Good Enough
Korean Drama " Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow " is the second season of the hit drama that infuses fantasy, martial arts, and romance.The second season takes a new turn on the characters, turning the tables on who the main lead, and shifting his personality from a carefree, arrogant aristocrat to a dark, cold one who is all business. The trick with the female lead was nicely handled, in addition, and the main couple's relationship was enjoyable to watch, as they organically started getting closer and closer.
However, when it comes to the political aspect of the drama, this season didn't have much to offer. Some nice battles spiced things up, and they were indeed masterfully presented, proving once again that the team behind the CGI worked hard to create a realistic result. On the other hand, the twists weren't that original and the drama was predictable.
Finally, the performances were all enjoyable from everyone in the cast.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
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SEASON 2 IS BETTER IN EVERY WAY
I done get it, how most of the people here are giving bad reviews to this masterpiece of a season. This new actress is better in every way and I loved the chemistry between Jang uk and her way better than the chemistry between Jang uk and Mudoek....The main antagonist Jin mu had a better role here than the season1, overall this season is better in every way...It felt really good to see how Jang uk has become the most powerful mage here...
Sometimes the reviews of this site confuse me, people only focus on the romance here instead of the entire story and they give their biased ludicrous opinion based on that only...
It's very misleading for new kdrama watchers like me to get into a series like this...
So my advice to the people who will be reading this review of mine- "Ignore the negative reviews here and continue watching the series, done drop it just after watching the season 1"
I ENJOYED SEASONS 2 WAY MORE THAN SEASON 1
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Lee Jae Wook & Go Youn Jung has a great chemistry.
I liked it. But my biggest complaint is they should've shown Jang Uk & Jin Bu Yeon more screen time in the last few minutes. I wanted more stories about them in the end & also how they cured Jin Bu Yeon getting wild.At first, I thought they'd not show flashbacks of Mu Doek with Jang Uk whenever he was heartbroken or missing him. Thank God they started showing Mu Deok flashbacks from Season 1.
Jang Uk is a lot more mature this season he still has humor, but also has arrogance, which is for those who deserve it. He has a lot of grief, hate & rage within himself. His looks changed this season. He wears black & has short hair. He looks smoking hot. I just loved seeing him using power & going into killer mode.
Jang Uk never forgot about Mu Deok. He always remembered her. In a review someone said that he forgot about her & quickly fell in love with Jin Bu Yeon but that’s not true. Firstly, it’s a 10-episode series. They need to show his heartbreak as well as falling for her in a short period of time. Maybe that is why people think he forgot about her & fell in love quickly.
Jin Bu Yeon is changed because you need to remember that she was captivated in a room for 3 years. She is bound to be depressed & thinks that no one loves her, which may lead to her change. If she also starts acting the same way the FL of S1 did, then you will all be blaming her for copying. I think it was refreshing. She didn't try to do the same thing which the S1 FL did. I liked how the memory loss part when so long. It would've been better if she remembered evrything in the first few episodes.
The horrible faces of Jang Uk, Park Dang Gu & Seo Yul after tasting Park Jin’s cooking. Please someone stop this man from cooking. The boys are suffering.
The sudden hug Jin Bu Yeon gave to Jang Uk.
Jang Uk’s reaction after hearing Jin Bu Yeon saying that she is pregnant.
It's sweet how Jang Uk was following Jin Bu Yeon in the middle of the night without her knowledge.
The way Jin Bu Yeon ate all the honey biscuits at once due to being jealous of Mu Deok. Jang Uk is also jealous of Jin Bin Yeon love for someone.
History repeats itself of not being able to climb the bridge. ??
Laughed when Park Jin is jealous of Jang Uk because he is always the first priority of Maidservant Kim.
Loved it when Jang Uk said that “Not a single person will be able to walk out of here alive”. Uff The way he killed everyone, made everyone fear him.
