Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow (2022)

It was underwhelming to say the least.

DISCLAIMER: I just completed this so my thoughts haven't really marinated as yet but somehow the show left me feeling empty. I've been feeling like this since the ending of season 1.

Season 1 was definitely SO MUCH better than season 2 in my opinion, I mean I even rated it a 9/10 and I usually don't give dramas such high ratings. I couldn't get over the fact that the Naksu/Buyeon amnesia arc overshadowed the main plot and the essence of the show. Call me biased idc... I don't think Go Yoon's Jung acting was that strong in comparison to her counterparts. She makes the same blank / innocent facial expressions and cries a lot — this got old, tired and extremely annoying for me. Also the back and forth with her and Uk and him not realizing who she was sooner really agitated me. The pining / longing in season 1 was wayyyy better than what they tried to achieve bringing the newer actress in. I guess I didn't see the chemistry that everyone kept raving about. There were no sparks. I felt sorry for her character when they made it seem like all she would ever be was a replacement for Mudeok and someone to warm his bed at nights to free him from the wraiths. I thought him keeping her around was cruel and that he should set her free but the irony was she ran away from home in order to be free but her being with Uk was like another prison where she had to not only face/fight her demons but also his too. That was a burden she should not have been carrying.

This season felt way too insta lovey (especially when Uk and Buyeon/Naksu kissed in the 2nd episode) for me to enjoy it. I felt like their "chemistry" was being pushed down my throat and that Bu Yeon was coming on way too strong. In my opinion Jung So Min had the best on screen chemistry with all of the guys while Go Yoon Jung only ever really tried to have chemistry with Lee Jae Wook. I feel like Go Yoon Jung was all looks and no substance. I personally didn't feel any emotion, passion or see true authenticity. She didn't really give what Jung So Min gave when she was Naksu in season 1. If anything all she served was face / strong visuals (even though she looks like a child imo) and like a very soft version of Bu Yeon. That aside, I think the progression of their relationship was not built up as well as it was in season 1 and again I reiterate that their marriage of convenience romance subplot became the main plot and the whole alchemy of souls and Jang Uk's story of being born under the king's star and now possessing the ice stone was immensely overlooked. What kept me watching this drama was the fact that it was so overhyped and I didn't want to be left out of the loop. Honestly I wasn't planning on finishing it but i did. I feel like the last 2-3 episodes were quite rushed and it felt choppy and like the 3rd act conflict was very much underdeveloped.

I wish Jung So Min at least made an appearance in the final episode because when both Seo Yul and the crown prince (Go Won) finally admitted and acknowledged their feelings for Mudeok when she was “Buyeon”, it just didn't hit the same for me. I spent a lot of season 2 wishing and hoping Jung So Min would come back (at least in the last episode) because in my heart I was so attached to her character and each episode with the flashbacks only made it worse. I tried to remain impartial and unbiased while watching but found myself picking apart everything and comparing/overanalyzing – I guess that happens when shows switch / replace actors.

I love the soundtrack but I felt like the Blue flower theme, I'm Sorry and Love Letter (with you) was played much too frequently. I was glad to see that Min Hyun sang over Tree (Just Watching You) it sounded so similar to the original that even I was shocked. But truthfully I preferred the season 1 soundtrack and how they spaced the songs combined with the instrumentals far more than season 2.

I enjoyed Maidservant Kim and Park Jin as well as Jin Ho-Gyeong, she was cruel to Naksu but she just wanted her daughter to return to her as she has been searching for her for years. The Crown Prince and Seo Yul are truly underrated gems. They became my faves this season as I became tired and annoyed with this dark, brooding and moody Jang Uk - don't get me wrong LJW's acting is generally good but I preferred his acting in S1. I feel like all those actors always put so much emotion and effort into their scenes that you can feel it through the screen. Somehow I'm always impressed by Jin Mu's acting even though he is the worst character in the show. When he switched bodies with Seo Yoon O I thought the actor Do Sang Woo really nailed the part. I wish Jin Mu had suffered a bit more and died a slow and painful death but I guess we don't always get what we want. In my humble opinion I don't think this show needs season 3 and I am okay with how they wrapped it all up quickly and neatly. I was unbothered by the happy ending but in my opinion it felt rushed/choppy. It seemed like they tried to fit 3 more episodes into 1 episode which was unrealistic in a sense and I just couldn't truly be happy for the main couple.

