Alchemy of Souls (2022)

Don't get overly expectant with overhyped ratings! But it's a GOOD story~

So I completed both S1 and S2 in the span of a week and I would give it a 8.5/10! Really great effort from the production , scriptwriting and execution, it is something I did not expect from the Hong Sisters' script. Honestly I hesitated very long to watch until last week when I convinced myself to give it a chance and put down my prejudice of such "idolized" typical F4 romance stories. Now I will rewatch it again very soon~

First, acting and story plot is actually nicely executed and their background setting don't look out of place since they laid down the story fundamentals right at the start which made me able to dive into the show very smoothly. What made me took so long to start watching is the fact that I'm worried if the story is just sell the same "F4" vibes and FL forever like some innocent rabbit, but I'm so thankful FL is such a sly and strong character with a painful past. Male and female characters here do have some depth to their story and I'm totally happy about it as most romance dramas focused so much on just the main leads.

Secondly, I do think the amount of romance is done just right for S1 and S2 . Many ppl claimed they prefer S2's romance and chemistry more but seriously I do feel many viewers don't understand the flow of building up a relationship and just wanted fast romance... In S1, SML's romance seem awkward/lack chem to viewers because they are experiencing love and care for the very first time, and the doubts they have for their relationship "status". I do understand there are many plot holes with how they fell in love with each other which obviously not every female and male beings have to fall in love in a story but because it's the Hong sisters writing the script, it's totally predictable they will make SML in love no matter what. So if you just look past these flaws, it's honestly very easy to watch.

Thirdly, I like how both season's Naksu brought hope and light back into the Jang Uk's life yet funny enough she is the same person who break him into pieces in both times. The plot twists are nothing too shocking and the climax for Ep20 is quite predictable for me and I guess it's a common way for production companies to entice audiences to continue watching the next season with same level of enthusiasm.

One important thing I must say is please don't get sway by overhyped ratings or negative reviews, always watch it for yourself to know. You may dropped it halfway and rewatch again next time which is the same for me as well, there are times that I'm just not the mood for certain genres but felt like watching again after some time. What I wrote here is solely my thoughts and emotions felt while watching the show, so it could be totally different for everyone else!

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A Fantasy That Takes You By Surprise!

Alrighttttttt I have been MEANING to write a review about this damn show! It is SO good.

Story: 9/10
You might be familiar with the incredibly popular show The Untamed, which focuses around the ideas of soul shifting and spiritual cultivation. This show uses very similar ideas, something new for Korean TV although not so new in Chinese TV as I've seen. The story doesn't look like much at the start -- a woman who's built herself up and a rich boy who's had it all handed to him. But then you get into it, and you see the depth of the characters. In only 4 episodes, the writers have shown incredible story building and you get sucked right into the kingdom of Daeho.

Acting: 10/10
I will be honest with you, I was not expecting much when I started this show. I have watched shows with both of the leads in them before, and neither Lee Jae Wook nor Jung So Min have impressed me before. This show surprised me, because both have been pulling their A-game. Lee Jae Wook plays the darling, easy-going jokester known as Jung Uk. And Jung So Min plays the role of the stern maid Mudeok with a big secret. From episode 1, their chemistry is off the charts. I would definitely say it's the script, but Lee Jae Wook's flirtiness made me giggle too. And Jung So Min is not one to be messed with either, because she knows how to curve his romantic gestures and set him straight. It makes for a cute "they don't know they're literally married" dynamic.

Music: 9/10
The background music is quite dramatic and fun, very befitting espcially during the fight scenes. I like the song on the ending credit too, not much more to say for this category.

Rewatch value: 10/10
From what I've seen so far, this show is written very well and both of the leads are shining. Even all the supporting actors (especially Jung Uk's uncle!) do a phenomenal job of sucking you into the world of Alchemy of Souls. If you're on the fence about this show, don't be --- this show is worth your time and more!

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now on my top 5 list

speechless. This one's really freaking gooood. wow the story, cinematography, acting, direction everything is fantabulous. like I'm not the one who loves historical ones it's my third historical drama but trust me it's officially my fav drama now. idk what to say the actor and actress paved the way. the support roles really nailed it. it's a lose if you didn't watched it yet. I've watched moonlovers and mr.qeen but This one has a unique and great story . and the female lead i personally didn't expected this much from him because her drama smile has left your eyes I've watched that and she was not like this it was boring but this one i really loves her here and for the male lead he was already my fav so he did a great job here.

