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

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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The fantasy-period drama we didn't think we needed but enjoyed (for the most part?)

By far one of the most enticing fantasy-historical dramas I've ever finished! (keyword "finished" as in finished BOTH seasons because I NEVER watch second seasons, it's like a recurring trend for me, up until now), Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow provided a substantial sequel to the hyper-loved season 1. I was afraid the sudden change in female leads would affect the plot and inherently make it messier to watch, but needless to say, I'm super satisfied by how they went around it!

The switch between light and shadow in the two seasons was so apparent and I loved every aspect of that! The constant push and pull kept me on my feet and on the edge of my seat throughout the 30-hour-watch of Alchemy of Souls as a whole! There are some plot-holes that I hoped they would resolve by the end of the show, and they didn't; which disappointed me but never mind that, i actually still enjoyed the great deal (It would be a 10/10 from me otherwise!)

My personal disappointment mainly revolved around how some of my favorite characters didn't get their deserved justice even up until the very end LMFAO!! Like Go Won?? That man has gone through SO MUCH, even at the end, when he wished someone would find him a wife and we don't even get to see him happy with one!! And Seo Yul.. SEO YUL.. okay that dude got an incredulous amount of screentime somewhere in the middle because of So-i and that bothered me so much because (even though she was a bitch for more than a few minutes in the show, her love for him was pure and I'm just sad that even if he didn't love her back, she never got to tell him that) :"( But then again, it's something I would have liked better. I'm glad with the closure, but it was just a bit TOO quick..

Is it too much to ask that we get more than half an episode (ATLEAST) to show us how they've changed in post-apocalyptic Daeho, and to show us a bit more for each person??? But if i'm being fair, I'm just glad the Hong Sisters didn't present us with another tear-jerking parting-ways ending and gave us the closure we most definitely needed and deserved after going through that roller coaster EVERY SINGLE EPISODE.. It was so mean making me believe that Maidservant Kim and Park Jin were BOTH dead.. I had the ugliest cry of my LIFE because????? BECAUSE I BELIEVED THAT WAS A POSSIBILITY!!

Anyways!! If we ignore our best characters ending up with no bitches and how we have no idea where Jinmu is lmfao... This was actually a solid drama!!!!! I enjoyed (almost) every second of it, and I would definitely watch again in a few years when I've completely forgotten the plot!!

If you haven't watched it yet and you like a good thrilling fantasy-historical drama with TONS of cute romance and a 100/100 cast, this is the one for you!!

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A Must Watch

a sided from the much anticipated anxiety of waiting for the next episode to resume
chapter 2 of alchemy of souls has been magnificent every episode had left you grasping for more and wondering what will happen next.

The ending was great the chemistry between not only the main role but others as well were outstanding.

Normally a continuation of any kdrama in my opinion leaves you with dissatisfaction or an ending you weren't expecting
but with alchemy it filled all the voids and gave you an immense satisfaction.
enjoyed watching it my Saturdays And Sundays will not be the same.

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If season 1 was Action>Romance then season 2 is Romance>Action

Definitely enjoyed it more than I expected (due to the low rating of people here)

Reason 1:
I FELL IN LOVE WITH GO YOON JUNG
Many people seemed to be rating this low because of the change of female lead but come on now. Gyj was literally the female lead right from the start. Plus she's a great actress so I don't understand the hate.
She's so adorable and she portrayed Naksu well. Even though she has different aura due to memory loss, you'll still see Naksu.

Reason 2:
I'm a sucker for romance like this.
The tsun husband x cute wife is just *chef's kiss* Many might find Jang Uk weird for falling for Jby(Naksu) in s2 but I don't think you should think it deeply that much. If he fell for her before, why can't he fell in love with her again? His hearts remember her. That's why at first he's confused on why he feels something for her. But again, his heart recognize her. And dude, I know you expect him not to move on that fast but HELLO it's already been 3 years that time. Even if jby was not Naksu, he deserve to fall in love again. Plus jby was really loveable (AND SUPER PATIENT)

Reason 3:
The chemistry of the characters are on another level!
I personally love turtle couple(Crown Prince x Jin Bu Yeon) Their exchange is always hilarious. Totally love their every scene!

Reason 4:
Great Effects. Some found it lacking but personally, it was amazing. Everything was so original and creative.

Reason 5:
Overall Plot. It was different from S1 but I was not disappointed. I never thought I would love it this much tho(enough to make me write a review.) I saw some wasted potential in the plot but it was still enjoyable despite that

So what stopped me from rating this a perfect 10?
1. Too short! I want more of their fluff scenes.
Many hated that s2 story was centered around their romance but I LOVE IT SO MUCH. We didn't get much romance from the s1 so this os like a treat to me(Who like romance more than Action)

2. We didn't get to see the return of Assassin Naksu.
I'm kinda fine with it but it's just a let down cuz gyj looked badass on s1e1. Assassin Naksu Supremacy!

3. So-i was not given the happy ending she deserved.
I know she's bad/evil but SEO-YUL HAS NO END GAME SO WHY NOT JUST LET HER LIVE AND MAKE THEM LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER?! I was disappointed when she died when we could have just get a character development.

Overall a totally good series! I'm already at my third rewatch cuz I can't get over with Jang uk's and Naksu's sweet scenes. Totally recommended, if you're a sucker for romance drama with a good plot and some action.

