lying) however the DONG low pitch sound is someone telling the truth (In ep. 4 Do Ha said he doesn't like Syaon and never say her as a women which the audience knows is the truth and is when we heard the DONG plus the DONG sounds we heard we he was in the room with the other artist being scoped out). However he LIED to her regarding his name in ep. 4 and we still heard the DONG so what I'm thinking is that he is able to lie and she can't tell the difference (remember the couch scene when they were watching "Master's Sun"). So the ending for ep. 4 when Do ha was dreaming he "killed" his ex was him TELLING THE TRUTH with the loud DONG which would make more sense then him telling the truth that he killed her and lying since Sol Hee is helping him in ep. 5 preview. and how she might help him find the real culprit. That's how I see it anyways however I'm still a bit confused regarding the sounds.
Anyways I can't wait till the next ep!
ok
Extremists movements can be found in every single society. Every single country. As far back as genocidal behaviours found in countries like Germany, Rwanda, South Africa etc. to modern day extremists movements like cancel culture. By your standards, we all belong to uneducated societies.
I don't think you realize how much extremists movements today affect things like journalism (eg:- click-bait articles) and politics (eg:-the anti-abortion laws which cause human rights violations). The extremists can and are becoming the majority. Because the extremists are the loudest, the proudest and they listen to no one. Social media has become a catalyst of spreading the word of the loudest extremists, while people jump on the bandwagon of naming and shaming due to woke culture without doing their own research because they saw a comment somewhere and it must be true.
Woke culture and cancel culture is our modern day, global extremist movement. It's universal. And it's not slowing down. It's based off the religion of celebrity worship. And we see it every day.
So, yeah, I find this show pretty accurate.
Because...
The show is a metaphor for extremism. It shows the dark side of extremism. Where a movement can have good intentions in it's inception but due to the flaw of human behaviour, and the need to monetize it, the movement, which started well, becomes this extremist movement that villainize those who don't stand with them.
"If you're not with us, you're against us."
In modern day context:
"If you don't share this post on BLM, you're a racist."
"If you make a racist joke, we will have you fired, share your phone number and address on the internet so you and your family will be bullied."
"You deserve to be cancelled because you made a joke that was insensitive 20 years ago. It doesn't matter that you're a better person now."
Having Covid parties...
We 100% live in an extremist society. And that's why the show is good. It shows what would happen if nearly everyone gives in. If people continue to police others, judge others and their behaviours. Surely, you have seen this happen in this day and age.
p.s. my true fave character all through out was Do Hwa, he was funny, romantic, tragic, and a true friend to everyone. I especially loved his connection with Dan-oh.
We love with our soul, and the heart recognises that which the mind is sometimes incapable or simply too slow to comprehend. Naksu/MaDeok/Cho Young/BoYeon & Jang Wook have certainly shown us that their love was meant to create and protect. I loved what Master Lee said about the two of them:
“He’s the light protecting the world, and she’s the shadow who protects him from the darkness around him.”
I know some people find the soul changes within BuYeon’s body quite confusing, but I understood them perfectly clear. The whole idea of Naksu being chosen by the priestess (both in her reincarnation form as BuYeon and initial one as the first Jin priestess) to be absolutely brilliant.
I was initially sceptical about it, but the use of the new actress helped show how Cho Young (Naksu) would’ve been like without all the heartbreak & tragedy of her life up to her entering BuYeon’s body. The actress did a great job showcasing an innocence of mind and heart, but also remarkable depth.
With her getting her memories back as Naksu, she became truly wise and any idea of the selfishness she had once possessed was entirely thrown away. The fact that she hadn’t killed Jin Mu in cold blood when she had the chance speaks volumes about her character growth.
Jang Wook was even more awesome in this season than I could’ve imagined him. The actor really knows how to portray a man whose heart is in agony but also one that continues to hope. His character growth is perhaps my most favourite one, from the previous drama to this one, he’s only grown to become more powerful, and even more mindful of the responsibility that comes with such power. His wisdom and ability to sacrifice is truly amazing.
This couple has shown an immense amount of perseverance to be true to each other but also true to their duties and the world around them.
I keep seeing people say that Jang Wook and Naksu/BoYeon’s feelings suddenly changed in ep 8 and it was like he didn’t love her anymore, or it was colder etc. I say that’s not true at all.
I think what we must remember is that JW loved Naksu’s soul.Not her face, not her fighting/powers, not her knowledge etc. He loved her spirit, and his heart recognised her much faster than his mind.
Strip away the pain and blood from OG Naksu’s life, and you get an innocent little girl Cho Young who should have grown into a lovely young lady exactly like BoYeon is portrayed before she regained Naksu’s memories.
Most likely Cho Young would’ve been married to Jang Wook because their fathers were best friends and of quite similar social standing. But their destiny took a different turn, it was wrought with tragedy, and the OG BoYeon/OG priestess chose them to carry the weight of the world’s fate.