I really wanted to like part 2 of Alchemy of Souls but unfortunately for me it missed the mark. Initially I had rated it a 7/10 while watching weekly but there were so many things just not properly executed that I could not overlook. After watching the last 3 episodes my rating lowered to a 6.25/10. I believe I am being generous by rounding it up to a 6.5/10 rating overall. With that said a lot of this season was forgettable and I definitely would not rewatch.

S1 >>>>>>>> S2

ARGUE WITH THE WALL!!!!

✌️

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This sequel was not made with AOS fans in mind

Disclaimer:This review might get more personal than most of my reviews,but I`ll still try to keep it objective as much as I can.

In thinking how I should begin reviewing such an anticipated sequel on my part,to a drama I gave my second 10/10 to,realisation dawned upon me.The perfect way I`d describe it is stunning...ly mediocre.But it`s not only that.Seeing how much enthusiasm and love I had for this universe Hong Sisters created,what this installment did for me instead,is not something I expected.It made me decide to turn my back on Hong Sisters.And it also led me to conclude this:Hong Sisters,in large measure,do not understand their own characters.So let`s talk about it.

First I`d like to thank every person involved with this drama,as I`m well aware of how tough it must be to create,write and produce a drama,even if it results in such a bland show.This is my way of giving respect to everyone.And it also serves as a good enough segue way into my thoughts going forward.

"So...what went wrong?" - that`s a perfect question I`d like to pose to the writers of this sequel.As I`m writing this,my mind swirls with any and every problem present in this drama.Yet,I`d firstly list off the positives(scarce as they might be) and then dive into the problems plaguing this meddling sequel.

To start,the cinematography is expectedly beautiful.Daeho looks as inviting as ever,and,in the hands of more ambitious writers,I`d love to see other stories being told with it serving as the background.I see so much potential within its walls.Another point goes to Crown Prince,who is absolutely,without a doubt,the only persistently unchanging (and funny) character in this story.His turtle and him are more engaging than everything else this has to offer.
Finally,the music is beautiful.Every OST is delicate,appropriate and at times fun.

There.Now let`s get into what grinds my gears with Alchemy of Souls and why Hong Sisters should really consider bringing in new talent,or brushing up on their writing skills.They probably won`t.A girl can dream,though.

I like to think of myself as an AOS fan.In fact,I loved how the first installment made me feel.It reminded me of older isekai animes like Inuyasha and Fushigi Yuugi,old childhood favorites.All of this wonder,possibility and chance for exploration.The characters were memorable,the leads witty and full of charisma, and villains camp,over the top,yet ruthless.We got a lot of information about Daeho,its inhabitants and alchemy of souls as such.The romance,while chaste and an undeniable subplot,was lovely,layered and interesting.I didn't even mind the ending as much as others did.Hell,even the love triangle was resolved quite maturely.

