Lost in a/Maze; Quit or Power Through?
Hong sisters are back again with fantasy-historical genre (on steroids, I would say). The world of mages; And magic was seen as a normal and high-praised status in their social standard. However, I'm having a hard time engaging with such world. Why? Because so far, it felt so alien and puzzling to be honest. The reason why I'm still giving this show a chance is because I am still curious about Mu-deok's origin. But if the story chose to neglect and pro-long its development, I'm considering to drop it anytime soon. Why? Because the story is set to a potentially biased or misleading outcome; Particularly the arc of Mu-deok, the blind girl (I hate what the writer did to her so far).Story
The story is actually inviting and has a strong attraction, however its introduction fell flat. I think it's a mess and were all over the place. I was having a hard time to comfortably settle in and digest its grand-other-wordly setup. The mystery of each plot/ characters were briefly shown (but poorly) then jumped from one another almost incoherently. And as the story keeps progressing, I was left-behind feeling more puzzled than with awe. It's too overwhelming to keep me from moving forward, to move along with the story as it was being developed. As it keep on building and building, somehow my curiosity is shrinking and deflated at some level.
So far, I'm not invested with the characters at all except for Mu-deok (the blind girl not Naksu). Why? Because the story chose to neglect the blind girl's existence from the get go. The story focused solely on Naksu entirely. Nobody cared for that poor girl soul and I find it to be disturbing and intentionally biased and misleading. The 'Four Seasons' didn't affect/ amaze me in a way as it should be. And when that happen, I know that the story is flawed in my book. In the beginning, there are too much puzzles (questions) in the back of my mind to let me focus and sink in for whatever it is that being presented. It prevented me from engaging with the character development; It didn't make me curious. Actually it is doing the opposite; It's discouraging me from being interested in discovering it. And fuelled with the overdosed fantasy-historical aspect in the centre, the puzzles becomes bigger and harder for me to comprehend. I even had to go back to rewatch some scenes so that I could understand it better and it's getting annoying rather than enjoying.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of supernatural, fantasy and historical genre. But somehow I still didn't connect with this show. So far judging from how big scale/ grandeur the whole setup is, it was design to prevent me from really care about them. I was distracted with yet another and another puzzle thrown in. I'm somewhere lost in this huge beautiful-amazing-but-confusing maze. Yes, it has everything, the well-executed and crafted exterior are no doubt mesmerizing; As it should but I'm having a hard time to connect, understand and explore its depth. I'm left with this unnerving struggle; Either to quit or power through the journey till the end. And right now, I feel like I'm out of gas.
I'm not hating it entirely as there are some interesting dynamics especially the leader of Songrim and the maid servant, but sadly its not enough to carry the show and I'm struggling. For those who love the show, I'm jealous actually. I wish that I could feel the same way. Probably I will continue to watch for the sake of the blind girl that nobody in the story seems to care.
Cast
I love Jung So-min. I think that she is a wonderful actress. As Mu-deok/ Naksu, she is convincingly being portrayed as this strong-willful shadow assassin who you don't want to mess with. However I was having a hard time to fully engaging with her as I was more curious about the blind girl's origin. The unknown is more intriguing than what was being presented. So, is it a an advantage? Maybe coz I still stick to the show.
Lee Jae-wook as the trouble-maker Jang-uk is commendable. He is the pretty boy with clever-wits-smooth-talker that always manage to get out from any troubles comes his way. His origin is vaguely misleading and purposedly crafted to engage but it fell short at certain level, I'm not drawn or care much about his character. His drive to be the greatest mage didn't resonate much to me.
The rest of the casts are pretty good. Few are just eye-candy and few are better and well portrayed as mages and villains. No wow performances yet.
Music
Pretty good and well suited for fantasy-historical genres. No memorable piece yet.
As always; Would I rewatch it all again?
Probably but not for the pleasure, just to understand the story better. It's pretty annoying to rewatch a story so that you get a clear picture not because you actually care.
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This review may contain spoilers
“Nothing could go wrong! Nothing could go wrong!….oh no! It all went wrong!”
*******Spoilers ahead! You are warned!*****Using my personal rating system of "loved," "liked," "meh," & "nah," this rates a “liked”. It would have been a “loved” but…that ending!
