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

A mess

I loved Season 1 - the story, characters, setting, music. I believe it all slowly became the mess that was season 2 because of the change in actress. I'm not a fan of Jung So Min (I found her irritating in Playful kiss) but she did wonderful as Mu Deok. Now she's one of my all time favorite female characters in dramaland. I don't know what exactly happened BTS that led to her not being in season 2 but as a foreboding the last 5 episodes of season 1 had a different feel to them. The first episodes were just amazing. I couldn't stop watching and rooting for Naksu and then Jang Uk. Lee Jae Wook is great - cool and adorable. Gave me feels similar to Gong Yoo in Coffee Prince. A male lead who's vulnerable with emotive eyes.
As I said, despite not knowing what happened and why JSM was replaced, I think we fans deserved a better story that was on par with season 1. Not something that leaves a distaste as an aftermath. This season was a classic example of "love the characters, hate the story". So much potential wasted. It would have been better if they hadn't made a season 2 just because. My fave quote from the drama "It is better to die than to do nothing" doesn't work here. By the end of last episode I felt "It is better to leave it alone if you can't do it justice". They should have atleast tried to bring JSM back or used a better actress than GYJ. Don't know if it was the way she was written or her acting is just only okay.

Overall, I'm so sad and disappointed that I want to rewatch season 1 and see Daeho at its gloriest.

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I can't process how big of a disappointment it was

It's quite sad how they went from a nearly perfect season 1 to whatever S2 was.

It had so much potential in terms of world and characters building but all we got is story elements and informations dropped here and there without proper building and tangible consequences and characters development that either was uninteresting or a dull and boring repetition of s1 characters arcs at best.

I can get why people would enjoy the romance but to me it really gave nothing and felt totally devoid of sincerity and interest. Just like watching 2 sims characters rushing through a love story.

I also think that there are too many bland and boring moments for just 10 episodes (especially in the 5 first ones) and the whole amnesia plot doesn't make a good and strong enough main story line.

Others plot points ,such as the whole fire bird thing, felt like they're developed inconsistently (especially compared to how the ice stone was handled in the first season).

Another thing I deploy is how secondary characters' incorporation in the story was superficial and not necessary. Like whether it is during the Seo Yul rescue part or at the end of the story, it felt like they were all there cause they had to be. It wasn't substantial at all.

I haven't watch any of her other works but, even if the bad writing doesn't help at all, Go Yoon-Jung didn't carry the show like a lead is supposed to and her acting wasn't specially good or interesting.

The direction that Jang Uk's character took could easily (very easily) had been way more relevant and well written than what we got there. Honestly I think I could go on and on about all the things that bother me about this season, and it pains me more than anything else.

I suppose I'll just pretend S2 doesn't exist.

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whats wrong with Season 2, Season was a masterpiece!

the worst thing about the season 2 was their explanation why Naku had a different body. They only didnt want everybody to recognise her which would of course include Uk as well, so instead they opted for a differnt actress and came up with some ridiculous idea which later was completely overturned without any explenation.

I only wonder who told the new actress to act like a stupid bimbo? Was it the directors or was this her own interpretation of how Naksu would behave? Honestly, you don't forget your character and start acting like a different person just because you have lost your memory. If she was Naksu with amnesia she should have at least behaved the same, if she was Jin bu-yeon who only carried Naksu soul around it would have been fine but unless Im mistaken we were told its Naksu who is in charge as apparently Jin bu-jeon's souls was dead? (Master Lee's own words at the beginning of the s2 and later completely forgotten) Character is fundamental to who you are and does not change so easily unless she had a part of her brain removed or damaged ( s2 FL acted as if she left part of her brain at the bottom of that lake). If Jin Bu-yeon still acted like Mu-deok then s2 could perhaps offer some saving grace as to why Jung Uk fell for her, but sadly no. He fell for a beautiful woman and completely forgot about Naksu. Yeah I get that 3 years is a long time for a 20 something male and he wasn't a eunuch so testosterone finally kicked in but seriously... they should have waited for the kiss until he realised jin bu-yeon was Naksu.

