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9.5/10 - Like / Dislike
This series is still being my most favorite after watching many more series, the reason is:1. I always rate every kdrama based on the plot and how not dumb of characters are. Because the dumbness on characters' action make me feel irritable and ruin my mood to keep watching. But in this show, each characters' decision are justified and have a decent reason to support their action. Especially Mudeok and Jinmu are very clever actually.
2. Some kdrama, support couples are kinda boring and uninterested to watch. But in this show the support couples are very funny and entertaining. Especially Kim dojo and Park jin, they carry the show along with the main couple.
3. Despite of Fantasy and historical drama , I didn't expect this show to be very funny to be honest. And there are a lot of funny scenes which makes me very impressed. So it's a bonus score for me.
4. Chemistry between main couple is Insane. They are very funny especially the actress.
The reason I give 9.5/10 and not 10 is because:
- It's too long that some parts are kinda boring especially last 3 episodes and it feels like they unnecessary drag the a story for 20 episodes' sake.
So overall, I'm very impressed of this show and it's still being my top 1 kdrama. Very worth watching till the ends. I would give it 9/10 if I have another dislike but I can't think of any. I still want to rewatch it.
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Saved by a stellar supporting cast and supporting story
Alchemy of Souls offers a really compelling fantasy world with impressive world-building and a particularly stellar supporting cast that carries much of the show's weight. While the main leads often feel bland and uninspired making me wonder at one point why they even had a romantic story line , the supporting characters more than make up for it, bringing depth and nuance to the story.To be really honest , most of the episodes have a repetitive feel, with similar set pieces and stakes, making the middle of the series drag a bit. However, the drama really picks up in the last few episodes, delivering an engaging finale that redeems some of the earlier pacing issues. It’s a bit like those singers who mumble through the verses but nail the chorus—slow to start, but worth it in the end. I kind of resent the drama for this but I did enjoy the dramatic whiplash in the last 5 episodes.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the series is its exploration of power and morality. The drama delves into how those in power construct the logic and rules of what is considered right. When they fall, the next group does the same, raising the question: what truly defines logic and righteousness? The show suggests that if your rule serves the best interests of a large collective, then your logic is justified. But only for now- I particularly loved how the drama leaves you pondering the true nature of power and justice.
All in all, Alchemy of Souls is a solid fantasy drama with enough strengths to outweigh its flaws, and it’s easy to see why it’s garnered the hype it has.
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What a show!!
Alchemy of souls was an amazing watch. I had been postponing watching this show for a long time. Now that I've binged watched the first season, I am regretting not watching it sooner.Story- Script of the show is very well rounded bringing some of the most amazing characters to life. The MLs story arc in parallel to FLs is very well juxtaposed. I thoroughly enjoyed their growth as main characters. This has good romance, heart fluttering moments, humor & emotional scenes. The story was fast paced, loved that things moved quickly even for a 20 episodes show, which made binging this even more enjoyable. The chemistry of the cast is top notch.
Cast- Couldn't have had more amazing cast than this. I've been a fan of LJW from Extraordinary you. He is such a talented actor who comes off so natural. His portrayal of Jung Uk is splendid. Jung So Min is also a favourite of mine, she was amazing here to watch. They have such a good chemistry , really liked their scenes together, even of just talking. I also liked the actor portraying Master Lee, such a fun guy. Other supporting cast also were phenomenal.
OST - the background music added the flavour which makes this show unique in fantasy- historical Kdrama space. OSTs were really good and matched the tone of the show.
Special effects- Production team really did the effects well, which made the scenes even more fantastic.
Ending scene of this season was so epic that knowing there is next season available to watch, I could sleep in peace. I plan to watch season 2 now, thought to write this review while season 1 is fresh in my mind.
Give this show a chance if you haven't yet, you'll not be disappointed. This deserves the classic tag already.
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Lives Up To The Hype
This is just a collection of notes I took while watching this show. I thought the show was only 20 episodes so boy was I confused when there were 15 minutes to go in episode 20 and stuff started to fall apart.Why would he do the switch? Because if he doesn't the king kills him? Ok, so now I'm dead, and you'll be dead and still without an heir, Asian Jack Sparrow. Good plan.
Okay, why is he surprised old dude was going to smash his girl? He literally was bitching about an heir.
Wait so the king and the mage actually did switch back? I for sure thought the king would let him die in his body. And it seemed like they were saying that but I see I was wrong.
When he said he'd try to save her, I thought he meant with strength. Not by breaking the Jin Family's oldest and most important heirloom. Although, if Gwigsu waited until after everyone was gone to sniff her out, he wasn't very powerful. lol Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook) is an interesting kid that's for sure.
