Just Like Harry Potter
Alchemy of Souls Part 1 (2022)Likes
1. I like the whole fantasy part about soul shifters and spells. Reminds me of Harry Potter since this drama also had different teams, they used swords instead of wands, and Uk is like Harry Potter who didnt know he was the boy that will save them all (or the boy with the King's Star)
2. I like Mudeok/Naksu coz she is brave and ruthless but she also learned to mature and love instead of becoming an assassin. Im still confused about Buyeon, how can 2 souls reside in 1 body. They say Buyeon is controlling the body and yet when Naksu heard the bells, Buyeon couldnt do anything. So i feel like writer is using Buyeon if they need a plot device.
3. I loved Jang Uk and how much he has grown since ep 1.
4. I love the master-pupil pair of Mudeok/Jang Uk more than as lovers. Naksu/Yul were better in terms of tragic romance. Cho Yeon/Danggu were cute but Jin/Maid Kim/Master Lee were my fave.
Dislikes
1. The first half was so boring, it got interesting only starting ep 12. I think this should have been 16 eps not 20. There were several unnecessary sidestories and too many characters. And why no one ever suspected Mudeok to be Naksu when there are so many red flags about her! For supposedly powerful mages, they were all stupid except for Uk and Yul. And they cant even capture Jinmu who is always one step ahead of them!
2. I didnt feel the romantic chemistry between Mudeok and Jang Uk, even when they finally confessed and kissed on ep 19 it was blah.. the only scene that stirred me was the end when Naksu stabbed Jang Uk and he died and Mudeok woke up and realized what she has done.
3. A little unbelievable that 3 guys were fighting over Mudeok esp the Crown Prince who didnt know she was Naksu and thought of her as a mere servant. I also didnt like the Crown Prince although i think he was meant to be arrogant. I dont know if he is going to be bad in part 2.
Rating: 8.25 (8 for first half, 8.5 for second half)
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Alchemy of Souls
I have already watched episode 1 until 8. For now episodes 1-8 all of the players are cool and Handsome omg!! đđđ. The storyline is unique and amazing!! đ€©. I Like all the OST Alchemy of Souls, the songs also really touch my heart and relate to the story. I Love all the Chemistry. Tomorrow will come out episodes 9 and 10. I'm very excited đ€© and Can't wait for the next episodes for tomorrow. Thank you for made this drama. Love it!! â€ïž. Fighting!!â€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïž
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Don't listen to the haters!
When I was thinking about watching this show, I was initially worried about why the rating was already so low. I ended up delaying it, thinking that it was probably average/not worth watching. It was only by chance, flicking through Netflix that it came on, and I WAS HOOKED!From what I've gathered through the comments section, the low rating is due to C-drama fans bombing the ratings...
This show is actually surprisingly fresh, it has characters that have genuine motivations and also (it seems to me) a unique storyline.
So far, definitely worth the watch!
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Must Watch
As a drama lover i watched the series (12 episodes) series is worth of watching & actor are played their roles so perfectly but sometimes feels bored bcoz unwanted comic scenes those was ridiculous as a historical drama i must prefer to the pace of show is not disrupt & as audience i think historical drama must be don't use a unwanted comedy those are so cheeesy & clumsy overall actors are works hard those seen in series. I watched so many historical drama so i think this ia my best opinion as a viewerWas this review helpful to you?
Why should you watch this historical K-drama?
This K-drama is really good and itâs a little different from the other historical k-dramas I have watched. This reminds me more of a historical C-drama but the production, acting, story line, and quality is much better. I have only Watched the first two episodes that have come out but I can't wait for the other episodes. I highly recommend that you watch this k-drama if you want something a little different from other historical K-dramas, and if you are looking for a good story line. So go and watch it, you have nothing to lose.Was this review helpful to you?
