Breath of Fresh Air!!!
To start of I didn't really expected anything from this because it was a Sageuk (I don't know if it is one, because of the fantasy setting) but when I saw the trailer, I was like wow this is something new and started watching this. Five minutes in & I could already tell this drama will be my obsession for months.I don't really write reviews but, i could not stop thinking about this one so i just started writing about it.
It really has everything a good fantasy drama should have like - Excellent VFX, Great Cast, Outstanding World Building, Chemistry between the Leads, Comedy, Bromance, Action, i can go all day about this but lets stop there.
The Cast really exceeded my expectation I was already a fan of Jung So Min, Hwang Min Hyun & Shin Seung Ho but Lee Jae Wook really took me by surprise there, like really great performance by him I'm fan now. Arin & Yoo In Soo are cherry on top , Arin's Visual & Yoo In Soo's Humor are on point.
This is your sign to start this drama early, so we obsess over this drama for coming months and not be ruined by spoilers.
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There's nothing wrong with this series, it's just not for me
Let me start by saying that I know this is one of everyone's favorite fantasy series, and there is nothing wrong with it.Everything is good: the story, the cast, the acting, the locations, the costumes… The chemistry between the main couple is also undeniable.
So, why did a dropped it? I just think it wasn't for me, and it didn't keep my interest beyond chapter 8.
I guess my problem is more that I'm not interested in historical series, which surprised me because I thought I would love to learn a little about a culture so different from my own.
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How CGI Shines Spotlight on Alchemy of Souls
Alchemy of Souls will be the first Korean fantastical movie that I will be watching after a long while. Thing is, their poor CGI and Video effects tire me. However, the brilliant use of CGI in Alchemy of Souls stood out for me. From the first episode to the latest steaming on Netflix, there has been no boring time.I like that the cinematography is clean. Much more so, how they are able to make the stunts and sorceries in the movie so believable. Like, the conjuring and the effects that come with it teleport me to a world of wonder which arrests my disbelief completely.
There are may scenes that highlight how they leverage technology to make the audience have a good cinematic experience that they always crave when it comes to spell-binding movies like this.
Like Naijabanquet analysis [in https://naijabanquet.com/alchemy-of-souls-review-how-cgi-shines-spotlight-on-the-kdrama-series/], The opening fight by the Lake side hints us about what is about to happen. Call it the tip of the iceberg. Much so, the computer generated images and 3D effects that we see during the soul shifting by Jang Gang and Mudeok arrests our attention.
I can go on and on to relate how CGI has kept me glued to this Kdrama series... I just hope that the script doesn't get watery along the way!
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This review may contain spoilers
Vite la suite
Que ce soit l'histoire, le casting, l'OST tout est parfait. Cette série est une des perles de l'année 2022 est comme Goblin, il fera parti des séries mémorable a retenir., à voir et à revoir sans modération. Tout en attendant les épisodes à venir , c'est avec un réel plaisir que je regarde à nouveau les épisodes. Les décors sont époustouflants, les habits , tout a été bien étudiés pour nous donner une magnifique série. J'ai hâte de voir comment la suite va se décanter. Vite la suiteWas this review helpful to you?
I love #JungSomin's performance as #MuDeokYi
I watched the first 2 episodes of the drama and its amazing. I love all the characters and the casting is superb especially #JungSoMin who really knows how to make her audience laugh despite the tension of the plot. I'm so excited to watch the next episodes. Can't wait. This is a mixed genres drama fantasy, romance, comedy, mystery action packed. I highly recommend this drama to all as it is really good. I hope Knets can appreciate this drama just as we other races appreciated the work of KoreansWas this review helpful to you?
Its a amazing story !