Man has it been a wild ride. Fight with the Crown Prince, now he's run away and they're living with the ultimate mage. Then the alleged marriage, and now Mu Deok is missing.
I didn't realize Jung So Min was in this, let alone that she played the FL Mu Deok. I've only ever seen her in Playful Kiss, and she annoyed the crap out of me there so I was worried, but I actually love her in this. If only Park Shin Hye could have some sort of redemption with me. lol
I also super love Park Dang Gu (Yoo In Soo). He's just such a ray of sunshine and such a sweet person. Seo Yul (Hwang Min Hyun) is also really starting to open up. Hell, even Go Won (Shin Seung Ho) seems like he has some humanity.
It seems like Dang Gu really likes Jin Cho Yeon (Arin) which bums me out because she seems like an insufferable C word. ESPECIALLY after trying to pin the broken jade on Mu Deok like the jealous POS she is. Btw, as if a solid jade ball just breaks because you dropped the protected carrying case.
I love that Crown Prince clocked this fake a** Mu Deok from the jump. He knew the real one would not hesitate to be rude to him. lol
Not enough to frame her for breaking the jade, but you stole it and framed her too? Pathetic.
WOWWWW AND you watched her open the door to Jinyowon, so you know exactly where she's at and that something awful has happened to her and you're still quiet? No wonder your mom doesn't seem to like you that much. The daughter she misses, I assume, is far less disappointing.
"If she gets locked in she could die." *Looks down at the jade SHE broke and tried to pin on Mu Deok and locks Mu Deok in there*
Wow. Dang Gu didn't even hesitate to clock her ass saying he hears what sounds like jade knocking together every time she moves. That poor man. That face is pure disappointment.
What is Jin Ho Gyeong's (Park Eun Hye) problem? No wonder Cho Yeon sucks as a person.
At least she admitted to everything, although I imagine Jang Uk, and even Dang Gu, wouldn't have let it slide. They'd have defended Mu Deok since no one would believe her against essentially a princess.
Uh oh, they're about to ask her if she locked Mu Deok in Jinyowon and she's gonna out her abilities. Hopefully they won't believe her.
It's already duel time. I obviously don't want Jang Uk to die, but I also don't want Crown Prince to die.
The queen is the real Danju!? Man I thought that was the head of the Jin family when she first showed up.
Here comes another trouble maker. I love that it says, "Mu Deok and Jang Uk are once again driven apart." When will we stop with that story line?
Also, Crown Prince lovvvvvessss filthy Mu Deok. lol
So he can't bring his own servant, but also they're short servants and looking for new ones. Make it make sense.
Omg she knows she can't enter and he can't leave so why is she doing this nonsense like he abandoned her?
SHE'S THE LOST DAUGHTER OF THE JIN FAMILY!?
Omg these three helping her to pass is so cute. Although I bet she used her own test.
Jang Uk is such a petulant child. She worked so hard to get into Songrim and this is how he behaves? Omg I feel like its hours later and he's still being such a lazy, bratty, f*ck.
Heo Yun Ok (Hong Seo Hee) "You should forgive him. The flowers are so pretty." Maidservant Kim Do Joo (Oh Na Ra): "You really have a way with words, Lady Heo." I mean, really setting the bar low. lol
What's to stop So Yi (Seo Hye Won) from going to the head of Songrim and telling them what Jin Mu is doing? As a matter of fact, he just switched souls from that old mage to his young pupil, are you telling me no one is going to wonder where that super important, powerful, old man mage went?
What's the point of having the younger body if you can't even be your real self? Now you're just some lowly pupil.
Okay, so they're going to have him die in front of others so as to not rouse suspicions. But it still makes no real sense because would you even have your power in the new body or would you just spend a new lifetime getting back right to where you were before?
Yun Ok (In Jang Uk's room) while speaking to Mu Deok: "Please, come in." Girl what? Get out of fantasy land.
LOL Not Jang Uk and Go Won being driven to one another and completely misinterpreting it. They're like all the insufferable weirdos who insist on shipping male leads, especially if they have a healthy male friendship.
I kept thinking I hope this has a perfectly happy ending but Park Jin (Yoo Jun Sang) is on my last nerve and I wouldn't be upset if he died.
So Yi has some real audacity on her. I get why she did this to begin with, but to be so foolish to think they aren't using her.... wild.
So Mu Deok is the missing daughter of the Jin family, right? That makes sense as to why they never mentioned her mother and was basically confirmed when Cho Yeon's father stated that Bu Yeon was the result of an affair the mother had with another man.