Things I liked:
This is the first true period fantasy Kdrama I’ve seen. Occasionally there’s a made-up king (like Moon Embracing the Sun, 100 Days My Prince) or even a dynasty (Lovers of the Red Sky), but I’ve never seen a truly made up country/world before in Kdramaland (correct me if I’m wrong). And I loved it. I liked the world-building, the costumes, and even applaud the stylists for making short hair a part of the ‘look’ of that world so they did not have to mess with wigs (though I am a sucker for a guy with long hair…). Nearly all of the characters felt three-dimensional. I liked the bromances—especially with the Crown Prince and the ML. At first, I thought the CP was going to be another evil guy, but he grows on you after a while (he was clearly entitled and arrogant, but he never forced Mu-deok to come be with him and he could have). I wanted to punch the evil dude every time he smirked—which meant he was doing his job right. I loved that Park Dang Gu and Jin Cho Yeon got married despite everyone's objections. I also liked that Jin Cho Yeon only did the awful jealous girl thing for a couple of episodes and then got over it. I hate the jealous bat $*** crazy woman trope and am glad they did not use it for long. I thought they did an excellent job of mixing comedy with seriousness—in the way that real life can be hilarious but also tragic at the same time. I liked the magic system (though outside of ‘soul shifting’ it was not all that well fleshed out).
Things I did not like and/or remaining questions:
Why did you have to do my girl Naksu like that!? Wasn’t the whole benefit of her having taken over a divine priestess body so $*** like that wouldn’t happen? She has been used and manipulated her whole life and then at the end she’s forced to kill the one she loves!? Pfftt, I say! Pfft! Season Two had better make up for it! And why was everyone always going on about how weak Mu-deok was!? She was a slave whose daily life consisted of hard physical labor. There’s even a scene where she’s carrying all kinds of luggage up a mountain. And why would you lose your martial arts ability even if you lost your internal power? You could still fight, but just not with magic. Why did none of the ‘grown ups’ realize that just telling the ML he could not do magic was never going to be enough? That it had the opposite effect? They kept taking the ‘because I told you so’ route—and when has that ever worked? And, seriously, it did not matter whose soul was in Jang Kang’s body when the ML was conceived, it was still JK’s body that did the work meaning that the ML was JK’s biological son. I get why he denied him in the end, to save his life, but it was stupid that he had been denying him since the beginning—and even blaming his wife for somehow not knowing that her husband had been soul switched!? Pfftt, I say! Pfft!
Anyways, slight inconsistencies aside, I loved this up until about the last 20 minutes. Season Two has a LOT to answer for....
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This review may contain spoilers
Great Build Up.. Disappointing Pay Off... Full of Huge Plotholes
Took two of the most powerful and badass characters in the show and combined them.. then turned her into a stupid useless damsel in distress for the whole season. I kept waiting for the moment she unleashes her powers and it never came.. when it finally came at the end, it was so frustrating and anticlimactic.. they just used it to set up season 2.The 2nd most powerful character spent the whole season being missing. They kept building up for his return. At the end when all hopes were lost he actually returned.. then just died without doing anything!
The third most powerful character spent the whole show drinking chaste tea.
Jang's return, Mu-Deok's real identity reveal, Bu-Yeon's power to control the ice stone, Naksu reveal... All of them were ruined and nobody seemed to care about these reveal.. these were supposed to be the big moments in the finale. The only meaningful fight was in the very first episode. The finale didn't have any fight. They used the last Naksu fight as an end credit set up for season 2.
The last 4 episodes didn't even have 15 min worth of story. I don't even think a 2nd season was necessary.
Whoever cast the child actors for the 3 brothers must be blind cuz they look so different from their adult counter parts that it's not even funny.
Then there's the plotholes.. every single plotline was illogical. I think the writers had go through some intensive mental training to come up with those illogical excuses to stop Naksu from using her power and Bu-Yeon from controlling the Ice Stone. I am going to list a few of them plotholes here ..
1. Everyone blaming Jang Kang for using the ice stone when it was lady Jin who forced him to use it for her own gain.
2. Everyone can use the power of the ice stone for everything except Naksu and Bu-Yeon (who is supposed to be the only one who can control it's power)
3. Bu-Yeon, the most powerful priest who can control Naksu's power and stop her from running wild couldn't stop her from running wild after some weak spell from Ji Mu
4. Ice stone can stop every soul sifter from running wild or being petrified expect for Naksu
5. The whole ice stone barrier episode makes no sense
6. Lady Jin not confronting her husband and Ji Mu full well knowing her daughter is fake.
7. Even after learning that Mu-Deok could be her daughter she did nothing to save her.
9. How could everyone (including Songrim) just agree to kill Mu-Deok to see the power of the ice stone just like that?
10. How is Ji Mu still alive? It makes no sense. When everyone was confronting the queen, he was just standing there and nobody said anything to him.
11. Kept talking about how the ice stone can unlock Naksu's power and keep her from being petrified permanently but after she used it she was back to being Mu-Deok
12. Naksu never caring about who is the blind girl that keep showing up in her vision.. or everyone else not caring about what happened to the original Mu-Deok's soul.
13. Lady Jin letting Ji Mu enter Jijiyoung even after knowing her daughter is fake (atleast she claims that she already knew)
and I can just go on and on..
The whole cast was great, even the actors who played the smallest roles did great. Vfx, action and cinematography were top notch. Comedy was very good. The main idea behind the story was somewhat decent.. but if you pay even a little attention everything falls apart.
