Reviews

Time Travel Love Story (For Ending, Suggest Reading Novel Ending)

**Brief Synopsis**
B (Architech): Jom
T (Student): Khun Yai

- Beginning: B is an architect and is commissioned to renovate an old manor. Soon after starting however, he is caught up in an accident and time travels back to the past. There he meets T, who immediately recognizes B as the man he keeps dreaming about. That is because this isn’t B and T’s first life together but B doesn’t seem to remember as well as T. The following episodes, T tries to get closer to B, even going as far as taking him on as his personal manservant. B and T spends more time together after that and after another character confesses to B, T decides to confess as well because he is afraid that he will lose B. B accepts after T tells him he doesn’t care if their relationship isn’t accepted.

- Middle: However, their first challenge came when T’s mother tells him he needs to marry a girl from another affluent family. B knows T can’t refuse because of his family and convinces T to accept (**tears warning**) which hurts both of them. But in the end the betrothal is canceled after B finds proof to send the head of that family to jail.

- End: Soon after, their happiness is cut short again when B discovers that he is starting to disappear. He tells T the truth about his identity and the couple spends the last moments B has in this era together (**tears warning**). In the last episode, B returns to his era and finds a letter T has written him. Just as he was crying while reading this letter, he hears a voice calling him and he looks up to find T standing in front of him. T’s reincarnation (his grand grand grand son) with memories of the past came to find him.

**My Opinion**

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT IT:

- The concept is really good but the execution could have been better. I found the show extremely dramatic and too much focus was given to the other characters’ story in the sense that the main couple’s story feels somewhat underdeveloped.
- The episodes leading up to the confession lacked any noticeable foreplay or build up to that moment, significantly diminishing the emotional impact of that moment. In addition, because there is so much drama, even after the confession, watching their relationship can get a little tiring as you are always afraid that something bad is going to happen.
- This show obviously want to be a period drama which is a subject matter that I did not enjoy.
- The acting is really nice and the leads do a great job at displaying the love between the main characters. The rest of the actors do a pretty good job as well...at least better than other shows.
- The intimate scenes are pretty well acted out even if they are pretty tame. Some of their interactions are pretty cute and their crying scenes are emotionally impactful and can bring the audience in.
- Production quality is pretty high.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
- Very simple and predictable storyline with no plot twists or especially notable moments.
- Pacing sometimes feels too slow other times feels too fast. I think it is because they are trying to deal with too much at the same time.
- Period piece is not something I like.

**Conclusion**
This is an okay watch with an interesting concept that you should give a chance.

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Nice ride of romance action and fantasy.

It's nice to see a fantasy twist in a K-Drama like Alchemy of Souls. Power is the focus of the series, as it is of most Kdramas during that time period. There are different kindoms that seem to want to get along for the greater good. However, greed, control, and power play a role in complicating things.

In addition to the four seasons, the characters have various talents, strengths, and weaknesses. The show's attention is mostly focused on Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook) and Mu Deok (Jung so Min). The assassin Naksu initially appeared to be the center of attention, but that was not the case.

The series didn't pan out quite as I had hoped, even though I enjoyed it. Maybe I should have paid more attention to the synopsis. I was hoping that Naksu aka-Mu Deok would remain steady on her mission as the basa$$ assassin she showed very briefly in episode 1. After switching souls into Mu Doek, she conveniently loses her power.
Over the next dozen or so episodes, she was primarily focused on being a maid. As well as training Jang Uk. So, I'm thinking that they don't want to show Naksu in all her glory just yet, since that would overshadow Jang Uk's arc.

While they fall in love, let Jang Uk gradually rise to power. Naksu would then be able to regain her power and assist Jang Uk in defeating Jin Mu and his minions! It's a cool and understandable method. NOT! Her power is regained alright... This isn't a deal breaker, since I knew there would be a season 2. Yeah, I guess (uh-huh).

The production of Alchemy was nevertheless very good. A fantasy filled with action, love, funny moments and fantasy. Acting and chemistry between the leads were good, but not the best I have seen. Park Jin and his Headmaid servant Kim exhibited cuteness. The series development was so deep, at one point I even though if the FL did die during the demonstration, would it really effect the main story much? We seemed pretty much way past major effectiveness and the events of Mu Deok. (priestess or not). That's the scripts fault not actors.
The visuals in Alchemy of Souls are stunning. The production design is stunning, with detailed and immersive sets. The special effects are pretty effective, enhancing the magical elements of the story. It all made the fighting nice.