Mu Deok has her powers back so why is she talking about soul-shifting despite it risking all their lives? What a brat.
I did not expect Cho Yeon and Dang Gu to actually follow and approach her dad. That's wildly dangerous.
Welp. I did not know there was a part two. I was surprised when things kicked off 15 minutes from the end of episode 20.
How much time has passed? Also, it seems Mu Deok isn't Mu Deok anymore which is going to be bizarre.
My poor, sweet Dang Gu. She's being a real biotch. Okay, so someone explain to me how Jin Mu is still kickin' around.
I get that they're trying to say Naksu's soul is inside Bu Yeon's body, but didn't we already establish Mu Deok was Bu Yeon? Not Naksu's soul, but actual physical Mu Deok?
I don't understand why she's not in Mu Deok's body. They said she was basically dead and they yanked her out of the lake. Why would it be anyone but Mu Deok? Mama Jin was hell bent on this because she saw Mu Deok mouth "mom" to her. So I don't understand how Naksu is in this other body and why Mama Jin wants it.
Okay, that's a stupid explanation. Her whole thing was keeping her daughter's body alive to get a grandchild and now it's not her daughter's body or soul. And yes, I know they said "Ohhh just the face will morph back to Naksu" which is also idiotic. I get why story purposes it can't be Mu Deok because people would recognize her but this is beyond stupid.
I'm sorry but I just cannot picture Jang Uk and Naksu. It almost feels like he's cheating. I just wish she looked like Mu Deok again.
Also, I've been meaning to say this for awhile but the OG Queen is also kind of an a**hole. I get what she's been through but she rubs me the wrong way. Also, if Shaman Choi (fake queen) was telling the truth, and I believe she was, the OG queen got herself into this situation by trying to get a newer, younger body.
This is exactly what I mean. She's blaming everyone else but taking absolutely zero accountability.
So tell me why Seo Yul doesn't seem absolute shook to see Naksu's face? Really? He doesn't recognize her? The woman he was madly in love with for years? Give me a break.
F*ck the queen. I do hope she dies. It was her vanity that got her into this mess and she's learned nothing.
I'm sorry but she has some audacity. She begged him to save her and help her, and he made it clear his intentions and now she's mad?
Nooooo Seo Yul dies!? Phew, ok. This show will give me a heart attack.
The audacity of Jin Mu to try to tell Lady Jin that she's also to blame. Bffr.
How dare lame ass doctor chick read his personal letters.
Okay, she's grown on me a little bit but I miss Mu Deok. Also, I'm sort of weirded out. It feels like he's cheating on Mu Deok by breaking their promise. I know she told him to move on, but it just feels weird. And that's WITH me knowing it's her. lol
All the horrible, horrendous things that Jin Mu has done, and he just keeps going. I SWEAR that turtle had better be safe and sound.
"What does it concern you, Yunk Ok?" could be a tagline for this show.
Jin Mu finally dying but of course this asshole queen and the other moron can't leave well enough alone. This show is never going to end.
Well as usual the ending was way rushed when the show had so many parts that dragged out that they could've cut for more time.
But at least everyone got their happy ending. Although I hate that they're happily ever after wasn't with her as Mu Deok. I get why in terms of the story, but I miss Jang Uk and Mu Deok.
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The alchemist
This series is made by an alchemist master it has everything and more, fantasy✔️, drama✔️, Action✔️, comedy✔️, romance✔️, Anything else you might have thought of it is here.And with a perfect acting cast where every single one is doing his bit form the main actor to that random jewellery shop owner on the corner.
Also a well done ending for the first session that suits the story build.
I had nothing to say but perfection ??.
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In all honesty? A masterpiece!
Watched this majestic drama while it was still airing in Korea the past year, and honestly was the best drama of all 2022!Usually, I'm not a historic + historic/fantasy drama lover, I love history but I'm not really that good at the Korean one, so at first I wanted to avoid it, I've thought that the mixture of the completely different genres would be a huge mess.
What a dumb thought.
The storyline can be tricky at first, especially for all the different families and the flashbacks are a whole lot, but once the first episodes the story starts to get amazing, and the long length of each episode (pretty much like a movie per each episode) goes in the back. Jung So Min is AMAZING in this, she and her facial expressions are hilarious and a tinge of adding some 'slap comedy' is a big yes for me!
I would recommend this? YES
Is worth a rewatch? Yes Again!!
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Best in a while ..!