Give This a Chance
To be honest I almost dropped this after watching half of the first episode. I was having a very high expectation because the trope seemed interesting. But the introduction was not engaging and the characterization was weak. I was hoping for something deeper than this and I saw that potential on the past story line instead.The problem was not on the quality of the drama. In fact the CGI was excellent. And I've enjoyed the characters more cringe and the story way cliche than this (this is not cliche imo). I just thought that I was not the right target audience for this. I might love this when I was younger. But later I found myself started to question many things and not just accepted things easily. Especially in this case, for a fantasy I needed to be assured and it had to be logical according to their culture universe. I understood that fantasy had its own structure and it wouldn't be the same as the reality but it's their job to make the world they built in the drama made sense for us to watch. And I felt that this drama was still working on it.
That being said the ending of the first episode was kind of a turning point. When I learned a little about the main lead characters I started to understand. Something I lately realized that it was made sense after all. It was just because of it poorly introduced that almost failed me. It gave me a hope that this was about to get interesting. I was relieved I didn't drop this right away when the episode two began to grow on me.
As I already dropped my expectation, I'm looking forward for whatever this drama has in store for me for the next episodes.
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This review may contain spoilers
Good show but meanders a lot
Update during the final episode.As predicted, they ruined the show at the end. They gave themselves a little over 40 minutes to wrap up Nak-su/Mu-duk/Jin bu-yeon story thread. Nobody received any consequences of their actions including Lady Jin and her husband. How did Jin Mu escape and went missing when he was literally surrounded by the entire assembly of sorcerers? The prince just casually runs into Jin Mu in the âsecretâ room everyone knew about? Worst yet, the prince basically listens to Jin Mu and gets manipulated? Jin Mu had a bell that he can use to control Nak-Su? Now that Nak-Su resurfaces, everyone forgot what Jin -Mu did? What?
I havenât see many Hong sistersâ work but I guess this is their MO and they couldnât help themselves.
Update after Ep. 17.
Iâm lowering this show to 7.
Iâm a little shocked after the latest episode where the king wanted to kill a person just to see the ice stoneâs power. Whatâs more shocking is that people actually went along with it. This is so nuts.
Basically, this episode is the culmination of how this show meandered the entire time. They knew who the bad guys were but they were busy doing stupid stuff to justify 20 episodes. Now, here we areâŠ
Review after 15 episodes.
Iâve watched 15 episodes so far. Iâm enjoying it quite a lot so far.
A few points.
1. Itâs not as action packed as I thought it would be. Mostly just drama. Lots of talking but done fairly well.
2. It meanders quite a bit. We find out who the bad guys are fairly early on along with the main characters. But they donât do a whole lot with it for a long time. They do mention it and do some digging around here and there. But the good guys spend a lot of time doing trivial stuff in between. I guess they need enough filler for 20 episodes.
3. Main character Jang Uk is pretty unlikeable. He had a chip on his shoulder for not having the power first. Then when he actually gets it, he wastes his time refusing to train. He knows that a lot depends on him getting strong including Nak-su getting her power back. Itâs frustrating watching him wasting his time. But of course, him being the main character, he continues to get strong without putting a lot of effort. Heâs also petty and cocky. Hard to like this guy.
4. Mu deuk is great. Love the character herself, her story and acting were all great. Jung So Min is great as usual.
5. Four heirs to the four great families were advertised to be the elites of the elites. But they mostly turned out to be major duds. Incompetent and goofy except Yul. Huge let down.
6. This show has no shortage of great supporting characters. Maid servant Kim, Master Lee, Songrimâs leader, and the prince. So much fun watching them. Love the prince!
7. Jin Mu, the main bad guy so far is done well. He seems sinister and dark. Well done.
8. Not a big fan of how the story unfolds. They show you something and then go back to show what really happened. It gets tiring after a while.
9. Looks like they spent a lot of money and effort creating the world. CG looks pretty good for the most part. Wire-fu⊠not so much.
Iâm looking forward to see how this ends. Just found out that there will be a part 2. Interesting.
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This review is from the first episode and will be edited after the drama ends
Am changing my rating from 10 to 7.5The drama started really strong - I love Naksu and her fighting scenes. It took a while to get used to her new body but the actress Somin did a great job in portraying Naksu and Mudeok.
I am mostly interested in the past and the mysteries of the other characters.
However, lately the story started to focus on romance and I feel like they started to neglect some of the plots. Almost everyone is having a romance and love triangle...