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Halfway review: Amazing acting, Story lacks depth

Ep 10 finished so time for the halfway review!
First of all my compliments to the casting director, they did a top notch job in the casting for this drama, I found all the characters to be very well portrayed and unique. However, and this is an intro to my biggest complaint, the characters development throughout the story is very two-dimensional at most. The first episodes still seemed very promising but the story writing and directing has become "lazy" in my opinion since episode 6. In one particular event that had a big lead up (which I'm not going to specify further) the final act was a bit of a let down because it was already finished before I knew it and I never got the "front of my seat" feeling, simply speaking you just never feel like there is much at stake even in a situation that should be high stakes. Another aspect which bothered me in the later episodes was the use of overly long flashback sequences set to very dramatic music, very old-fashioned. Overall the music lacked intensity although the use of an Oh My Girl song was very clever. The FX is consistently on a great level on the other hand and so are the costumes.
I hope the second half of this drama will turn this around.

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What I felt as I watched this drama.

There are two types of people in the dramaland 1. who likes a drama 2. one who doesn't. I certainly do not fall under any rather I am quite on the fence regarding this drama. I am unable to fully express my feelings on this drama in a couple of sentences but if I had to force some words out for it then it would be I neither am a fan nor a hater of this drama. When this drama started airing I quickly picked up on it, it was good for the first couple of weeks then suddenly with the sixth week of its running ie., with the eleventh episode I started to feel a little bit bored somehow the plot was lacking something, the writers were not able to weave things well. Something was definitely lacking, it is not the actors or acting it is more so the script and the way it is being written. There are too many side stories that the real focus that should be on Jang Gang (father of Jang Uk) and Jang Uk himself and the fact that Jang Uk was the result of his own father's wrong use of the "ice-stone" magic. I won't say that I absolutely hated watching episode 11 as it was not the case I liked it but not completely, it was good halfway but the rest I think I don't have to speak about. This drama certainly has some redeeming facts about it one being the bromance and some of the comedic scenes that can be considered sub-plots. At the moment I feel like I will be dropping this drama, which has never happened before except for a very few ones only though it was not the script but more like the genre. I am an avid drama/ movie watcher and this has never happened to me before. I am feeling regretful and sad in my heart considering the fact that there is going to be a second season, which before watching the first would not make much sense, I cannot speed run through the first then how would I be able to do that with the second. Maybe after the first season stops airing I will try to speed watch it but I am not so sure at the moment. If I do end up watching it I will make sure to update this review.

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Um dos melhores do ano.

Para começar: esse drama é muito envolvente.
Apesar de ultimamente estar aparecendo k-dramas bem distintos eu diria que esse é um que se destaca no meio de tantos. apesar de ser 20 episódios é tudo tão interessante que a vontade é de devorar tudo de uma vez.

O enredo por si é muito interessante. Se trata de transmigração, que eu amo diga-se de passagem e a protagonista feminina é realmente A protagonista, mas disso falarei na frente. O tema de magia foi abordado semelhantes aos wuxia chineses, tem luta cheio de luz, gente pulando, espada voando e essas coisas, mas as batalhas são muito bem feitas.
Tudo gira em torno de uma assassina entrando em um corpo aleatório e perdendo seus poderes, e um cara que não pode usar seus poderes e a pede para ser seu mestre, o que é bem legal a personagem feminina ser admirada.
Mesmo que você não se interesse por dramas com lutas esse aqui possivelmente será sua exceção.

Os personagens são magníficos. A personagem feminina principal é independente, muitas vezes fria e calculista (sem meme). Ela tem muita lábia e não tem medo de fazer o que for preciso para alcançar aquilo que almeja. O personagem masculino já me ganhou por ter uma certa admiração pela feminina, ele não tem vergonha de a chamar de mestre e agir como seu discípulo. o relacionamento desses dois é cheio de emoções, há cenas que vão te deixar com a boca aberta e outras que são gratificantes.

O mais legal de tudo é que muita coisa acontece, muita mesmo, mas ainda assim a velocidade de desenvolvimento é perfeita, não é rápido demais ou devagar demais, o ritmo é o ideal para você se divertir, conseguir digerir tudo que está acontecendo e deixar aquele gostinho de quero mais.

Enfim, recomendo assistirem, eu não me arrependo e estou animado para a segunda temporada.

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Fanstasy historical drama with a modern look!

This is officially my favourite fantasy Kdrama! We are halfway through S1 and you, screenwriters, are making us lingering for more, week by week, episode by episode.. well done!

please team do not let out too many spoilers for the S2, and I am talking about the news around S2 out there ... leave us, the mesmerised viewers, wondering until the very end as you are doing a great job so far!

AOS has all ingredients to keep you hooked: young and good looking characters ( ...sorry for being shallow :):):), a clever modern twist to costumes and make-up, some family unresolved issues ( who doesnt have it), a badass FL ( ..are we talking about Naksu or MoDuk here... or both really?), some SOul Shifting magical process that can sometimes go wrong ( a blindfolded girl seems to like interfering a lot in it, and i start thinking that it was not a mistake when Naksu entered the blindfolded girl on EP 1.. :), and a lot of sense of humour which makes you laugh out loud ! I LOVE IT!