He had to fall in love with MaDeok/ as he was getting stronger, be able to understand the heart of the OG Seo Master (when he read the letter and then sacrificed his powers), to be able to die for her, and get reborn. Naksu, who had already chosen JW’s life over her own power, ended up killing him anyway via manipulation. She then kept her promise by jumping off that cliff: If she dies, he dies. If he dies, she dies.
As crazy as that sounds, OG BoYeon’s plan was followed to the T with JW’s resurrection and Naksu reverting to her Cho Yeong self.
JW fell in love with the same soul once more. It had a different packaging, but the same flavour. That’s why he kept asking himself why he was getting the same feelings with BoYeon as with MaDeok. Her coldness once made him stronger and he fell in love with her like that. Now her warmth thawed his ice-cold heart, regaining his will to live and care for the world, as he fell in love with a different facet of the same soul.
In ep 8, when she realises who she is, her coldness towards him wasn’t because she loved him less, if anything she loved him more. Since Naksu knew she would disappear, she couldn’t compromise the body of OG BoYeon (to whom she knew she’d have to give up the body) and she also couldn’t see JW tortured choosing between saving her soul or letting her go once more. Just like Master Lee told Seo Yul, that would be pure agony for JW.
Once JW realises the truth, it’s not that he loves her less, but he understands that his duty to the world was heavily compromised by Naksu being a soul shifter and one way or another, he would have to betray his heart.
Her telling him to come take her life away was the reason and excuse they had to be together once more even if for a bit of time. In those few moments of happiness they had, their love for each other was as true as it gets, because he didn’t have to be split between loving MaDeok and BoYeon, and she was glad to be with him until her soul dispersed. If their love felt heavier, it was only because it was now entirely connected to the fate of the world, which we knew was doomed, instead of it being just about the two of them.
Her sacrifice in giving up BY’s body and JW’s personal choice to let her go to help save Daeho is what ultimately convinced OG BoYeon/OG priestess to let Cho Yeong‘s soul with all her memories as Naksu, MaDeok, and BoYeon be able to take over BoYeon’s body once more.
Their relationship afterwards is a mix of all of their prior relationships + their new responsibilities. Neither loved each other less, they simply loved and accepted all aspects of each other, be it when teasing, being affectionate, or protecting each other etc. There simply was no need for lovey-dovey scenes at that point. We also certainly know they were trying to have a daughter hehe
P.S. I’ve been married for 4 years now, and can add that while we are lovey dovey quite often, more often than not we show our love through teasing each other and our support for each other at all times. The main CP seems to resemble us.
All in all, I'm satisfied with the whole production. Though I wouldn't mind a third part dedicated to more of their adventure in hunting the rest of Jinyowon relics. And some more of Seo Yul and his swordsmanship in action, also man really is just so handsome I can't get enough of him. I would pay to watch him leading Jeongjingak, recruiting more students and putting them under a strict training regime.
The grand finale when they released the fire bird and Jang Uk slaying the fire bird in less than five minutes feels rather underwhelming, but since Jang Uk has mastered his power and advanced even more in the three years time skip, I guess it made sense. Also, Seol Ran/Bu Yeon said they needed seven people to safely send the fire bird to Lake Gyeongcheondaeho but it didn't look like they did or helped her with any of that part beside standing there and watching her do it.
Kudos to the writers and both JSM and GYJ that even with the obvious difference in appearance, behavior and mannerism and as audience we have the benefit of knowledge, but their portrayal still gives the feeling of the same character. In Part 1, we saw her adopting the behavior and mannerism of a village girl then that of a servant to blend with the body and situation she has found to be in, she's so different to her true self that were shown when she was alone or as a master to her pupil Jang Uk. Now, in Part 2, we saw her again, finally showing her true personality but without the need to adopt a persona to hide and without the desire for revenge, but with a longing for freedom. This is the young girl who met and befriended Yul in Danhyanggok, before she found out his name and was reminded of her revenge agenda.
I want to also extend my appreciation to the hairstylist team for getting rid of Jang Uk curls and LJW himself for his amazing performance and expressions. As character, in three years, Jang Uk grew from a reckless and childish young master who easily sulk and choose the easier path because that's what his life has always been like, to a mature man, carrying the burden and responsibility of having the ice stone power. The fact that he'd also come to the same decision as Seo Yul did in Part 1 that if he acknowledge who she was, he had to take responsibility showed just how far he's come.
In that regards, I get that some are surprised and upset at Seo Yul for planning to kill Naksu and himself in Danhyanggok, but that's been foreshadowed since Part 1 and he had been internally conflicted since then. He didn't even take the medicine for the blood parasite because he's felt more pain at being unable to stop Naksu when he could and prevent her from running wild. To add that as long as his knowledge went, this Naksu could still run wild and hurt innocent people, until Master Lee assured him that her soul will soon leave the body and he learned of Jin Mu's divination that controlled her violent actions.