None of these attributes are present in Light and Shadow.Truth be told,I`m not sure where I should start.From some small details I`d be nitpicking(like how most characters generally have nothing to do) to more serious issues(like the unnecessary,cluttered mess the story ends up being due to unneeded justifications).Still,if I had to choose,nothing else perfectly encapsulates how inconsistent,flawed and underwhelming "Alchemy of Souls Season 2:Light and Shadow" is,quite like the relationship between its leads:Jang Uk and Naksu.I loved these two.I loved their story,chemistry and relationship.Naksu was a female lead we don`t often get in dramas:She was physically weak,yet mentally tough.A scheming assassin turned tutor who was willing to push her student to the brink,see him succeed and find herself.Where is she here?I was one of those people fervently defending and rooting for Go Yoon Jung as I knew her to be talented and her voice overs,as well as the first fight we meet her in,greatly depicted what she`s capable of.And then...they stripped every ounce of capability.Directed her in ways that make Song Hye Kyo`s acting seem expressive by comparison.I wouldn`t be exaggerating if I said I didn`t believe her struggles for a second.And then,while Lee Jae Wook`s character and his shift to a darker persona are believable,what isn`t is how quick and jarring the transition between strangers to long lost lovers occurs between our couple.Why?Because,putting aside everything else that happens with Naksu and her memory,knowing Jang Uk is realizing he`d never act the way he does in the first two episodes towards Bu Yeon.It is plot convenience,no doubts about it.In fact,their romance,brought to you by fate(that thing Hong Sisters love using when they can`t be bothered with a proper buildup) is as interesting and thrilling as watching paint dry.It is no longer the story OF TWO characters doing their best to prevail,it is a story of one overpowered individual feat his love who does something...sometimes.I deem Naksu a strong female character,even when she`s relegated to a role of a tutor to a spoiled brat.I don`t see this Naksu as strong.What sets them apart?Intent.No matter what you go through,if you`ve got a reason(Crown Prince shows that well),characters like Naksu set their mind in motion.What they don`t do is cling and wait on others.


And at what moment did I figure out where this drama was leading,you may ask?From the moment they decided to prolong Naksu`s memory loss and clumsily justify it once again.This decision undermined every,and I do mean every connection between her and other characters(not to mention using memory loss of all things,in a soul shifting show,is quite redundant,but whatever).

The alchemy,also.Where is it,bar last 2 episodes?Where`s the joie de vivre of our antagonist,Jin Mu?He`s barely in this,thanks to paper thin plot that feels more tacked on than your average Naruto filler episode.The biggest sin this sequel commits,is making me go from caring about all these people,to feeling indifferent to their death.What a feat to overcome.Characters that were once complex and rich,now read as flat and soulless.When it`s obvious the writers didn`t know what to do with them,they were unceremoniously killed off.

Just to clarify,I also think Season 1 has some plot conveniences and cracks.But it is nowhere as visible as it is here.

In conclusion,no amount of episodes,timing or changes in schedule can vindicate a sequel written with not much care or respect for your characters in mind.And while,of course,everyone can have their own taste (everyone`s different),the defiant side of me can`t help but scoff at this sequel`s success.I know it is petty,but seeing such an outcome in turn,tells Hong Sisters and the writing room that this is okay.You don`t have to try harder.We`re fine with this quality.

I love you Alchemy of Souls,but I see no light in this overwhelmingly muddy and dark sequel.You deserved better.

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10 episodes that should've been cut in 5

Let's just start with Season 1 was a 10 for me. It had ALL The exciting elements that YES finally S2 is here! And then it felt ..... draggy & flat, completely anti climatic. NO fault to the actors and I know people are complaining about the change of the FL. No chemistry etc. Personally I think the script is the problem. Naksu's character shouldn't have deteriorated to a sick love puppy that only in ep 8 did her original personality started to show. Progression was terrible!! If the story isn't there don't drag it out like what C dramas tend to do & just ended. Instead they filled it with flashbacks, blank stares, forced comic lines at the wrong times, and hot red birds ep 1-7.

S2 managed to recover the initial glory in ep 8-10 and ended with a semi satisfying ending but it should've been so much better. The cast did an amazing job regardless!

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Big Big Mistake and Big Big Let Down

I don’t think I have ever been so angry or upset over a TV series, as I am with Part 2 of Alchemy of Souls. What on earth were the famous sisters’ writing team thinking?

I will say that the special effects were top notch as usual. Of course, Part 1 was splendid in every way. So, why get a new female lead in - out of nowhere? Why? Removing the main female character played by Jung So-min, who was incredibly essential through out the entire first part … and who stole the show again and again with her fabulous acting, was simply abominable. Jung So-min’s character had wit, energy, determination, and great humour. Because So-Min is a fabulous actor., she stole every scene along with her co-partner Lee Jae Wook - and they played off each other perfectly. He was wonderful, of course, as always. They clicked. Chemistry.