Oh and let's not forget how in s1 Naksu thought hard to regain her power so she could use her sword but at the end of s2 she is happy with Jung Uk using it and herself becoming his side-kick? Shall I blame the Korean culture for this or the writers? I didnt know women as soon as they married completely forget who they are?
Your thoughts?

Oh and something that just came to me: I know a girl never wants to hear: you remind me so much of her or you are just like her, but at least in this case it would have justified Uk's falling for Jin Bu-JEon but you know why he never said that? because she was never like Naksu/Mudeok. ,

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There really was no need for part 2

Okay so I know I’m super late to the party but I’ve only just finished AOS today and I have so much to say.
I can’t even describe to you how much I loved the first part, I literally gave it a 10/10 rating. It was everything I’d want in a romance drama (a story that has more to it than just romance). The chemistry between Mu-deok and Uk was the best thing ever OMG. I really didn’t expect how the first part would end tbh and I was so sad but I ASSUMED that everything could only get better right….. WRONG. Bro I felt like I was forcing myself to watch part 2. I hated seeing Uk pursue a relationship with a different FL it just looked and felt so wrong to me. Like even though I knew she was still Naksu it didn’t feel right at all. Also I just felt like the plot fell off so much. Part 2 only got good for me in the last 3 eps, everything else felt so slow and uninteresting. In my opinion, at most maybe there should’ve only been 20-25 eps in total and the plot of part two could’ve easily been shortened down and rewritten with less ‘flatness’. I mean don’t get me wrong I still love this drama and I’m so glad they ended up with eachother at the end but I was so hyped for the second part and I was very disappointed by the way it was written and how it felt like it was dragging at times :((

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Way too dragged out

This part felt twice as long as it needed to be, and it was very hard to feel any stakes compared to the first part.

The plot was really dragged out. It got even more annoying when side characters had information and just didn't share it because "it would happen anyways." It really made the plot move way more slowly than it needed.

Second, after the serious note we ended the first part on, the second part really needed to match the high stakes in the first one. Instead, the drama tried to repeat the funny and light-hearted vibe we started the first drama in, relying on parallel scenes and humor. It felt out-of-place and doesn't really move the story forwards.

Aside from this, it was very romance-focused, giving us a push-and-pull between the leads that got very repetitive when I would've much preferred for the story to move forwards faster, especially since it felt like the antagonists had stayed exactly where they were in season 1.

Honestly, I just didn't really buy into the romance. After the epic love story we got in part 1, the one in here felt watered down and I didn't really see a reason for the main lead to fall for them again.

I generally found it very difficult to connect the female lead we saw in this one with the Naksu from part 1. While I think it's fine for her, having gotten amnesia, to be brighter and more innocent, I wish we still saw more moments of sassiness and less scenes that just referenced part 1 to be clever.

Overall, it really just feels like they spent too much time on the romance and humor and ended up cramming the plot in the last 2 episodes. I'm glad about how the story ended up, but really didn't like how we got there or how it was paced.

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SUPERB

I highly recommend this historical drama to everyone. Actually, I'm not really into historical kdrama yet because of the undeniable chemistry of the main leads I forced myself to watch it. Never did I regret of this. The best decision I have ever made. I love all the actors—they portrayed their characters ecstatic. The acting skills are beyond what I forsee them to do. They never disappoint me when it comes to the plots, acting skills, and most of all the story and cinematography of this genre. Though, in as much as I badly want a 3rd season but I'm super satisfied of the finale. I have so mixed emotions finishing this drama.

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A lot people will not agree with me and that's fine but for me season 1 was definitely better and it's not about the acting or cast but about story. She should have regain her memories way sooner (6-7 ep) and then proceed with the flow. Instead we got couple of boring episodes because they had to drag it somehow till the last ep. And then obviously in the last ep A LOT thing happened.