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Love is meant to create

We love with our soul, and the heart recognises that which the mind is sometimes incapable or simply too slow to comprehend.

Naksu/MaDeok/Cho Young/BoYeon & Jang Wook have certainly shown us that their love was meant to create and protect. I loved what Master Lee said about the two of them:

“He’s the light protecting the world, and she’s the shadow who protects him from the darkness around him.”

I know some people find the soul changes within BuYeon’s body quite confusing, but I understood them perfectly clear. The whole idea of Naksu being chosen by the priestess (both in her reincarnation form as BuYeon and initial one as the first Jin priestess) to be absolutely brilliant.

I was initially sceptical about it, but the use of the new actress helped show how Cho Young (Naksu) would’ve been like without all the heartbreak & tragedy of her life up to her entering BuYeon’s body. The actress did a great job showcasing an innocence of mind and heart, but also remarkable depth.

With her getting her memories back as Naksu, she became truly wise and any idea of the selfishness she had once possessed was entirely thrown away. The fact that she hadn’t killed Jin Mu in cold blood when she had the chance speaks volumes about her character growth.

Jang Wook was even more awesome in this season than I could’ve imagined him. The actor really knows how to portray a man whose heart is in agony but also one that continues to hope. His character growth is perhaps my most favourite one, from the previous drama to this one, he’s only grown to become more powerful, and even more mindful of the responsibility that comes with such power. His wisdom and ability to sacrifice is truly amazing.

This couple has shown an immense amount of perseverance to be true to each other but also true to their duties and the world around them.

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It’s a 10/10 for me ❤️

IDGAF about what yall say, this shit was fire and the couple had SUCH a good chemistry. It was stronger than with Mu Deok, may I say.

I’m horrible at judging stories and plots and stuff, so this “review” isn’t based on that. It’s more about what I felt while watching and how it filled my hear with joy. I cried and laughed and smiled like a goof while watching this!

If I like it, I like it… And I absolutely loved it! This is by far one of my favorite dramas, if not THE NUMBER ONE.

The relationships between the characters and the problem solving involved… It was so good! The Heir Prince (idk if that’s the name in english) was my faaavorite character. His relationship with Jang Uk was so hilarious and wholesome

I’ll miss them ❤️❤️

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What a big disappointment...

I really tried to watch season 2 without prejudice but I just can't anymore....Season 1 is gripping and intriguing, story was woven so tightly together and it keeps you on your toes. I re-watched all 19 and half episode at least three times. However, the writers just decided to prolong the storyline unnecessarily and discard the highlight of the whole production, which is the amazing actress Somin, and drag the show for 10 more episodes, which already been seen with bunches of plot holes, and boring dialogues.... The production team intentionally not mentioning Somin like she is discarded just like her character in the show during interviews and behind the scenes, and the director didn't even mention her name on the award show when he received best director for Alchemy of Souls Season 1. It seems like a dirty game to me! Season 2 is full of forced performances and plot. I am no longer curious about the ending of the show. For me the story should have wrapped up in ep. 19.

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Shadow of Part 1

I believe this drama ranks high because of the magic of Part 1. The main fantasy romantic plot worked out perfectly just like the Hong sisters usually deliver. Alchemy of souls has a very intriguing concept of magic and mages, also great cinematography and soundtrack. I loved the concept of 4 seasons, representing the respectable mage families. Season 1 is dense with intricate plot and amazing characterisation. Jang Uk, Seo Yul, Jang Gang’s trio was so uplifting and when combined with crown prince and Mu Deok, the group was my absolute favourite. They shared such pleasant bonding and chemistry. Jang UK’s character development as a mage and his sweet relationship with Mu deok really is heartwarming to watch. They fit together just right and I loved the master/pupil twist to their relationship. Whilst sometimes Mu Deok seemed crazy to me, I respected her bold/nonchalant way of loving Jang Uk.

The above could be labelled as a review for Part 1, I guess. Flash forward to the outburst of events by the end of S1 and bearing with the brunt of it in S2, it went haywire. The plot started making lesser sense. I still don’t understand how they can justify Mu Deok’s face changing, despite having the same body. She starts living as Jin Byo Yun and whilst I liked that, I don’t think the actress fit well into the real naksu’s characterisation. Sure, she forgets all her memories and awakes a completely diff person, but Naksu’s feistiness and determination is shoved under the rug this season. It’s like a completely different person. I don’t think it’s necessarily Youn Jung’s fault, but the writers and director who completely forget Mu Deok/Naksu from S1. It’s like a re imagination of the main lead.

The romance is stronger this season and whilst I enjoyed that, I still missed Jung Somin’s character. The revelation of Naksu was so underwhelming. They build it up so much, dragging it all the way to the ninth episode and yet it felt so… oh, alright, ok lol. The dangers Jin Mu wanted to ensue onto the world seemed petty and annoying. The way they dragged Naksu’s reveal was already frustrating enough for viewers and so distasteful. Jang UK longed for his lover so much, only to find out she’s been alive and well.

How could they have just revealed it in such a chaotic, strange way? What about the conversations they were supposed to have after the big reveal? All gone wrong because they had to give jin mu’s plan screen time.

Season 2 was chaotic. Merely a shadow of Part 1. I still rated it high because season 1 is special and jae wook was absolutely brilliant.

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