I really enjoyed this show after long time watching animes and k dramas , to say how much this show hooked me i felt sad to finish this show , I didn't want to finish this because I might feel empty after. The best show in a while , definitely worth to watch it. Graphics are really good didn't expect to be this good , story is great blend with action romance for perfect amount , humor and jokes are on point, I learned a lot about life from this serious , just watch you won't regret it , I'm emotionally over whelmed.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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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!Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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captivating Entertaining Fantasy Drama
Through its fast-paced plotting, engaging characters and character development and splendid wardrobe, Alchemy of Souls Season 1 was a captivating entertaining fantasy drama that helped me sail through this summer. Using it interesting plot, this drama revolved around the lives of people residing in a place not known to regular humans, Daeho. The writers did a great job introducing all the character and writing storylines that suited each character perfectly but also linked in with the other characters. I especially love the relationship between Jang UK and Mu Deok( Naksu), his master I found fascinating how loyal Mu Deok undeniable always stands by Jang Uk (although at times did not come across that way)and Him her. And how the gradually fell in love with each other. Although season 1 ended with a heart break it also makes it more interesting to see the journey that’s ahead of the characters as sad as it might have ended. one question i keep asking myself is, “Are they character we deem villains actually villains?” only season 2 can answer that question and I can’t wait to watch.Defiantly a rewatch drama.
10/10 for Writing
10/10 for Character development
10/10 for pacing
10/10 for storyline
10/10 for chemistry between lead Actors
10/10 for casting.
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perfeição
UAU! Como que respira? Eu tô triste... tão (insira aqui um sentimento). O que rolou aqui? Como faz pra reagir a isso?Que dorama incrível e maravilhoso.
Os plots, personagens, a trilha sonora, a história, foi tudo tão perfeito.
Esse foi sem dúvidas nenhuma o melhor dorama do ano!
Só tenho o que agradecer as pessoas que me indicaram ele. Favoritado sem dúvidas nenhuma.
Me lembrou muito The Untamed no início.
Pra quem tem interesse em assistir a primeira parte de alquimia das almas, se prepara porque aqui nós temos:
• Trilha sonora perfeita
• História perfeita
• Personagens perfeitos
• Morenos e loirinhos sarcásticos perfeitos
• Uma protagonista maravilhosa
• O vilão... MEU DEUS, QUE VILÃO!!
• Cenas de ação incríveis
• Efeitos visuais muito bons e muito bem produzidos
• Um casal (mais de um, na verdade) enemies to lovers lindo
• Cena da mocinha provando um vestido de noiva QUE NÃO É DELA
• Plots maravilhosos
Só façam esse favor para si mesmos por favor e assistam essa maravilha de dorama.
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cgi juara, eps awal rada boring tp di pertengahan - ending seru!!
9/10. Eps 1-2 masih ok, suka liat cgi-nya. Beneran kerasa real terus si naksu juga banyak muncul ((biased ???)). Eps selanjutnya mulai boring menurutku, soalnya dari eps 3 - eps 9 aku bener2 nunggu mood dulu baru bisa lanjutin. Tapi dimulai eps 10 - ending plotnya makin menarik. Di eps mendekati ending banyak plot twist yg bikin mikir ((kenapa idup mereka sesempit itu pls)). Endingnya gantung, untung udah langsung ada s2 nya AWKWKWK. Actingnya juara sih, chemistry-nya kerasa apalagi jang uk - mudeok. Sinematografi juga bagus karena nyorot tempat2 cantik di sekitar kerajaan. Dan ini konfliknya nyampur antara politics - family - power yg bikin makin seru. Ostnya jujur ga terlalu merhatiin karena aku lebih fokus ke konflik ? jadi ga terlalu dengerin, tapi lumayan ok alias standar aja kaya ost ost pada umumnyaVond je deze recentie nuttig?
More like this please!
This review is for season 1.I'll start this and say that I am a fan of this show and binged it. That's why even if I noticed 1-2 things that a critic can use to not give it a 10 I went past this and gave it a 10 for the awesome work it is.
The rating for each section is already shown but I can say that the story, overall, is captivating, the acting is what it should be. I haven't found any flaws with it from any actor and many scenes were written/produced/acted as any production of this kind should be done. 11/10 to the actors and 11/10 to the production team for these awesome moments.
Had it on my watchlist for 2 years and one of the reasons I delayed watching it a couple of times was because I expected it to be good(if something is good I simply can't stop watch it, even if it means no sleep). That decision was perfect because if I had started that show in a busier period I couldn't have binged it as I did because it exceeded my expectations. This is a good thing because, unfortunately, expectations are the worst thing for any type of work. They raise the bar and if that kind of show/movie is lacking anywhere it will feel like it is a bigger matter that it trully is. I am glad that this show exceeded that and delivered a great experience.
I recommend it and feel that the rewatch value is high with this show, even more so if you watched season 2.
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