You could tell they were really enjoying their roles. It was fabulous. The acting (of most of the cast members) was extremely good in Part 1 as well; the story was strong; the magical effects were amazing, and it had everything that was needed to be greatly entertained, and yet involved and, also, often touched by the passions, horrors, hatred and love in every way. I loved every second of Part 1.

When I heard that Jung So-min “might” not be returning in Part 2, I was immediately upset and irritated. A whole lot of “maybe, maybe not” nonsense came out, that was offensive to viewers and which was pitched again and again. What kind of games were the writers and producers playing with avid watchers of Part 1? Surely Jung SO-Min would be back!

Not so. Apparently they had decided that Nasku (played by a younger actress, Go Woon Jung) would take over the lead female role. Why on earth would they totally drop Jung So-min? They removed a fantastic actress and a fabulously written character right out of the story? Why? Except for weak hints in Part 2 … which I will not go into, as it might be seen as leaking information, nothing is really offered. It is as if Mu Deok had never existed in Part 1. Either way the wonderful actress as a main lead was gone.

And who did they add?

They added a character who meanders around after Uk, sulking, mooning about, and being very very dull. This young actor’s facial expressions are set mainly into a pursed lip of “wondering” and “unhappiness” or something vague that was incredibly irritating. Again … what were the writers thinking? No strong actress here. I wanted Mu Deok back immediately! I missed her completely.

I felt NO passion between these two leads in Part 2. None. Zip. Nada. Even Lee Jae Wook couldn’t show a pretended “love with deep passion” connection with his co-actor. At the end when they are trying very hard to look in “love,” it was cringemaking. Like wooden puppets. It was as awful as the goofy bizarre ending with a cat as big as an elephant suddenly appearing. But that is something else. Seriously...was that a hint of a part 3? Was that supposed to be a promise for more action in a Part 3?

I will not be watching Part 3 if the amazing Jung So-Min does not return, that’s for sure. This unjustified replacement of the wonderful character Mu Deok is so so frustrating. They chose an actress that looked a wee bit like Jung So Min. And younger. But not strong at all in the part. No passion. No intelligence and quick thinking. Little or weak humour. Dull.

A Bad Bad decision. Big Big Let Down.

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ALCHEMY OF SOULS S2 HAS A LOT OF LOOPHOLES

Alchemy of Souls season2 has a lot of loopholes and inconsistencies. Doesn't create remarkable impact unlike the first season. Focuses more on Jang Uk and Naksu lovey dovey moments/kissing scenes and a lot of parallel thingy due to her amnesia plot. They did not give justice to the most powerful priestess (real JBY) and eventually turned her role into somewhat villain. It also has a lot of confusing twist from how they revive Naksu soul and used JBY body. When regards to acting, GJY and LJW is just okay, compare to better acting of SoMin, MinHyun and other side cast.
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For the last 2 episodes (edit)
It does have a happy ending but still lacking something. Making Jang Uk possessed the ice tone and being the most powerful mage make it boring as no one can win/ fight against Jang Uk like how easy he killed Jin Mu and the rest of the Unanimous pips.
No thrilled and challenge for the main lead. As for Naksu regaining her memory, still lack in acting unlike the first FL. The only memorable scenes for me for S2 : So-I Seo Yul moment, Park Jin Maid servant Kim DoJu and Jin Hogyeong when we thought they died on the last episode and the relationship between Go won and his turtle.
And the fast phasing of the last 2 episodes..

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What is this??

I can handle storyline but when watching a series, I want to be convinced and I wasn’t. Naksu’s personality was not the same in Season 2, felt more like the leading lady had face of Naksu, body of Buyeon and personality of Buyeon. Where was the Naksu who was gutsy, clever, mischievous, a bit more reserved about her love for main lead? Naksu in season 2 was just sad, foolish, cared only for her looks, too emotional and open about her love – even if was she Buyeon at first, when Naksu remembered everything, shouldn’t she be more like Naksu in season 1? Felt like she wasn’t Naksu. Naksu would never cry or run away. She got hit in the head once and laughed whilst bleeding! Where did that Naksu go?