6 more episodes to go but it seems nothing is ever changing, except of course the romance part which I am not really interested in.
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Ne pas me lire si vous avez aimé, ou si vous avez l'intention d'aimer ce drama...
Depuis quand suis-je une fan inconditionnelle des soeurs Hong? J'ai l'impression que ces rires et ces moments de plaisir datent seulement d'hier....Il y a 12 ans, je dĂ©couvrais les dramas corĂ©ens, et par lĂ mĂȘme, les soeurs Hong avec "You're Beautiful". Depuis, je n'ai jamais, au grand jamais, ratĂ© un seul de leurs oeuvres, ayant comme beaucoup mes prĂ©fĂ©rences et mes moins aimĂ©s. Si je devais dire que "Big" et "Warm and Cosy" font partis des moutons noirs da ma liste, je n'ai pourtant jamais Ă©tĂ© jusqu'Ă prĂ©sent déçue de leurs oeuvres, de leur univers, de leur humour si caustique.... Il y a toujours une premiĂšre fois Ă tout, me dira-t-on....Si le thĂšme et le scĂ©nario semblent allĂ©chants, tous ces dĂ©tails tels l'univers, le jeu des acteur, la superficialitĂ© de l'Ă©criture des personnages et surtout cette facilitĂ© paresseuse scĂ©naristique et de rĂ©alisation, dont je ne m'attendais pas de leur part, ont Ă©maillĂ© peu Ă peu mon intĂ©rĂȘt pour ce drama, allant jusqu'Ă m'obliger Ă me faire force afin de le finir....plus que 3 petits Ă©pisodes avant de le considĂ©rer comme complet, jamais aussi peu d'Ă©pisodes ne m'auront paru aussi interminables.
Me voilà à devoir défendre maladroitement les soeurs Hong devant mon ado de 16 ans, qui sans aucune honte a décidé de laisser tomber le drama, et ne cesse de me taquiner « alors, je croyais que les dramas des soeurs Hong étaient une tuerie?? ».
Premier point noir : Lâhistoire n'est pas mauvaise, bien au contraire, et avait vraiment du potentiel. Nous retrouvons l'univers fĂ©tiche des soeurs Hong. Mais il faut le dire, cet univers est bien plus « pauvre » que ce que jâai pu voir dans « Korean Odyssey » par exemple. Si je devais le comparer Ă des oeuvres dont la richesse ont su ravir mes pupilles, je pourrais citer « Ever Night » qui reste une rĂ©fĂ©rence pour moi. Sinon, sans chercher aussi loin, « Arthdal Chronicles » fait tout aussi bien lâaffaire. Ces deux oeuvres sont visuellement magnifiques et foisonnent de personnages aussi variĂ©s quâintĂ©ressants. Ce qui est malheureusement loin dâĂȘtre le cas du dernier nĂ© des soeurs Hong. Un univers de mages et dâassassins, pourquoi pas. Mais câest tout. Rien dâautres. Il est dommage de ne pas avoir su crĂ©er de clans divers qui auraient apportĂ©s une immense dimension, ne cloisonnant pas ainsi cette histoire aux mages. Il aurait Ă©tĂ© intĂ©ressant de voir des paladins, des maĂźtres poisons, des arcanes, des prĂȘtes, des moines soldats, bref, un univers plus riche aurait peut-ĂȘtre rendu le drama plus intĂ©ressant. Le visuel nâa rien dâextraordinaire et câest regrettable, mais devenue monnaie courante chez les corĂ©ens oĂč la plupart de leur rĂ©alisation sont de bonne facture. Ce nâest pas une mauvaise chose, mais il faut alors avouer que les attentes deviennent alors Ă©levĂ©s. Ils ont dĂ©jĂ fait tellement mieux, jâai encore en tĂȘte les magnifiques plans de « Mr Sunshine » dont la superbe photographie avait tellement su mettre le tragique du drama en valeur. Si nous prenons par exemple le dernier drama qui a chamboulĂ© toute ma vie, « Love Like The Galaxy », je dirai que les corĂ©ens se contentent dĂ©sormais de leur savoir faire. Ce qui au final leur porte prĂ©judice. Mes yeux brillent encore de la beautĂ© visuel de « Love Like The Galaxy » ou de « Love Between fairy and Devil » Difficile de ne pas tirer la moue face à « Alchemy of Souls »âŠ
