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Alchemy of Souls Season 2: Light and Shadow
51 people found this review helpful
Disappointing story development. Pretty/handsome but underwhelming lead actress and actor.
Disappointing story development. Not too sure what's the point of having season 2 with only 10 episodes.8 episodes are wasted to get Naksu to remember her past.
Felt like season 2 is just a major advertisement to promote Go Yoon Jung and how pretty she is.
Without a strong female lead like So min, Jae Wook's acting for season 2 is just boring and underwhelming compared to Min Hyun (Seo Yul) and Seung Ho (Go Won).
Let's not compare So min with Yoon Jung. So min is on another level. Yoon Jung's acting range has alot to catch up with Arin (Cho Yeon) and Hye Won (So Yi). Hye Won is just outstanding! For Yoon Jung, acting cute is not part of acting. But too bad, pretty faces are always pushed for leads irregardless of acting skills.
To sum up, the supporting casts were the ones who carried the show. Not forgetting the CG effects. Too bad, most viewers are carried away by the kissing scenes, Yoon Jung acting cute and boring story development. High ratings does not mean the story is good. I hope they will just give couple awards to Yoon Jung and Jae wook but please don't win any Best actress or Best actor please....it will not be convincing. Hope the supporting casts will win some awards.
Will forever remember how Alchemy of Soul's director capitalise on loyal fans from Season 1 to watch the underwhelming season 2.
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Shin Jae-ha (On Ha-joon) kind of outshined Lee Je Hoon
Plot wise I feel it’s kind of similar to season one. I mean this is an awesome series just that I actually thought season 2 will be more enticing. Lee Je Hoon is an amazing actor but there was no breakthrough with his role in season 2. Not his fault but probably the screenwriter should have work on his character development. I feel that Kim Do Gi has no growth in season 2.Everything was too smooth. Kim do gi can solve everything. Kim do gi does not have any conflict. The cases does not impact him personally. He’s just cleaning up the trash.
Is this another case of production team riding on the popularity of season 1 and then not putting in the effort for season 2.
What was truly outstanding in season 2 was Shin Jae-ha portrayal of On Ha-joon. He started off as a innocent character with his hair combed down like a high school kid and as a villain with his hair combed up and all dressed in a suit. I initially thought these are 2 different actors. That was how deceptive his character was.
He was funny, cute and innocent in 1 scene and a crazy psychopath in the next scene. What a promising actor. I hope drama awards will recognise his potential and hope he can choose great scripts in future.
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Second male lead outshines everyone else in the show
Although the story is good, the casting is a problem when your second male lead outshines the first male lead.Never put Kim Ji Hoon as the second male lead. Goodness, his charisma, his hair, his manliness will just overshadow the first male lead straight away.
(1) Kim Ji hoon (Do Won-jun) completely outshines Teo Yoo (Nam Kang-ho) even though Ji Hoon is the second lead. Won-jun's character is more dimensional and expressive and charismatic. It makes Teo Yoo (Nam Kang-ho) look significantly weaker. The female lead is already such a strong headed character.
(2) Kim Ok-bin (Yeo Mi-ran) is not compatible with Teo Yoo (Nam Kang-ho) . This pairing is super awkward. The chemistry was lacking and forced. Kim Ok-bin portrayed a character that came off as someone much much older. I wish the stylist could have done something to her hair.
(3) Teo Yoo (Nam Kang-ho) pairs better with Lee Joo-bin (Oh Se-na). The chemistry is better. They look like lovers.
(4) Ko Won-hee (Shin Na-eun) is not compatible with Kim Ji hoon (Do Won-jun) at all. Ko Won-hee's acting is awkward as well.
Song Ji-woo (Hwang Ji-ye) has more chemistry with Kim Ji hoon (Do Won-jun).
(5) Having Kim Ji hoon (Do Won-jun) and Teo Yoo together on the same screen is amazing but Ji hoon Kim is overpowering Teo Yoo. Maybe their roles could have switched.
(6) Lee Joo-bin (Oh Se-na) completely outshines Ko Won-hee (Shin Na-eun). Lee Joo-bin's acting is getting better and she looks really good on screen.