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Disappointed to tears

Very disappointing compared to part 1.
- I couldn’t feel the connection between the main leads. I didn’t feel the love. I couldn’t root for them because I loved mu deok with jang uk. It felt like betrayal to naksu/mu deok. How and when did they even fell in love? Jang uk fell in love with mu deok because she was so strong. How did he fall in love with a weak bird like bu yeon that always needed saving. I must have missed it. I couldn’t feel excited for them. They both became love-sick puppies.
- Where is my strong FL? I didn’t ask for a weak FL who is only pretty. Pining, whining, crying. I hate that still kept hiding behind the ML even at the end. Why do FL must be saved my ML.
Where are any strong female characters?
- The amnesia plot was prolonged for so long. I’m not sure anymore who the ML loved even though technically the FL was de same soul. I kept waiting for him to realise dat FL was naksu. The reveal was very anticlimactic as well.
- Plot what plot? Plot was ridiculous as hell.
- I waited a long time to watch part 2 and now I regret having watched it. I kept waiting for it to get better but it didn’t. I’m mad and sad!

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Truly a Shadow of Part 1

To preface, I gave part one 9 stars — I absolutely adored it. Part 2 lacked compelling characterization, had a plot that made zero sense, and just overall felt directionless. That best part about it was staying with endearing characters like Lord Park and the Crown Prince for just a little bit longer. The female characters were completely diminished and there was no real weight to any of the "danger."

Also, while I appreciate GYJ, there was a huge hole in part 2, and that was the gap left behind by the absolutely show-stopping Miss Jung Somin. Her performance carried audiences through the endless laughter and excruciating tears of Part 1. Part 1 had it all: novel world-building, suspenseful plotting, and intense chemistry. This season, while adequate, had none of that, and Jung Somin and her character of Mu Deok tied so much of that together. It's not just that I miss the actress — I miss the CHARACTER. Her persona, the way she was written, and the way she loves. GYJ as Bu Yeon was fine, but her character and performance weren't magic like JSM's Mu Deok was.

BUT ten stars to Lia's OST — I loved that.

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Internalised misogyny 101 and a masterclass in reducing strong women to pure drivel

Alchemy of souls season 1’s downhill trajectory in the second half and that clusterfuck of an ending should have been enough of a hint for us to not continue with season 2.

Oh but most of us did. We so did. And do you know what? S2 actually had a promising start. For what it’s worth, I thought Go Young Jung did a good job with bringing forward a new Naksu who had retained her innocence and wasn’t tainted by all the misery. Jung so Min was a tough act to follow and GYJ did it seamlessly, quickly making us like this cute, sweet, resilient and silently strong woman in love, atleast for a short while.

The usual amnesia, cold man/warm woman angst worked well enough as a guilty pleasure watch in the first, say, three episodes but then… it got real old real fast and you quickly realise:

YOU DON’T WANT A CUTE, SWEET, RESILIENT AND SILENTLY STRONG WOMAN IN LOVE ANY MORE.

No. You want Naksu back. It’s absolutely ridiculous how Hong sisters created this idea of a damaged female assassin with baggage who can be selfish, tough, vulnerable, ruthless and is actually a multi layered character and then spent a season and a half forcing her into the role of a ditzy damsel in distress, constantly in need of saving by oh so strong men.

While her male leads are getting these magnificent and badass grand entrances where they fight a hundred enemies in one go, what does the supposedly powerful female assassin get? A good amount of screen time where she faints, gets hot flashes or enjoys her favourite past time: crying helplessly.

The plot in season 2 is nothing to sing home about. It’s just Jang Uk running circles around the elephant in the room: the identity of Naksu who is traipsing right under his nose.

They just drag and drag and drag that one plot line that by the last episode you really just don’t care at all. The grand reveal is also extremely lacklustre and anti-climatic. It’s like the Hong sisters are making shit up as they go and wing-ing it like their lives depend on it.

The cheap attempts at contrived emotion with the fake deaths, sentimental music and dumb cliffhangers is the height of poor writing.