DeuxiĂšme point noir : Le jeu des acteurs/ lâĂ©criture des personnagesâŠ.Je ne dirai pas avoir Ă©tĂ© déçue, pour la simple et bonne raison : je nâai jamais Ă©tĂ© impressionnĂ©e par Jung So Min, ni par Lee Jae Wook. Jung So Min nâest pas une mauvaise actrice, mais pas une seule fois, je nâai Ă©tĂ© Ă©mue par ses yeux de chiens abattus, son regard faussement indignĂ© ou Ă©nervĂ©âŠ.Câest surement une question dâaffinitĂ©, car jâai cru comprendre que la communautĂ© lui vouait une admiration sans borne. Ce nâest ni mon cas, ni celui de chĂ©ri, ni celui de mon ado. Son jeu nous a paru faux et forcĂ©. Alors je sais que le personnage de Mu deok semble attirer toute la sympathie de la communautĂ©, mais sincĂšrement, je nâai pas du tout aimĂ© ce personnage. Une femme sois-disante forte et badass??? Gosh, les soeurs Hong, quâavez vous Ă©crit? Elle passe le plus clair de son temps Ă courir aprĂšs Jang Uk, Ă faire des tours pendables, histoire de le rendre plus fort, oubliant rapidement lâhistoire de son pĂšre qui passe Ă la trappe. Go Ae SIn (Mr Sunshine) , Nian Nian (Love Like the Galaxy) ou Jang Man Wol (Hotel Del Luna) Ă©taient des femmes fortes qui en jetaient! Mais sĂ»rement pas Mu Deok.
Lee Jae Wook que jâavais dĂ©couvert dans « Extraordinary You » nâest pas mauvais et a fait des progrĂšs, mais je dois avouer que je nâai pas rĂ©ussi non plus Ă accrocher Ă son personnageâŠ. Jang Uk aurait pu ĂȘtre intĂ©ressant mais son apprentissage ne mâa pas paru une seule fois crĂ©dible. Il nây a pas assez dâemphase sur ses Ă©checs, ses rĂ©flexions. Tout va trop vite et lors de ses progressions, et de ses victoires, nous restons de marbre. Dans « Side Story Of Fox Volant », les progressions de Hu Fei sont passionnantes et limite transcendantes, comme lorsque Miao Renfeng le guide lors de son combat contre Tian Gui Nong. Jâavoue pourtant que Jang Uk a Ă©tĂ© un personnage agrĂ©able Ă suivre, taquin et charmeur Ă souhait. Malheureusement, son cĂŽtĂ© guerrier et mage nâont pas Ă©tĂ© Ă la hauteur.
Le pire furent les « vilains » de lâhistoire. Come on, Jo Jae Yoon, en vilain, je nây ai pas cru une seule minute. Câest un rĂŽle qui lui va mal. A la limite du risible, ce personnage nâest ni haĂŻssable (rappelez vous des 3 vilains de « Vincenzo », horribles et mĂ©prisables Ă souhait!), ni fĂ©roce. Il ne nous fait ni peur, ni craindre une seule minute pour la vie des protagonistes (mĂȘme lorsqu'ils furent pris au piĂšge). Les antagonistes secondaires ne sont guĂšre mieux, comme la reine, qui pourrait gagner la palme des mĂ©chantes inutiles et grotesquesâŠ.
Je regrette par contre que des acteurs comme Park Jin que jâadore ou Im Chul Soo (inoubliable dans « Vincenzo »!!!) aient pu participer Ă cela. Bien que. Je lâavoue. Le rĂŽle de Im Chul Soo a Ă©tĂ© le seul que jâai aimĂ© et qui mâaura fait rire plus dâune fois. Ah, il yâen a bien un autre qui a volĂ© la vedette Ă Lee Jae Wook. Non, non pas Seo Yul. Le prince Go Won. Je l'aurai bien vu en protagoniste.