(7) Ko Won-hee (Shin Na-eun) and Kim Ok-bin's friendship did not come across as something strong or commendable. Seems pretentious and on the surface. I recall stronger/envious/emotional friendship in [Work Later, Drink Now]. Ko Won-hee need to beef up her acting skills. Her range of facial expressions are very limited.
(8) Still can't get over the chemistry between Lee Joo-bin (Oh Se-na) and Ji hoon Kim (Do Won-jun) from [Money Heist]. There was a scene in [Love to hate you] where Kim Ji hoon was being sarcastic to Lee Joo-bin. It was a great scene! Maybe they should have put this 2 as the First leads instead.
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Each episode is bursting with fantastic acting from veteran actresses and actors!
How should i start! I finished watching all the episodes in one go.So glad this is not a webtoon. Webtoons have weak plots.
In Queenmaker, All actresses and actors are so captivating.
So happy that this drama stayed clear of idol and those with only-visual-no-acting-talent-skills cast! If not it would have ruin the entire atmosphere of the drama. There was no rom-com shit and nonsense in this. The plot was so tense.
Lead actress Kim Hee-ae (Hwang Do Hee) is showcasing what worldclass acting skills is like.
Moon So-ri (Oh Seung Sook) is my favourite in the show. She was raw and rugged. She articulated the transformation from a human rights lawyer to a mayor seamlessly and clumsily.
Not forgetting amazing acting from Ryu Soo-young (Baek Jae Mi), Seo Yi-sook (Son Young Shim), Ok Ja-yeon and so on.
Everyone is amazing.
The plot exposes the ugly reality of politics.
One thing for sure, a man who can't keep his lust in control, always wind up in shithole.
When will Kdrama makers learn, stop featuring idol actors/actresses or those with only-visual-no-acting-skills.
And you'll get quality productions like that.
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The supporting casts truly outshines the leads...
I hardly watch Song Hye Kyo's shows and The Glory is probably her first show i had ever watched. I would say it was a great switch up for her from pretty roles to a traumatic role. She was able to convey the tough emotions pretty well. She is such a hardworking actress and to think that she has to move on with her real life after a difficult divorce and public-shaming period, Song Hye Kyo is definitely an admirable woman and an actress. However, i feel that screenwriter Kim Eun Sook has probably added too many supporting actors and actresses that kind of outshines Song Hye Kyo's character.I mean do you really need 5 villians in one show. Probably 1 biggest bully and 2 bully-sidekicks so that each character can have more space to grow...get what i mean?
My favourite characters are:
Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyun Nam>>>>>>> A mother's love for her daughter finding a respite in Moon Dong Eun's revenge plan. She's pitiful and yet adorable at times.
Park Sung Hoon as Jeon Jae Joon>>>>>> Very convincing and wholesome character
Jung Sung Il as Ha Do Young >>>>>> Kim Eun Sook could have developed the complicated relationship between Ha Do Young and Moon Dong Eun.
The character which i feel most redundant in this show is none other than
Lee Do Hyun as Joo Yeo Jung.
Lee Do Hyun seems like a great actor and i feel Lee Do Hyun's story (in The Glory) can stand on it's own in his own new Kdrama. But why does Kim Eun Sook put in Lee Do Hyun for the Glory. Moon Dong Eun does not need this person to complete her revenge plan. Most of the time Lee Do Hyun looked like a high school kid in the show. It was so hard to visualise him neither as Moon Dong Eun's partner or a doctor. The role just doesn't suit him. Kim Eun Sook could just take him out and develop the relationship between Moon Dong Eun and Ha Do Young. Ha Do Young's character was so wasted.
There was zero chemistry between Song Hye Kyo and Lee Do Hyun. I don't feel that they love each other. It was awkward.
I hope casting directors stop throwing in handsome faces to boost ratings....at least consider their chemistry first...
Moon Dong Eun needs a more matured and clear headed partner to support her instead.