I was expecting to see much more Naksu as Naksu, instead we got Jin Bu Yeon for the whole season. We have heard about her divine powers like she's a God or something but they show us just bit of it (but that's not a big deal).

There were some parts that brought the light like the prince's turtle and how he changed his mind after his pet dissapeared. That was kinda funny, not gonna lie.

I'm glad with the ending but I'm also dissapointed how the potential after season 1 was wasted. This show could be much better.

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Perfect Masterpiece

Finishing Season one is like there is no way the season 2 going to surpass it. But it is intense, it will give chill to every scenes. It is perfectly made and suits the casts as well. The finale is superb, your eyes will be filled with contentment. A lot of emotions overflown in this series that is why I liked it. This is included in my most favorite series of all time. I will miss this whole thing. Thrilling kaayou bayot.. gikapoy english oi.. kinahanglan jud daw pab handred ka works, wa kuyapi! pero was char achup kaayo guys. Lami kaau ug mga eksina, nag hilak jud kos last episode.. erset oi.. abi ko namatay tong tulo may gani buhi... nakahilak jud ko paghibaw nakog busi ang mga ongo.. unya naay kamabal ang mag tiaayon.. mapasalamaton kaau ko dai.. basta oi.. tan awa ninyo, ayaw pansina ni ako review. abot na ba nig 500 words? try daw nako.

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Not a single second I felt bored

Jan. 8, 2023

Alchemy of Souls 2 is one of the best decisions I have ever made to watch. It is the superior, S fking tier Kdrama. This series really raised the standard right away for the year of 2023. We really are setting the bar up high.

Major shoutout to the Hong Sisters for writing this epic masterpiece. They really ate up their works back to back to back.

Although this season was only 10 episodes long. I felt that they were able to conclude everything in such an amazing way. The pacing is just right and I never felt boredom or a waste of time. Alchemy of Souls hold such a special place in my heart that I will definitely be watching it over and over, again and again.

Jang-Uk, you are the best husband I could ever ask for. Like I am so tired of Jang-Uk slander for this season cause this man's delivered and slaughtered everyone (like literally) for his beautiful wife. As for Buyeon/Naksu, I do wish, she had more scenes showing her divine powers and her strength. But you know what, it is okay. The wedding was a little sad cause it was only with the celibacy guy (I forgot his name)... but they the ending was so satisfying.

My emotions was so high, I was ready to cry and I cried. I cried so damn motherfucking hard. I really thought... I really thought... so the relief that I had after finishing the series definitely compensated for my palpitating heart.

ALCHEMY OF SOULS, YOU WILL BE MISSED I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM SAYING GOODBYE. IT'S BEEN A JOURNEY FROM MUDEOK TO BUYEON/NAKSU & JANG-UK. MY LOVES I WILL MISS YALL SO MUCH. UNTIL I REWATCH THIS AGAIN...

So what are yalls waiting for. GO WATCH ALCHEMY OF SOULS BOTH SEASONS NOW 😤

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A true masterpiece

It's the first time I'm actually writing a review. I have watched over 150 kdramas so far, but I think it will remain as one of my most memorable watches of all time.
It is true Jung So Min's replacement in s2 came as a disappointment at first but after starting it I realised it was actually worth it. It does not exactly mean that I am against her appearance in s1. GYJ was absolutly mesmerising. I really fell hard for her.
The drama actually lacks nothing. The writing, cast, acting, the character development of each one of the leads were beyond perfect.
I am not the type who rewatches dramas. But I have to say, this drama is an exception. Even thouth it has not been long since the series ended and I clearly remember most of the scenes, I am contemplating whether to watch it again or not.
In all, whoever is hesistating whether to give this drama a chance or not, I would say definitely DON'T. Just watch it. I am sure you won't regret it.

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