3Ăšme point noir : La romance. Oui, il faut lâĂ©crire. Ce drama se focalise beaucoup autour de la romance, difficile de ne pas devoir le juger. Je suis une mordue de romance et je fond facilement devant les pires clichĂ©s du monde. Mais alors ici, rien. MĂȘme pas un frĂ©missement. Ce nâest certes pas la pire des romances. Elle reste tout de mĂȘme bien fade et ennuyante. Il y a 0 alchimie entre nos protagonistes, 0 tension, 0 sensualitĂ©, 0 « kawai » attitude, 0 complicitĂ©. Bref, rien. Pour moi en tout cas.
Leur histoire prend dâailleurs une place trop importante. Il aurait Ă©tĂ© judicieux dâapporter une touche de romance comme dans « Ever Night » qui possĂšde aussi un peu cette relation particuliĂšre de maitre-serviteur. Mais si dans « Ever Night » la romance est astucieusement dosĂ©e (alors quâelle est au final au coeur du drama ), ici, elle couvre bien 90% de la sĂ©rie, ne laissant que peu de place Ă lâintrigue, Ă lâaction. Et je ne parle que de la romance principale, car il y a les autres romances (tout aussi ennuyante, voire pire).
4Ăšme point noir : Lâaction. HeuâŠ.je ne dirai pas que câest mauvais. Mais ce nâest pas de lâaction, si je devais vous donner mon opinion. Lâaction pour moi câest « Kenshin » (Impossible dâavoir pu passer Ă cĂŽtĂ© de cette saga, nâest ce pas?). Câest « Ip Man » ( la rapiditĂ© et la prĂ©cision des gestes de Donnie Yuen sont quasi incomparables). Câest « Ever Night » (ne passez pas Ă cĂŽtĂ© des combats de lâĂ©pĂ©iste expert, de la magnifique technique "Arc+pentacle" de Ning Qe, ou encore lâĂ©pique combat de la 3Ăšme soeur!!!!)⊠ou le rĂ©cent « Side Story of Fox Volant » (si vous voulez voir une hĂ©roĂŻne se battre comme un as, virevoltant avec virtuose et botter le popotin des hommes avec classe! et surtout, surtout le duel incroyable et magique entre Miao Renfeng et Hu Fei, inoubliable!)âŠ.
Cela me dĂ©sole dâavoir Ă autant dĂ©nigrer ce drama. Non que jâen avais envie. Jâai beaucoup hĂ©sitĂ© avant de venir l'Ă©crire.
Les soeur Hong ont fait partie des scĂ©naristes qui mâont gagnĂ© Ă la cause des Kdramas 12 ans auparavant. Elles mâont fait rĂȘver. Rire. Je suis tombĂ©e amoureuse. Encore et encore. LâOST de « Youâre the Beautiful » tourne encore en boucle chez moi.
Jang Man Wol (Hotel Del Luna) fait encore partie de mes personnages préférées!
Non, vraiment, cela me fend le coeur dâavoir autant dĂ©testĂ© ce drama.
Et tout ce que je souhaite, câest que la saison 2 me rĂ©concilie avec leur oeuvre. Alors je croise les doigts.
(Je n'ai mĂȘme pas le courage de regarder la saison 2...)
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Es entretenido, pero no es mĂĄs que solo eso
Si tuviera que describir âAlquimia de almasâ en una sola palabra serĂa ÂżBĂĄsico?. No me mal entiendan, yo soy consumidora de dramas con desarrollo de tramas simples, incluso uno que otro clichĂ© no estĂĄ nada mal en el gĂ©nero correcto; es aceptable dado al tipo de drama que se maneja y que por lo general no dura mĂĄs de 16 capĂtulos. Pero en este caso, este elemento no encaja para nada en una historia de 20 capĂtulos con un relato lineal explicativo, ademĂĄs, la esencia comercial que tiene como caracterĂstica, contribuyĂł a verse como algo simple.â âż ÂżQuĂ© fue lo bueno y lo malo? â âż
âą La idea de la historia es buena, pero no dirĂa lo mismo del desarrollo. Una de mis mayores quejas es el exceso de escenas innecesarias que aunque quieran o no, son parte de la comedia de este drama. Realmente no siento que haya pasado gran cosa en esta primera temporada, creo yo que si le hubieran quitado gran parte del relleno hubiera quedado mejor, hasta dirĂa que se hubieran ahorrado la segunda temporada de ser asĂ.