Overall the show felt like "2 hrs of foreplay and 4 sec of actual sex or even no sex at all"
PS: Don't ask how I know what it feels like to have "2 hrs of foreplay and 4 sec of actual sex"
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I was rather entertained throughout given that I don't watch a lot of action kdramas. Interesting plot with cool CGI. Straightforward love story without the boring clichés. Great acting from the main leads.
**I recommend this drama to those that like a fantasy kdrama with well-rounded genres of romance, comedy, action.
|| DETAILS ||
= Story =
*Premise - Interesting plot set in a fictional place in which mages, magic, and spells exist. Tells the story of how a group of young mages deal with the consequences of their ancestors' actions.
*Genre - There was romance, comedy, and action. All quite well done.
*Plot - Most weekends I found Saturday a bit less interesting but Sunday would usually make up for it. As the premise is quite unique already, the CGI and fight scenes are enough to make the kdrama interesting. The main leads' romantic comedy did add a lot to making this drama one of my favourite dramas this year so far. It seemed to have a push-and-pull feel with the audience - the romance scenes are so straightforward and satisfying, then when it almost reach the climax it pulls back making me want to see more, so when the climax was later reached it was extra satisfying. I felt the jealousy scenes were just enough as I do like to see at least a couple of those scenes. I really enjoyed the minimal clichés in the romance portion which enabled the audience to appreciate that this is not a typical romantic comedy as there are elements of family, friendship, and master-pupil relationship. Some parts were a bit random and sudden, though - I think the story could make do without some of the romances as it was a bit too much (Park Dang Gu and Jin Cho Yeon, Crown Prince and Mudeok, So-i and Seo Yul), and also the sudden appearance and outcome of Jang Gang, the sudden demise of certain villains that seemed to yield so much power but died so easily just to name a few.
*Characters - Each character was very well designed with something they excelled at and a funny fatal flaw. The mages are all quite cool when they are doing spells and such but they all have a goofy side whether it be losing sense of direction when startled, being slow-witted, or being very straightforward with their feelings. There were just enough supporting characters not to make it seem overwhelming, and they were all important to the story or had some underlying connection which made them all relevant to the progression of the plot.
*Ending - When the final events occurred (which happened a bit too quickly), I kept checking how many minutes were left of the episode, getting anxious how they could wrap it up with so little time. I was very eager to see Jang Uk and Naksu in Mudeok use the bird egg gems at least once and see Jang Uk fly to the top of the tree with Jung So Min's Naksu / Mudeok, but unfortunately it will have to just be in my imagination. The ending, watching Jang Uk Danaerys Targaryen out of the fire was not pleasing due to the lack of resolution as with all cliffhangers, but I guess that was the aim as it would make the audience look forward to part 2.
= Cast =
*Acting - Jung So Min stole the show, she played all the characters and personalities very well. The highlight had to be the multitude of emotions she portrayed when walking towards the soul-shifter in the secret chamber thinking that Jang Uk had died. No dialogue but her facial expressions had so many layers. I'm really going to miss her in part 2. Lee Jae Wook also did exceptional as the male lead, matching Jung So Min well as the carefree young mage who also has a serious side. The supporting characters were also good, especially Oh Na Ra, of all the supporting characters I loved her scenes the most.
*Chemistry - The main leads had good chemistry. Not to the point I wished they would get together in real life, but good chemistry while knowing they are both acting their characters very well.
= OST =
A good soundtrack that matched the drama well.
|| A LESSON ABOUT SACRIFICE ||
With everything one gains, sacrifices must be made. When someone is worth fighting for, all sacrifices will seem trivial.
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A masterpiece !!!
This kdrama!!! I loved everything, from the very first minute of the first episode to last second of the 20th episode!! I know most of the people were disappointed with that ending (even I was a bit at first ngl) but I came to an understanding regarding the plot line with has such a great potential into turning out really great in the 2nd season (they couldn't have includ everything in the last 2 episodes anyways!! it would have been rushed)For the acting , personally I adore historical dramas , let alone a FANTASY HISTORICAL drama!! It was such a masterpiece, the cinematography , everything!! I wish I could watch this drama for the first time but unfortunately I can't, so right now I'm waiting patiently for the 2nd season.
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BEST KDRAMA OF 2022!!!
ik all of u r disappointed bc somi won’t be in s2 (so am I) however it fits the storyline and supposed to be like that… :/ but nevertheless its still the best drama Ive ever watched!!! I couldn’t stop the eps, it was interesting from the min it started till the very last sec!! U can’t say otherwise ;) 10/10 recommended!! U won’t regret it!!!! Btw it comes from a person that doesn’t like fantasy dramas and this one is the LITERAL DEFINITION of fantasy dramas… pls pls pls pls watch it!!! I promise that you’ll LOVE it as much as I do!!!!!!!!!!! (But do yourself a favor and watch s1 after s2 comes out so u won’t be as suspended as I’m) <3Was this review helpful to you?
