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

<3 go yoonjung & lee jaewook <3

the best decision i ever made was not watching AOS part 1 while it was airing, bc there was no way i would have survived waiting months for part 2 after that cliffhanger in part 1.

i deeply admire and respect the people that stayed sane waiting for part 2 to come out. you guys are strong soldiers.

in my opinion, after binging s1 right before s2, i'm in the unpopular minority that slightly likes s2 more than s1, romance-wise. comedy-wise, s1 is definitely better. plot-wise...neither. they're both rushed and have their own issues.

the characters:

jang uk saying "i do not care for this world" had such a great effect on me that he instantly moved up my favorite characters of all time list. my favorance of morally grey characters shined in this, and while i did miss his sunshine character in s1, him in s2 gave me butterflies. (as per my notes while watching s2: HOW DOES JANG UK LOOK THIS GOOD IN SEASON 2. HE LOOKS FUCKING GORGEOUS. THE HAIR, THE STYLING, THE CONFIDENCE, (i mean yes he's sad, but OH MY GODS HE'S SO GOOD AT FIGHTING AND USING HIS SWORD).

thinking about buyeon in s2 makes me a little sad, because she was such a likeable character in this. she was a happy-go-lucky girl who was like rapunzel in the sense that she just wanted to explore the world and remember who she was. the fact that uk's and naksu's roles switch (midnight rain and sunshine) in s2 makes me sad but also ??? so smart of them to do that.

KIM DOJU AND PARK JIN OWN MY HEART. they have since s1 and i've just constantly been rooting for them. i need for them to act together or something bc i need to see them playful and cute and bickering again ajfenkljrafdf

the cast:

GYJ is SO SO SO SO SO CUTE. i cannot believe this is GYJ's first lead role??? she literally embodied what jung somin started in s1 and managed to seamlessly continue naksu right where she left in s1. that takes skill, on both GYJ and JSM's parts, to be able to make a character so distinct that you can easily tell who it is, especially in this confusing mess of soul-shifting. def looking into more of gyj's works after this.

literally almost all of the main casts' biggest role ever. even though LJW is the youngest, he's acted the most amongst the other actors who are also in their 20s in this show. this is the prince's first drama, minhyun's first drama, PIS's first lead, arin's first lead, GYJ's first lead. this is LJW's third lead (fourth if you count s2 as separate) and it SHOWS. i've seen LJW in extraordinary you and doldolsolsollalasol, and this is by far his best acting, obviously because he's grown so much as as an actor.

he definitely has the best chemistry with GYJ, out of all his roles. i mean, you can obviously look at the kiss scenes and tell, but even just looking at the behind the scenes and looking at his eyes and body language in the scenes of AOS makes it so obvious. they are the reason why s2 was so enjoyable for me.

the chemistry between not just LJW and GYJ, but between the entire cast is insane. it's so so so funny. but while the comedy in s1 felt more natural, in s2 it felt a little too inserted and forced—not bc of the actors, but because the comedy scenes were written in a tough spot. the entire premise of s2 is so so so sad, so adding in comedy is already so difficult. plus, season 2 is really built around jang uk's and naksu's tragic ending in season 1; there's this aura of sadness hanging over the entire season, and adding in comedy makes it feel fake, almost. (except for kim doju and park jin's scenes; those two have my entire heart and are absolutely hilarious no matter where they are).

the plot:

while s1 is and always will be iconic and hilarious and absolutely perfectly made, it was long and tedious. it had so much build-up to a rushed climax and conclusion. s2, on the other hand, is just as well-made, and is concise with great chemistry, but again, rushed. this is entirely the fault of the hong sisters, who's pacing in writing is absolutely horrible, while they do come up with the best ideas and comedy. they do so much front end work, and completely forget about the back end.

unpopular opinion (which i probably only have because i binged s1 right before s2 came out): i like buyeon a TINY bit more than mudeok. i love them both, don't get me wrong; mudeok's relationship with uk is hilarious and chaotic and is so funny, while buyeon's relationship is very cute and chemistry-filled and angst-ridden. both have their charms, and the only reason why i slightly prefer buyeon over mudeok is because LJW's and GYJ's chemstry is undeniably good.

i feel like they could have broken up the show better, and split the time between the two actresses equally. it being 20 v. 10 eps is one of the the reasons why some people dislike s2—they like mudeok more than bu-yeon. they've spent more time with one over the other. that, and the fact that bc s2 is so short, it feels rushed. they spent nearly 8 eps building up and talking about something happening, but the actual scene lasts only ten minutes. and then they conclude within ten minutes by giving a time-skip to a year later, with barely any interactions between the cast. (literally i would have given anything to see kim doju arranging an extravagant wedding ceremony for uk or taking care of him and naksu, or at least uk interacting w danggu and yul, rather than them just talking about each other).