Wow i really loved it ....contains lot of humor....but i really feel bad for JangUk....Its a amazing story ! I really loved the ost ...... i can't wait for july 2 for next episode......i just now completed 4th episode ....main lead acting was awesome.....i couldn't find any age gap but she is 10 years older than him woww but she looks really young ....Lee jae wook him wowww i love him very muchhh ...................... ...................... Over all I really enjoyed it as it didn't get too depressing but was also consistent and had a lot of beautiful moments. I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to watch something soft and fuzzy but also with a plot that gradually progresses in a light and neat way....................... ......................Was this review helpful to you?
the chemistry between FL and ML is great but a little too childish like for me
i gave 6/10 for story and it’s from the soul shifter and the 4 great houses story. the romance didn’t hit the spot, it’s just not there for me. I’m not into that kind of behavior of MLNaksu/Mudeok is basically mothering her lover which I kinda dislike that he put her on that spot (annoying)
acting and casting is 10/10 Lee Jae Wook kinda delivered, he is great even though his character Jang Uk is not my favorite but Lee JaeWook is a great actor, ngl. Jung So Min is an underrated actress, I watched all of her works, I love her unique style and cuteness and seeing her playing Naksu/Mudeok is amazing, she did such a well done! I wish she has more series coming. Min Hyun being Yul is suitable for him, he’s giving such a warm type and I feel sad for him but if he wants the girl he should step up to the game, that kind of unrequited love only exists in drama 😆 it doesn’t work that way in real life! he keeps quiet but also being high alerts on duty, such a character. sad.
I was rooting for Jang Uk to grow up and he did after a season, so to season 2.
nothing to say more I guess
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overall performance in this drama is perfect
very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very niceWas this review helpful to you?
Soul shifters and heart renders
The fictitious land of Daeho is dominated by two powerful groups of mages who are learned magicians: Cheonbugwan and Songrim. Cheonbugwan reports directly to the King. Songrim is a self-run organisation openly against the practice of sorcery, especially the soul shifters who are able to move from their bodies to dominate another. Soul shifting involves exchanging bodies, often with an unwilling younger person to prolong one's life and is an evil sorcery. Cheonbugwan claims a similar anti-sorcery stance but secretly rivals Songrim for power.While running away from the pursuit of the Songrim mages, assassin Naksu finds herself soul shifted into the body of MuDeok and later becomes the maidservant of Jang Uk from a powerful elite family. Jang Uk knows that MuDeok is Naksu and uses this knowledge to blackmail her to help him lift a seal on his energy. The Jang Uk is the son of the Head of Cheonbugwan, who has been missing for 20 years but rumours goes that he is an illegitimate son from his mother's affairs.
King is plagued by the prophecy that a powerful King's Star mage would one day appears and is insecure about his position. There are dark powerful forces supporting the sorcerers and the people practicing it are in high places, who will make use of the King's and Crown Prince's insecurity. Even the Unanimous Assembly of mages is dominated by ambitious sect leaders who are secretly hoping to lay their hands on the Ice Stone which can make the soul shifting happens, while claiming to be righteous and anti-sorcery.
What I like about this drama:
a. This soul shifting story is original. There had been dramas based on soul of a person shifting to another - mostly as individuals unique cases. But this drama takes it to another dimension as a widely practised sorcery involving a cult of powerful men and women whose ambitions are to live forever and dominate the world.
b. The chemistry of the leading female character MuDeok (Jung So Min) with the first, second and third male leads is great.
c. The cast is outstanding and acted their parts well. To mention a few:
- Jung So Min - she was outstanding - whenever she was disgusted with Jang Uk, she would squint her eyes and glare at him which was often interesting to watch,
- Lee Jae Wook as the male lead - filled with a desire to break free from his bondage and to excel and at times temperamental and slackening,
- Hwang Min Hyun as the righteous mournful Seo Yul haunted by guilt,
- Shin Seung Ho as the disturbed Crown Prince knowing often that it is wrong but nevertheless unable to resist a selfish course of action.
d. Along the drama, there are a lot of secrets to be unveiled, identities to be confirmed, suspenseful moments and what would be Naksu's choices - make the story very interesting and attention gripping.
What I dislike about this drama:
a. The ending was open-ended. It takes another 10 episodes in a sequel to wrap this up. If I had watched this drama shortly after it was released, I would be cursing as the ending is so crap. But since the sequel is already released, I just hopped onto the sequel to figure out the ending.
Overall, I highly recommend this drama.
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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!! 😎💘💗. The storyline is unique and amazing!! 🤩. 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 🤩 and Can't wait for the next episodes for tomorrow. Thank you for made this drama. Love it!! ❤️. Fighting!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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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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