I think I'm the only one who didn't like Crown Price. He is a kind-hearted person but foolish. He got easily manipulated by Jin Mu. He is someone craving power, but in the end, he realizes that he is wrong.
Jang Uk, Jin Bu Yeon & Crown Price turtle story. ?????
Love Master Lee. How he always helps Jang Uk & Jin Bu Yeon.
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Review for Part 1 and 2 together
Alchemy of Souls Part 1 and 2 are spectacular productions. This is a character driven fantasy Korean drama that has very well choreograph action scenes, conspiracy galore, great CGI’s, beautiful costumes, comedy, and a story of steadfast love and support from the leading couple as well as the friendship among the young generation of mages. The chemistry among the main characters is fantastic as well as the dynamics of the older mages which many times deliver many comedic moments. Alchemy of Souls has an original story line from the famous Hong sisters with many twists and turns, modern styles (costumes and hairstyles), references to pop culture, and a great OST. The entire drama would’ve have been better if season 2 was integrated with season 1 creating just one drama and viewers would not have been disappointed with some changes. The leading lady on season 2 did very well bringing her character to life as she was Naksu in the beginning of season 1, which I particularly agree with bringing her back with her own semblance, but the amnesia plot weakened her magnificent warrior aura. The second season is more about Uk and Naksu’s love story. Overall, even though this drama has n blend of genres (action, mystery, revenge, comedy,…), the drama is about Uk and Naksu’s relationship as Master and Pupil that evolves into a beautiful love story among the mayhem of a fantastical plot and the antagonists underhanded tactics to bring them down. This drama (Part 1 and 2) is very entertaining, enjoy it!Was this review helpful to you?
Good chemistry between leads in both seasons.
I liked it even more than season 1. Even though season 1 was more funny than season 2 and I adored Mudeok. It was because this season was more romantic and focused on the couple. I wanted more for Jin Buyeon though. An alternative ending for her. I was still hoping for the actress of season 1 to have a lengthy and active part in this season 2, but alas. Also, the fight scenes towards the end were kinda "weak".Was this review helpful to you?
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Could have been better
It seems like they stretched the story a little more which wasn't needed at all this could have been a very peaceful story but the made it was by adding so many twist.And US many people are saying that The Ml loved the New FL so he is kind of a playboy or something but I personally think that as the new female lead wanted to protect him that's why he is diff forwarded into their relationship some things where really useless and logic less in their relationship obviously but the story could have been more better
And about the other characters their life story also would have been more better.
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PLAGIARISM AGAIN
Plagiarism comes back. No difference with the first season.Actors are not good, even adult actors. They seems like children, and the whole drama is like a middle school recital. They can't act and they are not handsome at all.
Nor original at all, only a cheap plagiarised copy with low budget.
I won't recommend this drama, but of course, go ahead if you want to watch it and give it a try.
It's impossible to keep the whole cheap story in less episodes. The new actress... how many plastic surgery did she have? she doesn't seem human at all.
It's torturing yourself watching this drama,
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mehhh
I was OBSESSED with S1. I felt like I was under a spell. I loved everything about it and wondered why American TV couldn’t be as entertaining and thought out. I was anticipating S2 like a child. And then came my disappointment. I had no idea about the change in female leads. The chemistry just isn’t there with the new female lead TBH. There was something magical about Jung So Min and Lee Jae Wook that you cannot teach. It made me believe in the story. Not sure what to do with S2. I’ll probably continue to watch it out of respect for the other characters I enjoy but my heart will always be with S1. What a huge letdown. And PS…why the tortured weekly release, Netflix? You’re soon becoming like “regular” TV.Was this review helpful to you?
A simply incredible series!
A simply incredible series! This series is on my list of favorite series, incredible cast, extraordinary performances ? Naksu is my favorite character, actress Go Youn-jung's performance is so incredible, she is one of my favorite actresses, 1000 for this series!A simply incredible series! This series is on my list of favorite series, incredible cast, extraordinary performances ? Naksu is my favorite character, actress Go Youn-jung's performance is so incredible, she is one of my favorite actresses, 1000 for this series!