the final battle and defeat of the villain felt underwhelming, and honestly he needed a crueler end. i really hoped naksu would come and kill him once and for all, bc this all started because he used her. and the most underwhelming thing of all: jang uk recognizing buyeon. while LJW acted amazing, i wish the director had told him to be more surprised, rather than just accept it quietly. if he saw the love of his life after believe she was dead for 3 years, the first thing he would do would at least be to hug her, right? is that not what jang uk would do for mudeok, his master? several underwhelming moments interspersed with overwhelmingly amazing ones (uk's fight scenes, kiss scenes, action sequences)

some of the lines in s2 though are absolutely breathtaking:

- "rather than use my coming death as a cowardly excuse to be together, it is much better for us to be tormented instead."
- "when it is on, i am sane. it is clear to me that i must send you back as i promised. but i go insane when it turns off. i just pine for you. that is why i came to see you."
- "evil always does what it wants without stopping. but why is it virtue always needs to prove itself over and over again?"
- "i do not care. i do not care for this world. the one person i wanted to protect is dead [1 ep. later] i do not care about what happens to this world. but if you touch her ever again, i will use my power as i please."
- (not a line perse but do not get me started on the end of ep 7/the beginning of ep 8 bc i might combust omg i cannot believe it goes from master yeom saying "they promised me they have a pure and innocent relationship" and then cuts to jang uk pushing buyeon against the wall, making out. hilarious.)

all in all: a great, great sequel to a great, great world. i just wish we would have paced it well, rather than use all of our energy in the beginning and leave nothing for the end.

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A must-watch kdrama!

Really liked the plot, the actors and actresses and loved how they ended the story. Hopefully there's Season 3 with the same lead, Lee Jaewook and Go Yoonjung. Maybe for others this ending is a little bit rushed, but for me it is a good ending, a happy ending specifically that is very rare for the Hong Sisters to do. Really thankful for the Hong Sisters that they made this drama have a happy ending. I will definitely miss this drama. I don't know how will i move on from this drama because i got too attached to it, and it's because of the great acting of the cast of Alchemy of Souls. I hope TVN will cast Lee Jaewook and Go Yoonjung in a same drama again as couples, i really loved their chemistry.

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Ass Expected Great

Great second story. The lead female was not my favorite, but I did like her as an ordinary girl. But the best was Jung So Min in the first story. Their romance seem to have more chemistry and realism. I enjoy all the characters came back and it was easy to follow the story. My favorite is Maidservant Kim and her romance with Lord Park Jin. I thought they wear cute and it gave me a smile how much chemistry they had with each other. The ending was wonderful, special affect and excitement. The actors performance was great and I really enjoy the story. Prince Go Won was my heartthrob. I found him very handsome and so cute when he gave us that great smile.

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SUCH A BEAUTIFUL STORY

Alchemy of souls is a beautiful fantasy drama with a little sorrow that might make you cry, but its still worth it. The story continues and its amazing.
We can see the amazing love of Jang Uk and Jin BuYeon/Naksu. When they were willingly wanted to sacrifice themselves for each other. The new naksu being awaken then transformed into jin buyeon/her ancestor. I thought that it might end sadly but at the end we can see how she lets naksu come back to her body and the part is truly beautiful.

OST- loved it and the one in the end of each episode was my personal favourite.
ACTING- I can't even say anything to that I could truly feel the characters emotions thru the actors.

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It was unbearable to watch for me

After watching the end of the first season, it became unbearable for me to continue watching. I dropped the second season after the fourth episode because I had watched the preview of the next episode, and I couldn't stand it anymore. I don't know why, but this season failed to make me feel that Naksu was portrayed well by the new actress, Go Youn Jung. I felt sorry for Mu-Deok/Jin Bu Yeon because Naksu took over her body, and in the end, she died.

Furthermore, it bothered me that Jang Uk seemed to fall in love so quickly with 'Jin Bu Yeon' (even though the audience knows she's Naksu, but he doesn't). Because of this, it felt like Jang Uk was cheating on Naksu, although he wasn't.

Additionally, I didn't like the character So Yi in the first season, so I didn't want to see her again. Every time she appeared in the second season, I felt bored and annoyed because I wasn't interested in what was going to happen to her.

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The Best Korean fantasy costume drama 2022/2023

The Best Korean fantasy costume drama for year 2022 and 2023

Season 1 & season 2 💯 excellent.

Season 2 is not ending yet.