But Overall, The Alchemy of Souls series is a well-developed enjoyable series with intriguing characters and a captivating plot. Although I would have given it another .5 in the ratings, I was disappointed with how they left me hanging with Naksu. And the ending mmmm...

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Dramma fantasy con tutti gli ingredienti classici

Per chi ama i fantasy questo dramma sarà sicuramente perfetto.
La storia parla di mondi lontani dove regnavano le volpi a nove code e tanti altri esseri imaginari.Ha tutti gli ingredienti del dramma con tanti cliché come la volpe centenaria che aspetta la sua amata che però è umana e dunque il loro amore è impossibile.C'e l'essere cattivo che minaccia la loro vita perciò sono pronti a morire uno per l'altra e ci sono gli amici parenti etc pronti a fare di tutto per loro.
Attori di grande bravura e protagonisti con una bellissima chimica completano la storia.Un finale bello nonostante non sembrava.

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main character perspective

I’m so surprised about this show! i wasn’t expecting loving it this much.

the thing i like the most is the main character perspective on our society! after spending 15 years isolated with nature, she can’t understand anxiety the way we do. everyone is projecting their own anxieties… she’s too old to sing, she should have been famous, be angry… she’s just terrible enjoying meeting her idol, having someone to have a meal with, people who cherish and worries about her. i really do love it!

i expect to see more of kiho, i like the thriller, i’m so curious about what’s coming next!

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Very powerful love story!

I became addicted to these dramas during Covid, and I’ve seen several hundred of them. For the mature people, the love story is the best I’ve ever seen, my favorite show was Empress Ki, but now it’s my second favorite. The music was exceptional. The story lines were perfect. I just wish it would have been more episodes! The ML, I will be looking out for him in more of these period pieces. His acting is believable, he’s very captivating. The leading actress is also phenomenal, she’s definitely not a weak woman. The Qing princesses acting was so good, she was a horrible wretched princess, but if the writers could add more episodes, maybe we could find out why she was so pitiful. It takes a real good show to entertain me, I’m a black woman, born in the USA, and I don’t even watch regular shows anymore because of my addiction to these period pieces, it’s definitely worth watching over again!

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Timeless masterpiece

I seriously loved this.
I'm usually prone to scene skipping if I find a drama predictable or boring, but this drama OMG! I loved every bit of it! I was completely hooked.
I LOVED the "old" drama vibes I got from it so much. Adored how the director paid attention to the little details (like the makeup and the girl's painted nails). I really liked the filters that were used that made it look like a 2015 historical drama, seriously it was really suitable and I honestly really liked it.
The Fl's makeup should have a whole fandom on its own. It was simply magnificent. It looked soft, feminine and I really appreciate how it could easily be straight out of a reimagined period painting.
I personally really liked the plot and the ending. I consider it to be very fitting and the whole ordeal seems very poetic to me
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To me HRZ existed bc of the Fl's need to have someone whom she can completely trust, someone who will always do what she wants and who won't threaten her comfort zone, who'll never make her challenge herself and face her fears. So she created him in her head bc with him she can run away from everything she's really scared of, which is sincerely loving someone else , bc then she'll feel vulnerable as he'll be able to hurt her ( e.g. by betraying her or something). At the end she chose the real world and so she chose to bravely face evey challenge, which to me is the ultimate character development and I applaud it.
The cast's chemistry was amazing. Especially between the Fl and the ml. At numerous scenes I wanted to shout JUST KISS ALREADY. Just my personal opinion here but a kiss would make certain scenes shine even more. In many scenes you could literally see the poor ml fight for his life so as not to kiss her. Would love to see them in another drama together.
The chemistry between Fl and HRZ was really great as well. You could feel how comfortable she was around him. I kinda shipped them together but I prefer the FL-ML pairing more. I would love to see them in another drama together as well.