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I loved it
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxxKept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
Kept me on edge. I loved the ending it was worth waiting for and watching. Thank you and well done :) xxx
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Shows How You Can Love Someone for their Soul <3
If I loved season 1, I adored season 2 even more. There is absolutely nothing I would change about their beautiful story. Uk and Yeong's story is not one for the emotionally weak. They both have suffered so much and still are completely selfless. They do not need fate; fate needs them.I love Go Yoon Jung as Naksu/Yeong. This season was so different from the previous but in a good way. Alchemy of Souls brought all the genres I love and combined them into one show. I also loved Lee Jae Wook's powerful character which fed into my love for anti-hero characters. Despite this, Uk was very levelheaded, and although he would have loved to just stay in paradise with Yeong, he knew he had to let her go. This feeling was not one-sided as Yeong also knew they both have to take the role of saving the world from chaos. However, it hurt my heart to see them suffer even more because of this. Sacrifices always have to be made.
This is a tear-evoking show. I watched episodes 9 and 10 bawling my eyes out. I expected an inevitable sad ending because nothing was going in UkYeong's favor. However, I ended up crying in relief in the end; I could not have hoped for a better ending. I am so glad everyone good in the drama survived. This drama evoked every single emotion out of me, but it is what makes it so good.
The dialogue was beautiful. The relationship between Uk and Yeong was even more so. I never thought kissing an eye would be so romantic. He was basically kissing and loving her soul. It was a beautiful scene. This drama just shows how a person can love another person for their soul, not their looks. Whether Yeong was Naksu, Mu Deok, Bu Yeon, or herself, Uk continues to love her unconditionally. If that is not pure love, I don't know what is.
Please watch this drama. I'm afraid it will be very hard for another drama to top this one on my list. It was a beautiful watch <3
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Stop comparing to S1!
So much criticism from comparison to S1. Seriously, both seasons are great for different reasons. S2 is the perfect closure and the progression of the S1 plot.First of all, though I miss Jung So Min, Go Youn Jung is perfect as soul-shifted Jin Bu Yeon. I had to double check if it's the same actress who played Naksu in S1 because she really looks/acts like a different person as JBY (as she should be). She cannot be Mu Deok again because Mu Deok's memories and servant's identity are gone already. She cannot be sword-wielding Naksu again because she's no longer in the original Naksu's strong body. To me, the female lead character is the combination of Cho Yeong/Naksu/Mu Deok/Jin Bu Yeon. Wanting her to go back to the assassin Naksu phase is not fair to the original Jin Bu Yeon whose body and powers the female lead has 'inherited' (so to speak). Both in S1 and S2, Jang Uk loves... this combined essence of the female lead,... not separate Naksu nor Mu Deok. One nice subtlety is... though JBY also develops friendships with the crown prince and Seo Yul, this time it's more on equal footing.... compared to Mu Deok's friendships as a servant.
Also, why are people questioning Uk's loyalty. He admits to his feelings for JBY only in Ep 7. Before that, it's all angst (which I love for S2). If you accept that JBY is the natural progression of the female lead character, you'll more than welcome Uk and JBY relationship. Uk in S2 is no longer flamboyant; he is now kinda typical brooding hero with a massive chip on his shoulders.
I do agree that the moment Uk realized the truth about JBY was a bit underwhelming. But I understand the direction. At that point, he already loves that woman, his love is not gonna change, but this revelation will only hinder their future together. Hence, Uk would feel more conflicted than happy about the truth at the moment.
I do want to see more on the display of JBY's divine powers. She could call the rain after the defeat of the fire bird etc. All in all, I felt 10 episodes is too short. Acting 10/10! Chemistry 10/10! They could just fill it with more fluff, make it 16 episodes, and I'd happily watch.
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