Kim Eun Sook goes on and on about how Song Hye Kyo inspires her for the story and yet in the end, all the villans in the show outshined Song Hye Kyo.....T_T
I don't think the ending was satisfying or well played out.
But thanks to Lee Do Hyun and Im Ji Yeon's dating news that give more spotlight to The Glory.
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One of the best Kdrama i have watched in 2023!
Divorce Attorney Shin (2023) is such an under-rated drama. Everyone is tuning in to idol-lead or young actors-lead Kdramas and have left out this gem. It's a pity really.There was no rom-com shit and nonsense. which often make a drama annoying.
There were no handsome/pretty idols who can't act, being chucked in to boost ratings.
This drama was fully of emotions and amazing actings.
The lead actor Cho Seung-woo conveyed his emotions so well that at times he seamlessly blend into his charismatic role as an attorney. I forgotten i was watching a drama. The supporting actors and actresses are amazing.
I love love Cha Hwa-Yeon who acted as Giyeong's grandmother. She is so sophisticated and i was surprised at the turn of her character. I thought she was an evil person. Turned out she was such a loving and protective grandmother who also loved her late-daughter-in-law Shin Ju Hwa.
I felt that the scriptwriter should have done Han Hye Jin more justice. She is such a great actress.
The friendship between Cho Seung-woo , Jung Moon-sung and Kim Sung-kyun was so adorable and supportive.
Not forgetting the fantastic child actors.
Kim Joon-eui who acted as Seo Gi-yeong
Jang Sun Yool who acted as Kang Hyeon Woo
They will grow up to be one of the leading actors in Kdrama soon!
It's so sad that this drama has to end. T_T
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Awesome drama
Great story. I'm surprised that it's an adaptation froma webtoon. There are fantastic actors/actresses in this drama as well. I like how the plot kind of highlight the way Korean law enforcement lack of power over criminals. Lee Je Hoon is awesome as the lead actor. He is quite underrated in the Kdrama world isn't he. All supporting casts are awesome. Felt angry and sad watching the stories, which completely sums up the situation in Korea. Looking forward to Season 2. Just watched Season 2's Episode 1 and it's already captivating. The music is great.Was this review helpful to you?
As usual, lousy webtoon story that needs an attractive female or male idol to boost ratings
Suzy should have chosen a better script.She's at the age and point of career where people need to recognise her acting skills and not just visuals.
Choosing to star in 'Doona' is like taking 20 steps back from 'Anna'.
This show is solely carried by Suzy. Without Suzy who is going to watch this lousy webtoon story?
Without the kiss scenes, nobody bothers.
But at least i respect this show much more than 'King The Land', that had to create a dating rumour to spice up the ratings for an even lousier plot.
Suzy, please choose better.
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I think the scriptwriter is too ambitious about having 2 forbidden relationships in a show
Good acting cannot save a lousy script.Having two forbidden relationships in a drama is just chaos and distasteful.
Having a best friend seducing her best friend's husband and an young lady having an affair with someone old enough to be her dad and having intimate scenes, is purely disgusting.
The scriptwriter portrays the stupidity of the characters really well.
Bada is clueless about the affair until the end. So silly!
I love Seo Ji Hye but somehow her acting is awkward in Red Balloon, i wonder why.
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Great acting and great script
Kim Nam Gil, Kim So-jin and Jin Seon-kyu are just amazing. They are born actors and actress. The episodes are well paced and it meticulously take us into the nitty gritty details of crime solving and the incompetency of those in the highest ranks (Who only knows how to talk and not do much and avoid responsibility and only step in when there are praises and rewards) in the police. I'm so glad they didn't put some idol actor or actress into the drama. The high ratings for the show proves that you still need great actors and actresses to carry the story and not just idol faces. Kim Nam Gil's range of facial expressions and at times solemn facial expressions truly brings out the realistic feelings of a criminal behavioural analyst.Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing actors and actress
One of the best crime drama i have watched.I like the pace of the plot and i must say the scriptwriter is really good at building emotions and subtle relationship details among the casts.