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Time Travel Love Story

My Opinion:

- Plot: This show presents a fairly predictable tale where our protagonist inadvertently time-travels and entangles himself with the scion of a wealthy family, sparking a clandestine love affair. The narrative centers on the evolution of this relationship, but despite a promising premise, execution leaves much to be desired. In the initial episodes, the focus drifts away from exploring the nuances of their relationship, opting instead for high-stakes family drama and the protagonist's struggle to adapt to his newfound temporal surroundings. While there are interactions with the love interest, the lack of palpable flirtation or romantic chemistry weakens the emotional resonance. Then, out of the blue in the final episodes, a confession emerges and is reciprocated (but there doesn’t seem to be much joy from the protagonist), yet the absence of substantial buildup dampens its impact. Post-confession, the portrayal of genuine, mutual love remains elusive. The core source of tension arises from societal non-acceptance and the uncertainty of the protagonist's return to his own time (and when he finds out when he has to go back, he doesn’t look all that distressed about it). Despite facing challenges due to their respective situations, the portrayal falls short of convincingly conveying the depth of their emotional connection, leaving audiences questioning the authenticity of their feelings. Intimate scenes are notably tame, primarily featuring subdued moments of kissing. In the end, the show's potential for a profound exploration of love and adversity is overshadowed by its failure to authentically capture the emotional bond at its core.

- Relationship: This narrative takes the slow burn approach, with the central relationship unfolding only in the closing episodes. While some interactions between the couple carry a certain charm, the absence of emotional buildup in preceding episodes leaves the romance feeling less than heart-stirring and hardly prompts the desired squeal-worthy reactions. The show introduces subtle details that prompt speculation about the depth of the characters' love and raise questions about the durability of their relationship. Unfortunately, as the story progresses, watching their relationship becomes more draining than heartwarming. The excessive drama eclipses the potential warmth, making the overall experience feel tiresome. Instead of evoking a sense of joy, the narrative leans heavily on dramatic elements, leaving viewers yearning for a more emotionally resonant and uplifting connection between the characters.

- Acting: The acting in this show is undeniably commendable, with the lead characters exhibiting fantastic chemistry that adds a compelling layer to the narrative. Their performances contribute significantly to the overall appeal of the series. However, the same cannot be said for the supporting cast, as their acting varies. While some moments showcase satisfactory performances, there are instances of awkwardness that prevent the overall ensemble from reaching the same level of excellence as the lead actors. Despite these inconsistencies, the strong chemistry between the main characters remains a standout feature, elevating the overall viewing experience.

- Music: Forgettable.

- Rewatch Value: The depiction of their love in the writing doesn't quite resonate with me, and despite a promising concept, the lack of memorable scenes makes it unlikely for me to consider revisiting this show anytime soon. While the idea behind the storyline holds potential, the execution falls short of leaving a lasting impression, resulting in a lack of compelling moments that would draw me back for a second viewing. It’s simply too dramatic for me.

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Se prepare pra chorar assistindo.

Inventei de maratonas tudo de uma vez e tô até com dor de cabeça do tanto que chorei esse fim de semana. Aliás, não recomendo esse drama pra quem têm gatilho com temas como depressão e suicídio.

Entrou pra lista de melhores dramas que já assisti, a história é envolvente e cheia de plots twist que mesmo no último momento haviam coisas que eu não esperava acontecer. A atuação impecável e acredito que seja um dos melhores papéis do HyoSeop, o protagonista conseguiu roubar meu coração a cada segundo. Eu não assistiria denovo porque seria cruel demais me torturar duas vezes.

O final é aberto, eu geralmente não curto finais assim porém achei coerente com a história e ao menos deixa alguma esperança positiva no telespectador. Ver as memórias deles desaparecendo me causou uma dor absurda, aliás achei o drama realmente genial em questões de roteiro e reviravoltas.

Se você procura um drama pra rir, se emocionar e chorar MUITO... Super indico esse drama, mas aconselho que separe seus lencinhos antes de assistir.

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Extremely frustrating Series ლ(ಠ益ಠლ even for ZTao's fans !

1/ The storyline is stupid and full of nonsense!
- the attitude of owners with their dogs: “to show my attention, I will wash you every day”, purebred Malinois babies are abandoned in China??, etc.
- the FL's behavior is irrational/idiotic: you don't have to be intelligent to study in China's veterinary school ? She's just naive, "everyone is nice" type of girl, has no management skills but won't admit it, ... and is super aggressive towards her investor. Seriously ?? The FL only makes peace with the ML (who's saving her clinic) from episode 6 on.
- The screenwriter and the director have probably never had animals and have never set foot in a veterinary clinic, given the number of Bull**its ideas there are in the drama.

2/ The dialogues are flat, full of clichés...
3/ Employees are all caricatures.
4/ The break-up with the FL and the marriage (interrupted at the last minute) with FL2 are nonsense (not counting Sheng Mi's secret, an aberration, resolved as if it were a normal thing...)