Truly disappointing
I gave a 7 to another drama which was also very hyped (you are my glory), but not even that one disappointed me as much. I expected so much and all I got was:---- A shallow, silly plot. Plus plot holes galore.
---- Cartoonish villain, and other stupid characters (even leaders like the king, crown prince, queen).
---- No characters' development.
My rating is for the acting of ML and both FLs, the Art Direction, and OST. At least the silver lining with overhyped dramas when my rating differs from the majority, is that it’s easier for me to spot users whose rating also disagree with the majority, so I can add them to my list of members with similar tastes to mine.
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Concept and Romance Story
It's actually a good story with a completely new concept. Only the writers are failed to make the main female character a badass strong woman. The main female character looks pathetic and makes people feel sorry. Jang uk become the main story because of his destiny and the story focuses too much on him by forgetting the original concept. Romanticism are too much, There are too many confusing love relationships here with a lot of characters involved. I thought friendship stories would be the main point but the main character kissed at an inappropriate time and seemed selfish about their love.Was this review helpful to you?
IT IS WORTH THE WATCH
this drama is one of the best fantasy/romance dramas to exist. the storyline pacing and build up is really good that it doesnt feel rushed or too slow.the casting is also amazing. they all really fit in with the role and nothing feels out of place. the dynamics and chemistry between the characters makes it all the more better.
ive rewatched this multiple times whilst waiting for the newer episodes and it never got boring, i only ended up more eager for a new ep each time.
definitely recommend watching.
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A perfect balance of romance, action, fantasy and comedy!
You know those dramas that you start watching with not many expectations and they turn out to be one of the best dramas you’ve ever watched? AoS is that drama for me. I started it when I had nothing to watch and my Saturdays and Sundays were starting to feel boring. But boy, did I know that would be hooked and wait for those days of the week so eagerly? Absolutely not!As said in the title of the review, AoS offers everything — acting, plot, groundbreaking cinematography, toe-curling romance and what not? Kdramas, in my opinion, have stopped making *many* romance or simply fantasy dramas ever since they expanded in the west. It’s not like I don’t love thrillers and experimental plots, I’m always up for a good thriller. But sometimes I’m just tired from work & stuff and I just want some action, some family drama and some romance in my life. AoS did the job for me. Though it has a handful of heartbreaking moments (not to mention the one at the end of part 1), it’s still very entertaining and doesn’t get boring.
Onto the last part of the review: acting. Jung So-Min is a phenomenal actor and I regret not discovering her earlier. I can’t spoil much here but the way she has portrayed different characters, I feel like nobody else could do a better job than her. And Lee Jae-Wook, what do you mean he’s a ‘98 liner? How can a person be that versatile and that talented at such a young age? I totally fell for him in AoS. The other actors did a great job too, of course. There wasn’t a single bad acting moment in this series, for me at least.
Last but not least, I’m on the edge of my seat for part 2. Words can’t describe how I’m getting through each day right and how many times I have thought of sleeping right now directly waking up on December 10th. Although I’m a little sad that So-Min will no longer be a part of the series, I’m very excited to see Go Youn-Jung and her chemistry with Lee Jae-Wook. She did a great job during the starting of the series and I’m sure she will do a great job playing the FL in part 2, too!
Thanks for reading this review ♡
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Can't Wait for Season 2
This was an exhilarating drama to watch. It kept my interest throughout season 1. Anxiously waiting for season 2. This drama made me a new fan of Lee Jae Wook. I had not really seen any of his other work but will be watching Extraordinary You next. All of the main actors were superb. Thank you for your hard work on this show. I have become enamored with KDramas most recently and watch them daily. I also love to watch the "behind the scenes" videos. It helps to see the actors as real people and not just fictional characters. Loving Dramas!Was this review helpful to you?
Good but not great
Its a visually dazzling spin on the concept of Chinese alchemy combined with wuxia /xianxia drama structure.The cgi, action choreo, world building is breathtaking. But the plot has been made overly complex with twists that doesn't hit very well, the overall schemes are quite flimsy and can be seen through if the characters were given more common sense, filler episodes with filler scenes and draggy pacing got boring pretty fast. Female lead being declawed and just being reduced as a maid and not to mention the "love quadrangle" made me go wtf a few times.
But overall it's a very unique and different genre for south Korean dramas and I can respect that. The acting is solid especially Jung so min which I think kinda saved the series for me. The production set takes huge "inspiration" from Chinese historic/xianxia dramas to build gorgeous daeho but as a non Chinese or non Korean person I don't think it's my place to nitpick in that.
The ost is a banger for me as well. Would like to see how they finish this off in the last 10 episodes.
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