While the Crown Prince does bring in the comedy and there are a few adorable bromance moments; they are nearly not enough to carry the show on for ten episodes.

I am honestly so offended with the way they dangled the possibility of Naksu owning her skills and showing every one who’s boss in front of me like a carrot and forced me to watch till the end but all I really got was unnecessary pining, a grade school romance, a heroine whose entire purpose is solely to build the hero up and then make herself scarce and Hong sisters displaying how deeply they are entrenched in their own internalised misogyny.

There’s no other way to say it because God forbid, the female lead actually saves the day in even one episode. Blasphemy!

Don’t even get me started on the other potentially powerful female character in the drama “Jin Bu Yeon” who was reduced to little more than an after thought only getting five minutes of mentionable screen time.

So really, going in this show, please don’t expect an actual plot, story line or any sort of meaningful character development because you’ll end up having your intelligence insulted.

Instead, check it out only if you want a mindless watch that serves as a guilty pleasure and is more or less fan fiction in TV form.

Oh and there are some steamy kisses.
Hong sisters really thought they’ll throw in some skin ship as a band aid over the bleeding, torched, infected and full of pus wound that was season 2’s plot.

Make of that what you will.

Enjoy.

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Season 1 to 2 transmigration falls flat

Those of us watching season 2 (S2) probably enjoyed season 1 (S1). S2 wasn't a bad season so much as it was a let down on expectations for continued enjoyment. Even worse, S2 had the effect of snuffing out some of the joy from watching S1.

S1 wasn't perfect. The villains were flat and dumb. But the romantic and comedic charm was strong and alleviated duller elements of the show. Park Jin and Kim Do Ju's romance, for example, was anticlimactic in S2 and that was emblematic of many other characters and relationships that lost charm; they passed their peak and weren't contributing much to the story development. For example, bad cook Park Jin was overdone and not advancing the story or providing effective relief; it felt tiresome. Because S2 failed to keep up the charm, the less rosy parts of the show that were previously easier to ignore were now visible and frustrating.

Heo Yeom, who was charming and well-acted in S1, suddenly felt irrelevant and flat in S2. The same happened for too many characters such as Master Lee, Park Dang Gu, Maidservant Kim, Heo Yoon Ok, and the list could keep going on. Am I to believe the actors collectively performed less than their capability? Could the directors have pulled more from the actors within what was sourced? Nah, it's definitely an issue of writing in S2. I recall being surprised how soon S2 was offered after S1 completion. Perhaps the writers did not have ample time to craft S2. Plot 'twists' felt forced, rushed, and not believable. Characters were not well developed. Sang Ho, for example, deserved development in S2 but received none. Lady Jin essentially stayed the same petty version of herself throughout. Some even regressed; Heo Yoon Ok had charm in S1 and is written to be hated in S2. Character potential was squandered in S2.

Go Youn Jung (GYJ) was very enjoyable as Naksu; she exceeded my expectations by a mile. The scene telling Jang Uk to "Drink Up" was perfect. But, I still found myself missing Jung So Min's Filthy Mu Deok, especially Mu Deok's varied interactions with multiple characters. GYJ's interaction was heavily restrained to Jang Uk in S2. With Naksu's amnesia, the character lost complexity and missed the drive that Mu Deok had (to regain powers and seek vengeance); GYJ Naksu's drive was to remember, which we the viewer know all about, turning mystery of outcome to unbearable waiting. Again, this is a problem of writing, not of the actors/directing. Both FL actresses did a tremendous job.

Let's remember that Master Lee was exterminating shifters despite being a shifter himself. Or that he could be hands on and in save-the-world mode or wander aimlessly and not care about anything. Master Lee's treatment captures the broader sense of inconsistent story material with characters flip flopping personality on short notice. When the story was focused on slice of life charm, such as the Crown Princes' pining for Filthy Mu Deok, bromance with Jang Uk, and cold/warm love of Black Turtle, etc., the show was at its best. When the story power creeped itself as an apocalyptic story, it didn't deliver well.

Oh well, Drink up!

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