⹠Hay una que otra laguna argumental, pero viéndolo bien, mås bien se trata de una falta de profundidad, es por eso que se puede sentir una sensación de carencia en la trama.
âą Me gustĂł que Naksu se mantuviera firme ante sus prioridades y no desistiera por amor, por otra parte, considero que se le hubiera dado mas prioridad a la Historia y disminuyeran un poco las escenas de tensiĂłn romĂĄntica.
âą El estilo de magia que se maneja es de cierta forma âcomplejaâ (siendo su fuente principal el agua), esto hizo que el drama tomara un camino interesante con respecto a la magia, cumpliendo con una estructura definida.
âą La introducciĂłn no estĂĄ nada mal, considero que fue bien implementada. Con respecto a los personajes dirĂa que los villanos son el Ășnico problema, no tienen un propĂłsito claro del porquĂ© buscan tantos alquimistas de almas, tal vez se explique mĂĄs adelante.
Se puede disfrutar al 100% si buscas ver a chicos guapos, entretenimiento en el momento y no buscas una dirección en la historia, su ritmo es bastante digerible y entretenido, es sobretodo perfecto para verlo con los mås pequeños de la casa.
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Interessante
Alchemy of Souls tem tudo que eu gosto e procuro em um drama, como uma protagpnista forte, suspense, drama, ação e comédia mais tudo muito bem equilibrado sem exageros.
A história te prende do inicio ao fim, é cativante e empolgante, o casal principal são ótimo juntos, eu me diverti muito assistido os dois. A atuação da protagonista feminina estava incrivel. Gostei bastante do elenco e suas atuaçÔes.
Tenho que enaltecer também a direção, o CGI a fotografia e a ost que sempre era colocada no momento certo, gente essa produção foi nota 10.
NĂŁo vou te esconder que tem defeitos aqui pois tem sim, mais nĂŁo atrapalha muito o desenvolvimento da histĂłria.
Este show Ă© refrescante , leve e divertido de acompanhar com uma energia boa, eu honestamente apreciei o tempo assistindo ele, e com certeza eu te recomendaria ele.
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Alchemy of Souls has everything I like and look for in a drama, such as a strong protagonist, suspense, drama, action and comedy, but all very well balanced without exaggeration.
The story holds you from beginning to end, it's captivating and exciting, the main sasal are great together, I had a lot of fun watching them both. The performance of the female lead was incredible. I really liked the cast and their performances.
I also have to praise the direction, the photography and the ost that was always placed at the right time.
I'm not going to hide that there are flaws here because there are, but it doesn't interfere much with the development of the story.
This show is refreshing, light and fun to watch with good energy, I honestly enjoyed the time watching it, and I would definitely recommend it to you.
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Fez jus ao sucesso que teve!
Drama de fantasia maravilhoso com uma histĂłria interessante e personagens cativantes. E embora o drama tenha 20 episĂłdios em tempos em que os dramas estĂŁo cada vez mais curtos, nĂŁo senti em nenhum momento que a histĂłria ficou arrastada ou que estava enrolando demais. Acho que os 20 episĂłdios foram importantes para o desenvolvimento do enredo e das personagens. Mas infelizmente os dois Ășltimos episĂłdios deixam a desejar um pouco (e por isso nĂŁo dei nota mĂĄxima para o drama). Acredito que a queda da qualidade nos Ășltimos episĂłdios se deva ao fato de que os roteiristas precisavam deixar um gancho para a segunda temporada e por isso foi um final amargo, pois nĂŁo vimos o grande vilĂŁo ser derrotado, ao contrĂĄrio, foram os mocinhos que perderam.Realmente recomendo. Um drama muito bom mesmo. Fez jus ao sucesso que teve!
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