- Z TAO: I have been a fan of his for a long time, but why did he agree to appear in this drama??? Probably because he loves dogs (he has one, adorable). That being said, you should still read the script!! (๑•ิཬ•ั๑)
Moreover, I know that ZTao likes this type of hairstyle, but the volume is too much (does he want to keep a beehive on the head or something ?)

=> It's really hard to get hooked on this series 〣( ºΔº )〣
=> I wanted to go untill the end in FF and with a lot of skipping, but I suffered!
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Regardé pour Ztao et un magnifique samoyède :) Mais cette série est extrêmement frustrante ლ(ಠ益ಠლ

1/ La storyline est idiote et pleine de non-sens !
- l'attitude de maitres avec leur chien : "pour montrer mon attention, je vais te laver tous les jours", les bébés malinois pure race sont abandonnés en Chine ??, etc.
- le comportement de la FL est irrationnel /idiot : il ne faut pas être intelligent pour faire l'école vétérinaire en Chine ? Elle est juste naïve, "tout le monde est gentil", n'a aucune compétence de gestion mais ne l'admet pas, ... et super agressive vis à vis de son investisseur. Sérieux ??
2/ Les dialogues sont d'une platitude, bourrés de clichés...
3/ Les salariés sont des caricatures.
4/ Le screenwriter et le réalisateur n'ont sans doute jamais eu d'animaux et n'ont jamais mis les pieds dans une clinique vétérinaire, vu le nombre de Bull**it qu'il y a dans ce drama.

=> Dur d'accrocher à cette série 〣( ºΔº )〣

+ ils ne font la paix qu'à partir de l'épisode 6
- le break-up et le mariage (interrompu à la dernière minute) avec la FL2 sont des non-sens (sans compter le secret de Sheng Mi, aberration, résolu comme si c'était chose normale...)

-Z TAO : Je suis une de ses fans depuis longtemps, mais pourquoi a-t-il accepté de tourner dans ce drama ??? Parce qu'il aime les chiens ( il en a un, adorable) mais il faut quand même regarder le script !! (๑•ิཬ•ั๑)
De plus, je sais que ZTao aime ce type de coiffure, mais le gonflant est too much (il veut se recycler dans la choucroute ?)

=> J'ai voulu aller au bout en FF et avec beaucoup de zapping, mais j'ai souffert !

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stand for justice

If you want to do one thing seriesly you need to done until you down
This is the story of this drama [ the lies within ]
All of them done their job properly
Especially Lee Min Ki [Jo Tae Shik] he lived as a detective character in this drama
Thanks to Director and Screenwriters this not an ordinary comedy romance genre
Its investigation crime thriller genre
All the episodes are really suspense what is next we can't predict it
Awesome editor done the fine footage in all episodes
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it's not all bad

so when I first started watching I really thought the acting sucked and the plot made little sense and I stopped watching around episode 5. but I decided to finish it and I'm glad I did.

I still think the acting sucked and the plot made little sense. I was confused pretty much the whole time. but I really liked a lot of what happened at the end and episodes 6 and 8 have some very juicy top tier smut scenes.

if you're in the mood for some smut, this is really a show to watch. it's only 8 episodes and the scenes are not brief. they don't cut away before the good shit like some other shows.

and if you're wondering if you need to watch cutie pie first, I would say probably not. I mean you'll see how these two got together but you'll still be confused regardless so it's really more about if you prefer first time or established relationship

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Prepare to cry

I started this because of an edit I watched on tiktok. I saw park boyoung play as a depressed character and i just knew i had to watch it. Her acting is top tier especially when it comes to expressing negative emotions.

The show is honestly a rollercoaster. I cried each episode and it lowkey reminded me of Tomorrow kdrama. Whenever there’s kdramas that center around mental illnesses or suicide I know it’s going to be one of the best shows but it’s going to make my heart ache each episode.

I loved all of the characters and their development although some episodes seemed too good to be true like, quitting and getting a dream job just like that or social anxiety getting lowkey erased. I understand the characters had a development to get to that point but as someone who has social anxiety all of that seemed just too good to be true to me.

This show also made me realise just how scary it is to put a name to an emotion that is actually mental illness. It’s insane how quickly people avoid you and view you differently just for having a mental illness…I don’t know if i’ll ever have courage to get a proper diagnosis but this show showed that it wouldn’t be too bad or scary if i did.

Really well done. I recommend it but be aware that this show shows self harm scars and self harm happening (which was a bit hard for me to watch) the show is a bit gory with some scenes so if you’re sensitive, do go into this show with caution.

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