2 episodes to go.

Plssssss we want season 3.

More shows like alchemy of souls. Pls.

All artist did great job.


We asking for season 3 pls..

The Best Korean fantasy costume drama for year 2022 and 2023

Season 1 & season 2 💯 excellent.

Season 2 is not ending yet.

2 episodes to go.

Plssssss we want season 3.

More shows like alchemy of souls. Pls.

All artist did great job.


We asking for season 3 pls..

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I'm obsessed!

I love it! I'm kinda picky when it comes to watching kdrama tho i'm a kpop stan and i'm not a fan of action fantasy drama, but i'm loving this. the main reason why i watch AoS Part 2 is mainly because of go youn jung❤just hoping we get a happy ending, if its going to be sad ending, atleast let jang uk and naksu die. I'm tired of watching naksu always suffering. 3 more episode left, i don't know how are they going to explain and wrapped everything up. but one thing for sure, jinmu needs to die, i mean REALLY REALLY needs to die, how is that bast*rd still standing after this episode.

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EXCELLENT STORY! LOVE IT SO MUCH!

I love it. I was in tears for several episodes of season 2, but I was smiling widely by the end. The ending is perfect. Thanks to these casts who gave us a happy ending to this drama.

I highly praise all the actors/actresses for their superb acting! Jang UK, is amazing, handsome and attractive. Naksu/Jin Bu Yeon/Cho Yeong, is beautiful and suitable for her role. I don't expect her to act and fight as an assassin anymore, because she is now residing in JBY body. I really enjoyed Seo Yul's acting awesome, handsome and I am so happy that he survived. I really adore the cutest couples of Dang Gu and Cho Yeon / Park Jin and Kim Do Ju. I am so happy for Mama Jin Ho Kyung's beautiful smile. I am proud of the crown prince Go Won who cares the lovely turtle. I was impressed with the overall production: the cinematography, animation and the more details. Well done! This drama of AOS2 deserves best ratings.

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Hong Sisters' greatest ambition that turns into their greatest masterpiece.

Alchemy of Souls is Hong Sisters greatest ambition that turns into their greatest masterpiece. Not only their ambition to create a completely new fantasy world, but also their ambition to finnaly create a happy and satisfying ending, as well as their ambition to finally create a proper romance that everyone roots for.

When part 1 focuses on the world building and character development, part 2 focuses on the relationship & redemption. It may lack of plot excitement from part 1, but the way part 2 put all answers and resolutions for all AoS characters is so damn good and satisfying.

I must say that the love story created for part 2 is really one of the best in the whole KDrama history. This is what I call perfect redemption of Hong Sisters romance writing skill. I find their romance writing is somehow lacking in their previous works, I don't find such strong chemistry and relationship development in HDL or Korean Odyssey (both romance seems quite forced). But AoS is clearly the whole different level, and Hong Sis ambition to create the most beautiful love story finally comes true.

Just like Master Lee said, I've seen plenty of drama couple, but Jang Uk and Cho Yeong are the dearest. You can't find love so deep, so meaningful and so desperate in any other drama.

I bet that's also in Hong Sisters mind, Ukyeong is their dearest couple that's why they give them happy ending. 😁😁

Thank you Lee Jae Wook and Go Youn Jung for potraying Uk and Yeong so perfectly. You guys really deserves all appreciation.

Other characters too, finally they find their true meaning of life. One of my favorite character development is Seo Yul, the one who finally dare to move beyond his boundary, taking a role to bring better change to the world just like what his predecessor did in the past. Something that Jang Uk might never did, because his life is basically all about Cho Yeong 😂. Also for Go Won, I can't say anything else, he deserves what he gets and for his kind heart, I trust Daeho will be peaceful for a long long time. I couldn't be more happy for Jinni and Yeonni. Even I put lots of respect for Jin Hogyeong. Can't forget about how sad and beautiful So'i stroy too. I can't forget about how cool Park Danggu, Choyeon, and also Sangho, even Juwol. All I can say is that I root for almost all characters in AoS. That's how amazing it is. The last time I feel like that is only in Scarlet Heart.

The acting is superb and top notch (all characters acting skill is improved a lot in part 2 compared to part 1), the music and OSTs are so amazing. I will miss all AoS background music, especially the intro and jinyowon theme, and also Jang Uk theme.
The happy ending also makes the rewatch value increases.

In conclusion, AoS part 2 is in the same tier as part 1 even tho they have different charms. Both are among best fantasy KDrama of all time. Currently it is my #1 fantasy Kdrama. I definitely recommend it for anyone who loves fantasy because this drama really set the standard so high.

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