There is of course some romance, a slow-burn romance we are all waiting to see unclosing... is there a love triangle? ... not sure about that, well you need to watch the series to understand the implications of a person in someone's else body: how would you feel in Naksu situation? would you be able to love someone if you were wearing someone else's skin? how Naksu see herself in someonelse's body? can she love.. completely? and .. is UK's love interest directed to MuDeok, or for Naksu..? how will the Hong sisters respond to that? i am very intrigued to see how things will unfold..

in the meantime, we see great chemistry between the main couple: the way they understand each other, with their looks ( sometimes very cheeky and playful) , the way they protect each other... it is not only because of their "duties", it goes beyond that.. and i simply find myself drawn into this circle of emotions, and I don't want them to be apart ...
UK and Mudeok help and support each other, there is a mutual respect and neither of them is taking control over the other's decision and action; yes, they agreed on having this teacher-scholar relationship , but yet, you cannot really tell who is what as they are both learning from each other! Fantastic!

I am updating my reviews as i continue to watch the new released episodes, but i can tell you it gets better and better. if all the episodes were already completed , i would definitely add this series to my "Binge-watching list"!

a big WELL DONE to the whole production and post-production team, you are putting together a dynamic, aesthetically appealing work, dreamy OST ( teh music in some of the fighting scenes are in rhythm with it. or vice versa..?)

- well done team! let's see what the next episodes will bring to the table :)

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I loved the drama

I just randomly picked this drama to start and it was actually the top second drama i choose in 2022.
The story is written so beautifully.
The actors are doing literally justice with their characters.
The song , videography everything is perfect till now.
I'm on epi 12 & the bond btw jang uk & mu-deok is so beautifully written & my gut feeling is saying that they will also make us cry the most in this drama.
The trio they made while helping mu-deok in the competition was so amazingly done.
Crown prince & jang uk relationship with each other will make huge change in drama and ig it will the most awaited scenes for me.
Plus i really want jang uk and mu-deok to get together as couple , they are so strong and powerful strong plus i love their bonding with eachother.

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Good FX, Overshadowed by Plot and Production Issues

LIKES:
Settings where they were out in nature, like the gardens. Such beautiful flowers and land scape. Vibrant colours!
Cinematography and location settings were all well chosen.
The casting was spot on for both the actors and actresses!
A strong female lead, that never was made into a simpering fool due to falling in love.
Some of the special effects were really well done too, without over using CGI or green screens. Editing was well done and seamless for the most part.
The “magic” effects and makeup for the stone potion of the soul shifters that go wild, all exceptionally well done.
The chemistry between the actors and the actresses all flowed well.
The comedy parts were okay.
Writing was consistent for the most part and well thought out, considering they were creating a whole new world.
Acting mostly was well done too (just not for all of the cast), at least for the main characters.
The music was chosen well, never overpowered the dialogues and even added to the atmosphere in the scenes!

DISLIKES:
Shaky camera moments, it is 2022 you should know how to use a film stabilizer by now! If not for that, then production would’ve been perfect.
Too many love lines, which means some of them will either be killed off or left not concluded, but we will see what happens in the second season.
Even though the females were mostly strong, they eventually turned into supporting characters, even the female lead. That contradicted the beginning episodes and how they were survivors of their circumstances.
Not sure if it’s the director’s fault or the writer’s, but there were too many filler scenes that didn’t add to the story, but gave certain characters more screen time. This might have also contributed to the pacing problems.

OVERALL:
I did enjoy the drama and will watch the second season (while hoping they fix the other problems). For a fantasy drama it is decent. I would recommend it for others to watch, but not sure I will re-watch it, even while waiting for the second season.

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BEST EVER

this is really really recommended to watch it is really unforgettable and enjoyable and it is so entertaining I really love it so much it has so much good production and story lining and really love that the characters has put too much effort on the road it is really and my Rebel it was really my one of the favourite series 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 💖💖💖💖💖 JUNG UK 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 MU DEOKI 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

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fantastic treat

The ending… please have mercy on me. This was such a fun and delightful treat. I was so looking forward to this ever since my tiktok was flooded with beautiful edits of this show and i waited for it to be fully released because I knew deep down I would love it (that sounds very dramatic, but it's true!!) Although the plot only moves quite slowly, the characters and their interactions carry the show and make it special. I have to admit that I have been watching a lot of other shows that have shorter episodes so maybe that is why I felt like the episodes were dragging a little, but I always had a fantastic time watching this show.... The settings, cinematography, music, the magic, … just everything was such a great watch. Deserves all its hype. The only character I couldn’t warm up to was Choyeon… she put Mudeok in trouble (several times), always whining or pouting and bratty… I don’t know, she just wasn’t my favorite. But overall: great watch. I am excited and scared for part 2.

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