It wasn't said out loud but Cha Jae-hwan and Lee Joong Yeop both likes Eugene. Cha Jae-hwan's disappointment that Eugene did not feel anything for him was revealed three times, once when he was alone with Eugene at the park and second time when Eugene invited him to a western dinner at the restaurant and third time when his mum commented that Lee Joong Yeop and Eugene makes a lovely couple., and Cha Jae Hwan facial expression just shows his range of emotions.
Amazing.
Claudia Kim is such a sophisticated actress. She is so different from the current pool of Korean actress.
Now wonder she can make it to overseas productions.
One thing to note is, i really hope the screen writer has done a better job in portraying the role of a Criminal Profiler. Maybe more research has to be done. Kim Nam Gil in 'Through the darkness' portrayed more strength as a Criminal Profiler. The interrogation scene between Eugene and Lee Joong Yeop would have been more impactful if the questions asked were more specific. It was abit all over the place. That didn't do justice to the critical role of a Criminal Profiler.
I wish they could have develop the kinship between Lee Joong Yeop and Kim Hyo Kyeong. Their relationship should have been very important but it was not developed well. It doesn't make me feel sad that Hyo Kyeon died. They should not have included a sister in the story if they were not ready to develop that relationship. I mean, imagine how will Lee Joong Yeop would feel if he knows that he has a sister?! He was yearning for a family.
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Lee Jun Ki carried the whole show on his shoulder.
Lee Jun Ki is really good. But i pity his awkward acting with IU because IU just cannot carry the emotions well.Felt like Jun Ki is acting on his own.
Kang Han-na is awesome.
IU is indeed a worldclass musician. No one can dispute that.
But sorry, she really cannot act.
Acting is not her forte and she seriously should focus on music.
One can enjoy acting but doesn't mean they can really act.
She is lucky to get the main role due to her popularity as a musician.
Not even her music fans can defend her acting problem in this drama.
Check out the amount of complains about her acting in Moon lovers online.
The fact that Hae Soo (IU) reciprocated to (8th)Prince Wang Wook's flirting even when Lady Hae Myung-hee is alive, is disgusting. The worst is they quickly get together after Lady Hae Myung-hee's death. But both Hae Soo and Wang Wook are compatible because of their low morale value. To think that Lady Hae Myung-hee was so nice to Hae Soo and didn't know about the betrayal is the most disgusting thing in this show.
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Lousy script, lousy show....
Such a lousy and old-fashioned plot. The director and production team were just trying to pull a fast one with a lousy script. They just want to captitalise on the visual aesthetics of Yoona and Jun Ho. Even the fake dating news between Yoona and Junho was also part of the publicity stunt. ...trying to increase viewership for an already-lousy show. Can we just be honest that Yoona really looks good but can't act. This show just shows all her acting flaws. Yoona went to another level with Big Mouth then slipped back 10 levels down for King the land. This show does not provide any breakthrough for Jun ho too. Big disappointment for all the hype for the show.Hey director, not even more kiss scenes will save your lousy show. Why does such show even exist! What a waste of resources and time slot.
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For some reason, Im soo hyang's acting is very 'forced'.
The story is pretty common. Kdrama seems to like to capitalise on Grim reapers for stories.With the female lead already falling in love with the male lead in the first episode, feels like there's nothing to look forward to.
For some reason, Im soo hyang's acting is very 'forced'. Trying to hard to be the female character.
I hope she can relax abit more. I think it could be the way she enunciated her words. Most actors/actresses regurgitate their given dialogue, good ones, puts their emotions into their dialogue.
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Take out Cha Eun Woo please.....awkward acting....
Kim Nam Gil, Lee Da Hee and Sung Joon are amazing.I just want to see more of Kim Nam Gil for every episode. He is beyond charismatic and awesome. He is the real actor with real substance. Having Cha Eun Woo around is like so annoying. I mean do we really need his character? I believe if his part is completely scrapped off, the whole drama would still function well. I get it. The director need his face to boost ratings.
If not for Kim Nam Gil, Lee Da Hee and Sung Joon, i won't even watch it. Having a priest in this fantasy show is just OFF. Thankfully i can fast forward all Cha Eun Woo's part.
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